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If you are looking for the best places to visit in Kerala with family, we visited with our four kids and had the most amazing trip.
We have wanted to visit India with our kids for a long time. Kerala has been on our bucket list forever!! Since we were travelling with two toddlers, we felt Kerala was the best spot in India since it has a slower pace of life and is not such a busy place.
From the backwaters to Fort Kochi, there are many incredible experiences and fantastic places to visit in Kerala with family.
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We flew into Cochi Airport, which was our first insight into India. As we were leaving the airport, we saw thousands of solar panels nearby and later learned it's the first airport in the world to be 100% run-off solar.
Along the way, we saw quite a few eco-initiatives that we had not seen anywhere else, which impressed us!
It's easy to pick up a taxi right outside; we spent our first few days in Fort Kochi, a 70-minute car ride from the airport.
Due to its proximity to the airport, Fort Kochi is certainly one of the first places to visit in Kerala with family if you arrive at Cochi Airport.
Once we reached the fort, we used rickshaws to get from A to B, and we also hired the same for a few hours each day to see the sites.
Many rickshaw drivers will give you a price by the hour to take you around. The prices range from 200rps to 400rps per hour, so it's worth shopping around.
However, if you prefer to arrange in advance and have a professional tour guide, check out this private Fort Kochi tuk-tuk tour.
Once we travelled further afield, we took an Uber, which is quite affordable, even for long trips. It's a good idea to take the Uber driver's number if you intend to return to Kochi, as it's not as easy to find a driver once you leave.
Fort Kochi
Our first three days in Fort Kochi were amazing, we spend so much time exploring all of the incredible sites in the area. It's one of the best places to visit in Kerala with kids.
There is lots to see and do, so it's worth allowing at least two days.
Fort Kochi is renowned for its colonial history, diverse architecture, and cultural heritage. The area boasts well-preserved colonial buildings, including churches and mansions reflecting Portuguese, Dutch, and British influences.
I expected it to be similar to Galle Fort in Sri Lanka. However, it's a lot bigger and doesn't necessarily feel like a fortress due to its size.
We stayed at the wonderful Forte Kochi, an ideal location to explore several attractions on foot.
It's a beautiful boutique hotel housed within an ancient structure that reflects the rich tapestry of Portuguese, Dutch, and British influences.
Offering a glimpse into centuries past, this heritage hotel has regal charm and plush amenities.
They had a large room with an extra bed and space for a cot, ideal for families staying in the area.
It made it easy to walk outside and get to many attractions without a rickshaw, such as the Chinese Fishing nets.
Breakfast was included in our stay. It had a good mix of Western and local options. Not to mention, the extensive menu for dinners and lunches was quite easy with the kids.
They had a toddler high chair for 3+ year-olds. Overall, the highchairs were very limited on our trip to Kerala in general.
There is also a spa onsite, and the swimming pool was just stunning, with the surrounding design of intricately detailed and colourful tiles and plants. Not to mention the yellow walls of the building setting it all off.
It was dreamy swimming in the pool after a day of exploring. The complimentary afternoon tea was a treat with our kids, including local sweets, savoury bites, tea, and coffee. The masala tea is a must-try!
On our last evening, a show featuring cultural dance and costumes was the perfect ending to our stay.
As mentioned, Fort Kochi is one of the best places to visit in Kerala with family. We highly recommend taking a rickshaw to see everything or a guided tour.
Here are some of the best things to see:
Village Spice Market
There are quite a few spice markets around however I highly recommend going to the Village Spice Market on Bazaar Road. It's a super unique building with lots of character.
On the ground floor, you can witness the staff drying ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon.
This only happens Monday to Friday, so try to visit mid-week to see what they do.
Sometimes, they can have piles of ginger as high as an adult, which is very cool to see, and the kids will love smelling everything and learning about the process. It's relatively informal, but they are welcoming.
On the 1st floor of the building is where all the spices are sold, and wow, they smell amazing, especially some of the masala mixtures.
They allow you to try many things, from tea to dried fruits. Their only request is to buy something before taking photos, which is fair enough.
They were friendly with our kids; the stairs to the 1st floor were quite rickety and interesting. Just give kids a hand to get up. It adds to the charm of the building!
Around this particular spice market, it feels like the 'old bazaar'. It feels far more authentic than other more developed parts of the fort, so it's worth wandering here.
St. Francis Church & Vasco De Gama Square
We were amazed at the many beautiful churches in Kochi. St Francis Church is one of the oldest European-built churches in India, dating back to the early 16th century. The Portuguese originally built it and it was later renovated by the Dutch.
It's worth a quick pit stop as it was the burial place for the Portuguese explorer Vasco De Gama before his remains were returned to Portugal.
Outside the church across the street are several stalls with crafts and souvenirs in Vasco De Gama Square.
We picked up some cool things for the kids here. They are like secret boxes made of wood that are hard to figure out. I guess it's like a puzzle.
The stalls are worth browsing through, it's the perfect place for little ones to find something interesting and new wihtout a huge price tag.
Santa Cruz Basilica
Another significant church in Fort Kochi, the Santa Cruz Basilica, is known for its stunning architecture, particularly its magnificent interiors adorned with beautiful paintings and frescoes.
We missed out on going inside as it was closed, but we captured a photo outside.
Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace)
The Portuguese built Mattancherry Palace around 1545, and it was later renovated by the Dutch. It houses a collection of Kerala murals depicting Hindu temple art, portraits of the Rajas of Kochi, and exhibits of royal costumes and jewellery.
It does not take too long to pass through the palace, however if you are travelling with small children, we suggest using a carrier as there are a lot of ancient displays which may not be suitable and there are a couple of windows which are quite open on the first floor.
Jew Town and Synagogue
Very close to Mattancherry Palace is Jew Town and Synagogue. We loved exploring the charming Jew Town area. It is home to the Paradesi Synagogue, the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations.
The area is also known for its antique shops and spice markets. There are many beautiful shops leading to the synagogue, which is pedestrian-only, adding to its charm.
The street is colourful with crumbling paint and cute windows overhead in what looks like ancient buildings.
In true family style, we arrived early, as our kids were up at the crack of dawn. The area comes to life after 10 am when the synagogue opens, so we suggest waiting until then to see everything in its full form.
Dhoby Khana Old Officers Laundry
Dhoby Khana is a historic laundry facility dating back to the colonial era. Here, skilled dhobis diligently launder clothes using traditional methods passed down through generations.
Tourists can visit to see the traditional methods in practice. We wandered through and saw the staff ironing with an iron which had hot charcoals smoldering inside. It really looked like something from centuries ago. We wandered through further to see the outdoor washing areas where all the laundry are washed by hand.
Kerala Kathakali Centre
Before I left home for Kerala, I asked my followers for their recommendations on Instagram, and Kerala Kathakali Centre came up quite a few times.
There are a few different shows every evening, the first being a traditional dance whereby you can attend earlier to see the process of the performer's make-up routine. It is quite extensive and can take up to an hour.
Chinese Fishing Nets
The iconic Chinese fishing nets symbolise Kochi and are believed to have been introduced by Chinese traders in the 14th century. Watching fishermen operate these nets is fascinating, especially during sunset.
We walked along the promenade, which wraps around the coast to the beach. It's a nice paved walk all the way.
Many stalls sell everything from roast corn to toys and homewares to coconuts. Sunsets in Kerala are next level beautiful, the sun is always so red so make sure to get to the area for this, it is well worth it.
If you miss out on seeing the nets, you may see others outside the fort. We saw some close to the airport.
Fort Kochi Beach
We strolled along the scenic Fort Kochi Beach, known for its picturesque views, lively atmosphere, and charming cafés. As mentioned above, start your walk at the Chinese fishing nets and wander along to the beach in time for sunset.
