Table of Contents
A rare blend of tradition and modernity, natural beauty and urban sophistication, Kochi is one of the best cities in India to buy a property. Known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, it has many popular vacation spots nearby, including Munnar, Kumarakom, and Alappuzha. However, did you know that the city itself is a tourist’s delight with many hidden gems? In this blog, we explore some of the best tourist places near Kochi, which are perfect for a weekend tour.
For Nature Buffs
- Cherai Beach
- The Nearest bus stop is 2 km away
- 27 km from Cochin International Airport
- 23 km from Aluva Railway Station
- Boat services are also available from Cochin Fort and Ernakulam High Court Jetty
- Areekkal Waterfalls
- Piravom is the nearest town (10 km)
- 45 km from Cochin International Airport
- 36 km from Ernakulam Junction Railway Station
- Veeranpuzha Lake and Backwaters
- 20 km from Cochin International Airport
- Around 26 km from Ernakulam Junction Railway Station
- Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary
- Around 34 km from Cochin International Airport
- Around 4 km from Ernakulam Junction Railway Station
- Kodanad Elephant Training Centre
- The nearest bus station is Perumbavoor, at a distance of 14 km
- Around 20 km from Cochin International Airport
- Around 50 km from Ernakulam Junction Railway Station and 26 km from Aluva Railway Station
- Andhakaranazhi Beach
- Around 57 km from Cochin International Airport
- Around 32 km from Ernakulam Junction Railway Station and 16 km from Cherthala Railway Station
Located on a narrow strip of land at the North of Vypeen islands, this 10-km stretch is one of Kerala’s longest and most beautiful beaches. While you can feast your eyes on the majestic Arabian Sea on one side, enjoy the breathtakingly stunning backwaters on the other.
Shallow waters make it a safe spot for swimmers. Cherai beach also attracts many nature lovers, as dolphin sightings are common here. Another attraction of the place is the sight of numerous Chinese fishing nets, called “Cheena Vala” in Malayalam.
Distance from the city: Around 30 km
How to reach:
Timing: 9 am to 6 pm
Entry fee: None
Visiting Areekkal waterfalls is definitely one of the top things to do in Kochi. Located on the Piramadam-Vettimood Road near Piravom, Areekkal is a must-visit during the monsoon season when the gushing waters will not only rejuvenate your body but also refresh your mind. The surroundings — woods and rubber plantations — add to the allure of this waterfall. Changing rooms and bathrooms are available for the convenience of visitors.
Distance from the city: Around 35 km
How to reach:
Timing: 8 am to 6 pm
Entry fee: ₹20
This serene expanse of water is the northern extension of the Vembanad Lake, which is the longest lake in India (approximately 96 km long). Surrounded by lush green paddy fields and coconut groves on one side and the sea on the other, it’s a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. You can enjoy boating, explore traditional Kerala village life, and engage in bird sightings during your time here.
The area is also famous for the cultivation of Pokkali rice, a saltwater-resistant variety of rice that’s grown exclusively in some parts of Kerala.
Distance from the city: Around 30 km
How to reach:
Timing: NA
Entry fee: None
This is one of the best places to visit in Kochi. With vast mangrove forests and wetlands, this sanctuary, spread over 2.74 hectares, has over 70 species of birds, which include both native and migratory varieties, 17 species of butterflies, and over 20 varieties of spiders. It’s located behind the Kerala High Court, in the heart of the city. There are trails here for visitors, and the best time to visit is from January 15 to the beginning of March.
How to reach:
Timing: 10 am to 5 pm
Entry fee: None
The centre, located on the banks of the Periyar River in Perumbavoor, will make for an excellent day trip. Primarily a rescue and rehabilitation centre for injured, orphaned, and abandoned elephants, it also aims to educate people about elephant conservation and the need to protect them from exploitation and loss of habitat. A key attraction here is watching the elephants bathing in the river. Opt for a guided tour if you’d prefer that. Visitors can also interact with the elephants by feeding them.
Distance from the city: 51 km
How to reach:
Timing: 8 am to 6 pm (Monday holiday)
Safari timings: 9 am to 12.30 pm and 3 pm to 5 pm
Entry fee: ₹10 per adult, ₹5 per child
₹400 for elephant safari (for four persons)
Though located in the Alappuzha district, this oasis of calm is one of the best tourist places near Kochi. From this coastal village, also known as the ‘Lagoon of Darkness’, you can watch the backwaters merging with the Arabian Sea. Spectacular sunsets and a 30-year-old lighthouse are the main attractions here. Visitors can also enjoy relaxing walks and take a look at shrimp farming in the nearby villages. The waters here are safe for swimmers, too.
Distance from the city: 24 km approx.
How to reach:
Timing: None
Entry fee: None
For History Lovers
- Mattancherry Dutch Palace
- The nearest bus station is Mattancherry, about 150 metres away
- Around 42 km from Cochin International Airport
- Around 10 km from Ernakulam Junction Railway Station
- Jewish Synagogue and Jew Town
- The nearest bus station is Mattancherry, about 400 metres away
- Around 42 km from Cochin International Airport
- Around 10 km from Ernakulam Junction Railway Station
- Santa Cruz Basilica
- Around 37 km from Cochin International Airport
- Around 13 km from Ernakulam Junction Railway Station
- Bolgatty Palace
- Around 33 km from Cochin International Airport
- Around 5-6 km from Ernakulam Junction Railway Station and 5 km from Ernakulam Town Railway Station
- Around 5 km from Lissie Metro Station
- Fort Kochi
- Around 37 km from Cochin International Airport
- Around 13 km from Ernakulam Junction Railway Station and 16 km from Ernakulam Town Railway Station
- Around 15 km from the main bus stand in Ernakulam
- You can also take the ferry. Fort Kochi is just 20 minutes away from Ernakulam Boat Jetty. From Willingdon Island and Vypin Boat Jetty, it takes only 10 minutes.
- Indo-Portuguese Museum
- Around 44 km from Cochin International Airport
- Around 13.3 km from Ernakulam Junction Railway Station and 5 km from Ernakulam Town Railway Station
- Around 4.9 km from Maharajas College Metro Station
- Museum of Kerala History
- Around 20 km from Cochin International Airport
- Around 9.5 km from Ernakulam Junction Railway Station
- Around 230 metres from Pathadipalam Metro Station
- Hill Palace of Tripunithara
- Around 32 km from Cochin International Airport
- Around 10.3 km from Ernakulam Junction Railway Station
- Around 3.2 km from Thrippunithura Terminal Metro Station
- Folklore Museum
- Around 34 km from Cochin International Airport
- Around 5.6 km from Ernakulam Junction Railway Station and 8.5 km from Ernakulam Town Railway Station
- Around 5 km from the Maharajas College Metro Station
- Pallipuram Fort
- Around 28 km from Cochin International Airport
- Around 30.6 km from Ernakulam Junction Railway Station and 29.7 km from Ernakulam Town Railway Station
Located in Fort Kochi, this 16th-century palace was actually constructed by the Portuguese and then gifted to the Kochi dynasty’s King Veera Kerala Verma. It was later renovated by the Dutch. The palace is a stunning example of Kerala-style architecture and is adorned with beautiful mural paintings from the Ramayana. The ceilings of the halls, embellished with floral designs carved in wood and brass cups, are a key attraction. Glistening floors, paved with a mix of lime, plant juices, burnt coconut shells, and egg whites, are also worth seeing.
Distance from the city: 2.5 km
How to reach:
Timing: 10 am to 5 pm (Friday holiday)
Entry fee: ₹2 for Indian adults, free for kids up to the age of 15
Popularly known as the Paradesi Synagogue, this is among the best places to visit in Kochi. It has the distinction of being the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth nations. The synagogue is home to many precious artefacts such as Scrolls of the Law, a brass-railed pulpit, gold crowns that were received as gifts, a hand-knotted Oriental rug, and a Belgian glass chandelier, among others. Jew Town, an antique lover’s delight, is a narrow street between the synagogue and the Mattancherry Dutch Palace. You can buy unique metal and wood artefacts, oil lamps, and spice boxes here.
How to reach:
Timing: 10 am to 12 pm; 3 pm to 5 pm
Entry fee: None
This church, originally constructed by the Portuguese, was designated as a Cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1558. Later, the British demolished it, and Bishop Dom Gomez Vereira permitted a new building in 1887. In 1905, the church was sanctified, and in 1984, it was proclaimed a Basilica by Pope John Paul II. Santa Cruz is one of India’s oldest churches and eight Basilicas. A painting of the Last Supper, modelled after Leonardo da Vinci’s famous artwork, is a key highlight. Columns filled with frescoes and mural paintings, and stained glass windows add to its beauty.
Distance from the city: 6 km
How to reach:
Timing: 9 am to 1 pm; 3 pm to 5 pm
Entry fee: None
Constructed by the Dutch traders in 1744, the palace is now a stunning resort run by the state government. The property, popularly known as the honeymooners’ paradise, has a central block, a mansion block, and a marina block. As the name suggests, the marina block has the marina on one side and a nine-hole golf course, established in 1925, on the other side. Apart from rooms, the resort also has lake-view cottages.
Distance from the city: 11 km
How to reach:
Timing: NA
Contact for reservations:
Ph: 18004250123 / 9400008585
Email: centralreservations@ktdc.com
History in all its grandeur, culture in all its splendour, and breathtaking beauty — that is Fort Kochi for you. From architecture to an array of cuisines, there’s a lot to explore here. Home to many of Kochi’s historical landmarks, the place has remnants of India’s Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial eras. The Jewish Synagogue, the Mattancherry Dutch Palace, and the Santa Cruz Basilica are some of the attractions here. You can also relax at the Mahatma Gandhi beach. There’s no place like Fort Kochi to witness the seamless coexistence of past and present.
Distance from the city: 6.3 km
How to reach:
Timing: NA
Entry Fee: None
Indo-Portugal relations began with Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese explorer, visiting Kerala in 1498. Today, Fort Kochi’s Indo-Portuguese museum stands as a symbol of that relationship and its deep influence on our art and culture. The museum is home to an impressive collection of relics, including an altar, carved from teak, dating back to the 16th century and a silver processional cross. The exhibits are organised into five sections: Altar, Treasure, Procession, Cathedral, and Civil Life.
Distance from the city: 6.4 km
How to reach:
Timing: 10 am to 5 pm (Monday holiday)
Entry fee: ₹40 per adult and ₹25 per child
One of the most interesting things to do in Kochi is to visit the Museum of Kerala History, which is also known as Kerala Museum. The highlights include a mesmerising sound and light show, which will offer a glimpse of Kerala’s 2000-year-long history. There are also life-size tableaus that will bring the stories of the people and events of this beautiful land to life. The museum has a Centre for Visual Arts, which is a popular venue for workshops, art exhibitions, masterclasses, and movie screenings. There’s also a Dolls Museum, which showcases an impressive collection of traditional dolls from across the country. If you are an art lover, you must visit the Gallery of Contemporary Indian Art, which has works by some of the greatest Indian artists, including Raja Ravi Varma, Abanindranath Tagore, M.F. Husain, Jamini Roy, F.N. Souza, and B. Prabha.
Distance from the city: 18 km approx
How to reach:
Timing: 10 am to 5 pm (Monday closed)
Entry fee: ₹100 per adult and ₹50 for children between 6 and 12 years
You can complete a tour of this grand palace museum, sprawling over a 54-acre estate, in three to four hours. The complex comprises 49 buildings built in traditional Kerala style. It used to be the official residence of Kochi’s Maharaja and also has the distinction of being Kerala’s first heritage museum. Visit it to marvel at the personal belongings of Kochi’s royal family, apart from an impressive collection of oil paintings, murals, sculptures, and manuscripts. Wooden memorials from the Indus Valley and Harappan civilisations are also on display here.
Distance from the city: 12 km approx
How to reach:
Timing: 9 am to 12 pm and from 2 pm to 4.30 pm (Monday closed)
Entry fee: ₹30 per adult and ₹10 per child
An architectural, ethnography and anthropology museum, this is located in Thevara. Constructed in traditional Kerala style with clay tiles, wood, and laterite stone, the museum has a collection of more than 6,000 ethnic artworks. It has an antique shop specialising in Indian folk art with historical importance. There’s also a Face Art Gallery from which you can buy works of contemporary and modern artists. You can buy oil paintings, mural paintings, works from traditional painting schools such as Thanjavur and Mysore, and also replicas of old Indian paintings. The museum also has an ethnic handicrafts shop and a handmade textile shop to support craftsmen.
Distance from the city: 4 km approx
How to reach:
Timing: 9 am to 6 pm
Entry fee: ₹100 per adult and ₹50 per child
Yet another relic of Kerala’s Portuguese era, this hexagonal-shaped fort on Vypeen Island is one of the most famous tourist places near Kochi. In fact, it has the distinction of being the oldest surviving European fort in the country. Constructed by the Portuguese in 1503, the fort was captured by the Dutch in 1663. In 1798, it came under the ownership of the Travancore Maharaja, and today, it is a heritage monument under the supervision of the state Archaeology department.
Distance from the city: 35.4 km approx
How to reach:
Timing: 9.30 am to 5 pm (Monday closed)
Entry fee: None
Culture, Shopping, and Fun
- Kerala Kathakali Centre
- Around 43.4 km from Cochin International Airport
- Around 13 km from Ernakulam Junction Railway Station and 15.8 km from Ernakulam Town Railway Station
- You can also travel by the Water Metro to Fort Kochi.
- Lulu Shopping Mall
- Around 21.8 km from Cochin International Airport
- Around 10.1 km from Ernakulam Junction Railway Station and 6.9 km from Ernakulam Town Railway Station
- You can enter the mall directly from Edappally Metro Station.
- Wonderla Amusement Park
- Around 26 km from Cochin International Airport
- Around 18.2km from Ernakulam Junction Railway Station and 14.8 km from Ernakulam Town Railway Station
- The nearest Metro Station is Aluva, at a distance of 14.8 km.
- Marine Drive
- Around 34 km from Cochin International Airport
- Around 2.5 km from Ernakulam Junction Railway Station and 3.7 km from Ernakulam Town Railway Station
- The nearest Metro Station is MG Road, at a distance of 1.9 km.
Great K.V. Kathakali Centre celebrates the rich cultural heritage of India. Along with Kathakali, the vibrant traditional dance form of Kerala, the centre stages daily and weekly shows of South Indian classical dance, Indian classical music, and Kalarippayattu, which is Kerala’s traditional martial arts form. There are also classes in Kalarippayattu, Yoga, traditional Kerala cooking, and Kathakali make-up, among others.
Distance from the city: 6 km
How to reach:
Timing: 5 pm to 9 pm
Entry fee: ₹500 per adult
With an area of over 1.85 lakh square meters, Kochi’s LuLu Mall is one of the largest in India. It boasts over 235 outlets of brands from across the world, a 2,500-seater multi-cuisine food court, nine fine dining restaurants and six cafes. There’s also a nine-screen multiplex, and a leisure zone with South India’s largest ice skating rink, a trampoline park, amusement rides, and a bowling alley. Ideal for high-end shopping, exploring culinary delights, movie magic, and fun time for kids — all at one go. Visiting Lulu Mall is definitely one of the top things to do in Kochi.
Distance from the city: 16.4 km
How to reach:
Timing: 9 am to 11 pm
Entry fee: None
Located at Pallikkara near Kochi, this amusement park has 163 rides, including 23 land rides, 14 water rides, and nine rides especially for children. There’s also a lounge bar, 19 restaurants, four food courts, 11 banquet halls, and a resort for those who want to enjoy vacay vibes.
Distance from the city: 24.7 km
How to reach:
Park timings: 11 am to 6 pm (Monday to Friday); 11 am to 7 pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Water park timings: 12 pm to 6 pm
Entry fee: A regular ticket for an adult costs ₹1261, while the ticket cost for a child is ₹1009. There are discounts for senior citizens.
The promenade, a top outing option among the local population and tourists, offers cpativating views of the sea as well as the backwaters. Marine Drive is also thronged by shoppers and food lovers, with many showrooms and restaurants dotting the area. Those wanting to relax can enjoy a stroll on the walkway or take a boat ride to nearby tourist spots. There are also a couple of parks in the area, which makes it perfect for a family outing.
Distance from the city: 7.8 km
How to reach:
Timing: NA
Entry fee: None
Conclusion
While there are many tourist places near Kochi, the city, too, has many options to be explored. So, which of these are you going to visit first? Start planning already!
FAQ
- Can the Fort Kochi tour be completed in a day?
- Is the Kochi Water Metro expensive?
- Is Kochi safe for solo travellers?
- What are some of the best residential localities in Kochi?
- When is the best time to visit Kochi?
While you will be able to cover most of Fort Kochi in a day, it’s going to be a busy tour. Instead, spend at least two days here, slowly soaking in the vibes, sights, and sounds of this amazing place. Many tour packages are available to help you out
Kochi is home to India’s first water metro. And contrary to popular perception, it is not expensive at all. Ticket rates range between ₹20 and ₹40. Weekly, monthly, and quarterly passes are also available.
As per a travel website, Kochi is currently ranked 40th on the list of safest places in India for solo female travellers. The city has an overall safety rating of 3.5 out of 5.
Some of the best residential localities in Kochi include Marine Drive, Panampilly Nagar, Kakkanad, Edappally, Kadavanthra, Vyttila, and Thrippunithura.
The best time to visit the city is from October to February. While Kochi does not have a winter season, the weather will be pleasant during this time, making it perfect for exploring the city. But if you want to just enjoy the magic of heavy monsoon showers (and not go anywhere), June to September is the best.
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