In ‘God’s Own Country, often a term describing the southern state of Kerala, there lies a breathtaking beauty of a coastal city, Kochi, also dubbed the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea, lying on the southwest coast, facing the Arabian Sea. For several centuries, Kochi has served as a hotbed for merchants from all over the world, especially the Arabs, the Portuguese, and later the British, involved actively in the trading of spices and other local commodities.

Their legacy is to be still seen today in all the cultural and traditional aspects of the region. Let’s explore more as we discuss the best places to visit in Kochi, Kerala. Here are some of the must-visit tourist places in Kochi covered in this blog.

Fort Kochi

Fort Kochi, one of the best tourist spots in Kochi, is located in the western part of the city in the Ernakulam district. Separated by some 12 km from Ernakulam town, Fort Kochi is a landmark destination in the annals of Kerala. It also attracts tourists in large numbers as it houses Santa Cruz Basilica and historical monuments including the St. Francis Church, the Dutch Seminary, the China Vela, and some others. You can also visit the Indian Navy’s ship, Dronacharya here. Another interesting touring destination nearby this fort includes the Mattancherry Palace, another Top Tourist Attraction in Kochi, Ernakulam.

Mattancherry

Mattancherry is another fabulous area in the city. A potpourri of exotic food, spices, handicrafts, and unique culture, Mattancherry is one of the important Kochi tourist places which interestingly gets its name from “Ancherry Mattam”, a Brahmin house that enjoyed gross mispronunciation as Matt-Ancherry; thanks to the colonial-era foreign traders. Mattancherry is a rich confluence of Portuguese culture, as evident in the Dutch Palace.  Jew Town, a synagogue built in 1568, obviously one of the country’s oldest synagogues, is one of the best tourist places to visit in Kochi.

Bolghatty & Vypeen Islands

A beautiful place to visit in Kochi, Bolghatty Island is accessible through a boat ride from mainland Kochi. It houses the oldest Dutch palace outside The Netherlands, the Bolghatty Palace, now transformed into a popular heritage hotel with modern amenities for domestic and international tourists. 

Cherai & Vypeen beach

One of the best beaches near Kochi, Cherai beach is located just off the coast of Vypeen Island, a highly popular place to visit in Kochi, often visited by foreign tourists to enjoy sunbathing and swimming.  The Vypeen also houses the Pallipuram Fort, considered the oldest surviving fort in the country, built by the erstwhile colonial powers around 1503, is one of the best tourist places to visit in Kochi.

Andhakaranazhi Beach

Andhakaranazhi, still a gorgeous and beautiful beach is situated at a distance of 30km from the city of Kochi en route to Alleppey, near Ezhupunna, and one of the favorite beaches among the locals. Fishing is the main occupation, and there are a lot of fishing boats found on the beach from the nearby fishing hamlets.  The everyday sight of fishermen venturing out into the sea when the sun is up, countering the turbulent waves of the Andhakaranazhi beach is certain bliss. It is a great idea to plan for a houseboat trip starting from Kochi to Alleppey as the beach finds its way into the famous Kerala backwaters of the Kumarakom.

If you are interested in visiting top tourist places in Kochi, then contact Emperor Traveline, the best travel agency that offers holiday tour packages to you for a better travel experience.