A major spice trading port for centuries, beautiful Kochi is amongst Kerala's most popular destinations. The state’s commercial capital, the vibrant city of Kochi’s modern hub, Ernakulam, is a bustling metropolis studded with skyscrapers and shopping malls, packed cinemas and buzzy restaurants. Most visitors, however, make for the more tranquil hubs of Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, both of which brim with heritage charm and a fascinating cultural blend. Many of the best places to stay in Kochi are clustered within the old Fort town, where you’ll find crumbling historic homes and a thriving arts scene.
Amble around Fort Kochi on foot to marvel at sights which have dazzled travellers for over 600 years. Admire huge cantilevered Chinese fishing nets in the harbour, weave your way through winding streets lined with Dutch, Portuguese and British-era mansions, and pick a perch in artsy cafes or hole-in-the-wall bars facing lively games of cricket played under the banyan trees. Delve into Kerala’s complex past at the Indo-Portuguese Museum, the Mattancherry Palace, the Kerala Folklore Museum or the 1568-built Paradesi Synagogue. St Francis Church, believed to be the oldest European-built church in India, is another stand-out.
This stretch of the Malabar Coast offers no shortage of fascinating attractions and mouth-watering cuisine. Hire bicycles to discover the area on two wheels, or hop aboard a traditional boat to glide through the famed Kerala backwaters, catching a glimpse of life in the verdant villages which line the banks of the river. The Fort Kochi Bienniale is the city’s biggest arts event — book well in advance if you’d like a room at one of the best places to stay in Kochi during the festival!
