Kochi, often called the “Queen of the Arabian Sea,” is a captivating city on the southern coast of Kerala. Known for its rich history and vibrant charm, Kochi is a unique blend of the old and the new, offering an array of experiences for every kind of traveller. Whether you are a parent planning to have a fun-filled or relaxed vacation or someone looking to introduce their kids to India’s rich cultural heritage, Kochi is the perfect choice. In this article, we have compiled a list of the 12 best places to visit in Kochi with family. So, the next time you visit Kochi, don’t forget to visit these places.
Best Places to Visit in Kochi with Kids
Kochi’s charm lies in its unique mix of the old and the new, providing plenty of opportunities for parents to teach their children about history, culture, and geography while having fun. Here are some of the best places to visit in Kochi with family.
- Fort Kochi
- See the beautiful Portuguese-built Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, which has incredible paintings and colourful frescoes.
- Visit the St. Francis Church, built by the Europeans, where once Vasco da Gama was buried.
- Take a leisurely walk along the vibrant Burgher Street and Princess Street, visit the Teapot Cafe at Peter Celli and view the amazing street art.
- Walk on the Beach Walkway to the Chinese Fishing nets, which are along the Mahatma Gandhi Beach.
- Check out Chinese fishing nets. These iconic fishing nets are a must-see and are believed to have been introduced by Chinese traders.
- Visit Jew Town, famous for its antique shops, and the Paradesi Synagogue, one of the oldest active synagogues in the Commonwealth.
- How to reach: It’s 45 km from Kochi International Airport. Bus and taxi service is available from the airport to Fort Kochi.b. Timings: None
c. Entry fee: Free - Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary
- How to reach: Ernakulam South Railway Station is 4 km away. Taxis and autorickshaws ply from there.
- Timings: 10:00 am to 05:00 pm
- Entry fee: Free
- Kodanad Elephant Training Center
- How to reach: 2 km drive from Malayattoor
- Timings: 08:00 am to 05:00 pm
- Entry fee: Adults – 20/-; Children – 10/-; Foreigners – 100/-
- Subhash Bose Park
- How to reach: Ernakulam railway station is 1.5 km away, and Cochin International Airport is 34.5 km away
- Timings: 08:00 to 11:00 am and 05:00 to 07:00 pm
- Entry fee: Free
- Wonderla Amusement Park
- How to reach: Any bus that goes towards Muvattupuzha or Pallikara stops at Wonderla bus stop. The nearest metro station is Aluva Metro Station.b. Timings: Weekdays Park 11:00 am to 06:00 pm and Weekends 11:00 to 06:00 pm
- Entry fee: Rs. 815 plus taxes for adults and Rs. 635 plus taxes for kids
- Lulu Mall
- How to reach: Within walking distance from the nearest station of Namma metro
- Timings: 09:00 am to 05:00 pm
b. Cost: Rs. 4600/- approximately - Matancherry
- How to reach: The nearest station is Ernakulam, which is about 10 km from Mattancheri. A ferry from Ernakulam takes about 20 minutes.
- Timings: 9:45 am to 1:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 4:45 pm. Closed on Fridays.
- Entry fee: Rs. 2/- per head
- Hill Palace
- How to reach: Ernakulam station is about 10 km away and Cochin International Airport is about 33 km away.
- Timings: 9:00 am to 12:30 pm and 02:00 pm to 04:30 pm. Mondays closed.
- Entry fee: Rs. 30/- for adults + Rs. 20/- for a camera; Children – Rs.10/-
- Cherai Beach
- How to reach: Cherai Beach is located on Vypin Island and can be reached easily by water and road.
- Timings: 09:00 am to 06:00 pm
c. Entry fee: Free - Kochi Folklore Theatre And Museum
- How to reach: It’s situated at Thevara at a distance of 35 km from Nedumbassery. KSRTC operates two classes of bus service from the airport to Cochin city.
- Timings: 09:00 am to 06:00 pm
c. Entry fee: Rs. 100/- for adults and Rs. 50/- for children - Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple
- How to reach: Ernakulam Railway Station is 15 km and Kochi Airport is about 36 km from the temple.
- Timings: 04:00 am to 12:30 pm and 04:00 pm to 08:30 pm
c. Entry fee: Free
Fort Kochi is one of the must-visit places for kids in Kochi. It is a historic and culturally rich area known for its colonial architecture and vibrant local culture. Here are some things you can do in Fort Kochi:
Though you have many options to reach Fort Kochi, we would highly recommend the 15-minute ferry ride for your kids as they can see Navy ships and freighters on the way.
Your kids will love this sanctuary located in the backwaters and famous for its mangrove forests. The sanctuary is a place where the forests team with exotic birds, butterflies, mammals and spiders. The top of the watch tower offers an incredible view of the sanctuary. It is just a place for kids to learn about nature and the importance of preserving it.
One of Kochi’s famous places, this centre is one of the largest in Kerala and an absolute delight for children. If you arrive early in the morning, you can see the elephants bathe, play and feed. It has recently shifted 3 km away to Abhayaranyam at Kaprikkad, which houses elephants that are considered to be auspicious and participate in every major celebration and festival.
This is the oldest and largest park in Kochi, and kids can spend the time of their lives on the swings and large lawns. One of the iconic tourist spots in Kochi, it has the usual rides but is more spacious and boasts a boat and train ride, along with other recreational activities. It’s also the perfect place for adults to relax and catch up with one another.
This amusement park, previously called Veegaland, is your best bet for unparalleled fun for kids. It has exhilarating rides and a water park like a township. You can spend the whole day there for thrill and excitement and let your hair down. It has rides for all age groups and is well-organised and maintained. This park is one of the best things to do in Kochi with family. Don’t miss out on the thrilling rides, virtual reality shows, and indoor musical fountains with laser shows.
Water Park Timings 12:00 PM to 06:00 PM
Entry fee: Rs. 815 + taxes for adults and Rs. 635 + taxes for kids
Considered to be one of the largest malls in India, it’s a favourite among kids as its topmost floor is home to Sparky’s Fun Centre, which has the best rides and games for children. Parents can safely leave their kids there as they shop. It also has a massive food court with four fine dining restaurants, 22 multi-cuisine kitchens, and a nine-screen multiplex, South India’s largest ice skating rink and arcade centres.
b. Timings: 09:00 am to 11:00 pm
c. Entry fee: Free7. Scuba Diving
Enrol yourself and your kid in a scuba diving course and enjoy 8 acres of pristine water as you dive into the water to see spectacular marine life and rugged terrain. Travel to the scenic village of Thiruvankulam and spend 2 of the best hours of your life. This PADI-approved dive centre is the best place for scuba diving and to get a scuba certification course.
This quaint historical town is dotted with ancient monuments, and any trip to Kochi would be incomplete without visiting Mattancherry. Once the dwelling of the Cochin royal family, it has both Portuguese and Dutch influence and is now declared a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India. You can also visit the St. George Orthodox Church, the Gujarati Jain temple, the Paradesi Synagogue, and the Matancherry palace’s mural art. You could also take a walk along Jew Town and shop there.
About 14 km from Kochi, Hill Palace has been converted into a museum and is the perfect place for kids to learn about history. It is resplendent with art, paintings, antique ceramics and murals as well as mementoes from ancient civilisations. The showstopper is the Gold Crown with precious stones.
The ideal place to laze in the sun or dip in the gentle waves is Cherai Beach, the perfect place to spend some fun and quality time with your family. Visit a local eatery to relish authentic dishes like appam with stew, Malabar parotta, Karimeen, and others.
If you want to expose your kids to the rich cultural heritage of Kerala, this 3 storied theatre and museum is designed in the traditional Kerala style with masks, dance costumes, wood works, jewellery, astrological and medicinal manuscripts and Stone Age artefacts. his much-visited tourist spot in Kochi boasts more than 6000 works of art and has regular stage shows.
The most famous temple of Kochi, its architecture represents traditional Kerala designs. The deities are considered very powerful, and devotees from different parts of the country visit this temple.
These 12 best places to visit in Kochi with family offer unforgettable memories and fun with a taste of history and culture. Moreover, if you want to introduce your child to different cultures, check out our blog- Exploring Different Cultures With Kindergarten Children.
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