Stand at the edge of the Parade Grounds in Fort Kochi in the late afternoon and you will see two things at once: a football match being kicked around on the grass, and, beyond it, the cantilevered Chinese fishing nets dipping toward the water. Kochi is a port city where trade routes, faiths and centuries of settlement have left layers you can walk through in a single day.
It suits travellers who are happy to move between islands and districts, who like their sightseeing mixed with food, ferries and street life, and who do not mind planning around a festival calendar. This guide covers the experiences the sources name for Kochi, with the practical detail you need to fit them into a trip.
Top things to do in Kochi
1. Chinese fishing nets
These nets were introduced in the 14th century by the Chinese and are described as a symbol of the city and a popular tourist attraction in themselves. Watching them being worked is the point rather than any single viewpoint.
Combine them with the Fort Kochi waterfront, where the Parade Grounds sit nearby and locals play football in the evening. You are likely to be welcome to join a game.
2. Mattanchery Palace
Mattanchery Palace is named among Kochi's landmarks. It sits in Mattanchery, the same area as the Mattanchery Bridge, so it fits naturally into a circuit of that side of the city.
Pair it with the bridge crossing and the surrounding streets rather than treating it as a stand-alone stop.
3. Church of Saint Francis
The Church of Saint Francis is one of the city's named landmarks. It is also where Vasco da Gama was buried until his remains were returned to Portugal in 1539, which gives the building a place in the wider story of European arrival on this coast.
It is in Fort Kochi, so it works well on the same walk as the Chinese fishing nets and the Parade Grounds.
4. Fort Kochi
Fort Kochi was ruled by Portugal from 1503 to 1663, and the Dutch renamed Fort Immanuel as Fort Stormsburg. In 1664 the Dutch established Fort Kochi Municipality, described as the first municipality in the Indian subcontinent.
Fort Kochi beach is popular with locals for beach volleyball, and beach football is very popular here. Water-skiing and biking are also popular on the Fort Kochi beaches. The Parade Grounds has a large football pitch where locals play regularly in the evening.
5. Marine Drive
Marine Drive is listed among Kochi's landmarks and is one of the city's main waterfront stretches. There is also a Marine Drive ground where football and cricket are played.
It is a natural pairing with a ride on the Kochi Water Metro, the integrated urban water transport network being developed in phases.
6. Venduruthy Bridge
Venduruthy Bridge is named among the city's landmarks. Crossing it is a way of reading how Kochi is stitched together across water, particularly given the reclamation of Willingdon Island in 1928 that turned the city into a major seaport and trading hub.
Treat it as part of a route between districts rather than a destination in itself.
7. Mattanchery Bridge
Mattanchery Bridge is another of the named landmarks and links the Mattanchery area into the rest of the city.
Use it on the same outing as Mattanchery Palace, since the two are in the same part of Kochi.
8. Kochi Water Metro
Kochi is the first city in India to implement a water metro system, the Kochi Water Metro, an integrated urban water transport network being developed in phases. It is a practical way to move between parts of the city as well as an experience in itself.
Build it into a day that also includes Marine Drive, so you are travelling and sightseeing at the same time.
9. Cochin Carnival
The Cochin Carnival runs from 20 December to 2 January and is described as the biggest carnival festival in the city. It began in 1582 as part of Portuguese New Year's celebrations, and includes colourful rallies, fancy dress parades, competitions, bike races, beach games, sports, theme festivals, concerts, dances, fireworks and night beach parties.
The New Year's Eve party is the highlight: a large parade carries a huge statue of Papanai, a Santa Claus-like image, to the beach, where it is set on fire on the stroke of midnight, followed by a grand party. The carnival ends with the Grand Parade on the afternoon of 1 January.
10. Onam Festival
Onam is a ten-day festival from mid-August to mid-September and is the state festival of Kerala, originating in Kochi. It is based on the legend of welcoming the mythical King Mahabali, whose capital was believed to be at the current site of Thrikakkara Temple.
The festivities open with a parade on Atham day called Athachamayam, held in Thripunithura starting from the Atham Grounds, with tableaux, dance parades and cultural art forms, ending at Thrikakkara Temple.
11. Shiva Temple Festival
Held in the first week of January at the Shiva Temple and Durbar Hall Ground, this festival is known for its ten elephant parade and a programme of cultural activities.
The last day, Pakalpooram, features a traditional Kerala percussion ensemble, a large fireworks display, and a 21-gun salute by the Indian Navy and Kerala Police.
12. Thripunithura Vrischikolsavam
This grand temple festival runs from mid-November to mid-December at Thripunithura Poornathrayeesa Temple, and is described as one of the biggest in Kerala after Thrissur Pooram. It was once the royal festival of the Kochi Kingdom.
The cultural programme draws large crowds, with regular performances of Kathakali.
13. Maradu Kottaram Devi Temple festival
The Maradu Kottaram Devi Temple hosts India's second largest fireworks display as part of its temple festival finale, which falls between mid-March and mid-April.
The display takes place on the festival grounds at Maradu and lasts for 1½ hours on each of the last two days.
14. Kathakali performances
Kochi has the largest number of regular evening Kathakali theatres, offering the best insight into this traditional dance-drama art form of Kerala. Other events are regularly performed across the city as well.
An evening performance pairs well with a day spent in Fort Kochi or Mattanchery, since you can return to the city centre afterwards.
15. Beach and water sports
Fort Kochi and Cherai beaches are very popular among locals for beach volleyball, and beach football is very popular here too. Water-skiing and biking are also popular on the Fort Kochi beaches.
Cochin Marina in Bolgatty Island, the Yacht club in Thevara and Ramada Resort in Panagad operate a wide range of water sports. Note that paragliding is not allowed because of the proximity of several strategic military installations.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start in Fort Kochi with the Chinese fishing nets and the Church of Saint Francis, then walk to the Parade Grounds, where locals play football in the evening and where you may be welcome to join. If you are there in the first week of January, the Shiva Temple Festival at the Shiva Temple and Durbar Hall Ground is worth building the day around.
Afternoon: Cross to Mattanchery via the Mattanchery Bridge and visit Mattanchery Palace. Use the Kochi Water Metro to move between districts, and finish the afternoon along Marine Drive.
Evening: Take in a Kathakali performance, which Kochi offers in regular evening theatres. If your visit falls between 20 December and 2 January, spend the evening at the Cochin Carnival instead, and stay for the New Year's Eve parade and the burning of the Papanai on the beach at midnight.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Kochi for festivals?
It depends what you want. The Cochin Carnival runs 20 December to 2 January, the Shiva Temple Festival falls in the first week of January, the Maradu Kottaram Devi Temple fireworks finale is between mid-March and mid-April, Onam runs mid-August to mid-September, and the Thripunithura Vrischikolsavam runs mid-November to mid-December.
Can I get around Kochi without a car?
Yes. The Kochi Water Metro is an integrated urban water transport network being developed in phases, and Kochi is the only city in Kerala with a rapid transit system.
Is paragliding available in Kochi?
No. Paragliding is not allowed because of the proximity of several strategic military installations. Water-skiing, biking and a range of water sports are available instead.
Where can I watch Kathakali?
Kochi has the largest number of regular evening Kathakali theatres, offering the best insight into this traditional dance-drama art form of Kerala. Other events are regularly performed in the city as well.
Check the festival dates against your travel window, decide whether you want Fort Kochi or the Mattanchery side as your base, and start building your days around the water.