Marine Drive, Kochi

Marine Drive (officially named APJ Abdul Kalam Marg) stretches for about 1.75 to 3 kilometers from the Kerala High Court Junction in the north to Rajendra Maidan in the south. Even though it is called a “drive,” no cars or motor vehicles are allowed on the tiled walkway. This rule makes it a quiet, safe, and relaxing place to walk while enjoying the cool breeze coming off Vembanad Lake. The path features three famous modern footbridges that cross small water channels: the Rainbow Bridge (which lights up in bright colors at night), the Chinese Fishing Net Bridge, and the Houseboat Bridge. Along the route, visitors find shaded seating, small parks, and memorials like the Naval Martyrs’ Memorial. It also serves as a busy boat jetty area where people can hire small or luxury boats for rides on the backwaters. As a bustling commercial center, the land side of the promenade is lined with tall residential towers, shopping malls, fast-food shops, and popular cafes. It gets very lively in the evenings when locals and tourists gather to watch the sunset over the harbor and grab snacks like ice cream or fresh juices.