Alleppey or Alappuzha is a beautiful city in Kerala and is called the “Venice of the East” or “Venetian Capital of Kerala” owing to its scenic landscape, canals, beaches and lagoons. Alleppey is also famous for its backwaters and tourists in large numbers are attracted to the gorgeous houseboats that ply regularly on these backwaters. These houseboats, there literally hundreds of them, provide an enjoyable ride to the tourists along with other facilities. Although the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Alapuzha is houseboats, there are indeed a number of interesting places to visit in Alleppey.
The best time to visit Alleppey is from October to February, after which this coastal city becomes too hot for a vacation. Let’s take a deep dive into the famous Alapuzha tourist places and take note of all the must-visit sites in this scenic city in Kerala.
How to Reach Alleppey
- By Air: The nearest airport to Alleppey is the Cochin International Airport, located at a distance of 75kms. Take a private cab or taxi from the airport to reach Alleppey.
- By Train: Alleppey Railway Station is the nearest station that is located within the city.
- By Road: If you are self-driving or taking a bus/taxi, then take NH47 to reach Alleppey.
The Best Places to Visit in Alleppey
1. Alleppey Beach – Sand, Sun & Sea
For a coastal city, beaches are its highlights and the gorgeous Alleppey Beach is one of the first places to visit in Alleppey. It is one of the cosiest beaches in India and watching the sunset here is an absolute delight. If you want to grab a drink by the sea, look out for a few beachside restaurants near the Alleppey Beach that sell lip-smacking delicacies and chilled beer. You can also enjoy a hot mug of coffee at the beach-side coffee shops.
- Best time to visit Alleppey Beach: The best time to visit Alleppey Beach is in the month of December for the Alleppey Beach Festival that takes place on 31st December every year.
- Location: Alleppey Beach Road
- Distance from the city centre: 3kms
Must Read: 5 Popular Beaches in Alleppey
2. Alleppey Lighthouse – A Bird’s Eye View of Alleppey
For a stunning, aerial view of the beach and its surroundings, climb up the historic Alleppey Lighthouse. This tall structure is painted in red and white and has a small museum that depicts the history of the lighthouse and has on display a few old oil lamps. The lighthouse was built in the year 1862 and has today transformed into a major tourist attraction. The Alleppey Lighthouse is surely a one amongst the must-see Alapuzha tourist places that should feature on your travel list.
- The best time to visit Alleppey Lighthouse is during the sunrise or sunset hours, make sure you carry your camera along.
- Location: Alleppey Beach Road
- Distance from the city centre: 2.5kms
- Timings: Visitors are allowed between 3:00 PM and 4:30 PM on weekdays
- Entry Fee: Indians – Rs 20; Foreigners: Rs50;
3. Mullakkal Devi Temple – Worship Goddess Durga
One of the top places to visit in Alleppey, Mullakkal Devi Temple is the only temple in Alleppey without any roof above the head of the deity or the main sanctum. A famous religious site in Alleppey, Mullakkal temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga and also has idols of Lord Hanuman, Lord Krishna and Ayyappa. It boasts of splendid Kerala-style architecture and is open to people of all faiths. Located in the heart of the city, this temple sees devotees coming to honour and worship God daily.
- Best time to visit the Mullakkal Devi Temple: To experience a bit of culture, visit the temple between the months of October and November for the Mullakkal Chirappu Festival that is a joy to experience.
- Location: Alleppey City Centre
- Distance from the City Centre: Less than 1km
- Pooja Timings: 4:30AM to 10:AM; 5:00PM to 8:00PM
- Entry Fee: None
Must Read: 20 Exhilarating Things to Do in Alleppey
4. Kidangamparambu Devi Temple – An Artistically Appealing Temple in Alleppey
Among the many places to visit in Alleppey, Kidangamparambu Devi Temple is undoubtedly the best and should not be missed. It is an important Hindu temple in Kerala dedicated to goddess Sree Bhuvaneeswari Devi. The whole temple is artistically built and is an architectural wonder worth a visit. The interiors of the Kidangamparambu Devi temple has beautifully painted figures of Hindu Gods on the walls, and you’ll also find painting on the gates of the temple. Unlike most temples, at Kidangamparambu Devi, you can explore the entire place.
Watch out for the creative artwork on the gateway towers of the temple. It is best to visit during prayer time, which is in the morning for true spiritual experience.
- Location: Near District Court
- Distance from the city centre: 1km
- Timings: 5:00AM to 9:00PM
- Entry Fee: None
5. RKK Memorial Museum – Rare Collection of Precious Artifacts
For the best local experience, spend a few hours touring the RKK Memorial Museum. The museum was built in honour of Mr Revi Karunakaran by his wife Betty Karan, a famous businessman from Alleppey. One of the best Alapuzha tourist places, RKK Memorial Museum is a must-see destination for all those who love exploring artefacts and rare collections.
At the museum, you can explore his personal collection that was collected over three generations and kept here on display. The museum display ranges from spectacular Tanjore paintings, Kerala artefacts to the stunningly beautiful Swarovski crystal collections, jade and ivory. The building also showcases a unique architectural feature like the Greco-Roman columns in it. One can experience all the four major religions of India – Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism – in the various murals, artefacts and ivory collections displayed here.
- Location: Near Power House Bridge
- Distance from the city centre: 1.4kms
- Museum Timings: Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm
- Entry Fee: Rs 100/- per person
Must Read: 15 Splendid Places to Visit in South India
6. Andhakaranazhi Beach – Escape to the Tranquil Waters
One of the calmest and serene places to visit in Alleppey, the Andhakaranazhi beach is the perfect place for a romantic outing with your better half or some fun time with your family. Tranquil and peaceful, this beach is a less crowded one than the others and is the best choice to hang out if you wish to spend some time alone.
It is surrounded by swaying palm trees and has a gorgeous coastline. There are a few boats anchored at the shore on which you can sit and enjoy the spectacular view of the sea and the sand. There are a few shops on the beach where you can enjoy some local snacks and cold drinks.
- Best time to visit Andhakaranazhi Beach: September to March
- Location: Alappuzha-Arthunkal-Chellanam-Thoppumpady Road
- Distance from the city centre: 30kms
- Things to do at Andhakaranazhi Beach: Swim in the cool waters, buy souvenirs and handicrafts, indulge in some lip-smacking street food sold on the beach
Must Read: 24 Satitating Street Food in Alleppey
7. Kuttanad Backwaters – Memorable Ride in a Houseboat
Your Alleppey sightseeing is incomplete without a trip to the Kuttanad backwaters! If you want to experience a real Alleppey holiday, the best thing to do is take a ride in a houseboat on the Kuttanad backwaters. It is an exhilarating experience to sit in the houseboat and you are at complete ease as you calmly glide down the river.
Soak in the sights of the lovely surroundings and enjoy the swish of the breeze. An added benefit of riding on a houseboat is the chance to indulge in local seafood delicacies.
- Location: Kuttanad Backwaters
- Distance from the city centre: 11kms
- Best time to visit Kuttanad backwaters: October to March
Must Read: Discover Top Things to Do in the Tranquil Dark Realm of Alleppey
8. Krishnapuram Palace – Magnificent Palace with Amazing Artefacts
The Krishnapuram Palace is one of the best places to visit in Alleppey to learn and get a deep insight into the culture and history of Kerala. The palace was built by Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma and it has been transformed into a museum.
The outer structure of the palace is typical of South Indian architecture, particularly that of the Travancore kingdom. The palace houses exhibits, paintings and artefacts and is also famous for the mammoth Gajendra Moksham painting which is considered the largest of its kind found in Kerala.
- Distance from the city centre: 48kms
- Location: Oachira Road
- Museum Timings: 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM (Monday closed)
- Entry fee: Adults: Rs10, Kids: Rs5; Still camera: Rs25 and Video camera: Rs250;
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9. St. Andrew’s Basilica – Enjoy the Feast of Makaram Perunnal
The St. Andrew’s Basilica is a famous pilgrimage centre in Alleppey and is the largest place of worship of St Sebastian in the world. The basilica was built in the 1500s by Portuguese missionaries in the true Gothic style with tall towers on either side of the church. One can also enjoy the beautiful view of the Arabian Sea behind the church while visiting this place.
The best time to visit is during the month of January, when the feast of the basilica’s patron saint, St. Andrew, is celebrated. The feast is called the makaram perunnal by the locals. A procession is carried out through the village and the feast is celebrated with joy and happiness. Indeed, this church is one of the top Alleppey tourist places that one must visit for its sheer architectural brilliance and the famous festival of Makaram Peunnal!
- Distance from the city centre: 22.3kms
- Location: Arthunkal
- Best time to visit St. Andrew’s Basilica: In January
- Timings: 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM
10. Marari Beach – Swim in the Cool Waters
One of the beautiful places to visit in Alleppey, the Marari Beach promises you solace and calm welcoming you to its crystal blue waters and the golden sand. It is yet another beach popular among couples and families who love to visit less-crowded beaches in Alapuzha. Swaying palm trees and the scenic beauty of the beach is sure to rejuvenate you. Long walks, a swim in the sea and savouring delicious seafood are what you can enjoy here.
- Location: Marari Beach
- Distance from the city centre: 16kms
- Best time to visit Marari Beach: September to May
11. Pathiramanal Alapuzha – Serene Lake and Peaceful Getaway
For a peaceful holiday, we suggest that you visit Pathiramanal Lake, one most beautiful places to visit in Alleppey. Scenic and serene, this lake is the perfect place for a day out outdoor. Located near the quaint Pathiramanal island in the Alapuzha district, this sleepy lake is the best site to unwind and relax.
There is plenty of open space to enjoy picnics and camping. Apart from the lake, there are some good spots to see on the island. You can also go hiking through deep forests and lakes.
- Location: Pathiramanal
- Distance from the city centre: 17kms
12. Karumadikuttan – Visit the 3-Foot Tall Buddha Statue
This Buddhist tourist spot in Alleppey houses a 3-feet tall statue of Buddha, the Karumadikuttan which literally translates to a boy from Karumady. The statue is carved out of black granite and dates back to the 10th century AD.
Although one portion of the statue is destroyed, the other half still draws intact and this place draws a lot of local as well as tourists who are curious to get a glimpse of this age-old Buddha statue. The line to venerate the statue is often long so visit in the morning when there is less crowd.
- Location: 3 kilometres from Alleppey
- Distance from the city centre: 3kms
- Timings: 8:00AM to 6:00PM
- Entry Fee: None
13. Mannarasala Temple – Temple Dedicated to Serpent God
The Mannarasala Temple is one of the most unique temples and must-visit places in Alleppey if you believe in serpent worshipping. The temple is dedicated to snakes and is built in the honour of the serpent God, Nagaraja. Inside the temple, you will see more than 1 lakh paintings of snakes on the paths and the trees present inside the temple premises.
The temple is managed by a priestess and is know for women worshipping Lord Nagaraja for fertility and childbirth. A special turmeric paste is prepared and offered to the deity and is distributed among devotees as it is considered to have special curative powers.
- Distance from the city centre: 17kms
- Location: Near Haripad
- Pooja Timings: 5:00AM to 12:00PM; 5:30PM to 7:30PM
- Entry Fee: None
- Best time to visit the Mannarasala Nagaraja Temple: Anytime; but devotees flock to this temple majorly during Shivratri
Alleppey is not just about its houseboats and beaches, there are many places to see. The above-mentioned places are proof of that. We have listed all the best places for you to see. From churches to temples and incredibly beautiful beaches, Alapuzha tourist places have something for everyone to enjoy and cherish!
