There are a number of places to be visited in and around Cochin.

While in Cochin, you must visit the Fort Cochin that reveals the European heritage of Cochin. Then there is the Santa Cruz Basilica that happens to be a landmark of Cochin and a major tourist attraction of Cochin. Further there is the St. Francis Church, of the 16th century, in Cochin. It is noteworthy that the St. Francis church is the oldest existing European church not only in Cochin, but also in India. Fort Cochin also uses the famous Chinese nets, the best possible bet for backwater fishing.

The other place of tourist interest in Cochin is the Dutch Palace at Mattancherry. One of the oldest synagogues in the world namely The Paradeshi Synagogue is a must visit at Cochin.
While staying in Cochin, you may move to other parts of Ernakulam, Vypeen and Gundu islands, near Cochin.

Cochin also offers great excursion options. For the oil paintings, old coins, sculptures, Mughal paintings, and temple models the visit to the Parishath Thampuram Museum near Cochin is ideal. For the collections of the Cochin and Travancore royal families you may move to Thripunithura from Cochin. Edapally, near Cochin has the Museum of Kerala History. Parur, close to Cochin, encapsulates the cultural and religious medley of this region.