No Kerala trip is complete without an expedition to Kochi. One of Kerala’s most trendy and picturesque cities, Kochi has been dubbed the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’ for its beautiful coastal beaches and expansive harbors. This seaside city is an exciting mix of the East and the West, with its Indo-Portuguese personality shining brightly! The town has much to offer in terms of culture, food, heritage, adventure, scenery, and views. So, to make the most of your next short vacation, we bring you the ultimate itinerary for an awesome 48 hours in Kochi.
Places To Visit On Day 1 In Kochi
1. Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica
One of the eight basilicas of India, the Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica dates back to 1505. A prominent structure that reflects the Portuguese influence in Kochi, this cathedral is one of the most magnificent structures in the city. The basilica’s stunning Gothic-style architecture with lofty spires and awe-inspiring arches is a photographer’s dream! The cathedral’s white-washed exterior stands in stark contrast to its welcoming pastel-colored interiors.
Starting your day at this tranquil worship place is a great way to kickstart your Kochi sightseeing. Whether you’re here to enjoy the serenity or simply to immerse yourself in its Gothic grandeur and lifelike paintings, the cathedral will certainly set a tone for the rest of your trip.
The basilica columns are adorned with vivid frescoes and murals by the renowned Italian painter Fr. Antonio Moscheni and his disciple De Gama. You will also find seven magnificent canvas paintings including a version of Leonardo Da Vinci’s ‘Last Supper’. That’s not all! The cathedral’s ceiling depicts the scenes from Via Crucis of Christ, and the sunlight filtering through the beautiful stained glass windows is a sight to behold!
Timings: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm; 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Entry Fee: There are no entry fees to visit the cathedral.
2. Indo-Portuguese Museum
The Portuguese traders deeply influenced the coastal regions of India, and Kochi is a perfect representation of the same. The city’s trendy cosmopolitan vibe, tasteful art culture, and Gothic architecture are all a testament to Portugal’s influence. And one of the greatest spots to rediscover the Portuguese in India is a visit to the Indo-Portuguese Museum in Fort Kochi.
The museum highlights some incredible artifacts and shines a light on the Indo-Portugal bond. The gallery is divided into five sections, namely the Altar, Treasure, Procession, Civil Life, and Cathedral. You will find a teak wood altarpiece from the 16th century in the Church of Our Lady Hope in Vypeen. Another artifact from the church is an Indo-Portuguese Monstrance from the 18th to 19th century.
And what better way to plan your day than to take a walk back in time and learn about the fascinating history of this coastal city before you explore it in all of its modern glory!
Timings: 10:30 am to 1:00 pm; 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Mondays and Fridays are closed.
Entry Fee: INR 10 for adults, INR 5 for children, and INR 25 for foreign visitors. Also, the entry is free on the first Thursday of every month.
3. Jew Town
After a jump into the deep end of Kochi’s history, our next stop is the vibey neighborhood of Jew Town. Located between the Paradesi Synagogue and the Mattancherry Palace, this lane seems like a wormhole to a whole other place! Jew Town transports its visitors to an era of beautiful colonial buildings, and charming antique and vintage shops that adorn this European-influenced neighborhood. This lane is essentially an antique market street and is a hotspot for shopaholics and antique lovers.
Jew Town received its name when several Jews took refuge here from Kodungallur. Later, they immigrated back to Israel, leaving behind their homes that have been restored for sightseeing purposes. A lot of their belongings and even traded antiques from China and Arabs from back in the day are found in the antique shops here. You will find beautifully crafted wooden spice boxes, wooden elephant statues, lamps, vintage furniture, and some rare handicrafts that will truly satisfy your inner vintage lover!
Timings: Open throughout the day.
Entry Fee: None.
4. Paradesi Synagogue
If you’re exploring Jew Town then a visit to the Paradesi Synagogue is a must! Also known as the Jew Synagogue and the Mattancherry Synagogue, it’s located in the corner of Jew Town. It is one of the oldest existing synagogues and houses several rare antiques. ‘Paradesi’ literally means foreigner and it was called so because the synagogue was primarily frequented by the Israeli Jews living in Jew Town at the time.
The synagogue itself is a testament to the grandeur and wealth of the old times. The lamps and chandeliers you’ll see here are from 19th-century Belgium, while the gallery is decked with gilt columns and a teak wood ark. The ark showcases the four scrolls of the Torah encased in silver and gold. Another item of great value is the two gold crowns that were gifted to the synagogue by the Kings of Kochi. And that’s not all! Even the flooring tiles have their charm, as they are hand-painted blue willow tiles that were brought in from China during the construction of the synagogue.
Timings: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Friday. 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on all other days.
Entry Fee: There is no entry fee to visit the synagogue.
5. Fort Kochi Beach
A visit to the beach is the perfect way to wind up your day 1 in Kochi. After a day packed with sightseeing and exploring, some quiet hours of calm at the beach will be the perfect end to your day! Fort Kochi Beach offers its visitors a clean and tranquil environment sutiable for strolls and some photography. And if your day winds up before dusk, you might just be able to enjoy an evening stroll watching the sunset. Sounds like a great picture moment!
The scenic beauty and pristine waters of the beach attract locals and tourists alike. The wide walking pavement that juts out to the beach is well-lit with lamps and has benches lined up, and is a great spot to simply sit and admire the view. One of the factors that sets Fort Kochi Beach apart from other beaches is the presence of the Chinese nets. The expansive Chinese fishing nets droop over the seafront like colorful domes and are one of the landmark pieces of Kochi.
After some strolling, you can enjoy some delicious seafood at one of the local beach restaurants and wind up for the day!
Timings: The beach is open from 9:30 am to 7 pm throughout the week.
Entry Fee: There is no entry fee to visit the beach.
Places To Visit On Day 2 In Kochi
1. Mattancherry Palace
We kick off day two with the infamous Mattancherry Palace. Also known as the Dutch Palace, it is the perfect representation of the blended personality of Kochi. The palace displays traditional Kerala-style architecture interwoven with colonial touches. Mattancherry was built as a gift to the then-king of Kochi by the Portuguese in 1545. Later it was renovated by the Dutch and hence the palace has a vibrant and colorful mix of architectural influences.
There are four individual wings and is famous or its long and spacious halls along with the central courtyard. This double-storied palace houses a splendid collection of murals and paintings. Some of these murals depict scenes from famous Indian epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata. Other murals include portraits of the Hindu gods and goddesses, a painting of Lord Krishna of Guruvayur Temple, and lifelike paintings of the various kings of Kochi.
The palace also exhibits various items from the time of the royal family living in these quarters, including sheathed swords, axes, daggers, feathered spears, royal headgear, and coins issued by the royalty.
Timings: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Fridays are closed.
Entry Fee: INR 5
2. Fort Immanuel
After exploring the palace, our next stop is the historical Fort Immanuel. The fort was built by the Portuguese in the 1500s and named after the Portugal monarch to symbolize the strategic alliance made between the Portuguese empire and the King of Kochi. The fort has seen both renovations and demolition in its lifetime. It was reinforced in 1538 and was a formidable structure that housed an entire township within its area. Then in the 17th century, a part of the fort was destroyed by the Dutch, and the rest during the British invasion.
Now, the fort remains in ruins along the Fort Kochi beach. However, you’ll still be able to see some of the dilapidated structures and columns of the fort. Relics that were found within or underneath the fort ruins have been displayed in the Indo-Portuguese museum. Since the fort sits along the beachfront, after you explore the fort ruins, you can spend some time at the beach before moving on to the next part of our itinerary.
Timings: The fort is open throughout the day, all days of the week.
Entry Fee: There is no entrance fee to visit the fort.
3. Kerala Kathakali Center
Post sightseeing at Fort Immanuel, we now head on to the Kerala Kathakali Center. Kathakali is a form of classical dance that essentially narrates a story with each piece. The dancers don loud costumes, elaborate and colorful make-up, and even traditional face masks for the male dancer. The center was established in 1994 as a school for Kathakal and other classical dance forms.
This expansive structure has hosted over 500 performances and trained over 100 artists in the art of Kathakali, Indian classical dance forms, classical music, and even Kalaripayattu – a martial art form famous in Kerala. You can enjoy a variety of performances during your visit here, from the infamous Kathakali performance to South Indian classical dances to Kalaripayattu performances to simply a classical music piece. Each performance session lasts for an hour and has different show timings and ticket fees.
Timings: The center is open 24/7. The show timings are as follows:
- Kathakali – Monday to Sunday, 6 pm to 7 pm
- South Indian Classical Dance – Saturdays 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Sundays to Friday 9:00 pm to 9:45 pm
- Kalarippayattu – 7:15 pm to 8:00 pm
- Indian Classical Music – 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Entry Fee: While the center itself has no entrance fee, to enjoy a show, you’ll need to purchase tickets.
- Kathakali – INR 600
- South Indian Classical Dance – INR 500
- Kalarippayattu – INR 400
- Indian Classical Music – INR 500
4. Marine Drive
Our final stop on our short Kochi trip is the Marine Drive, which is an uber-popular hang-out spot in Kochi. The promenade offers a picturesque view of the backwaters of Kochi and is a 140-meter walkway that stretches from the Jankar Jetty in the north to the Ernakulam Jetty in the south. The promenade has several cast-iron benches and beautiful lamp posts that add to its aesthetics. The walkway is a great place for a stroll, all the while enjoying the cool breeze flowing from the backwaters.
Three bridges along this drive showcase some immaculate architectural prowess – the Houseboat Bridge, Rainbow Bridge, and Chinese fishing net bridge. You will also find several famous fast-food joints and shopping centers sprinkled along the promenade. The drive turns into a completely different place at night, especially around the Rainbow Bridge, where colorful lights reflect over the tranquil waters.
The Marine Drive is the perfect way to end your short 2 day trip in Kochi as you can relax along the waterfront and indulge in some lip-smacking food, go shopping, or simply enjoy a peaceful walk along the promenade.
Timings: The walkway is open throughout the day, though the shops close by 10 pm.
Entry Fee: There is no entry fee.
Summing Up
Who says that you cannot explore Kochi in two days? The key is good planning, less traveling, and more sightseeing. And our ultimate itinerary promises you just that! So, whether you’re in Kochi for a workation and looking for a short break or your Kerala trip can only spare 2 days in town, you’ve got the perfect itinerary to make the most of your Kochi experience.
FAQs
What Is Kochi Famous For?
Kochi is famous for its stunning beaches, the Chinese fishing nets, and its exciting blend of Indo-Portuguese culture that has vastly influenced this coastal city.
How Can I Reach Kochi?
The Cochin International Airport offers flights to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad, and has good connectivity. The major railway junction closest to Kochi is the Ernakulam Railway Junction, which has several trains stopping here from all over the country.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Kochi?
The months between October and February are the most favorable months for exploring Kochi as the weather is more pleasant and slightly cooler in comparison to the sweltering summer months.
How Many Days Are Enough For Kochi?
2 to 4 days are good enough to explore Kochi. You can easily visit major tourist spots like Fort Kochi, Mattancherry Palace, Jew Town, Paradesi Synagogue, and various beaches at this time.
How Far Is Alleppey From Kochi?
The road distance between Alleppey and Kochi is 53 km, and you can travel via NH 66. The journey will take about 1.5 hours.
What Is The Famous Food In Kochi?
Some of the foods that you must try in Kochi are Parothha and beef/ chicken curry, Thattu Dosa, Pazham Puri (banana fritter), Appam and stew, and various seafood dishes.
What Can We Buy From Kochi?
Kochi is famous for its gold jewelry, beautiful silk sarees, handlooms and handicrafts, and traditional wood carvings and statues. And if you’re a foodie, you should definitely pick up some of the traditional spices too.
