Broadway Bazzer Walk and Ferry Ride
What this tour is about: If you are charmed by colourful bazaars; if you like discovering local food and culture, you will thoroughly enjoy this exploration of Ernakulam's Broadway area. Broadway is the traditional nerve-centre of business in the city. The area rose into prominence when the British took over control of the Cochin area from the Dutch. Traders moved from Mattanchery to Broadway, setting up shops selling everything under the sun. Today, Broadway continues to be a busy wholesale and retail bazaar, with specialised markets for various products and services.
The Broadway area is also close to one of Cochin’s most popular promenades - Marine Drive. This is a car-free pedestrian zone, with the beautiful backwaters on one side, and shops / cafes on the other. It is very popular with local residents and is a good way to see modern-day life in the city.
To reach Broadway and Marine Drive, we will take the public ferry from Fort Kochi. There are nice views of the harbour on the ferry ride.
To reach Broadway and Marine Drive, we will take the public ferry from Fort Kochi. There are nice views of the harbour on the ferry ride.
Tour Coverage: We will start the tour at Fort Kochi, near the ferry terminal. We will join local commuters as they take the ferry to Ernakulam. It is a 20-minute ride, with great views of the harbour. After disembarking at Ernakulam Jetty, we will walk along the Marine Drive promenade, until we reach the bazaar area. We will explore several winding streets, seeing fruit and vegetable shops, spice shops, a bustling fish market, cloth merchants, hardware stores, footwear shops, grains and oils, etc. Many of these shops have long established reputations, with third or fourth generation family owners. You can learn about the way these businesses work. The spice shops, fish market and vegetable markets are great for learning about Kerala cuisine.
The walk ends at the CSI Immanuel Church, the oldest Protestant church in Ernakulam. This is a well-known landmark, and from here we can help you find local transport (autorickshaws) back to your hotel. The ferry is also nearby, if you want to try that again.
- Duration: 3-4 hours | Starting Point: Entrance to Brunton Boatyard | Ending Point: CSI Immanuel Church
- Start Time: 9:00 a.m. or 4:00 p.m., all days except Sundays
- Includes: Knowledgeable guide, Ferry Tickets, Personalised Walk and all taxes | Excludes: Transport, Meals, Tips and Entrances.