Fort Cochin

The beach at Fort Cochin is not exotic but is teeming with life. People come here for a walk, to while away time looking across the sea to see the ships awaiting berth at port, the sun setting in the horizon as the sky becomes a play of colours.

Dutch Palace

Built by the Portuguese in 1555, the ‘Mattancherry Palace’ better known as the ‘Dutch Palace’ was presented to the Raja of Cochin, Veer Kerala Varma (1537-61), as a gesture of goodwill and probably as a means of securing trading privileges.

Jewish Synagogue

Located at Mattancherry, this synagogue built in 1568 by the prosperous Jewish community, is the oldest in India. It was partially destroyed by the Portuguese in the war of 1662 and was rebuilt by the Dutch. One of its interesting features is the hand painted willow pattern floor tiles brought from Canton in China in mid 18th century and no two tiles are alike.

Parikshith Thampuran

Located in mainland Ernakulam, is an archaeological museum that houses interesting 19th century oil paintings, old coins, sculptures in stone and plaster of Paris, copies of murals and collections of the Kochi royal family. It is housed in a traditional building that was once the Durbar Hall.

Willingdon Island

Willingdon Island is another of Cochin's famous islands and is named after Lord Willingdon, one of the British Viceroys. It is a man-made island created using soil obtained while dredging the Kochi harbour to allow vessels with deeper draughts to dock.

Bolgatty Island

Bolgatty Island is a narrow stretch of an island, easily accessible from the mainland. This Island is the site of the Bolgatty Palace built by the Dutch in 1744. Later it became the seat of the British Resident of Cochin

Vypeen Island

Ferries shuttle across the narrow strait from Fort Cochin to Vypeen Island. The interesting sights here are the Lighthouse at Ochanthuruth, the 16th century Pallipuram Fort and some good beaches. Ferries shuttle across the narrow strait from Fort Cochin to Vypeen Island. The interesting sights here are the Lighthouse at Ochanthuruth, the 16th century Pallipuram Fort and some good beaches.

GunduIsland

Spread across an area of 5 acres, this is the smallest island around Cochin. The only building here is a Coir Factory run by a co-operative society. Here can be observed the process of manufacturing Coir from coconut fibre, with weavers making colourfully designed doormats and floor coverings.

Museum of Kerala History

Located about 8 kms from Ernakulam, is the best place for a quick trip down the ancient lanes of Kerala's history. Greeting the visitor outside is a statue of Parasurama, the mythological sage who's said to create Kerala by throwing his axe into the sea. Important historical episodes ranging from the Neolithic age to the modern era are depicted through life-size figures.

Located about 8 kms from Ernakulam, is the best place for a quick trip down the ancient lanes of Kerala's history. Greeting the visitor outside is a statue of Parasurama, the mythological sage who's said to create Kerala by throwing his axe into the sea. Important historical episodes ranging from the Neolithic age to the modern era are depicted through life-size figures.

Hill Palace Museum

Located in Tripunithura, 12 kms southeast of Ernakulam, displays the erstwhile wealth and prosperity of the Royal families of Cochin, including the King's throne and crown. Also on show are other trappings of royalty like majestic beds, paintings, carvings and samples of epigraphy.

Parur & Chennamangalam

Located about 35 kms north of Cochin, this town encapsulates the cultural and religious harmony of this region. There is a synagogue built around the same time as that of Mattancherry. Nearby is an Agraharam (place of Brahmins), a small street of closely packed houses, a settlement of the Tamil Brahmins. Parur also has a Syrian Orthodox Church, a Krishna temple and a temple to the Goddess Mookambika.