There are many things to do in Alleppey, also known as the Venice of the East. A small coastal town in Kerala, Alleppey, or Alappuzha, is known for its tranquil backwaters, beautiful beaches, lush landscapes, and a rich cultural heritage. Whether you are looking for adventure, relaxation, history, or natural beauty, Alleppey has got you covered. Read on to find the best things to do in Alleppey.
Explore the backwaters
A trip to Alleppey is incomplete without exploring its beautiful backwaters, some of which are Vembanad Lake, Kuttanad, and Punnamada Lake. You can take a nice shikara boat ride in these backwaters. While the bigger houseboats follow the main, larger waterways, the humble shikara can navigate through the narrow alleys and canals. This is a great way to witness the local life of the region.
If you want some adventure, go kayaking in the backwaters during sunrise or sunset. Home to a unique ecosystem, you will be able to see enchanting views of fishermen with their nets, water lilies, and many beautiful birds. A canoe is another way to row down the backwaters.
You can also choose a local ferry, the most inexpensive option to experience the Alleppey backwaters. They tend to follow just the main waterways, but you will get a local experience this way.
Stay in a houseboat
There is no better way to get the full backwaters experience than to stay in a traditional houseboat, known as kettuvallam. These traditional houseboats are made from bamboo, wood, and coconut fibre. Originally used for transportation of goods, they are now a popular accommodation option among tourists.
There are different types of houseboats from basic to luxury, or for day cruises or overnight stays. These houseboats usually include comfortable bedrooms and meals, while some luxury houseboats come with jacuzzis, open decks, Wi-Fi, and personal chefs!
Visit the Alappuzha Lighthouse
Alappuzha Beach, or Alleppey Beach is a stunning beach with golden sand and clean waters, but it is most popular for its iconic lighthouse. Built in 1862, the Alappuzha Lighthouse is a major tourist attraction. You can climb up a spiral staircase to get a breathtaking 360-degree view of the entire area. Alleppey Beach also offers some of the most amazing sunsets, so try to catch one while you are here. The lighthouse is closed on Mondays.
Read more: Best time to visit Alleppey
Enjoy the local cuisine
Set along the coast, Alleppey has a delicious local cuisine with seafood being right at the top. Try the seafood dishes like fish curry, prawns moilee, shrimps, crab roast, as well as other dishes like Malabar biryani, chicken roast, chilli beef, freshly made banana chips, and more.
You can also feast on Sadya, a traditional Kerala meal served on a banana leaf. Entirely vegetarian, the meal includes various vegetables, pappadam, idiyappam, rice, and payasam.
Feast on the delicious, fresh seafood in Alleppey (Picture credits: Alleppey Houseboat)
Embrace spirituality
Spirituality plays an important role in Kerala, and Alleppey is home to many magnificent temples, some of which date back to the eighth century AD. The Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple is a beautiful example of majestic architecture and is especially known for its sweet porridge, Ambalappuzha Palpayasam, offered as prasad.
Some other temples that stand out in Alleppey include Mannarasala Temple, Nagaraja Temple, and Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple.
Alleppey also has some beautiful churches such as St Mary’s Forane Church, Latin Catholic Church, and Florence Forane Church. The Karumadikkuttan Shrine near Punnamada Lake houses a granite statue of Lord Buddha and is an important site for Buddhists.
Local experiences
The best way to learn about Alleppey is by interacting with the locals. Explore the backwaters villages, converse with the locals, and learn their way of life through village walks, cycling, or backwater rides.
Fishing is one of the main occupations in Alleppey. You will find many men out with their nets, trying to catch fish. On a backwaters ride, you can watch the fishermen with the nets, and if you are in the backwaters in the evening, you may be able to see them gathering their catch for the day. You can even go fishing with the locals in some places.
You can also watch locals toddy tapping in Alleppey. Sap is collected from palm trees, fermented with yeast, and then turned into alcohol that is sold in toddy shops or used to make bread. You can watch the process or even taste some toddy, or palm wine, at a local toddy shop.
Beach hopping
Alleppey is located on the western coast of India, with numerous beaches lining the Arabian Sea. Visit Alleppey Beach or the less crowded Marari Beach, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying a nice sunset. You can also enjoy parasailing, swimming, and fishing at Marari Beach.
Pozhiyoram Beach is well known for its water sports and activities, but it also offers amazing sunsets, while Thumpoly Beach is relatively unknown among tourists.
Indulge in Ayurvedic Therapy
Alleppey is a great place to indulge in an Ayurvedic massage, especially during the monsoon season. The town has many spas and massage centers where you can get the authentic, traditional massages. These massages use natural oils that promote relaxation, increase blood circulation, and help in detoxing the body.
Ayurvedic centres in Alleppey offer a range of therapies such as Abhyanga and Shirodhara, performed by experts.
Shiro Abhyanga Therapy (Picture credits: Indulekha)
Attend the Snake Boat Race Festival
The Snake Boat Race Festival, also known as Nehru Trophy Boat Race, takes place in August during the Onam Festival. You will find many boats racing down Punnamada Lake, with each boat having 20 to 25 people onboard. It is a unique experience you must have if you visit Alleppey during August.
Snake Boat Festival (Picture credits: Club Mahindra)
Explore the history of Alleppey
If you are interested in history, visit the majestic Krishnapuram Palace, known as the foothold of Travancore kingdom. Built by Anziham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, the palace reflects traditional South Indian architecture. Today, it is transformed into a museum featuring many invaluable relics and artifacts.
The Revikarunakaran Museum features many rare artworks including Tanjore paintings, Swarovski crystals, murals, antique furniture, ivory carvings, and more.
The International Coir Museum in Alleppey is entirely dedicated to coir. You will be able to see the process of coir making and how it is turned into different shapes. The museum showcases a wide range of products made out of dried coconut husk, such as wall hangings, purses, mats, and more. You can also shop for a few of these items at the souvenir shop in the museum.
Witness the wildlife
Around 10 kilometers north of Alleppey in Kattoor is the Elephant Training Camp. You can watch the mahouts bathing and cleaning them. You can also interact with the elephants by feeding them. The camp lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, during which you can participate in many activities with these majestic animals.
Alleppey is also a paradise for birdwatchers. You can spot many migratory birds like Black Drongo, White Breasted Waterhen, Kingfishers, Asian Palm Swift, and more.
If you visit Alleppey in January, you can witness the festival of Adoor Gajamela. This 10-day event features a parade of majestic adorned elephants.
Shopping
If you love shopping, Alleppey has many bustling markets and stores. Mullakkal Street and Alappuzha Market are vibrant places selling local spices, fresh produce, and traditional Kerala handicrafts. For a unique experience, visit the Floating Triveni Market, a literal floating marketplace in the backwaters. There are many wooden boats here selling fresh seafood, local handicrafts, and coir products.
So, what will you be doing first in Alleppey? Let us know! At India Someday, we create personalized itineraries to India for you based on your requirements. Contact us and together we can plan the perfect trip to India for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Alleppey is famous for its beautiful backwaters, beaches, houseboat stays, and the Nehru Trophy Boat Race.
Yes, you need at least 2 days to explore Alleppey. If you are planning on staying in a houseboat, plan one or two extra days in your trip to explore more of the region.
You can buy coir, coir products, carpets, spices, and handicrafts in Alleppey.
About Aishwarya Shete
Aishwarya Shete is a content writer at India Someday. Her passions are writing, photography, and more importantly, food. She hopes to travel the world someday and document it through her pictures and words.
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