St. George’s Forane Church, Edappally
Known locally as Edappally Palli, this Catholic pilgrimage church is one of the oldest in Kerala; the church says it is believed to have been founded in 593 AD. Its annual feast of St. George, held from late April into May, draws large crowds. Edappally is a few metro stops south of Kalamassery.
Lulu Mall, Edappally
One of Kochi’s biggest malls, Lulu Mall is also in Edappally, a short distance from the church, and close to Edappally metro station. It is an easy, air-conditioned place for shopping, a film or a meal on a rainy day.
Aluva Manappuram and the Periyar
At the northern end of the metro line, Aluva sits on the Periyar river. The Manappuram — a sandbank on the river with the Manappuram Mahadeva temple — is best known for Maha Shivaratri, when huge numbers of people gather for rituals on the riverbank and a month-long fair is held. On other days it is a quiet place by the water.
Hill Palace Museum, Thrippunithura
At the southern end of Line 1, Thrippunithura has the Hill Palace. Built in 1865 as a residence of the rulers of Kochi, it is now preserved as a museum — Kerala Tourism calls it the state’s first heritage museum. Kerala Tourism lists galleries of royal portraits, paintings, coins, manuscripts and weapons, along with a deer park and children’s park in the grounds. Kerala Tourism lists it as closed on Mondays — check current hours before you go.
Marine Drive and Fort Kochi
Marine Drive is Kochi’s waterfront promenade along the backwater, popular in the evenings. From the High Court terminal nearby, the Kochi Water Metro runs boats to Fort Kochi — a ride of about 20 minutes. Fort Kochi is known for its Chinese fishing nets, old streets and heritage buildings, and neighbouring Mattancherry is also worth a walk.
Closer to home
Kalamassery itself is a working town rather than a tourist spot, but the CUSAT campus area is lively with students, and HMT Junction has plenty of places to eat — see our food guide.
Tips for a day out
- Use the metro for Edappally, Aluva and Thrippunithura to avoid road traffic.
- Festivals at Edappally and Aluva bring heavy crowds; plan extra time.
- Carry an umbrella in the monsoon months.
A base in Kalamassery
Ashraf Gents Hostel is a boys’ hostel and PG on NAD Road, at the signal in Kalamassery, for students, staff and working men. See the photos and video tour, or read Best Gents Hostel in Kalamassery: What to Look For.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Which places can I reach from Kalamassery by metro?
Kochi Metro Line 1 runs from Aluva through Kalamassery and Edappally to Thrippunithura, so Aluva, Edappally (church and Lulu Mall), the city centre and Thrippunithura (Hill Palace) are all on the line.
How do I get to Fort Kochi from Kalamassery?
Take the metro towards the city centre, then use the Kochi Water Metro from the High Court terminal to Fort Kochi, or go by road.
When is the Hill Palace Museum closed?
Kerala Tourism lists the museum as closed on Mondays. Check current hours before you visit.
Sources
- St. George Forane Church, Edappally (official site)
- Kerala Tourism: Edappally Perunnal (feast details, Lulu Mall nearby)
- Kerala Tourism: Hill Palace Museum
- Manorama: Maha Shivaratri at Aluva Manappuram (Feb 2026)
- The Hindu: Water Metro High Court–Fort Kochi service
- Times of India: Water Metro High Court–Fort Kochi frequency (Dec 2025)
- Kochi Metro stations (KMRL)
Map and Street View embeds © Google. Photos credited where they are not the hostel’s own.