Here is a concise itinerary for your trip to the vibrant city of Kochi, Kerala! I have listed 15+ places and cafes to visit in Kochi in this article, and some great properties in 4 different budget ranges to help you choose from. You can watch the YouTube video to learn about 20+ places to visit, cafes and restaurants, stay options, bike/taxi rentals and the budget.

I believe that 3 days are needed to enjoy and explore the history, culture, food and activities that are available in Kochi.

Note: Some of the links in the article are affiliate links, which means we get a tiny part of the earnings from the booking at no additional cost to you.

3-Day Kochi Itinerary & Places To Visit

Day 1

• CHINESE FISHING NETS
  These are cantilevered nets on the Kochi shoreline, they were introduced by Chinese traders in the 14th century. best viewed at sunrise or sunset. It’s a Great spot for photos and local fish market experiences. For a few rupees, you can also get a demo on how it works.
  Timings: all day | Cost: INR 100-200 per person for demo
• MARINE WALKWAY
  A beautiful breezy promenade near the sea lined with food vedors and colonial remnants. Ideal for evening strolls. You can see a lot of ships passing right in front of you from here
  Timings: all day | Cost: Free
• ST FRANCIS CHURCH
  India’s oldest European church, where Vasco da Gama was originally buried. Simple yet historically rich.
  Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM (Mon–Sat), 10 AM – 5 PM (Sun) | Cost: Free
• SEA GULL RESTAURANT
  Sitting right by the water is a great spot to enjoy delicious seafood and local meals.
  Timings: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM | Entry: Free
• FORT KOCHI BEACH
  A small beach with a few food stalls. A local favourite spot. It’s Best enjoyed in the early morning or evening. Swimming is not allowed here.
  Timings: 9 AM – 1 PM, 2 PM – 6 PM (Closed Mondays & public holidays) | Cost: ₹10
• PRINCESS STREET
  One of the oldest streets in Fort Kochi, full of European-style buildings, cafes, and shops. Great for shopping and visiting art galleries
  Timings: all day | Cost: free

Day 2

• INDO PORTUGUESE MUSEUM
  a humble museum showcasing the Portuguese influence on Kerala’s art, architecture, and culture. Has artefacts and a history of war documented.
  Timings: 9 AM – 1 PM, 2 PM – 6 PM (Closed Mondays & public holidays) | Cost: INR 10
• NAVAL MARITIME MUSEUM
  Kochi is one of the oldest ports and an important naval base. This museum covers India’s naval history with ship models, weapons, and interactive displays.
  Timings: 9:30 AM – 1 PM, 2 PM – 5:30 PM (Closed Mondays) | Cost: INR 50
• MATTENCHERRY PALACE
  This palace was gifted by the Portuguese to the king of Cochin. This ancient structure has beautiful murals of the Ramayana inside and a collection of displays from the time of the kings.
  Timings: 10 AM – 1 PM, 2 PM – 5 PM (Closed Fridays) | Entry: INR 20
• JEW TOWN
  A bustling area with antique shops, spice markets, and a bustling vibe and colourful architecture.
  Timings: all day | Cost: free
• PARADESI SYNAGOGUE
  It is a place of worship for Jews, and this one is mostly known as the paradesi synagogue. It is the Oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth, decorated with Belgian chandeliers and hand-painted tiles.
  Timings: 10 AM – 1 PM, 2 PM – 5 PM (Closed Fridays, Saturdays, and Jewish holidays) | Cost: INR 10
• WATER METRO TO MARINE DRIVE
  The famous water metro of Kochi – India’s first water metro, also has a station at Fort Kochi. So, take the boat to reach Marine Drive from here. A long, serene waterfront with great cityscape views and snack stalls. You can also go on boat rides and sunset cruises from here. You will find tons of vendors offering these at the walkway.
  Timings – all day | Cost-free, boat rides – starting from INR 400

Day 3

• KAYAKING AT KADAMKUDY ISLANDS
  A sunrise or sunset kayaking session is perfect here. A cluster of island in the backwaters near Kochi with mangroves and paddy fields — you can experience canoe boat rides and kayaking here to explore these parts.
  Timings: all day | Cost: INR 750, Operator details – Secret Routes Kayaking +91 77366 08451
• KERALA FOLKLORE MUSEUM
  An impressive private collection of traditional arts, masks, and architectural pieces from across Kerala’s regions and eras. A very unique museum and a great experience navigating this structure.
  Timings: 9 AM – 6 PM | Entry: 250
• CHERAI BEACH
  A beautiful beach right between the ocean and the backwaters. The road to reach the beach is also quite scenic. The beach has a lot of food vendors and is a favourite spot of locals for a weekend picnic. Not very safe for swimming, and there are lifeguards on duty.
  Timings: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM | Entry: Free
• KUMBALANGI VILLAGE
  India’s first model tourism village, offering a glimpse into rural life, fishing, andthe local cuisine of Kerala. Several operators offer village tours that take you through a guided experience. The contact details of one such operator you can contact are here: 09846969508. It’s also a beautiful spot for kayaking, and in the months of March and April, you can witness bioluminescence in the backwaters here.
  Timings – 9 AM – 6 PM | cost – Needs to be checked with the operator

That brings an end to the places to visit section in Kochi. There are some great properties in Kochi catering to all types of travellers. There are hostels, campsites, luxury resorts and some very unique Airbnb. I have shortlisted our favourite ones and categorised them into these buckets.

Places To Stay in Kochi

💰Budget Stays & Hostels in Kochi

Upto INR 3,000

🤑Luxury Stays in Kochi

Above INR 7,500

😎Comfortable Stays in Kochi

Between INR 3,000 to 8,000

🏡Unique AirBnbs and Homestays in Kochi

Travel responsibly, respect local customs, and keep your carbon footprint to a minimum. Happy Xploring!

If you like detailed travel guides and travel plans. We design Travel Guidebooks to help travellers plan perfect trips. These will have custom maps, links, additional information like tickets and timings of places and some more sections to sort your travel plans.