Things to Do in Kochi, Kerala

A short, practical guide to Kochi in Kerala: what is worth your time, how long it takes, and when to go.

Why Kochi is worth the stop

Kochi is a port city with Portuguese, Dutch, Jewish and Chinese layers stacked on each other, and Fort Kochi is the most walkable historic quarter in south India.

Things to do in Kochi

• Chinese fishing nets along the Fort Kochi waterfront.
• Mattancherry Palace, with its Ramayana murals.
• Paradesi Synagogue and the antique shops of Jew Town.
• A Kathakali performance, arriving early to watch the makeup.
• The Kerala Folklore Museum, an underrated collection.

A sensible one-day plan

• Morning walk through Fort Kochi and the waterfront.
• Mattancherry Palace and Jew Town before the afternoon closure.
• Late lunch of Kerala fish curry and rice.
• Evening Kathakali or Kalaripayattu performance.

Getting around

Ferries between Fort Kochi, Vypin and Ernakulam are cheap and faster than the road at rush hour. Autos are metered and the metro covers the mainland.

What to eat here

Karimeen pollichathu, appam with stew, and a Malabar parotta with beef fry if you eat meat.

When to come

The comfortable window is November to February. Avoid June to August unless you handle heat or heavy rain well. Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport (COK). A mid-range day in Kochi, covering a room, food and local transport, runs about 2,500 to 6,000 rupees.

One thing most visitors miss

Shops in Jew Town close in the early afternoon and much of the quarter shuts on Saturday, so plan that visit for a weekday morning.

Common questions