Alappuzha (Alleppey) is known as ‘the Venice of the East’. Offering the best tourist places in Alleppey, this charming place is the hub of Kerala’s backwaters and is home to a huge network of backwaters and more than thousand houseboats. The houseboats you find in the backwaters of Alappuzha are in fact a reworked version of the Kettuvallams of olden times. Kettuvallam is a Malayalam word, ‘Kettu’, means living structures and ‘Vallom’ means boat. In the olden days, kettuvallam or boat with a thatched roof that covers over wooden hulls was used to carry tons of rice and spices.
The modern houseboats are equipped with all the comforts of a good hotel room like air conditioners, modern toilets, cozy living rooms, a kitchen and even a balcony for angling. An uninterrupted view of life in the backwaters fringed with coconut trees can be enjoyed from a houseboat. A perfect place to unwind with its laidback canals and lush greenery. The Alappuzha beach with a 137-year-old pier extending into the sea and an old 17th-century lighthouse built by the Portuguese add to the magic of the place. It is famous for its boat races, marine products, and coir industry.
So get ready to wander around this small but chaotic city center and bus-stand area, with its modest grid of canals. Head west to the beach or in practically any other direction towards the backwaters and Alleppey becomes elegant and greenery-fringed, waning into a watery world of hamlets, punted canoes, toddy shops and, of course, houseboats. Float along and gaze over paddy fields of succulent green, curvaceous rice barges and village life along the banks. Indeed, it is here that nature has spent upon the land her richest bounties. Come and explore the best tourist places in Alleppey.
The winters (September to March) and monsoon (June to August) are mild with temperatures rarely crossing 35 degree Celsius are the best months to visit Alleppey. The 10 day temple festivals in the month of March is also a very good time to visit. In the month of August, the famous Nehru Boat Race is held with great vigour and excitement and could provide a very unique yet spectacular view of Kerala.
Also Checkout: Kerala Tour Packages 4 Nights 5 Days
Alleppey is 75 km from Kochi (Cochin) and 155 km from Trivandrum. It is well connected by air, train, and road.
By Air: Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport at a distance of 75 km. It Is well connected to all major cities in India and abroad.
By Train: The Alleppey Railway Station lies within the city limits and is well connected to Cochin and Trivandrum.
By Road: It is accessible by National Highway 47 via Ambalapuzha and Cherthala cities. Kerala State Transport Corporation runs daily buses connecting it to all cities in Kerala.
Here are the various day & night tour packages that you can book with Thrillophilia:
Resorts in Alleppey are simply an extension of the breathtaking picturesque backwaters of Kerala.
1. Erandia Marari Ayurveda Beach Resort: This 13-room resort is famous for its Ayurveda treatment and a calm and serenity. The tariff charges are 10.980 INR onwards.
2. El Oceana Beach Villa is an Ayurvedic resort that boasts its Keralite heritage architecture. Experience living in a local traditional home and visit the countryside to explore the unexploited beaches in the vicinity of the resort. The tariff charges are 8200 INR per night.
3. Xandari Pearl is a simple and elegant resort with 20 private villas with a huge plunge pool and relaxed outdoor seating area with sunbeds and hammock. The tariff charges are 21,250 INR onwards.
4. Lake Palace Resort is one of the most sought after and beautiful resorts built on an island on the banks of Vembanad Lake. The tariff charges are INR 8,300 onwards.
5. Vasundhara Sarovar Premiere: A luxury resort in Alleppey has something for everyone from water sports, romantic boat houses to blissful Ayurvedic massages. The tariff charges are 7,825 INR onwards.
Planning a Alleppey trip, Checkout: Alleppey Tour Packages
Kerala food is a gastronomic delight and some of the best places to eat local food are:
1. ‘Vembanad Restaurant’ is a lovely poolside joint in Alleppey Prince Hotel. It serves mouth-watering fish curry and prawn rice.
2. ‘Harbour Restaurant’ in Raheem Residency Hotel is known for its pepper grilled chicken and open-air sea-facing ambience.
3. ‘Mushroom’ on CCSB road is known for tasty halal meats.
4. ‘Kream Korner’ on Mullackal South of Temple is perfect for Thai food, Mochoo noodles, and spring rolls.
5. ‘Thaff’ is an ordinary small restaurant famous for quality Indian and Middle Eastern dishes.
If you're planning a vacation to Alleppey for your honeymoon, make sure to check out: Alleppey Honeymoon Packages
Different modes of public transport in Alleppey are
1. An excellent network of buses that connect most parts of the town. There are state run buses that also connect Alleppey with other nearby cities in Kerala.The best shopping places in Alleppey are:
1. The central area of Alleppey town called Mullackal where you can find a number of gold and silver shops.Several different categories of houseboat cruises are available.
1. Deluxe houseboats which start from 6000 INR and AC is available only from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.There are many houseboat cruises in Alleppey, check them out below and book one for your next trip.
1. Pournami Houseboats has 4 bedrooms and bathrooms and is equipped with all modern comforts and amenities. It is available for 15,000 INR onwards.The exotic backwaters and inland waterways in and around Alleppey provide for some of the most romantic moments.
1. In a fully equipped floating houseboat, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery around in the company of your loved one.Approximately 3-4 days are sufficient to see Alleppey and visit nearby places. It won’t take longer.
Kerala massage is famous for its therapeutic and rejuvenating experiences for body and soul.
1. Ayur Bhadra Ayurveda has therapies that have an edge and stands apart in the crowd. You can enjoy the best of Panchakarma treatment at reasonable rates with assured care and post-treatment.The best cruise is Alappuzha-Kumarakom cruise which allows travelers to check in Kumarakom and check out at Alappuzha or vice versa at a nominal additional charge. Tourists can enjoy the beauty of both backwaters.While in Kumarakom, you may have a glimpse of all luxury resorts and bird sanctuary while on cruise and can travel in less traffic. The longest house boat cruise in Kerala, Alapuzha-Kollam is a charming experience.
For backpackers and travelers with a limited budget, there are other options to explore the backwaters
A daily performance at 7 p.m. at 200 INR is done in Temple View Arts and Kathakali Centre Opp Udupi Sreekrishna Temple.
The Nehru Trophy Boat Race takes place on the second Saturday of August every year. On the day of this fiercely fought boat race, the tranquil lake front is transformed into a sea of humanity with an estimated two lakh people, including tourists from abroad for watching it. For the people of each village in Kuttanad, a victory at this race for their village boat is something to be celebrated for months to come.