10 Best Places to Visit in Ernakulam

10 Best Places to Visit in Ernakulam or Kochi

10 Best Places to Visit in Ernakulam or Kochi with your family or friends or for couples. Ernakulam and Kochi are both names for the same city in the state of Kerala. Kochi, arguably the most famous part of the Ernakulam district, even with its cosmopolitan nature, the city still exudes an ancient charm; its cultural heritage attracts travelers from around the world.

Below are 10 places to visit in Ernakulam:-

1. Fort Kochi

Fort Kochi was shaped by many historical influences, the traces of which can still be found in its very streets. Portuguese, Dutch, and British influences are evident in the Indo-European architecture of the buildings dotting this town. A prime example of this is Fort Immanuel, a Portuguese bastion built in 1503 to mark the strategic alliance between the Maharaja of Cochin and the Portuguese monarch.

2. Mattancherry

Mattancherry was once a prominent trading centre in Kochi. The town is a cultural hub, comprising various ethnic communities who have struck roots here. A Jain temple, Jewish synagogue, Dutch palace, Shiva temple, mosque, and church figure among the major tourist attractions in Mattancherry. Mattancherry’s streets are also famous for their colonial-style buildings, rare antique stores, spice supplies, Kashmiri artefact shops, and more.

3. Marine Drive

Marine Drive, also known as APJ Abdul Kalam Marg, is a famous promenade in Kochi, India. It is built facing the backwaters, and is a popular hangout for the local populace. Despite its name, no vehicles are allowed on the walkway. It’s lined with cafés, shopping complexes, and benches where you can sit and watch ferries glide by.

4. Paredesi Synagogue

Paradesi Synagogue – The Jewish Synagogue in Mattancherry is the oldest active synagogue among the Commonwealth nations. Constructed in 1568, this synagogue was destroyed in a shelling during the Portuguese raid in 1662 and rebuilt two years later by the Dutch. The Paradesi Synagogue is notable for its mid-eighteenth-century, hand-painted, willow-patterned floor tiles and another valuable possession of the synagogue is a set of copper plates belonging to the 4th century, with Malayalam inscriptions on them.

5. Kadamkkudy Island Village

Kadamkkudy is a cluster of fourteen islands scattered among the Periyar River. Situated about 8 km from the city, this region is an emerging tourist destination. Though its is within the urban limits, it is tucked safely away from the city’s, making this island a perfect place to relax and unwind. Water transport boats, private boats, and tourist boats frequently ply this route. Kadamakkudy is easily accessible as it is linked to Varappuzha town by National Highway 66.

6. Bolgaty Palace & Island Resort

The Bolgatty Palace was built in 1744 by the Dutch and later taken over by the British. It has now been converted into a Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) resort that boasts of a golf course and special honeymoon cottages. The palace situated on a lush island, this Dutch-built palace offers a blend of luxury and heritage amidst well maintained lawns and serene backwaters.

7. Cherai Beach

Around 26 kms from the city, towards the north of the Vypeen islands lies Cherai Beach, a true swimmer’s paradise. A pristine canvas where nature weaves its magic through golden sands, azure waters and lush greenery, Cherai Beach is widely considered to be a gem in the crown of Kerala’s coastal treasures. Cherai Beach invites sunbathers, swimmers, and nature-lovers. Coconut groves and paddy fields form a picturesque backdrop.

8. Hill Palace Museum – Thripunithara

Once the official residence of the Kochi royal family. Its beautiful gardens and archaeological museum offer a window into Kerala’s grand past. The serene environment makes it easy to imagine the royal life that once thrived here. Built in the year 1865, this majestic palace was once the residence of the rulers of Kochi. Today the palace has been preserved as an Ethno-Archaeological Museum and Kerala’s first-ever Heritage Museum with a treasure trove of artefacts and antiquities spanning centuries. Set in over 52 acres of terraced land, the palace complex comprises 49 buildings and has been constructed in the traditional Kerala style of architecture.

9. Vallarapadam Church

The National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Vallarpadam, often called the Lourdes of Kerala, is under the authority of the Archdiocese of Verapoly. It draws pilgrims from all over Kerala and beyond, regardless of caste and creed, who come to seek the blessings of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, known locally as Vallarpadathamma. In the year 1524, Portuguese missionaries built the Basilica of Our Lady church.