10 Best Places to Visit in Alleppey

"The Venice of the East", AKA Alleppey and casually called by the name "Alappuzha" by the ethnical mallus, is a charming tourist destination in Kerala, known for the thousands of houseboats alluring the hub of backwaters nestled in every corner of the region.

At the heart of Kerala's economically vibrant and fertile rice bowl, Alleppey is like no other place in the country. True to its name, Alappuzha signified as the "home of backwaters", is renowned for its alluring beaches, canals and backwater lakes surrounding the area and has gained a place among the hearts of the tourists for the joyful houseboat ride along with the delicious cuisines they serve.

The modern houseboats you see in each backwater of Alleppey are the enhanced version of the olden times Kettuvallam, used by the locals for their route transport across the neighborhood.

Alleppey is an ideal destination in Kerala to unwind with all the laidback canals, lush greenery, and alluring beaches.

So, get ready for a joyful ride along the best places to visit in Alappuzha and explore the famous snake boat race, marine foods, and history that each place has to brag about.

10 Best Places to Visit in Alleppey

• Kuttanad Backwater.

• Alappuzha Beach.

• Marari Beach.

• Pandavan Para.

• Ambalapuza Sree Krishan Temple.

• St. Mary's Forane Church.

• Karumadikuttan Statue.

• Pathiramanal Island.

• Punnamada Lake.

• Revi Karunakaran Memorial Museum.

1. Kuttanad Backwater

A picturesque hamlet sprawling across The Kerala districts of Alappuzha and Kollam, Kuttanad Backwater along the "Rice Bowl of Kerala", AKA Kuttanad, is a clean backwater offering a gentile boat ride along the admiring, soak-in and enjoy a photographic view of Kuttanad. The locality is fascinatingly presented around the globe for its cultivation done below sea level. People worldwide come to visit the serene green rice hamlet, which will be a visual treat for tourists, making it rank top on the checklist of the best places to visit in Alleppey.

2. Alappuzha Beach

If you want to go away from the quiet backwaters and dive deep into the bosom of the Arabian Sea, Alappuzha Beach is the place to be. Also known as Alleppey Beach, this is the spot where the strength of the sea meets and welcomes the silent beauty of the backwaters, with a diverse selection of flora, leisure activities, day outings, and adventure opportunities.

Alappuzha Beach is one of the best places to visit in Alleppey, known for the beautiful sunset and stunning view of the Arabian Sea. Tourists visiting here can enjoy a range of water sports, including windsurfing, jet skiing, parasailing, etc. The beach will be a getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city you always wanted to set back.

3. Marari Beach

Marari Beach is one of the must-see beaches in India and one of the best places to visit in Alleppey. With its gentle and sandy shores, Marari Beach is ideal for sunbathing, swimming and taking an evening stroll along the beach to watch the sunset with your loved ones.

Marari Beach showcases an ideal blend of serenity, peace, excitement, fun and leisure. The beach is home to world-class ayurvedic spas and treatment centres. There are several yoga and meditation halls on Marari Beach, where tourists can enjoy peace of mind. The Marari Beach resort is famous among tourists during the Christmas season and is heavily crowded with visitors from all around the globe.

4. Pandavan Para

Nestled on the outskirts of Alappuzha, Pandavan Para is located around 45km from the city centre and can be easily reached via Alappuzha - Chenganassery Road. The visitor can rent a bike or book a taxi to get to this spot that hides ancient history.

Pandavan Para is one of the most popular and best places to visit in Alleppey and is a sizeable rock-like formation. It is said to be where the Pandavas used to camp here during their exile in the War of Mahabharata. Climb up the rock; the visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the hills and forest surrounding the rocks.

5. Ambalapuza Sree Krishan Temple

Ambalapuza Sree Krishan Temple, also known as the "Dwaraka Of South", is a renowned Krishna temple built with traditional Kerala-style architecture during the 15th century AD. The Ambalapuza Temple Festival is one of the biggest festivals in the Alappuzha District of Kerala. People from around Kerala and even from in and out of India visit this auspicious festival conducted during the month of March - April yearly. Ambalapuza Palpayasam is one of the famous sweets visitors can buy from the counters provided within the temple.

6. St. Mary's Forane Church

St. Mary's Forane Church is one of India's oldest Syrian Catholic churches and one of the best places to visit in Alleppey. Boasting a grand legacy, ancient history and architectural standards, the church is one of the major tourist attractions of Alleppey.

St. Mary's Forane Church is an architectural blend of Portuguese and Syrian designs. Aesthete from all around the globe comes to visit this engineering marvel. The church is also renowned for being the church in significant movies released in South India. If you plan to visit Alappuzha, St. Mary's Forane Church is a must-visit destination.

7. Karumadikuttan Statue

Karumadikuttan Statue is the only Buddha statue in Kerela, located in Karumadi village of Alleppey. It is one of India's top historical places and one of the best places to visit in Alleppey. The statue is located about 3km away from Alleppey, and people can see the place by means of a boat ride, as you can also enjoy cruising through the backwaters of Alappuzha in houseboats and spend quality time with your accompanies.

Karumadikuttan Statue hides a decade's worth of history. It is a three ft. black granite statue of Buddha which is said to have been aged back in the 11th century and was discovered by a British Engineer. The statue is one of the major Buddhist pilgrimage centres in India, and people from across the country and the globe come to visit the statue to seek their blessings from the Buddha Stature, which is said to be a rumour of having excellent healing properties spread across the globe.

8. Pathiramanal Island

Pathiramanal Island symbolizing the "Sand of Night", is a paradise for bird watchers in the Alleppey district of Kerala. This one of the best places to visit in Alleppey is located about 13km away from the city centre, and it is only a 1-hour boat ride from Alappuzha via Vembanad Backwater to reach Pathiramanal Island.

The Vembanad Lake surrounds Pathiramanal Island and is home to 91 species of local birds and 50 migratory birds. The island is only accessible through a boat ride and is an ideal pit stop while a houseboat ride and enjoy the greenery and avid bird-watching fun.

9. Punnamada Lake

Punnamada Lake is a shallow backwater lake in the Kayamkulam village of the Alleppey district of Kerala. The lake is famous for the "Vellam Kallli" or the Nehru Trophy Boat Race conducted during the Onam, the harvest festival during the spring season in Kerala. People from around the globe gather along the shores of Punnamada Lake to watch 100 ft. snake boats compete against each other to the tune of the old Malayalam boat song known as "Vanchipattu'.

Punnamada Lake is surrounded by many islands, such as - Pathiramanal Island, Pallipuram, Perumbalam, etc. The lake is one of India's most significant surface water and one of the best places to visit in Alleppey.

10. Revi Karunakaran Memorial Museum

Revi Karunakaran Memorial Museum is one of the world-renowned museums in the Alappuzha District of Kerala. It was established in the year 2006, remembering the late Revi Karunakaran, a leading coir exporter in Kerela.

Revi Karunakaran Memorial Museum showcases Mr Revi Karunakaran's art collections, a man with refined taste and a love for art and culture. On his behalf, his wife, Betty Karan, renowned and privately owned museum holding the largest of the art collections, including Tanjore Paintings and a private collection of Swarovski Crystals along with Ivory, Jade, and Porcelain paintings. Revi Karunakaran Memorial Museum is one of the best places to visit in Alleppey for art enthusiasts from all around the globe.

Exploring Alleppey is something that has no end. Which part you end up in, Alleppey has notably become more elegant and waning into the watery world of Hamlet. The destinations mentioned above are lasting but not the least. Several other destinations include Kattoor Beach, Chakkulathukavu Temple, St. Andrew’s Basilica Arthunkal and Alappuzha Light House can be visited as you dig deep into the Alleppey district. Alappuzha Town offers all the infrastructural developments that Kerala has ever seen. Airport, railway and exceptional road transit facilities are offered, where the water route is the best choice among them as you can enjoy the authentic "Venice of the East" Kerala.

That's it, folks. These are some of the best places to visit in Alleppey that you should know about if you plan a trip here.