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The Top 15 BEST Things to Do in Kerala – 2024 (with Photos)
Kerala is the tropical South India of dreams: a small state stretching from coast to mountains, from cliffy beaches to wildlife-filled jungles, surrounded by a patchwork of tea gardens, an ancient culture unlike anywhere else in India.
Top 15 best things in Kerala
Many tourists visit Kerala for its golden sand beaches and network of palm-fringed backwaters. After checking out these highlights, there is much more to do in Kerala: visit the hilly Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary or Periyar National Park, or watch dramatic Kathakali dance or other traditional performances. It is easy to see why Kerala is nicknamed “God’s Own Country”.
Top 15 Attractions in Kerala
Chinese fishing net
Chinese fishing nets at Fort Cochin have been set on the beach for centuries, long before the arrival of the Portuguese colonists. The legendary Chinese explorer Zheng He is believed to have introduced nets to this coastal area in the early 15th century. Nets are lowered and raised by a network of permanent horizontal structures, cantilevered ropes, bamboo poles and counterweights and pulleys. They are operated by teams of six fishermen, but the catch is usually quite modest.
Kerala backwaters
The backwaters of Kerala refer to a large area spanning 558 miles (900 km) with an interconnected network of brackish lagoons, lakes and canals. The best way to truly experience this beautiful region is on a traditional houseboat; Trips last from a few hours to a few nights.
Indo-Portuguese Museum
History lovers will love the Indo-Portuguese Museum. Dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Portuguese in Kochi, the museum has fascinating displays of art, architecture and culture. Get a glimpse of the original fort foundation and learn how the Portuguese influence shaped the rich tapestry of Kerala.
- Established to demonstrate Portuguese influence in Kochi
- Exhibition of art, architecture and culture of the Portuguese community
- A glimpse of the main fort foundation
- Learn about the fascinating blend of Portuguese and Indian heritage
Foreign synagogues and Jewish cities
One of the oldest active synagogues in the world, and the oldest in the Commonwealth, can be found in the heart of the Jewish city, in the port’s spice district. The synagogue is located in the heart of the district.
St. Francis Church
St. Francis Church is the oldest church in India, built in 1516 by Portuguese settlers to replace an older wooden church built in 1503 on the same site. It was once the burial place of Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama, who died in Kochi, and although his tomb is still here, his remains have been moved to Lisbon.
Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica
The Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica is notable for its Gothic architecture, with a whitewashed facade and beautiful interior, with intricate pastel frescoes and paintings and large stained glass windows. Although it is a popular attraction, it is a working church and the Sunday mass services here provide a great insight into the local Catholic culture.
Dutch Cemetery
Believed to be the oldest cemetery in the country, the Dutch Cemetery in Kochi dates back to the early 18th century. It contains the tombs of Dutch soldiers and traders who left their homeland to expand their country’s colonial empire – and thus changed the entire course of India’s history.
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Mattancherry
Mattancherry is an old port area of Kochi, not far from the city of Ernakulam surrounded by the backwaters of the Arabian Sea. The region was once a major trading port for spices such as pepper and turmeric as well as tea. Today, it is a vibrant and cosmopolitan community that welcomes people of all religious backgrounds and lifestyles.
Wonderla Amusement Park Kochi
The Kochi branch of South India’s Wonderla amusement park chain has state-of-the-art land and water rides as well as daily live shows. Highlights include two wave pools, a 120-foot-long (37-meter-high) vertical-drop ride and India’s first reverse looping roller coaster. Water parks are a popular way to cool off when the weather is hot – which is often the case in Kochi
The Top 15 BEST Things to Do in Kerala – 2024 (with Photos)
Magic Planet Theme Park
Magic Planet Theme Park is located in Kazakuttam area of Thiruvananthapuram which is dedicated to different types of magic. It explores the historical, scientific, mathematical and psychological aspects of magic through performances of street style magic, comedy magic, illusions, puzzles and more.
Kerala Folklore Museum
Kerala Folklore Museum A family-run and colorfully cluttered private museum dedicated to the handicrafts and folk arts of Kerala and South India is one of Kochi’s hidden gems. It contains more than 4,000 objects ranging from masks and costumes to jewelry, musical instruments and terracotta sculptures.
Kadthandan Kalari and Navarasa Kathakali
Kerala has given the world many great cultural treasures, two of which are displayed at the Kadathanadan Kalari and Navrasa Kathakali Centres. Visitors can watch live performances of Kalaripayattu, one of the world’s oldest martial art forms, as well as Kathakali, a classical Indian dance known for its intricate eye movements, often used to depict epic stories.
Hill Palace Museum
Located in the Tripunithura district of Kochi, the Hill Palace Museum was built in 1865 as a palace for the local Maharajas and houses a museum of Keralan archaeological and royal artefacts. Its building remains an architectural gem, with classical Keralan columns and courtyards set in 52 acres (21 ha) of gardens.
Fort Kochi (Fort Cochin)
Fort Kochi (Fort Cochin) is a historical district and a major tourist attraction in Kochi (Cochin). It’s a charming neighborhood full of colonial-era houses (many of which have been converted into boutique hotels), quaint old temples, charming shops and markets, and the city’s famous Chinese fishing nets along the harbor.
