Kochi / India

On the southwestern coast of India in the state of Kerala, the significant port city of Kochi (also known as Cochin) lies on the shores of the Laccadive Sea, nicknamed the Queen of the Arabian Sea.

Since the 14th century, the city has been an important center for the spice trade. In the early 16th century, it fell under Portuguese rule, becoming the first European colony in India. Later, Kochi was governed by the Dutch, and until India gained independence in 1947, by the British. Today, it is a financial and industrial hub of the region and one of the most visited tourist cities in India.

The city of Kochi, with a population of 600,000, is a blend of cultures and nations and has two parts – the historical and more attractive for visitors is Mattancherry. The Fort Cochin area was founded by the Portuguese in 1510, and here you can see a number of Portuguese churches, a Jewish synagogue, as well as several mosques and Hindu temples.

In the 1550s, the Mattancherry Palace was built, which today hosts a Hindu temple. In the city center, there is a Jewish town with the Jewish Palace, the Jewish Synagogue, and countless antique shops.

Kochi is the gateway to the so-called backwaters, a beautiful network of canals, rivers, and lakes that meander and wind for up to 1,150 kilometers, lined with palm trees and rice fields. The best way to explore them is from the deck of a hand-made boat with a thatched roof, which can be rented here.

Anyone wanting to learn more about the area should not miss a visit to the Kerala History Museum or the Kerala Folklore Museum, which, through more than 4,000 artifacts, introduces the folk tradition of the area, up to a thousand years old.

For those looking for fun and adrenaline, the Wonderla Amusement Park offers more than 50 different attractions for the whole family.

A walk along Fort Kochi Beach, dotted with Chinese fishing nets, is also worth it. About 12 kilometers from the city stands the Tripunithura Palace, an extensive complex of buildings built in the traditional architectural style at the end of the 19th century, today hosting the largest archaeological museum in Kerala.

Kochi is famous for its spices – ginger, red chili, cinnamon, turmeric, or white and black pepper. Bazaar Road is lined with small shops where you can also buy wood carvings, silk, or scarves.

Places worth seeing

Jew Town – Visit the old part of the city with winding narrow streets lined with spice shops and the oldest synagogue in India.

Wonderla Amusement Park – Enjoy lots of fun and adrenaline in the huge theme park with more than 50 attractions.

Kerala Backwaters – Take a ride on a traditional boat through the intricate network of canals, rivers, and lakes surrounded by palm trees and rice fields.

Hill Palace of Tripunithura – Don't miss a visit to the palace from the late 19th century with the largest archaeological museum in the area.

Mattancherry Palace – Explore the palace from the early 16th century, surrounded by a lovely garden with a small museum featuring medieval murals.

Fort Kochi Beach – Stroll along the beach dotted with ingenious Chinese fishing nets and taste the freshest catches of the day.