The best things to do in Kochi are enormous starting from exploring the beautiful Marine Drive, enjoying the marvelous view of the Chinese fishing nets, a ferry ride, watching the exclusive Kathakali performance, Ayurvedic spa and treatment, learning about the Paradesi Synagogue and the Portuguese held Kochi, exploring the Jew Town, walking tour at Fort Kochi, mesmerizing the architecture of Mattancherry Palace, visiting the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, exploring the town museums, taking a Muziris Spice Tour(if lucky attending the Muziris Biennale), snorkeling, enjoying Kerala street food and traditional foods, going for a backwater tour in a houseboat, trying Go-Karting and many more.
Kochi is a rich tourist city, which can offer you every kind of tour. Heritage, nature, history, and city vibe altogether, are a specialty of Kochi. It is a coastal area, therefore there are lots of beaches here. Activities in Cochin are therefore endless. The beaches offer you adventurous fun activities as well. There are also hills and trekking spots like Bhoothathankettu. Cochin city has a lot in store of early Portuguese and colonial history. Therefore most of the spots here reflect western culture and architecture. Some of the most famous activities to do in Kochi are associated with these.
Kochi is the best place to chill out with your friends and family or solo. It is a flourishing city and has a higher youth population, making Kochi energetic and stunning. Another notable factor to say about Kochi is its cuisine which is one of the must-do things in Kochi. You should try various traditional Kerala foods and street foods. It will be a different experience for your taste buds and your eyes. Kochi will never disappoint you and you will never go out of options about what to do in Cochin.
Adventure Fun Activities in Kochi
Kochi along with its scenic beauty can also offer you the best adventure experience. Some of the Kochi (Cochin) adventure places are Cherai Beach, Munambam Beach, Fort Kochi, Bhoothathankettu, Wonder La, and many more. You can go Scuba diving at Chullickal, water skiing at Cherai and Munambam Beach, beach and backwater cycling at Eloor, kayaking at Princess Street Fort Kochi, banana ride at Cherai, Munambam and Kuzhupilly beach, and trekking at the green and haunted Bhoothathankettu. Wonder La is a wonderful amusement park in Kerala where you can have maximum fun, especially with children and friends.
Things You Can Experience Only in Kochi
The Cochin culture and history imparts many unique things to do in Cochin. Some of the other offbeat things to do in Kochi are the magnificent view of Chinese Fishing Nets, enjoying elephants at Elephant Centre, the Cochin Ferry ride, watching the Kathakali performance the traditional art form of Kerala. Experiencing a soothing and energizing visit to Ayurvedic centers, trying out the best tastes and thattukada, exploring the only and last Jewish settlement of India in Jew Town, explore earlier Portuguese and Colonial history are other things you can explore.
Popular Activities Near the Beach
Cochin City is lined by several beaches. They are Cherai Beach, Puthuvype Beach, Kuzhupilly Beach, Fort Kochi Beach, Njarackal Arattuvazhi Beach, Munambam Beach, Mahatma Gandhi Beach, Pothencode Beach, Veeranpuzha Beach, and Andhakaranazhi Beach. Cherai Beach, the most popular among them, has hill stations surrounding it and has dolphin sightings. Other beaches also offer swimming, boating, offbeat track, seafood, kite flying, paragliding, snorkeling, and many more. Some beaches also offer lite water sports in Kochi like water skiing and banana riding.
Things To Do in Kochi at Night
Kochi has its beauty enhanced during the night. You will have many fancy restaurants, pubs, and natural places to chill out at night. One of the most exciting places to visit at night is Marine Drive, where you can enjoy the cool breeze with the beautiful city lights. Kochi is famous for its midnight shack foods called 'thattukada' in Malayalam. For a traditional path, you can watch the Kathakali performance at Kerala Kathakali Centre. Other places where you can enjoy the night are Kashi art cafe, Sand Dunes Hookah lounge, Mattancherry Bar, Chillax Cafe, and many more.
Dining in Kochi
The traditional Kerala food differs from the other Indian Cuisines and the main staple food here is rice. You should try the Kerala porotta and if you are a non-vegetarian you can also try meats like beef, mutton, and pork which are popularly available in Kerala. The traditional Kerala Sadhya can be a heavenly experience for vegetarians. You should also try the local Thattukada (shack hotels) and toddy shops where spicy traditional foods are served. The best restaurants in Kochi are Latest Recipe, Mosaic, Thai Soul, Momo Cafe, Malabar Cafe in Kochi Kitchen Bolgatty Palace Kitchen.
Shopping Places in Kochi
In Kochi, you will get both a local shopping experience and a luxurious shopping experience. You can experience the luxurious shopping experience in Lulu Mall, the biggest mall in Kerala. Other popular malls in Kochi are Centre Square Mall, Gold Souk, and many more. For local markets, you will have a great colorful experience at Marine Drive, Jew Town, Cochin Spice Market, Princess Street, Ernakulam Market, and Bazaar Road Fort Cochin.
Sightseeing in Kochi
There are plenty of options for Kochi sightseeing. On a tour of Fort Kochi, you will get an idea of the early Portuguese possession in Kerala and you will also receive a spectacular sunset. The Thrikkakara Temple will provide you with beautiful sculpting on the walls. Another important sightseeing location is Marine Drive. The Paradesi Synagogue welcomes you with the antiquities and handicrafts preserved from the ancient age. To appreciate the brilliant artworks of the past, you should visit the Gallery of Contemporary Art. The Cochin backwaters houseboat ride will give you a relinquishing experience.
Where to Stay in Kochi?
Kochi is a top-visited tourist city in India every year. Therefore it has a wide range of heritage, luxury, and affordable hotels. Some of the places in Kochi to offer the best stays are Palm Grove Service Villa, Novotel Kochi Infopark, Kochi Marriott Hotel, Radisson Blu Kochi, Flora Airport Hotel, Gokulam Park, Bolgatty Palace Resort, and Trident Kochi. Aquatic Island By Poppys, Sea Lagoon Health Resort, Les 3 Elephants Cherai Beach are top heritage hotels.