Places to visit in Kochi
Fortkochi
(15 km half an hour drive from our property)
Fort Kochi is a locality takes its name from Fort Manuel of Cochin the first European fort on Indian soil, annexed into the Portuguese East Indies. Fort Kochi has several attractions like Santa Cruz Basilica, St.Francis Church, the first church of Vasco da Gama, the Dutch Seminary, the Cheenavala and many others. The location has many upscale eateries and cafes serving Western, Indian and special Kerala cuisines. You may also walk around Fortkochi and shop for various clothing, antique items and handmade souvenirs.
Mattancherry
(14 km half an hour drive from our property)
Mattancherry is another fascinating area in Kochi. An eclectic mix of spices, handicrafts, culture, and food, Mattancherry is one of the most vibrant tourist places in Kochi. It is said that the name Mattancherry comes from Ancherry Mattom" Namboodiri illam which the foreign traders then pronounced it as Matt-Ancherry, gradually became Mattancherry. Mattancherry is home to the Paradesi Synagogue, India’s oldest functioning synagogue, Mattancherry Palace Museum, Mattacherry Pazhayannur Royal temple. Our Lady of Life Church Mattancherry and Holy Cross Pilgrim Centre Mattancherry.
Cherai Vypeen beach
(18 km half an hour drive from our property)
Vypeen Island is another island that is really popular among visitors to Kochi & Kerala. Vypeen forms a barrier island which lies between the Arabian Sea in the west and the Cochin backwaters formed by the various distributaries of Periyar river, in the east. Vypeen also has Pallipuram Fort which is the oldest surviving fort in India built by European settlers and was constructed in 1503. Near to Vypeen Island is Cherai beach which is among the best beaches in Kerala and which is a beach that is shallow, calm, and is ideal for swimming sunbathing.
Marine Drive
(12 km, half an hour drive from our property)
Marine Drive is a picturesque promenade in Kochi, facing the backwaters. With several shopping malls it is as an important centre of shopping activity in Kochi. The view of the setting and rising sun over the sea mouth, and the gentle breeze from the Vembanad Lake has made Marine Drive an important tourist destination in Kochi. Hundreds of people (both natives, and tourists) throng the walkway during the evenings. The walkway has three bridges: the Rainbow bridge, the Chinese Fishing Net Bridge and the House Boat Bridge
Panangad and Cheppanam
(Our property is located at Panangad)
Panangad and Cheppanam are small villages located at distance of around 7 km from Vytilla Junction. The suburban hamlet lies on the outskirts of the city and is home to agriculture fields, cycling tracks, fish farms, boat clubs etc. Enjoy the experience of cycling down the roads of villages and visiting temples, churches, prawn farms and explore the way of village life. You may also go fishing, boating in the backwaters and have fresh toddy at toddy shops. You can also visit St. Antony’s Roman Catholic church in Panangad which was built in 18 century.
Kumbalangi
(10 km, half an hour drive from our property)
Kumbalangi an island village in the outskirts of Kochi city, is the first eco-tourism village in India, according to the government agency Kerala Tourism and is a major tourist attraction. People visit the island to see its mangrove forests, and experience traditional Keralan village life. You may also explore the quiet and calm locale and enjoy the seafood and local meals.
Lulu Mall
(14 km half an hour drive from our property)
Kochi is home to host off shopping centers that are sure to satisfy the retail therapy needs of any shopaholic! Shop till you drop at various malls – Lulu, Center square mall, Oberon Mall, Abad Nucleus Mall, etc. Lulu Mall is the largest mall in India regarding total retail space of 1.7 million square feet. Situated in Edapally, Kochi, the mall sprawls over an extensive area of 17 acres with 215 outlets of restaurants, multiplex, food courts, entertainment zones, bowling alley, money exchange centres, arcade games and cinema halls.
Wonderla Amusement Park
(20 km one-hour drive from our property)
Wonderla Holidays Limited, is the No. 1 amusement park operator in India. Wonderla Kochi, spread over 35 acres of land and has over 56 thrilling rides. The park has state-of-the-art land and water rides for all ages, live shows daily include two wave pools, a 120- foot-high vertical-drop ride, and India’s first reverse looping roller coaster.
St. Francis Church, Fortkochi
(15 km half an hour drive from our property)
Saint Francis Church, originally built in 1503, is one of the oldest European churches in India and has great historical significance. The Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama died in Kochi in 1524 when he was on his third visit to India. His body was originally buried in this church, but after fourteen years his remains were moved to Lisbon and now located at Jerónimos Monastery.
Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple
(15 km, half an hour drive from our property)
Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple is amongst the prominent temples in Kerala. Chottanikkara Devi temple is one of those religious spots where you can see a huge number of visitors throughout the day and on daily basis. Chottanikkara Devi being worshipped in three different ways is the beauty of this temple. In the morning, the goddess will be celebrated as Saraswathi, in the noon as Lakshmi, and in the evening in the avatar of Durga. Also, the Makom Thozhal festival which is celebrated during the month of Kumbham, is the best time to visit this temple amidst the huge crowd.
Malayattoor
(50 km, two-hour drive from our property)
Malayatoor Church is situated atop the 609 m high Malayatoor Hill. The church on top of the hill is dedicated to St. Thomas, who is believed to have prayed at this shrine when he came to India. He is believed to have set foot at Kodungalloor, in AD 52 and founded the famous seven churches. On his way to Mylapore, he stopped at Malayattoor. This church is one of the most important Christian pilgrim centers in India. The extravagant architectural style of the pilgrimage center at Malayattoor makes it one of the best Kochi tourist places.
Shiva Temple
(12 km, half an hour drive from our property)
Locate at the heart of Ernakulam, this ancient Shiva temple is also known as the Ernakulathappan Temple and is one of the major temples of Kerala for its devout Shiva worshippers. The deity, Lord Shiva is present here in Gowrishankara form and faces west towards the Arabian Sea. Located in 1 acre of holy land the original lingam worshipped by Arjuna of the Mahabharat fame is still preserved within the temple premises. The grand annual festival is celebrated during the Malayalam month of Makaram along with other festivals and occasions.
Vallarpadam Basilica
(18 km, one-hour drive from our property)
The National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom aka Vallarpadam Basilica Cochin is a major Christian pilgrimage centre in India. The picture of Mary and Infant Jesus, installed at the top of the main altar of the Vallarpadam Church, was brought by Portuguese merchants under the leadership of Vasco Da Gama in 1524. Around 5 million people visit the Basilica every year. It is the most important Marian Shrine in India. People from all parts of the world irrespective of caste or creed go to the church to seek the blessings of Mary, the mother of Jesus, popularly known as Vallarpadathammat.
Edapally
(12 km, half an hour drive from our property)
Edappally is famous for the St. George Forane Church, one of the oldest Roman Catholic Churches in the State. The church, popularly known as Edappally Pally, is believed to have been founded in 593 AD. It is regarded as one of the oldest churches in Kerala, after the seven churches founded by Thomas the Apostle in the first century AD. The church was originally dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
Kochi-Muziris Biennale
(15 km half an hour drive from our property)
An international exhibition of contemporary art, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale started in 2012 as the lead occasion of the KMB Foundation with the support of the government of Kerala. Known as the most significant art exhibition of India, the Kochi Biennale is set around different areas of Kochi including galleries, heritage buildings, public parks, halls, and other spaces. A mix of Indian as well as international artists, all with very different experiences in art, come together to present their artworks in the form of films, paintings, photographs sculptures, sketches, fashion exhibits, music, dance, drama and many more. These exhibits are carefully curated by different professionals every year.
Kerala Kathakali centre
(15 km half an hour drive from our property)
The Kerala Kathakali centre aims to popularize the traditional art form of Kerala. Kathakali is a combination of literature, painting, music, dance and acting and all the five forms culminate to this charming dance form done with grace and command. Kathakali is traditionally performed at night on the premises of a temple, but you can watch it at the centre indoors. Here, the nuances of Kathakali are explained to the visitor, such as the hand gestures, the traditional storylines and the identification of the characters. You can also take photographs of the artists as they undergo their elaborate makeup rituals.
Kerala Folklore Museum
(8 km, 15-minute drive from our property)
Kerala Folklore Museum has various antiques that showcase the history, tradition and cultural differences in different parts of the country, especially South India. There are costumes of dance forms like Mohiniattam and Theyyam, antique properties. including the oldest Bible. Old writings instruments, antique chairs etc.
Hill Palace Museum
(8 km, 15-minute drive from our property)
Hill Palace is an archaeological museum and palace. It is the largest archeological museum in the state and was the imperial administrative office and official residence of the 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. Presently the palace has been converted into a museum by The Kerala State Archaeology Department and is open to public.
Chinese fishing nets
(15 km half an hour drive from our property)
The huge cantilevered Chinese fishing nets that that droop towards the waters like over-sized hammocks have become a hallmark that represents Kochi on the tourist map. Chinese fishing nets – Cheenavala in Malayalam – is believed to have been introduced in Kochi by Chinese explorer Zheng He, from the court of the Kubla Khan. The fishing net established itself on the Kochi shores between 1350 and 1450 AD.
Paradesi Synagogue
(15 km half an hour drive from our property)
Paradesi Synagogue is the oldest Jewish Synagogue in the country. The Synagogue dates back to 1567 and is attributed to the Spanish-speaking Cochin Jews. Considered one of the biggest tourist attractions in Kochi, the synagogue is renowned for its centuries-old blue and white Chinese tiles. The place of worship can be accessed with a small entrance fee.
