Despite undergoing massive transformation, this city never ceases to attract tourists from different parts of India. Every year or every season, tourists flock to this city to visit church, synagogue and shop for handicrafts.
You should prepare a list of attractions when you are booking your tickets to Kochi. These attractions are going to leave you in awe and you may not want to leave this city for long. Wondering which places are worth visiting? Well, again there are plenty of sites that you have to visit if you want to make the best possible use of your vacation.
For a one day trip in Kochi, you can plan a cycle tour of the Fort Cochin area, the old Portuguese colony. The area has some beautiful architecture to take notice of. Marked by churches and Masala markets, the place is a favorite of people who want to know a little about the history of the state.
The beach /shore on one end can become a little crowded by the end of the day but never the less its still amazing to gaze at the cochin shipyard one the other side. The place is bustling with culture, cuisine, art and history.
Here is a list of things to do in Kochi that tourists should know if you are planning to travel Kerala on a budget. The list is as follows:
1. Backwaters of Kochi
If you are looking for something more out of the ordinary or a one day trip in Kerala, why not take a cruise along a river in Kerala from Ernakulam? Houseboat Tour in the backwaters of Kerala is the most unique and incredible experience you can have. You will set off in a thatched bamboo boat called a kettuvallam, complete with your very own captain, guide, and cook.
Kettuvalams in Kerala is a houseboat which is a wooden boat and is tied with coir knots. Kettuvalam is constructed with embellished natural products. It was used earlier as a transport medium for carrying huge amounts of merchandise and grains. To promote tourism, Kettuvalam was converted into a tourist boat and put up with modern facilities.
It is the most exclusive and luxury experience for travellers who offer convenience and comforts. Sit back and as you navigate the waterways and watch the world go by in the tourist places in Kochi for one day.
If you have always wanted to sail in the backwaters of Kerala, this will be your golden opportunity. You can visit the Vembanad Lake, the largest lake in Kerala and the whole of India. You can either book a houseboat or a boat cruise and sail on the waters with your spouse or family members.
2. Enjoying a Kathakali Performance
Your trip to Kerala is incomplete without attending a cultural show and enjoying a dance show. Kerala has given birth to some of the most popular dance forms in India. One of them is Kathakali. It is a classical dance form of Kerala and has today become an iconic cultural symbol.
While visiting Kerala, you must attend a Kathakali performance, in which performers do not sing or speak but enact the stories through graceful gestures, postures, and facial expressions.
Other cultural performances including Bharatnatyam, Koothu, and Mohiniyattam you must need to see in Kerala. In the evening, enjoy a kathakali dance show. The elaborate makeup, intricate eye and body details and bright costumes makes the performance even more lively.
3. Shopping at Princess Street
This pulsating street is the hangout place for all the social party-loving people and is one of the best places to visit in Kochi on the way to Munnar. It gives a European feel to the by-passers owing to the small houses built with French and Portuguese sensibilities. It is also dotted with coffee shops and quaint eateries that serve lip-smacking food and beverages.
4. Trying the Varied Cuisine in Kochi
The cuisine of Kochi is influenced by different ethnicities from across the world. Banana makes an integral part in its preparations and Pazham Pori, Kurukku kaalan, Appam and freshly fried banana chips in coconut oil are must-haves. Soft cotton like Appams and a creamy veg/meat stew makes for a wholesome breakfast.
5. Ayurvedic Massage in Kochi
Kerala is the land of Ayurveda where you can get a traditional oil massage at one of the many Ayurvedic massage centers and spas. The Ayurveda massages not only enhance your outer beauty, but they also cure various illnesses besides giving your mind relaxation and peace.
Take a break from the beach and head to the many shopping complexes and an Ayurvedic health center that abounds in the beach town or head out to sea in a kayak or on a surfboard, the choice is yours!
If you think this is all that the Kochi has to offer, you are in for a surprise. There are around more than forty places to visit in Kochi if you want to explore every nook and corner of Kochi. You can visit churches, synagogues, shopping centres, museums, lake and still not be done with. If you have been postponing the visit for quite some time, you should take the plunge. Book your tickets and experience all that this city has to offer.
Also, don’t worry about accommodation and food expenses and this city is not expensive. You can find hotels with budget-friendly rates and restaurants and cafes serving an assortment of dishes. Good Luck!