If you think you’ve seen all that Kerala has to offer, wait until you see Fort Kochi. This charming coastal neighbourhood is one of India’s most underrated destinations. It’s a place where Portuguese lanes, Dutch cottages, British-era buildings, and Kerala’s own timeless culture all live together in the most effortless way. It’s quiet, artsy, and full of history. And most importantly, it feels like no other place in India.
Fort Kochi, Kerala’s Most Underrated Treasure
Fort Kochi is a historic neighbourhood on the Malabar Coast, just 10 km from Ernakulam town. Once a simple fishing village, it became the first place in India where European powers – Portuguese, Dutch, and later the British – began building their settlements. Today, with tree-shaded streets, colonial architecture, art galleries, and sea views, Fort Kochi looks like a postcard. It’s small enough to explore on foot but rich enough to keep you engaged for days.
Fort Kochi feels like time travel. Every street, every corner, every building has a story.
It’s not only home to India’s oldest European church but also has a synagogue dating back to the 1500s. From palaces and spice markets to legendary fishing nets that are still operated manually, every element here has a soul. This beautiful town also boasts Kathakali, Kerala’s iconic dance form, performed every evening. And of course, there’s food, from fresh seafood and Kerala curries to chocolate cafes and global cuisine.
Fort Kochi’s history begins with the Portuguese, who built Fort Manuel, the first European fort in India. For 160 years, they ruled the region, building churches and settlements. Then the Dutch arrived. Then the British. Each culture left behind architecture, ideas, food traditions, and a little piece of itself. What you see today in Fort Kochi is the result of centuries of trade, travel, migration, and cultural exchange.
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8 Best Things To Do Here
Here are the experiences that make your trip unforgettable:
- The huge Chinese fishing nets are the most iconic sight in Fort Kochi. Stand by the shore in the evenings and watch fishermen work in perfect coordination.
- Walk through colourful lanes of Jewish Town, filled with antique shops, spice stores, and pastel buildings. Visit the Pardesi Synagogue, the oldest active synagogue in India, built in the 1500s.
- Originally built by the Portuguese and renovated by the Dutch, the Mattancherry Palace is home to Kerala’s most stunning murals and stories of the Cochin royal family.
- Fort Kochi is best enjoyed on foot. Walk past Dutch homes, British bungalows, Portuguese churches, and pretty verandahs. Every corner is photogenic.
- Head to the Kerala Kathakali Centre for an evening show. Arrive early to see the elaborate make-up process; it’s an experience in itself.
- In Kochi, ferry rides are charming, fun, and, of course, priced reasonably. Riding from Fort Kochi to Bolgatty Island or Ernakulam, you will get to soak in the skyline, boats, and sea.
Fort Kochi is undoubtedly one of the top travel destinations in India if you enjoy slow travel, love culture, art, history, cuisine, and photography.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva/pilesasmiles