Best Things to Do in Kochi: Old World Meets New Vibe

The things to do in Kochi span several centuries and several cultural traditions. Fort Kochi‘s Portuguese houses, Dutch palace murals, and Chinese fishing nets coexist with gallery spaces, independent cafes, and backwater cruises. Consequently, a single visit can cover heritage, contemporary art, coastal nature, and some of the best seafood in South India without requiring much travel between any of them. This guide covers the most worthwhile things to do in Kochi with practical information for each.

Walk the Heritage Lanes of Fort Kochi and Mattancherry

The most fundamental of the things to do in Kochi is simply to walk slowly through the heritage quarters. Fort Kochi‘s cobblestone lanes carry 16th-century Portuguese houses, colonial churches, and art galleries in old spice warehouses. The Chinese fishing nets on the waterfront are most active at dawn and dusk. Watching the teams work is free. St. Francis Church, built in 1503, opens Monday to Saturday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Entry is free. In Mattancherry, Mattancherry Palace carries remarkable Kerala mural paintings. Entry costs Rs 5. It opens Saturday to Thursday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Visit the Paradesi Synagogue and Jew Town

Jew Town Road in Mattancherry is one of the most atmospheric of the things to do in Kochi for visitors interested in trade history. Antique dealers, spice merchants, and craft shops line the lane. At its end stands Paradesi Synagogue, built in 1568. The interior carries hand-painted Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers. Entry costs Rs 5. The synagogue opens Sunday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Furthermore, the antique shops on Jew Town Road are worth browsing independently of the synagogue visit.

Attend a Kathakali Performance

Kathakali — Kerala’s classical dance form with elaborate makeup and storytelling — is one of the most culturally specific things to do in Kochi. Several cultural centres in Fort Kochi run nightly performances. Kerala Kathakali Centre on River Road is the most established venue. Shows typically begin at 6:30 PM and run for approximately 90 minutes. Tickets cost Rs 300 to Rs 500 per person. Book in advance during the October to February peak season, as popular shows sell out.

Experience the Kochi-Muziris Biennale

The Kochi-Muziris Biennale is Asia’s largest contemporary art festival. It runs every two years between December and March, transforming warehouses and heritage buildings across Fort Kochi into exhibition venues. Entry costs approximately Rs 100 to Rs 150 per day. Check the Biennale’s official calendar for dates, as the next edition varies. Moreover, even outside Biennale years, Aspinwall House carries ongoing exhibitions worth visiting.

Explore the Cafes of Fort Kochi

Kochi‘s cafe culture is one of the most enjoyable of the things to do in Kochi for visitors who want to slow down between sightseeing. Kashi Art Cafe on Burgher Street combines a working art gallery with filter coffee and Kerala banana cake. A coffee and snack costs Rs 150 to Rs 350 per person. Tea Pot Cafe on Peter Celli Street is a smaller, more intimate space with a wide tea selection at Rs 80 to Rs 200 per person. Both open from approximately 8:30 AM. For NRI visitors and international tourists, Mony makes all cafe payments throughout Kochi seamless. Mony is a travel finance app that lets NRIs and tourists pay like locals using UPI — no foreign card fees and no complications at smaller independent cafes.

Cruise the Backwaters

A backwater cruise is among the most distinctive things to do in Kochi. Several operators run shikara rides and canoe tours through the mangrove channels near Kumbalanghi and Vypin Island. A two to three-hour guided canoe tour costs Rs 300 to Rs 600 per person. Longer houseboat experiences start from Rs 3,000 per person for an overnight stay. Additionally, boat tours from the Chunnambar area south of the city cost Rs 200 to Rs 400 per person and suit visitors with limited time.

Visit Cherai Beach on Vypin Island

Cherai Beach on Vypin Island is the most accessible beach among the things to do in Kochi from the city centre. The beach is quiet and clean. It suits an early morning swim before the day’s heat builds. The ferry from Fort Kochi Ferry Terminal to Vypin costs Rs 5 to Rs 10 and takes approximately 10 minutes. A cab from Vypin jetty to Cherai Beach costs Rs 100 to Rs 150 and takes 15 minutes.