Most travellers picture Fort Kochi when they think of Kochi — but the mainland city of Ernakulam is where the place actually lives and works, and it has plenty of its own. It’s the shopping, dining and transport hub, fronted by a long backwater promenade and tied to the old town by a cheap, scenic ferry. Here are the experiences worth making time for, drawn from our verified list and ranked by what travellers rate highest. No paid placements.
- The mainland half of Kochi — modern, busy, and the easiest base to arrive into.
- Don’t miss: a Marine Drive sunset, a backwater cruise, MG Road & Broadway shopping.
- Getting around: the Kochi Metro along MG Road, autos everywhere, and ferries or the Kochi Water Metro to Fort Kochi.
- Best months: October–March for the promenade and cruises.
1. Walk Marine Drive at sunset
Marine Drive is Ernakulam’s waterfront promenade, built along the backwaters and made for an evening stroll — boats crossing the harbour, snack carts, and the walkway bridges lit up after dark. It’s the city’s favourite gathering spot at golden hour. Our full Marine Drive guide has the details.
2. Take a backwater cruise from the boat jetty
Boats leave the Marine Drive and High Court jetties for harbour and backwater cruises — a quick, affordable way to see Kochi from the water without committing to a full Alleppey day trip. The Kochi International Marina on Bolgatty Island is the base for private sailing and boat charters.
3. Shop MG Road and Broadway
MG Road is Ernakulam’s main commercial avenue, and the older Broadway market runs alongside it, a block over — a tight, lively lane of textile shops, spice traders and everyday bargains. For air-conditioned retail, the LuLu mall at Edappally is one of India’s largest. Full rundown in our Ernakulam shopping guide.
4. See contemporary art at Durbar Hall
The Durbar Hall Art Centre, a heritage hall run by the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi, hosts rotating shows of contemporary Kerala and Indian art — a calm, air-conditioned hour off the busy streets.
5. Find some green — and some quiet churches
The Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary is a small mangrove patch and bird habitat tucked right behind the High Court — a surprising pocket of green in the city. Ernakulam also has a strong set of churches and cathedrals, including St Mary’s Cathedral Basilica. Here are the top-rated sights from our verified list:
Top-rated in Ernakulam
Attraction in Ernakulam.
Art gallery on Durbar Hall Road in Ernakulam.
Attraction on High Ct Rd, Marine Drive in Ernakulam.
Church in Ernakulam.
Mall on Old NH 47, Edappally Junction, Nethaji Nagar, Edappally in Ernakulam.
Marina in Ernakulam.
And hop across to Fort Kochi
The best half-day from Ernakulam is the ferry to Fort Kochi — see our guide to things to do in Fort Kochi and the one-day itinerary. Not sure which side to base in? Read Ernakulam vs Fort Kochi.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ernakulam worth visiting?
Yes — Ernakulam is the lively mainland city of Kochi, with Marine Drive, backwater cruises, the best shopping and dining, and easy transport. Many travellers base here and ferry across to Fort Kochi for the heritage sights.
What is there to do in Ernakulam in the evening?
Walk Marine Drive at sunset, take a short harbour cruise from the boat jetty, browse MG Road, or eat your way through the city’s restaurants.
How do you get from Ernakulam to Fort Kochi?
The cheapest and nicest way is the government ferry from the Ernakulam main jetty (about 25 minutes). Autos and cabs take 30–45 minutes by road via the bridges.