Fort Cochin

Fort Cochin is the site of the St. Francis Church, which was built in 1510 by Portuguese Franciscan friars who arrived with Albuquerquein 1503. This church, said to be the oldest European church built in India, was the burial site for Vasco da Gama in 1524.Fourteen years later, his body was exhumed and sent to Lisbon in Portugal. Later the church was successively taken over by the Protestant Dutch, then the British to become an Anglican Church and finally the Church of South India.

Hill Palace

Thripunithura Hill palace, the largest archaeological museum in Kerala and the erst while official residence of the Kochi Royal Family, was built in 1865. Hill Palace is situated at a distance of about 12kms from Kochi on Ernakulam- Chottanikkara route. The palace complex consists of 49 buildings in the traditional architectural style of Kerala and is surrounded by 52 acres of terraced land with ponds, fountains and lawns.

Cherai Beach

This lovely beach bordering Vypeen island is ideal for swimming. Dolphins are occassionally seen here. Cherai Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Kerala bordering the northern end of Vypeen Island, is located about 26 km from Ernakulam city, Kochi

Marine Drive

Walk by the breezy Marine Drive on summer nights and you will see the joy of visiting Cochin. Also called the Shanmugham Road, Marine Drive is indeed the heart of Cochin. Besides being the recreational area of the city, Marine Drive is also a significant economic center of Cochin.