The natural beauty, colonial charm of Cochin has earned it the "Queen of the Arabian Sea". Situated on the West Coast of India, in the God's own country Kerala, the place is famous for its historical monuments including Matacherry Palace, 16th century synagogue and Portuguese dwellings and Chinese fishing nets, a Home to a fine natural harbor, Cochin is just a careless smear of tinted light where sea and sky unite. Daybreak is full of indeterminate promise. The place has been an important center of trade and commerce between India and the different countries.

Though Cochin had been an important roadstead in days gone by, it became a natural harbor only when nature decreed it so. Muziris (present-day Kodungalloor on the mouth of the Periyar River), 40 km north of Cochin, was the center of trade with ancient Rome in the products like pepper and pearls, fine silks, cotton, muslin, honey, oil, betel, tortoise shell, cinnamon leaf, black pepper, ginger grass, and indigo.

The formation of Cochin harbor has a violent story of which nature herself was the main character. The harbor was formed in a.d. 1341, when a great flood in the Periyar River led to an outlet in the sea. The floods had meanwhile silted up the mouth of the Muziris harbor and this rich ancient port was banished to the footnotes of history. Meanwhile, the merchants of Muziris shifted to Cochin.For centuries, Cochin was the battleground of European powers for the mastery of the lucrative trade of the Indian west coast. The fortunes of political powers in Cochin were dictated by pepper. The Portuguese were the first to come in. Two years later, the adventurous mariner, the legendary Vasco da Gama himself landed in Cochin. The Portuguese erected a fort for the protection of their factory. Fort Manuel, or Manuel Kotta, named after the King of Portugal, was the first fortress constructed by the Europeans in India.

Bolghatty Palace
Bolghatty Palace is a Dutch palace, situated on the Bolghatty island. At present the palace is being used as hotel. The island has a fine golf course and the panoramic view makes it an attractive picnic spot. Frequent boat service is available from the mainland.

Chinese Fishing Nets
The chinese fishing nets found here are the only ones of its kind in India. It is believed that traders from the court of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan introduced these nets here.

Dutch Palace
The Dutch Palace was originally built by the Portugese in 17th century.

The Dutch modified it and presented to the Raja of Kochi. Coronation of many Rajas of Kochi were held here. The place has a fine collection of mural paintings the scenes from the Hindu epics Mahabharatha and Ramayana.

Fort Kochi beach
A walk along the beach, particularly at sunset with the chinese fishing nets and sailing ships in the background, is just fantastic. Many European style bungalows can be seen along the shoreline.

Hill Palace
Built in the 19th century by Raja of Kochi, the Kochi province was ruled from here. The palace has been converted into a museum displaying a fine collection of articles used by the Rajas of Kochi apart from many archaeological findings.

Jewish Synagogue
Located near the Dutch Palace, the synagogue, elaborately adorned by Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers, was built in 1568. Giant scrolls of the Old Testament can be found here.

St. Francis Church
St. Francis Church is the oldest church built by European in India. On his 3rd visit to Kerala, Vasco da Gama, the Portugese trader who reached India from Europe by sea, fell ill and died in Kochi. He was buried in the St. Francis Church. Later his remains were taken back to Portugal, the exact place where he was buried has been marked out inside the church, making its a very auspicious place for the Christians.