A unique experience awaits you at International Pepper Exchange, which is the only place in the world where pepper is an exchange currency. Located near Spice Market in Jew Town, it also happens to be the only online commodity exchange in the state of Kerala. It was established in 1957 and is a great place to witness the ancient barter system in practice until today. Tourists can shop for various fragrant varieties of pepper and other interesting spices.

Spread across an area of four-acre, Parade Ground is the place where the British, the Dutch and the Portuguese conducted their military drills and parades. Parade Ground was a part of Portuguese construction where they stored their armaments. The ground was once used a hockey and a football field by the Portuguese and Dutch colonisers, while the British used it as a cricket pitch. During the colonial rule, the ground hosted the flags of the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British. After Independence, the British Union Jack was taken down to hoist the Indian Tricolour, and since then hockey matches between the Navy and local clubs have been regularly organised. Some of the national level football tournaments have also been played here. Today, the ground is an arena for those who come to play football and cricket. The Kochi-Muziris Biennale, an international contemporary art festival of Kochi, is also inaugurated here.

An eclectic mix of spices, handicrafts, culture and food, Mattancherry is probably the most vibrant spot in Kochi. The best way to explore it is by strolling down the bustling streets and breathing in fragrant spices, the aroma of authentic cuisine, while culture and tradition spill unchecked at every turn. This is especially evident in the brightly painted walls that look like fine works of modern art. A major attraction is the Mattancherry Palace or the Dutch Palace, which is a beautiful amalgamation of Kerala and colonial styles of architecture. About 12 km from Ernakulam, the palace was built by the Portuguese in 1545 CE as a gift to Veera Kerala Verma, of Kochi dynasty. Since the palace saw many renovations under the rule of the Dutch, it came to be known as the Dutch Palace. Tourists can admire its long and spacious halls and lovely murals adorning the walls. Some of these exhibits display scenes from Indian epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata. The two-storeyed structure also houses some of the works of the great poet, Kalidasa. Tourists can also get a peek into the royal lifestyle through the life-size portraits of the rulers of Cochin, sheathed swords, axes, daggers and ceremonial spears ornamented with feathers, along with royal caps and coins issued by the rulers of Cochin.

Among the first European forts in India, Fort Emmanuel was built in 1503 by the Portuguese. Situated at Fort Kochi, it was once a symbol of the alliance between the ruler of Kochi and the monarch of Portugal. An imposing structure along the beach, it makes for an interesting exploration. Its charming ruins reflect vestiges of Portuguese royalty and the architectural finesse of that time.

The splendid Clock Tower looms over the landscape of the Mattancherry area in Kochi. It is located right next to the Paradesi Synagogue, which is another famous landmark. This 45-ft-high structure has four faces that are marked with numerals written in Hebrew, Latin and Malayalam, with one face being blank. The dial of the tower that is towards the Maharaja's face has Malayalam numerals, the one towards the synagogue has Hebrew and the third, Roman. This was done so as an eclectic mix of Jewish, Latin and Malayali populace called the region their home. To bring to notice the passing time by the people of all communities, the tower that struck after every hour, was marked in different languages. The Clock Tower was commissioned by a well-known local businessman, Ezekiel Rahabi in 1760, and remained fully functional till 1930.

Located en route Fort Kochi Beach, Dutch Cemetery is one of the oldest in the country. Reflecting the Dutch architecture of those times, the cemetery is bordered by high walls. An ancient pillar stands at the entrance with the year 1724 inscribed on it. The cemetery is home to 104 epitaphs and tombs that carry authentic records of hundreds of people of Dutch and British nationality. Many of the tombs are made of granite and red laterite and have no cross. There are big as well as small tombstones and the inscriptions on the epitaphs are in old Dutch script. According to historical sources, the last person to be laid to rest here was Captain Joseph Ethelbert Winckler in 1913.

An ode to the Indian Navy, the Maritime Museum is a spectacular site that is housed within INS Dronacharya at Fort Kochi. As you enter the museum, you are greeted by wooden boards on either side that narrate the evolution of the Indian Navy from 712 CE to the present. The galleries of the museum have been set up in old bunkers, and while one gives a peek into the history of Kerala, the other portrays the rich history of the Navy and the maritime history of India from the times of the Indus Valley Civilisation. A highlight of the museum is a detailed map of the sea route taken by Europeans to reach the Konkan coast. You can also find models of famous Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama, and legendary sea warrior, Kunjali Marakkar, who fought bravely against the Portuguese navy. The museum also has archives of the elaborate literature on ship-building carried out throughout the country. Moreover, visitors can find detailed displays of the contribution of the Indian Navy in the wars of 1965 and 1971 with Pakistan, the Kargil War and the Goa Liberation. These are shown in the forms of flags, rank badges, uniforms, naval regalia from different times of history and a memento given to the Navy by their Pakistani counterparts during the Partition. The memento carries the inscription," Goodbye and Good Luck." Tourists can also find the armoury, naval models and other equipment.

Established in 1962, it is an academy for fine arts that was set up to promote art and artistic heritage. The aim of the academy is to encourage culture, painting, plastic and visual arts. It is an autonomous institute of culture functioning under the State Department of Culture. The structure of the academy, at Thrissur, is an architectural marvel. Tourists can also check out works by noted painters like K C S Panikker and the late T K Padmini. The hub of cultural and art discussions and events in Kerala, the academy provides a unique platform where master artists can interact with upcoming artists. The academy also plays a key role in developing visual arts like sculptures, photography, ceramics, graphics and paintings.

Situated in Edapally area, Museum of Kerala History greets you with a statue of sage Parsurama, who is believed to have carved the state of Kerala out of sea. As you move further, you see various interesting exhibits relating to different stages of Kerala's history. From Neolithic to modern age, the evolution is depicted through life-size figures. The museum has three galleries: Museum of Kerala History, Gallery of Modern Art and Dolls Museum. The Museum of Kerala History is the oldest and gives a history of Kerala through 36 dioramas. The Gallery of Modern Art has a collection of nearly 230 works by some of India's modern artists such as Raja Ravi Varma, MF Husain, FN Souza, Ramkinker Baij, etc. At the Doll's Museum, there are about 150 dolls that depict the culture and dance traditions of India. An unmissable event is the live sound and light show in English and Malayalam.

Perched on a little hillock, near the Parade Ground in Fort Kochi, Bishop's House is an architectural marvel. Boasting large Gothic arches and a circular garden path, winding up to the main entrance, the house is a visual treat. Some of the other notable features are a maze of corridors, elaborate living rooms, stained glass windows, wooden staircases, a marble plaque near the main stairway. The walls of the house are adorned with 36 exquisite paintings that depict historical events that led to the formation of the Catholic Church in Kerala. The house was built in 1506 as the residence of the Portuguese governor. Next to it, lies the Indo-Portuguese museum, which has precious artefacts, collected from various churches under the Cochin diocese.

One of the oldest surviving European forts in India, built by the Portuguese in 1503, Pallipuram Fort, on Vypeen Island, is an iconic landmark of the city. Preserving vestiges of European heritage, the fort has been built in a hexagonal shape and constructed with lime, laterite and wood. The architecture of the structure is notable as it has been built on a lower floor at an elevation of five ft. The layout of the fort is such that it would have been easy to mount guns to command the quarters around the fort. Inside, there is a vast open space that leads to the cellar. Local lore says that the cellar is a tunnel that takes you to the Cheraman Masjid in Kodungalloor.

A quaint and charming spot in the city, Pierce Leslie Bungalow was built in 1892. One of the most popular heritage buildings in the city, it draws tourists from far and wide for its architectural splendour. A unique amalgamation of Kerala, Dutch and Portuguese styles, the mansion boasts fine wood panels that make up the roof of the ground floor, arched doorways, expansive rooms and carved doors. The cascading balconies and extensive rooms of the mansion are a visual treat for tourists. The bungalow hosts two houses called Koder House and Old Harbor House, along with waterfront verandahs that add to the elegance of the bungalow. This building used to be the office of Pierce Leslie & Company, which was a prominent group of coffee merchants in India.

Lying at the heart of the city, the 100-year-old Durbar Hall is a peaceful space, echoing with historical charm. The erstwhile hosting point of conferences and meets organised by kings, the hall is an important cultural spot.

A unique cultural art village in Kerala, Greenix Village provides a mesmeric experience that acquaints visitors with the state's traditional riches. Every evening, the renowned dance drama of Kathakali is shown, along with Kalaripayattu, a martial art form that leaves tourists staring in awe. Moreover, tourists can also attend an audio-visual cultural history at the museum, Indian classical dance performances in the evening and yoga classes in the morning. An art gallery restaurant, a book shop, vignettes of Kerala's craft and cottage industry and a curio shop add to the charm of the village. Greenix was incepted in 2006 and is also home to several artisans. It has also been bestowed with the award of 'The Best Innovative Project from the Department of Tourism, Kerala State'.

Steeped in colonial charm, Fort Kochi was among the first European townships in India. Located to the south of Fosse Street, Fort Kochi is a serene stopover boasting narrow streets lined with tall trees and colourful flowers peeking out of windows of old houses. Built by the Portuguese in 1506, the fort still reflects vestiges of its glorious past. Of particular interest are the streets of Fort Kochi that leave one in awe of the culture and heritage they so boldly display. Some of the popular haunts include Princess Street, Burger Street, Rose Street, Tower Road etc. You can enjoy a quiet stroll along Mattancherry roads like Jew Street, Palace Road and TD School Road that transport you to a different era. Fort Kochi Beach, lying nearby, is another attraction. A blanket of golden sand, skirted by tranquil waters, Fort Kochi Beach is one of the best natural retreats in the city. Lined with swaying palms and dense bushes, it offers a picturesque view of the surroundings. The beach also holds appeal for adventure-lovers, who can indulge in sports like snorkelling, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, scuba diving, catamaran sailing and parasailing. Perhaps the best attraction of the beach is the spectacular view of sunsets one can get from here. Gaze in awe as the burning orb of the sun dips into the serene waters, painting the sky in a canvas of red and orange. The Chinese fishing nets and the sailing ships add to the picturesque view. Many European-style bungalows dot the shoreline, and the coastline has many small stalls, where one can take one's fill of mouth-watering traditional dishes made using freshly caught fish.

Located 10 km from main Ernakulam, Mattancherry Palace or Dutch Palace is one of the best examples of Malayalam-style architecture mixed with colonial influences. Its interiors are beautifully adorned, with 17th and 18th-century murals depicting scenes from the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. Besides, tourists can admire life-size portraits of all the kings of Cochin since 1864, sheathed swords, daggers and axes, together with ceremonial spears decorated with feathers, royal caps, coins issued by the kings of Cochin, silver sequinned gowns, royal umbrellas made of silk and brass, along with plans laid out for Cochin by the Dutch. Of note are the paintings in the king's bedchamber that depict the stories of Ramayana, the murals in the coronation hall that depict Goddess Lakshmi on the lotus, sleeping Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati with Ardhanariswara, the coronation of Lord Rama, Lord Krishna lifting the mountain Govardhan and other goddesses. The room opposite Coronation Hall has paintings of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Goddess Devi and an incomplete painting; and another room has murals of Kumarasambhava and works by renowned poet, Kalidasa.

The palace was built by the Portuguese as a gift to King Veera Kerala Varma (1809-1828). It came to be known as the Dutch Palace because of the number of additions the Dutch made to it. The palace is home to the presiding deity of the royal family, the 'PazhayannurBhagavathi' (the Goddess of Pazhayannur).

A noodle-thin street winding its way between Mattancherry Palace and Jewish Synagogue, Jew Town is among the oldest spaces of the city that once hosted a blooming Jewish populace. Today, this bustling street is the best spot to stock up on unique handicrafts, fragrant spices and exquisite antiques. Soak in rich Jewish culture as vendors greet you warmly with Shalom, a Jewish greeting, and invite you to check out a fine selection of Jewish memorabilia, brass statues, Pashmina shawls, Chinese vases, candlesticks, rose water sprinklers etc. As you hop to the shops, don't forget to refresh with a mug of piping hot coffee and a bite of authentic cuisine in the various cafes perched atop the restored spice warehouses.

Bolgatty Palace, located on Bolgatty Island, is a Dutch palace, and is just a short boat ride away from the mainland. Now, a heritage hotel, run by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC), it is an ideal retreat to experience the grandeur of the royal lifestyle. In 1744, an anonymous Dutch businessman constructed Bolgatty Palace. Between 1909 and 1947, it served as the British Residency. Tourists can explore the island that boasts a neat golf course. The panoramic views of the harbour and the port make this place a great picnic spot for families. Regular boat service is available from the mainland, and tourists can reach Bolgatty Islands on a ferry from High Court Jetty. The island is located at a distance of about 2 km via Goshree Bridge.