Things to do in Fort Kochi

Fort Kochi is the old colonial quarter at the mouth of the harbour and the city's main address for festivals. St Francis Church, first built by the Portuguese in 1503, the Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica and the Chinese fishing nets on the beach are all within a short walk of each other. Parade Ground and Vasco da Gama Square host the Cochin Carnival in the last days of December, ending with the burning of the Pappanji effigy at midnight on New Year's Eve. Aspinwall House and Pepper House are Kochi-Muziris Biennale venues, and the Kerala Kathakali Centre stages daily evening shows.