Places to visit in Alleppey: We all know Kerala is the land of natural beauty with mesmerizing panoramic views, it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in South India. One such destination is Alleppey, more popularly called Alappuzha located in southern Kerala. It’s a city of lagoons, canals, lakes and hub of backwater tourism but surprisingly it’s the only city in kerala which does not have forests. Alleppey is surrounded by diverse attractions such as serene backwaters, exotic hill stations, Waterfalls, lakes, Beaches, dense lush greenery, coconut trees, the green paddy fields and the scenic views makes Alleppey the most beautiful place.
Alleppey has Kerala’s most scenic spots, and life here revolves around water. The major attraction is taking a traditional houseboats journey in backwaters, it’s a unique experience where you get to see greenery, scenic views and marine life very closely. If you’re a nature lover, then Alappuzha is going to be a lifetime experience and this place offers the best seafood. Alleppey is also popularly called as the ‘Venetian Capital of Kerala’ or ‘Venice of the East’.
How to reach Alleppey?
Alleppey being the most visited tourist destination in Kerala, it’s well-connected with some of the major cities so that you can opt your travel via flight, by road and by train.
By Air:
Cochin Worldwide Airplane terminal (COK) is the closest airplane terminal to Alleppey, it’s around 79 km to the North. Else Fly to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport which is 159 Km to the South but considered as one among the closest airports. Once you reach the airport you can take a bus or hire a taxi to Alleppey.
By Train:
Train access is easy to Alappuzha as it has its own railway station and trains run regularly from different major cities like Hyderabad, Delhi, Bangalore, Kozhikode, Amritsar, Chandigarh and Mangalore. From the city center Alleppey railway station is just 4 Kms away.
By Road:
Alleppey has a great public transportation as the city is well connected with] numerous state and national highways to prime cities like Bangalore, Chennai, etc. in southern India. From various parts of Kerala there are numerous KSRTC buses running through this route. It is always suggested to take an overnight bus and wake up to the stunning green scenery in the morning.
One of the best ways to enjoy the beauty of Alleppey is to travel by hiring or self-driving a car where you get to explore and discover the enchanting beauty of nature all over. Don’t forget to stop by on the way and capture pictures from different viewpoints.
Best Time to Visit Alleppey:
Winter (December to February): The best time to visit Alleppey is from December to February as the winter starts. Is the perfect time to explore as the climate is so pleasant and lively during this period. But you need to make advance bookings as the place will be quite busy with tourists.
Summer (March to May): You can visit Alappuzha during summer as well but usually you find less tourism during this period as the temperature and humidity might rise and it might get very hot. One advantage is that you might get super excited discounts in the service during this period.
Monsoon (June to August): It’s the worst time to visit Alleppey, because the houseboat rides in the backwaters, which is considered as the major attraction will be closed during this period as the rain starts pouring. As soon as the Monsoon ends Alleppey bounces back in form with tourists.
Places to visit in Alleppey – Travel Guide, Itinerary & Stay
Alleppey is a place which is filled with numerous activities and adventures, you will never get bored of this place even for a single second. Apart from boat rides there are other spots which make you fall in love with nature.
Alleppey Backwaters:
The major attraction in Alleppey is taking a traditional houseboats journey in backwaters and it’s a unique experience where you get to see greenery, scenic views, observe the daily life of the locals and marine life very closely. Your visit to Alleppey is incomplete if you miss staying in a houseboat.
Alleppey Beach:
Alleppey beach, also known as Alappuzha beach is one of the must visit places in Alleppey. It has an abandoned bridge, which was used for transportation of goods during the British period. One must experience the sunset at this beach. You can also try the local street food here.
Marari Beach:
The exotic marari beach is a perfect place for a relaxing day. It’s the best picnic spot for children where they can swim, take a sunbath and play on the soft sandy shore surrounded by crystal clear water. Apart from this there is another famous beach, Alappuzha Beach which is a perfect getaway for family and kids.
Krishnapuram Palace:
It’s one of the oldest historical landmarks which was built in the 18th century by King Marthanda Varma, well known for its cultural and architectural beauty. Now the place has been turned into a museum where you get to see all about Kerala’s history and heritage.
St. Mary’s Forane Church:
This church is an ancient stunning architectural masterpiece, visitors can also attend the mass and have a look around the church’s intricate design. Apart from this there are a number of giant churches in Alleppey, St George’s Catholic Church, St Andrew’s Forane Church, St Andrew’s Basilica etc. which attracts tourists.
Pathiramanal Island:
This island is in the middle of the Alleppey backwaters and tourists need to book a boat ride to enjoy the scenic island. Pathiramanal Island is a place which is surrounded by exotic birds and is considered as a paradise for photographers.
Temples to Visit in Alleppey
Alleppey is a melting pot of cultures and religions where you get to see numerous temples and churches. Don’t miss visiting a few temples, one among them is India’s oldest krishna temple, The Ambalapuzha Temple. Karumadikkuttan a buddhism temple where you find a huge statue of Buddha made of black granite stone and Mannarasala Sri Nagaraja Temple.
Apart from them there are various places you can visit like Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Nehru Trophy Boat Race, Kuttanad, Alappuzha Lighthouse and many more.
Things to do in Alleppey / Boat Rides to Experience in Alleppey
Don’t forget to include some adventure things to do in Alleppey as it stands out as one of the best places to explore water activities along with boat rides apart from Nature and make some unforgettable memories.
- Also Check Out : Munnar Tourist Places – Travel Guide, Itinerary for 3 & 4 Days
Shikara Boat Ride:
Want an authentic Alleppey experience then Shikara Boat is an ideal choice. Compared to other houseboats, Shikara is a kind of smaller boat which can accompany around 4-20 people based on the size of the boat offering an intimate backwater experience by navigating throw narrow canals.
It’s budget friendly and provides an affordable boat tour for most of the tourists. Shikara Boat Ride price starts from 800 rs for 5 passengers for an hour and based on the duration of time price varies and they cover Vembanad Lake, Punnamada, and others. During holidays and weekends, they charge around 1000 rs per hour.
Houseboat in Alleppey Backwaters:
Don’t forget to add a traditional houseboat cruise journey on backwaters to your vacation plan and the unique charm of houseboat stays is going to be a lifetime experience where you get to see greenery, scenic views, lush rice fields, coconut trees, observe the daily life of the locals, marine life and many more. The cruise is categorized into 3 types, Deluxe Houseboats, Premium Houseboats and Luxury Houseboats and the price varies according to facilities, food and number of rooms.
Kayaking in Alleppey Backwaters:
Kayaking in the backwaters of Kerala is one of the best ways to explore the beauty of Alleppey and Punnamada Lake is a popular entry point. While Paddling through the calm waters your guide will navigate through the tranquil canals and other sighting seeing points. In some Kayaking tours they even stop at local villages as well.
Experience the breathtaking views of sunrise and sunset by kayaking, Vinnaithandi Varuvaya church is the best place to experience a rising sun and tranquil backwater village is a best place to watch a mesmerizing sunset as the sun dips below the horizon. Cost of Kayaking might vary between 800 rs to 1500 rs per person.
Speed Boat Ride:
Speed boats are one of best choices if you need to encounter the excellence of the backwaters at a pace and appreciate the staggering seas all around. There are different types of speed boats available for single people, couples or a small family and the price varies accordingly. Punnamada Lake and Vembanad Lake are well known locations for taking a speed boat ride and it’s a 50-minute ride which covers both the lakes.
Canoe Boat Ride:
Traveling through Rivers, Lakes, Canals in a canoe boat is one of the most authentic ways to explore backwaters. Canoe Boat Ride best suited for small families or groups, Canoe is a small wooden boat with a canopy which allows four people to sit comfortably. The boat ride is for around 2 to 3 hours.
The canoe boat is being accessed by a boatman who rows the boat through lakes and narrow canals. The price starts from 200 rs per person and during the trip covers visiting Green Paddy Fields, Chavara Bhavan, Toddy Tapping and Fishermen’s Village and You will be dropped by the starting point again.
Alleppey Itinerary for 3 days:
Day 1: Arrival in Alleppey:
Upon arrival in Alleppey take a taxi or vehicle and just relax back by watching breath-taking views of nature, palms, sapphire backwaters and lovely houseboats through your car window. Explore Alleppey Town and then check into a hotel and fresh up. After lunch visit the beautiful Green Paddy Fields in the Kuttanad Areas and then relax enjoying the sunset view at Alleppey Beach.
Day 2: Backwater Bliss:
Next day get ready to enjoy the traditional houseboats journey in backwaters. In the morning visit a few Churches and temples and by noon board in the houseboat, embark on a day-long houseboat cruise. On the way explore Kuttanad and other locations.
Day 3: Explore Alleppey’s Culture and Nature:
Wake up to the serene beauty of the backwaters and enjoy your breakfast in the Houseboat. Check out the local events and explore other water activity rides.
Best Places to stay in Alleppey
It’s one of the biggest questions most people struggle with while planning a trip to Kerala, Alleppey. It is surrounded by many nice hostels, resorts, houseboats, beachside shacks and homestays provided by locals.
Depending upon the budget, choose the best option that suits you but don’t forget to experience a houseboat stay that includes exceptional food, breakfast, lunch and dinner onboard and a backwater tour.
Conclusion:
If you want to take a break from your regular boring life and spend the best time with nature and relax, then Alleppey is the best destination which offers loads of fun, beauty, adventures, calm backwaters, lovely beaches and cultural history.
Hope you like the blog article on “Places to visit in Alleppey – Travel Guide, Boat Rides, Itinerary & Stay”. If you have any queries or recommendations please free to email us (talesofbackpacker@gmail.com) or comment below.
