Things to do in Kochi
Top sights and attractions to build your days around once you know when to go.
St. Francis Church
Saint Francis Church, in Fort Kochi, Kochi, originally built in 1503, is one of the oldest European churches in India and has historical significance as a witness to the European colonial ambitions in the subcontinent. 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 relocated to Lisbon and is now interred at Jerónimos Monastery.
Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium
The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, commonly known as Kaloor Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium in Kochi, Kerala, India, currently used for association football. Opened in 1996, initially it had a capacity for 80,000 to 100,000 spectators, gradually reduced to comply with operational safety, and now seating 50,000 spectators, although it got limited further during 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup under FIFA security guidelines. It is the home ground of Kerala Blasters FC of the Indian Super League (ISL) and Forca Kochi FC and hosts various exhibitions, cinema events and political rallies.
Santa Cruz Basilica
The Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, also known as Kotta Palli or Kottepalli, is located in Fort Kochi, Kochi. It is one of the thirty-four basilicas in India and one of nine in Kerala. This heritage edifice of Kerala is renowned for its Indo-European and Gothic architectural style. It serves as the cathedral church of the Diocese of Cochin.
Mattancherry Palace
The Mattancherry Palace is a 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 Sites. Despite the name Dutch Palace, the palace was built by the Portuguese Empire as a gift to the Kingdom of Cochin.
Paradesi Synagogue
The Paradesi Synagogue or the Mattancherry Synagogue is a synagogue located in Mattancherry Jew Town, a suburb of the city of Kochi, Kerala, in India. It was built in 1568 A.D. by Samuel Castiel, David Belila, and Joseph Levi for the flourishing Paradesi Jewish community in Kochi. Cochin Jews were composed mainly of the much older Malabari Jews and the newly arrived Sephardic refugees from the Portuguese religious persecution of Jews in Spain and Portugal. It is the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations. Paradesi is a word meaning foreign.
Vallarpadam Church
The National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom, more commonly referred to as Vallarpadam Basilica is a minor basilica and a major Christian pilgrimage centre in Vallarpadam, a suburb in Ernakulam, in the city of Kochi, in Kerala, India. Around 5 million Christians visit the basilica every year.
St. Mary's Syro-Malabar Catholic Cathedral Basilica
The St. Mary's Syro-Malabar Cathedral Basilica is a cathedral in Ernakulam, Kerala, India. It was founded in 1112, and is also known by the names Nasrani Palli, Anchikaimal Palli or Thekke Palli. The church is the headquarters of the Major Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly, which is the Primatal See of the Syro-Malabar Church. As of March 2026, it’s closed down and under police protection due to dispute between the rebels in the Ernakulam-Angamaly diocese and the Syro-Malabar Hierarchy. All prayers other than Holy Mass can be held with special permission from Court.
Hill Palace
Hill Palace is an archaeological museum and palace located in the Tripunithura neighbourhood of Kochi, Kerala. 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 spreading across 54 acres (220,000 m2) and built in the traditional architectural style. The complex has an archaeological museum, a heritage museum, a deer park, a pre-historic park and a children's park.
Places from Wikidata and Wikipedia.
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