St. Francis Church

Overview

St. Francis Church is the oldest European church in India, built in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan friars. It is famous for its historical significance and architectural beauty.

It is the oldest church built by Europeans in India and has witnessed many historical events.

Historical Religious

Location

Address

Fort Kochi, Kochi, Kerala

Neighborhood: Fort Kochi

Coordinates

9.972400, 76.267400

Visiting Information

Opening Hours

monday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

tuesday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

wednesday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

thursday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

saturday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

sunday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Admission

Adults

100 INR

Children

50 INR

Best Time to Visit

Overall Best Period

October-March

Best Time of Day

Early morning

fewer crowds and pleasant weather

Duration Recommendations

Minimum

1 hour

Recommended

2 hours

Full Experience

half day

Seasonal Highlights

spring

warm and comfortable

• pleasant weather
• flowering gardens

summer

hot and humid

• extended hours

autumn

cooling down

• monsoon greenery

winter

cool and pleasant

• Christmas decorations

Know Before You Go

Essential Information

Dress modestly
Respect the religious site
Check opening times

What to Bring

essential

ID water comfortable shoes

seasonal

light jacket raincoat

not allowed

large bags weapons

Health & Safety

Physical Requirements: low

• sun exposure

Medical facilities: nearby clinics

Payment Information

Accepted

cash, cards

Currency

Indian Rupee (INR)

Typical Costs

entry 100 INR

parking 50 INR

food 200 INR

souvenirs 300 INR

Dress Code

modest clothing, comfortable shoes, covered shoes, shorts, sleeveless tops

Booking Tips

• 1 week
• official website
• 48 hours
• available

Amenities

Restrooms

Gift shop

Atm

Wifi

Lockers

Wheelchair rental

Stroller rental

On site restaurant

Cafe

Picnic areas

Outside food allowed

Digital Services

Mobile App

Kochi Heritage App

Size: 40 MB

Features: Map, Audio guide, Tickets

Platforms: iOS, Android

WiFi Zones: Visitor center, Cafe

Charging Stations: Rest areas

How to Reach

From Airport

Nearest: Cochin International Airport

Distance: 40 km

Travel Time: 1 hour

taxi

800 INR 1 hour

public_transport

50 INR 1.5 hours

From City Center

Distance: 10 km

bus

15 INR 30 min

taxi

200 INR 20 min

auto-rickshaw

150 INR 25 min

Local Insights

Cultural Context

Why Locals Love It: Deep historical significance and cultural heritage

Historical Significance: Built by the Portuguese, later renovated by the Dutch and British

Insider Tips

Free entry for early morning mass
Best local food at nearby cafes

Local Recommendations

• Try local cafes in Fort Kochi
• Ask for a guide at the entrance

Language Help

Useful Phrases

hello Namaskaram

thank_you Nannari

where_is Eppa?

how_much Evvalavu?

beautiful Manamkili

ticket Ticket

Guide Languages: English, Malayalam, Hindi

Photography Guide

Best Photo Spots

Main entrance

Best Time: Golden hour

Tips: Low angle for the facade

Result: Iconic shot of the church

#StFrancisChurch #Kochi #Kerala

Photography Rules

allowed areas outdoor areas, interior during service

prohibited areas restricted sections

flash photography not allowed inside

commercial photography permit needed

drone policy prohibited

tripod policy restricted

selfie sticks allowed

Nearby Attractions

Chinese Fishing Nets

Distance: 500m

Walking: 7 min

Type: Historical

Mattancherry Palace

Distance: 1km

Walking: 15 min

Type: Museum

Jew Town

Distance: 1.5km

Walking: 20 min

Type: Cultural

Reviews

4.7

Based on 850 reviews

Recent Visitor Tips

"Visit early"
"Hire a guide"
"Combine with nearby attractions"

Contact Information

+91 484 221 9846

stfrancischurchkochi@gmail.com

www.stfrancischurchkochi.in

Social Media

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