Kochi Holidays

Kochi’s multi-layered past has left a mark on every corner of this atmospheric Malabar Coast port city, nowhere more so than in the historic lanes of Old Kochi and Mattancherry, where the mingled scent of nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon and cloves hangs in the air. For 600 years, this ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’ was a magnet for merchants from far and wide, who came to trade in the spices that thrive in Kerala’s fertile soils and, in exchange, brought with them everything from their religion to their style of cooking. 

You’ll spot their cosmopolitan legacy in the buildings that grace the oldest districts, where ancient synagogues with handpainted floor tiles and churches straight from Portugal’s colonial architecture handbook are interspersed by delightfully Dutch-flavoured and Raj-era residences. And it’s not just the buildings that tell a story: head to the shore and you’ll find Kochi’s celebrated cantilevered fishing nets, looking like giant winged insects, which were introduced by Chinese travellers many centuries ago.

Navigate your way around this enchanting city with the guidance of our local experts who can line up everything from authentic spice tours to accommodation that’s an experience all by itself.