Kochi, or Cochin, the queen of Arabian Sea is located on the Western coast of India. The port city is the biggest city in the state of Kerala and offers visitors a unique view of India and its colonial past. If you are a traveler, who loves to explore the best experience from a unique land with a great charm & history, know all the exciting things to do in Kochi.
Adventure with Chinese Fishing Net
The Chinese fishing nets are one of the most popular attractions in Fort Kochi. They are in use here for more than 500 years and give a spectacular view for visitors at early morning and colorful evenings. There are many stories regarding the origin of these attractive fishing nets like they came from traders of Kubla Khan, the Chinese explorer ‘Zhang He’ introduced the nets, Portuguese brought over it here etc. The fishermen here always love to share the stories to tourists and will let you help raise and lower the 10m nets into the sea.
A Beautiful Ride on the Ferry
You can well spend an afternoon at a car or scooter on ferry and get off at one of Kochi’s many islands. The ride make you enjoy the real charm of Kochi and give you best opportunities to interact with locals over there. From Fort Kochi you can go to the largest man-made island in India, Willingdon or to enjoy the clean beaches at Vypeen Islands.
Visit Paradesi Synagogue
The Jewish Synagogue built in 1568, is the oldest in the Commonwealth of Nations. Paradesi in Hindi means ‘foreigner’ and the name was applied to the synagogue because it was mostly visited by Jews from Europe and the Middle East. The synagogue was tumbledown by the Portuguese in 1662 and was rebuilt by Dutch who took over Kochi. A gold pulpit, hand-painted willow pattern floor tiles from China, an exquisite Belgian chandelier and a clock tower are the greatest attractions of the spot. Paradesi Synagogue is truly worth watching for every art loving tourist.
Go to Kodanad Elephant Training Centre
Kodanad is a beautiful rural riverside village of Kochi which possesses the best training centers for elephants. You can make elephant safaris here for a very small fee. Another highlight is that they allow you to join the trainers to give a bath to the elephants. Kodanad gives experiences that are truly lively and cheerful for any animal lover. Watching baby and adult elephants playing and enjoying in water can give you an attractive view that is rare and real.
Visit St. Francis Church
St. Francis Church located at Fort Kochi is the oldest European church in India. The church is marked in history as first burial place of Vasco da Gama, who was a Portuguese explorer and the first European to reach India by sea. His remains were then moved to Portugal, but the original gravestone remains here as a historical monument. You can visit here any time for a historical exploration or for a prayer to St. Francis .
Enjoy Diving at Scuba Cochin
Scuba Cochin located in the Centre of Kochi is South India’s first PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) authorized Dive Centre. For visitors, daily dive trips are available under strong instruction and guidance. They offer various certification courses for interested individuals, from open water diver to instructor level. Scuba Cochin also conduct kayaking, snorkeling, and possess a dive store that deals with branded swimming equipment.
Shopping at Princess Street
Princess Street also known Loafer’s Corner is one of the oldest areas in Kochi, best for street shopping, cafes, restaurants, books stores and handicrafts. The best way to experience the charm of the street is to explore it by foot. Both sides of the street are spread with buildings and homes of European architecture and between there are many shops selling artifacts and souvenirs. Being here you can explore and feel the mystical ambiance of Kochi.