Places to Visit in Kochi: Fort Kochi First, Then the Hidden Spots

Every time I have spoken to a friend or acquaintance who wished to travel to Kochi all they could talk about was the usual “Fort Kochi” beach or “Mattancherry” Palace.

Of course these are places that are worth the visit but, having lived in Kochi for a few months now, I have discovered that it is way more than the aforementioned. (2026: and the first of them deserves more than a quick look. Read “Start in Fort Kochi” before the hidden spots.)

Kochi can both startle you with a nightlife that is least expected of it and be mysterious at the same time. Kochi was able to satisfy my midnight snack cravings way beyond midnight and with multiple options.

Here are a few unique places in Kochi I have come to like in my latest edition of Exploring Kochi. Also, I suggest you read my article one day Kochi Itinerary.

Table of Contents

• Start in Fort Kochi (added 2026) :
• Cherai Beach :
• Cherai Causeway :
• Kadamakkudy :
• Queen’s Walkway:
• Hill Palace Museum, Thrippunithura :
• Food :
• Key points for your Kochi days (added 2026) :

Start in Fort Kochi: the one thing not to skip

If you have only one day in Kochi, spend it here. Fort Kochi is where the city's past is easiest to read: in 1503 the Portuguese made it the first European settlement in India, the Dutch took it in 1663 and the British in 1795. Each left something behind, and you can walk past all of it in a day. Plan half a day, or all of it if you can. The point is to stay, not to tick it off: a slow walk through the old streets, a long coffee in a café, the churches, the waterfront.

• The waterfront and the Chinese fishing nets. The big cantilevered nets are believed to have been brought by Chinese traders in the 14th century, and local fishermen still work them.
• St. Francis Church. Built by the Portuguese in 1503 and finished in 1516, it is considered the oldest European church in India. Vasco da Gama died in Kochi in 1524 and was first buried here; his remains were moved to Lisbon fourteen years later.
• Santa Cruz Basilica. Built by the Portuguese, made a cathedral in 1558, and declared a basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1984.
• Princess Street and the cafés. One of the oldest European streets in India, believed to be the first in Fort Kochi. Current guides most often name Kashi Art Café (a café and gallery with a garden), Teapot Café (in a lane off Princess Street) and Loafers Corner (in a building more than 200 years old). There are many more, so wander.
• The Dutch Cemetery. The oldest Dutch cemetery in India, with 104 tombs.
• Mattancherry Palace and Jew Town. A short way on from Fort Kochi. The palace is open from 10 am to 5 pm and closed on Fridays; adults pay about ₹5. The Paradesi Synagogue is next to it, closed on Fridays, Saturdays and Jewish holidays. Check the times on the day.

Getting there. From Ernakulam the easiest way is the Kochi Water Metro from High Court to Fort Kochi: about 20 minutes, ₹40 one way, a boat every 20 to 30 minutes, roughly 7 am to 7 pm (check the current timetable). The Fort Kochi station is on the seafront, beside the Chinese fishing nets.

Cherai Beach :

One of the lesser known beaches of this region, this beach is usually thronged by people who do not mind driving a little to get to a peaceful spot to spend some quality time with family and friends.

With a few cafes and resorts lined up near this beach it is a perfect get away for people who love their space.

Walk along the beach to reach the Ambedkar beach and Kuzhuppilly beach, the pine lined shoreline not only soothes the eyes but is a welcome relief from the tropical heat.

Cherai Causeway :

Walk out of Ambedkar Beach near Cherai Beach to take the Cherai Causeway road. This is a trip you will not regret.

I found the most scenic crematorium here( well even the dead wouldn’t mind watching a few beautiful sunsets sometime ).

Jokes apart, this is a road that connects different two sections of land that is separated by a long lake.

The sunset from here is mesmerizing but, do not stay here too long as it gets dark really quick and the place is not well lit.

Kadamakkudy :

Although the name covers a large area, searching for the lake view point and going there or Kadamakkudy kallu shop will get you to the right place.

Sit down for a meal in any of the small eateries here to have the freshest prawns you will have in your life.
Have a pearlspot fry while enjoying a glass of toddy ( if at all you care for an alcoholic drink) .

Else you could sit back , relax and watch the natives fishing in these waters or later in the evening a vibrant sunset.

Queen’s Walkway:

For everyone who craves a late-night walk along the coastline, enjoying the breeze and having a place to sit down that wouldn’t charge you for this priceless experience, go to Queen’s Walkway.

An extension of the Vembanad Kayal, this is part of a posh locality that has the name of being near the residence of several celebrities of India.

Hill Palace Museum, Thrippunithura :

If you are anything like me, you will find the warm weather quite a damper on the excitement of visiting beaches.

Beaches are hot, and the afternoons in Kochi can be even more brutally so.

For times like this, visit the hill palace museum atop a small hill about 10kms away from the city center.

This place is a sea of historical information. With some interesting artefacts and several acres to explore, one could easily spend an entire day here.
As a malayalee who grew up watching “Manichitrathazhu” ( the original movie that was later on remade into several languages including Hindi (Bhool Bhulaiyaa)) it was an experience in itself to see the all so familiar on screen beauty that I always enjoyed, in real life.

I couldn’t help myself from repeating some of the famous dialogues from the movie every time I recognized a corridor or room from the film.

(2026: the museum is open from 9 am to 12:30 pm and from 2 to 4:30 pm every day except Monday. Tickets are about ₹50 for adults, with a small extra fee for a camera; check at the gate. Kerala Tourism lists Hill Palace as one of the film's locations.)

Food :

If all the beach hopping and walk along the lake gets your appetite high – drive to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, with several eateries around the stadium one can get several options to choose from.

Nothing here satisfies your hunger demon ?

No worries, we have got you covered, take the stadium link road to go toward Kaloor and you can find enough restaurants.

Try some chicken in coconut milk or as they call it “Elaneer Chicken” with some Parotta to feel a gastronomical ecstasy.

So, in case you are looking for Kochi beyond Fort Kochi – give these places a try. Adios !! (2026: and give Fort Kochi its day first.)

Key points for your Kochi days

• Start in Fort Kochi and give it time. Walk the old streets, sit in a café, go into the churches, end at the waterfront.
• Plan around the closing days. Mattancherry Palace is shut on Fridays, the Paradesi Synagogue on Fridays and Saturdays, Hill Palace on Mondays.
• Take the Water Metro from High Court to Fort Kochi: about 20 minutes, ₹40.
• Go to Cherai Causeway for the sunset, but don't stay long: it gets dark quickly and isn't well lit.
• Eat at Kadamakkudy for prawns and pearlspot fry, and around the stadium and Kaloor for restaurants.
• Short on time? My one day Kochi itinerary fits it into a day.

Keep reading

• One day in Kochi: an itinerary
• A houseboat in Alleppey: the Kerala backwaters, if you have a day or two more

Been to Kochi lately? Tell us in the comments below what you would add, especially in Fort Kochi: it helps the next traveller. And if you like places like this, our community page has the monthly travel question and the WhatsApp group.