Cochin or Kochi is one of the most important cities of Kerala for centuries. Cochin also has finest natural harbors on the Arabian Sea coast of India. Cochin has been a port of call for foreign traders from very early times. Ancient mariners from Arabia, Holland, Britain, China and Portugal have all left their mark on this beautiful island city of Cochin. The cosmopolitan character of Cochin is reflected in the buildings and structures representing styles. Cochin City is one of the most important commercial centers of Kerala.

St. Francis Church : Built in 1503 by Portuguese Friars, it is the India's oldest European church. It was restored in 1779 by the protestant Dutch, converted to an Anglican Church by the British in 1795, and is presently used by the church of South India. Vasco da Gama's remains were buried here in 1524, and later moved to Lisbon, Portugal but his tombstone still remains.

Bolghatty palace : A beautiful island near the Ernakulam, Bolghatty is famous for the Bolghatty Palace built by the Dutch in 1744.Once the residence of the British resident of Cochin.. Later it became the seat of the British Resident of Cochin. Today it is a hotel run by K.T.D.C. The grounds have a small golf course & several vantage points for lovely views of the harbour & the sea.

Jewish Synagogue : The Synagogue at Mattancherry built in 1568 is the oldest Synagogue in the Common Wealth Countries. It was partially destroyed in the war of 1662, but was rebuilt by Dutch. In the mid 18th century the clock tower was added.it is the oldest synagogue in the commonwealth countries. Known for mid 18th century hand printed, willow pattern floor tiles from Canton in China, Hebrew inscriptions on stone slabs, a dock tower, ancient scripts on copper plates etc, the Synagogue is a place worth seeing in Cochin.

Hill Palace Museum : The Hill Palace, the official residence of the Cochin royal family was built in 1865. The palace complex consists of 49 buildings and is surrounded by 52 acres of terraced land with a Deer Park and facilities for horse riding. Displayed inside the thirteen galleries in the museum are oil paintings, murals, 19th century paintings, manuscripts, sculpture in stone and plaster of Paris, inscriptions and coins belonging to the Cochin royal family.The largest archeological museum of Kerala. Paintings, carvings, etchings and other trappings of royalty like majestic beds ,weapons and samples of epigraphy.