Overview
About Alleppey
Alleppey, officially Alappuzha, is the town most closely linked with Kerala's backwaters. Spread between the Arabian Sea and the vast Vembanad Lake, the region is a maze of canals, rivers and lagoons edged with coconut palms and emerald paddy fields. Life here moves at the speed of a country boat, and drifting through it on a houseboat is one of the signature experiences of travel in India.
The town grew as a busy port and trading centre for coir, spices and cashew, and its network of canals once earned it comparisons with Venice. To the south and east lies Kuttanad, a unique farming region where rice is grown on reclaimed land that sits below sea level, protected by dykes. Small villages, churches, temples and toddy shops line the waterways.
Alleppey is not only about the backwaters. It has a long sandy beach with an old pier and lighthouse, and the quieter Marari beach lies just to the north. In August the snake boat races, led by the Nehru Trophy on Punnamada Lake, bring huge crowds and fierce rivalry between village teams.
- Houseboats
- Backwaters
- Snake boat races
- Kuttanad paddy fields
- Karimeen fish
- Coir craft
Sightseeing
Best Places to Visit in Alleppey
Backwaters
Vembanad Lake
The longest lake in India, fringed by villages and paddy fields. Most overnight houseboat cruises spend part of their route on its wide, open waters.
Punnamada Lake
The starting point for many houseboats and the venue of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, held every August.
Kuttanad
Known as the rice bowl of Kerala, this low-lying region of canals and fields below sea level is best seen on a slow country-boat or canoe trip.
Pathiramanal Island
A small, wooded island in Vembanad Lake reachable only by boat and known for birdwatching.
Beaches
Alappuzha Beach
A wide beach with the remains of a historic pier and a lighthouse nearby that offers views over the coast. It is busiest at sunset.
Marari Beach
About 11 km north of town, this quiet beach is backed by fishing villages and coconut groves and suits a relaxed stay.
Temples & Heritage
Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple
A traditional Kerala temple south of town, famous for its sweet rice-and-milk palpayasam offering.
St Mary's Forane Church, Champakulam
One of the oldest churches in Kerala, set beside the backwaters in a village also known for its boat race.
Krishnapuram Palace
An 18th-century palace near Kayamkulam built in Kerala style, known for one of the largest mural paintings in the state.
Nearby Excursions
Kumarakom
Across Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom has a bird sanctuary and more backwater resorts, and can be reached by boat or road.
Experiences
Top Things to Do in Alleppey
- 1
Stay overnight on a houseboat
A night on a traditional kettuvallam, with meals cooked on board and the boat moored by a village at dusk, is the classic Alleppey experience. Choose a licensed operator.
- 2
Take a canoe or shikara ride
Smaller boats can slip into narrow canals that houseboats cannot reach, giving a closer look at village life.
- 3
Watch a snake boat race
In the monsoon season, long chundan vallams with dozens of rowers race to the rhythm of boat songs. The Nehru Trophy is the most famous.
- 4
Visit a toddy shop
Roadside and canal-side toddy shops serve spicy local food such as fish curry, tapioca and duck alongside palm toddy.
- 5
Cycle through the villages
Flat lanes along the canals and paddy fields are ideal for gentle bike rides in the early morning.
- 6
Try an Ayurvedic treatment
Many resorts and centres around Alleppey and Marari offer traditional Ayurvedic massages and wellness programmes.
Weather
Best Time to Visit Alleppey
The best time to visit Alleppey is November to February. Here is what each season is like.
Summer
March to May
25°C to 34°C
Hot and humid, with occasional pre-monsoon showers. Houseboat cruises still run and crowds are smaller.
Monsoon
June to September
23°C to 30°C
Heavy rain makes the landscape intensely green and is the season for boat races and Ayurvedic treatments. Some days are too wet for long cruises.
Winter
October to February
22°C to 32°C
The peak season, with drier days and comfortable evenings, though October and November can still see rain from the north-east monsoon. Book houseboats well ahead for December and January.
Getting there
How to Reach Alleppey
By Air
Cochin International Airport is the nearest, about 85 km away by road. Trivandrum International Airport, about 150 km south, is another option. Taxis from either airport take you straight to Alleppey or the houseboat jetty.
By Rail
Alappuzha railway station lies on the coastal line between Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram, with trains from Kochi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi on some routes.
By Road
National Highway 66 connects Alleppey with Kochi, about 55 km to the north, and Thiruvananthapuram to the south. KSRTC buses run frequently, and state water transport boats connect Alleppey with Kottayam and other backwater towns.
Taste of the city
Famous Food of Alleppey
Karimeen pollichathu
Pearl spot fish marinated in spices, wrapped in banana leaf and slow-cooked, the most famous dish of the backwaters.
Kappa and fish curry
Boiled tapioca served with a fiery red fish curry, a toddy-shop favourite.
Appam and stew
Lacy rice pancakes with a mild coconut-milk stew of vegetables, chicken or mutton.
Duck roast
Duck cooked with roasted spices, shallots and coconut, a speciality of Kuttanad.
Kerala sadya
A vegetarian feast of rice and many curries served on a banana leaf, especially during Onam.
Ambalappuzha palpayasam
The pink-tinged rice and milk pudding associated with the Ambalappuzha temple.
What to Buy in Alleppey
- Coir mats, rugs and handicrafts
- Spices and cashew nuts
- Banana chips and halwa
- Kerala handloom such as kasavu sarees and mundu
Travel Tips for Alleppey
- Book houseboats only through licensed operators and confirm what the package includes, such as meals and air-conditioning hours.
- Most houseboats moor for the night in the evening, so cruising time is mainly during the day.
- Carry mosquito repellent for evenings on the water.
- Respect village privacy when photographing homes and people along the canals.
FAQs
Alleppey Travel FAQs
What is the best time to visit Alleppey?
November to February is the best time to visit Alleppey, with pleasant weather for houseboat cruises. The monsoon is ideal if you want greenery and the boat races.
Is Alleppey and Alappuzha the same place?
Yes. Alappuzha is the official name of the town and district, while Alleppey is the older name that is still widely used.
How many days are enough for Alleppey?
Two to three days are enough for an overnight houseboat cruise, a canoe trip through the smaller canals and some time at Alleppey or Marari beach.
What is Alleppey famous for?
Alleppey is famous for its houseboats and backwaters, Vembanad Lake, the Nehru Trophy snake boat race, the paddy fields of Kuttanad and its coir industry.
When is the Nehru Trophy Boat Race held?
The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is held on Punnamada Lake in August each year, with the exact date announced in advance.
How far is Alleppey from Kochi?
Alleppey is about 55 km from Kochi city and about 85 km from Cochin International Airport by road.
