Cochin Tourism

Fort Cochin is a historically important place in Kochi where the past meets present and it has a heartbeat of its own. It has preserved the history of colonial times with the old colonial roads, tree-lined avenues, quaint little houses, and the magnificent Chinese fishing nets. Fort Cochin, with its European heritage and cosmopolitan temperament, is a jewel in the crown of Kerala. Walking through Fort Cochin can surely take you back to the 15th century. The main attractions are the colonial-style houses, villas, and churches of Indo-European architecture built by the Portuguese and the serene, beautiful Fort Cochin beach.

Indo-Portuguese Museum in Fort Cochin houses an invaluable collection of artifacts, architectural relics and antique pieces that reveal the Portuguese legacy in Fort Cochin. It maintains the rich heritage of Indo-Portuguese art, culture, and architecture in Cochin. The basement of the museum has remnants of the 16th century Portuguese-built Fort Emmanuel and the major attraction is a piece of the altar made of teak. Fort Cochin is made of quaint streets, vibrant markets, and stately houses. Princess Street, one of the oldest streets of Fort Cochin, is an amalgamation of old and new times. It is filled with cafes, restaurants, book stores, tea shops, art galleries, and souvenir shops and Fort Cochin beach is at the end of this street.

St. Francis Church in Kochi is popular for its simplicity, structural design, vibes, and serene ambiance. This church also holds an essential place in ancient history. This church finely exhibits Portuguese architecture. It is considered as one of the most prominent amongst all the European churches which were constructed in India The famous explorer, Vasco Da Gama, was buried in this church in 1524. His remains were taken back to Lisbon after 14 years but his gravestone is still present in this church. Today, this church stands as evidence of the history of Christianity in India.

St. Francis Church Timings:

7:00 A.M – 6:30 P.M (Monday to Saturday)

8:30 A.M – 6:30 P.M (On Sundays)

St. Francis Church Entry Fees: Nil

Mattancherry Palace is also called the Dutch Palace which is a melting pot of different cultures. It is the only place in Kerala that reverberates with so many different varieties of population. This palace is mainly famous for its architecture, serene beauty and colonial remains. It is a Portuguese palace in Mattancherry, Cochin in the state of Kerala. Dutch Palace is now converted into a museum that displays paraphernalia belongings of the Kings of Kochi. Here, tourists learn about the fascinating history of Kerala via irreplaceable artifacts and embellishments.

Mattancherry Palace Timings: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on all the days of the week.

Mattancherry Palace Entry Fee: INR 10 for children and INR 20 for adults.

Bolgatty Palace is a stunning 18th-century Dutch palace. It is situated in the calm and serene Bolgatty Island right in the midst of the bustling city of Kochi. It is one of the oldest existing Dutch palaces outside Holland. Bolgatty Palace Cochin was built under the directions of the Dutch traders in 1744 and served as the Governor's palace for the commander of Dutch Malabar. In 1909 this palace was leased out to the British who used it as the residence of British Governors. Bolgatty Palace is intricately designed and its architecture is influenced by the European style of architecture. After the independence of India, it became the property of the Kerala government and soon made it into a luxurious heritage resort. This beautiful resort has attractive gardens, a 9-hole golf course, an Ayurvedic center, and daily Kathakali performances to entertain the visitors.