The Paradesi Synagogue in Mattancherry's Jew Town was built in 1568 by the Paradesi ("foreign") Jews, Sephardic families who settled in Kochi, on land granted by the Raja of Kochi next to his palace. It is the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth: destroyed by the Portuguese in 1662 and rebuilt two years later, it is known for its hand-painted blue Chinese floor tiles, brought from Canton in the 18th century, its Belgian glass chandeliers and its clock tower. Most of Kochi's Jews emigrated to Israel in the 1950s and today only one local congregant remains, which makes this a rare, living link to more than two thousand years of Jewish life on the Kerala coast.
Step 2 of 8Next: Visiting rules↓Visiting rules
Visiting with respect
- Treat the synagogue as a house of prayer, not a museum: speak quietly and do not touch the ark (Heichal), the Torah scrolls or the bimah.
- Shabbat runs from Friday sunset to Saturday nightfall; do not try to visit or call during it.
- Keep to the visitor area and follow the staff's directions inside the prayer hall.
Hours and rules can change for festivals and services. Check the official site on the day.
Step 3 of 8Next: Getting there↓The route, stop by stop
The whole route first. Tap any stop and the map zooms to just that place.
Route
Stops
Ernakulam → Fort Kochi / Mattancherry → Paradesi Synagogue and Jewish Museum → Mattancherry Palace (outside) → Jew Town streets · Directions in Google Maps ↗
- 1From Cochin International Airport, take a bus via Ernakulam or a prepaid taxi (₹700-1,200 to Fort Kochi). From Ernakulam, the Water Metro runs High Court → Fort Kochi (₹40 at launch, check the current fare), or the state ferry runs from the main boat jetty to Mattancherry jetty several times a day. Map ↗
- 2Walk to the end of Synagogue Lane in Jew Town, about 5 min from Mattancherry jetty; leave footwear outside the inner hall Map ↗
- 3Next door to the synagogue, a 2-min walk; the Raja of Kochi's palace, beside which he granted the synagogue its land (the palace museum charges its own ticket; fee not confirmed) Map ↗
- 4Walk the antique and spice lanes of Jew Town around Synagogue Lane Map ↗
Travel legs add up to about ₹110 per person.
Step 4 of 8Next: Cost↓What it costs
A do-it-yourself budget for the visit: local transport and any entry fee. Donations and guided tours are extra.
What to book ahead
Where to stay and eat
Stay
Fort Kochi, a 10-15 minute walk or short auto ride from Jew Town, has the most homestays and hostels; Mattancherry itself has a few guesthouses. This record has not confirmed current room prices; expect a wide range from hostel dorms to heritage homestays, and book ahead for December-January.
Food
Jew Town and Fort Kochi have plenty of cafés along the antique lanes, and Kerala meals (rice, sambar, thoran, fish curry) are served in small local restaurants around Mattancherry. Vegetarian Kerala meals are easy to find. Food prices were not confirmed for this record.
Photos
Questions people ask
How many days do you need for Paradesi Synagogue, Jew Town?
Half day, starting from Kochi (Ernakulam / Cochin airport, then ferry or bus to Mattancherry).
What is the best time for Paradesi Synagogue, Jew Town?
October to March is drier and cooler for walking Jew Town; the monsoon (June-September) is heavy in Kochi. Visit Sunday to Thursday: the synagogue closes on Saturday (Shabbat) and on Jewish holidays, and closes early (2 pm) on Friday. Check the holiday list on the synagogue's site, as autumn holidays such as Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot close it on several days.
How much does Paradesi Synagogue, Jew Town cost?
From about ₹250 per person doing it yourself, with the travel legs adding up to roughly ₹110.
What needs to be booked in advance?
Closed Saturday and Jewish holidays (must book): Open Sunday to Thursday 10 am-6 pm and Friday 10 am-2 pm; closed Saturday (Shabbat) and on Jewish holidays. The synagogue publishes the year's closure dates on paradesisynagogue.com; check it before planning your day. Barefoot inside (must book): Remove your footwear before entering the inner hall. Wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees. Small entry fee: Visitors pay a small fee at the door; the synagogue does not publish the amount online and sites quote anywhere from ₹5 to ₹10. Carry small change.
Where do pilgrims stay?
Fort Kochi, a 10-15 minute walk or short auto ride from Jew Town, has the most homestays and hostels; Mattancherry itself has a few guesthouses. This record has not confirmed current room prices; expect a wide range from hostel dorms to heritage homestays, and book ahead for December-January.
What about food?
Jew Town and Fort Kochi have plenty of cafés along the antique lanes, and Kerala meals (rice, sambar, thoran, fish curry) are served in small local restaurants around Mattancherry. Vegetarian Kerala meals are easy to find. Food prices were not confirmed for this record.
Sources and last check
Checked 11 October 2026. Fees, hours and rules change, so confirm on the official site before you pay.
- paradesisynagogue.com OfficialHours Sun-Thu 10-6, Fri 10-2, closed Saturday; 2026 Jewish holiday closure dates; barefoot in inner hall; history (1568, rebuilt after 1662, oldest in the Commonwealth)
- keralatourism.org OfficialHistory (1568, 1662 destruction, Canton tiles by Ezekiel Rahabi), barefoot rule; its older hours (10-12, 3-5, closed Fri/Sat) are outdated
- gov.uk OfficialNo FCDO advise-against covering Kerala (updated 7 Oct 2026)
- commons.wikimedia.orgPhoto (3 Feb 2025) of the synagogue's own hours board: 10 AM-6 PM, Friday 10 AM-2 PM, Saturday holiday; resolves the conflict in favour of paradesisynagogue.com
- local10.comAP, Aug 2026: Keith Hallegua is the last local congregant; visitors and museum; Belgian chandeliers; trustee
- en.wikipedia.orgBuilders, Raja's land grant, restoration 1998-99 with clock tower; entry by fee
- tripinic.comFee reported ₹10 (third party)
- onmanorama.comWater Metro High Court-Fort Kochi ₹40 (2024 launch)
- airporttransferportal.comPrepaid taxi Cochin airport-Fort Kochi ₹700-1,200; bus options
More sacred places and routes
Costs are indicative ballparks for doing it yourself and change with season and demand. Always check live fares, rates and opening rules before you book. Trip Under is not a travel agency: we sell nothing, take no commission, and every booking link goes straight to the provider. Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences; see credits.
By Gokul · Updated 11 October 2026 · Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg · CC BY 4.0 · source · Photo: This picture has been taken by Oleg Yunakov . Contact e-mail: yunakov gmail.com . Image can be used in accordance with t · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: This picture has been taken by Oleg Yunakov . Contact e-mail: yunakov gmail.com . Image can be used in accordance with t · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Rudolph.A.furtado · CC0 · source · Photo: Ranjithsiji · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
