Chinese Fishing NetsChinese fishing nets(Cheena vala)are a type of stationary lift net in India. They are fishing nets that are fixed land installations for fishing. While commonly known as Chinese fishing nets in India, the more formal name for such nets is shore operated lift nets. Huge mechanical contrivances hold out horizontal nets of 20m or more across. Each structure is at least 10m high and comprises a cantilever with an outstretched net suspended over the sea and large stones suspended from ropes as counterweights at the other end which is operated by a team of up to six fishermen. While such nets are used throughout coastal southern China and Indochina, in India they are mostly found in the Indian cities of Kochi and Kollam, where they have become a tourist attraction. This way of fishing is unusual in India and almost unique to the area, as it was introduced by Chinese explorers who landed there in the 14th century. Indeed, one interpretation of city name Kochi is ‘co-chin', meaning like China
Fort Kochi Beach15 min
Fort Kochi beach is a beach along the Arabian Sea situated in Fort Kochi in the city of Kochi in South India, Kerala state.
Church of Saint FrancisSt. Francis Church, in Fort Kochi (Fort Cochin), Kochi, originally built in 1503, is one of the oldest European churches in India and has great historical significance as a mute witness to the European colonial struggle in the subcontinent.The Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama died in Kochi in 1524 when he was on his third visit to India. His body was originally buried in this church, but after fourteen years his remains were removed to Lisbon.
Dutch Cemetery10 min
The Dutch cemetery is among the visited sites in Fort Kochi, famous for its imperial inhabitants during the olden days who left their homelands centuries ago to propagate and expand their own empire. The cemetery was consecrated in 1724 and is today managed by the Church of South India and it contains some interesting stories around it.
Santa Cruz Cathedral BasilicaThe Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica at Fort Kochi is one of the eight Basilicas in Kerala. Counted as one of the heritage edifices of Kerala, this church is one of the finest and most impressive churches in India and visited by tourists the whole year round.
Indo-Portuguese MuseumThe Indo-Portuguese Museum is a museum in Fort Kochi, Kerala, India.
Dhoby Khana Public LaundryThe historical Dhobi Khana public laundry, functioning near Veli Ground at Fort Kochi, is set for modernization. The Vannar community leaders who run the laundry has approached the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) seeking assistance to set up modern facilities to wash and dry clothes.
The laundry service started by the Vannar community from Tamil Nadu during the Dutch period still follows the traditional method of washing clothes by hand, drying them in the open and ironing. Around 45 washermen are employed at the laundry. The latest move by the Vannar Sangham is to lure youngsters in the community to the traditional vocation and thereby to retain it.
Cochin Tirumala Devaswom, also called Gosripuram is the biggest and most important socio-religious institution of Gowda Saraswat Brahmins of Kerala, India. The temple is situated at Cherlai in the heart of Mattancherry town in Cochin area which is one of the earliest settlements of GSBs in Kerala. The temple was established in the later half of the 16th century. The history of GSBs in Kerala is inter-woven with that of this temple and its Venkateswara idol.
Mattancherry PalaceThe Mattancherry Palace is a Portuguese palace popularly known as the Dutch Palace, in Mattancherry, Kochi, in the Indian state of Kerala which features Kerala murals depicting portraits and exhibits of the Rajas of Kochi. The palace was included in the "tentative list" of UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Paradesi SynagogueThe Paradesi Synagogue is the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations, located in Kochi, Kerala, in South India. Constructed in 1568, it is one of seven synagogues of the Malabar Yehudan or Yehudan Mappila people or Cochin Jewish community in the Kingdom of Cochin.
Jain TempleProminent Jain place of worship, known for its pigeon show & feeding, held every day at noon.
Jews in Cochin10 min
Historic Jew Town, the heart of the once-thriving Cochin Jewish community, is known for its old-world charm and 16th-century Paradesi Synagogue. Quaint shops around Synagogue Lane and Jew Town Road sell antiques, carvings, and vintage collectibles, along with Keralan crafts and aromatic spices. Laid-back outdoor cafes and artsy eateries, some in heritage buildings, serve local specialties and Western fare.
St. George Orthodox Koonan Kurish Old Syrian Church15 min
Mattancherry St. George Orthodox Church, popularly known as Koonan Kurishu Pally, is one of the most historically significant Christian landmarks in Kochi. Located in the heart of Mattancherry, this sacred site stands as a powerful symbol of faith, unity, and resistance in the history of the Saint Thomas Christian community of Kerala.
The church is closely associated with the historic Coonan Cross Oath of 1653, a defining moment when local Christians gathered here to take an oath against Portuguese ecclesiastical domination. This event shaped the spiritual and cultural identity of Kerala’s Syrian Christian tradition, making the church an important pilgrimage and heritage site.
A visit to Koonan Kurishu Pally offers more than sightseeing—it provides a meaningful insight into Kerala’s religious harmony, colonial history, and enduring cultural heritage. It is a must-visit stop for history lovers, spiritual travelers, and anyone exploring the rich legacy of Fort Kochi and Mattancherry.
Cochin Spice Market15 min
Down-to-earth shop with polished displays & a variety of exotic spices sold in bulk.
Fort Kochi Tuk-Tuk Sightseeing Tour with Local Guide
Fortkochi Sightseeing Tuk-Tuk Tour
