With three days in Kochi, you’ll have enough time to visit colonial Fort Cochin, take a houseboat tour through Kerala’s scenic backwaters, and still have time to visit Munnar’s tea plantations or Muziris archaeological remains. Here are some suggestions for making the most of your time.

Day 1: Historic Fort Cochin
Explore the nearby historic areas of Fort Cochin and Mattancherry on your first day in Kochi. The16th-century Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace, exhibits paintings of imperial art and antiquities. It’s a short walk from here to the Paradesi Synagogue, which was built in the 16th century and is the Commonwealth’s oldest synagogue. After that, drive to Fort Cochin to see St.Francis Church, India’s oldest church, and the adjoining Dutch Cemetery, which is thought to be the country’s oldest graveyard. Before heading to the beach for a photo op with the city’s famous Chinese fishing nets as the sun sets into the sea, stop by the lovely Santa Cruz Basilica. Start your first evening with a Kathakali dance performance, or choose a package that includes a Keralite supper at a local restaurant.

Day 2: Ripples of Backwaters
Spend your second day in Kerala doing something truly unique: taking a backwater cruise. Most cruises leave from Alleppey, an hour drive from Kochi, and are commonly hosted on kettuvallam, traditional coir houseboats . These cruises frequently travel deep into the state’s vast network of canals, passing through woodlands, rice farms, and traditional communities. Lunch is frequently included and is typically regional, consisting of rice, coconut-based curries, and fish. While some backwaters cruises last three days, there are also half- and full-day itineraries that include transportation from Kochi.

Day 3: Hill Stations/History
Spend your final day engaging in another day trip if you got to see whatever you want to see in Kochi on your first day. Get up early to see Munnar, a tea-plantation town with cooler temperatures due to its high elevation. Most itineraries include visits to tea factories, and some even include a stop at the tea museum. Pattanam, which many archaeologists believe was once the ancient port town of Muziris, is another popular alternative that is also close to town. Excavations conducted recently have revealed evidence of communities dating back to 1000 BC. Return to Kochi in time for a South
Indian dinner in the food-centric Fort Cochin neighborhood to round out your tour.