Alleppey – Venice of the East
According to Lord Curzon, Alleppey is noted for its backwaters, beaches, and canals and is regarded as the “Venice of the East.” However, the city is much more than many visitors expect from the rural Kerala backwaters and houseboats. People interested in history and art will find the temples and historical monuments to be a real treat to see.
If you are looking for a relaxing holiday away from the crowds and in the middle of nature, prepare to fall in love with Alleppey, also known as Alappuzha, in other parts of the world. In order to assist you in planning a wonderful holiday, we have compiled a list of the most popular locations to visit in Alleppey.
Best Time To Visit Alleppey
Winter, i.e., November to February, is the most outstanding season to visit Alleppey since the weather is moderate and pleasant during this time of year. The average temperature ranges between 17 degrees and 32 degrees Celsius during this period. Traveling a houseboat through Allepey’s backwaters is a great way to spend the day during this period.
How To Reach Alleppey
To get to Alleppey, you may fly into Cochin International Airport (83 km away) and then take a bus or rail to the destination. There are several passenger and long-distance trains that arrive at Alappuzha Railway Station from places like Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Hyderabad. The most convenient method to go to Alleppey is via bus or vehicle from neighboring cities.
Places to Visit in Alleppey
You are wondering whether there’s anything more to do in Alleppey? So if that is the case, you’ve come to the correct location. Instead of wondering, prepare to go exploring! These incredible tourist attractions in Alleppey will steal your breath away. There are a lot of fun things to do at these locations, which have a retro feel to them. Take a peek around!
1. Beaches in Alleppey
There are some gorgeous beaches in Kerala, and Alleppey is one of them. And the most significant thing is that they are still in their original, pure state since they do not get many tourists.
#1. Alappuzha Beach
It is one of the most popular sites to visit in Alleppey because of its lush palm trees, lovely park nearby, old lighthouse, pristine scenery, and a delightful combination of the sea, canals, lagoons, and freshwater rivers all within a short distance of each other. Many of the movies that have been filmed here throughout the years have taken use of the lovely coastline as a backdrop.
The beach is a haven for those seeking leisure and those seeking adventurous sports such as parasailing, beach volleyball, and surfing. It is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in Alappuzha, ranking among the top tourist destinations in Kerala.
#2. Marari Beach
The Marari Beach, which is located 11 kilometers away from Alleppey in the picturesque hamlet of Mararikulam, is the ideal location for a relaxed family vacation or a romantic walk with your significant other. Swimming in the sea is safe and enjoyable since the water is clean. This beach is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Alleppey because of the abundance of luxurious but reasonably priced vacation resorts and homestay lodging choices available in the surrounding region.
While walking along the beach with your significant other in the setting sunlight, take in the spectacular beauty that Marari Beach is renowned for.
#3. Andhakaranazhi Beach
Andhakaranazhi, also known as the ‘Lagoon of Darkness’ by tourists and an absolute delight for nature photographers, is a gorgeous beach located 31 kilometers from Alleppey on the Kochi-Alleppey route. It is one of the most beautiful places to visit near Alleppey and is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Kerala.
The beach, which is home to the stunning Manakkodam lighthouse, is the point where the backwaters and the Arabian Sea meet, and the phenomena are a sight to see, particularly between the hours of sunset and dawn.
#4. Thumpoly Beach
Are you interested in concluding your holiday on a romantic high note? If that’s the case, here’s Thumpoly Beach, where you may enjoy a breathtaking sunset with your significant other. After a long day of touring, you may unwind on this stretch of golden sand and take in the stunning views of the ocean and surrounding flora.
You may also receive some comfort from the heat by sprinkling some cool water from the ocean on your face and body. You should include this location in your itinerary since it is an excellent site to conclude your Alleppey sightseeing trip.
#5. Punnapra Beach
It is possible to find solitude in Alleppey if you are the kind of person who enjoys exploring quiet locations. A calm haven surrounded by green palm trees and set against a gorgeous blue backdrop of water, Punnapra is one of the best spots to visit in Alleppey.
You may stroll down the beach with your lover and then lay on the sand, taking up the warmth of the sun’s beams. Additionally, you may have an ayurvedic massage beneath the star-studded sky as an alternative. That sounds incredible, doesn’t it?
#6. Thottappally Beach
Thottappally Beach is a great place to spend some quality time with your family while on vacation, so be sure to go. The most notable features of this beach are the stunning sunsets and the black sand. The presence of a high concentration of zircon in the sand is the cause of its dark color.
This beach has a mixture of white and black sand, and you may rest here while taking in the beauty of palm palms and the sunset over the water. Take a leisurely walk on the beach barefoot to soothe your tired spirit!
2. Vembanad Lake in Kerala
Located in Kerala’s second-biggest lake, Vembanad Lake, it is spread over multiple districts. It is the state’s second-largest lake by volume. Alleppey’s backwaters are also a prominent tourist draw, with a number of resorts located along its banks. The lake, which is located in the midst of Kerala’s backwaters, is well-known for its beautiful splendor. If one is going through the town and seeking things to do in Alleppey in a day, Vembanad Lake is a fantastic site to stop and explore.
3. Backwaters of Alleppey
No matter how many words are used to describe the backwaters of Alleppey, they will never be able to express their genuine beauty. It’s something you have to see to believe. In addition to their natural beauty, the backwaters of Alleppey are one of the most amazing sites to visit in the city for birding enthusiasts. Alleppey’s backwaters may be explored in a number of ways, each offering a unique perspective.
#1. Houseboat in Alleppey
These are luxury cottages that float on water and provide all of the amenities a person could ask for. You may reserve a private houseboat for an overnight stay and travel across the waterways in style. At the same time, your very own personal chef pampers you with delectable kinds of genuine South Indian cuisine prepared right on the boat.
The houseboat is a fantastic choice for individuals who want to spend the full day in solitude and leisure while also experiencing the spectacular nighttime scenery surrounding the backwaters, which is a sight that you should not miss. You may not have realized it, but you may also spend a romantic day on one of the exclusive Alleppey honeymoon houseboats!
#2. Shikara
If you believe Shikaras were exclusively used in Kashmir, you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise when you arrive at Alleppey. It is a more compact version of the traditional houseboat, yet it offers the same beauty and comfort as its larger counterpart.
A shikara, which can accommodate up to 20 people at a time, is a fantastic alternative for individuals who prefer to go on a self-guided tour across the rivers, stopping at any locations they like along the route. In Alleppey, shikaras are a popular choice for families with children.
Hop down to one of the villages and see how coir and coir items are produced, allowing you to get personal knowledge of the process of coir production using coconut fibers.
Local Cuisine That You Must Try!
Some of the must-try local cuisines in Alleppey are Kerala sadya, puttu, and kadala, idli and sambar, Malabar biryani, fish curry, idiyappam, ela ada, semiya payasam, meen curry, Kozhi curry, cheera parippu thoran, pulissery, and Thalassery biriyani, are among the best local delicacies.
Wrapping Up
As the sea breeze blows through the coconut palms in the distance and the green paddy fields line either side, the shimmering water is punctuated with white and pink water lilies. Ducks leisurely float around, and the elongated necks of cormorants can be seen poking their heads above the surface. Make the most of your next trip to Alleppey by visiting each of the locations mentioned above!