Your guide to Kochi
Kochi highlights
Contemporary art
Over the years, Kochi has become one of India’s most interesting centres for contemporary arts. Renovated warehouses and historic buildings host galleries, studios and design shops. December welcomes the start of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale. If you’re a fan of street art, pay a visit to Fort Kochi and Mattancherry to spot colourful murals by local artists.
Scenic backwaters
Just beyond the city, Kochi opens onto Kerala’s famous backwaters, a network of canals once used for transporting rice and spices. Short ferry rides connect the mainland to islands like Vypin, while longer boat trips head deeper inland to picturesque villages. If you've got time to spare during your stay in Kochi, book a traditional 'kettuvallam' houseboat to explore the backwaters on an overnight excursion.
Colonial history
Kochi’s waterfront still reflects its past as a bustling spice port, with historic warehouses and colonial-era buildings like St Francis Church still standing as reminders of early European colonisation. Don’t miss the famous Chinese fishing nets along Fort Kochi’s shore. Head to Vasco da Gama Square to watch fishermen hauling in their catch.
Kochi: Know before you go
| Language | Malayalam |
|---|---|
| Currency | Indian rupee (₹) |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| High season | October - February |
| Low season | March - September |
Find the best time to go to Kochi
Weather in Kochi
March – May: Temperatures climb, and humidity rises, especially in April and May. Plan sightseeing for early mornings and evenings, and set aside the midday for museum visits and long indoor lunches.
June – September: The southwest monsoon brings heavy, dramatic downpours that turn the city lush and green. Travel is still very doable, with fewer crowds and lower prices. Just pack waterproofs and expect slower journeys.
October – February: The winter months are Kochi’s most comfortable stretch, with warm days, lower humidity and mostly clear skies. It’s an ideal time to wander around Fort Kochi, cycle along the coast or take backwater cruises without the intense heat.
Events in Kochi
Onam (August to September): Kerala’s biggest festival rolls out floral displays, cultural performances and vegetarian banquets. The most dramatic celebrations happen in the nearby backwaters during the famous snake boat races.
Cochin Carnival (December): The year ends loudly in Fort Kochi, with two weeks of parades, live music and street performances. On 31 December, crowds gather to watch the burning of the giant ‘Pappanji’ (old man) effigy, marking the start of the new year.
Kochi – Muziris Biennale (December to March or April): Every two years, historic warehouses and waterfront buildings across Fort Kochi and Mattancherry become exhibition spaces for India’s largest contemporary art festival, featuring installations, films and performances by Indian and international artists.
The best neighbourhoods in Kochi
Ernakulam
Kochi’s commercial hub sits on the mainland, with wide roads, modern hotels and easy transport links. While it lacks the historic atmosphere of Fort Kochi, it offers convenient access to shopping centres and museums, such as the Kerala Folklore Museum and the Hill Palace Museum. Nearby ferry terminals make it a practical base for backwater day trips.
Good for: Museums, ferry access, shopping centres
Mattancherry
Next to Fort Kochi, Mattancherry’s narrow lanes are lined with spice shops and former trading houses. Jew Town draws you towards the 16th-century Paradesi Synagogue and a cluster of antique stores packed with jewellery, furniture and vintage curios. Nearby, Mattancherry Palace, also called the Dutch Palace, blends European and Keralan architectural styles.
Good for: Shopping, spice markets, architecture
Fort Kochi
Fort Kochi is best known for its colonial-era buildings, pretty tree-lined streets and gorgeous working harbour. One of the city’s most walkable neighbourhoods, it’s where you should stay in Kochi for easy access to the famous Chinese fishing nets and the area’s growing arts scene, best enjoyed at the cafes and galleries lining the waterfront.
Good for: Colonial buildings, waterfront strolls, street art
Things to do in Kochi
Beaches
Kochi’s city beaches are more scenic than swimmable, but they’re ideal for sunset walks. Fort Kochi Beach is best for views of the Chinese fishing nets, especially as the sun sets. For a classic beach day, drive about an hour north to Cherai Beach, where you can look forward to golden sands, calm waters and occasional dolphin sightings.
Shopping
Visit Broadway Market or the Mattancherry Spice Market for bags of pepper, cardamom and cloves — buy them whole for peak freshness. Around Synagogue Lane and the Ethnic Passage, you’ll find plenty of small shops selling antiques and Keralan crafts like carved masks. For a more modern shopping experience with air conditioning, find your way to the LuLu International Shopping Mall.
Nightlife
Kochi isn’t a late-night party destination, but even so, evenings have their own rhythm. Settle into Fort Kochi’s waterfront cafes, or stop at a thattukada for plates of ‘parotta’ (flatbread) and fried chicken. A cultural experience awaits at the Kerala Kathakali Center, which stages early performances of Kathakali, a classical dance known for its elaborate costumes and makeup.
Places to eat
Restaurants in Kochi suit all tastes and budgets, from fine-dining eateries housed in restored warehouses to casual cafes tucked inside art galleries. Don’t miss seafood specialities like prawn curry and fish ‘moilee’, a spiced coconut milk stew. And for a quick bite, stop by ‘thattukadas’ (roadside stalls) for ‘kappa biriyani’(tapioca and meat curry) and ‘ethakka appam’ (banana fritters).
Take in the culture
Visit the Indo-Portuguese Museum to understand Kochi’s colonial ties with Portugal, then step inside the 16th-century Paradesi Synagogue for insight into the city’s historic Jewish community. For a broader look at regional traditions, the Kerala Folklore Museum is one of the best museums in Kochi, home to thousands of artefacts ranging from ritual masks to carved temple architecture.
Family friendly
Spot kingfishers and egrets in Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary, a pocket of mangrove forest located right in the city. Gather near the Chinese fishing nets to watch them being raised and lowered at sunset. For a bigger day out, Wonderla Kochi — one of India’s largest theme parks — is under an hour from the city centre and offers thrilling rides for all ages.
Get ready for Kochi
Budget
The city offers plenty of budget-friendly options for food, transport and sightseeing, making it easy to enjoy an inexpensive stay in Kochi. An inexpensive meal in a restaurant usually costs around 150 Indian rupees (₹), while a coffee shouldn’t set you back more than around ₹120. When travelling by taxi, expect to pay less than ₹150 for a short ride.
Day trips from Kochi
Kochi is surrounded by unforgettable escapes within a two-hour drive. Visit Athirappilly Falls, Kerala’s largest waterfall, and Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, home to hundreds of bird species. For a peaceful day on the water, take a boat through the Kumarakom backwaters, where mangrove-lined canals, rice paddies and floating cottages line Kerala’s scenic waterways.
Getting around Kochi
Kochi is spread across a cluster of islands and peninsulas, so ferries are often the fastest and most scenic way to get around. Rideshare apps are useful on the mainland, and auto-rickshaws are good for short distances. Be sure to agree on the fare ahead of time if there’s no meter. Explore Fort Kochi and Mattancherry on foot — just be sure to pack comfortable walking shoes.
