Start your trip at Fort Kochi, a historic area known for its Dutch, Portuguese, and British colonial architecture. Take a walk through the quaint streets and check out the Chinese fishing nets, a popular tourist spot. Visit the 16th-century St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India. Have lunch at Dal Roti, a restaurant famous for its North Indian cuisine. In the afternoon, visit the Dutch Palace, also known as Mattancherry Palace, and admire the murals and exhibits of the royal family. Wrap up the day with a Kathakali performance at the Kerala Kathakali Centre.
Start your day with a morning cruise along the serene backwaters of Alleppey, which are just an hour's drive from Kochi. Enjoy the scenic beauty of emerald green paddy fields, coconut groves, and waterways. In the afternoon, head back to Kochi and take a stroll along Marine Drive, a picturesque promenade overlooking the Arabian Sea. End your trip with some local shopping at the Lulu Mall, which has a wide range of Indian and international brands.
If you have more time, you can visit the Hill Palace Museum, the largest archaeological museum in Kerala, or the Paradesi Synagogue, the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations. You can also take a ferry ride to Vypeen Island for some beach time. If you have less time, skip the backwater cruise and spend more time exploring Marine Drive or shopping at Lulu Mall. Don't forget to try some local delicacies like appam with stew, seafood, or banana chips.