Nicknamed the “Queen of Arabian Sea”, Kochi is also one of the largest cities in the Southern part of India. Known for its predominantly seafood-infused cuisine and friendly people, Kochi, or Cochin also has some amazing places and things to see which can really help one relax and let off steam. Being a coastal city, beaches do a feature on the list of places to see- however, Cochin also has a variety of other sights, some of which have been mentioned here.
Some of the must-see places and monuments in Kochi are discussed here.
Marine Drive
Located at the heart of the sprawling city, Marine Drive is one of the most-visited places in the area, maybe even in the state of Kerala. A walkway bordering the Arabian Sea, the place understandably teems with tourists and families during the evening. The sunset from the Marine Drive beach is one to relish for a lifetime, while the place also has some of the best street food available in Kerala. Another thing to note is that since Marine Drive is at the heart of the city’s culture, it is also the venue for many culturally important and fun events which are held in the city. The fortnight-long International Literature Festival, recently held there, is one such example. The traffic in the surrounding areas might be dense, so booking a taxi service in Kochi is usually the best way to get to the place.
Willingdon Island
Willingdon Island is located just two kilometers from the city center and was the site of the Cochin International Airport until a few years ago. Named after Lord Willingdon, the British Viceroy of India, Willingdon Island is also one of the largest man-made islands in the nation. The port was built to link the city with other nearby international ports, so the sea and the beaches in the island are an amazing experience.
Chinese Fishing Nets
A standing witness to the entry of the Chinese into Kerala long ago, Cochin is the only place in the world outside of China to have and use this elaborate mechanism for fishing. They can be seen in Fort Kochi, which is one of the cultural hubs of the city. However, make sure to use one of the many cab services in Kochi to reach the destination, as traffic can get irritating at times.
Fort Kochi
Fort Kochi is a small village along the Arabian coastline located around 4 km from the city center and has many monuments which point to the diverse culture and history of the city. Some of the sights to see in Fort Kochi include the Jewish Synagogue, Fishing Nets, Dutch Cemetery, and the many old Churches in the locality.
Life in Kochi can be trying and testing, but it never becomes monotonous. The city has enough sights to keep any adventurous soul satisfied, so make sure to explore the city as much as possible!
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