Kochi is located on the coast of the Arabian Sea with the backwaters of Kottayam and Allepuzha to the South, the wildlife sanctuaries and hill stations of Idduki to the East, and the cultural heartlands of Thrissur to the North. Centrally located, Kochi is your obvious choice as a base from which to explore the many tourist attractions in Kerala. The commercial capital and most cosmopolitan city in Kerala, Kochi is known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea.

Kochi is set on a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas and consists of mainland Ernakulam, the islands of Willington, Bolgatty and Gundu in the harbour, Fort Cochin and Mattancherry on the southern peninsula, and Vypeen Island north of Fort Cochin, all linked by ferry.

With one of the finest natural harbours in the world, this was once a major centre of commerce and trade with the Chinese, Arabs, Portugese, Dutch and British. Kochi has an eventful and colourful history, and is one of the early European townships in India. Its reputation as a seafaring commercial town was such that Nicholas Conti, an Italian traveler of the middle-ages remarked "If China is where you make your money, then Kochi is surely the place to spend it!"

The town was shaped by the Portugese, the Dutch and later the British. The result of these cultural influences is seen in the many examples of Indo-European architecture that still exist here. The chinese fishing nets of Kochi are one of the most important sights of the city.

Favourite places to visit in Kochi include the Jewish Synagogue, Jew Town with its antique shops, the historic Santa Cruz Basilica, Bolghatty Island and the Museum of Kerala History. Nearby are beaches at Cherai and Varkala, waterfalls at Athirapully, and an elephant training centre at Kodanad.