FORT COCHIN Also known as the 'Old Fort', Fort Cochin is the very first fort built by the Europeans in India. Started by the Dutch and then British, the Fort has many amazing structures. Vasco de Gama, the first European to land on Indian coasts in 1498, died in Fort Cochin on Christmas Eve in 1524. The Fort houses a huge Portuguese-style Mansion, the St. Francis Church and the Santa Cruz Basilica among other attractions.
CHINESE FISHING NETS They are huge cantilevered fishing nets brought by the Indian traders from the court of Kublai Khan, the famous Mongol Emperor who founded the Yuan Dynasty of China. These nets are set up on teak wood and bamboo poles. The best place to enjoy the nets being lowered into the sea and its catch is the Vasco de Gama square.
ST. FRANCIS CHURCH FORT Originally built by Portuguese Franciscan friars in 1503, it is believed to be the oldest existing European church in India. The original structure was made of wood, but was rebuilt in stone around the mid-16th century. After his death, Vasco da Gama was buried here in 1524.
ERNAKULAM SHIVA TEMPLE It is the famous temple, considered to be amongst the most ancient in central Kerala. The deity is popularly referred to as Ernakulathappan. The temple's 8-day annual festival is celebrated in the month of Makaram (Jan-Feb) with colorful rituals and exciting cultural events.
DUTCH CEMETERY FORT Constructed in 1724, here's an authentic reminder of the many men and women from Europe who came down all the way to play out their roles in the colonial 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.
COCHIN MUSEUM One of the most famous museums of Kerala, Cochin Museum is known for its rich collections of 19 century oil paintings, coins, mural paintings, wooden sculptures, sculptures in stone and plaster of Paris and old coins.
WILLINGTON ISLAND Surrounded by beautiful backwaters of Cochin, Willington Island is an artificial island created by the dumping of the materials that were dug out while Cochin Port was being deepened. It houses the city's best hotels and trading centers, the port trust and the headquarters of the southern naval command.
BOLGHATTY ISLAND An enchantingly beautiful and narrow long island, it's famous for housing the Bolghatty Palace, built by the Dutch in 1744. The only golf course of Cochin is located on this picturesque island. Other major attraction of the Bolghatty is an exciting Boat cruising on the island connecting Cochin to Bolghatty Island.
HILL PALACE It was the administrative office of Kochi Rajas. Built in 1865, the Palace complex consists of 49 buildings in the traditional architectural style, spreading across in 54 acres. The complex has an archaeological Museum, a Heritage Museum, a Deer Park, a Pre-historic Park and a Children’s park