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Top 10 Things to Do in Kochi | Fort Kochi, Backwaters, Culture & More
Maverick
6/1/20266 min read
Kochi — Kerala's vibrant port city and cultural crossroads — is one of South India's most rewarding urban destinations. Where ancient spice trade routes once converged, today's traveller finds a city of extraordinary contrasts: crumbling colonial architecture beside contemporary art galleries, fragrant spice bazaars beside waterfront cafés, and century-old fishing traditions alive alongside a thriving modern food scene. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a foodie, a culture seeker, or simply someone who wants to soak in the soul of Kerala, Kochi delivers at every turn. The best way to explore? With complete freedom. Book a self drive car rental in Kochi or a chauffeur-driven car rental in Kochi from HyreCabs and experience this magnificent city — and its surroundings — entirely on your own terms.
Top 10 Must-Try Experiences in Kochi, Kerala
1. Explore Fort Kochi and Mattancherry — Where History Lives and Breathes
No visit to Kochi is complete without spending time in Fort Kochi and the adjoining neighbourhood of Mattancherry — two of Kerala's most historically layered and visually captivating areas. The streets here are a living museum of colonial-era architecture, bearing the unmistakable imprints of Portuguese, Dutch, and British occupation across their buildings, churches, and palaces. Wander through bougainvillea-draped lanes that open unexpectedly into bustling spice warehouses, pass street murals by internationally renowned artists from the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, and step inside the Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace) to admire its extraordinary Kerala murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana. The Paradesi Synagogue — one of the oldest active synagogues in the Commonwealth — and the warren of antique shops in Jew Town round off what is genuinely one of the finest heritage walks in India. Book a car hire in Kochi from HyreCabs for a comfortable, unhurried day exploring both neighbourhoods.
2. Witness the Iconic Chinese Fishing Nets at Sunset
Arguably the most recognised image in all of Kerala, the Chinese fishing nets (or cheena vala) strung along the Fort Kochi shoreline are one of those rare sights that live up to every expectation. Believed to have been introduced by traders from the court of Kublai Khan centuries ago, these massive cantilevered fishing contraptions are still operated by local fishermen today — making them a functioning piece of living history. Watching the nets rise and fall against a blazing Arabian Sea sunset is a genuinely unforgettable experience. Arrive in the late afternoon, pick up freshly caught fish from the vendors, and have it cooked on the spot at one of the nearby stalls. Reach Fort Kochi in style with a rent a car in Kochi booking through HyreCabs — pickup available from Kochi Airport, Ernakulam, Kaloor, and Vytila.
3. Meet Kerala's Gentle Giants at an Elephant Centre
For a truly one-of-a-kind Kerala experience, a visit to one of the state's ethical elephant centres is an absolute must. These responsibly managed sanctuaries offer visitors the rare privilege of spending time up close with Asian elephants in a setting that prioritises animal welfare. Feed them, watch them bathe in the river, and listen to their mahouts share stories of a centuries-old bond between human and elephant. It is an experience of extraordinary emotional depth — particularly memorable for families travelling with children. For day trips to elephant centres near Kochi, a self drive car in Kochi from HyreCabs gives you the flexibility to go at your own pace and spend as long as you wish.
4. Take a Backwater Cruise — Kerala's Signature Experience
A backwater cruise is not merely a boat ride — it is the quintessential Kerala experience, and Kochi's surrounding waterways offer some of the finest cruising in the state. Glide through shaded canals where overhanging palms brush the water's surface, drift past communities of fishermen hauling their nets, and watch kingfishers dart between the mangroves in a blaze of colour. Whether you choose a traditional wooden houseboat for an overnight stay on Vembanad Lake or a simple country boat for a two-hour morning cruise, the backwaters have a meditative quality unlike anywhere else on earth. For the best backwater access around Kochi — including Alleppey and Kumarakom — a car rental near Kochi from HyreCabs makes getting there effortless.
5. Marvel at the Santa Cruz Basilica — Gothic Grandeur in Fort Kochi
Standing serenely in the heart of Fort Kochi, the Santa Cruz Basilica is one of Kerala's most architecturally stunning landmarks and one of only eight basilicas in all of India. Originally built by the Portuguese in 1505 and later elevated to the status of a Cathedral by Pope John Paul II in 1984, the basilica's pastel-hued Neo-Gothic façade conceals an interior of exceptional beauty — soaring vaulted ceilings, rich Italian-style murals depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ, and light that filters through stained glass in jewelled pools of colour. Whether you are religious or not, the basilica is a place of genuine architectural and artistic awe. Combine it with a full Fort Kochi heritage walk by booking a cheap car rental in Kochi from HyreCabs for the day.
6. Wander Through the Spice Markets of Jew Town, Mattancherry
Kochi's historic spice trade built empires — and wandering through the narrow lanes of Jew Town in Mattancherry, you can still sense the weight of that history in the air. The spice warehouses here have been operating for centuries, and the aroma of cardamom, cinnamon, black pepper, cloves, and star anise hangs thick and intoxicating around every corner. Beyond spices, the area's antique shops are treasure troves of Kerala's material history — old rosewood furniture, bronze lamps, vintage maps, and intricate jewellery jostle for space in cramped, wonderful stores. Pick up genuine Kerala spices directly from the source, far fresher and more affordable than anything sold in airport shops. A Kochi airport car rental from HyreCabs means you can visit Jew Town before your flight and still make it to the terminal with time to spare.
7. Attend a Kathakali Performance — Kerala's Greatest Art Form
Kathakali is one of the world's most visually spectacular performance traditions — a classical dance-drama form born in Kerala that fuses elaborate facial makeup, stunning costumes, precise hand gestures (mudras), and powerful storytelling into an art form of extraordinary complexity. An evening Kathakali performance in Kochi — most venues offer pre-show makeup demonstrations that are fascinating in their own right — is a cultural experience that demands to be on every visitor's itinerary. The expressions, the drumming, the mythological narratives drawn from the Mahabharata and Ramayana: it is Kerala's soul made visible on stage. Book a self drive car rental near Kochi from HyreCabs to explore Fort Kochi's galleries and heritage sites during the day before your evening Kathakali show.
8. Visit the Hill Palace Museum — Kerala's Royal Heritage Unveiled
The Hill Palace Museum in Tripunithura, just east of Kochi, is the largest archaeological museum in Kerala and the former official residence of the Cochin Royal Family. Spread across a sprawling 52-acre compound of manicured gardens and traditional Kerala architecture, the palace houses an impressive collection of royal artefacts — ancient manuscripts, regal costumes, bronze sculptures, royal palanquins, and rare coins that together tell the story of Kerala's Cochin kingdom in vivid detail. The heritage garden, deer park, and prehistoric park within the grounds make it an excellent half-day outing for history lovers and families alike. Reach Hill Palace comfortably with a car hire in Kochi or an Innova rental in Kochi from HyreCabs — ideal for families who want to explore in comfort.
9. Catch a Sunset at Cherai Beach — Kochi's Most Beautiful Shoreline
Located approximately 35 km north of Kochi city on Vypin Island, Cherai Beach is one of Kerala's finest and most photogenic stretches of coastline — a long, clean shore where the Arabian Sea meets the backwaters in a unique geographical confluence that allows dolphins to occasionally be spotted offshore. The beach is at its most magical in the late afternoon, when the sky turns through shades of amber and rose and the fishing boats return to shore in silhouette against the dying light. Cherai is far less crowded than most Kerala beaches and retains a genuine local character. A self drive car from Kochi Airport makes Cherai an easy and rewarding first stop for arriving visitors — book your vehicle through HyreCabs for a seamless start to your Kerala adventure.
10. Savour a Traditional Kerala Sadya — A Feast for Every Sense
No trip to Kochi is truly complete without sitting down to a traditional Kerala Sadya — a ceremonial vegetarian banquet served on a fresh banana leaf that represents the very pinnacle of Kerala's extraordinary culinary tradition. A full Sadya can feature up to 26 separate dishes: fragrant rice, sambar, avial, olan, thoran, pachadi, kaalan, crispy pappadam, tangy pickle, and the crowning glory — a generous pour of golden payasam(sweet rice pudding) — all eaten by hand in a specific cultural sequence. During Onam season, the Sadya reaches its grandest form and is served across Kochi at hundreds of venues. Drive to the best Sadya restaurants across the city with a monthly car rental in Kochi or a daily car rental in Kochi from HyreCabs.
Explore Kochi Your Way — With HyreCabs
Kochi's magic lies in its layers — and the more freely you can move through the city and its surroundings, the more of those layers you'll discover. HyreCabs is Kochi's most trusted car rental service, offering a wide range of well-maintained vehicles to suit every travel style and budget. Whether you need a cheap car rental in Kochi for a solo heritage walk through Fort Kochi, a luxury car rental in Kochi for a premium city experience, or a spacious Innova rental in Kochi for a family road trip to Munnar or Wayanad — HyreCabs has the perfect vehicle. Pickup available at Kochi Airport, Ernakulam, Kaloor, and Vytila. Visit www.hyrecabs.com to browse our full fleet and book your Kochi adventure today.
Kochi doesn't just show you Kerala — it makes you feel it. All you need is the freedom to explore.