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Fort Kochi is a charming touristy town in Ernakulam district of Kerala, South India. It is situated on the Fort Kochi/Mattancherry peninsula and is the historical part of the Ernakulam city and home to many tourist attractions, such as the cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, the Mattancherry Palace and the Santa Cruz Basilica. It is only 12 km from Ernakulam town.
It was the first European township in India. Later the Portuguese, Dutch and the British came here. It has lots of historic monuments like the Vasco Da Gama Church, Dutch Cemetery, St. Francis Church, Chinese Fishing nets etc. A large number of international tourists visit this place every year. It is well connected to all parts of the city with bus services. One can also take a boat to reach Marine Drive. Indian Navy's Dronacharya is also situated in Fort Kochi.
Fort Kochi's architectural heritage has been carefully preserved, thanks to a local ordinance prohibiting new development in the area. For that reason, all the hotels in Fort Kochi (and there are many, including some rather swanky ones), are actually converted mansions and guest houses

Beechboro has four rooms allotted for its guest, of which three of them are air conditioned. The non air conditioned room has high wooden ceiling which keeps the room cool and comfortable, round the clock.

The guest rooms are aesthetically decorated and retain traditional themes In an absolutely pollution free environment and family atmosphere. All rooms are well furnished and have modern amenities.

We offer nice, spacious, well ventilated & clean rooms which guarantee you security and personalized service. The rooms have comfortable twin-beds & attached bathrooms with private European style toilets. 24 hours hot/cold water is made available.

Every day in this place is a feast for the senses - and especially the taste buds! The food is cooked in homely manner using fresh ingredients. Chinese, Continental menus are made available to choose from. But for true Keraleeyan style, there is a wide selection to choose from, in case you decide to eat with the family.

Kerala Cuisine offers delicious meals using locally-grown spices and herbs, local fish - Karimeen Pollichathu, Avoli Fry, Neimeen Curry - and chicken and duck dishes, specialties of the region, as well as dosa, appam-egg roast, puttu-kadala, mouth-watering vegetarian dishes.

On special request Ms Arlene Bernard can teach the guests, the secret recipes of Kerala food.

The Chinese fishing nets along the Vasco Da Gama Square are erected on teak wood and the bamboo poles used in it, work on the principle of balance. Records say they were first set up here between AD 1350 and 1450. The Square parallels the beach, & is the best place to watch the nets being lowered and pulled out of the sea. Located near to these nets, are an array of restaurants which serves fresh seafood.

One of the earliest streets to be constructed in Fort Kochi, Princess Street with its European style residences still retains its old world charm. The best view of this quaint street can be had from Loafer's Corner, the traditional meeting place and hangout of the jovial funloving people of the area.

St. Francis Church, the oldest church in India built by the Europeans (The Protestant church was built originally by the Portuguese in AD 1510 and is believed to be the first church built by Europeans in India). Vasco Da Gama the Governor of Portuguese territories in India was buried in here before his mortal remains were taken to Portugal, fourteen years after his death. But the original tablet still remains here.

The four acre Parade Ground was where once the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British colonists conducted their military parades and drills. The buildings around the ground housed their defence establishments. Today, the largest open ground in Fort Kochi, the Parade Ground is a sports arena.

Vasco House, believed to have been the residence of Vasco da Gama, this is one of the oldest Portuguese residences in Fort Kochi. Built in the early sixteenth century, Vasco House sports the typical European glass paned windows and balcony cum verandahs characteristic of the times

The Dutch palace or Mattancherry palace was originally built by the Portuguese and presented to the Raja of Cochin, Veera Kerala Varma in 1555. It was later taken over by the Dutch who improved it through extensions and repairs in 1663. Since then it came to be called the Dutch Palace though at no time did the Portuguese nor the Dutch stayed there. Today it is a portrait gallery of the Cochin Rajas.

The Dutch Cemetery. The tomb stones here are the most authentic record of the hundreds of Europeans who left their homeland on a mission to expand their colonial empires and changed the course of history of this land. The cemetery was consecrated in 1724 and is today managed by the Church of South India.


The Synagogue at Mattancherry built in 1568. The Great Scrolls of the Old Testament, the Copper Plates on which the grants of privilege made by the Cochin rulers were recorded and the exquisite Chinese hand-painted tiles are of interest, it is the oldest Synagogue in the Common Wealth Countries. It was partially destroyed in the war of 1662, but was rebuilt by Dutch. In the mid 18th century a clock tower was added to the structure.