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Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, Kochi

Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, Kochi: Our most recommended tours and activities

Kochi: Private Tuk-Tuk City Tour with Hotel Pickup

1. Kochi: Private Tuk-Tuk City Tour with Hotel Pickup

Discover the highlights of Kochi from a local’s perspective as you ride around in a traditional tuk-tuk. See the city’s historical monuments, learn about its colonial past, and benefit from a convenient hotel pickup and drop-off. Travel to the spice markets and learn about Kochi’s central role in the Indian spice trade for many centuries and its popularity by foreign traders.  See the old buildings that most clearly reveal this deep-rooted colonial influence. Kochi was the first European colony for Portugal in India from the year 1500-1663, followed by the Dutch and later the British.  Explore the fishing village’s ancient Chinese fishing nets, historical European settlements like the Vasco de Gama church, and the Dutch cemetery and towards the Dutch palace. Stop by a museum under ASI and spend time walking through the historical Jewish district and visit the Jewish synagogue.

Fort Kochi & Mattanchery 3-Hour Walking Tour

2. Fort Kochi & Mattanchery 3-Hour Walking Tour

Start your private walking tour at Fort Kochi visiting Chinese fishing nets, which were introduced by traders from the court of Kublai Khan in the 14th century. Kochi fishermen still use these fishing nets to earn their livelihoods. Continue your stroll down to St Francis Church, the oldest European church in India. The church was constructed in 1503 by Portuguese friars and is now the burial place of Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese explorer who led the first ships that sailed directly from Europe to India. The church has a large cemetery that serves as a resting ground for many Portuguese army officials and soldiers.  Next, see Santa Cruz Basilica, one the largest and most impressive churches in India. The church has two soaring spires and a bright, white-washed exterior. Inside, find walls decorated with frescoes, murals, and large paintings depicting scenes from the life of Jesus Christ.  Visit the Mattancherry Palace, built by the Portuguese and presented to the Raja of Kochi in 1555. The palace is famous for its stunning murals portraying scenes from Hindu tales, such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Next door is the Paradesi Synagogue, the oldest active synagogue in South India. Admire the ornate brass pulpit, the Belgian glass chandelier, and hand-painted Chinese porcelain floor tiles. Finish by wandering around the neighboring Jew Town, a central location for the spice trade, and inhale the aroma of ginger, cardamom, turmeric, and cloves. 

Glimpse of Cochin: Guided Tour

3. Glimpse of Cochin: Guided Tour

Experience Cochin on this full day tour with a professional guide. Meet at the Cochin Port cruise terminal or your Hotel at Cochin and transfer to to the vibrant Mattancherry to visit the Pardesi Synagogue, the Dutch Palace, the spice market and later visit Fort Kochi Chinese Nets ,Santa Cruz Basilica ,St Francis Church etc and various other must-see attractions. This fun and eclectic tour will show you the diversity that India and Cochin has to offer, exploring various cultures and traditions Your local guide will be able to teach you some of the fun facts and hidden gems of the area.

Fort Kochi & Chinese Fishing Nets Private Walking Tour

4. Fort Kochi & Chinese Fishing Nets Private Walking Tour

Book yourself a private walking tour of the best highlights of Fort Kochi. This area displays a unique heritage from its Portuguese, Dutch, British and Malabar roots. Enjoy an engaging walking tour with a local guide - the best way to explore everything this area has to offer. Guests residing in Fort Kochi can meet their guide at the hotel lobby, while other guests can meet the guide at the convenient meeting point, or can request a hotel pickup and drop off service. Visit the oldest church in India, the St. Francis Church, built in 1503. Find out how Vasco Da Gama, the first European explorer to discover the sea route to India, was initially buried here before his remains were taken to Lisbon. The impressive Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, also built in the 1500s, has beautiful paintings and murals inside. Keep your cameras ready for the Chinese Fishing Nets, a traditional method of fishing from the beach introduced by Chinese explorers. Take a brief tuk-tuk ride to Matancherry and Jew Town. Learn about how The Matancherry Palace was gifted to the King of Kochi by the Portuguese and is home to beautiful murals from Hindu epics. Explore the Pardesi Synagogue, one of the oldest active Jewish place of worship in the world. After exploring the ornate interiors, spend time walking around the antique and spice shops in Jew Town before ending the tour.

Fort Kochi, Mattancherry & Jewish Town. Private Tour.

5. Fort Kochi, Mattancherry & Jewish Town. Private Tour.

Explore the old city of Kochi in an air conditioned Sedan in the the privacy of youself, your partners and dear ones. This slow paced tour is suitable for all. The guide ( with licence ) cum driver with skill, enthusiasm takes you to the most popular attractions in the heritage areas of Fort Kochi and Mattancherry ( Jewish Town and Paradeshi Synagogue.). The tour starts and ends at your hotel. Itinerary. Meet at the hotel lobby and commence the tour. Drive to Fort Kochi. Visit the Chinese Fishing Nets. Spend time taking phot graphs of the Chinese Fishing Nets and the Fort Kochi beach. Walk to Church of St. Francis ( wherein you will visit the first tomb of Vasco de Gama. ) Drive to Santa Cruz Bascilica Cathedral ( one of the most beautiful heritage edifices of Kochi.) Drive to Dhobkhana ( the washermen enclave where the time tested method of washing clothes of the city dwellers are done even today.) Drive to Mattancherry. Visit the Dutch Palace ( aka MattancherryPalace ) The Royal Palace of Cochi Royalty is a unique mixed architecture and walls inside are most beautiful mural paintings. Walk to Jewish Town and fascinate at the ancient residential houses of Cochin Paradeshi Jews. A slow pace walk there will give you tyime to take photgraphs both inside and outside these edifices. Visit the Paradeshi Synagogue, othe oldest in the British Common-wealth. Spend time shopping in Jewish town for Spices, Antigues, Handicrafts, Silks Pashminas carpets....list is endless.

Other Sightseeing Options in Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, Kochi

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What people are saying about Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, Kochi

Overall rating

4.9 / 5

based on 14 reviews

Everything worked out great, although we booked at relatively short notice (a few hours in advance). Our guide knew the city very well, told and showed us interesting things that we would not have discovered ourselves and took the time to answer our questions. Was a very nice and interesting tour, highly recommended!

I really enjoyed the tour. Guide had knowledge About the monuments and the history it self. Friendly,well spoken in english I can only recommend him. Thank your for the tour

Tommy was a wonderful guide for our family, teaching and showing us the rich history of Kochi. We all loved the experience.

It was amazing. He took his time to explain and find the right spots. Couldn’t be more happier. Must do if you are in Kochi

Driver was very good and taken us to the places we wanted to go and recommended many others. Very good tour.