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No journey through central Kerala would be complete without experiencing one day in Kochi – a city where influences from various nationalities – Portuguese, Dutch, and British – have intertwined for centuries.
Chinese and Jews have also left their mark here. The rich culture and historical atmosphere are just some of the reasons why it’s worth visiting this place.
It was here, over 600 years ago, that India’s spice trade adventure began. It’s also where one of the world’s most important explorers, Vasco da Gama, was laid to rest.
But the Kochi of yesteryears is not just about monuments and museums; it also offers intriguing Kathakali performances, atmospheric spots with delicious food, and, above all, incredibly hospitable and friendly locals.
Below, you’ll find our guide to spending one day in Kochi. You’ll discover where to dine and what to see in this charming city in India. Enjoy your reading!
Table of Contents
When is the best time to visit Kochi?
The weather in Kochi is most pleasant from October to March, when mild temperatures and low rainfall prevail.
However, if you want to avoid tourist crowds, the best period is usually the pre- or off-season months, from April to September.
It’s worth noting that during this time, it can be hot and more humid.
Where to stay in Kochi?
When visiting Kochi, consider staying at the incredibly welcoming Maison Casero Homestay, run by the delightful and hospitable Priya.
Opting for this type of accommodation not only allows for a better immersion into the city’s atmosphere but also provides an authentic experience through interaction with the local community.
Thanks to Priya’s hospitality, our stay in Kochi was incredibly enjoyable. Our room was tidy and tastefully decorated. We had a private bathroom and a terrace overlooking the area, where Priya served us delicious breakfast.
Moreover, the place offers a cozy atmosphere, characterized by tranquility, yet it’s conveniently located near the center of Fort Kochi, the city’s main tourist district.
We highly recommend this place – nobody will host you quite like Priya!
One Day in Kochi: What to see?
Kochi One Day Itinerary Map
Santa Cruz Basilica
Begin your one day in Kochi with a visit to the Santa Cruz Basilica.
Dating back to the 16th century, this architectural masterpiece is renowned as one of the most impressive churches in all of India.
Its architecture combines Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles, capturing attention with its monumental facade and rich interior decor.
This remarkable place is an important part of the region’s cultural heritage, attracting tourists and pilgrims from all over the world.
Teapot Cafe
If you fancy a delicious lunch after visiting the cathedral, be sure to head to the Teapot Cafe. The cafe is housed in a charming building, exuding a pleasant atmosphere.
We recommend starting your meal with samosas and then trying the Kerala fish curry – fish cooked in coconut sauce, which is one of the local specialties.
Also, don’t forget to indulge in a tasty mango lassi, which complements your meal perfectly.
All dishes at Teapot Cafe are very tasty, and the atmosphere is friendly and relaxing. It’s definitely worth a visit while in the area.
Fort Kochi
Indo-Portuguese Museum
After lunch, head to the nearby Indo-Portuguese Museum.
This fascinating museum is open daily, except Mondays, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Foreigners are required to pay an entrance fee of 40 rupees per person.
The museum building is located within the bishop’s garden and houses many valuable exhibits, mainly church artifacts.
However, the main reason to visit is the underground Fort Immanuel, a remnant of the Portuguese fortress.
Dutch Cemetery
Another remarkable place worth visiting in Kochi is the historic cemetery located near Fort Kochi Beach.
The cemetery is the final resting place for many Dutch soldiers and merchants, giving it a unique historical character.
Today, the cemetery is one of the most visited places in the entire district.
Usually, the cemetery gate is closed, so to enter, you need to ask the guard at the nearby church to open it.
Chinese Fishing Nets: One of the Best Places to Visit in Kochi
Without a doubt, no visit to Kochi is complete without seeing the city’s most important tourist attraction – the Chinese fishing nets in Fort Kochi.
Their structure resembles giant spider legs and is a symbol of the historical heritage of this region.
These nets can reach over 10 meters in height and have a rich history – they first appeared at the court of the Mongol Khan Kublai.
Unfortunately, operating them requires a minimum of four people, and half of the fish are small, making them not very profitable.
However, due to their unique appearance and picturesque location, they mainly serve as a tourist attraction. It’s impossible not to appreciate their charm, especially at sunset.
Fort Kochi Beach
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Fort Kochi Beach, which is very polluted.
We have never seen a place so dirty; piles of garbage were literally everywhere.
Fortunately, the city authorities are reportedly taking action on this issue. Well, we hold them to their word!
Fish Market
Another place worth visiting during your one day in Kochi is its vibrant fish market.
Here, local fishermen offer fresh seafood straight from the boats, providing an abundance of fish, shrimp, clams, and other delicious specialties.
Moreover, for a reasonable fee, you can buy your favorite seafood and ask for it to be prepared by an experienced chef at one of the nearby stalls.
It’s a unique opportunity to taste authentic local cuisine and discover the extraordinary flavors of the region.
One Day in Kochi: Dhobi Khana
Another unique place worth seeing is Dhobi Khana, possibly the only still-functioning public laundry in all of Kerala.
This place has been run for decades by the local Tamil community, who still use traditional washing methods.
Upon entering the laundry, beautiful, colorful murals and loud music immediately catch the eye.
The laundry comprises about forty “khan,” or tanks, where clothes are washed by hand (each is intended for only one family), as well as a drying area where wet clothes are hung.
Visiting Dhobi Khana was an incredibly fascinating experience for us, as we had never had the opportunity to be in such a place before, although we had heard a bit about them.
For a moment, we ourselves took on the role of locals, trying to iron a freshly laundered shirt with a hot, heavy iron fueled by charcoal.
As you can imagine, we completely failed, so we admire the laundry workers even more, who are often elderly. Full respect!
One Day in Kochi: Mattancherry
After visiting the local laundry, it’s worth exploring another popular part of the city, namely the old Jewish quarter called Mattancherry.
Once inhabited by a fairly large Jewish diaspora, it is now mainly populated by Kashmiri merchants, which somewhat spoils the atmosphere of the place.
Paradesi Synagogue
The first place worth visiting is the 16th-century Thirumala Devaswom Hindu temple.
Then, head to the main attraction of the entire district, the Paradesi Synagogue, dating back to the 17th century, when it was rebuilt by the Dutch.
The place stands out with its interesting golden pulpit and tiles imported directly from Canton, which make an impression.
The Paradesi Synagogue is open from Monday to Thursday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and on Fridays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The entrance fee to the synagogue is 10 rupees per person.
Unfortunately, photography is strictly prohibited in the synagogue.
Mattancherry Palace
It’s also worth visiting the nearby Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace, after the Dutch who expanded it.
This palace was built in the 16th century by the Portuguese, who presented it to the then king of Kochi in exchange for trading rights.
Today, we can admire a sizable collection of wall paintings covering almost three hundred square kilometers!
The palace is open daily, except Fridays and Saturdays, from 9:45 am to 1:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 4:45 pm, with an entrance fee of 5 rupees per person.
Pepper Exchange
After visiting the palace, head to the building that once housed the international pepper exchange, now known as the spice market, where spices are sold.
It was from this place that black pepper set off centuries ago, grown on plantations on the Malabar Coast.
Although this place is now quite touristy, we believe it must be visited, if only for its unique character (the old walls of the building still exude the soul of history) and former significance.
Of course, it’s not worth buying anything, but be sure to visit the courtyard adjoining the building, where, with a bit of luck, you can observe locals drying ginger.
Who knows, perhaps if it weren’t for them and the great Portuguese explorers, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy such a wealth of exotic spices today?
Kashi Art Café
After a full day of sightseeing, we encourage you to visit another interesting restaurant on Kochi’s culinary map, namely Kashi Art Cafe.
The place is delightful from the moment you enter, with its atmospheric decor and the option to dine outdoors.
We suggest trying Western-style dishes, such as grilled fish with spaghetti and original cocktails.
We assure you that leaving this place, you will be fully satisfied.
Kashi Art Café is open daily from 8:30 am to 10:00 pm.
Kathakali Dance Show: One of the Best Things to Do in Kochi
In the evening, it’s definitely worth attending a local performance.
We recommend visiting the Kerala Kathakali Centre, where you can see the traditional Kerala art known as Kathakali.
This performance often features selected scenes from the Mahabharata or Ramayana, two Hindu epics, distinguished by extremely rich and colorful costumes.
Actors prepare for the performance for several hours, painting themselves in front of the audience on stage.
To fully embody their characters, which are often Hindu gods, they use eye paint such as Turkish berry. The show lasts about two hours and is accompanied by singers and drummers.
During the performance, actors perform characteristic hand movements called mudras, which they have learned over the years. This extraordinary spectacle simply must be seen with your own eyes!
For us Westerners, attending this performance was an incredibly fascinating experience.
We were impressed by the actors‘ dance skills, where every movement and expression seemed incredibly precise and well-thought-out.
Although the ticket price is relatively high (500 rupees per person), we believe it’s worth investing in this show. No visit to Kochi in one day would be complete without watching Kathakali.
One Day in Kochi: Summary
Kochi is an incredibly fascinating place in Kerala that is definitely worth visiting.
Whether you’re interested in monuments, Indian cuisine, or unique performances, Kochi offers a wealth of attractions that will make every vacation unforgettable.
We hope our article has inspired you to visit this charming city. If so, share it with your friends!
And if you’ve already been to Kochi, let us know in the comments what you think is worth seeing during one day in Kochi!
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