Cochin was a trading city for over 600 years on the southern west coast of India by the Arabian Sea coast. It was a spice trading center from the 14th century. Occupied by the Portuguese Empire in 1503, it was the first of the European colonies in India. The city was later occupied by the Dutch and the British.

The shoreline in Fort Cochin is dominated by the giant spider-like Chinese fishing nets brought to India by traders from the court of Kublai Khan. Alongside the nest are the fishing boats, then the fish markets, and then the restaurants that will cook what you buy.

There is a Jewish section of Fort Cochin that was settled in 1505, it's also where the spice warehouses are. You can look in the door way and see piles of ginger drying and if you stepped inside the aroma would burn your throat.