Best places to visit in Kochi-The Queen of Arabian Sea

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Kochi (colonial name Cochin) is a vibrant city situated on the state of Kerala. Informally, Cochin is also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala. From time immemorial, the Arabs, British, Chinese, Dutch, and Portuguese have left indelible marks on the history and development of Cochin. Over the years, Cochin has emerged as the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala and is perhaps the second most important city on the west coast of India (after Mumbai/Bombay). Cochin is proud of its world-class port and international airport that links it to many major cities worldwide. This lovely seaside city is flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. Here’s a list of the Best Places to Visit in Kochi.

Fort Kochi

Fort Kochi
Fort Kochi Beach (Source: Facebook)

Fort Kochi is a region in the city of Kochi in the state of Kerala. This is part of a handful of water-bound regions toward the south-west of the mainland Kochi, and collectively known as Old Kochi or West Kochi. This place is steeped in the history and culture of all who have occupied it through the ages. Its roots and essence are unique in its diversity.

Cherai Beach

Cherai Beach
Cherai Beach (Source: Facebook)

Cherai Beach is a beach located in Cherai on the northern side of Vypin Island, a suburb of the city Kochi. One of the most visited beaches in the state, it is situated at around 25 km from downtown Kochi and 20 km from Cochin International Airport.

Mattancherry Palace

Mattancherry Palace
Mattancherry Palace (Source: Facebook)

The 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

Hill Palace Museum

Hill Palace Museum
Hill Palace Museum (Source: Facebook)

Hill Palace is the largest archeological museum in Kerala, located at Tripunithura, Kochi. It was the imperial administrative office and official residence of Cochin Maharaja. Built-in 1865, the palace complex consists of 49 buildings in the traditional architectural style, spreading across 54 acres. The complex has an archaeological museum, a heritage museum, a deer park, a pre-historic park, and a children’s park. The campus of the museum is home to several rare species of medicinal plants. Presently the palace has been converted into a museum by The Kerala State Archaeology Department and is open to the public.

Marine Drive, Kochi

Marine Drive, Kochi
Marine Drive, Kochi (Source: Facebook)

Marine Drive is a quaint destination amongst the many Cochin tourist places Kerala takes pride in. Exclusively built facing the backwaters. Along with the Rainbow bridge, which is a major draw for tourists, the Marine Drive is lined with Shopping malls, fast food joints and other important landmark buildings of Kochi. Be ready to be allured by the gentle breeze while enjoying a walk down this Marine Drive.

Chinese Fishing Nets

Chinese Fishing Nets
Chinese Fishing Nets (Source: Facebook)

Bearing witness to the entry of Chinese into Kerala long ago, legends tell that these nets were a gift of the famous Chinese King, Kublai Khan. Fishermen even today use these elaborate conventional fishing nets, making it the only other destination other than China to have and use these fishing nets.

Willingdon Island

Willingdon Island
Willingdon Island (Source: Facebook)

Willingdon Island is the largest artificial island in India, which forms part of the city of Kochi. Much of the present Willingdon Island was claimed from the Lake of Kochi, filling in dredged soil around a previously existing, but tiny, natural island. Willingdon Island is significant as the home for the Port of Kochi, as well as the Kochi Naval Base of the Indian Navy, Plant Quarantine Station, Customs House Cochin and Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, a constituent unit of Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary

Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary
Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary (Source: Facebook)

Mangalavanam is an ecologically sensitive area situated at the center of the city, covering about 2.74 hectares. It also houses a shallow tidal lake connected with Kochi backwaters by a canal. It is a nesting ground for a large variety of migratory birds and supports many types of mangroves. The Managalavanam is often regarded as the “green lung of Kochi”, considering its role in keeping the city’s air pollution under check. An area is a roosting place for many kinds of resident and migratory birds.

Vasco da Gama Square

Vasco da Gama Square
Church at Vasco da Gama Square (Source: Facebook)

Many stalls serving various edibles such as coconuts, nuts, sea-food, ice-creams and local fares scatter the narrow esplanade along the Kochi beach which is the Vasco da Gama Square. One can even watch local fisherman fishing along the shoreline.

Bolgatty Palace

Bolgatty Palace
Bolgatty Palace (Source: Facebook)

Bolgatty Palace is a former palace built by the Dutch in India on Bolgatty Island in Kochi, Kerala. One of the oldest existing Dutch palaces outside Holland, this quaint mansion was built in 1744 by Dutch traders and later extended and gardens were landscaped around it. Now converted into a heritage hotel resort. Bolgatty Palace has a swimming pool, 9-hole golf course, ayurvedic center, and daily Kathakali performances and is a holiday destination for tourists

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