Places to visit in Kochi in 2 days
By Ganesh ·
The best places to visit in Kochi (Cochin). The Chinese fishing nets, Fort Kochi, Mattancherry Palace, Jew Town, Kathakali, Marine Drive, the Water Metro and Cherai beach, with a 2-day plan, costs and the best time to go.
The short answer: the best places to visit in Kochi (Cochin) are Fort Kochi's Chinese fishing nets and colonial streets, St Francis Church and Santa Cruz Basilica, Mattancherry Palace and Jew Town with the Paradesi Synagogue, a Kathakali performance, Marine Drive at sunset, the Kochi Water Metro across the backwaters, the Hill Palace museum in Tripunithura, and Cherai beach. Two days covers the city; add a day for a backwater trip or the beach.
Prices and timings below are approximate. Check before you go.
Kochi at a glance
Kochi is Kerala's port city and the usual starting point for a Kerala trip. It is spread across islands and the mainland: the old quarters of Fort Kochi and Mattancherry on one peninsula, and the modern city of Ernakulam across the harbour, linked by ferries, bridges and the water metro. Stay in Fort Kochi for atmosphere, Ernakulam for shopping and the railway stations.
Top places to visit in Kochi
1. Chinese fishing nets, Fort Kochi
The huge cantilevered nets along the shore are Kochi's symbol. Watch the fishermen raise them in the early morning or at sunset, and buy fresh fish from stalls nearby to have it cooked at a restaurant across the road.
2. St Francis Church
Built by the Portuguese in the early 1500s, it is one of the oldest European churches in India. Vasco da Gama was first buried here before his remains were taken back to Portugal.
3. Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica
A white Gothic-style basilica with a bright painted interior, a short walk from the church.
4. Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace)
Built by the Portuguese and later renovated by the Dutch for the Raja of Kochi, it holds some of Kerala's finest mural paintings of scenes from the Ramayana. Check the weekly closing day before you go.
5. Jew Town and the Paradesi Synagogue
The 16th-century synagogue has hand-painted Chinese floor tiles and Belgian chandeliers. The lane leading to it is full of antique and spice shops. The synagogue is closed on Fridays, Saturdays and Jewish holidays.
6. Kathakali and Kalaripayattu shows
Several cultural centres in Fort Kochi stage short evening performances. Arrive early to watch the dancers apply their elaborate make-up.
7. Street art and cafés
Fort Kochi's lanes are full of murals, galleries and cafés in old warehouses. In Biennale years (the Kochi-Muziris Biennale runs roughly December to March), the whole area becomes an open-air art festival.
8. Marine Drive and the Water Metro
Ernakulam's waterfront promenade is busy at sunset. The Kochi Water Metro's electric boats are a cheap, comfortable way to cross the backwaters to islands such as Vypin.
9. Hill Palace, Tripunithura
The former royal residence of the Kochi rulers is now Kerala's largest archaeological museum, set in a big park, about 30–40 minutes from the centre.
10. Cherai beach
A long beach on Vypin island, with backwaters on the other side of the road. Good for an evening or a quiet day.
A sample 2-day plan
- Day 1 (Fort Kochi): fishing nets at dawn, St Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica, a heritage walk; Mattancherry Palace and Jew Town in the afternoon; a Kathakali show in the evening.
- Day 2 (Ernakulam and around): Hill Palace in the morning, Lulu Mall or Broadway market, Water Metro ride and Marine Drive at sunset, or Cherai beach.
From Kochi, Munnar is about 4 hours, Alleppey about 1.5 hours and Thekkady about 5 hours by road.
What it costs (approximate)
| Item | Budget | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| Stay per night (double room) | ₹1,500–3,000 (homestays) | ₹4,000–9,000 (heritage hotels) |
| Kathakali show | ₹300–500 | |
| Water Metro ride | ₹20–40 | |
| Auto-rickshaw within Fort Kochi | ₹50–150 | |
| Airport–Fort Kochi taxi | ₹1,200–1,800 | |
How to reach Kochi
- By air: Cochin International Airport (Nedumbassery), about 40–45 km from Fort Kochi, with flights from all major Indian cities and the Gulf.
- By train: Ernakulam Junction and Ernakulam Town are on the main lines from Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi.
- In town: Kochi Metro, the Water Metro, state ferries, autos and app cabs.
Best time to visit Kochi
October to March is the most comfortable: warm days, less humidity, and the festival season (the Cochin Carnival around New Year). April and May are hot and humid. June to September is the monsoon. Heavy rain but green and cheaper, and a good season for Ayurveda treatments.
Practical tips
- Fort Kochi is best explored on foot or by bicycle.
- Carry an umbrella in any month; showers come quickly.
- Try appam with stew, Kerala fish curry, karimeen pollichathu and banana chips; vegetarian sadya meals are easy to find.
- Plan Kochi as day one of a Kerala loop (Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey, Varkala) in Sancharees and share it with your family.
FAQ
Is Fort Kochi worth staying in?
Yes, it is walkable, full of heritage homestays and cafés, and the sights are on your doorstep.
How many days are enough for Kochi?
Two days; three if you add a backwater cruise or Cherai beach.
Is Kochi good for a monsoon trip?
Yes, if you don't mind rain. It is quieter, greener and a popular time for Ayurveda.
Photo: Chinese fishingnet kochi by Challiyil Eswaramangalath Vipin from Chalakudy, India, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
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