Two sides of India in one week: Kerala’s coconut-fringed waterways and Mumbai’s nonstop city pulse. This itinerary blends slow, scenic days on a houseboat with lively bazaars, world-class heritage sites, beaches for sandcastle breaks, and golden-hour photo ops your family will treasure.

Kerala’s trading ports once linked Europe, Arabia, and the Far East, leaving a mosaic of Jewish, Portuguese, Dutch, and Syrian Christian influences—look for it in Fort Kochi’s streets and spicy, coconut-rich cuisine. In Mumbai, colonial architecture stands beside Bollywood billboards and seaside promenades where locals gather for ice cream and sea breeze.

Expect warm hospitality, flavorful food (ask for “medium spice” if needed), and straightforward logistics: short flights, easy taxis, and plenty of kid-friendly stops. Monsoon runs roughly June–September; winter (Nov–Feb) is ideal. Dress modestly at temples, carry small bills for markets, and keep cameras ready.

Kochi (Cochin), Kerala

Gateway to the Kerala backwaters, Kochi charms with Portuguese-era churches, spice-scented warehouses, and Chinese fishing nets silhouetted at sunset. From here, it’s an easy day trip to Alleppey (Alappuzha) canals and Marari’s quiet beach.

• Top sights: Fort Kochi promenade, Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica, Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace), Paradesi Synagogue, Jew Town antiques and spice markets.
• Family-friendly highlights: Backwater day cruise with Kerala lunch, tuk-tuk hop between compact heritage sights, gentle beach time at Cherai or Marari.
• Food to try: Appam with stew, karimeen (pearl spot) fry, Kerala thali, Malabar biryani.

Where to stay: Search Fort Kochi and Ernakulam for heritage stays, apartments, and family rooms:
- Hotels: Hotels.com Kochi
- Vacation rentals: VRBO Kochi

Getting there and around: Fly into COK (Kochi) then taxi 45–75 minutes to Fort Kochi depending on traffic. For flights, compare fares on Kiwi.com and Trip.com Flights. Within Kochi, auto-rickshaws and rideshares work well; Alleppey is ~1.5–2 hours by car.

Curated tours (Viator):

• Kochi Private Tour: Kerala Backwater Houseboat Day Cruise in Aleppey

  

• Adventure Tuk Tuk Tour in Kochi – Private Guided Tour

  

• Half Day Village Backwater Eco Country Boat Cruise (Group)

  

Mumbai, Maharashtra

India’s “City of Dreams” blends Art Deco seafronts, Gothic Revival stations, bustling markets, and a food scene that runs from legendary Irani cafés to inventive fine dining. It’s also surprisingly kid-friendly: big promenades, boat rides, museums, and beach time.

• Top sights: Gateway of India, Marine Drive (Queen’s Necklace), Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Colaba Causeway, Kala Ghoda, Dhobi Ghat, Worli Sea Face, Bandra Fort, Juhu Beach.
• Family-friendly highlights: Elephanta Island caves ferry, museum hour at CSMVS, sunset walks on Marine Drive or Carter Road, easy street-food tastings with guides.
• Shopping: Colaba Causeway souvenirs, Crawford Market spices and housewares, boutiques in Kala Ghoda and Bandra.

Where to stay (Hotels.com affiliates):

• The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai – Iconic harbor views beside the Gateway of India.
• Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach – Family-friendly beachfront, great for sunset strolls.
• Hotel Residency Fort – Value stay near CST and Kala Ghoda.
• The Oberoi, Mumbai – Refined Marine Drive location and pool with views.
• Hotel Residency Andheri – Budget-friendly near airport and metro.
• The Westin Mumbai Garden City – Suburban comfort with mall access.

Getting there and around: Kochi–Mumbai flights take ~1h50m; expect ~US$40–120 one-way (seasonal). Compare on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights. Use taxis/rideshares; the suburban rail is efficient but crowded—best tackled with a guide if traveling with kids.

Curated tours (Viator):

• Highlights of Mumbai Sightseeing Tour (Traveller’s Choice)

  

• All Inclusive Elephanta Caves Guided Tour

  

• Bombay Express Mumbai Food Tour with 15+ Tastings

  

Day 1: Arrive in Kochi (Fort Kochi Heritage Stroll)

Afternoon: Land at COK and transfer to Fort Kochi. Stretch your legs along the seaside promenade where the iconic Chinese fishing nets stand—great first photos as boats drift by. Duck into St. Francis Church and Santa Cruz Basilica to trace 16th‑century Portuguese roots.

Evening: Browse Jew Town’s spice stores and antique shops in Mattancherry; look for cinnamon, cardamom, and hand‑carved wooden chests. Dinner ideas: Fort House Restaurant (waterfront Keralan plates), Kayees Rahmathulla Café (old-school biryani; go early), or Seagull (seafood with harbor views). Optional: a family-friendly Kathakali dance performance to introduce classical Kerala arts.

Day 2: Alleppey Backwaters Cruise + Marari Beach Time

Morning: Set out by car to Alleppey (~1.5–2 hours). Board a traditional houseboat for a slow cruise past paddy fields and village life. Expect a hearty Kerala lunch on board (vegetarian options available) and plenty of photo stops.

Suggested tour: Kochi Private Tour: Kerala Backwater Houseboat Day Cruise

Afternoon: After disembarking, swing by nearby Marari Beach for sand time and coconut water. It’s quieter than city beaches—ideal for kids to run and for parents to shoot golden-hour photos.

Evening: Return to Kochi. Dinner near Princess Street—try Kashi Art Café for fresh juices and pastas or Oceanos for Syrian Christian-style seafood. Early night after a full day on the water.

Day 3: Fort Kochi, Mattancherry, and Cherai Beach Sunset

Morning: Zip around in a tuk-tuk to cover more ground with kids. Stop at Paradesi Synagogue (glittering chandeliers, hand-painted tiles) and Mattancherry Palace to see epic Ramayana murals.

Suggested tour: Adventure Tuk Tuk Tour in Kochi – Private Guided Tour

Afternoon: Lunch on appam and stew at a local mess or try Fusion Bay’s fish curries. Then transfer ~1–1.5 hours to Cherai Beach on Vypin Island—gentle surf and a long, photogenic shoreline.

Evening: Return to Fort Kochi. Browse handloom boutiques for kasavu (cream-and-gold) fabrics and spice gift packs. Dine at Dhe Puttu (family-pleasing “puttu” rice cakes with fun toppings) or Malabar Junction for refined regional plates.

Day 4: Fly Kochi to Mumbai + Colaba and Marine Drive

Morning: Fly to Mumbai (~1h50m). Compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Check in—Colaba and Marine Drive are great bases for sightseeing; Juhu is perfect for beach-loving families.

Afternoon: Start at the Gateway of India for harbor views and photos of the grand facade. Explore the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (family-friendly galleries; cool A/C break).

Evening: Stroll Marine Drive at sunset—the “Queen’s Necklace” lights up after dark. Dinner picks: Trishna (butter-garlic crab, reserve early), Khyber (North Indian grills under Mughal-inspired arches), or economical, beloved Swati Snacks (panki, pani puri, and Gujarati favorites).

Day 5: Elephanta Caves + Kala Ghoda and Colaba Shopping

Morning: Take the ferry from the Gateway to Elephanta Island (boat ~60 minutes each way). The UNESCO-listed caves house 5th–8th-century rock-cut sculptures—the three-faced Shiva is a must-see and a hit with budding history buffs.

Suggested tour: All Inclusive Elephanta Caves Guided Tour

Afternoon: Back on the mainland, roam Kala Ghoda’s art-lined lanes and the crescent of boutiques—great for artisan jewelry, block-printed textiles, and home goods. Bargain-friendly souvenir hunt at Colaba Causeway.

Evening: Dinner at Leopold Café (vintage Irani-café vibes and hearty plates) or The Table (global menu; kids love the truffle fries). Dessert: Naturals ice cream on Marine Drive or Bachelorr’s near Chowpatty.

Day 6: Mumbai City Highlights Tour + Street Eats

Morning: Cover more in less time with a guided city circuit: CST (UNESCO station), Dhobi Ghat (open-air laundry), Oval Maidan’s cricket matches, and the dabbawalas’ precision lunch runs (weekdays).

Suggested tour: Highlights of Mumbai Sightseeing Tour

Afternoon: Pause at Bademiya (Colaba backlane legend) for smoky kebabs, or try crispy dosa at Café Madras (Matunga) if your tour swings south-central. Photographers: snap Art Deco curves along Marine Drive and pastel cinema facades in Churchgate.

Evening: Join a family-friendly food walk to sample vada pav, bhel puri, and kulfi with a guide who knows the cleanest, tastiest stalls.

Suggested tour: Bombay Express Mumbai Food Tour with 15+ Tastings

Day 7: Juhu Beach Morning + Last-Minute Shopping, Depart

Morning: Head to Juhu Beach for sea breeze and sandcastles; kids can try a horse-cart ride along the shore. Brunch at Prithvi Café (shady courtyard; parathas and cutting chai) or the sea-facing cafés along Juhu Tara Road.

Afternoon: Quick shopping dash: Bandra’s Linking Road (bargains) or High Street Phoenix/Phoenix Palladium (AC convenience). Transfer to the airport for your afternoon departure.

Getting Between Cities and Cost Notes

Kochi ⇄ Mumbai flights: ~1h50m; US$40–120 one-way depending on season and advance purchase. Compare fares on Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com. Local rideshares and taxis are plentiful. For trains within India generally, browse Trip.com Trains (though flights are most time-efficient here).

Budgeting (mid-range family of 2 adults + 1–2 kids): Hotels US$60–180 per night (Kochi) and US$80–220 (Mumbai) for family rooms; day houseboat cruise ~US$30–70 per person; private tuk-tuk tour ~US$15–25 per person; Mumbai guided day tour ~US$25–60 per person; meals US$3–10 per person at local spots, US$15–30 at sit-down restaurants.

Where to Eat and Drink (Shortlist)

• Kochi: Kashi Art Café (salads, sandwiches, fresh juices), Fort House Restaurant (Kerala seafood, waterfront), Fusion Bay (Syrian Christian recipes), Kayees Rahmathulla Café (Malabar biryani), Dhe Puttu (inventive rice-cake combos kids love).
• Mumbai: Swati Snacks (Gujarati vegetarian classics), Trishna (seafood; butter-garlic crab), Khyber (tandoori grills), Café Mondegar/Leopold Café (Irani-café heritage), Prithvi Café (Juhu brunch), Bademiya (late-night kebabs), Naturals Ice Cream (seasonal fruit flavors).

Photography Tips: Fort Kochi’s fishing nets at dusk; reflections on Alleppey canals; Cherai and Juhu golden hour; Marine Drive night lights; Elephanta’s carved pillars—bump ISO and bring a small LED light for cave details.

This family-friendly week balances Kerala’s calm waterways with Mumbai’s culture and coastal walks. You’ll shop well, eat memorably, and go home with a camera roll full of sunsets, spice markets, and smiles.