Cochin

50 – Things to do in Cochin / Kochi When I decided to do a “things to do” article on Kochi; I never thought I could come up with such an exhaustive list. And I know for a fact that even this is not complete! If you know of something that is not mentioned in this post, feel free to add in your inputs in the comments section 🙂 1.    Check the view of the ocean from the rainbow bridge at Marine Drive 2.    Take a ferry ride from the boat jetty at Marine Drive to Fort Cochin 3.    Absorb the market chatter on the Broadway (parallel road to Marine Drive) 4.    Pick up panoply of spices from Broadway or Mattanchery 5.    Cover the Mattanchery, Jews Street and Fort Kochi area on foot 6.    Take a walk around the fish market along the sea in Fort Kochi area 7.    Help the fisherman pull the Chinese fishing nets to catch fish of the day! You might have to pay them for your services though! 10 to 20 INR for a photo op is apt 8.    Bike around in Ernakulam area. Rented bikes can be availed at Athirup; however the condition of the bikes is inferior. There are some bikes-on-rent in Fort Kochi too 9.    Visit the Vypeen beach – not so clean, but has a good lighthouse which is still working 10.    Chill out with beer at the Bolgatty Island KTDC resort – and even try your hand at Golf on the 3-hole course 11.    Visit India’s 1st Marina launched in Kochi. The Kochi International Marina is located on the eastern coast of Bolgatty island adjoining the Bolgatty Palace which is a heritage hotel. The Kochi Marina is owned by KTDC and has the capacity to berth about 37 yachts 12.    Go for a stride along the waterfront at Willingdon Island, next to Taj Malabar – Vivanta. My last visit to the island was with few friends, on a bike which we rented in Ernakulam 13.    Have beer at Taj Malabar – Vivanta, by the waterfront – and watch the sunset. Bliss! 🙂   History & Monuments 14.    Visit the Synagogue at Jew Street run by the last Jew family left in the city. Do ensure you are wearing full pants and sleeved shirt/t-shirt else you will be denied entry! 15.    Visit the Dutch Palace. Interestingly it was built by the Portuguese and only renovated by the Dutch. Soak in the history of Cochin / Kochi here. Check out the mural paintings albeit in poor condition 16.    Visit Saint Francis Church. St. Francis Church is where Vasco de Gama was buried before he was moved to Lisbon, Portugal 17.    Learn more about Kerala through a light and sound show at the Kerala history museum, Edapally. 18.    Visit the Tripunithara palace (Hill Palace Museum) and get enthralled by its sheer grandeur and opulence.  Besides the exhibits of royal jewels, crowns, weaponry you get to walk around their vast gardens with 100 different species of trees and plants. There is also a deer park within the complex 19.    Visit the Maritime Museum in Fort Kochi and learn about the history of the Indian Navy from its genesis to evolution to various momentous milestones. Special segment is attributed to Ship building activities in India. It is open between 9:30 am to 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm 20.    Visit Durbar Hall Art Gallery on DH Road. Once the official durbar hall of the Kochi Maharajas is now a gallery exhibiting oil paintings, old coins, sculptures,…etc.There is a studio gallery within the complex that promotes works of various artists. Entry is free.   For the temple goers 21.    There is the ChottanikaraBhagavati Temple and Ernakulam Shiva Temple 22.    Tripunithara Devi temple is famous for its firecrackers display during festivals 23.    Guruvayur Shri Krishna temple at about 3-4 hrs drive from Kochi and is popular nationwide. 24.    The Vamana temple at Trikakara town is the focal centre of Onam, the biggest festival of Kerala   Art & Music 25.    Catch Kathakali dance performance in Ernakulam or Fort Kochi area 26.    Besides showcasing the traditional dance form Kathakali, Greenix Art Village at Fort Kochi has a lot to offer. Learn the cultural history of Kerala through an audio-visual show; enjoy classical Indian music and watch the alighting of martial art performers clashing their swords! If you are an artist yourself, then can enjoy their hospitality in return of your creative work for duration of 1 week! 27.    Catch a play / music show at JTPac or Kerala Fine Arts Complex   Rejuvenation 28.    Get an ayurveda massage at Kerala Ayurveda centre . They have a centre in Ernakulam and Edapally besides the head quarter in Aluva. There are various ayurvedacentres in Kochi but not all of them are accredited and reliable Shopping 29.    Goodwill on Convent junction road and Kallarical on Bypass road (next to Oberon Mall) have a good collection of trinkets, junk jewellery et al. It was an instant hit with my friends from Europe 30.    Beautiful traditional Kerala saris can be picked up from Kasavukada, near Fine Arts Hall or Karalkada opposite Pai Brothers on MG Road 31.    Kerala women are popular for their gold, which explains the array of gold shops n MG Road – Bhima, JOSCO, Joy Alukkas, Kirtilal, Alappatt, Francis Allukkas, Tanisq, Geeripai, TribhuvandasZaveri,…etc are all present on this 5km stretch. 32.    Pick up curios representing Kerala from Cauvery, a government owned shop on MG Road near Jos junction (opp. Hotel Avenue Regant). There are many such shops in Jewtown around the Synagogue; however all items are priced steep and should be bargained down!   Food & Drinks 33.    Read a book while having a leisurely breakfast / lunch at “Kashi’s Art Café”. It is frequented by foreign tourists; so expect a non-spicy plate up. They also serve delectable homemade cakes. 34.    If you are tea person visit “Tea pot café” offering a range of teas from different places with varying degree of strength. They too serve delicious cakes 35.    Restaurant “Upstairs” located opposite to Santa Maria Basilica, in Fort Kochi, serves an impressive Italian spread. Frequented by tourists and locals, Upstairs has a rustic ambience and is run by an Italian. The spread has excellent fresh catch of fish almost everyday. 36.    Check out “Pai Brothers” of MG Road and pick your dosa from the 57 varieties of dosa they serve. 37.    Fish wrapped and cooked in banana leaf (Karimeen preparations) is a must check out at the “Hotel Grand” on MG Road. Team it up with piping hot appams 38.    If you are looking at a world cuisine; “Lokah” on by-pass road (diagonally opposite to Gold Souk Mall) could be your possible stop 39.    Try your hand at excellent local cuisine& some toddy at “NettoorShap”(Toddy shop). The same is recommended at the “Mullapandal Toddy shop” located in Udayamperoor. Nettoorshap (Toddy Shop) is by the backwater, so it’s very scenic. NettoorShap is about 2 kms from Le Meridien Hotel. Fried & Curried forms of Fish, Crab, Mussels, Beef, Duck, Rabbit, …etc. all are the delicacies that one can try out here. 40.    Try out the delectable Appam& Stew (chicken / vegetarian) at “Coffee Beanz”. They have their set up at Marine Drive and Panampilly Nagar 41.    Have a sumptuous delectable thali at “RajasthaniBhojanalaya” on GopalaPrabhuRoad. (Only in veg.) From MG Road 1st left after Hotel Abad Plaza by the side of My Kingdom showroom. Do say hello to the owner Maharaj who is present personally to serve you! 42.    For the vegetarians – the fare at “Dwaraka” on M.G.Road and at “Sri Krishna Inn” on Warriam Road, behind the Dwaraka, is highly recommended. On weekends, try calling ahead and booking tables to avoid a wait on the road! 43.    For authentic Chinese & Tibetan dishes (momos), try the “Black Pearl” restaurant at Hotel Rennai, Palarivattom. 44.    A good place to hang out for drinks is “Couchyn” at Hotel Grand on MG Road. The bar is well stocked and reasonable. For the connoisseurs a good collection of Scotch & Wine is at TajVivanta at Wellingdon Island, where “Mattancherry” provides the ambience for a long sip. 45.    If you are a Biriyani lover, then Kayeeka’s Biriyani from Mattancherry is a must visit, the place might not have 5 star ambience, but the service & the food is definitely good. Its branch in Ernakulam opp. DH road, is avoidable with pathetic service. “Khadar’s Biriyani” @ “Itty’s” at Panampally Nagar is another must have on the Biriyani rounds. (Itty’sby the way has the juiciest burgers & yummy pastas in Kochi town)   Close to Cochin/ Kochi 46.    Take a houseboat ride and cruise around on enchanting backwaters in Alappuzha (Alleppey). Alappuzha is about 1.5 hrs drive from Kochi 47.    Visit Cherai, a beach town worth a couple of days of leisure. Click here to read more on Cherai. 48.    Visit India’s first eco-tourist village – Kumbalangi Integrated Tourism Village. Party with the locals, enjoy the authentic rural culture, canoe or go fishing! 49.    Take a day trip to Kodanadu Elephant Training College and watch Elephants bathe and frolic in the water; observe how little baby elephants get trained; take a safari. Kodanadu Elephant Training College is about 45 kms from Kochi 50.    Chill out at lovely Marari Beach. Few Hotel chains have opened Resorts there. Prices are steep however! CGH group & ABAD group both has resorts. Local home stays also are there in plenty. happy traveling! 🙂