When people think of Kochi, they immediately conjure images of the historic Fort Kochi with its colonial architecture, ancient churches, and Chinese fishing nets. However, Kochi has so much more to offer beyond its well-trodden paths. This blog lists 12 activities and diverse experiences beyond Fort Kochi that make this city unique.
12 Things to Do in Kochi (beyond Fort Kochi)
Table of Contents
How to Reach Kochi?
By Air
Cochin International Airport (IATA Code: COK, 35 km) is the nearest airport to the city. Public buses are available from the airport to the city center, and you can also hire a cab.
By Train
Ernakulam Town (Station Code: ERN, 5 Km) is the main railway station in Kochi. It is located in the center of mainland Kochi or Ernakulam. The railway station connects to other cities, including Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram, Goa, Chennai, and Bangalore.
The railway station is walkable from the Town Hall metro station. Tuk-tuks and taxis are available at all times right outside the railway station.
By Road
Long-distance buses connect Kochi to other cities. Regular buses are available to Chennai, Bangalore, Goa, and Coimbatore. The city is also well-connected by local public buses. One big disadvantage is that most of the bus name boards are written only in Malayalam, which is challenging to translate (considering the bus stopping time).
Best Time to Visit Kochi

The best time to visit Kochi is during the post-monsoon season between October and February when the weather is pleasant. Kochi can also be visited during summer between March and May. The monsoon season is between June and September, during which heavy rains may hinder your plans to roam around.
Restaurants in Kochi
There are several good restaurants in Kochi. Many are open from early morning until late at night. You can check the reviews online and choose the restaurant that best fits your requirements. Kerala’s must-try foods are seafood like fish curry, prawns, and squid, beef curry with parotta, Puttu with Kadala curry, and Idiyappam.
Accommodations in Kochi
Kochi has a variety of stay options to choose from budget hostels to luxury hotels. Based on your comfort and budget, you can decide on your accommodation. We stayed at Zostel Ernakulam. Here are a few other suggestions.
- Coral Homes ($)
- The Reach Hotel ($)
- Abad Metro ($$)
- Nawal Mahal ($$)
- Crowne Plaza Kochi, an IGH Hotel ($$$)
- 976 Panangad ($$$)
Network Availability
Airtel and Jio both offer good quality and reliable networks and high-speed internet.
Languages Spoken
Malayalam is the official language of Kerala. Some people communicate in English, Tamil, and Hindi.
Commuting Around
The attractions or activities mentioned in the blog are not within walking distance. A few of them are located on the outskirts of the city. You’ll have to take a metro, or bus, use the waterways, or multiple modes of transport. Renting a two-wheeler is the best option. Alternatively, you can opt for taxi services like Ola and Uber.
12 Offbeat Things to Do in Kochi
1. Spend a day at Wonderla Amusement Park

With 7 high thrill rides, 17 water rides, 18 land rides, and 9 kids rides, Wonderla Kochi is a fun-filled way to spend a whole day with family and friends. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, Wonderla is for you.
Restaurants, lockers, cloakrooms, changing rooms, and restrooms are available inside the park premises. All the facilities are maintained well. Strict dress codes are followed for the water rides. Loose-fit dresses, including sarees, shawls, churidars, and cotton clothes, are prohibited.
- Park Timings: 11 AM – 6 PM on weekdays and extends until 7 PM on holidays and weekends.
- Water Park Timings: 12 PM – 6 PM on all days
- Entry Fee: The ticket price starts from INR 1200 for adults and INR 960 for children. Fast-track tickets to skip the queue costs extra. Discounts for college students holding a valid ID card. FREE on birthday month.
2. Experience Bioluminescence at Kumbalangi

Located on the outskirts of Kochi city, about 10 Km away, Kumbalangi is an island village connected by bridges. Participate in nature’s neon party at night around the new moon day during late February, March (best), and early April. You can witness the bioluminescence at the Kumbalangi Bioluminescence Point and Karavu spot. The sheer beauty of bioluminescence leaves us awestruck no matter how often we see it.
3. Kayak along the Backwaters

Located about 10 km from Ernakulam and 20 km from Kochi, Kadamakkudy is an archipelago of 14 islands popular for kayaking activities. Kayak through the serene and peaceful villages of Cheriyakadamakkudy, Pizhala, Valiyakadamakkudy, and Murikkal. Secret Routes, Kadamakkudy Kayaking, and many other companies offer guided kayaking and standup paddling tours along the backwaters.
Book your slots online (WA number: +917736608451), as the seats are limited, especially if you’re planning during weekends or holidays.
- Distance: 3-4 Km
- Duration: 2 hours
- Timings: Morning slot (5:30 AM – 8 AM), Evening slot (4:30 PM – 7 PM)
- Kayaking Price: INR 750 per person
- Standup paddling price: INR 899 per person
- Special discounts for groups are applicable. The price includes tea and snacks.
For more offbeat kayaking experience at a much more affordable price, go to Periyar Water Sports kayaking, 60 Km away from the city.
4. Observe the Chinese Fishing Nets

The Chinese fishing nets at Fort Kochi are used only for showing to tourists and are not operated during the day. The best place to watch the Chinese fishing nets, which are used for fishing, is from Pizhala Bridge and the surrounding areas. Even at night, you can find fisherman doing their job. Spend some time observing the fishing. It is close to the kayaking spot (activity #3), so you can combine both activities on the same day.
Did You Know? Kochi (formally known as Cochin) is the largest city in Kerala.
5. Visit the Kerala Folklore Museum
Home to more than 5000 artifacts, the Kerala Folklore Museum is a private non-profit organization motivated to preserve art. It is the only museum with folk art collections relating to the castes and tribes of Kerala that date back more than 1000 years. It combines art, architecture, culture, heritage, people, and lifestyle. The architecture of the museum itself is unique. It took 62 skilled workers and 7.5 years to be constructed. The 18th-century traditional performing arts theatre called Koothambalam is a notable attraction. This museum is one of the must-visit places in Kochi.
- Timings: 9 AM – 6 PM
- Entry Fee: INR 200 per person. Extra INR 100 charges for photography (both mobile phones and camera)
6. Stroll along the Marine Drive & Queen’s Walkway

The walking area starts from the Rainbow Bridge on Marine Drive and ends at Sunset Point. Queen’s Walkway is also nearby. Both walkways are used by locals every day for walking and jogging. Street food stalls are located close to the walkways after sunset. During weekends, live music is performed by artists near the I Love Kochi signboard. You can go on a leisurely stroll, take in the scenic views, and indulge in some street food while enjoying the live music.
7. Lose yourself in the Jew Town Road

The beautiful streets of the Jew Town are filled with picturesque locations worthy of a spot on your Instagram grid and numerous shops with quirky and interesting stories. It is a paradise for antique and vintage collectibles, carvings, handicrafts, and aromatic spices. Stroll along the colorful streets and visit the spots below for a memorable experience. Entry is free for all.
- Sara Hussain Art Gallery
- SPR Perfume Museum
- Ma Joie
- Crafters – The world’s largest Varpu (cooking vessel) is displayed
- International Tourism Police Station And Police Museum
8. Tour the Cochin Paradesi Synagogue
Also known as Mattancherry Synagogue, the Paradesi Synagogue was built in 1568 for the flourishing Jewish community in Kochi. The word Paradesi refers to “foreigner”. The synagogue faces Jerusalem and is the primary spot for the community’s religious and social celebrations.

The hall is decorated with silver chandeliers from Belgium. The tiles on the ground are handpainted with vegetable dyes in unique blue willow patterns bought from Canton, China, during the 18th century. Each of the 1100 tiles is completely unique
The 45-foot-high clock tower was constructed in 1760 by a well-known Jewish businessman, Ezekiel Rahabi. Even today, the clock strikes every hour. The dial facing the Maharaja palace has Malayalam numerals, the one facing the Synagogue is in Hebrew, the third one is Roman, and the fourth side is blank. This helps the Maharaja, the local people, the Jews, and the traders to keep time.
- Visiting Hours: 10 AM – 2 PM on Friday, 10 AM – 6 PM on other days, closed on Saturdays
- Entrance Fee: INR 10, includes children above 5 years of age. Only cash payments are accepted, no UPI or online payments.
- Eatables and drinks are not allowed inside
- Tripods and flash photography are not allowed
9. Travel Back in Time at Mattancherry Palace Museum
Also known as the Dutch Palace, the building was constructed by the Portuguese in 1555 AD and presented to Vira Kerala Varma. The Dutch later repaired it. The palace blends European and indigenous architecture.

The palace’s glory lies in the murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana and Purana stories featuring Siva, Vishnu, Krishna, and Durga. In addition to the possessions, including dresses, weapons, carpets, and wood and ivory crafts, to name a few, the oil portraits of the kings of Cochin can also be seen. You can also learn a lot about the history of Cochin and the state of Kerala.
- Museum timings: 9 AM – 5 PM; entry tickets are issued until 4:30 PM
- Entry Fee: INR 5 per person for both Indians and foreigners.
Pazhayannoor Baghavathy and Mahavishnu Temple are located in the same complex.
10. Learn Swimming at Periyar River Forest

If you want to learn to swim in Kochi, Valasseril River Swimming is a good option. Many professional coaches go above and beyond to teach swimming to everybody, including kids and adults. These classes are absolutely free of cost. They are held from November 1 to May 31 every year.
If you’re not into swimming, stroll along the lush green Periyar forest and visit the bridge viewpoint to observe the train crossing. We went during the start of the monsoon, and it was blissful.
11. Take a Day Trip to Vypin

Vypin Island is located just across the backwaters from Fort Kochi. Water Metro, RO-RO Ferry, and passenger ferries run frequently between Vypin and Fort Kochi. Vypin Island is also connected to the mainland Kochi or Ernakulam. Take a day trip to explore Vypin. We highly recommend doing this activity while visiting Kochi. Our favorite place is Elamkunnapuzha Beach.
Here are places to visit in Vypin.
- Vypin Walkway
- Mini Beach at Fort Vypin
- Puthuvype Beach
- Vypin Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in Kerala
- Elamkunnapuzha Beach
12. Get a Traditional Ayurvedic Massage

Kerala is known for its traditional Ayurvedic massages. These therapeutic treatments, deeply rooted in ancient Indian wellness practices, use herbal oils and specialized techniques to rejuvenate the body and mind. Kerala massages are not just about relaxation; they are designed to balance the body’s energy, improve circulation, and promote overall well-being. Choose from the different types like Abhyanga, Kizhi, or Panchakarma. We recommend the Meera Spa Massage Centre at Ernakulam.
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