Your Kochi tour begins with arrival at Kochi International Airport or your hotel. Our driver will meet you at the airport with a name board and transfer you to your hotel in a private air-conditioned car.

After freshening up, you head straight into the heritage district of Fort Kochi. This is best explored on foot, and your guide will walk you through the most important sights at a comfortable pace.

Morning: Fort Kochi Waterfront

Your first stop is the famous Chinese Fishing Nets on the Fort Kochi waterfront. These large cantilevered nets were introduced by Chinese traders during the reign of Kublai Khan in the 14th century and are still operated by local fishermen today. Early morning is the best time to photograph them, with fishing boats on the water and the light coming off the harbour. You often get the chance to buy freshly caught fish directly from the fishermen and take it to a nearby stall to have it cooked to order.

Next, walk to St. Francis Church, built in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan friars. This is the oldest European church in India and the original burial site of the explorer Vasco da Gama, who died in Kochi in 1524. His remains were later taken to Portugal, but the tombstone and original grave slab remain inside the church. The building is simple and dignified, and the history attached to it is remarkable.

From here, visit Santa Cruz Basilica, a short walk away. Built originally by the Portuguese in 1505 and rebuilt in 1902, its pastel interior with detailed ceiling paintings is one of the most photogenic interiors in Kochi.

Walk along Princess Street, Fort Kochi’s most charming road, lined with colonial buildings, small cafes, art galleries, and boutique shops. This is a good place to stop for coffee before heading to Mattancherry in the afternoon.

Afternoon: Mattancherry and the Jewish Quarter

Drive or take a short auto-rickshaw ride to Mattancherry, a neighbourhood that sits right beside Fort Kochi and holds two of the most important heritage sites in the city.

Start at Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace. Built by the Portuguese in 1555 and later renovated by the Dutch in 1663, the palace was gifted to the Cochin royal family. The interior walls are covered with some of the finest Kerala mural paintings in existence, depicting scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata in extraordinary detail. The paintings date from the 16th to 18th centuries and the quality of the draughtsmanship is genuinely astonishing. Photography is not permitted inside, so take your time to study the murals in person.

Entry fee: Rs. 10 for Indian citizens, Rs. 20 for foreign tourists. Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM, closed on Fridays.

From the palace, walk into Jew Town, the old Jewish quarter of Mattancherry. This narrow street is lined with antique shops selling colonial furniture, old clocks, brassware, bronze lamps, and curios from across Kerala. At the end of the street stands the Cochin Jewish Synagogue, built in 1568. It is one of the oldest active synagogues in the Commonwealth and its interior is extraordinary: hand-painted blue and white Chinese floor tiles, Venetian glass chandeliers, a painted wooden pulpit, and walls lined with brass oil lamps. Each floor tile is slightly different from the others, individually hand-painted in Canton, China, in the 18th century.

Entry fee: Rs. 5. Timings: 10 AM to 12 PM and 3 PM to 5 PM, closed on Fridays and Jewish holidays.

Evening: Kathakali Performance

End Day 1 with a live Kathakali performance at one of the cultural centres in Fort Kochi. Kerala Kathakali Centre and Greenix Village both offer evening shows that begin with a makeup demonstration. Watching the performers transform their faces with the elaborate Kathakali makeup is fascinating in itself, and the performance that follows brings ancient stories from the Mahabharata and Ramayana to life through precise hand gestures, eye movements, and footwork.

Shows typically start between 5 PM and 7 PM and run for 60 to 90 minutes. Arrive early to get a good seat and to watch the makeup application.

Overnight: Kochi