Alleppey - "Backwaters, Beaches and Lagoons - Venice of the East":- Famous for the backwaters in Kerala, the city of Alleppey is also known for its beaches, temples, boat races and Ayurvedic spa and wellness centers.
Dotting the coastline of the Arabian Sea, Alleppey (also known as Alappuzha) is the oldest planned backwater town of Kerala. This place is famous for its numerous rivers crisscrossing the Sea and is home to many canals, backwaters, beaches and lagoons. Alleppey is often referred to as the Venice of India. The backwaters coupled with houseboats and the tropical village life makes Alleppey worth a visit.
- How To Reach
Cochin International airport will land you right in Kerala. Alternately, you can hop off at Trivandrum, Kozhikode, Chennai or Bangalore. From there, Alleppey is connected by rail and roads.
- How To Reach Alleppey By Flight
There is no direct flight connectivity to Alleppey. The nearest airport is in Kochi, which is around 60 km. away from the city of Alleppey. You can take a taxi once you touch down at the Kochi airport.
Nearest Airport: Kochi - 57 kms from Alleppey
- How To Reach Alleppey By Road
Regular buses ply to and from Alleppey. Buses, in a range from affordable to slightly expensive rates, are available from places like Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and several other neighbouring areas. You can also take a shared taxi or cab for the same route.
- How To Reach Alleppey By Train
Alappuzha railway station is the principal station that connects Alleppey to the rest of India via railways.
- Commuting Within Alleppey
Traveling within Alleppey is not a problem as there is abundant number of local buses, auto rickshaws and taxis. Boats and ferry services are the best way to travel places such as Kuttanad, inaccessible by road. Many of Alleppey's attractions are easily accessible by foot.
- Top Places To Visit In Alleppey
1) Houseboats
The houseboats in Kerala are a new addition to its travel and tourism list. Traditionally these were used to carry the rice yields but today they cruise over the emerald backwaters. A glide in the houseboat in the backwaters of Kerala is surely bewildering. Cruising over the waters of Alleppey is itself an experience which will rob your hearts.
The houseboat size varies from one room to three rooms. The houseboat experience in Alleppey can be soothing for a person of any age. The backwaters fringed with coconut trees take you to another world of peace and meditation. Also, every kind of facility is provided to you within the houseboats. The houseboats vary from the largest to the smallest and no matter what the size is you are provided with everything of your need which makes your experience the best.
Each boat has rooms with attached bathroom, a chef and a captain. Depending upon your package there is a guide who has a good hold of several languages in order to make you understand the significance of the places you watch. There is an open lounge in the houseboat where you can sit and cherish the amazing backwater scenes.
There are 3 types of houseboats depending upon your budget i.e. Luxury houseboats, Premium houseboats and Deluxe Houseboats. The houseboats take you to different sightseeing locations like - The giant snake boat which is used in snake race, Kainakary, Karimpavalavalu, Vembanadu Kayal, St Michael's Church, different canals and many explored-unexplored waterways. You witness the sea beauty with greenery all over. Not only this, you are served with the most delicious food onboard. Some of the best Houseboats providers of Alleppey are Rainbow Houseboats, Angel Queen Houseboats, Prasanthy Houseboats, Johnson's Eco Houseboats, etc.
- How To Reach Houseboats
Houseboat agencies can be easily reached by taxis, buses or rickshaws.
2) Backwaters
The backwaters of Alleppey is the perfect place for recreation after a hard month's work. A perfect getaway from the busy city life, the backwaters have houseboats at your disposal for you to rewind and relax as a part of your perfect vacation.
Alappuza is perhaps one of the best places in Kerala for a backwater holiday. Imagine drifting slowing on the backwaters of Kerala as you sip your fresh coffee and enjoy the beauty of God's Own Country. The enhancing houseboats just add that extra flavor to your trip! The backwaters of Kerala in general are a great way to relax. It is a network of interconnected canals, rivers, lakes and inlets, a labyrinthine system formed by more than 900 km of waterways. Beautiful houseboats can be rented for as long as you want in order to fully experience the beauty of the backwaters.
The major attraction of the backwaters is definitely the houseboats and one can rent these for as long as they want. There are many kinds of houseboats including the luxury ones. The backwater cruise is also a very good option to enjoy the exotic Kerala.
- Best Time To Visit
Best time to visit is between October-April.
- How To Reach Backwaters
There are bus services operating from cities like Cochin (1:15 hours, Rs 33), Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Chennai, Bangalore (overnight luxury Rs 650), Mysore, Coimbatore (overnight Rs.220) to Alappuzha
- Tips
It is a must visit during monsoon seasons.
3) Alappuzha Beach
Known as the Venice of East, Alappuzha Beach is a great tourist attraction in Kerala. The beach is a host to many festivals like Sand Art festival, Alappuzha Beach Festival and much more. It is known for its intrinsic beauty and a 150 years old pier which stretches into the sea. Relaxing under the palm grooves and picnicking beside the beach are amazing options available to those visiting the beach. Also, Alappuzha backwaters is another way to explore the beauty of Kerala.
The Alappuzha beach, also known as the Alleppey Beach is famous for local getaways due to its blissful surroundings. The Vijaya Beach Park has amusement amenities which acts as a plus point for the people visiting the beach. It has become the synonym for amazement and amusement. It also has an old lighthouse which is highly fascinating to its visitors. The boat race, the Nehru Trophy Boat Race which takes place every year in the month of August gives this beach another reason to become the most famous attraction in Kerela. The mixture of all bewitching things makes Alappuzha beach a wonderland.
- Activities To Do At Alappuzha Beach
Water Activities: You can enjoy thrilling water sports on the backwaters. You have a choice between surfing, parasailing, boat races, motor boat riding, etc. The water sports in the emerald backwaters is a replenishing experience. The beach is famous for Snake Boat Races which take place during Onam.
Relaxing Activities: You can indulge yourself into yoga and meditation at Ayurvedic and yoga centres near Alappuzha.
Shopping: Mullakkal Street offers you with different souvenirs and stuffs like bags, dresses, rugs, spices, etc.
Mouth-watering Food: KreamKorner outlets, situated at Cullan or Mullackal Roads, serves delicious North Indian, Tandoori, as well as the famous dishes of Alleppey like Alleppey fish curry. Harbour Restaurant at Beach Road is apt for Indian, Chinese and European Cuisines.
- Vijaya Beach Park
(Image Source: Keralatourism)
Within the distance of just 450 m from the main beach, Vijaya Park is a house of amusement for children. It is a children's park with all kind of rides for them. It also offers boating. The opening timings for same are 10:00 AM - 6:30 PM. It charges INR 10 for a 10 minutes ride. Hence, it is pocket-friendly as well.
- Alappuzha Lighthouse
300 m from the beach lies the oldest lighthouse of Kerela. It was completed in the year 1862 under the rule of Rama Varma Maharaja of Travancore. It served as a trade centre of Kerala during that times. Today it stands still even after 150 years of its construction and serves as a fascinating attraction for its visitors.
- How To Reach Alappuzha Beach
Taxis and auto rickshaws are easily available in Alleppey and hence you can easily reach the beach.
- Tips
Water activities come to an end as the dusk takes over. After the dark, you can visit the beach for walking and relax.
4) Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
An ideal place for birds lovers, this bird sanctuary spreads over an expanse of 14 acres. It serves as a home to several rare species of homing and migratory birds.
Commonly sighted birds are kingfisher, paradise fly-catchers and egrets. Boat safaris are a common way to traverse the sanctuary.
5) Vembanad
Vembanad Lake is the longest lake in India. The lake is known by different names in different places. Taking a house boat on the lake could be a fun experience.
6) Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race
This snake boat race festival is an annual event held here on the second Saturday of every August.
Supposedly when Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru came to see the event, he got so involved in the competition that he jumped in one of the boats which later won the race. Since then, the event has been called Nehru Trophy Snake Boat race. The men rowing the boats and cheer leaders motivating them is a site to witness. The winners get a trophy in the form of a silver snake boat on a wooden pedestal.
SUPRAJA
