Travel alert! Kochi has just been named among Booking.com’s Top 10 Trending Destinations for 2026, making it the only Indian city to earn a place on this prestigious international list. For a city once known mainly for its spice trade, this global recognition marks a powerful step forward. Kochi is no longer just a gateway to Kerala; it is now one of the world’s most loved travel experiences, drawing attention for its culture, food, art, history, and easy accessibility. Nestled along Kerala’s southwestern coast, Kochi’s charm comes from centuries of global influence—Arab traders, Chinese merchants, Portuguese sailors, Dutch settlers, and British colonial forces all left their mark here. This mix of cultures is what makes Kochi feel different from anywhere else in India.

Fort Kochi: Where History Breathes Through Every Corner

Travel platform Booking.com highlights Fort Kochi as one of the biggest reasons for the city’s global attention, and rightly so. Walking through Fort Kochi feels like stepping inside a living museum. There are colonial-era bungalows with large windows, pastel walls, and balconies filled with bougainvillea. There are narrow lanes lined with art cafés, boutiques, and street murals. And of course, there are the iconic Chinese fishing nets, swaying slowly against the Arabian Sea, the most photographed symbol of Kochi. Tourists enjoy evening strolls on the beachfront and mornings sipping coffee inside 200-year-old Portuguese-style buildings. Every corner of Fort Kochi carries a story, making it both nostalgic and vibrant at the same time.

India’s Biggest Contemporary Art Festival

Every two years, from January to March, Kochi transforms into one of the world’s largest public art spaces through the Kochi-Muziris Biennale. This festival has played a major role in putting Kochi on the global cultural map. Old godowns, abandoned factories, warehouses, and spice stores in Fort Kochi and Mattancherry turn into vivid art galleries. Streets fill with sculptures, installations, murals, sound art, live performances, workshops, poetry readings, and pop-up exhibits. Artists and travelers come from around the world to celebrate creativity. For many visitors, the Biennale is not just an event; it is an emotional experience. You meet people from different countries, share stories, discover new ideas, and walk through art that makes you think deeply. It is proof that Kochi is more than a historic city; it is a living, breathing cultural force.

A Food Culture That Leaves a Lasting Memory

Kochi’s cuisine is one of the city’s strongest attractions. Whether you are a seafood lover, a spice enthusiast, or someone who enjoys cafés and global cuisine, Kochi has it all. Traditional toddy shops serving karimeen pollichathu and crab roast and home-style kitchens offering appam, stew, fish molee, and tapioca dishes. Cafes and fusion restaurants in Fort Kochi that serve everything from Japanese-style bowls to Mediterranean platters. Food is not just food here; it is culture, memory, identity, and emotion. Every traveller carries back the taste of Kochi long after they leave. One of the reasons Kochi ranks high globally is its convenience. The Cochin International Airport, one of India’s busiest, is also the world’s first fully solar-powered airport, an achievement that perfectly represents Kerala’s approach to sustainability. Kochi is also well-connected by highways, metro rail ferries, buses, and intercity trains. For international travelers, this ease of movement makes Kochi a stress-free destination, especially compared to larger, crowded Indian cities.

Perfect Gateway to Kerala’s Most Loved Destinations

Another big reason for Kochi’s appeal is its perfect location. Travellers can take easy day trips to Alappuzha (Alleppey)—to cruise through peaceful backwaters, Munnar to enjoy cool tea gardens, mountains, and misty valleys and Marari Beach for quiet beaches and golden sunsets free from crowds. This blend of city life, seaside charm, and hill-station beauty makes Kochi a dream base for exploring Kerala. From its charming streets and artistic soul to its welcoming people and strategic location, Kochi truly deserves its place among the world’s top trending destinations. As more travelers discover its magic in 2026 and beyond, the city is ready to grow, shine, and share its timeless stories with the world.