From Hotel Hill View’s side of Kochi, Hill Palace Museum makes a change of pace: it is a former royal residence in Tripunithura, now with palace buildings, museum collections and gardens to explore. Check current hours and ticket details before setting out.
- Location: Hill Palace Road, Thrippunithura, Ernakulam, Kerala 682301
- Regular closure: Mondays and national holidays
- Ticket prices: ₹35–₹50 for adults and ₹10 for children
What to see at Hill Palace Museum
Hill Palace Museum pairs a large palace complex with collections of royal objects, art and archaeology. The palace was built in 1865 by the Maharaja of Cochin; the museum was established in 1984 and opened to the public in 1986, according to the Kerala Archaeology Department.
The complex covers 54 acres and includes 49 buildings. Its outdoor grounds include gardens and fountains, alongside palace buildings, galleries, a Heritage Museum, a children’s park and parking.
The collections range from royal jewellery and a royal throne to furniture, chariots, portraits, sculptures, inscriptions, coins, ivory objects, Chinese pottery, megalithic remains and weapons. One especially notable object is a gold-jeweled crown weighing 1.75 kg. Kerala Tourism describes cabinet, jewellery and wood-carving galleries, with paintings, manuscripts and porcelain among the collections.
Photography is prohibited inside the museum, and you must remove your footwear before entering the archaeological building. The outdoor grounds and palace exteriors offer a separate part of the visit.
How do you get to Tripunithura and Hill Palace?
Tripunithura is a Kochi Metro station, with auto-rickshaw stands at its exit. Feeder-bus routes should be checked at the station.
From Hotel Hill View, Edappally station is about 15 minutes by car; from there, continue by metro to Tripunithura and take an auto-rickshaw or bus to Hill Palace. Tripunithura Railway Station is about 2–4 km from the museum, while Ernakulam Junction is about 12 km away.
At Hill Palace, pair the galleries and palace buildings with time in the gardens and outdoor grounds.
Museum hours, tickets and grounds access
Opening hours and prices vary between official sources, so check the details before travelling. The museum is closed on national holidays.
Opening hours
- Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00–12:30 and 14:00–16:30
- Monday: closed
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Adult admission is ₹35 according to the Kerala Archaeology Department and ₹50 according to Kerala Tourism; both give children’s admission as ₹10. Camera charges from the Archaeology Department are ₹20 for a mobile camera, ₹60 for a camera and ₹2,100 for a video camera. Photography inside the museum is prohibited.
Before you go, check the official site for current hours, entry prices and visitor rules.
How much time should you allow for the visit?
Set aside time according to how much of the complex you want to see. The site spans 54 acres and brings together palace buildings, gardens, galleries and several kinds of collections; a visit focused on the grounds will differ from one that takes in the museum displays as well.
Decide whether the palace collections or outdoor grounds are your priority, then check the day’s opening and ticket hours before you leave. The visiting hours include a midday break. Kochi transport planning can also help you consider how to get around the city.
FAQs
Where is Hill Palace Museum?
It is on Hill Palace Road in Thrippunithura, Ernakulam, Kerala, in the Kochi area.
Is Hill Palace Museum closed on Mondays?
Yes. Mondays and national holidays are museum holidays.
Can you take photographs inside Hill Palace Museum?
No. Photography is prohibited inside, and footwear must be removed before entering the archaeological building.
What public transport can you use to reach Hill Palace?
Tripunithura is a Kochi Metro station, with auto-rickshaw stands at the station exit. Kochi Metro connections in the area can help you plan the city portion of the journey. Buses and auto-rickshaws can also take you to Hill Palace.