The Pardesi Synangogue

Mattancherry has the oldest synagogue in India. It’s open to visitors on all days except on Saturdays. The floor has hand-painted porcelain tiles from Canton, China. There’s a carved Ark that houses four scrolls of the Torah in silver and gold. There are two copper plates dating back to the 4th century showing privileges granted to the Jewish community during the reign of Bhaskara Ravi Varman in the 10th century.  The four dials of the 45-ft clock tower have numerals painted in Malayalam, Hebrew, Latin, and Arabic. There used to be seven synagogues in Fort Cochin in this street, only the Pardesi Synagogue is still open now. It’s over 400 years old, and its interior holds curved brass columns, Belgian crystal chandeliers, carved teak ark and Torah crowns of solid gold set with gems. There are 14 Jews left in Cochin.

Chinese fishing nets

Ever wondered how these contraptions work? Well, here’s your chance to check it out. Balanced by poles and heavy stones, the net is lowered into the water and pulled up after several hours after the fish have come into it. The fish caught here can be bought and the cafes on the sidewalk will cook them for you. There are miniature Chinese fishing nets and wooden ones available there.

Shopping

There are shops selling curios and handicraft items lining the beach. The promenade has Kashmiri shopkeepers selling shawls, artifacts, jewellery and clothes. You can go over to Jew Town or Mattancherry to purchase coffee, honey and spices.  You can also get hold of antique furniture and curios in the shops there.

Boating

Go for a sunset cruise from the Marine Drive at Cochin. Go around the shipyard, the harbour and the fishing nets. You can take the hour-long boat rides or hire a boat or yacht for a day.

Athirapally Waterfalls

This waterfalls, about 75km from Cochin, is part of the Chalakudy River. It is on the threshold of the Sholayar forests that surround it. The Charpa and Vazhachal waterfalls, too, are near by. There is plenty of wildlife to explore and rock formations and cliffs, too. The waterfalls are splendid and fall from of height of more than 80m. You’ll love it.

Cherai Beach

This pristine beach is located off Vypeen; about 25km form the city. It has a walkway and many restaurants lining the beach. 

Indo-Portuguese Museum

The museum was established by Dr Joseph Kureethra, Bishop of Kochi. It showcases the Portuguese influences on Fort Kochi and the surrounding areas, especially, the western areas of Kochi. On display are a piece of the altar made in teak wood (16th century) from the Church of Our Lady of Hope, Vypeen, a chasuble (19thcentury) from Bishop's House, Fort Kochi, Processional cross, which is a combination of silver and wood (17th century) from Santa Cruz Cathedral, Fort Kochi, Indo-Portuguese Monstrance (18-19th century), from The Church of Our Lady of Hope, Vypeen. The Museum is located within the Bishop's House at Fort Kochi. It is open all days except Mondays and public holidays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hill Palace

Located in Thripunithura, it is the official residence of the Kochi royal family. It is also the largest archaeological museum in Kerala. It was built in 1865, and the palace complex consists of 49 buildings, covering more than 52 acres. There’s also a deer park and facilities for horse riding. The oldest building in the complex was built around 1850 AD. It is a single storeyed Ettukettu, built in the traditional style and has a pond and temple nearby.The palace was converted into a Museum by an official inauguration in 1984. At the archaeological museum you can find oil-paintings, murals, inscriptions, coins, stone sculptures, royal throne and manuscripts of the Kochi royal. There are more than 200 antique pieces of pottery and ceramic items from Japan and China, Kudakkallu (tomb stone), Thoppikkallu (hood stone), granite, laterite memorials, rock-cut weapons from the stone ages, wooden temple models, plaster cast models of objects from Mohanjodaro and Harappa of the Indus Valley Civilisation. 

Hill stations

A trip to Cochin isn’t complete if you don’t visit nearby hill stations. Munnar, Thekkady and Wayanad are the common favourites. There are trekking routes, walking trails and much more to be explored there. Elephant and jeep rides will take you around the forests and reserves. Jungle accommodation is preferred and safe, too.