Things to Do in Ernakulam

A small, well-maintained waterfront park at the northern end of Marine Drive, offering benches, lawns and a clear view of the backwaters and passing ferries.

🕐 Open 24 hours

💡 Come at sunset for the best light and fewer crowds. Bring your own snacks — there's a tiny but overpriced kiosk.

An ancient temple dedicated to Shiva, said to be over 1000 years old, located right in the city centre with a large pond. The architecture is typical Kerala style with copper-clad roofs and intricate woodwork.

🕐 04:00-11:00 and 16:00-20:00

💡 Free entry and open to all (no caste restrictions). Dress modestly and remove shoes before entering. The best time is early morning during the puja (around 6am) — it's quiet and the priest sometimes gives a brief explanation.

A privately-run three-storey museum houses a vast collection of masks, temple art, tribal artefacts, musical instruments and traditional costumes from across Kerala, in a building designed like a traditional tharavad manor.

🕐 09:30-18:30; closed Mondays

💡 Entry is ₹150 but well worth it. Don't miss the rooftop terrace and the live performance on the ground floor some evenings. Photography is allowed without flash.

A Portuguese-built palace gifted to the Raja of Cochin in 1555, later renovated by the Dutch. The interior has well-preserved Kerala murals depicting Hindu mythology and royal processions.

🕐 09:30-17:00; closed Fridays

💡 Entry costs ₹5 for Indians, very cheap. Combine it with a walk through the nearby Jew Town and Paradesi Synagogue (small fee). The palace closes for lunch 12:30-14:30.

Sprawling former royal palace complex of the Cochin royal family, featuring 49 buildings, a deer park, and a museum housing Kerala's largest collection of archaeological artefacts including murals, coins and oil paintings.

🕐 09:00-17:00; closed Mondays and public holidays

💡 Entry is cheap (around ₹50 for adults). Go early on a weekday to have the grounds nearly to yourself. The deer park is free to walk through.