Although Cochin is not one of the most famous tourist haunts of India, visitors will find that there are still enough sights to fill several days with history and culture. More importantly, the local lifestyle here is still very much laidback and offers an authenticity that you will be hard-pressed to find in other areas. Be sure to take in a couple of palaces and temples while here.

Bolghatty Palace
Today the palace functions as a hotel but it was once the home of the British Resident Representative. The Dutch created this spectacular work of architecture on the island known by the same name in 1744.

Chennamangalam
This area is home to a number of historical monuments, including the oldest synagogue in the region and the ruins of a former Jesuit college. The Hindu temple with its picturesque location overlooking the Pariyar river is a pleasant place for a quiet stroll; while the nearby mosque is a prime example of architecture from the 16^thcentury.

Chinese fishing nets
Said to be the only ones of their type outside of China, these nets are interesting example of the ancient, mechanical method of capturing the local seafood at high tide. You can just head down to the beach and watch the fishermen in action.

Chottanikkara Temple
Dating back to the 10^th century, this pilgrimage site still sees devotees flock to the temple seeking liberation from torment. The site’s resident goddess takes three forms daily: goddess of learning in the morning (Saraswathi), the fierce and destructive mighty one in the afternoon (Bhagavathi), and divine mother in the evening (Durga).

Coonan Kurishu Shrine
This shrine is a dedication to the 25,000 Syrian Christians who in the mid 1600s took an oath at the site never to be bound by the rulings of the Latin archbishop or the Jesuit monks.

Fort Cochin
This once impressive Portuguese fort was destroyed by the British upon their invasion of the country. The ruins of the Indo-European architecture combined with the eerie loneliness of the once busy settlement give a sense of the strong European heritage that has long since deserted the area.

Jewish Synagogue
The oldest synagogue in the area was built in the mid 1500s and is open for two hours in the morning and a further two in the afternoon each day. There are numerous exquisite features to be viewed, including scrolls from the Old Testament, intricate hand-painted Chinese tiles (of which no two are alike), and ornamental Belgian lamps. This is one of the most spectacular sights in the whole region of Kerala and is certainly worth a visit.

Mattancherry Palace
Built by the Portuguese in 1555, this palace was later presented to the gratefully accepting Rajas. Today it is known as Dutch Palace, a name that came about when Dutch settlers repaired and extended the palace. Some of its most interesting features include Ramayana murals and royal costumes on display around the palace.

Parur
This site combines the religious houses of the main secular groups that very much add to the cultural diversity and rich heritage found in this region of India. Here you will find a synagogue, an Orthodox church built by the Syrians and a Krishna temple, all featuring diverse and beautiful design features.

St Francis Church
The only Protestant church in the southern Indian region was built in 1510 by the Portuguese. It was once the burial place of the renowned traveller Vasco da Gama, whose remains were later exhumed and sent back to Portugal.

Cochin is in one of the most beautiful parts of India and you should schedule in time to relax on the pristine beaches. Rest your weary sightseeing muscles by lazing around in a spa or mud bath, or take in a cultural show in the evening. Of course, you shouldn’t forget to shop for some fantastic souvenirs before heading home too.

Shop at Ernakulam. This modern and vibrant shopping town has throughout the years been visited and inhabited by all of the region’s settlers from Arab and Chinese to Dutch, Portuguese and British. It is home to some of the area’s top shops, markets and bazaars.

Stroll along Fort Cochin beach. One of the most picturesque spots in the old city is this stretch of sand. It is the location of the Chinese fishing nets at work by day and at sunset the fishing-boat-lined skyline is a romantic setting for a relaxing stroll.

See a palace. Many of the area’s museums are housed in palaces and one of the must-sees is Hill Palace. Built in the 19^th century and located at Tripunittura, this was once the resident of the Rajas of Cochin and today home to an interesting museum. It contains archaeological artefacts and a collection of ornaments and housing attire owned by the Rajas.

See some kathakali performances. This dramatic dance form dates back over 500 years. Each of over 100 arrangements tells a story based on the teachings of the Ramayana or the Mahabharatha. The Kerala Kathakali Centre is the main place to find these fascinating cultural performances. Ask at your hotel desk or nearest travel agent upon arrival in Cochin for information on performance schedules and ticketing.

See the Brahmin community. A stroll through the compact area of the close-knit Brahmin community is worthwhile for its distinctly unique cultural ambience. Your hotel should be able to assist you with directions and transport.

Spend a day at an island. Willingdon Island is a manmade island that is home to many of Cochin’s important establishments and buildings, including the Government of India’s Tourist Office, the Seaport, the Southern Naval Port and Airport, the Customs House and the Port Offices. Meanwhile Vypeen and Gundu islands offer tourists the chance for a day’s outing with daily ferry shuttles from Fort Cochin. Vypeen Island is home to the port’s main lighthouse, while Palliport Fort is an interesting ruin dating back to the 16^th century. The beaches are excellent for relaxing. A short trip across the tiny Gundu island offers a glimpse at the production process of the coir factory, where coconut fibre is utilised in the production of doormats.

Visit a zoo. The Trivandrum Zoo is a picturesque animal sanctuary set amid sprawling woodlands and featuring a tranquil lake and well manicured lawns. There are a number of other zoos in the area although Cochin itself does not have one.

Take in a museum or gallery. With so much choice, it may be hard to decide where to head first. If you love art and want to see some local works, head to Chitram Art Gallery, known for showing the best of local artists. Meanwhile history buffs can head to the Museum of Kerala History. This fascinating museum is located in Eranakulam and features hour-long shows daily starting at 10:00 and taking place at half-hour intervals throughout the day with the last at 16:00.