Kochi city india. Kochi (Cochin). India: Fly to Kochi and live with a local family

Cochin, also known as Kochi or Kochi, includes part of the peninsula, a group of small islands connected by rivers and lagoons, and the mainland. Thanks to its convenient geographical location, the city of Cochin has long been transformed into a prestigious commercial port that serves all world trade routes. The port welcomed everyone from Arabs to Chinese, from Portuguese to Dutch and British. This multiculturalism has played an important role in the development of this city, giving it a unique look. Every culture has left its mark on this city. This is typical not only for Cochin, but for the entire state of Kerala. Since 2000, economic growth has allowed Cochin to become a leading center for shipping, international trade and tourism. Being the largest city in the state of Kerala, Cochin has a unique cosmopolitan character and the atmosphere here is simply amazing. This city is like a bouquet that contains all the flowers of the world.

The name “Cochin” itself means “small sea” in Malayalam. The Cochin port area was the site of the first colonial settlement in India. From the beginning of the 16th to the middle of the 17th century, the port of Cochin belonged to Portugal, after which it passed to the Dutch, and then was captured by Hyder Ali, the ruler of the principality of Mysore during the conquest of the Malabar region, which subjugated Cochin.

Cochin - photo

Sights of Cochin

Jewish street- the most famous in the city. On both sides of the street you can see a huge number of antique shops selling unique items, each of which has its own interesting history. Jewish Street is a real paradise for shopaholics. The abundance of beautiful antiques in store windows is simply amazing. It has everything from clothing to handmade jewelry and art. Most of the shops are owned by the descendants of the Jews who settled in Cochin back in 52 AD.

An important landmark of Cochin is a unique example of Dutch and Portuguese architecture - Mattanchery Palace. It was built by the Portuguese, but then in the 17th century it was rebuilt by the Danes and presented to the Maharaja of the city. This place is also called the “Dutch Palace”. This is simply a wonderful place where you can stroll through the portrait gallery of the Maharajas of Cochin, as well as see the best frescoes in India.

Another attraction of Cochin is Church of St. Francis. The history of the temple reflects 500 years of colonial struggle of European powers for dominance in India. The oldest European settlement in India was in Cochin, which is why India's first European temple stands here. The church contains the gravestone of Vasco da Gama, who is buried here. He died in Cochin in 1524, and 14 years later his remains were transported to Portugal, but his tombstone is still there. Over its long history, the Church of St. Francis has changed more than once. This simple building has a vaulted timber ceiling, an old rope ventilation system and tropical landscapes all around. Since April 1923, the church has been under state protection.

It is not surprising that in the city of Cochin there is a square named after the great navigator. Once upon a time, Chinese fishermen brought their nets to Kerala. Local residents adopted the technology and still use it today Chinese "spider nets". There are few places where you can see something like this, so if you come to Cochin and want to immerse yourself in the life of the city, then you should go to Vasco da Gama Square, where you can watch this amazing spectacle. The peculiarity of these networks is that they are fixed and in a horizontal position, and their width can reach 20 meters. The technology is quite simple - first the net is lowered into the water for a few minutes, and after that it is lifted by a team of 6 people. Piazza Vasco da Gama is located a few meters from the fishing beach. There are a lot of stalls in the square where you can drink cold coconut juice or taste seafood, which is in abundance here, as well as buy freshly caught fish.

Cherai beach. Walking along the beach you can simply relax, listening to the sound of the surf and enjoying nature. Surrounded by water, you can forget about everyday worries and enjoy the sea and sun. Cherai is ideal for this. The beach is located 30 kilometers from Cochin. Its length is about 10 kilometers and it is practically deserted. It is often called the “Prince of the Arabian Sea”, as well as the “golden coast of Kerala”. Coconut palm trees grow all along the shore, and tourists look content and happy. It is a very quiet and clean place with a lot of vegetation and coconut trees, which makes it even more attractive.

1. If you are going to visit Mattanchery Palace, then you should know that it is open to visitors every day (except Friday) from 10:00 to 17:00. While in the palace, it is worth visiting the nearby market.

2. In the markets you can buy handmade goods, accessories, souvenirs and traditional Indian bags. Markets in Cochin are a special place.

They sell goods of unearthly beauty here, because the people of Kerala are very talented craftsmen. Here you can find metal products, carvings made of camel bone or wood, products made from coconut shells, bamboo and cane. You can also find dozens of types of embroidered rugs and other exclusive handmade products here. In addition, you can buy antiques, unique jewelry, clothing and traditional handmade textiles here.

3. In addition to the usual souvenirs, jewelry and clothing, you can also buy more interesting things here. This region is famous for its perfume shops, which sell exclusively natural products. You should definitely buy something from perfumery - jasmine, rose, sandalwood and an endless variety of natural scents for every taste.

4. The city of Cochin is famous for its seafood restaurants, where you can taste real delicacies.

Cochin on the map, panorama

Basic moments

Kochi - one of the most charming cities in India, where Christians, Jews, Muslims and Hindus live in greater harmony than in the rest of the world, Kochi serves as a wonderful gateway to the Malabar Coast and a gateway to the balanced life of Kerala.

The old part of the city, known as Fort Cochin, where Pedro Alvares Cabral founded the first Portuguese trading post in 1500, is located on a peninsula separated from the mainland by a group of small islands. In the early 1500s, during a campaign against the Zamorin of Calicut (zamorin - title of the rulers of Calicut) in these places, but further to the north Vasco da Gama also visited. He is buried in the Church of St. Francis, the only remaining Portuguese building here. Subsequently, the Dutch converted it into Protestant. The remains of the great navigator were returned to Portugal in 1538, but his local tomb - set into the floor and surrounded by a copper fence - can still be seen on the south side of the church.

On the water's edge at the very tip of the peninsula, you can watch people catch fish using beautiful Chinese nets. This design has long been used in the Chinese seas, from where it was borrowed. The net is pulled over four poles converging in a pyramid and thrown into the water, and raised using a system of stone weights and pulleys.

Mattanchery in the south of the fort is the Jewish Quarter, or "Jewish Town" (Jew Town). The narrow streets are filled with shops and sewing workshops, stars of David and menorahs are everywhere (seven-candlesticks) and Jewish names, which today evoke much more sympathy than the Jews themselves. During the struggle for independence, several thousand of them lived here, but when the State of Israel was formed, after mass emigration only a few dozen remained. In 1568, a synagogue with a red tent and a tiled roof in the Chinese style was built. The copper plates hanging here record the rights to land on the coast granted to the Jewish community back in 379 AD. e.

On Bolghatti Island in the Kochi Lagoon, visitors can take tea in the elegant Dutch governor's mansion, now a hotel.

At the beginning of the 12th century. in Kochi was the stronghold of the kingdom of Cochin - a principality whose history goes back to the empire of Kula Sekhara. In the XIV century. a large center for trading spices and herbs growing on the fertile soils of the region was formed here. The Portuguese occupied the area in 1503, and Kochi became the first European settlement in India. And then until 1530 it was the capital of the Portuguese colony. Then the city was captured by the Dutch, the rulers of Mysore, and the British. The district became the first princely state to voluntarily join the Indian Union after achieving independence in 1947.

Kochi is famous for its many cultural treasures and historical buildings. Vasco House on Rose Street is the home of the famous traveler. Today it is one of the oldest Portuguese mansions in the country. The Cathedral of the Holy Cross, with its extraordinary paintings on the ceiling, was built by the Portuguese in 1505, was destroyed by British invaders in 1795 and was restored only in 1905.

Mattancherry Palace was built by the Portuguese in 1555 as a gift to the Raja of Cochin Veera Kerala Varma, partly as compensation for the destroyed temple and partly as a bribe. The Dutch captured the palace in 1663 when they recaptured Kochi from the Portuguese, and it was they who gave the city its present appearance. The austere appearance of the palace contrasts with the luxurious interior. The central hall of the first floor was the coronation hall of the rajas; here you can examine their robes, turbans and palanquins.

Where to stay

Fort Cochin is the perfect place to escape the noise and chaos of the mainland: it is calm and romantic, with some great accommodation options. It could be the capital of India for houses that accommodate visitors, with hundreds of almost identical offers for accommodation in large, clean, inexpensive rooms.

Ernakulam is much cheaper and more convenient for onward travel, but the environment and accommodation options are less inspiring. No matter where you decide to stay, book early between December and January.

Holidays and Events

The eight-day Ernakulathappan Utsavam festival (Ernakulathappan Utsavam), reaches its climax in January/February with a procession of 15 decorated elephants, rapturous music and fireworks.

Shopping

Broadway in Ernakulam is good for shopping for local goods, spices and clothes, and there is a cluster of tailor shops nearby on Convent Road and Market Road. Jew Town Road in Mattancherry is home to an abundance of shops run by Gujaratis, selling authentic antiques mixed with copies and fakes. Several shops near the synagogue sell the finest lace. Most of the shops in Fort Cochin are indistinguishable from each other in appearance. Kashmiri shops sell various North Indian products. Many shops in Fort Cochin and Mattanchery operate a lucrative commission racket, with autorickshaw drivers receiving significant kickbacks (included in the price you pay) for dropping tourists off at the right doors.

Information

Internet

• Net Park (Convent Road, Erna Kulam; hourly 15 rupees; 9.00-20.00).
• Sify iWay (hour 40; 9.00-22.00) Fast computers in the spacious internet cafe upstairs.

Medical service

• Lakeshore Hospital (2701032; NH Bypass, Marudu) 8 km southeast of the center of Ernakulam. Medical Trust (2358001; www.medicaltrusthospital.com; MG Road)

Money

• UAE Exchange (9.30-18.00 Mon-Fri, until 16.00 Sat);
• Ernakulam (2383317; Perumpillil Bldg, MG Road);
• Ernakulam (3067008; Chettupuzha Towers, RT Usha Rd Junction);
• Fort Cochin (2216231; Amravathi Road) Exchange of currency and traveler's checks.

Mail

College Post Office (College post office; 2369302; Convent Road, Ernakulam; 9.00-17.00 Mon-Sat)

Ernakulam Post Offices (2355467; Hospital Road; 9.00-20.00 Mon-Sat, 10.00-17.00 Sun)

Also branches on MG Road and Broadway.

Main Post Office (Post Office Road, Fort Cochin; 9.00-17.00 Mon-Fri, until 15.00 Sat)

Tourist Information

There is a tourist information desk at the airport. Many places offer a free brochure with an excellent map and "historic sites in Fort Cochin" walking tour. (Historical Places in Fort Cochin).

KTDC Tourist Service Center (2353234;Shanmugham Road, Ernakulam; 8.00-19.00) Also organizes excursions.

Ernakulam Tourist Information (2371761; [email protected]; 8.00-18.00); Fort Cochin (2216129) Private travel agency extremely knowledgeable and helpful regarding Kochi and surrounding areas. Runs several popular and recommended excursions, and the Ernaku Lama office has a board showing recommended cultural events in the city on that day, a second-hand book exchange, and a free monthly newsletter of cultural events in Kerala, Village Astrologer.

Ernakulam Tourist Police (2353234; Shanmugham Road, Ernakulam; 8.00-18.00); Fort Cochin (2215055; 24 hours).

Transport in Kochi

To/from the airport

Kochi International Airport (610125; http://cocnirairport.com) located in Nedumbassery (Nedumbassery), 30 km northeast of Ernakulam. A taxi to/from Ernakulam will cost around 500 rupees and to Fort Cochin around 650 rupees; a bumpy autorickshaw ride from Ernakulam will cost 350 rupees. The crazy traffic in Ernakulam means that the journey will take around 1.5 hours during the day and usually less than an hour in the evening.

Ferry

Ferries are the fastest mode of transport between Fort Cochin and the mainland. Jetty on the east side of Willingdon Island (Willingdon Island) called Embarkation (Embarkation); the western one, opposite Mattancherry, is called Terminus (Terminus); and the main stop in Fort Cochin is Customs (Customs), stopping at Mattancherry Jetty (Mattancherry Jetty) near the synagogue. One way cost 2.50 rupees (3.50 between Ernakulam and Mattancherry).

Delivery services to both Fort Cochin jetties (Customs and Matancherry) every 25-50 minutes (5.55 to 21.30) from Ernakulam main jetty.

Ferries run every 20 minutes or so to Willingdon and Vypin Islands (from 6.00 to 22.00).

Ferries depart from Kastoms Jetty for Ernakulam from 6.20 am to 9.50 pm. They operate between Customs Marina and Willingdon Island 18 times a day, from 6.40 to 21.30. (Monday through Saturday).

Car and passenger ferries travel to Vypin Island from Fort Cochin almost non-stop from 6.00 to 22.00.

Local transport

There is no operating bus route between Fort Cochin and Mattancherry Palace, but it is a fun half-hour walk through the busy warehouse district along Bazar Road. An autorickshaw will cost about 20-30 rupees. Most autorickshaw rides around Ernakulam should not cost more than 25 rupees.

To get to Fort Cochin after the ferry stops, take a bus to Ernakulam on MG Road (8 rupees, 45 minutes), south of Durbar Hall (Durbar Hall) Road. From Fort Cochin, buses depart for Ernakulam on the opposite side of the Vypin Island ferry terminal. Taxis charge for delivery to the islands as a round trip, even if you are going only in one direction - from Ernakulam Town railway station to Fort Cochin the trip will cost approximately 200 rupees.

Scooters/Enfields can be rented for the day for 250/350-600 rupees from Vasco Tourist Information Center (2216267; vascoinformat [email protected]; Bastion Street, Fort Cochin).

Road to Kochi and back

Air

The following airlines have offices in Kochi:

• Air India (2351295; MG Road)
• Jet Airways (2358582; M G Road)
• Kingfisher Airlines (1800 2093030; Spencer Travels, 3rd Floor, Sreekandath Road)

Bus

KSRTC bus station (2372033; booking 6.00-22.00) in Ernakulam next to the railway in the middle between two railway stations. Many buses go through Ernakulam from other cities - you can try to get a seat on it, making your way through the crowd of people who want it. Possibility of booking up to 20 days (30 for Tamil Nadu) for bus routes departing from here. There is a separate booking window for Tamil Nadu.

Several private bus companies have super luxury, air conditioned and video buses to Bengaluru, Chennai, Mangalore and Coimbatore; prices are about 75% higher than government buses. There are counters selling tickets all over Ernakulam. Kaloor bus station (Kaloor)- main private bus station; is located 1 km north of the city.

Train

Ernakulam has two railway stations, Ernakulam Town (Ernakulam Town) and Ernakulam Junction (Ernakulam Junction). Reservations for both stations can be made at the Ernakulam Junction Reservation Office (132; 8.00-20.00 Mon-Sat, 8.00-14.00 Sun).

There are trains to Trivandrum (2nd class/air-conditioned seat 70/255 rupees, 4.5 hours), via Alleppey (39/165 rupees, 1.5 hours) or via Kollam (60/210 rupees, 3.5 hours), or via Kottayam (40/165 rupees, 1.5 hours). Trains also go to Thrissur (43/165 rupees, 1.5 hours), Calicut (67/237 rupees 4.5 hours) and Kannur (85/300 rupees, 6.5 hours).

Neighborhood Kochi

Thripunithura

0484-2781113;
entrance 20; 10.00-12.30 and 14.00-16.30 Tue-Sun

This museum is located in Thripunithura, which is 16 km southeast of Ernakulam, on the way to Kottayam. This is the former residence of the royal family of Kochi, an impressive complex of 49 buildings. It now houses collections of royal families, 19th-century oil paintings, ancient coins, sculptures and paintings, and models of temples. From Ernakulam, take a bus to Tripunighura from MG Road or from Shanmugham Road behind the Visitor Center (5-10.45 minutes); an autorickshaw will cost approximately 300 rupees round trip with an hour wait at the palace.

Cherai Beach

On Vypin Island, 25 km from Fort Cochin, lies Cherai Beach, which might be Kochi's best kept secret. A delightful stretch of pristine white sand, with many kilometers of dams just a few hundred meters from the coast. It is best to come here for a day from Kochi.

(per person 2 rupees) (about 300 rupees) (14 rupees, one hour).

To get here from Fort Cochin, take a car ferry from Vypin Island (per person 2 rupees), you can also hire an autorickshaw from the jetty (about 300 rupees) or take one of the frequent buses (14 rupees, one hour).

Parur and Chennamangalam

Nowhere else in India will you find such obviously tightly tailored religious clothing as in Parur, 35 km north of Kochi. Here is one of the oldest synagogues (entrance 9.00-17.00 Tue-Sun) in Kerala, in Chennamangalam, 8 km from Parur, which has been carefully restored. Inside, you see a door and a wooden ceiling in bright colors, while outside is one of the oldest tombstones in India - written in Hebrew and dating back to 1269. The Jesuits first came to Chennamangalam in 1577 and there is a Jesuit church and the ruins of a Jesuit college nearby. Nearby is a Hindu temple on a hill overlooking the Periyar River, a 16th-century mosque, and Muslim and Jewish burial grounds.

In Parur city you will find agraharam (place of brahmins)- a small street of closely packed and brightly painted houses, originally inhabited by Tamil Brahmins.

Parur is a compact city; Chennamangalam is best visited with a guide.

Buses to Parur depart from KSRTC bus station in Kochi (16 rupees, one hour, every 10 minutes). You can travel from Parur by bus or autorickshaw. (60 rupees) in Chennamangalam.

Best time to arrive

From March to October.

Do not miss

• Mattancherry Palace - here you can see Kerala paintings on religious themes and exhibits from the collection of the Raja of Cochin.
• St. Francis Church is the first European church in India, built in 1516. Vasco da Gama was originally buried here, and then his body was transported to Portugal.
• Paradesi Synagogue - built in 1568. This beautiful building is named after the “foreigners” or “white Jews”. Hundreds of hand-painted tiles adorn the floor.
• The Adi Shankaracharya Shrine is an 8-tiered, brightly colored memorial guarded by elephant statues and dedicated to one of India's foremost thinkers.

In the port of Kochi, Kerala (emphasis on E) we took a ship excursion to Blackwater. 80 euros all day with lunch, 50 euros half a day hungry. We traveled for an hour and a half by bus (if you go, sit on the right side as you go, the sun will be on the left side, it’s better to drive 56 km on a straight road in the shade).

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Sweet dreams at Vembanad lake and eating crabs

So, the port of embarkation is the Indian city of Kochi (Kochi) with the emphasis on the last syllable. Previously, the city was called one letter longer - Cochin and was written in the original with the first letter "si" - Cochin. The coastal strip is indented by bays and islands. The Cochin Cruise Terminal under its own name Samudrika is located on Willingdon Island. The island is located on the second line of islands, that is, another island closes it from the Arabian Sea - a natural barrier and protection from the elements.

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Worth seeing at least once

The city of Cochin in the state of Kerala is rightly called the “pearl of the Arabian Sea”. This city became the very first settlement founded by Europeans in India. Cochin alternately passed from the Portuguese to the Dutch, from the Dutch to the British, thanks to which today it is one of the largest and most developed maritime cities in India with a centuries-old rich and checkered history.

We couldn’t think of anything better here and took a boat excursion for 79 euros per person. The program first included a little bit of Cochin, and then a cruise on Lake Vembanad on the famous exotic “house boats”.

We traveled around the city by bus. Unfortunately, we didn’t stop at the pedestrian center and took us to the north of Cochin on the Fort Kochi Ferry.‎
Huge Chinese fishing nets stretching along the northern shore of Fort Cochin are the hallmark of this place. In India, they trace their history back to the fourteenth century, when the Chinese entered the continent. The complex fishing mechanism is controlled using levers and weights by at least four people. Fishing begins early in the morning and lasts four to five hours. The nets are carefully lowered into the water. The net is kept under water for 5 to 20 minutes, after which it is smoothly raised, scooping up fish that have swum close to the shore.

The caught fish is sold right there, two meters from the fishing point. Purchased fresh fish can be grilled right here.
Nowadays, Chinese fishing nets are nothing more than exotic, intended more for the amusement of bored tourists than for real fishing. It is a famous tourist attraction and many tourists pay for the privilege of lowering or raising the nets. Real fishermen still go to the open sea like a hundred or two hundred years ago, except on modern boats with a powerful engine.

Nearby, right on the ground, they sell various Indian souvenirs.

Two hours later we arrived in Aleppi - the starting point of numerous tourist “house boats”. Alleppey is one of the main ports on the entire Malabar coast, otherwise known as the “Venice of the East”. The famous Kerala houseboats are houseboats, stylized as a bamboo hut, with all the amenities that allow a small company to travel along quiet backwaters and canals of inland waters. Houseboats are equipped with cozy double cabins with all amenities, a veranda, a kitchen and even a shower and air conditioning. The team consists of 3 people - a helmsman, a mechanic and a cook. A traditional lunch made from local ingredients is served on board.

Along the way we met many of the same ships. Then we were offered lunch.

We were taken to the middle of the largest lake in Kerala - Vembanad. The algae in the lake is called water hyacinth. Sometimes they form entire floating islands on which birds nest.

I can’t say that India has sunk into my soul, but it’s all worth seeing at least once.

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Cochin itself is not interesting, you need to watch the canals and Lake Vembanad

Parking in Cochin was from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. There was passport control. Before disembarking, they issued passports and special equipment. emigration cards. The Indian passport officers then stamped these forms and only then went ashore. We stood in line for about 45 minutes. Upon leaving the pier we were greeted with folk dances and scenes from mythology, a kind of folklore.

As we exited the port gates, we were attacked by taxi drivers. You need to have nerves of iron to calmly react to proposals pouring in from all sides.

Since there were 6 of us and a child, we took a minivan. In addition to the sightseeing tour of Cochin, we wanted to go to the town of Backwaters, near the city of Allepey - a boat cruise along the canals. The drive is 1.5 hours one way. For everything, including a 2-hour walk along the canals and lake, we paid 40 dollars per person. Child free.

One of our men wanted to try local beer and asked the driver to stop near a liquor store. This is, of course, the first “show” we saw. The queue for alcohol, like in Soviet times in the USSR. The liquor store is behind bars and there are barriers in front of it.

We arrived at the departure point by boat along the canals and Lake Vembanad in the district city of Allepey.

Our excursion was great! Nature, landscapes, birds, people who went about their lives without hesitation and not really paying attention to the boats passing by - everything was very impressive. A completely different world, different from ours.

Photo review of Cochin itself. After a tour of the canals and Lake Vembanad, he was completely unimpressed. There's absolutely nothing to see.

Many passengers took the Cochin sightseeing tour by taxi or tuk-tuk for as little as $20 to $25 per car. Prices in India are certainly amazing.

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were there, but didn’t see India

I was looking forward to meeting India with mixed feelings. Many speak of India with horror and almost disgust, but there are also many who treat it with great reverence and even speak with delight about this amazing country. So what is she really like?

Probably, all people are different and it opens up differently for everyone. If you are ready, then he will accept and reveal his secrets, if it is too early, then he will push him away... Although no, it is not right - these people themselves push India away from themselves, because they do not see what the real values ​​are. I think that India will be of interest to those who look not only around themselves, but also begin to pay attention within themselves.

And be that as it may, this is a country where people from all over the world come in search of miracles, beauty and inner harmony. Filled with gold, jewelry, and gems, India has attracted conquerors from time immemorial. Ancient culture, secret knowledge, Ayurveda, astrology... This is a country permeated with mysticism, a country of legends.

To understand, see and feel, one stop during a cruise is certainly not enough! And when they asked me: “Well, how do you like India?”, I honestly said: “I haven’t seen India.”

But if you ask me whether I want to visit there again, my answer will be unequivocal: “YES!” But all this is a lyrical digression, but now for the fact.

Outside the Cochin port gates, passengers are greeted by numerous driver guides. They offer everything from tuk-tuks for $5 for the whole day to quite decent jeeps. We liked this intelligent looking guy. His offer seemed quite acceptable to us - for the whole day from morning to 18:30 we paid $100, i.e. $25 per person. The price included a 3-hour boat ride on a 2-story boat in the harbor called Vembanad Lake. Then we spent the rest of the day sightseeing in an 8-seater jeep.
In terms of price ratio - approximately a 40-seater boat cost the four of us $80, and a jeep cost $20 for everyone (5 $ per person). There would have been enough space for a large group, but our fellow cruisers ran away at the port while we were negotiating the price with the guide.

From the port, we walked briskly to the river bus stop to swim to the other side, where we were supposed to board our rented boat.
On the way, we met legendary trucks that their drivers so lovingly paint and even give them names. Trucks in Cochin are like a work of art.

All the people we met usually smiled with all their hearts.

Well, our mini-trip around Lake Vembanad has begun. This lagoon lake belongs to the famous “inland waters” of Kerala (Kerala backwaters), it is formed by streams flowing from the western slopes of the Western Ghats. Along the shore, numerous egrets sit on the branches of trees and palm trees. All boats are painted in all the colors of the rainbow. We sailed past a snow-white Christian temple. By the way, in Cochin, Christians make up about 35% - one of the largest Christian communities in the country. Everyone happily waves and smiles at us.

Let's swim and enjoy the views around. Beautiful nature, palm trees, tropics... The most recognizable picture, literally the calling card of Cochin, is the famous “Chinese nets” (china-wala) that fishermen use to catch fish here. At high tide, these giant counterbalanced nets are lowered into the water, and at low tide they are raised with the fish. They are called Chinese because they believe that the device was introduced in Kerala by the Chinese who arrived in the 14th century.

The captain invited us to steer his ship, and she steered for the company.

Our boat trip was coming to an end, and now the modern houses of the city could be seen. After this pleasant walk on the waves, we went to drink Indian tea. At the same time we visited a store with various works of art. There you could buy interesting, beautiful shawls and scarves made of cashmere with precious stones, saris in unusual colors, as well as Indian carpets embroidered with gold and also decorated with stones. We walked through the shops with souvenirs.

The first point of our sightseeing land tour was the Church of St. Francis,
famous for being the burial place of Vasco da Gama, who died in Kochi in 1524, during his third visit to India. But fourteen years later his remains were transported to Lisbon. The tombstone of the navigator can still be seen here.

We saw the Orthodox, but Syrian Church of St. Peter's & St. Paul's Orthodox Syrian Church.

We also visited one interesting place - Mattanchery Palace, built in 1555 by the Portuguese for the Cochin Maharaja. Unfortunately, it is strictly forbidden to take photographs there, but there was plenty to photograph - the walls of several halls are painted with scenes from the Indian epic, there is a portrait gallery, pieces of furniture of the rulers of Kochi.

We stopped at a spice store, fortunately Cochin is full of them for every taste.

That's basically all we managed to see in Cochin. We stopped at several more jewelry stores to evaluate their stones and products made from them; we came across some very interesting designer works, even from the last century. Then we were heading straight towards the port.

We literally ran to the ship and arrived almost right next to the departure. Then we had a day at sea and then... MALDIVES!

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Kochi is a fairly large city in the state of Kerala. It was known as a trading port on the Malabar coast of South India to the ancient Greeks. Its strategic location was also appreciated by the British and Portuguese during their expansion into India. It was from here that ships with Indian spices, silks and, of course, tea departed for the Old World. The modern port was built in 1937 at the initiative of Winston Churchill, who was then Governor of Madras. Today it is the second largest city in Kerala after, with a population 1.5 million Human.

How to get to Kochi

By plane

As I already said, there is an international airport in Kochi (at 30 km from the city), so you can fly here quite cheaply from nearby countries, Malaysia or Singapore.

A few examples:

• ticket Singapore–Kochi – from 4875 RUR;
• UAE–Kochi ticket – from 5611 RUR;
• ticket Thailand–Kochi – from 6061 rub..

Naturally, local flights within India also operate through Kochi:

• Chennai-Kochi ticket – from 2350 rub.;
• Bangalore-Kochi ticket – from RUB 3,098;
• ticket Mumbai-Kochi – from 4072 rub.;
• Delhi-Kochi ticket – from 3492 RUR.

Prices are taken from the Aviasales website and are current at the time of writing. To find out the current cost of a flight to Kochi, use the special calendar below. Just indicate the desired departure city and go:

By train

It is important that when searching for train tickets you need to enter Ernakulam, not Kochi ( Ernakulam). I will give approximate prices and travel times for the main destinations according to data from the Cleartrip website (by the way, they have very convenient mobile application, with which you can track the movement of your train and, of course, buy tickets):

• from New Delhi to Ernakulam – 45 hours tickets from 900 INR;
• from Goa (Madgaon) to Ernakulam – 13 hours tickets from 450 INR;
• from Trivandrum to Ernakulam – 3.5 hours tickets from 160 INR;
• from Varkala to Ernakulam – 3 hours tickets from 160 INR.

The easiest way to leave the train station is by taxi or tuk-tuk. There is a strange prepaid taxi system here: you need to go to a special booth with the sign PrePaid Taxi, where for 1 INR(one rupee) they will issue you a piece of paper indicating where you are going and how much it costs, you will pay the taxi driver, but within the specified tariff. For example, it costs 25 INR.

By the way, in Kochi there are some of the cheapest tuk-tuks (motorized rickshaws) that we have seen anywhere, apparently it’s not for nothing that the ruling party in Kerala is communist, here is victorious communism in action.

By bus

Arrive at the bus station Vyttila and from there you will be sent in any direction within the state and beyond.

To automate the process, you can try using the TicketGoose service, it seems to even give some bonuses for the first purchase, but, as we already told you, it somehow didn’t work out for us.

On a houseboat

We have already told you what a houseboat is in the past. This is perhaps the coolest option.

In Kochi, you can rent a houseboat and go on it along Lake Vembanad, through Alleppey (Alapuzha) towards Kotoyama, or in the opposite direction. It's worth the pleasure 5000 INR per night. Such a journey will take 3-4 days, so this is more likely not a way to get there, but a small cruise for the right price.

What to see in Kochi

There are three main parts (districts) in Kochi: Ernakulam ( Ernakulam), named after the ancient and highly revered Shiva temple - Ernakulathappan, Mattanchery ( Mattanchery) and, directly, Fort Kochi ( Fort Kochi), and Kochi also includes many islands: Willingdon ( Willingdon), named after the Duke of Wellington, Bolgatti ( Bolgatty), Gundu ( Gundu) and the island of Vaiping, the same name as the lake ( Vypeen).

Sights of Fort Kochi

By and large, the entire fort is one big open-air attraction. Just have time to turn your head while looking at the house covered in ivy, old churches and boats scurrying around the lake. But there are also well-known attractions, the so-called must-sees.

It is believed that they were invented by Chinese settlers back in XIV century and they have existed ever since. Chinese fishing nets resemble giant long nets (about 20 meters) stick, with a counterweight of stones and people ☺.

The nets are lowered into the water during high tide, and at low tide they are raised along with fish, crabs and other seafood. This is a very unusual sight, but their productivity is currently in serious doubt. We saw them being lifted, but there was nothing significant of seafood there.

Although there is a fish market and street restaurants nearby where they can cook fish, crabs and other reptiles that were allegedly caught with these very nets. It's best to watch at sunset, but in principle, any time is suitable.

Church of St. Francis

It is famous for two reasons: firstly, there is a grave here Vasco da Gama. Now, however, his ashes are not there, since in 1539 his remains were transported and reburied in Lisbon.

But his original burial site can still be seen in the central nave on the right side of St. Francis Church in Kochi.

Secondly, St. Francis Church is the oldest Catholic church in India. It is better to visit after lunch; in the morning there are crowds of tourists.

Basilica of Santa Cruz

A very beautiful and relatively modern temple - 1902 the buildings. It feels like all roads in Kochi lead to it one way or another.

Indo-Portuguese Museum

The museum is located next to the old bishop's house. It contains a collection of church utensils, many old maps, paintings and other materials on the history of India, the times of the Portuguese colony.

I won’t say that the museum is super interesting, but you can visit it if you have the time and desire. Operating mode: from 9:00 before 18:00 , break from 13:00 before 14:00 . Monday is a day off. Photography is prohibited inside.

Entrance fees cost us 50 INR for two, we cannot say the exact price, since we were not given the tickets themselves, and we did not see information on prices. It is better to visit either early in the morning or after lunch to avoid crowds of tourists.

Kerala Kathakali Dance

Kerala Kathakali Dance– not quite an attraction, more of an event. There are many different places to watch Kathakali in Kochi, the prices vary. We visited him in Kerala Kathakali Center .

Kathakali is a traditional South Indian dance based on stories from the Mahabharata, Ramayana or Puranas. The presentation is somewhat reminiscent of, but even more ambiguous.

Kathakali ticket price in Kerala Kathakali Center in Kochi – 350 INR. The performance takes place daily. The show itself starts at 18:00 and goes to 19:30 , but preparations for the performance, which can also be seen, begin in 17:00 .

To those who will go to Kerala Kathakali Dance We highly recommend taking earplugs with you, as the sound is so loud that it is deafening. I repeat once again that Kerala Kathakali Dance a very controversial event, interesting - yes, whether I liked it - I don’t know. Perhaps Kathakali in Kochi is worth talking about separately, since you need to be prepared for it mentally and physically ☺.

In principle, if you have little time, then you can completely stop at the sights of Fort Kochi, but if you have time and desire, then you can also see the sights of Mattanchery, fortunately you don’t need to go or swim anywhere - everything is nearby:

Sights of Mattanchery

Mattanchery Palace

Mattanchery Palace was built in 1555 for the Maharaja of Kochi. Now there is a museum where you can see portraits of the governors of Kochi, paintings from Indian epics, maps, etc.

Operating mode: from 10:00 before 17:00 , break from 13:00 before 14:00 . Friday is a day off. Photography is prohibited inside. Entry tickets - 5 INR(I say, communism ☺).

It is better to visit either early in the morning when it opens, or after lunch to avoid crowds of tourists. Mattanchery Palace is located in the Jewish Quarter. Nearby is an ancient synagogue:

Pardesi (Jewish) Synagogue

You shouldn’t expect any beauty from it, but if you’ve never been to a synagogue, it’s very interesting to see how everything works there.

Operating mode: from 10:00 before 17:00 , break from 12:00 before 15:00 . Friday is a day off (Shabbat is coming soon ☺).

The Jewish quarter itself is a series of shops with spices, paint capes, souvenirs and other junk. We have probably never seen such wild traders anywhere. When they see a tourist, they rush towards you, shouting over each other.

As soon as you slow down a little, the owner of the shops materializes nearby and immediately starts selling you something. It’s very difficult to stay there for a long time, you start to shy away from people and quietly go crazy from their screams and hubbub.

In the Mattanchery area there is a pier from where you can take a ferry to, for example, other islands or Ernakulam. We were also pleasantly surprised by the prices for the ferry crossing. 7-10 INR per person, depending on where you need to sail.

Where to eat in Kochi

When we were preparing for a trip to Kochi, we read a lot of reviews that everything in Kochi is unreasonably expensive, the portions are small, and the food is tasteless. It’s strange, but it seemed to us that everything was exactly the opposite.

Important: for dinner it is advisable to go before 19:00 , in order to have time to choose an establishment and make an order before tourists leave the Kathakali performance. If you are late, you run the risk of waiting a very, very long time for your order.

Talk of the Town

A very pleasant family establishment. The wife works in the hall, the grandmother sits at the cash register, and the husband is a cook. The little daughter is also harnessed to simple errands.

The food here is delicious, the prices are reasonable, but the wait for food is long, one might even say very long. We foolishly came here after the Kathakali performance had ended and almost all the tables were already occupied. We placed an order and received the food almost 2 hours later.

Of course, the hall was full and we were waiting for everyone who came before us to be prepared. But we also foolishly ordered “Curry with Mango and Seafood” - a dish for which you need to prepare the ingredients for 45 minutes, and then cook for 35 minutes! But, I repeat once again, the food is very tasty, you just need to come first ☺.

Krishna Kripa Seafoods

A modest and completely inconspicuous restaurant at first glance. Prices are average. We ordered a mix of seafood here, prepared in traditional Kerala ways.

We were the first to arrive, having learned from previous bitter experience, and received our order in less than 30 minutes. By the way, when we asked about the serving size, we were told that it was small, but in fact it was enough for us to fill our bellies.

They also accept cards for payments here; we have already told you more than once how we love to pay with the Tinkoff AllAirlines and card, so this is relevant for us.

Pizza Italia

There is not even one establishment, but a whole street ( Tower Road). Choose the place you like best and go ahead!

We stopped at the establishment Pizza Italia. First we had breakfast here, we really liked it, so we decided to have dinner here as well.

Thin crust pizza is prepared almost instantly. The portions are large. And the coffee – mmmm, although no one has yet been able to compare with the coffee in Varkala.

Tibetan Chef's Restaurant

And of course, there was a little culinary bummer. Next to the Kathakali Center there is an establishment with a pretentious name Tibetan Chef's Restaurant.

This establishment is even marked with a quality mark Tripadvisor, but why - it remains a mystery to us. We have never tried the worst mo-mo and I hope we never will. And tomato soup... Tell me, how can you ruin tomato soup?! But the Tibetan Chef did it.

In general, the food here is, to put it mildly, not tasty and, frankly speaking, inedible. This gastronomic failure cannot be justified by anything.

Where to stay in Kochi

Most of the attractions, as you already understood, are located in Fort Kochi, there are a couple in Mattanchery and Ernakulam, but Ernakulam, nevertheless, is a business and transport center rather than a cultural and historical one. Therefore, it is better to live in the Fort Kochi area - all the attractions are nearby, the area is much nicer than Mattanchery, and housing prices are significantly lower than in Ernakulam.

We stayed at and we have only positive impressions about it. Clean rooms, quiet area, walking distance to all major attractions, good signal WiFi(although after purchasing a router from Jio this question has ceased to be relevant for us, since we have it all over India).

Kerala is synonymous with beaches, but it is also famous for its spice production. In Cochin you can buy a wide variety of spices for preparing culinary delights.

Cochin has gained international fame for producing and exporting its spices to several countries. Today the city occupies an important place in the world spice market.

The history of spice production in the city dates back approximately 600 years. Merchants traded spices with the Arabs, Jews, Dutch, Portuguese and Chinese. Spices are an integral part of most Indian recipes. They are also used in the preparation of perfumes and medicines. Most Indian spices have healing properties and are still used by people as a remedy for a number of diseases.

The most famous spices available in the market are black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, turmeric, ginger and chilli.

Cochin Synagogue

The Jewish synagogue was built in 1568. Its existence testifies to the general harmony in the state, which has been preserved for many centuries.

The first building of the synagogue was destroyed during the Portuguese persecution of the Jews. The second synagogue, which has survived to this day, was built under the protection of the Raja of Cochin. It is called "Paradesi" ("Foreign Synagogue").

Like regular synagogues, this one also has separate sections for men and women. Inside the temple are kept scrolls of the law, Belgian chandeliers, glass, pulpit railings, copper plates, Chinese painted porcelain tiles, an oriental carpet and other valuables. A notable feature of the synagogue is the 18th century clock tower.

In 1968, the synagogue celebrated its 400th anniversary. Indira Gandhi, the Indian Prime Minister, took part in the ceremony.

What sights of Cochin did you like? Next to the photo there are icons, by clicking on which you can rate a particular place.

Church of St. Franziska

The Church of St. Francis is the first and now the oldest church that was built by the Portuguese in India. During the time of the Portuguese it was Catholic (XVI-XVII centuries), from the 17th to 18th centuries - Dutch reformist, from the 19th to 20th centuries - Anglican. Now it is part of the possession of the Church of South India.

The temple was originally made of wood, but was later replaced with stone (1516). The building was built by Franciscan monks in 1503. After its construction, Christianity began to actively spread in India. Vasco da Gama, who died in Cochin, was buried in the temple, but 14 years later his remains were transported to Portugal.

The temple was included in the list of protected monuments in 1923. It is also protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. The temple holds services on Sundays and memorial days, and is open to tourists on weekdays.

The Dutch Palace is also known as Mattancherry Palace. It is interesting for its interior decoration, luxurious halls and ancient frescoes.

The palace building was built by the Portuguese in 1557 for Raja Veera Kerala Varma Kochi. It is a typical two-story upper-class mansion, consisting of four wings that open onto a central courtyard.

The most beautiful thing in the palace is the coronation hall, previously used by the rulers of Cochin. The walls of the rooms are decorated with frescoes from the 17th century. They are devoted to religious and mythological themes, partly erotic. The mythological paintings depict scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Other relics that are kept in the palace are royal suits, turbans, weapons and other valuable antiques of the royal family.

On both sides of the palace there are temples dedicated to Krishna and Shiva.

The most popular attractions of Cochin with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Cochin from our website.