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Kochi is one of the most famous ports in the southern part of India. The city is most popularly known as the queen of the Arabian Sea. Naturally, Kochi attracts a huge number of tourists to Kerala every year, making it one of the top destinations to travel in India for your next trip.
If you have planned a trip to Kochi, make sure to enjoy the sight of natural beauty which surrounds the city. You might want to wander off to some new places around Kochi after finishing the city’s tour. We got it covered for you, here is a list of a few places to visit near Kochi.
If you are a fan of arts and paintings, then the Mattancherry Palace is the perfect place for you. It is only 3 km away from the city center, which makes it easily accessible. Mattancherry Palace is also known as the Dutch palace made by Portuguese architects.
The Fort Kochi is a small village along the sidelines of the Arabian Sea. It is around 4km away from the city center. The place is popular among tourists for Chinese fishing nets and several churches.
Nothing is more peaceful than spending time alone on a beautiful island. Away from the hustle-bustle, Willingdon Island should definitely be on your list of places to visit near Kochi. Willingdon Island which is one of the biggest man-made islands in India is only 2km away from the city center.
The Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary is home to several kinds of migratory birds each year. Being a perfect spot for bird-watching and photographing some of the rare species of birds, Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary is a must-visit. With a shallow lake surrounded by thick vegetation, the sanctuary is situated in close proximity to the city center.
Marine Drive is one of the best places in Kochi to have a long and relaxing walk with water gushing on the shores. You can enjoy the amazing view of the Arabian Sea directly from Marine Drive. With popular restaurants and hotels in the vicinity, Marine Drive is a perfect place for a late-night stroll after a hectic sightseeing day.
Kochi being one of the primary tourist destinations in Southern India is in close proximity of several other weekend getaways for people with more elaborate itineraries. From backwaters to hills there a ton of places to explore for your next long weekend. Sounds exciting, right? With most of the popular places at a drive-able distance, you will enjoy the weekend road trip to below destinations.
Known as the ‘Niagra Falls’ of India, Athirapally Falls is truly a sight of beauty. The 80-ft waterfall is surrounded by forests that are home to many animals including the Asian Elephant. The best time to visit Athirapally Falls is during the months of June and July during monsoons when the entire place is greener and fresher. Athrapally falls are 2-hour drive away from Kochi.
If you are a fan of hilly areas, then Munnar is one of the best getaways for you. At 1,600 m above sea level, it’s all green as far as you can see. Munnar was a hill-station resort of the Britishers during British Raj. When in Munnar, you can visit the Eravikulam National Park nearby during the Monsoon season in Munnar which is home to endangered Nilgiri Tahr. Munnar is a 4-hour drive away from Kochi and the road-trip to this place would be enjoyable with perfect roads and mesmerizing sights.
Alappuzha is the home of the famous snake boat races that take place each year, usually in the month of August. Most of the tourists around the country are attracted to Alappuzha to witness the snake boat races. Apart from boat race, Alappuzha is a great place for people with an interest in exploring places of religious significance. Coir Museum is also popular among tourists visiting Alappuzha. Kochi to Alappuzha would be a one-hour long journey via road.
If you live in Kochi, Wayanad is one of the most popular places for a weekend getaway. There are several famous treks that you can opt to go for. Not a fan of treks? No problem, take a slow and nice walk at the tea gardens. Looking for a cool place to stay? How about a treehouse? It sounds cool to us! Although it is a 7 hour trip from Kochi, the journey is worth a while as you will surely enjoy your weekend here.
Kochi is extremely easy to reach via different modes of transport. There are well-established rail, air and road networks that connect different parts of the country and the world to this beautiful city. Since Kochi is also a major connection between different parts of Kerala and the world, the railway station and airports at Kochi are fairly busy.
Kochi by Air: Cochin International Airport is the first airport in the world that is fully powered by solar energy. There are regular flights to and from Dubai, Sharjah, Colombo, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and other destinations. While domestically, Kochi flights fly to and fro from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Pune, Jaipur, and other cities regularly.
Kochi by Rail: There is a well-connected rail network in Kochi with trains even running from the northernmost areas of the country. The Ernakulam Railway Station is the largest railway station in South India in terms of train routes. Also, it is a fully disabled-friendly railway station, the first of its kind in India. It is just 7 km from the main Kochi city.
Kochi by Road: Public transport is efficient in Kochi connecting the city with other cities in the state as well as beyond the boundary of Kerala. The roads are well maintained and one may choose to hire a self-drive car or take a cab for sightseeing as well as to neighboring cities. To board buses for inter-state and intercity travel, one should consider going to KSRTC Central Bus Station in the south.
For commuting within the city, one may also like to explore the rapid transit system which was inaugurated in 2017. The metro network does ease the congestion in the city, making travel for locals as well as tourists cheaper and more convenient.
Distance from nearby cities
Kochi to Alleppey: 53 km (approx. 1.5 hours)
Kochi to Munnar: 129 km (approx. 4 hours)
Kochi to Trivandrum or Thiruvananthapuram: 200 km (approx. 5 hours)
Kochi to Madurai: 295 km (approx. 7 hours)
There are innumerable hotels in Kochi. Depending on your likes and dislikes, you can choose the area in sync with your purpose of visit. If you are a history lover then check out hotels in the Fort Kochi area. If you want to experience the city life of Kochi, then check out hotels in Marine Drive. If you are a beach lover, then check out hotels near Cherai Beach. All these places have a variety of hotels which offer rooms for every budget.
There are several unique festivals and places to visit that make it almost impossible to skip Kochi as your travel destination. From vast beaches, backwaters, and hills Kochi offers everything a traveler can ask for from a perfect travel destination. With several getaways in close proximity, Kochi becomes the perfect spot to start your vacation in South India. To experience the best of Kochi visit during Onam when the snake boat races are the talk of the town. If you are seeking a place with historical, religious and cultural significance ‘God’s Own Country’ needs to be your next travel destination.
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April 15, 2024 
