Alleppey is famous for its backwaters, also known as the Alappuzha. Here are so many best places to visit in Alappuzha. A relaxing stay in a magnificent houseboat and waking to a hypnotic sunrise is what this beautiful place offers. If you decide to slay in a houseboat, make sure you take a cruise on a houseboat that will take you through quiet canals and into pristine lagoons. Once upon a time, the Kettuvallam was merely a floating rice barge. It was the British rule that brought a steady influx of tourists with it, thus marking the Kottuvallam’s commercialization. Everything really was part of the dynamics of sales and the houseboats employed for different sightseeing projects. Especially for snake boat races, where visitors huddled to watch the action live in deluxe vallams.
Today, more than 400 houseboats will dot the backwaters of Alappuzha; most of them fitted with spacious rooms, toilets, and a long strip of a verandah. One thing that remains untouched by these makeovers, though, is the assurance of witnessing the best dawn of your life. The paddy fields’ tender orange and the far-flung Chinese fishing nets add to the sunrise’s resplendent charm. Alappuzha was praised as ‘Eastern Venice’ by travelers. Is one of the most popular Backwater destinations in Kerala. Step into scrumptious seafood specialties such as Karimeen Pollichathu, squid turn, and fry naming along with a swig of a freshly tapped boy. If you spare a glance up occasionally, you are likely to catch sight of a man wearing a checkered lungi with an earthen pot and knife attached to his arm, clambering higher on the head of the coconut palm in search of some fresh infant.
Best Places to Visit in Alappuzha
Find below some of the best places to visit in Alappuzha- Alleppey
- Vembanad Lake
- Alleppey Beach
- Alleppey Backwaters
- Punnamada Lake
- Alleppey Lighthouse
- Kayamkulam Lake
- Karumadi Kuttan Stupa
- Pallippuram
- Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple
- Chettikulangara Devi Temple
- Mannarasala Temple
- Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple
- Snake Boat Races
- Andrew’s Church
- Kunchan Smarakam
- Sea View Park
- Krishnapuram Palace
- Thakazhi Museum and Smrithi Mandapam
- Vayalar Rama Varma Smrithi Mandapam
- Revi Karunakaran Memorial Museum
- Bay Island Driftwood Museum
- The Vijaya Beach Park
- Alleppey Beach Festival
- Kuttanad
- St George Forane Church
- St Mary’s Forane Church
- House Boats
- Alappuzha Backwaters
- Andhakaranazhi Beach
- Thottappally Beach
- Pathiramanal
- Punnapra Beach
- Thumpoly Beach
- Spa and Massage in Alleppey
- Coir Weaving in Alleppey
- Kayaking in Alleppey
Marari Beach
Set in Mararikulam, a sleepy little village, Marari Beach is an idyllic holiday destination. The nearest beach attraction is Mararikulam, known as the Village of Fishermen. Ideal for sunbathing, this beach.
Alappuzha Beach
You can literally walk into the sea at Alappuzha beach. This is also one of the best places to visit in Alappuzha. Thanks to the 140-year-old pier built by Captain Crawford, the waves rush under your feet and the sandy beaches are left far behind. The white-washed lighthouse stands tall in the distance as if waiting to be caught in a picture. The beach is highly busy on a good day, with a host of fun events such as an impromptu football game and street vendors selling hot steamed chana pipes.
Thanks to the Sand Art Fest and the Beach Fest the beach brims with festive charm during the New Year. Because of the toy train that chugs in Vijaya Park and the endless water sports and boat rides in the adjacent Sea View Park that has a chunk of the backwater canal at its domain, the beach is a favorite among children.
Krishnapuram Palace
The Krishnapuram Palace’s dark, damp walls flaunt a three-meter-high mural depicting the story of Gajendra Moksham (Gajendra redemption, a mythological elephant). This beautiful piece of art dates back to the 18th century and is one of Kerala‘s largest murals. The Ettukettu Palace, built by King Marthanda Varma situated in close proximity to the Krishnapuram Temple, above a miniature hill nestled between the terraced gardens and ponds. This palace is renowned for its antique sculptures, paintings, and bronze objects at Karthikapally in Kayamkulam.
The palace‘s architecture is faintly reminiscent of the Padmanabhapuram Palace with dormer windows, red-oxide floors, and Gabled Roof. Padippuras, doors that have hidden plans, conspiracies, and treasons, will also welcome you. Long corridors lead you into rooms belonging to men who ruled the country. Their wealth is now distributed across racks and cases. You will rediscover your childhood love for stories somewhere in the glimmer of the double-sided sword once used by the Kayamkulam kings.
Nehru Trophy Boat Race
1952 was the year. Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s late prime minister was at Kuttanad watching the snake boats slither into the backwaters, their oars rowing in competition, the Vanchipattu Tempo (boat song) in high spirits complimenting the crowd‘s enthusiastic cheering. Forgetting his security worries the prime minister wanted to take a spur-of-the-moment trip on one of these vanchis. This is the spirit of the Boat Race Nehru Cup. It helps you to forget the harsh realities of life and drags even the person and instills in them a sense of zest and zeal.
A snake boat built from Anjili wood can accommodate nearly 100 rowers in it, about 100 feet long. Held in Lake Punnamada, the winner of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race takes home a replica of the original snake boat in silver on the second Saturday of August each year. This is also one of the best places to visit in Alappuzha once a year.
Activities to Do in Alappuzha
- Backwater Houseboat.
- Ayurvedic Massage and Spa.
- Take a backwater ride on Lake Vembanad.
- Find new ways to fish: swing a Sarong line into the rushing backwaters, brush a towel through the waters, and feel like fishing in the mud below with your feet. And just try to catch small fish with your mouth.
- Go boating at Alappuzha Beach and have a look at the Sea View Park’s leisure activities.
- At any of the many restaurants here, try the spicy Kuttanadan cuisine.
- Cycle along the Alappuzha villages and take the simple ways of life.
- Live in Kuttanad and catch village life in South India.
- Learn about duck farming, which is a way of life for backwater people.
- Enjoy a shopping spree at some of the popular markets in Alleppey.
- Take the picture and watch the bird while you are on a canoe or kayaking.
- Testify for Snake Boat Races practice sessions.
- Get spiritual in the temples and around churches.
Best Places to Visit in Alappuzha for Shopping
Spices-particularly cardamom and pepper, canned seafood, and silks-are good buys in Alleppey. Often known for revolutionary d’art-rugs pieces, wall hangings, bags, hammocks, cushions, blinds, and more. Mullakkal Street is the top shopping district in Alleppey and has several shops where buyers can pick up souvenirs.
Best Places to Visit in Alappuzha for Food
There are a variety of must-haves in the Alleppey cuisine. If you haven’t tried the Ghee Roast Dosa and Malayali Paratha your taste buds haven’t experienced Alleppey. While the essentials are Appams and Idlis, you can also try “Toddy,” which is a local fermented alcoholic drink made from palm trees and coconut palms. Rice wine can also be tasted in Alleppey.
Best Time to Visit Alappuzha
The months from August to February are the best time to visit and this is the ideal time to take a houseboat trip and explore the Alleppey backwaters.
How to Reach Alappuzha?
By Train
Alleppey has its own railhead connecting to major cities such as Kochi, Chennai, Howrah, Mumbai, Bangalore and Bokaro, New Delhi, and Kolkata.
By Air
Kochi International Airport, which is 90 kms from Alleppey, is the closest airport. You can hire a cab from here for the rest of your journey which will take about 2 hours.
By Road
Alleppey, located on National Highway 47, is easily accessible and well connected to all major South India cities. Busses from cities such as Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Chennai, Bangalore, Mysore, and Coimbatore fly to Alleppey. Cochin buses take about an hour and a half to get here. One can hire a taxi / private car for excursions and long trips.
