Ernakulam Travel Guide

  Sunset from Ernakulam harbour
by illumina
 
  • Sunset from Ernakulam harbour
      Sunset from Ernakulam harbour
    by illumina
  •   Things to Do
    by illumina
  •   Transportation
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  •   Ernakulam
    by coceng
  •   Ernakulam
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Explore Ernakulam

Things to Do  

Marine Drive

Marine Drive, Ernakulam

 illumina Says:  We took a lovely walk along Marine Drive at sunset, along with half of the population I think! There were plenty of families and courting couples out enjoying themselves, eating ice creams, listening to music and promenading up and down. 

Jewish Synagogue - Part 2

Jewish Synagogue - Part 2, Ernakulam

 yumiyun Says:  I personally, felt the synagogue is the highlight of tourist attraction in Fort Kochi. If you are a person with great interest in hand painted tiles, colorful glass lamps etc, you can still be awed in this small space.The historical fact associated with this place and the... 

Jewish Synagogue - Part 1

Jewish Synagogue - Part 1, Ernakulam

 yumiyun Says:  A surprising place to find a synagogue, but history tells that Jews came to India many centuries ago.This synagogue built in 1568 is the oldest in the Commonwealth. You can find here mid-18th century hand painted willow patterned floor tiles from Canton in China, a clock... 

St.Francis Church

St.Francis Church, Ernakulam

 yumiyun Says:  Not necessarily an impressive place, but has a historic siginificance. St.Francis was a Roman Catholic Church during the Portuguese rule from 1503 to 1663, then a Dutch Reformist Church from 1664 to 1804, and Anglican church from 1804 to 1947. Today it is governed by the... 

Dutch Palace

Dutch Palace, Ernakulam

 yumiyun Says:  Also known as Mattancherry Palace, it was built in 1557 by the Portugese as a gift to Cochin Raja. Renovated by the Dutch in 1663, the palace has been converted into an art museum today. The best exhibition they have here is murals adoring the walls. The murals here are well... 

Hill Palace

Hill Palace, Ernakulam

 yumiyun Says:  The hill palace located in Thripunitra is an official residence of Cochin royal family. Built in 1865, the palace consists of more than 40 buildings splawing around 52 acres of land. The portion of complex is turned into museums today, housing belongins of royal family,... 

Bolghatty Island

Bolghatty Island, Ernakulam

 yumiyun Says:  The island off of mainlnad Ernakulam is a site for palace built by the Dutch in 1744. This small island also has a golf course and park. There isn't really anything but the palace to see. The palace is today converted to a hotel managed by the KTDC. You can only view the... 

Hotels  

Basoto Lodge: Ernakulam quaintness

Basoto Lodge: Ernakulam quaintness, Ernakulam

 illumina Says:  We had a room with ensuite bathroom, and even a balcony, in this friendly and welcoming hotel on Press Club Road, Ernakulam. The lodge is quite dark, particularly in reception, but the rooms are quaint, and it's conveniently situated for getting to Fort Kochi.We paid 190INR... 

YMCA International House: Spacious Rooms

YMCA International House: Spacious Rooms, Ernakulam

 aukjejetty Says:  This YMCA has great rooms. Nothing special, not nicely decorated, but functional. The rooms where large and had high ceilings with made it feel even larger. We stayed in a room with bath.Next door is a more expensive place to stay. This place has a good restaurant where we... 

Restaurants  

Bharata cafe: Breakfast idli!

Bharata cafe: Breakfast idli!, Ernakulam

 illumina Says:  Just around the corner from Press Club road is this little cafe, mostly serving locals for breakfast. It's a little dim and dingy, but they did do good idli - very popular in South India for breakfast, although they have spread to the north to a certain extent.Idli are often... 

Bimbi's: Variety of Indian meals and snacks

Bimbi's: Variety of Indian meals and snacks, Ernakulam

 yumiyun Says:  Bimpie's have a variety of Indian food from North to South. Order anything that attracts you and you won't be disappointed. Try crispy dosai to delicious North Indian snacks like puv bhaji and bel puri. Don't forget to treat yourself with desert of Bengali sweets. 

Transportation  

Ernakulam to Canacona

Ernakulam to Canacona, Ernakulam

 illumina Says:  If you're wanting to head to Goa - we took the overnight option again, leaving Ernakulam at 2pm, and arriving at Canacona (the most convenient station for Palolem) at 5.30am. You can take a tuk-tuk from there (there was one there at that ungodly hour!), or you could walk -... 

Ferries to Fort Kochi

Ferries to Fort Kochi, Ernakulam

 illumina Says:  The ferry to Fort Kochi goes from near Marine Drive, and should only cost about 2.5 INR (250paise). At the main jetty there are two queues for tickets, one for men and one for women - make sure you're in the right one! 

From Chennai to Ernakulam

From Chennai to Ernakulam, Ernakulam

 illumina Says:  We took the Alleppey Express from Chennai, which left at about 9.15pm, and got us to Ernakulam just under 12 hours later. 3rd class sleeper bunks cost us 273 INR each, and were perfectly comfortable.Onward tickets can be booked at Junction Station ticket office which is just... 

Tourist Traps  

Kodanand Elephant Yard
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yumiyun 274 reviews

Kodanand is known for an elephant yard - where the elephants rescued from the forest is taken in. Sad to say, there are only 7 elephants and all of tied to chains. If you expect a lovely encounter with elephants, Kodanand will make it very disappointing.

Unique Suggestions: In Kodanand, you will watch the elephants from the distance. But if you wish, they can take you for a 30min elephant ride... just on the adjacent street.

Fun Alternatives: If you must see elephants in Kerala, avoid Kodanand. The elephant yard in Trichur is much better.

Written Aug 4, 2003

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Map of Ernakulam