Kochi, the Queen of the Arabian Sea, is a charming city in Kerala that stands out courtesy of its rich blend of history, culture, and modernity. While it’s the perfect destination to explore, it’s imperative to pick the right location to stay there. We’ve listed the most convenient areas to stay in Kochi that will make your trip thrice more comfortable, enjoyable, and experiential!
Where to stay in Kochi, Kerala ?
Ernakulam is ranked among the top 10 most congested cities in India by Tom Tom traffic Index . if you decide on where to stay in Kochi based on your purpose of visit and sightseeing priorities it can help to have a memorable stay. Here is a list of places to stay in Kochi and  things to remember while picking the right area to stay in Kochi.
Purpose of visit
- Pick an area based on your priorities, like sightseeing, business, or relaxation.
- If you want great views, pick seaside hotels overlooking the beach and ocean.
- Choose what’s more important – Convenient amenities like a comfy bed, or lavish facilities like a pool?
- Check where the hotel/homestay is located. Do you want a central location with access to the market? Do you want it close to heritage sites like Fort Kochi and Jew Town? Do you want a remote location offering seclusion and privacy?
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Budget
- Kochi has options for both budget and luxury stays. You need to decide which one best suits your travel style and trip type.
- Traveling with kids? Pick a location that has markets, malls, entertainment facilities, and kid-friendly attractions nearby. Honeymooning? Look for a more romantic, possibly secluded location with luxury resorts and romantic amenities.
- If you’re traveling on a tight budget, you can even choose from Kochi hostels set in various convenient locations.
- Does the hotel have a play area for kids? Does it offer good views? Does it have fully furnished rooms with all the amenities? Does it offer good food with tons of variety?
ALSO SEE – Top 15 Places To Visit In Kochi Kerala
Transportation
- See if the hotel is located close to the airport or railway station.
- Check if it offers shuttle or taxi service to and from the airport or railway station.
- See if your stay is close to Kochi’s tourist attractions and how much time it takes to reach them from the hotel.
- See if the hotel has a dedicated travel desk to help you plan your outdoor activities and sightseeing.
- Also make sure your hotel doesn’t fall in a high-traffic area, as that can greatly affect your travel plans.
Where to stay in Kochi on your next trip
Whether it’s great views, proximity to markets, proximity to the beach, airport access, or simply lavish facilities, each of these locations provides travelers with something unique.
1. Fort Kochi
Fort Kochi is the most famous tourist attraction in Kochi and a cultural hub known for its colonial-era architecture, artsy cafes, premium art galleries, and the famous Chinese Fishing Nets.
People love to stay here for its old-world charm, attractions like Jewish Synagogue, Santa Cruz Basilica, the annual Kochi-Muziris Biennale, and St. Francis Church – Kerala’s oldest European church!
Out of the many stay options, the best places to stay in Fort Kochi are its boutique guesthouses, budget homestays, and heritage hotels for their historical architecture and royal amenities!
Highlights: Ancient churches and cathedrals, Chinese Fishing Nets, artsy markets, Fort Kochi Beach
Ideal for: History buffs, art lovers, shopping enthusiasts, foodies, beach bums
Accommodation options:
- Sonnetta Residency (budget)
- The Fort Bungalow (mid-range)
- Brunton Boatyard (luxury)
Tariff range: INR 1,500 – INR 10,000
ALSO SEE – Chinese Fishing Nets in Kochi
2. Mattancherry
Mattancherry is, hands down, one of the best areas to stay in Kochi with its tantalizing spice markets and Jewish architecture. It features boutique hotels, hostels, and budget lodges converted out of ancient Jewish buildings to offer guests a taste of the Jewish lifestyle with modern amenities.
Located next to Fort Kochi, it offers the best of both worlds – the colonial-era charm of Fort Kochi and 16-century Jewish heritage, seen especially in its annual Hanukkah celebration! A shopper’s favorite, the iconic Jew Town sells antiques, handicrafts, and spices.
Highlights: Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace), Jew Town, Jewish Synagogue, popular antique shops
Ideal for: History lovers, culture vultures, shopaholics, fans of vintage goods
Accommodation options:
- Bastian Homestay (budget)
- The Tower House (mid-range)
- Ayana Fort Kochi (luxury)
Tariff range: INR 1,500 – INR 17,000
3. MG Road
Kochi’s Mahatma Gandhi Road is a commercial hub with premium shopping destinations and business centers. Visited by over 5 million shoppers annually, it is the best place to stay in Cochin for business travelers and shopaholics.
Staying at any of its modern mid-range/luxury hotels and resorts would give you access to attractions like Marine Drive and Centre Square Mall. Visit it during the amazing Cochin Carnival parade for the best experience!
Highlights: Marine Drive, Centre Square Mall, renowned shopping centers
Ideal for: Shopping enthusiasts, business travelers, visitors seeking a central location and urban amenities
Accommodation options:
- Ginger Kochi MG Road (budget)
- The Dunes Cochin (mid-range)
- Radisson Blu Kochi (luxury)
Tariff range: INR 2,500 to INR 15,000
ALSO SEE – Marine Drive Kochi- Places to Visit, Timings and Ticket Fares
4. Kakkanad
Kakkanad, the IT hub of Kochi, is one of the best places to stay in Kochi for business travelers. With Infopark, SmartCity, and many government offices, this home of over 30,000 tech professionals offers serviced apartments and business hotels on a low budget.
Other than budget stays, you’ll also find several coworking restaurants and cafes, workation retreats, and after-work tech lounges in Kakkanad, Kerala’s fastest-growing suburb! Its Wonderla Amusement Park adds recreational value and also makes it a family-friendly place to stay in Kochi.
Highlights: Infopark, Wonderla Amusement Park, coworking cafes
Ideal for: Business travelers, IT professionals, long-term stays
Accommodation options:
- Ruby Hotel Apartments (budget)
- Park Residency (mid-range)
- Olive Eva (luxury)
Tariff range: INR 1,500 to INR 9,000
5. Near Cochin International Airport (Nedumbassery)
If you’re wondering where to stay in Kochi for proximity to the airport and shuttle access, the budget hotels and luxury resorts of the nearby Nedumbassery region are your best option.
Other than convenient airport access, especially during early flights or layovers, it also offers travelers access to the charming Angamaly town tucked 6 km (22 minutes) away and the mighty Athirapally Falls located 35 km (an hour) away.
ALSO SEE – Athirappilly Falls Pocket Guide: Photos, Routes, Timings & Entry Fee
Highlights: Convenient access to the airport, Angamaly town, Athirapally Falls
Ideal for: Transit passengers and business travelers
Accommodation options:
- Base9 Airport Hotel (budget)
- Flora Airport Hotel and Convention Centre Kochi (mid-range)
- Courtyard by Marriott Kochi Airport (luxury)
Tariff range: INR 1,000 to INR 10,000
ALSO SEE – How To Get From Kochi To Athirappilly Falls By Bus, Train & Taxi
6. Cherai Beach
Located just 20 km from Kochi city center, Cherai Beach is the best area to stay in Kochi if you’re seeking a serene, secluded, and peaceful environment away from the hustle and bustle of the metropolitan.
Along with world-class services, pool, and spa, Cherai’s selection of beach resorts, boutique hotels, and homestays offers the best experiences of its golden beaches, watersports, backwater cruises, and dolphin-watching boat tours. It’s the ideal location for families and honeymooners!
ALSO SEE – 10 Best Beaches Near Kochi
Highlights: Cherai backwaters, beaches, watersports
Ideal for: Beach lovers, families with kids, adventure enthusiasts, peace seekers
Accommodation options:
- Cherai Beach Resort (budget)
- Sealine Beach Resort (mid-range)
- The Gateway Hotel Marine Drive Ernakulam (luxury)
Tariff range: INR 2,000 to INR 20,000
7. Kumbalangi
The Kumbalangi Integrated Tourism Village is India’s first model tourism village and an ecotourism destination renowned for its sustainable lifestyle and traditional fishing practices.
Receiving over 50,000 visitors annually, this village offers everything from canoe rides and locally sourced organic cuisine, to stays in traditional homestays and eco-friendly resorts for an immersive cultural experience!
Highlights: Kumbalangi immersive living, canoeing, authentic Kerala cuisine, fishing, village tours
Ideal for: Eco-tourists and seekers of rich cultural experiences
Accommodation options:
- Ann’s Homestay (budget)
- Heritage Methanam (mid-range)
Tariff range: 1,200 to INR 7,500
ALSO SEE – Kumbalangi Village Tour – All you need to know!
8. Edappally
Edappally is a swiftly developing suburb in Kochi famed for attractions like the Museum of Kerala History, St. George’sForane Church, and Lulu Mall – India’s largest shopping mall!
This urban paradise lures in travelers with its modern hotels, budget serviced apartments, lavish restaurants, and access to four major highways – NH 66, NH 47, NH 47A, and Kochi Bypass – which make it a convenient place to stay in Kochi for travelers.
Highlights: Lulu Mall, Museum of Kerala History, St. George’s Forane Church
Ideal for: Shopaholics, lovers of history and architecture
Accommodation options:
- EVE Nest (budget)
- Daffodils Spice Court (mid-range)
- Ginger House Museum Hotel (luxury)
Tariff range: INR 2,500 to INR 14,000
ALSO SEE – Best 5-Star Hotels In Kochi: Our Top 10 Picks
9. Willingdon Island
The man-made Willingdon Island serves as a major port as well as a serene retreat. With seaside attractions, a naval base, and scenic views of the harbor, it’s a wonderful place to stay for avid travelers.
This largest artificial island in India is the best place to stay in Cochin. It offers a series of mid-range lodges and luxury hotels like Taj Malabar!
Highlights: Port Museum, Willingdon Island Naval Base, scenic harbor views, fresh seafood
Ideal for: Luxury stay, history fanatics, beach lovers
Accommodation options:
- AZZA Heritage Home (budget)
- The Fern-An Ecotel Hotel (mid-range)
- Taj Malabar Resort & Spa (ultra-luxury)
Tariff range: INR 4,000 to INR 15,000
10. Panampilly Nagar
If you’re looking for an upscale residential area in Kochi with boutique hotels, serviced apartments, chic cafes, boutique stores, posh art galleries, and a distinctly cosmopolitan vibe, Panampilly Nagar is the best option for you!
It’s a great place for young travelers, couples, and foodies to hang out, read a book or work at a cafe, attend an art exhibition, go on a shopping spree, or eat at a gourmet restaurant. Seeking a fun place for a lengthy stay in Kochi? Get to Panampilly Nagar!
Highlights: Boutique shopping, gourmet restaurants, art galleries
Ideal for: Travelers seeking a classy locale in Kochi for a relaxed and possibly prolonged stay
Accommodation options:
- Hotel Bougainvillea (budget)
- The Avenue Center Hotel (mid-range)
- The Avenue Regent (luxury)
Tariff range: INR 2,000 to INR 12,000
ALSO SEE – Top 10 One Day Trips From Kochi
With diverse neighborhoods packed with rich cultural experiences, Kochi caters to all kinds of travelers! If you’ve found answer to the question of where to stay in Kochi that is perfect for your trip, you should proceed to look at our range of Kerala tour packages and book a vacation!
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