Cochin is known for its scenic beauty, so it's quite natural for you to want to visit this beautiful part of India. So, if you already have an Indian tourist visa, pack your bags and come and visit captivating Cochin. There's a lot to see, here's a sampler:

Backwaters: Cochin is also known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea since it comprises an archipelago on the Vembanad Lake. Some of these picture-perfect islands are Gundu, Bolgatty, Vypeen and Vallarpadam. The Vembanad Lake pours out into the Arabian Sea here and forms a large and beautiful natural harbor - one of the world's best - and transforms Cochin into a blend of unimaginable influences and cultures. By interlinking the waterways here, you can go on a backwaters cruise - but, of course, only on your Indian visa.

St. Francis Church: If you have an Indian tourist visa, you must visit this marvelous church. Built in 1503 by Portuguese priests, it is said to be India's oldest European church. It was originally dedicated to Santo Antonio, Portugal's patron saint. It has a gabled roof with timber covered with tiles. Its doors and windows have semi-circular arches. You can also visit Vasco da Gama's gravestone.

Mattancherry Palace: Built by the Portuguese in 1557, this palace was gifted to Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Cochin. In 1663, the Dutch renovated it. You can find beautiful murals from the Ramayana and Mahabharata and the Puranic legends here. But only if you have an Indian visa can you visit Cochin, right?

Willingdon Island: This Island was named after the British viceroy to India, Lord Willingdon. This is a manmade isle, surrounded by Cochin's trademark backwaters. You can explore some of Cochin's most beautiful hotels here, apart from its port trust, trading centers and the headquarters of the Southern Naval Command. But all this would be possible if you have an Indian visa.

Bolghatty Palace: Bolghatty is a beautiful island near Ernakulam, famous for the palace of the same name, built by the Dutch. It was the residence of the British resident of Cochin. You too can savor the atmosphere of this ancient relic by visiting it on your Indian visa.

Cherai Beach: If you possess an India visa, you should take advantage of it and explore and enjoy this silver-sand beach. Cherai Beach is on the edge of Vypeen Island and is the best around here for swimming. If you're lucky, you could spot dolphins too, besides experiencing a typical Kerala village with coconut groves and paddy fields.

Hill Palace Museum: This palace was the official residence of the royal family of Cochin in 1865. It comprises 49 buildings and around it is a deer park with horse riding facilities and 52 acres of terraced land. The museum has 13 galleries of oil paintings, 19th century paintings, murals, manuscripts, stone sculptures, inscriptions and coins belonging to the royal family. You can take in all this only if you have an Indian tourist visa.