Hidden Venice in the South of India

Day 1

Kerala has attracted travellers, explorers and traders from all over the world for centuries, drawn to this slice of tropical South India by spices and Fort Cochin (Kochi) is the best place to see this rich multicultural heritage and start exploring the rest of Kerala, known as “God’s own Country.

* Reaching Fort Cochin :

Cochin being one of the biggest city in Kerala is well connected and equipped with different modes of transportation. The Cochin Airport is just 41km away from Fort Cochin. The city is well connected with Ola/Uber, Rikshas and Metros etc. Shouldn't take you more than Rs.500 to reach Fort Cochin.

* Stay @ Fort Cochin :

There are Oyo to 5 star hotels available in the water front of Fort Cochin. However, personally I always book an AirBnb while travelling to Cochin. It is cheap, flexible, safe and private. So if you out with your buddies for a getaway, AirBnb is just the right choice for you. Another plus to it is, you have places which are hardly 1km away from the beach. So waking up to a bright blue sky with a view of the endless horizon of the sea is not a dream anymore.

On a personal note, 'The Spencer Home' is a beautiful AirBnb stay in Fort Cochin. With hardly 1km distance from the beach and the surrounding cafes, this is just a dream stay. The bright green garden and the old traditional Nalukettu style architecture of the place is what makes is unbelievably closer to nature and serene. The stay hardly costed me Rs.1200/night.

* Best time to Visit :

Well, there is no specific time as such to visit Fort Cochin. Avoiding Monsoon would be a good idea, apart from that, the rest of the months remain pretty much normal with a temperature somewhere between 30°C to 38°C.

* Things to do :

Well this list can go on forever and ever. I'll try to keep it short and simple. As I have been to Cochin a million times and have gone around to all the, so called "Tourist Destinations", I'm pretty much aware of the surroundings and the spots.

1) CAFES

Fort Cochin is immensely famous it's cafes which are mostly theme based or known for its foreign resemblance to the culture of their past invaders. Not to forget the yummy food and the fresh drinks. I'll note down some of the most famous and we'll known cafes which are worth a visit,

Kashi Art Cafe:

East India Cafe:

Frangrant Nature:

A lil expensive, but worth visiting. (At least for some cool pictures)

Qissa Cafe:

2) THE BEACH

As one stares across the expansive horizon of Fort Kochi beach, painted in vivid hues, you can feel the tranquil atmosphere soothe your yearning soul. A beloved haunt, the beach at Fort Kochi is a delightful experience at any time of the day.

3) SHOPPING

The Jew Street in Kochi is noted for its antique shops which sell curios, pieces of crockery, wooden furniture etc. You can choose from curios, antique pieces of crockery, carved wooden furniture, bronze and brass sculptures, remnants of traditional houses, and jewellery. A nearby attraction is the Jewish synagogue. Kochi is the best place in the State to experience the lifestyle and culture of the Jewish community in the sub-continent.

4) THE STREETS

Leave behind the fast & busy life and stroll through the twitchels of Fort Cochin and immerse yourself in to the mix of architectural beauty from the Indo-Protugese days to the bright and saturated modern day graffiti arts. With some of the well maintained lanes and a lot of colors and life to absorb, the walk is worth a try!

5) THE BOAT RIDE

Unlike the extravagant boating experience you would expect from Kerala, this is just another mode of transportation for you to reach to the main town. As disappointing it may sound, the fact is completely the opposite. Cruising through monument like ships and a lot of tourists and locals on board, this is always a fun way to get to the Central City of Cochin. With ticket as cheap as Rs.30/person, this is a cheaper and a fun way to get across the city.