First things first – are Kochi and Cochin the same? Kochi is the official name of Cochin in Kerala. The locals would call the city Kochi but the Britishers called it Cochin. In the year 1996, the name of the city was formally changed to Kochi, the closest resemblance to the Malayalam transcription. However, both the names – Kochi and Cochin are still used and we shall use both these words interchangeably.

We were recently attending Kerala Travel Mart, the largest tourism trade event in India, and had an epiphany. We realised most people try to do Kochi in a day. While whatever time you spend in this beautiful city is well worth it, we believe one day is not enough. You would need at least 2 days to do just look at the most popular spots in Cochin. Below is a guide to spending 2 days in Kochi that would help in creating a solid impression.

 

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Day 1

You can start day one from Fort Kochi, the most beautiful area in this city. With old-style bungalows and houses, Fort Kochi street art, colonial churches, antique shops and a photogenic beach, It is like a live art gallery. So check out and see for yourself what is Fort Kochi famous for.

Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, Fort Kochi

This Roman Catholic church was founded in the year 1505 by the Portuguese. It was later acquired by the British. This church is a gorgeous edifice with two high spires. Gothic interiors are punctuated with solid wood pulpits and altars.

When we went, a wedding was being held here. The Christian bride wore a white sari and a flower tiara while the groom was dressed in traditional Kerala dhoti known as mundu. What a beautiful assimilation of cultures was this! There are many churches in the Fort Kochi area but this one is not to be missed for its grandeur and history.

Dutch Palace, Mattancherry

Mattancherry from Fort Kochi is about 10 minutes drive. This place is a treasure trove of tourist interest. You can start with the Dutch Palace that was gifted by the Dutch to the King of Kochi. The palace is a fusion of Kerala and foreign architecture. The high point of the palace is the walls painted with Kerala murals depicting the stories of our epics Ramayan and Mahabharata. Even after the elapse of almost 500 years, the bright colours of the paints and the expressive faces almost speak with you.

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Jew Town, Kochi

Kochi is the proverbial melting pot of cultures. Jews from Iberia came and settled here in the 12th century. They were known as Pardesi Jews (Jews from another country). Jew Town in Mattancherry has beautiful vintage buildings one or 2 storeys. Most of these buildings are now antique shops. there are some spice shops too.

A walk down the lanes of Jew Town will transport you to another time and another place. Towards the end of the lane is the Jewish Synagogue (place of worship). This is also known as the Pardesi Synagogue. It is a simple building but very aesthetic. The prayer hall carries gold foiled woodwork, ornamental chandeliers with glass lamp shades and Chinese handpainted tiles.

Where to have Sadya in Kochi

Sadya is a traditional Kerala meal served on a banana leaf. It is more of festival food with many items. We have had Sadya in Delhi and are big fans.

But where to have authentic Sadya in Kochi? For lunch, we suggest you go to Vijaylakshmi (Vijaylekshmi) Caterers about 3 km from Jew Town. It is a fuss-free place with a functional approach to food. The different items of Sadya were served hot, one after the other. The drinking water that was served was warm and slightly reddish in tinge. Apparently, this is herbal water mixed with the herb Pathimugam that helps in controlling water-borne epidemic diseases.

Chinese fishing nets, Fort Kochi

Post the filling Sadya, you would want a brief break. Rest a while and then you can head to the beach area at Fort Kochi. One corner of the beach is famous for Chinese fishing nets that were established apparently between the years 1350 to 1450. The nets look like fine fabric and are hung high from the mast of the boat like oversized cobwebs. It is considered lucky to touch fishing tackle and fishermen let you throw the net in the water as well and pull in a catch (however small 😊). The fishing nets also make for the perfect backdrop for the perfect selfie in Kochi.

Sunset at Fort Kochi beach

If you have a thing for sunsets, you can walk down the beach at Fort Kochi. You get to see the sunset .. when the sun kind of melts in the far left of the sky. This is a busy time at the beach when people come here to watch the sunset or just hang around. The Fort Kochi beach would make the most romantic place in Kochi unless for the crowd. There are tea and juice shacks here. In fact, some fishmongers sell their fresh catch. They offer to cook the fresh fish immediately if you bought it from them.

Dinner at Fort Kochi beach seafood shacks

For dinner, we recommend the cool shacks and restaurants beside the beach. Seated alfresco, you get to taste the best seafood in Kochi here. And not only fish, but they also serve a medley of dishes starting from pizzas to our staple daal roti. Done up with simple furniture and fairy lights you get to eat like you are having a beach party. This relaxing laidback experience is a perfect balance to the busy day you might have had.

Day 2 

You can start day 2 by exploring the other parts of the very verdant Cochin such as Marine Drive, Ernakulam and Tripunithura.

Ferry boat in Kochi to Marine Drive

Ferry services are a popular mode of transport in Cochin. Take a ferry from Fort Kochi Boat Jetty and head to Marine Drive Jetty. It is fast and affordable and you can see dolphins jump in the water if you are lucky. The riverfront has been designed with pavements, benches, trees and benches. You can take a stroll here or sit looking at the water and soak in the peace. There are some refreshment stalls here for a soft drink or a cup of tea.

Leisure boats are also available here. You can charter a boat for 1 to 2 hours and the cost would be approximately Rs 3000.

 

Broadway Market, Kochi

In half an hour or so, you can walk down to the Broadway Market on the other side of the road. Markets, in our experience, are the best places to feel the local pulse. Broadway Market in the Ernakulam area has been in business since the early 20th century and we found shops for virtually everything we can think of.

Kochi is famous for spices and the black pepper and cardamom available here are like next to none in the world. Historically spices were among the most sought-after export from India and attracted colonisers to our country. There are many spice shops on Broadway along with shops selling famous brassware and lamps of Kerala, traditional dhoti, sari and other handloom items and last but not least, banana chips and Calicut halwa. Restaurants here serve North Indian as well as Malayali food so it is a good place for affordable lunch.

Folklore Museum

A short ride on an auto or a radio taxi from Broadway takes you to Folklore Museum, in Ernakulam, Kochi. Starting from wood and stone carvings from temples and palaces to beautiful altars and statues from old churches of this region, this Museum is stacked with mind-boggling variety. Old Thanjavur paintings, glass paintings and oil paintings of this region give us an insight into how the art of painting developed in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Another section is dedicated to the celebrated classical music and dance forms of Kerala. Ornaments and accessories also form a major part of the display. The museum shop sells many antiques as well as traditional clothes. Last but not the least, the museum building is in old Kerala style. The detailed paintings on the ceilings can make your eyes pop out.

Hill Palace Museum, Tripunithura

The Hill Palace Museum was the erstwhile home of the King of Cochin and the administrative office for royal functions. The Department of Archaeology, Government of Kerala has converted this complex of traditional buildings into an archaeological museum.

The idea behind the museum is to introduce the visitor to the history and culture of Kochi. Various printed boards carry details about the Kochi royal family along with some paintings, models of palaces and a statue of a royal elephant. The museum is perched atop a hill and there are a heritage museum, a deer park and a children’s park in the vicinity. When we visited, we found the other museum way more fun than the main museum.

This museum is indeed a great exposure to the history of the Malabar Coast in general. However, given that reaching the museum involves some climbing, and we could not spot an elevator, it is difficult to access for /people with mobility issues.

Chautanika Temple

Barely 8 minutes from Hill Palace Museum is the Chautanika Temple. It is a 10th-century shrine on Chautanika Hill. Legend has it that Goddess Lakshmi resides here with her consort Lord Vishnu. The deity is worshipped in different forms in the day. She is Goddess Mahasaraswati in the morning, Goddess Mahalakshmi in noon and Goddess Mahakali in the evening. It is also believed that praying at this temple cures mental illness.

We recommend this spot not only for its antiquity but also for the Chautanika Temple architecture. Made primarily of wood carrying a typically Kerala-style thatched roof, mythology has it that it was built under the supervision of Vishwakarma, the architect of Hindu gods.

Kashi Art Cafe, Fort Kochi

It will take you about an hour to come back if you are putting up at Fort Kochi. All you would have time is to dine and rest. For a relaxing dinner, we suggest Kashi Art Cafe at Fort Kochi.

It is an art gallery cum cafe and is partially alfresco. Pieces of sculptures are scattered at various spots here. The cuisine is continental and more importantly, the food is good. When we were in Kochi, we came here twice – for breakfast and dinner. On average it would cost Rs 1000 for 2 diners.

How to travel around Kochi

Kochi has all modern modes of transport. Autorickshaws are easily available. You can also opt for radio taxis such as Ola and Uber in Kochi. Metro rail connects various points in the city too. Moreover, the ferry boats connect various islands and are a quick and pocket-friendly mode of transport. Bikes on rent are also available on a half-day and full-day basis and the standard charges are Rs 400. Additionally, you would have to pay for the fuel.

Where to stay in Kochi?

There are a host of accommodation options in Kochi. The Fort Kochi area has many Dutch and British colonial houses that have been turned into heritage hotels. Homestays and hostels are also popular here. The Ernakulam area near the railway station also had hotels in various budget ranges.

Is Kochi worth visiting?

Kochi is very green for a city with an inherent feel-good factor. It is a heady mixture of nature and history and modernism and culture and religion. The backwaters flow through Kochi and it rains frequently so umbrellas are necessary. It is the most exquisite port city in Kerala if not India. You can see fine examples of Kerala art and architecture in Kochi. So it is an emphatic YES! Kochi indeed is worth a visit.

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There are many other places that we would like you to visit if you have more time. The Edapally Church in Kochi, Lulu Mall and Jain Temple at Mattancherry are strongly recommended. In our experience, Kochi was the perfect holiday with something for everybody. We intend to come back and explore more of Kochi.

P.S. This post is in collaboration with Kerala Tourism Mart or KTM, 2022, a tourism event organised by Kerala Tourism Department and Incredible India.