Alleppey or Alappuzha extremely famous for its backwater and houseboat. Travellers want to visit this place again and again due to its serene atmosphere and clean environment. This popular tourist destination is also home to several renowned Ayurvedic spas and wellness centers.
Alleppey is a vibrant mix of scenic canals, serene beaches, lush paddy fields, historic temples, churches, and picturesque lagoons. It is also famous for its beaches, temples and traditional boat races, which makes it the favourite tourist spots. Alleppey is one of the amazing places which you want to visit during Kerala trip. Now the main question is that what places to visit in Alleppey which gives you a lifetime experience. So here we mention some best tourist places to visit in Alleppey, preferred by most of the tourists all around the year.
Top 7 Charming Places to Visit in Alleppey
1- Alleppey Beach
- Location: Alappuzha, Kerala
- Entry Fee: None
- Places to Visit: Alappuzha Sea Bridge (remains), Sea View Park
- Things to Do: Relax on the beach, Enjoy the sunset, Visit the Sea View Park for boat rides
- Best Time to Visit: October to March
- How to Reach:
- By Train: Alappuzha Railway Station (4 km away)
- By Road: Well-connected by buses and taxis
Due to the blissful surrounding Alleppey beach is one of the famous tourist destinations. This breathtakingly beautiful beach is famous for its vast, endless stretches, making it the perfect getaway for both couples and families. Alappuzha Beach is the venue for a number of fun-filled and water sports activity.
The beach is conveniently located near Sea View Park, where visitors can enjoy a variety of boat rides for a fun-filled experience. Considered as the best places to visit in Alleppey, it gives an amazing experience of backwater and boat cruise.
2- Backwater in Alleppey
- Location: Kuttanad Taluk, Alappuzha
- Entry Fee: INR 10 (Lower Deck), INR 15 (Upper Deck for houseboats)
- Places to Visit: Kuttanad backwaters, Vembanad Lake
- Things to Do: Houseboat cruises through backwaters, Birdwatching and photography
- Best Time to Visit: November to February
- How to Reach:
- By Train: Alappuzha Railway Station (12 km away)
- By Road: Accessible via Alappuzha-Kottayam Road
Alleppey is also known as the Venice of the East and it gives the best experience of the backwater. So it attracts the thousands of tourist every year. The snake boat races and houseboat cruises are the two most thrilling activity which you can do here.
Alleppey is a paradise for nature lovers, offering soul-soothing greenery and the gentle, calming waves of its backwaters. Anyone cannot explain the beauty of Alleppey backwater in words.
3- Arthunkal Church
- Location: Arthunkal, Cherthala, Alappuzha
- Entry Fee: None
- Places to Visit: Arthunkal Beach, Basilica of St. Andrew
- Things to Do: Visit for spiritual solace and pilgrimage, Attend festivals like St. Sebastian’s Feast
- Best Time to Visit: January (for festivals)
- How to Reach:
- By Train: Cherthala Railway Station (9 km away)
- By Road: Accessible by car/taxi from Alappuzha
The most beautiful church dedicated to St. Sebastian which was built by Portuguese. An annual feast also held here in the month of January. This church is the most sought-after Christian holy place in Alleppey, which attracts thousands of devotees every year.
The church was reconstructed in 1584 under the guidance of Father Jacomo Fenicio, who was believed to have the ability to heal both body and mind. A life-sized statue of the vicar was later sculpted in Milan in his honor. The church is also famous for its marvellous ancient architecture and its interior which is totally done by the woodwork. So there is no doubt it is one of the best places to visit in Alleppey and you don’t want to miss it.
4- Vembanad Lake
- Location: Alappuzha District (extends to Kottayam and Kochi)
- Entry Fee: None
- Places to Visit: Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
- Things to Do: Boat rides on the lake, Houseboat cruises, Visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
- Best Time to Visit: November to March
- How to Reach:
- By Train: Kottayam Railway Station (10 km away)
- By Road: Accessible via Kottayam-Alappuzha Road
It is one of the largest Lake in India, which covers an area of 2033.02 sq km. Vembanad Lake is renowned for its serene backwaters set against breathtaking natural beauty. Visitors can enjoy boating on the peaceful lagoon, exploring islands dotted with lush, green coconut trees. The Annual Snake Boat Race or Vallam Kali held in the month of August on the Vembanad Lake. It is one of the most favourite tourists spots in entire Kerala. In other words, it is a home to several marine, bird and animal species. So if you want to explore the experience of Kerala trip then no one is the better place than Vembanad Lake.
5- Nehru Trophy Boat Race
- Location: Punnamada Lake, Alappuzha
- Entry Fee: Varies (for viewing areas)
- Places to Visit: Punnamada Lake, Nehru Trophy Boat Race venue
- Things to Do: Witness the famous snake boat races, Enjoy cultural programs during the festival
- Best Time to Visit: August (during the race)
- How to Reach:
- By Train: Alappuzha Railway Station (4 km away)
- By Road: Easily accessible from Alappuzha town
The Snake Boat Race is very famous in Alleppey which held at Vembanad Lake in the month of August every year. It is one of the major tourist attraction in Alleppey which gives a unique experience, you never feel before. The sight of the men rowing the boats, with cheerleaders rallying them on, is truly a spectacle to behold. It offers the best cultural highlight of the state, so it is one of the best places to visit in Alleppey.
The festival draws a lot of rush so you might want to reach the venue early to get a good viewing point. Winner of this snake boat race gets a trophy in form of a silver snake boat.
6- Krishnapuram Palace
- Location: Krishnapuram, Alappuzha
- Entry Fee: INR 10 (Adults), INR 5 (Children)
- Places to Visit: Krishnapuram Palace, Museum (Mural painting of Gajendra Moksha)
- Things to Do: Explore the murals and vintage architecture, Learn about Kerala’s royal history
- Best Time to Visit: November to March
- How to Reach:
- By Train: Kayamkulam Railway Station (12 km away)
- By Road: Accessible from Alappuzha town
Krishnapuram Palace is a museum which is located in Kayamkulam. It is about 47 km away from the Alleppey. A perfect place for those who wish to gain an insight into the culture, lives and times of the people of South India. The palace-turned-museum is home to *Gajendra Moksham*, one of the largest wall paintings in Kerala.
The palace grounds also boast a beautifully landscaped garden that is well worth exploring. As it is situated on the top of a small hill, which is surrounded by a terraced garden with fountains, ponds and lawns, thus it gives the magnificent view.
- Also Read: Best Hill Stations in Kerala
7 Pathiramanal
- Location: Vembanad Lake, Alappuzha
- Entry Fee: None
- Places to Visit: Pathiramanal Island, Vembanad Lake
- Things to Do: Birdwatching (local & migratory species), Nature walks on the island
- Best Time to Visit: November to March
- How to Reach:
- By Boat: Accessed by boat from Alappuzha or Kumarakom
- By Road: Reachable via Kottayam-Alappuzha Road
Pathiramanal is a beautiful Island which is situated at Vembanad Kayal. It is a bird watcher paradise where you can see 91 local species of birds and around 50 species of migratory birds. Pathiramanal, meaning “Sands of the Night,” is renowned for its lush wilderness, tranquil lakeside, and stunning landscapes.
You can hire a speed-boat from the shore to reach this location which gives a breathtaking view of the Island. Overall an amazing places to visit in Alleppey that you don’t want to leave this place.
So these are the major tourist attraction and places to visit in Alleppey. If you want to explore the whole trip of Alleppey district, then you have to visit all above mention place.