If someone wants to enjoy the serene beauty of nature, Cochin or Kochi can be the ideal choice for destination. This port city is fondly called the Queen of the Arabian Sea, due to its charm for many centuries. It also has great historical importance and mixed cultural traditions due to the influence of many foreign races.
Jump to:
- Essential things to know before you visit Cochin
- When is it best to visit Cochin?
- Travel Insurance For Cochin
- How Much Time Should Your Spend In Cochin
- How to travel to Cochin
- Culture in the Cochin
- Most popular attractions in the Cochin
- Architecture in Cochin
- Where to Eat in Cochin
- Best place for a night on the town in Cochin
- Markets and Shopping in Cochin
- Where to stay in the Cochin
Essential things to know before you visit Cochin
Tourists need to check the guidebooks available online on Kochi tourism so that they can get all the necessary information for planning their tour. They may also ask their travel agents to help them with useful guidance in this matter. They should know about the popular spots for sightseeing. They may also check information about the cultural tours available at the time of their scheduled tours.
When is it best to visit Cochin?
Winter months from October to February comprise the peak tourist season for visiting Cochin. The weather remains pleasantly cool and dry during this time, allowing tourists to carry on with sightseeing and other outdoor activities comfortably. The summer is quite hot and the monsoon experiences heavy rainfall, making these seasons unpopular to tourists.
Travel Insurance For Cochin
It is not mandatory to buy travel insurance for visiting Cochin and domestic travelers can visit without any travel insurance. However, foreigners should buy travel insurance for saving themselves from sudden medical expenses, accidental liabilities caused by a third party, and some non-medical emergencies while touring this city.
How Much Time Should Your Spend In Cochin
Usually, tourists need 2 – 3 days for completing the local tour in Cochin. However, they may add a couple of days more to their tour schedule, for visiting some nearby places and enjoying the scenic beauty for a longer time.
How to travel to Cochin
Tourists can take flights from their nearest airports to reach Cochin International Airport, which is the largest airport in Kerala and is connected to many destinations. They may buy an Indigo flight ticket at a cheap rate to save money while visiting Cochin. There are also train routes connecting to all parts of the country. People can reach Ernakulum Junction Station or Ernakulum Town Station by train, which is the nearest to Cochin. People can also arrive by car at this city, as it is connected by roadways to most of the Indian cities. There are also buses run by Kerala State Run Transport Corporation to different cities of neighboring states.
Culture in the Cochin
Onam and Vishu are the ethnic festivals of Kerala that are also grandly celebrated in Cochin. Attachamayam is celebrated by organizing a spectacular procession in August/September in Tripunithura, a town near Cochin. People also flock here to watch the grand Cochin Carnival held in December in Fort Kochi. Other religious festivals, like Holi, Diwali, Eid, Christmas, and Easter are also celebrated here, due to the diverse culture of this city.
Most popular attractions in the Cochin
Andhakaranazhi Beach with a tall lighthouse painted in red and white is a prominent tourist attraction in a coastal village near Kochi. Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary at the centre of the city, Veeranpuzha Backwaters, Areekkal Waterfalls, and Athirapally Falls are other tourist attractions of Cochin. People also visit Marine Drive with Rainbow Bridge, the charming Cherai Beach, Willingdon Island, Vypeen Island, and Wonderla Amusement Park while sightseeing in this city. Kerala Kathakali Centre, Museum of Kerala History in Edappally, Kodanad Elephant Training Centre, Folklore Museum, and Indo-Portuguese Museum are also included in the itinerary of the Cochin tour.
Architecture in Cochin
Fort Kochi, Vasco House, Santa Cruz Basilica, Bolghatty Palace on Bolghatty Island, Dutch Palace or Mattancherry Palace, and Hill Palace of Tripunithara are the prominent architectural wonders located in and around Cochin. Jew Synagogue or Paradesi Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in India. St. Francis Church is the oldest church where Vasco da Gama was buried. Chottanikara Bhagavathy Temple, Gowreeswara Temple in Cherai, and Shiva Temple in Ernakulum are famous pilgrimage sites for Hindus. Chinese Fishing Net Walk, Bastion Bungalow, Pepper House, and Cochin Club are other buildings noteworthy for their amazing architectural style.
Where to Eat in Cochin
There are various restaurants in Cochin where people can relish different types of local and foreign cuisines. Sky Grill Lounge Bar and Restaurant in Crowne Plaza is famous for its grilled dishes and wonderful cocktails on the rooftop. Fort House Restaurant in Fort Kochi is another favorite place for food-lovers. Kashi Art Café, Dal Roti, and Qissa Café are other restaurants found in this fort. Asian Kitchen in Cochin Club is popular for serving Chinese, Thai, Japanese, and other Asian cuisines. Fusion Bay, Dhe Puttu, The Rice Boat, and Masala are restaurants offering delicious foods at affordable prices. Vasantha Vihar and Brindhavan Vegetarian Restaurant are two popular eateries for vegetarians.
Best place for a night on the town in Cochin
Though nightlife in Cochin is not so lively like metropolitan cities, tourists can find some restaurants, cafes, and bars that remain open till late at night. Armoury Café, Hotel Seagull, Mezzo, Mattancherry Bar, Ava Lounge, Longitude 76, Colony Clubhouse, and The Voyager are the popular bars and restaurants that are crowded by revelers at night. Thattukada or local roadside eateries also remain open throughout the night.
Markets and Shopping in Cochin
Tourists buy various types of souvenirs and local handicrafts from Lulu Mall, ABAD Nucleus Mall, Centre Square Mall, Flea Market of Marine Drive, or Jew Town. Paris de Boutique, Milan Design, and Thread Clasilks are the best places for buying ethnic silk saris in Kochi. Cochin Spice Market is the ideal place for buying spices that this city is famous for. Tourists can buy crispy banana chips of different flavors from stores called Malabar Chips, Groves Snacks, and Banana Chips, near Ernakulum Railway Station.
Where to stay in the Cochin
There are some budget hotels in the historical town of Fort Kochi, from where tourists can have easy access to other tourist attractions of this city. They can also book hotels in Jew Town or near the Chinese Fishing Net. Some luxury resorts are available close to the backwaters region while tourists may also opt for backwater homestays to feel the local culture here.
Tourists can now check online the availability of hotels and flight or train tickets while planning to spend their vacations in Cochin.
Leave a Reply