:: Wellcome to Kochi :: KochiTourism, Kochi Tourism in India, Lakesparadise !

Kochi (earlier known as Cochin) is the jewel in the crown of Kerala with true cosmopolitan character. With one of the finest natural harbors of the world, breath taking blue lagoons and lush green islands It is called the Queen of the Arabian Sea. It is the biggest and most active port in Kerala and from here, ships set sail for foreign ports with spices, rubber, coir and fish.

Attractions In & Around

Bolghatty Island :- Bolghatty Island is the site of the Bolghatty Palace built in 1744 by the Dutch that was later taken over by the British. Today Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) runs a hotel here. The island has a fine golf course making it an attractive picnic spot.

Cherain Beach :- This is a lovely beach bordering Vypin Island about 45 kms from Ernakulam city. This is ideal for swimming where dolphins are occasionally seen.

Chinese Fishing Nets :- Chinese fishing nets, called `cheena vala’ in Malayalam, flank the entrance to the Kochi harbour. Traders brought these huge cantilevered fishing nets here from the court of Kublai Khan. Fishermen in Fort Cochin still use these large nets, hanging from bamboo or teak posts to catch fish attracted by the lights suspended above the nets.

Gundu Island :- The magnificent 16th century Pallipuram Fort situated on Gundu Island is the smallest of the cluster of islands around Kochi. There is a coir factory run by a co-operative society, and the process of manufacturing coir from coconut fibre, can be observed here.

Jew Town :- The 2000-year-old Jew Town built in 1568, houses the oldest functioning synagogue in the Commonwealth. It is an enduring symbol of the eventful past of the Jews of Malabar.

Jewish Synagogue :- (Open10: 00am to 12:00noon 1:00 to 3:00pm)Located near the Dutch Palace, constructed in 1568, this is the oldest synagogue in the commonwealth, magnificently decorated by Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers. Giant scrolls of the Old Testament can be found here.

Mattancherry Palace :- This monument was built by the Portuguese in 1557 and presented to Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Kochi. The Dutch renovated it in 1663. The murals in the bedchambers and other rooms, depicting scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranic legends are the important features.

Pareekshith Thampuran Museum :- (Open 100:00am to 12)This archaeological museum (earlier known as Durbar Hall) adjacent to the Shiva temple in Ernakulam, features collections of 19th century oil paintings, pre-historic monuments, old coins in a numismatic gallery and collections of the Kochi royal family.
Timings: Open from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm. except Mondays.

Santa Cruz Basilica :- This Roman Catholic Church situated close to St. Francis Church is a historic church built by the Portuguese. Pope Paul IV elevated the church to a cathedral in 1558 AD. But in 1795 AD, the British demolished it. About a hundred years later, Bishop Dom Gomez Ferreira commissioned this new building. Pope John Paul II proclaimed Santa Cruz a Basilica in 1984.

St. Francis Church :- This was the first European Church to be built in India built in the Year 1503, which is currently owned by the Church of South India. The history of this Church reflects the colonial struggle of European powers in India, from the 15th to 20th Centuries.

The Hill Palace Museum :- , Thripunithura (Open 9:00am)Hill Palace, the official residence of the Kochi royal family built in 1865 AD, is about 10 kms. from Kochi and today it is the largest archaeological museum in Kerala. Numerous species of flora including rare medicinal plants grow here.
Timings: The museum is open all days except Mondays from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm.

Vypin Island :- Vypin Island about 21 kms. from the city is a major centre for commerce and is connected to the main land by a bridge, which is easily accessible by boat. It boasts of a lighthouse at Ochanthuruth open from 3 pm to 5 pm on all days.

Willingdon Island :- Beautiful backwaters surround this man-made island named after Lord Willingdon, a British Viceroy to India. This is the site of Kochin’s best hotels, customs and trading centres, the port trust and the headquarters of the Southern Naval Command.

Getting in, Around & Away
AIR : Cochin International Airport is located at about 20 kms. from the city center. Kochi is connected by excellent air network to all major cities in India.
RAIL : Kochi has three main railway stations, namely, Ernakulam Junction, Ernakulam Town and Cochin Harbour Terminus on Willingdon Island.

Tourist Information Center
1 Tourist Information Centers(Govt)
1) Government Of India Tourist Office,
Willingdon Island;
Kerala Tourism Development Corporation Tourist Reception Centre,
Shanmugham Road.

2) Tourist Information Centre
Old Collectorate Building, Park Avenue
Kochi
Phone: 91-484-371488

3) Tourist Information Centers:
Tourist Information Officer, Deptt of Tourism
Kochi
Phone: 91-484-360502