Cochin is now known as Kochi (original name of Cochin) is the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala situated on the south-west coast of the Indian. Cochin is known as “ the Queen of the Arabian Sea” and also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala.

,The name Kochi is derived from Koch Azhi, meaning 'small lagoon'. As per some old manuscripts, the traders who came here from the court of Chinese ruler, Khubilai Khan, during ancient times, gave Cochin the name of their homeland.

The Arabs, British, Chinese, Dutch, and Portuguese have left an unforgettable mark on the history and development of Cochin. Now Cochin is proud of its top-notch port and international airport that link it to many major cities worldwide.

Cochin has a lot of remnants from the past still cling on. The famous landmark of Cochin is a row of Chinese fishing nets at the mouth of the harbor leading to the Arabian Sea in Fort Kochi, the oldest part of the city. In Ernakulam, the latest in skyscrapers and modern shopping can be found, while the old quarter -- the Fort Kochi area and Mattancherry area -- maintains a colonial air.

Kochi is famous for its diversity and beauty, rated in the top three tourist destinations by the World Travel & Tourism Council and featured in National Geographic Traveler's '50 greatest places of a lifetime'. Cochin is comparatively cleaner and quieter than many other Indian tourist places.

Climate

Moderately hot and humid place round the year. Rainy season is from June-September. December to February is comparatively cooler than the rest of the year. The temperature varies from 20°C-35°C (68°F-95°F).

Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace)

Mattancherry Palace is also known as Dutch palace originally built by the Portuguese in 1557 and was presented to Veera Kerala Varma the Raja of Kochi. The palace was renovated in 1663 by the Dutch since then it has come to be called the ‘Dutch Palace’, though, at no time did the Portuguese or the Dutch actually stay here. On display here are beautiful Murals depicting scenes from the epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata and some of the puranic Hindu legends. The palace also houses Dutch maps of old Kochi, royal palanquins, coronation robes of former Maharajas of Kochi as well as the furniture belonging to that period.
Timings. 1000 hrs to 17.00 hrs. Closed on Fridays and national holidays.

Bolghatty Palace

Bolgatty Palace built by the Dutch in 1744 at Bolghatty, is a beautiful island near the city of Eranakulam. Once it was the residence of the British resident of Kochi (Cochin), is now a hotel run by Kerala Tourism Development Corporation. The only golf course in Kochi is here and several vantage points for lovely views of the harbour and the sea

Chinese Fishing Nets

The entrance to the Cochin harbour is spotted by the Chinese Fishing Nets have been brought from by traders of Kubalai Khan’s Court. These are large nets which hang from bamboo or teak posts are about 10 meters in height and each is handled by a team consisting of six fishermen. They are used at high tide and are still used by local fishermen in fort Cochin to catch fish attracted by the lights perched above the nets.

Cherai Beach : A lovely beach bordering Vypeen Island is ideal for swimming. Dolphins are occasionally seen here. A typical Kerala village with paddy fields and coconut groves nearby are the attraction of this beach. It is a popular tourist destination especially among foreigners.

Willington Island: named after Lord Willingdon the British Viceroy of India is a man-made island created from the material dredged while deepening the Cochin port surrounded by beautiful backwaters. It houses the city's best hotels, trading centers, as well as the Government of India Tourist Office, the Southern Naval Command etc.

Fort Kochi: became the first fort built by the Europeans (Portuguese) in India. Firstly, the Dutch and then British all constructed numerous architectures in and around this historic fort.

Church of Saint Francis, Cochin is located two kilometers from Fort cochin, built in 1510 AD by five Portuguese priests who arrived with Albuquerque and was dedicated to saint Anonio. This church, said to be the oldest European church built in India. It was restored in 1779 by the protestence Dutch, converted to an Anglican Church by the British in 1795. Vasco da Gama's remains were buried here in 1524 and after 14 years his mortal remains were taken to Lisbon, Portugal but his tombstone is still here.

Santa Cruz Basilica

Is the large and impressive monumental Catholic Church close to St. Francis Church was also built by the Portuguese in 1558. It has beautiful paintings on the ceiling and striking pale colored interior.

Jewish Synagogue

The oldest synagogue in Mattancherry was built in the year 1568s and was partially destroyed in the war of 1662 and was rebuilt by the Dutch. It is open for two hours in the morning (10 am-12 noon) and a further two in the afternoon (3pm-5pm) each day and closed on Saturday and Jewish holidays. The synagogue is famous for its amazing 18th century hand painted willow pattern floor tiles imported from China. There are numerous wonderful features to be viewed, including scrolls from the Old Testament and ornamental Belgian lamps.

The Hill Palace Museum,- Tripunithura , was the official residence of Cochin Royal Family. It is 12 kims away from Eranakulam on Eranakulam – Chottanikkara route. It was built in 1865 AD. The Palace also encompass a Deer Park and horse riding facilities. A complete ethno-archaeological museum and Kerala's first heritage museum are the main attractions. Oil paintings, 19th century paintings, Murals, sculpture in stone and plaster of paris, manuscripts, inscriptions and coins belonging to the Cochin royal family are displayed here. It opens from 10 am – 5 pm except Monday and national holidays.

Chottanikkara Temple

The Goddess at Chottanikkara is revered here in three forms; she is Saraswathi (goddess of learning) in the morning, Bhagavathi (divine mother)at noon and Durga (fierce and destructive ) in the evening.

Kodungalloor (Cranganore), 32 km away, was formerly also called Muziris was an ancient sea-port where St. Thomas is supposed to have landed in 52 AD.

Vaikom 40 away from Eranakulam is famous for its Shiva Temple where the Vaikom Satyagraha, which led to the opening of temples to the Harijans, took place under Mahatma Gandhi’s

Kalady: 45 km from Cochin is a pilgrim centre and the birth place of Adi Shankaracharya, the great 8th century Indian philosopher of Advaita Vedanta. It on the banks of the Periyar river. There are two shrines, one dedicated to him as Dakshinamurthy and the other, to the goddess Sharada, maintained by the Shringeri Mutt. The spot where Adi Shankara’s mother, Aryamba, was cremated is called Brindavan.

Malayattur, 47 km from Cochin, is famous for the Catholic church on the 609 metre high Malayattur Hill, dedicated to St. Thomas who is believed to have prayed at this spot. The annual Malayattur Perunal festival in March / April attracts thousands of devotees