Kochi (Cochin) Hotels

Though Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) is the evergreen state capital - and a wonderful one at that - Kochi is the dominant urban area in Kerala. More than 1.5 million people dwell in the former command post of the Kingdom of Cochin and arch node of the spice trade for hundreds of years.

The home of the famous Cochin Carnival is predictably laden with scores of magnificent attractions, from Bolgatty Palace and Mattancherry Palace to Santa Cruz Basilica and Paradesi Synagogue. Best of all, Kochi is a favorable portal to the rest of spectacular Kerala.

Kochi (Cochin)’s Top 10

Kochi History

• Mattancherry Palace - The historical 16th-century Dutch building houses murals and historical paintings.
• Santa Cruz Basilica - Beautiful historical church with Gothic architecture, statues of saints and marvellous ambience.
• Church of St Francis - This is the historical church where Vasco Da Gama was originally buried
• Tripunithara Hill Palace - Built in 1865, this palace is now converted into a museum. Paradesi Synagogue-This Jewish temple dates back to 16th century.

Kochi Art & Culture

• Cochin Cultural Centre - The highlight of this cultural centre is the traditional dance program in colourful costumes and nine emotional expressions.
• Princess Street - This is the area to get exposed to traditional culture as you walk along the street.
• Kerala Folklore Theatre & Museum - The museum is built from three different old buildings with hand-carved roofs to house beautiful antiques.
• Greenix Village - Showcases the art, craft and traditional performances of Kerala.

Kochi Shopping

• Sofi Arts and Crafts - You can find Kashmiri arts, crafts, scarves and wall hangings at this shop in Fort Cochin area.
• Amay - This shop sells natural, recycled and handmade products like soaps and oils, bags, raw silk scarves, T-shirts, greeting cards and postcards.
• Antique Shops - There are many antique shops in the Jew Town that may have unique artefacts hundreds of years old to sell.
• Incy Bella, The Book Shop - Has an excellent choice of books, especially on India, Kerala and religion and culture.
• Bazaar Road - There are many shops selling spices and pulses here.

Gay & Lesbian Kochi

• GCDA - Located along the Marina, this is a popular gay and lesbian spot in Cochin where the crowd is young.
• Subash Chandra Bose Park - This park frequented by a mixed crowd is a known gay meeting place.
• Thrissoor Park - Cruising in the evening is a popular activity in the park.
• Cocoa Tree - Popular teen hangout which remains open till midnight.
• Longevity - A popular pub at Avenue Regent frequented by youngsters, tourists and naval officers.

Kochi Outdoors

• Vega Land Amusement Park - An amusement and water park with interesting rides and water rides to provide wholesome entertainment for family.
• Kearala Backwaters - This can be the most fulfilling experience in a boat, complete with all modern amenities, excellent food and drinks away from civilization.
• Chearai Beach - A calm and serene beach unlike the other beaches of India with beautiful backwaters and quiet communities.
• Jewish Town - Few Jewish families who are in the business of spice trade inhabit Jewish Town, dating back to 2nd century.
• Vasco House - This 16th century house is believed to have been the house of Vasco da Gama, the discoverer of India.

Kochi Sport

• Walk across one of the several quiet beaches of Kochi.
• Fishing can be a thrilling experience at a Kochi beach.
• Watch boat racing, a regular feature in Kochi outdoor life.
• Take a leisurely saunter across Abraham’s spice garden.
• Spend a day and night in a boat in Kerala backwaters.

Kochi (Cochin) Events

Cochin Carnival is one of the most vibrant annual events in all of India. The ten-day festival takes place at the end of December.

Cherai Beach is major tourist hot spot on Vypin island.

Silent Valley National Park, in the in the Nilgiri Hills, Palakkad District of Kerala, is part of the Western Ghats tentative UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary graces Vembanad Lake and is a Kerala must, whether you like to strap on field binoculars or not.

Attachamayam is a vital part of the secular state festival of Onam and takes place in late August or September.

Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium is a major world One Day International cricket oval and has a capacity of 60,000 spectators.

Draavidia Art & Performance Gallery promotes Keralan culture throughout the year.

When To Go

The prime tourist season in Kochi and Kerala runs from August to February. December is Carnival month and bustles with activity as a result. The Onam festival season in August and September is predictably chaotic as well and a lot of fun for first-time visitors.

While some intrepid souls do venture to the city and state in June and July to test the full brunt of the tropical monsoons, the rational course of action is to avoid the worst of the wet season. Over 127 in (3,328 mm) of rain falls on Kochi throughout the year and most of it from May to October.

For the year, temperatures waver between 73°F (23°C) and 95°F (35°C), with moderate to oppressive humidity.

Getting Around

Cochin International Airport is one of India’s most important transit hubs, most notably as a result of the brisk Kerala tourist trade. Close to 5 million passengers filter through the airport per annum. Outside of India, major destinations on the docket include Abu Dhabi, Colombo, Dubai, Jeddah, Muscat and Singapore.

Kochi is a major stop on the national rail network.

For easy, affordable transport in and outside the city, visitors can rely on a first-rate bus system, taxis and passenger ferry service.

General Information

Attractions&Activities

Restaurant&Nightlife

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