Kochi

For most Kerala trips, Kochi is where the journey starts and often finishes — a compact, walkable old quarter shaped by Portuguese, Dutch and British trade, with the Chinese fishing nets, spice warehouses and colonial churches of Fort Kochi at its centre.

It's a relaxed, easy first day: good food, a manageable pace after a long flight, and an evening Kathakali performance that sets up the rest of a Kerala trip nicely.

Highlights

• Fort Kochi's colonial streets and waterfront
• The Chinese fishing nets at sunset
• An evening Kathakali dance performance
• Jew Town's spice-trade heritage

Best Time to Visit

October to March for comfortable, dry conditions; workable year-round as a short arrival stay.

Getting There

Kochi has its own international airport, the standard start or end point for a Kerala itinerary.