Museums in Kochi (Ernakulam) offer a reflection of the historical, cultural, and social evolution of the region in the face of time. Here are the best family-friendly museums in Kochi.

From the grandeur of royal palaces to the maritime legacy of the Indian Navy, and from traditional folklore to colonial artifacts, Kochi’s museums provide a fascinating journey through time. As a history buff, I have been fortunate to have visited all of Kochi’s museums with family. I feel that visiting museums in any tourist place with family enriches your understanding of history, culture, and art.

From my experiences and in no particular order, here are the top 7 museums in Kochi that you must visit with family.

Must Visit Museums in Kochi with Family

Kochi offers a unique blend of traditions, architecture, and art in its museums. Here are the best museums to visit in Kochi with your family.

Hill Palace Museum

Located in Tripunithura, Kochi, the Hill Palace Museum is the largest archaeological museum in Kerala and one of my favourites. Built in 1865, Hill Palace Museum was once the official residence of the Cochin royal family.

The museum complex comprises 49 buildings constructed in traditional Kerala architectural style, sprawling over 54 acres of land.

It houses an extensive collection of the royal family’s artifacts, including the crown and ornaments, paintings, sculptures in stone and marble, weapons, inscriptions, and coins.

Additionally, the museum features exhibits that detail the rich history of Kochi and its royal lineage, to provide you with an in-depth look into the region’s past. The surrounding gardens and children’s park, and deer park are fun places to hang out with family.

I loved visiting Hill Palace Museum with my preschooler son. The deer park and children’s park here are great spots for us to spend quality family time.

Read: Hill Palace Museum Kochi: Entry Fee, Timings, History

Mattancherry Palace Museum

Located in Mattancherry next to Jew Town, the Mattancherry Palace Museum, is one of the most visited museums in Kochi.

Also known as the Dutch Palace, this historical building was originally constructed by the Portuguese and gifted to the Raja of Cochin in 1555. Later, it was significantly renovated by the Dutch, hence earning the name, “Dutch Palace”.

The palace is renowned for its stunning Kerala murals, which depict scenes from Hindu temple art and mythology. The museum inside the palace showcases portraits and exhibits of the Rajas of Cochin, along with traditional artifacts. You will also find here an ivory palanquin and exhibits of ceremonial royal dresses and jewellery.

Mattancherry Palace Museum is situated on the first floor of the palace building with steep stairs. I would not recommend this museum to anyone who needs special assistance, but if you are comfortable climbing stairs, Mattancherry Palace Museum is a must-visit with family.

Read: Mattancherry Palace Museum: Entry Fee, Visiting Time, History

Kerala Folklore Museum

The Kerala Folklore Museum, located in Thevara, Kochi, is the largest private museum of Kerala. What I love about this museum is its collection of over 4,000 artifacts, encompassing traditional and folk art, theatrical costumes, woodworks, stone sculptures, jewelry, and musical instruments.

This museum was founded in 2009 by an anthropologist and art collector, George J. Thaliath. The exhibits here are the antiques he and his family collected over generations.

I am in awe of the museum building, which is an art in itself. It is an art installation combining architectural styles of Cochin, Malabar, and Travancore regions of Kerala with intricate wood carvings. The museum has a huge collection of traditional face masks used in cultural performances like Theyyam, Kathakali, and other artforms of Kerala.

The museum houses a gift shop selling antiques and handicraft products. While I love the museum, I am not a fan of the gift shop here. The “handwoven” sarees they have here don’t feel handloom. As a Keralite, I have a fair understanding of sarees. When I asked them where their sarees came from on one of my visits, they got quite uncomfortable and fumbled. I found the clothing items in the shop quite overpriced too. Overall, I would suggest you visit the museum (it is really beautiful!) but don’t buy anything from the store.

Read: Kerala Folklore Museum: Entry Fee, Timing, History

Kerala History Museum

The Kerala History Museum, also known as the Museum of Kerala History, is located in the heart of Ernakulam town in Edappally, Kochi. This museum offers a comprehensive journey through the history and heritage of Kerala, spanning from ancient times to the modern era.

It features life-size sculptures, dioramas, and audio-visual presentations that bring to life the significant events and personalities that shaped Kerala’s history. The museum’s exhibits include detailed portrayals of key historical figures, ranging from ancient rulers to modern reformers.

The art gallery within the museum showcases a collection of contemporary Indian art, offering a blend of historical and artistic exploration. There is also a gallery of doll exhibits representing the attire of different cultures of India.

What I like the best about visiting the Kerala History Museum with family is the light and sound show with the life-size sculptures narrating major historical events of Kerala. The museum plays this show when they have enough number of people visiting at a time.

Read: Museum of Kerala History Kochi: Ticket Price, Timing, History

Bastion Bungalow Museum

The Bastion Bungalow Museum, also known as the Ernakulam District Heritage Museum, is located in Fort Kochi, overlooking the Arabian Sea. According to historians, Bastion Bangalow was one of the bastions that the Portuguese built in the 16^th century as part of Emmanuel Fort. Later in the 17^th century, when the Dutch overtook the Portuguese, they destroyed Fort Emmanuel and Bastion

Bungalow was one of the few remnants that stayed intact. The Dutch conducted significant renovation on the Bastion Bungalow making it a fusion of the Dutch and Portuguese architecture.

Bastion Bungalow Museum houses a diverse collection of artifacts dating back to the colonial era, showcasing the maritime heritage, cultural exchanges, and historical significance of Fort Kochi. The museum’s exhibits include artifacts, photographs, and documents that tell the story of Fort Kochi’s transformation under Portuguese, Dutch, and British rule.

What I love the most about Bastion Bungalow is that this octagonal mansion is perched on the shores of the Arabian Sea offering the best view of Vasco Da Gama Square.

Read: Bastion Bungalow Museum Fort Kochi: Entry Fee, Timing

Indian Naval Maritime Museum

The Indian Naval Maritime Museum, located in the premises of INS Donacharya in Fort Kochi, is a museum that narrates the glorious past of the Indian Navy.  

The museum features an extensive collection of maritime artifacts, including models of warships, naval equipment, and weaponry. Exhibits also detail significant naval battles, the role of the navy in various conflicts, and the technological advancements that have shaped modern naval warfare.

Through interactive displays and informative exhibits, you can explore the rich maritime heritage of India, understanding the strategic importance of the navy in safeguarding the nation’s waters.

A unique feature of this museum’s exhibits is that here you can scan the QR code on each exhibit to listen to an audio description of the history and relevance of the exhibit. An important information to keep in mind while visiting this museum is that, being located so closely to the Indian Naval office, this museum is a high security zone. Your phone will lose network inside the museum premises.

This is a great museum to visit with family, especially young children. My preschooler son loved his visit to Indian Naval Maritime Museum.

Read: Indian Naval Maritime Museum: Entry Fee and Visiting Time

Indo-Portuguese Museum

The Indo-Portuguese Museum is an establishment that showcases the influence of the Portuguese culture on the life and Christianity of the people of the region. Located in Bishop’s House, Fort Kochi, this museum was established by the late Bishop Dr. Joseph Kureethara, the Bishop of Kochi, in 2000.

The museum’s collection includes a variety of artifacts such as statues, altars, vestments, and other religious objects, reflecting the rich Indo-Portuguese Christian art heritage.

One of the highlights of the museum is a piece of the altar from the 16th-century Church of Our Lady of Hope made of teakwood. The exhibits provide a glimpse into the period of Portuguese colonization and its enduring impact on the region.

This is a rather smaller museum with limited but unique collections of church and liturgical antiques from various churches in Kochi that depict Portuguese influences. Indo-Portuguese Museum is a must visit museum in Kochi if you are a historical enthusiast or interested in early Christianity in India.

Wrapping Up Must Visit Museums in Kochi with Family

Exploring the museums in Kochi with family offers a captivating glimpse into the city’s rich and diverse heritage. Each museum, from the Hill Palace Museum to the Kerala Folklore Museum, tells a unique story that contributes to the vibrant tapestry of Kochi’s history and culture. As a local expert on Kochi, I believe these 7 museums are the best in the city for families, offering unparalleled insights and experiences.