Kochi Travelers Recommend

With three days in Kochi, you'll have plenty of time to visit colonial Fort Cochin, take a houseboat trip through Kerala's picturesque backwaters, and still have time left over to either explore the tea plantations of Munnar or the archaeological ruins of Pattanam. Here's how to make the most of your time.

Day 1: Historic Fort Cochin

Spend your first day in Kochi exploring the adjacent historic areas of Fort Cochin and Mattancherry. Mattancherry is best-known for 16th-century Mattancherry Palace, aka the Dutch Palace, which houses frescoes and regal art and artifacts. From here it’s a short walk to the Paradesi Synagogue, also dating to the 16th century and the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth. Next, head to Fort Cochin to visit the oldest church in India, St. Francis Church, and the nearby Dutch Cemetery, believed to be the oldest graveyard in the country. Make a stop at the beautiful Santa Cruz Basilica before making your way over to the shore for a photo op with the city’s famous Chinese fishing nets as the sun sets into the sea. Top off your first evening with a traditional Kathakali dance performance, or opt for a package that also includes a Keralan dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 2: Beautiful Backwaters

Devote your second day to a quintessential Kerala experience: a cruise on the backwaters. Most cruises depart from the town of Alleppey, an easy drive from Kochi, and are often staged on kettuvallam, traditional houseboats made of coir (coconut fiber). These cruises often go deep into the state’s extensive network of waterways, passing jungles, rice paddies, and traditional villages along the way. Lunch is often included and is generally typical of the region, with rice, coconut-based curries, and fish. While some backwaters cruises span a few days, half- and full-day packages that include transportation from Kochi are also available.

Day 3: Hill Stations or History

If you managed to see all you want to in Kochi on your first day, spend your final day participating in another day trip. Get up early to visit to the tea-plantation town of Munnar, where high elevation results in lower temperatures. Most tours include tea-factory visits, and some stop at the tea museum. Another popular option—and closer to town—is Pattanam, which many archaeologists believe was once the ancient port town of Muziris. Recent excavations show evidence of settlements as early as 1000 BC. Either way, return to Kochi in time to top off your trip with a South Indian dinner in the food-centric Fort Cochin neighborhood.

The southern state of Kerala, a relatively new addition to the tourist map, has a network of serene backwater canals that extend more than 550 miles (900 km) and offer a glimpse of an India that’s more relaxed than the India you’ll see in big cities. Here’s what you need to know about cruising Kerala’s backwaters.

Day Cruises The most popular way to experience the serene beauty of the Kerala backwaters is on a day cruise aboard a kettuvallam, or traditional houseboat. These vessels have been plying the labyrinthine waters for centuries. Visitors typically board near Alleppey before floating past the coconut- and palm-lined shores and rural fishing villages. The cruise usually includes a traditional South Indian lunch, and you can choose between a private or small-group tour.

Overnight Cruises If you want to experience the backwaters of Kerala like a local, plan to spend at least a night on a houseboat. Overnight cruises allow visitors to travel deeper into the waterways that give the region the nickname “Venice of the East.” Most excursions include lunch and dinner, sometimes by candlelight—a romantic experience perfect for couples. Four- to six-day tours of Kerala often include a night on a houseboat.

Things to Know

• Day cruises on the Kerala backwaters typically last seven or eight hours.
• Most tours include roundtrip transportation from hotels in Kochi.
• Enjoy the intimacy of a private houseboat cruise or the value of a small-group tour.
• Most cruises depart from Alleppey, about two hours outside Kochi.

A major port for many centuries, the Kerala city of Kochi has long played an important role in South Indian commerce, with myriad historic sites to match. Most of Kochi’s most interesting attractions are located in and around the historic Fort Cochin neighborhood, making it easy to cover a lot of ground quickly. If you only have a day in the city, here’s how to spend it.

Morning: Mattancherry Palace and the Paradesi Synagogue

Start your Kochi visit with a trip to Mattancherry Palace, a 16th-century structure with a deceptively plain facade and an incredible collection of art and royal artifacts, including numerous murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata epics. From here, it’s a short walk to the Paradesi Synagogue, the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth. Known as Jew Town, the area around the synagogue is home to a small population of Kerala Jews whose families have lived in the area for generations.

Afternoon: The Historic Churches of Fort Cochin

At lunchtime, make your way west to the Fort Cochin area, about a 15-minute walk from the synagogue, where there are lots of good dining options. After lunch, pay a visit to the St. Francis Church; built in 1516, it’s the oldest church in the country. Right by the church is the Dutch Cemetery, the final resting place of a number of Dutch settlers and purportedly the oldest graveyard in India. While in the area, don't miss Gothic Santa Cruz Basilica, with intricately frescoed interiors.

Night: Fishing Nets and Kathakali

Just before night begins to fall, make your way to the beach to see one of Kochi’s most famous attractions: the Chinese fishing nets, which are particularly picturesque against the setting sun. These gigantic nets, which are attached to large structures used to raise and lower them, get their name because they were allegedly introduced to Kerala by Chinese explorer Zheng He. As night falls, head out to see a performance of Kathakali dance, a type of classical dance featuring fully costumed (and made-up) performers recounting Hindu tales through complex moves and gestures, followed by dinner.

With two days in Kochi, you’ll get the best of both worlds: a day to immerse yourself in local history and culture and a day to cruise the famed nearby Kerala backwaters. Here’s how to maximize your time.

Day 1: Historic Fort Cochin

Morning: Spend your first morning getting an overview of Kochi on a half-day guided walking tour. Explore historic Mattancherry Palace, a 16th-century Portuguese structure originally constructed as a gift to the Kochi dynasty king. Inside, learn more about local history as you examine murals and royal artifacts. From here, it’s just a short walk to the historic Paradesi Synagogue, which dates to 1567 and is among the oldest synagogues in India.

Afternoon: In the afternoon, head west to visit Fort Cochin’s two most important churches. The prettiest is the Gothic Santa Cruz Basilica, with frescoed interiors, while the most historically significant is the St. Francis Church, the oldest church in India. Next to the church is the Dutch Cemetery, likely India’s oldest graveyard.

Night: After a day of sightseeing, head to the beach just before sunset to see the famous Chinese fishing nets, oft-photographed permanent structures that allow the raising and lowering of nets through a series of pulleys. Afterwards, top off your evening with a performance of Kathakali, a traditional dance that developed in the region, or opt for a package that also includes a dinner of Spice Coast cuisine.

Day 2: Cruising the Backwaters

Morning: On your second day, head south to the town of Alleppey, where the bulk of Kerala's famous backwater cruises depart. Choose among private half-day, full-day, and multi-day kettuvallam (traditional houseboat) cruises, which sail past villages, jungles, and rice paddies.

Afternoon: Most backwater cruises serve lunch onboard and include South Indian favorites, from fried bananas to locally sourced fish and produce. Spend the afternoon observing life in the backwater, perhaps stopping to visit villages along the canals.

Night: Depending on how early you depart, you’ll likely return to Kochi in time for dinner. For your final night in town, head to the Fort Kochi area, where some of the city’s best restaurants are housed in charming old Dutch buildings. End your evening with a meal of Keralan cuisine, perhaps seafood and dishes such as erissery (pumpkin-and-lentil stew) or ishtu (coconut milk–based stew) with appam (crepe-like pancakes).