Mattanchery palace : The palace (Rs 2, Friday closed, no photography) was built by Portuguese in 1555 for the raja of Cochin (Dutch palace - palace was renovated in 1663 by the Dutch). The central hall on the first floor is a portrait gallery of the maharajas. The astonishing fine murals depicting scenes from Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas. The ladies bed chamber downstairs features a cheerful Lord Krishna using his six hands and two feet to engage in foreplay with eight happy milkmaids.

Jewish Synagogue : Originally built in 1568, the Synagogue (Rs 2, Saturday closed) features ornate gold pulpit and hand painted, willow pattern floor tiles from China in the mid 18th century, and is stunningly bedecked with chandeliers and coloured glass lamps. The clock tower was built in 1760.

The area around the Synagogue is known as Jew town and is one of the main centres of Spices (ginger, cardamom, cumin, turmeric, cloves, pepper etc) and antiques trade (there's a plethora of shops selling antiques and reproductions).