Costruita lungo la costa del Malabar del Kerala, Kochi è una delle città più eclettiche dell'India. Fondata come porto per il commercio di spezie del XIV secolo, con forti legami con la Cina, l'Europa e il Medio Oriente, Kochi fu governata da tre imperi stranieri successivi (portoghese, olandese e britannico) durante l'era coloniale. La moderna Kochi è diventata un centro economico e commerciale e rappresenta un popolare punto di partenza per esplorare i corsi d'acqua del Kerala, la Venezia orientale dell'India. Ricco di bungalow coloniali e diversi siti religiosi, il quartiere di Fort Kochi, patrimonio dell'UNESCO, mostra il mix di influenze della città. Visita la chiesa di San Francesco, una delle più antiche chiese europee in India, e la gotica Basilica Cattedrale di Santa Cruz. Visita la sinagoga ebraica Paradeshi di 700 anni e il Palazzo Mattancherry, una reliquia coloniale portoghese piena di intricati murales dipinti che illustrano l'antica mitologia indù. Immergiti nella cultura vivente con una dimostrazione delle reti da pesca cinesi a sbalzo che i pescatori di Kochi hanno usato per secoli e assicurati di assistere a uno spettacolo di danza Kathakali, una colorata forma d'arte del XVII secolo che ha avuto origine in Kerala. Un corso di cucina in una casa locale è un modo delizioso per immergersi nella cultura e nella cucina dell'India meridionale. E non trascurare la terraferma: il Kerala Folklore Museum a Ernakulam è un posto meraviglioso per conoscere le arti popolari regionali. Dopo aver esplorato Kochi, puoi prenotare una crociera per piccoli gruppi su una classica casa galleggiante attraverso le backwaters rurali del Kerala. Altre opzioni includono escursioni lungo il fiume Chalakudy fino alle cascate Athirappilly o visite alle piantagioni di tè e alla stazione di Munnar Hill.
October to March is the best time to visit Kochi; temperatures in this period range from a sightseeing-comfortable 64°F (18°C) to a hot-but-bearable 84°F (29°C). December to February is the apex of this winter tourist season, and you’ll find larger crowds and higher prices. Savvy travelers can opt to visit in September, when the weather isn’t too muggy; or in April, when things are quieter but temperatures are over 80°F (30°C). In summer, you might catch one of Kochi’s annual temple festivals, which include colorful processions.
While there are plenty of buses in Kochi, they’re usually sweltering and overcrowded. Most visitors choose cabs or tuk-tuks (auto-rickshaws); take cabs for longer city and tuk-tuks for shorter trips (just make sure you agree a flat rate or time-rate). For a spot of fun, try out Kochi’s cheap and cheerful ferries, which run to Fort Kochi and other sights. To spend a day exploring other parts of Kerala, book a car and driver or a guided tour.
While exploring Fort Kochi, stop at the Pepper House Café for a bite to eat. This charming heritage center on the waterfront is housed in two restored colonial-era warehouses and boasts a café, gallery, design shop, and garden. Dig into simple European-style dishes, sip a barista-made coffee or mint lemonade, check out the colorful artwork, and then slip through the garden archway for magical views of Vembanad Lake.
Fringing Kerala’s coast, Kochi is historically known as a fishing port, spice center, and Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial hub; and also a jumping-off point for cruising the state’s serene backwaters. Tourists visit to see Kochi’s faded buildings and iconic Chinese fishing nets; and on route to joining backwater houseboat cruises.
...AltroAdmire the colonial-era highlights of Kochi’s Mattancherry district, including the 16th-century Mattancherry Palace and Pardesi Synagogue. Then, wander into Fort Kochi to lunch on banana-fritter-topped beef curry—a favorite local dish—before touring churches like the Portuguese-built Santa Cruz Basilica. Conclude at the nearby Chinese fishing nets, silhouetted against the sunset.
...AltroAt dusk, head for Fort Kochi’s Chinese fishing nets: these spidery structures look amazing at sunset. Afterward, catch a traditional Kathakali show— a classical dance featuring richly masked and costumed performers—before dining on local specialities like ishtu (coconut milk–based stew) at one of Fort Kochi’s many restaurants.
...AltroKochi’s Chinese nets make this city truly special: these fascinating contraptions are rarely seen outside Kerala or southern China. Likely introduced here by Chinese explorers in the 15th century, the giant nets are lowered into the sea before being raised via pulleys: usually revealing only small catches of fish and crab.
...AltroYes. With its storied colonial history, fresco-adorned churches, Chinese fishing nets, cobbled lanes, and tasty coconut-laden cuisine, Kochi promises rich pickings for history buffs, photographers, foodies, and sightseers. Kerala’s nearby network of tropical backwaters adds to its appeal, with many day-long or multi-day houseboat cruises departing from Fort Kochi.
...AltroKochi’s landmark Chinese fishing nets are free to view, although there’s usually a small fee to go aboard for a closer look. Many of Fort Kochi’s colonial-period sites don’t charge admission, either: so wandering around treasures like the frescoed Santa Cruz Basilica, St. Francis Church, and Paradesi Synagogue costs nothing.
...AltroNumero di attrazioni | 14 |
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Numero di tour | 414 |
Numero di recensioni | 2.040 |
Valuta | INR |
IT
