Best time to visit : October to March
Personified as the Queen of Arabian Sea, Kochi easily matches up a large metropolis. Showcasing a perfect blend of modern and ancient attractions, Kochi is often counted among top three tourist destinations in the world. Adorned with historical wonders, architectural beauty and virgin beaches, the city attracts both national and international visitors. Representing a dramatic fusion of natural and historical beauties, Kochi boasts a number of princely spots and soothing surroundings. Home to relaxing spas, rajah palaces and solitude beaches, this South India destination is often cited as the Gateway to Kerala. For those seeking a mixture of serenity and natural beauty, Kochi is an undisputed address to restore tranquillity.
Facts
Flanked by Western Ghats in the east and Arabian Sea in the west, Kochi (formerly known as Cochin) is the cosmopolitan port city in the Indian State of Kerala. The word Kochi is said to be derived from the Malayalam word kochu azhi, meaning ‘small lagoon.’ The city has been ranked as the sixth best tourist destination in India by the Outlook Traveller Magazine. Kochi tops the tourist places of Kerala that attract maximum number of national and international tourists every year. The city was the first to experience European colonial settlement in India. Famous for its glittering beaches, it experiences hot and humid climate throughout the year. Cochin Carnival is the biggest carnival festival in the city.
Being a coastal region, Kochi serves plethora of fresh seafood. Meen molagitta curry (freshwater fish with coconut milk and chilli) is the popular dish and served all around Kochi. The traditional cuisines of Kochi like kurukku kalan and palad are worth trying. Street side stalls like Thattukadas serves locally famous items like thattu dosas and kanzhi (rice porridge). Local fast-food chains like 61 Pai Dosas, The Oven, Krispy Chicken, KR Hot Chicken and Arabian Treat are worth trying as well. Other famous restaurants in Kochi are Hotel Thali, Mughal Restaurant, Krishna Kripa Seafood Restaurant, Bimbis Foodcourt and Indraprastha Gujarati Food Court.
Antique items, silk cloth, traditional jewellery, electronic items and cosmetics are the items you can buy from the Kochi markets. Broadway Market is the oldest shopping corner in Kochi. The city also has several shopping malls like Lulu Cochin Mall, Oberon Mall, Nucleus Mall, Bay Pride Mall and Grande Gold Souk. Buy a city guide map to locate the renowned shopping venues in Kochi.
Nearby Places:
· Muvattupuzha (about 42 km.) – Famous for the meeting point of three rivers called ‘Triveni Sangamam.’ Amusement Park, temple and churches are other attractions of Muvattupuzha.
· Alleppey (about 53 km.) – Famous for backwater tour, houseboat ride and natural beauty spots like rivers and canals. Alleppey is often referred as the Venice of the East. Other attractions include temples, beaches, and Ayurvedic spa centres.
· Kumarakom (about 62 km.) – A popular tourist village in Kerala, Kumarakom houses the famous Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. Known for its lush greenery, picturesque landscape and beautiful backwater.
· Bhoothathankettu (about 63 km.) – Dense forest, scenic dam site and natural habitat for bird and animal species. Home to Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, this place also offers superb boating facility.
· Kottayam (about 63 km.) – Famous for huge churches, cultural monuments and wild trekking. Temples, lakes, palace and waterfalls are some of the other attractions of Kottayam.
· Thrissur (about 86 km.) – Known as the cultural capital of Kerala, Thrissur has numerous churches, temples, art centres and museums. Vadakkumnathan Temple is the iconic landmark of the city.
· Wagamon (about 101 km.) – Famous for pristine forests, lush greenery and relaxing environment. Wagamon is also known as the Scotland of Asia.
· Idukki (about 119 km.) – A hilly region, Idukki is famous for its impressive hill resorts and chilled environment.
Hire a tourist guide for interesting tourist information about these locations.