Top Things to Do in the Kochi | Must-See Attractions & Experiences

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Places To Visit In Kochi

Vallarpadam

Quietly nestled in the middle of the Vembanad Lake in Kochi, Vallarpadam is one part of the group of islands in the state of Kerala- the one one being Willington Island. Vallarpadam is hustled near the Port of Kochi, the island only has a meagre population of around 10000 people. Considered to be one of the most picturesque and scenic places in the region, the town is mostly famous for the Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom, known as the Vallarpadam Church. Surrounded by beautiful paddy fields, the tourists are also intrigued by the large number of fisher folks that occupy the region, fishing being the major occupation. There are several ships and Valakettu fishing nets found on the ports of the lake which draws a large number of tourists. Other than the church, there is also a famous Bhagavathy Temple which is a popular pilgrim centre of devotees and is visited by tourists and devotees alike. Read More

Many stalls serving various edibles such as coconuts, nuts, sea-food, ice-creams and local fares scatter the narrow esplanade along the Kochi beach which is the Vasco da Gama Square. One can even watch local fisherman fishing along the shoreline.

Veeranpuzha is a beautiful lake in Kochi along with a series of brackish lagoons and lakes lying parallel to the Malabar coast, which form beautiful backwaters.

The Willingdon Island is one of the largest human-made islands in India which is named after Lord Willingdon, the British Viceroy of India. This beautiful island provides various links between Kochi port and other national and international ports. Furthermore, the island is home to some of the lavish hotels and commercial and industrial buildings of the district. It is between Ernakulum Jetty and Kochi Port and the ferry costs around INR 6. There is a bridge that connects the mainland of Kochi to Wellington Island. This human-made island also serves as the headquarter for the southern naval command of India. Created by Sir Robert Bristow, a visionary harbour engineer, the island is significant as it is the habitat for the Port of Kochi, the Kochi Naval Base of the Indian Navy and Central Institute of Fisheries Technology. Apart from commercial purposes, the island has a museum and natural habitat to explore. Read More

Wonderla Amusement Park

An amusement park filled with breathtaking charm, Wonderla has everything one can need to celebrate with vivacity. With over 50 exhilarating rides, the theme park has all the facilities to provide for an exciting experience for every visitor irrespective of their age and gender. It offers the thrill of both land-based and water-based rides.

A branch of the Fine Art Emporium of Kochi, the Antique Museum Kochi is situated in Mattancherry’s Jew Town. It is maintained by the government and is ideal for people who are interested in antiques as the museum is home to over 1,000 valuable items that date back centuries. The Antique Museum consists of a wide variety of rare and priceless antiques procured from national and international private collectors, many of which have also been restored. Belonging mainly to the period between the 16th and 20th centuries, some of the items here include a Columbian Press invented in 1813, 8,000-year-old Bushman stones, a 60-year-old soda maker, funerary urns dating back to 7,000 BC and a 3,500-year-old wooden water wheel. The SLR Exhibition at the Antique Museum Kochi was set up with the intention of sharing the heritage, culture and history of the museum’s antiques. Read More

Located on the INS Dronacharya premises in the Ernakulam district of Kochi, Kerala, the Indian Naval Maritime Museum is an ode to the Indian Navy’s maritime past. The museum sheds light on the country’s maritime heritage, depicts international trade links, pays tribute to major maritime figures and also focuses on the settlement of the Europeans in India. Some of the exhibits showcase Vasco da Gama’s journey from Europe to India and his subsequent settlement here and also maps that trace the journey of other European maritime travellers. There is also an oil painting of San Gabriel, da Gama’s flagship that brought him to the Beypore harbour. One can also learn about the trade links of the Indus Valley Civilisation with the Arabs, Portuguese and Dutch. Furthermore, there is a section called “Navy in Action” which is dedicated to the contributions of the Indian Navy post India’s independence and during subsequent wars with neighbouring countries. Read More

One of the most popular attractions in Kochi, Kerala, the Rainbow Hanging Bridge in Ernakulam is connected to the Marine Drive. This arched bridge overlooks the expansive sea and is known for being an excellent place for taking a morning or evening walk since it has a pedestrian promenade. Locals and tourists are drawn to the Rainbow Hanging Bridge at all hours of the day because one can peacefully walk around this picturesque place. It offers marvellous views of the waters, especially at sunset when the views are simply exquisite. There are vendors around selling snacks for those who want to spend some time here. The views from the bridge are even more beautiful once the sun sets because one can see the city all lit up. Moreover, there is always the option of hiring a boat service from nearby and visiting nearby attractions and islands. Read More

Popularly known as Subhash Park, the Subhash Chandra Bose Park is situated along Marine Drive in Kochi, Kerala. The park, which overlooks the serene backwaters of Vembanad Lake and Kochi Harbour on one side and a bunch of trees on the other, is an excellent place for people to come and relax. The park serves as an excellent relaxing space amidst the city and is a wonderful place for walking, jogging or just sitting and watching the sunset and the ships sail by. It was opened by Rajarishi Rama Varma, a Maharaja, and is also known for its many birds. It also houses sculptures made in the 1990s during a workshop for renowned sculptors, though many are unfortunately in ruins now. Children can have fun in the play area where there are swings, slides etc. Since it is right next to the Ernakulam Boat Jetty, people can also catch a government-operated boat to nearby historic spots. Read More