Discover Kochi

Waterways, contemporary art, a New Year’s Eve tradition and historic sites give Kochi many different facets. What interests you most can also shape your search for a holiday rental: Would you like to take art and events into account, see the Chinese fishing nets or explore the historical landmarks in Fort Kochi and Mattancherry? The following topics can help you decide what to focus on during your trip.

Plan around waterways and routes

The Kochi Water Metro operates services on 15 routes and connects 10 islands with the mainland. Water journeys are therefore one way to explore Kochi. Before taking a specific trip, check the latest route information, as the number of routes may change. If you would like to include waterways in your plans, check the current information before using it to map out specific journeys for your stay.

Art and events: the Biennale and Carnival

The Kochi-Muziris Biennale takes place every two years in Fort Kochi and Mattancherry. It was founded in 2010 by the Kochi Biennale Foundation, an artists’ collective. Alongside the main exhibition, the Biennale offers talks, film programmes, workshops, residencies and educational projects. Its exhibition works span a range of media and disciplines. For art lovers, this is a different kind of travel interest from exploring individual historic buildings: the Biennale combines an exhibition with other programme formats.

The Fort Kochi Carnival celebrates New Year’s Eve every year. When planning your dates, it is useful to note the difference between its schedule and that of the Biennale: the Carnival is celebrated annually, while the Biennale takes place every two years. If you are planning your trip around one of these events, check the specific event dates in advance.

The fishing nets on Fort Kochi Beach

The Chinese fishing nets, known in Malayalam as Cheenavala, offer a distinctive theme for exploring the coast. According to tradition, they were brought to Kochi by Zheng He, a Chinese explorer associated with the court of Kublai Khan. They became established on the Kochi coast between 1350 and 1450. Vasco da Gama Square is a narrow walkway along Fort Kochi Beach and offers a good view of the nets. Here, a particular view meets a story whose origins remain a matter of tradition.

Historic landmarks in Mattancherry

The Mattancherry Synagogue, also known as the Pardesi Synagogue, was built in 1568. Jew Town, also called Jew Street, lies between Mattancherry Palace and the Paradesi Synagogue. Mattancherry Palace is a historic monument featuring Kerala and colonial architectural styles. Together, these names provide clear landmarks if historic sites are what draw you to Kochi.

The antique shops in Jew Town are also part of this theme. They sell jewellery, wood carvings, oil lamps, spice containers, antiques and books. The selection at individual shops may change. The mix of named items and historic buildings gives you several ways to decide what you would like to focus on during your trip.

Choose the right focus for your trip

When searching for a holiday rental in Kochi, you can start by sorting your interests: art and its biennial schedule, the annual New Year’s Eve celebration, waterways or historic sites. If you are travelling with others who have different interests, you can weigh these priorities together. This way, you can tailor your accommodation search to the travel idea that matters most to your group.

Discover more destinations

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For the broader travel overview: Ernakulam.