A Visit To Alleppey – Make Rivers A Part Of Your Daily Life In Kerala

Alleppey or Alappuzha is one of the very beautiful cities in Kerala. Also known as the ‘Venice of the East’, Alleppey is well known for its backwaters. It is even called the hub of Kerala backwaters as it stands as home to thousands of houseboats and a vast network of backwaters. With its beautiful combination of nature and backwaters, Alleppey stays on the top of the most visited cities in Kerala. It attracts tourists not only from India but also from many parts of the world. This watery world is also famous for a variety of things that it offers for the tourists to do. Lets now have a look at the amazing things that you can experience on your visit to Alleppey and a few attractions that shouldn’t be missed while you are there:

The best time to visit Alleppey

Choosing your time of visit is as important as choosing the destination. So before you plan your visit to this beautiful city, make sure you check out everything about the climatic conditions in different seasons. However, the ideal time to visit Alleppey is during winter as it gives the best house boating experience. You can also visit Alleppey during monsoon as you will get to witness the greeneries in Alleppey turning all the more beautiful with raindrops being showered on them. Summer? Umm. There is never a bad time to visit Alleppey. But summer is not a great time if you want to experience the best.

Winter in Alleppey

November to February marks not only the winter season but also the best season to visit Alleppey. It is one of the ideal times for a houseboat stay and to try activities like fishing, sightseeing and so much more.

Monsoon in Alleppey

June to September marks monsoon in Alleppey. It is considered a good season to visit Alleppey as the pleasure of witnessing the rain-washed natural beauty from a houseboat will be unmatchable here. But beware of the mosquitos in the monsoon!

Summer in Alleppey

Summer lasts from March to May which is considered as a not-so-good season to visit Alleppey. Though there will be summer showers in the city, it might get a little too hot at times. However, the summer nights at Alleppey will be well worth your visit.

Places to visit in Alleppey

There are many places in Alleppey where you can get your souls rejuvenated. Find below some of the top places to visit on your trip to Alleppey:

1. Alappuzha Beach
2. Vembanad Lake
3. Krishnapuram Palace
4. Kuttanad
5. Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple
6. Marari Beach
7. Karumadikuttan

1. Alappuzha Beach

Alappuzha Beach is one of the perfect places for a relaxing getaway. Imagine yourself relaxing in the shadows of palm trees or enjoying the watersports at the Alleppey Beach. Apart from just being an attraction itself, it is accessible to a few other attractions like Vijaya Beach Park and Nehru Trophy Boat Race. It is also home to some very famous festivals like Sand Art Festival and Alappuzha Beach Festival.

2. Vembanad Lake

Vembanad Lake is a lagoon that is located in Alleppey. This is said to be one of the longest lakes in the country and the largest Lake in Kerala. With such importance, it becomes a place that is quite easily accessible from Kochi, Kottayam and Kuttanad. Vembanad Lake has got so many names in different regions of Kerala. They call it Kochi Lake in Kochi, the Punnamada Lake in Kuttanad and Vembanad Lake in Kottayam.

3. Krishnapuram Palace

Located 47 km away from Alappuzha is Krishnapuram Palace, one of the top places to visit on your trip to Alleppey. Being built in a traditional Kerala style, this place is both a palace and a museum. The highlight of this palace is Gajendra Moksha, a mural painting. This painting is one of the biggest mural paintings and holds rich cultural importance. Archaeological Department of Kerala currently maintains the Krishnapuram Palace.

4. Kuttanad

Popularly called as the ‘rice bowl of Kerala’ is Kuttanad, standing as home to lush green rice fields. It is a region that covers a large part of Alappuzha and a small part of Kottayam. Here, you can experience an hour-long cruise on a houseboat or shorter trips on the canoes. It remains an ideal place to visit especially for all the nature lovers out there.

5. Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple

Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple is a temple that is dedicated to Lord Krishna. The temple itself speaks for its rich architectural beauty which makes it one of the beautiful structures in Alappuzha. This temple is also famous for its delicious rice pudding in sweet milk, known as Pal Payasam.

6. Marari Beach

Popularly known as the Maraikulam Beach is Marari Beach, a well-renowned tourist destination in Alleppey. Here, you can see the snake boat races which would surely be a thrilling experience that you can get in Alleppey. Known for its serenity and tranquillity, this beach is listed among the World’s top five hammock beaches by National Geographic Survey. You can also find some amazing beach resorts in Marari where you can have an amazing time.

7. Karumadikuttan

Located 3 km away from Alappuzha is Karumadi village, home to the famous Karumadikuttan. The name of the attraction translates to ‘a boy from Karumadi’. Here, you will find a half-broken black quartz statue of Buddha which was restored after major damage. The importance of the statue makes the devotees come here in huge numbers. It is currently maintained by Kerala state government.

Things to do on your visit to Alleppey

Alleppey is a place where you will have a lot of options to keep your days exciting. From cruising through the pristine waters to having a relaxing Ayurveda therapy, Alleppey is well worthy of a visit. Here are some of the many amazing things that Alleppey has to offer.

1. Alleppey backwaters
2. Snake boat race
3. Festivals of Alleppey
4. Kayaking in Alleppey
5. Ayurveda therapy in Alleppey

1. Alleppey backwaters

Have you ever heard of Alleppey backwaters? Why is there so much hype about it? Let me tell you. Alleppey backwaters are iconic places where you will have the Arabian Sea on one side and rivers and canals, on another. Both sides of these canals and rivers are green paddy fields, palm and coconut trees, local village homes and beautiful lagoons, of course. Backwaters in Alleppey, are like no other!

2. Snake boat race

Snake boat race in Alleppey is yet another famous and exciting water sport that will be organized at different canals in Alleppey. One of the most famous snake boat races is the Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race in Alleppey. Among the many amazing things to do in Alleppey, watching a snake boat race is a must-do thing. It suits every kind of travellers. Be it the adventure-enthusiasts or sports lovers, locals or tourists, everyone will be stunned to watch these races.

3. Festivals of Alleppey

Ambalappuzha Temple Festival is one of the very famous temples in Alleppey. It will be held every year during the month of October. This 10-day festival attracts devotees from, not just the state but all over the world. Another 10-day festival which is held in January is the Elephant Parade, which is well worthy of a visit. If you want to experience the whole of Alleppey, then being here during the festival time is a must.

4. Kayaking in Alleppey

While visiting the backwaters heaven, make sure you try Kayaking. It is the best way to explore the beauty of the backwaters along with palm and coconut trees on both sides, travelling with you. While you are into Kayaking, you will start to adore the beauty of lush greeneries without even trying. It just happens without an effort and that beautiful Alleppey backwaters are.

5. Ayurveda therapy in Alleppey

Ayurvedic therapies are the most effective way to cure a lot of chronic disorders which many people are facing these days. Though it is a matter of great worry, ayurvedic therapies come to the rescue. And if it’s in Alleppey, it is the best. This is the main reason that people from various parts of the world are coming for Ayurveda therapies in particular.

How to reach Alleppey?

The city of Alleppey is easily accessible. However, if you want to reach the backwaters of Alleppey, then the only option is to reach by road. No matter you choose airways or railways, you need to hire a cab to get to Alleppey. Here are some of the ways in detail by which you can reach Alleppey:

By road

Getting to Alleppey by road is one of the best things to do as it offers scenic views that could leave you awestruck. The roads to Alleppey are well maintained especially from Kumarakom and Cochin. Another best thing about roadways is that you will be able to stop at places to munch on some local snacks.

By train

If you are planning to visit Alleppey by train, then you can get down at Alleppey Railway Station. Being located at the heart of the city, this railway station is quite easily accessible from all the major cities in India. From the station, you can take a cab, bus or even a rickshaw which would take you to the backwaters.

By air

Alleppey doesn’t have an airport. So the best way to reach is by taking a flight to the nearest airport which is the Cochin International Airport. It is located 75 km away from Alleppey and you can take either a bus or a cab right outside the airport to reach the backwaters of Alleppey.

Know more about life at Alleppey

What else can you do on your visit to Alleppey? This nature’s paradise is also famous for the amazing nightlife, delicious local cuisines and exciting places for shopping.

Nightlife in Alleppey

Want to know about the nightlife in Alleppey? Being a small town in rural Kerala, you can’t expect much of nightlife here, like other major cities. However, there are bars and pubs located right on the edge of the city. Also, there are several night restaurants in the city centre. If you think these restaurants specialize only in South Indian cuisine, then you are wrong. There are a few restaurants which offer a global food menu which includes Chinese, Italian and Continental. Make sure you visit those to taste some amazing food to get your tastebuds tickled. And if you are looking only for a couple of drinks, then you can visit any of the bars. Imagine watching the sunset over the horizon from a houseboat and you will realize the beauty of the place. This is everything about the amazing nightlife in Alleppey.

Food in Alleppey

A trip to Alleppey is only half done without tasting the best seafood that the state offers. Starting from fishes to several varieties of crab, the locals of Alleppey make the best out of it. If you are a seafood lover, then visiting Alleppey is an extra advantage for you. However, Alleppey is not limited to just seafood. It has many options for vegetarians as well.

Shopping in Alleppey

Do you think your trip would be complete without shopping some of the famous products of that particular destination? Alleppey is a place famous for its coir products that are made out of coconut husks. Here, you can find some carpets being sold of good quality. If you can transport one home then make sure to get one. What else can you buy here? Visit the local markets to buy some things like fresh spices that are homegrown and organic too. Alleppey is also famous for some organic coconut oil and fish pickles.

You can have a question on why to visit Alleppey, but why not? With such amazing places to visit and exciting things to do, one cannot resist themselves from planning a trip to this amazing city. Alleppey is just mesmerizingly beautiful which would definitely leave you in awe, almost every second. Planning a visit to Alleppey for a relaxing experience? We will show you how easy it is. Head out to the website of Pickyourtrail and check out some amazing packages to Alleppey in Kerala. If you would like, you can get it personalized by letting us know your choices. Pickyourtrail does not stop with just that. We would virtually travel with you and assist you 24*7 via the Pickyourtrail application to make sure you have a great vacation. Get your bags ready to escape to Alappuzha! Leave a Whatsapp inquiry for more options.

Visit Pickyourtrail and find out the International tour packages for you and your family. Until then, Happy Planning!!