Alappuzha travel guide

Venice of the East, famous for backwaters and beaches.

Known as the "Venice of the East," Alleppey is famous for its serene backwaters, pristine beaches, and vibrant culture. It is the heart of Kerala’s backwater tourism, offering houseboat cruises, lush paddy fields, and picturesque canals. The town is also known for its rich history, ancient temples, and delicious seafood, making it a must-visit destination.

Best time to visit Alappuzha

Nov–Feb is the best time for backwater cruises: dry and clear. Mar–May is hot and humid, and Jun–Oct is wet, though houseboats still run.

Month	Verdict	Temperature	Rain	Crowds	What to expect
January	best	22–33 °C	15 mm	high	Dry and clear, best for houseboat cruises; busy around New Year
February	good	24–33 °C	40 mm	medium	Dry and warm; still good for cruising and the beach
March	mixed	25–34 °C	60 mm	medium	Hot and humid on the water; air-conditioned cabins help
April	mixed	25–34 °C	130 mm	medium	Hot and humid, with thundery pre-monsoon showers
May	mixed	25–33 °C	270 mm	medium	Frequent heavy showers ahead of the monsoon onset
June	mixed	24–30 °C	590 mm	low	Monsoon rain most days; houseboats still run; sea rough
July	mixed	23–29 °C	490 mm	low	Heavy rain, swollen backwaters, rough sea; Ayurveda season
August	mixed	24–30 °C	350 mm	medium	Showers continue; the Nehru Trophy boat race is usually this month
September	mixed	24–30 °C	300 mm	low	Lighter showers; backwaters green and quiet
October	mixed	24–31 °C	360 mm	medium	Heavy showers return; the cruising season has not yet begun
November	good	24–32 °C	180 mm	medium	Showers fade and the cruising season begins
December	best	23–32 °C	50 mm	high	Dry and bright; houseboats fill up over Christmas and New Year

How many days to spend in Alappuzha

Two days cover a backwater cruise or overnight houseboat, Alappuzha Beach and Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple; a third adds Marari Beach and Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple.

How to reach Alappuzha

• By air: Cochin (COK) — 83 km, about 1.5–2.5 h by road. Nearest airport with regular flights
• By train: Alappuzha (ALLP) — 3 km, about 5–15 min by road. Listed as Alleppey (ALLP) in railway timetables
• By road: From Kochi — 55 km, about 1–1.5 h. Regular buses run from Kochi

Getting around

Autos and taxis cover the town, beach and station; a cab suits Marari, Ambalappuzha and Kuttanad. Public boats and houseboats are the way to see the backwaters.

Things to do in Alappuzha

1. Athirappilly Water Falls — Majestic falls (2.5 h · Paid entry)
2. Alleppey Beach — Sandy beach (2 h · Free entry)
3. Gavi Eco Tourism — Eco paradise (5 h · Paid entry)
4. Marari Village Beach Resort — Serene shore (3 h)
5. Chettikulangara Bhagavathi Temple — Famous temple (1.5 h · Free entry)
6. Idukki Arch Dam — Majestic dam (1.5 h · Paid entry)
7. Vazhachal Waterfalls — Scenic falls (2 h · Paid entry)
8. Mullaperiyar Dam — Historic dam (1 h · Free entry)
9. Udupi Sri Krishna Temple, Alappuzha — Famous temple (1 h · Free entry)
10. Alleppey Backwaters — Famous for houseboat cruises through tranquil backwaters. (4 h · Paid entry)
11. Alappuzha Beach — A pristine beach with an old pier and lighthouse. (2 h · Free entry)
12. Vembanad Lake — Kerala’s largest lake, home to houseboats and bird sanctuaries. (3.5 h · Free entry)
13. Punnapra Beach — A quiet, scenic beach ideal for relaxation. (1.5 h · Free entry)
14. Thommankuthu Waterfalls — Cascading fall (3 h · Paid entry)
15. Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple — Serpent shrine (1.5 h · Free entry)
16. Kerala Folklore Museum — Cultural hub (1.5 h · INR 100)
17. Pine Valley Vagamon — Pine retreat (1.5 h)
18. Kappil — Peaceful lake (2 h · Free entry)
19. Kavalam Agencies — Scenic backwater
20. St. George Forane Church | Edathua Church — Pilgrimage site (1 h · Free entry)
21. Muziris Heritage Tour Club — Ancient port (3 h · Paid entry)
22. Malayattoor — Sacred hill (2 h · Free entry)
23. Haripad Sree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple Arch — Famous temple (1 h · Free entry)
24. Alappuzha — Historic tower
25. Indo-Portuguese Museum — Colonial relics (1.5 h · Paid entry)
26. Amalagiri View Point — Eagle rock (1 h · Free entry)
27. Kadathanadan Kalari Centre — Cultural arena (1.5 h · Paid entry)
28. Krishnapuram Palace — Historic palace (1 h · ₹10)
29. Kalloorkad St. Mary's Basilica — Ancient church (1 h · Free entry)
30. Kumbalanghi village tours (Kochi tours) — Eco village (3 h · Paid entry)
31. Kalady — Birthplace of Sankara (1.5 h · Free entry)
32. Kuttikkanam — Cool getaway (2.5 h · Free entry)
33. Pandikuzhi Road — Nature spot
34. St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Basilica Church, Arthunkal — Pilgrim site (1 h · Free entry)
35. Kodungallur Sree Kurumba Bagavathi Temple — Powerful shrine (1 h · Free entry)
36. Paravur - Varkala Road — Calm waters
37. St. Mary's Forane Church (Valiyapally) Pulinkunnu — Historic church (45 min · Free entry)
38. Omanappuzha Beach — Scenic beach (2 h · Free entry)
39. Kadamakkudy — Island charm (3 h · Free entry)
40. Panchalimedu — Sacred hill (1.5 h · Free entry)
41. Echo Point — Echo valley (45 min · Free entry)
42. Thiruvambadi Black Beach Varkala — Quiet beach (1.5 h · Free entry)
43. Karumadikuttan (Buddha Statue) — Ancient Buddha (30 min · Free entry)
44. Parayakad Nalukulangara Sri Maha Devi Temple — Popular temple (1 h · Free entry)
45. Market Road — Bustling market
46. Chammanadu Bhagavathy Temple — Ancient temple (45 min · Free entry)
47. pandavan para — Mythic caves (1.5 h · Free entry)
48. Green Park Spices plantation — Spice tour (1.5 h · Paid entry)
49. Krishnapuram Palace — A historic palace with traditional Kerala architecture. (2 h · ₹10)
50. Marari Beach Alappuzha — A peaceful beach with golden sands and swaying palm trees. (3 h · Free entry)
51. Vijay Park — Family park (1.5 h · Paid entry)
52. Kuttanad — Known as the ‘Rice Bowl of Kerala,’ with scenic paddy fields. (3 h · Free entry)
53. Pathiramanal Island — A birdwatcher’s paradise in the middle of Vembanad Lake. (2.5 h)
54. Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple — Famous for its sweet rice pudding (Palpayasam). (1.5 h · Free entry)
55. Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple — A serene temple dedicated to Goddess Rajeshwari. (45 min · Free entry)

Food to try in Alappuzha

• Karimeen pollichathu — Pearl spot fish, spiced and cooked in banana leaf; a backwater speciality
• Kuttanad duck curry — Duck cooked with coconut and spices; associated with the Kuttanad backwaters
• Ambalappuzha palpayasam — Sweet milk payasam linked with Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Alappuzha?

Nov–Feb is the best time for backwater cruises: dry and clear. Mar–May is hot and humid, and Jun–Oct is wet, though houseboats still run.

How many days are enough for Alappuzha?

2–3 days. Two days cover a backwater cruise or overnight houseboat, Alappuzha Beach and Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple; a third adds Marari Beach and Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple.

How do I reach Alappuzha?

By air: Cochin (COK) — 83 km, about 1.5–2.5 h by road. Nearest airport with regular flights. By train: Alappuzha (ALLP) — 3 km, about 5–15 min by road. Listed as Alleppey (ALLP) in railway timetables. By road: From Kochi — 55 km, about 1–1.5 h. Regular buses run from Kochi.

What are the top things to do in Alappuzha?

Athirappilly Water Falls, Alleppey Beach, Gavi Eco Tourism, Marari Village Beach Resort, Chettikulangara Bhagavathi Temple, Idukki Arch Dam.

Plan your Alappuzha trip

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Guide checked on 2026-10-06.