Fort Kochi & Cochin City Tour – Full Day

Fort Kochi is a magical spot from which explore and understand this chapter of India’s colonial history. In the 1500s, the Portuguese settled here and stayed for 160 years. There was also once a thriving Jewish quarter at the same time, making the area a true melting pot in the region.

The Jewish synagogue – the oldest one active in the Commonwealth, built in 1567 – is also well worth a stop. The streets around the historic building are fantastic for antiques shopping.

Next up is the adjacent Dutch Palace, also known as Mattancherry Palace. Despite its name, the building was actually constructed by the Portuguese in 1555 and only restored by the Dutch later on. Today, it holds the famous portrait gallery of the Cochin Rajas, notable for some of India’s best mythological murals.

St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India, is an even older architectural remnant in Kerala built in 1503. In 1543, Vasco de Gama, the first European to discover a route to India, held his last breath here and was buried in the cemetery. His remains were dug up and moved back to Portugal 14 years later, but his headstone still remains in memorial.

Near St. Francis Church is the Santa Cruz Basilica. Originally built in 1505, it is one of eight basilicas in the country. Taken over by the Dutch, then ruined by the British, it was totally rebuilt between 1887-1902.

After exploring so much history, you can later wind down by watching fishermen bring in their daily catch with traditional Chinese fishing nets. Step back into a quieter India and wander the streets of Fort Kochi – passageways have seen so many nationalities embrace her shores.