Have you ever explored a place where time seems to have stopped? Enjoy local sightseeing with your loved ones in the Jew Town in Kochi, Kerala, which showcases the ancient heritage of the city, along with its beautiful and unique architecture, dating back to the 16th Century. This place is ideal for photographers, artists and wanderers who love to explore places. Lastly, we have included some of the best places to visit in Jew Town in this guide for your convenience. If you are visiting Kochi from the COK Airport, you can easily get a Kochi Airport Taxi with TaxiYatri and reach Jew Town, Kochi, comfortably.
Located around the Mattancherry area of Cochin, you can explore the Jew Synagogue and Jew Town comfortably with TaxiYatri’s affordable Taxi Service in Kochi. We will help you explore the history of Paradesi Synagogue, as well as the cultural heritage of the Jewish community in Cochin. In addition, you can also witness the antiquity in the Jew Town Market, a popular shopping destination for spices and handicrafts. This makes it one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kerala, thanks to lively bazaars for shopping.
Further, explore some of the best places to eat in Jew Town, for an authentic Kerala flavour experience. Hence, you can learn about the Jewish Heritage of Kochi and enjoy its delightful food and shopping experience.
Therefore, we have highlighted the following things that make Jew Town in Kochi a Must-Visit place on your bucket list!
1. Learn More about Kochi’s Jewish Heritage
Explore the top tourist attractions in Kochi’s Jew Town, which features not only Fort Kochi, but a few other significant attractions around and nearby, which include:
- Fort Kochi, Jew Town
Exploring Jew Town is impossible without experiencing the heritage of Fort Kochi. It encompasses the Jew Town, Santa Cruz Basilica, and the Paradesi Synagogue. Popular for being the first European Fort in India
- Paradesi (Jewish) Synagogue, Kochi
Explore the Jewish Synagogue, often known as the Paradesi Synagogue, which is considered pivotal to Jewish Heritage in Kochi. With beautifully painted tiles, chandeliers and other ancient artefacts, you can learn a lot about the history of Jewish culture in South India.
- Jew Town Road, Kochi
Walk along the Jew Town Road to witness a blend of Portuguese and Dutch architecture with Jewish and British influences. You will find Jewish markets selling a range of highly valued souvenirs to keep the memory of Kochi in your soul!
- Mattancherry Palace
Like the Jewish Fort, you can witness the blend of architectural styles with that of local Keralite architecture, and hence, it is one of the best places to visit in Kerala. It was earlier known as the Dutch Palace, which was ironically built by the Portuguese as a gift to the Royal Family of Cochin back in 1545.
- Jain Temple, Kochi, Kerala
Located in the Mattancherry area near Fort Kochi, you can find Dharamanath Jain Mandir, built in 1904 by Hirubhai Dhanji. This is one of the most important religious places in Cochin, where you can see the two Jain Tirthankaras, namely Dharmanatha and Chandraprabha.
- Fort Emmanuel, Cochin
Built as a coastal defence strategy, you can find the ruins of this 16th-century Portuguese wonder. This fort was destroyed by the Dutch and British, which was once the heart of the Portuguese community in Kerala. Don’t forget to click here, which is the best photography location in Kochi.
2. Antique Shopping & Local Crafts
Apart from the aforementioned, the Jew Town Market is another must-visit place in Kochi, which will let you find ancient artefacts that feel magically vintage. You can find a range of furniture, handicrafts, brassware, wooden sculptures and jewellery here, which makes it one of the favourite spots for collecting souvenirs. Some of the best places for shopping in the Jew Town Market include:
- Spice Market: Find some of the most unique spice combinations here in the Spice Market, which is popular for Peppers, Cinnamon and Cloves.
- Heritage Arts: Purchase some of the unique and best artworks featuring Kerala handicrafts for vintage and home decor.
- SPR Perfume Museum: Do you love Essential Oils and the Aroma? Try out this store in Jew Town, which features and sells a range of perfumes that you can use for personal and professional uses.
- Crafters: Visit Crafters for shopping for antique jewellery, furniture and artefacts that you won’t find anywhere else.
3. Cafes & Culinary Delights
Try out some of the best places to eat in Cochin over here in the Jew Town, Kerala. You will not only find the local Cochin food, but also other delights, including International flavours, in this town. Try out the popular Jewish cuisines in Kochi, such as Hummus.
- Kashi Art Cafe: Enjoy a range of top non-veg food options here!
- East India Street Cafe: Try out some of the best delicacies. Heaven for Veg and Non-Veg foodies alike.
- Kulluki Sharbat: Try out this unique iced Sherbat topped with Chilli and Kaskas, which has Sugar, Lemon and Unique Flavours you can choose.
Enjoy tasting in the local cafes and restaurants, as you can find many in Kochi. Jew Town is famous for its delights, featuring a range of unique dishes, including seafood!
How to Reach Jew Town, Fort Cochin?
In order to reach Jew Town comfortably, you must reach Kochi via Air, Rail or Road, and then you can easily explore this beautiful town.
- Nearest Railway Station: Ernakulam South Railway Station, Cochin, located 10 km away
- Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport, Kochi (COK), situated 40 km away
It is recommended to book a Kochi taxi to comfortably reach Jew Town from the nearest railway station/airport. You can easily hire a reliable and affordable cab service in Kerala with TaxiYatri simply over a phone call and visit the best sightseeing places in Kochi with your loved ones. TaxiYatri is popular for its reliable and timely railway station and airport transfers. So don’t wait anymore and dial 8377-809-809 and book your ride today!
Top Things to do in Jew Town, Fort Cochin
Some of the best things to do in Jew Town, Cochin, include the following:
- Photography: Capture the beautiful seaside, vibrant markets, colourful buildings, and forts and ruins, as this place is considered a heaven for photographers.
- Exploring the Best Tourist Attractions in Jew Town: Explore the top places to visit in Kochi here in Jew Town. We have described them above for your convenience.
- Find Graffiti and Wall Art in the streets: What’s better than exploring art in every corner and taking a memory in your smartphone?
- Try out Different Cafes: Check out the best places to eat in Cochin and spend a luxurious time reading a book, or finalising your project on a workation!
- Enjoy a Cultural evening at local events: If you want to explore the local traditions and cultures of Kerala, you cannot miss engaging with the festivals and events happening in various venues, including the Kerala Kathakali Centre.
- Talk to the Locals: Learn more about the history and culture of Jew Town from the locals, as they know it better!
However, it is recommended to hire a reliable and affordable cab service in Cochin to conveniently travel around Kochi and Jew Town with your loved ones. For this, we recommend booking a sedan, SUV or Tempo Traveller with TaxiYatri, which comes with the following features.
- 24/7 Bookings and Customer Support
- Flexible and Customisable Tour Packages
- Transparent Pricing without any Hidden Fees
- Our Services in over 1000+ major Indian Cities and Towns
- Local, Outstation and Railway Station/Airport Transfers
On top of that, you can avail of the booking feature without even visiting the website. Simply dial 8377-809-809 and hire a cab on rent in Kochi or anywhere easily over a phone call.
Travel Tips for Visitors
Enjoy exploring Jew Town alone or with your loved ones. Here are some of the best tips for travellers around Jew Town in Kochi.
- Avoid weekends and public holidays, as it is usually crowded
- Be respectful of the local customs and culture
- Carry all the essentials with you
- Book your hotels and cabs in advance to avoid the last-minute rush
- Wear comfortable clothing
Make your trip to Jew Town, Cochin, memorable with your loved ones. Visit a range of historical and cultural sites, cafes and restaurants, as well as markets, in this beautiful town. Book the best taxi service in Cochin with TaxiYatri and make your journey comfortable with the best amenities.
FAQs
- What is the Jew Town in Fort Kochi?
Jew Town was historically the home to Jews in Kerala, India, which has a range of stories and architecture which you can witness to this day. Located in Mattancherry, Kochi, there are plenty of great attractions in the Jew Town, which you can find in this blog.
- What is the speciality of Jew Street in Cochin?
Located between the Paradesi Synagogue and Mattancherry Palace, Jew Street provides you with the opportunity to enjoy shopping and eating in the best places in Kochi. Try out the Spice Market, Handicraft shops and the best restaurants and cafes in Jew Town.
- Which is the nearest metro station to Jew Town?
The closest metro station to Jew Town is the Maharaja’s College Metro Station. You can hire the best cab service in Kochi with TaxiYatri from here and reach Jew Town, located approximately 7 km away!
- What are the top places to see in Jew Town?
You can explore the best sightseeing places in Jew Town, Kochi, to the Kochi Fort, Mattancherry Palace and Jewish Synagogue, along with the best cafes and restaurants in Kochi, among other popular attractions. However, don’t forget the vibrant markets selling antique jewellery and artefacts, along with handicrafts and spices.
- What is the history of Jew Town?
Rich in history, culture and food, you can find traces of Jewish, Portuguese, Dutch and British culture, along with the local Indian influence in Jew Town. Back in the 16th century, this place was allocated by the King of Cochin to the Jewish settlers, and their remains are well-maintained to date in Kochi.
I’m a wanderer who loves venturing on to unknown and unseen places. I explore freely to various fun and adventurous places, whether it be spiritual temple tours, captivating landscapes, and more. I wonder around in search of hidden gems and tourist attractions, temples, and other places.
