Because of its breathtaking beauty, Kerala is referred to as "God's Own Country," and Kochi is located on the South West Coast with views of the Arabian Sea. Kochi has served as a hub for international trade and tourism for centuries, and every group that has visited—from Arabs to Portuguese and British colonizers—has left their mark on the city's history and culture.
The traders from the court of Chinese emperor Kubla Khan are to blame for the Chinese fishing nets, which serve as a symbol of Kochi, being found only in Fort Kochi, which may be the only place in the world where they are distinctive outside of China. There are currently 11 Chinese fishing nets scattered along the Fort Kochi shoreline, compared to about 20 a decade ago.
Another fascinating neighbourhood in Kochi is Mattancherry. One of the busiest tourist destinations in Kochi, Mattancherry is an unusual combination of spices, handicrafts, culture, and cuisine. The name Mattancherry derives from the Brahmin household name "Ancherry Mattam," which was rendered Matt-Ancherry by Western traders. A popular tourist destination in Kochi is Mattancherry, where Portuguese influence is evident, particularly in the Dutch Palace.
Another island that is very well-liked by visitors to Kochi and Kerala is Vypeen Island. Pallipuram Fort, the first European-made fort still standing in India, was built in 1503 and is also located in Vypeen.
One of Kerala's best beaches, Cherai beach, also known as Princess of the Arabian Sea, is located just off the coast of Vypeen Island. It is shallow, peaceful, and perfect for swimming and sunbathing.
The popular getaway's appeal is heightened by the palm-lined backwaters, and the frequent sightings of dolphins in the water make it one of Kochi's most picturesque destinations.
If you are travelling to Kerala with children, Kodanad Elephant Training Center, a remote riverside town near the Periyar Water, is another must-visit location. Kids can enjoy washing elephants in the river there. Being able to observe elephants up close is a fantastic experience and a highlight of visiting Kerala. Kodanad is one of the ecotourism tourist projects of the Indian government, and it serves as an elephant rescue facility for elephants that have been caught from the forests in the nearby highlands.
Andhakaranazhi, one of the nicest beaches around Kochi, is still undeveloped and beautiful. It is situated 30 kilometres from Kochi in the direction of Alleppey. From the nearby fishing hamlet, you can see a lot of fishing boats on the beach, and fishing is the main activity of the locals here.
The Andhakaranazhi beach is a must-see, especially if you are planning a houseboat trip from Kochi to Alleppey as the beach will fall on the way to the Nehru Trophy finishing point or to Kumarakom from where Kerala houseboat packages start. Local fishermen can be seen launching out every morning and attacking the choppy waves of the beach.
One of the oldest Dutch palaces still in existence outside of Holland is located on Bolghatty Island, which is only accessible by boat from mainland Kochi. The former Bolghatty Palace is now a hotel with a swimming pool, 9-hole golf course, ayurvedic centre, and daily Kathakali performances. It is a well-liked resort for Indian and foreign tourists.
India's largest shopping mall, Lulu Shopping Mall, is located in Edappally and is owned and run by the EMKE Group. There are many marketplaces in Kochi where you may go shopping, but the Lulu Mall, with its air conditioning and more than 300 shops, restaurants, and food outlets, is a special pleasure.
This contemporary complex features both international brands and regional delicacies. It is also adjacent to a deluxe five-star, 20-story hotel with 300 rooms that is operated by JW Marriott Hotels.
Don't forget to visit the tourist destinations outside of Kochi as well. Around Ernakulam, there are a number of fascinating tourist attractions, including the Church in Malayattoor. The word "Malayattoor" is a mashup of three short words. Arr (River) Mala (Mountain) Oore (Place). This means that Malayattoor is where the mountain, river, and land come together.
The Malayatoor Church, which is perched atop the 609-meter-high Malayatoor Hill, is the city's most well-known tourist destination. St. Thomas, who is thought to have worshipped at this shrine when he visited India, is honoured in the church on top of the hill.
One of the most significant Christian pilgrimage sites in India is this church.
Marine Drive, contrary to what its name might imply, is a picturesque promenade in Ernakulam that has the rainbow bridge, which has come to represent Ernakulam as one of the top spots to visit in Kochi.
The Marine Drive was constructed on land that had been reclaimed from backwaters, and its original design called for a lovely road to follow the shoreline; however, because of coastline regulations, this was not possible, therefore the road was changed to a promenade with a Chinese fishing net bridge.
Hourly cruises are offered by private boat operators leaving from Marine Drive and travelling through Bolgatty, Cochin Harbour, and other nearby locations.
Hill Palace, the residence of the former Maharaja of Kochi, was transformed into a museum in 1986. The museum complex includes an archaeological museum, a heritage museum, a deer park, a prehistoric park, and a children's park in addition to displaying the crown and ornaments of the former Cochin royal family as well as paintings, sculptures in stone and marble, weapons, inscriptions, coins, and more.
The weapon and horse-drawn carriage galleries are quite impressive. One of the top tourist attractions in Kochi is the official house of the Cochin Maharaja and the largest archaeological museum in Kerala.
Winter is by far the greatest time to visit Cochin because the weather is so beautiful from October to February. The range of temperatures is between 17 and 33 degrees Celsius. The perfect season for honeymooners, beach lovers, and thrill seekers is now.
