Honeymoon in Kochi: Our Guide to the Best Places to Visit in Kochi

Formerly known as ‘Cochin’, Kochi is a sea port and beach town in Kerala.

Formerly known as ‘Cochin’, Kochi is a sea port and beach town in Kerala. It is part of the Ernakulam district and it is Kerala’s most populated city. It has its own municipal corporation and is listed as among the fastest growing cities in India.

Kochi was always famous a trading centre and port of call, for major ships passing through the region. It was known for spice trading on the Indian coast as far back as the 14^th Century, when the region had a robust trade network with Arab merchants. However, it was seized by the Portuguese in the year 1503 and became one of the first European colonies in India. It ceded its status as the main Portuguese power centre in the year 1530. Kochi was later ruled by the British and it was conferred with the title of a princely State.

Today, Kochi is high on the list of tourists from India and around the world. It continues to feature on the top rated cities to visit around the world year upon year, buoyed by its vibrant culture, natural beauty, excellent location and several tourist spots. It is also on the list of Smart Cities envisaged by the Indian Government, and is being developed as a modern housing and communications hub.

Why Visit Kochi?

So why do we recommend Kochi for your honeymoon? With many wonderful places to visit in Kochi and so much to do and explore, you and your partner will have a wonderful time in this gorgeous port town. Here’s why you should visit Kochi on your honeymoon:

* It’s got everything – history, culture, locales…Kochi offers a heady mix of culture, history, great food, wonderful people and everything else that you would want from your honeymoon destination. Only in Kochi can you see Chinese fishing nets cheek by jowl with ancient mosques and synagogues over 500 years old, apart from spice markets and performing arts theatres. Then there are the old Dutch houses and some crumbling ruins dating back to the British Raj. This is an intriguing city with many wonderful and astonishing sights.

* It’s a wonderful place for tourists. There are so many different options to get around Kochi, that sightseeing and simple exploration becomes a breeze. Choose a cycle or hire a scooter to get around with your partner, or simply walk the little streets to check out the bazaars and shops. People here are quite friendly, and will happily offer directions and recommendations about what to eat and the places to visit in Kochi.

* Stock up on spices. Depending on which one of you cooks back home, Kochi is going to be an absolute delight for you because you can stock up on some really wonderful spices while on your visit. You can also buy handicrafts, cold pressed coconut oil, coffee and other locally produced items.

* Get an Ayurvedic massage. Kochi abounds with authentic Kerala Aushadhalayas that impart traditional Kerala style massages using oils infused with herbs. You and your partner can book a couples massage and just lay back to let the masseuse’s healing hands knead the stress away from your bodies.

 How To Reach Kochi

You can reach Kochi in the following ways:

* By Air: The Cochin International Airport is located outside the main city, about 20 km away at Nedumbassery town. This airport services both international and domestic flights, so you can easily book a flight from your home town or city for your desired dates. Once at the airport, you can get a private taxi to your Kochi resort.

* By Road: Kochi is quite well connected to the rest of Kerala, as also other South Indian cities like Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad. Look up Kochi tourism guides to know the best route or highway to take to reach Kochi by road in your own car. Or else, you can book a State Transport bus and alight at Kochi.

* By Railway: There are several daily trains to Kochi. You can alight at Kochi Railway Junction or the smaller Kochi Harbour Terminus. Kochi has regular train traffic from cities like Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai.

The Best Places To Visit In Kochi

Let’s now get you started on your itinerary for Kochi. Here’s our list of the best places to visit in Kochi, in no particular order:

* Mattancherry Palace: This is a landmark place to visit in Kochi. It traces its origins back to the Portuguese and was built in the year 1557. It is also popularly known as the Dutch Palace. Curiously, it blends elements of European architecture like individual wings and patio, with elements of a traditional Kerala house. It’s central courtyard houses the famous Bhagavati Temple – this deity is said to watch over Kochi like a protector. You will also like the vast range of paintings and frescoes covering the palace interiors.

* Paradesi Synogogue: Kochi is nothing if not deeply historical in nature, and the Paradesi Synogogue is a testament to this fact. It was built in the year 1568 and it is one of the oldest Jewish places of worship in India. Apart from this illustrious introduction, this synagogue is an important place to visit in Kochi owing to the rare antique pieces of furniture and carvings you can find inside. There are Belgian glass chandeliers, carved teak arks with scrolls, a clock tower, copper plates several centuries old, oriental carpets, and so on.

* Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary: On your honeymoon, give yourself and your partner some quiet time amidst nature at the Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary. There is nothing more soothing than the sight of pretty birds flitting about in serenity, and you will love to visit this place in Kochi. The biosphere reserve annually receives several rare and migratory bird species. The dense mangrove vegetation here is perfectly preserved and a haven for small animals and even many varieties of fish. Look out for birds like greenshank, white breasted water hen, redshank, marsh sandpiper and Brahminy kite.

* Cherai Beach: What’s a visit to Kochi without checking up on its stunning beaches? When in Kochi, you and your partner can spend half a day at the gorgeous Cherai Beach. It is one of the most preferred places to visit in Kochi for honeymooning couples. Walk through coconut groves and paddy fields, explore the long stretch of sandy beach and flop down at a beach shack to enjoy sumptuous seafood and drinks. You can hire a car and go to Vypin Island to visit Cherai Beach. Once there, you can also go boating on the backwaters.

* Shiva Temple: If you and your partner like to visit temples, then this one is a must-visit. The majestic Shiva sculpture at the entrance will take your breath away, while the Malabari style of architecture with its sculpted walls and imposing sanctum will charm you. Known also as the Ernakulathapan Temple, this Shiva Temple is one of the seven Kochi Maharaja temples in India and said to be a protector for Kochi.

* Kodanad Elephant Training Centre: This is one of the most pleasing places to visit in Kochi. This centre gives you and your partner the chance to get up close with the kings of the forest, the noble elephants. Kodanad village in Ernakulam has the famous elephant training centre which trains adult Indian elephants. Don’t miss the elephant baths in the morning hours, which you can also participate in with baby elephants. It is fun to watch these big animals frolic in the water.

* Kathakali Centre: Kathakali is a Kerala performance art form comprising drama, music and dance. The colourful costumes and bright makeup are breathtaking, and the themes and stories told by the performers are sourced from traditional folklore or the Indian epics. You can catch a performance at the Kathakali Centre and also take a look backstage as artistes prepare themselves for the events.

* Chinese Fishing Nets: One of the best places to visit in Kochi is Cheenawala, where Chinese fishing nets are hung at the beaches at a certain distance from the shore. What makes these huge nets fascinating to watch is that they are controlled by machinery about 20 metres in, thus adding a unique dimension to fishing on the beach. This method of fishing dates back to the 14^th century! The nets offer a perfect backdrop for a series of photographs with your beloved.

* Athirapally Falls: These Falls are one of the best places to visit in Kochi. They are known as India’s Niagara Falls, with their roaring pure white waters that come from the Anamudi mountains. You can drive up to the waterfalls (ask your resort to hire you a car) and have a great time just taking in the magnificent beauty of the place.

Where To Stay In Kochi

On your honeymoon, only the best Kochi resort will do for you and your partner. We recommend checking yourselves into the glorious Club Mahindra Olive Downtown Resort in Kochi. Ideally located in dense vegetation but within walking distance of the nearest markets and sightseeing spots, the resort features a wide range of suites and rooms to choose from. You are only a few kilometres away from the famous Lulu Mall, so you can shop there as well. Stroll around the property with your beloved, gorge on delicious meals at one of the best on-site restaurants in Kochi, and enjoy the state-of-the-art amenities. You and your partner are sure to have a blissful honeymoon at this superb resort.

About Mahindra Holidays

Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited (MHRIL), India’s leading player in the leisure hospitality industry, offers quality family holidays as also stated by Club Mahindra Membership Reviews, primarily through vacation ownership memberships. While Club Mahindra is the flagship brand offering Club Mahindra Membership, the other brands offered by the company are –Club Mahindra Resorts Fundays and Svaastha Spa. As on Mar 31, 2019, MHRIL has 61+ resorts across India and abroad and its subsidiary, Holiday Club Resorts Oy, Finland, a leading vacation ownership company in Europe has 33 resorts across Finland, Sweden and Spain. Visit us at www.clubmahindra.com