Top places to visit in Alleppey

• Alleppey Houseboat Overnight Backwaters

  cruise · 4.7 rating · about 24 h · entry ₹5,000

  The quintessential Kerala experience — an overnight houseboat (kettuvallam) cruise through the Alleppey backwater system. The sunset from the boat deck, the meals prepared by the crew, and sleeping on the water are extraordinary.

• Nehru Trophy Boat Race Preparation

  festival · 4.8 rating · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The famous Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race on Punnamada Lake is held every second Saturday of August — 12-oared chundan vallam (snake boats) race in a spectacular setting with thousands of spectators.

• Alleppey Beach Western Kerala Coast

  beach · 4.3 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  The broad sandy beach at Alleppey stretches for several kilometres along the Arabian Sea, with a 150-year-old pier extending into the sea and colourful fishing boats pulled up on the sand each morning.

• Alappuzha Backwater Shikara Tour

  cruise · 4.5 rating · about 3 h · entry ₹400

  A 2-3 hour shikara (traditional wooden boat) tour through the Alleppey backwater channels — gliding past paddy fields, coconut groves, and traditional Kerala waterside homes. The most atmospheric short backwater experience.

• Punnamada Lake (Vembanad Backwaters)

  Nature · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  The shimmering Punnamada stretch of Vembanad Lake, the launch point for houseboats and the dramatic Nehru Trophy snake-boat race each August.

• Alleppey Sunset Cruise Backwaters

  cruise · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · entry ₹600

  An evening shikara cruise from the Alleppey canal network to Punnamada Lake for the sunset — the most atmospheric time on the backwaters when the light turns golden and the water birds gather.

• Alleppey Traditional Kerala Lunch Sadya

  cafe · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The traditional Kerala feast sadya — a spectacular meal of 25+ dishes served on a fresh banana leaf in a specific sequence and eaten with the right hand. The most complete expression of Kerala cuisine.

• Alleppey Sunset Beach Fishing Silhouette

  beach · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The Alleppey beach at sunset — the silhouettes of traditional wooden fishing boats pulled up on the sand, the orange sky reflected in the wet sand, and the lighthouse beam beginning to rotate.

• Alleppey Boat Jetty Morning Activity

  district · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The Alleppey Boat Jetty at dawn — the busiest and most atmospheric time, as tourist houseboats depart, local ferries load passengers, fishermen land their catch, and the water taxi network comes alive.

• Backwater Sunset Photography Alleppey

  viewpoint · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  The backwaters at sunset offer extraordinary photography opportunities — houseboats silhouetted against the sky, water birds returning to roost, and the golden light on the palm-fringed canal edges.

• Alappuzha Beach & Pier

  Beach · 4.2 rating · about 1.5 h · free entry

  A long sandy beach with a weathered 19th-century sea pier, a lighthouse and sunset crowds — the "Venice of the East" facing the Arabian Sea.

• Alleppey Traditional Fishing Canoe

  cruise · 4.4 rating · about 2 h · entry ₹400

  A traditional rowing canoe experience on the Alleppey backwaters — smaller and more nimble than houseboats, the country canoes (vallam) are the traditional transport of local fishermen and farmers.

Things to do

• Overnight Houseboat Cruise Nature · 18 h · from INR 9,000 per person
• Kerala Houseboat Premium Overnight Stay Boat · 24 h · from INR 12,000 per person
• Alleppey Boat Race Spectator Experience Nehru Heritage · 5 h · from INR 800 per person
• Shikara & Village Canoe Backwater Tour Nature · 3 h · from INR 1,500 per person
• Alleppey Sunrise Canoe Backwater Village Water Sports · 3 h · from INR 1,500 per person
• Alleppey Kathakali Classical Dance Performance Heritage · 2 h · from INR 800 per person
• Alleppey Backwater Circuit by Speedboat Boat · 3 h · from INR 2,000 per person
• Alleppey Cycling Backwater Village Tour Nature · 4 h · from INR 1,000 per person

Day trips and tours

• Backwater Day Houseboat Cruise 6 h · from INR 3,500
• Kuttanad Village & Canoe Tour 5 h · from INR 1,800
• Alleppey Town, Beach & Ambalappuzha 5 h · from INR 1,200

Where to stay in Alleppey

• Backwater Area about INR 4,000 per night

  Houseboat hub with scenic backwater views

Hotels

• Kumarakom Lake Resort 5-star · INR 18,000 to INR 55,000 per night
• Raheem Residency Alleppey 5-star · INR 12,000 to INR 38,000 per night
• Emerald Isle Heritage Villa Alleppey 5-star · INR 8,000 to INR 25,000 per night
• Alleppey Heritage House 5-star · INR 8,000 to INR 25,000 per night
• Alleppey Backwater Bliss Villa 5-star · INR 18,000 to INR 55,000 per night
• Marari Beach Resort Alleppey 5-star · INR 12,000 to INR 38,000 per night

Where to eat

• Thaff Restaurant Alleppey Kerala, Malabar, Multi-cuisine · about INR 450 per person
• Buhari Restaurant Alleppey Malabar, Muslim Cuisine, Biryani · about INR 300 per person
• Harbour Restaurant Alleppey Kerala, Seafood, Fish · about INR 500 per person
• Alleppey Karimeen Fry Corner Kerala, Seafood, Fish · about INR 400 per person
• Alleppey Paragon Restaurant Malabar, Kerala, Multi-cuisine · about INR 450 per person
• Alleppey Houseboat Dining Experience Kerala, Seafood, Heritage · about INR 1,500 per person
• Alleppey Morning Tiffin Centre Kerala, Breakfast, Tiffin · about INR 150 per person
• Alleppey Biryani House Classic Malabar, Biryani, Muslim Cuisine · about INR 350 per person

Getting to Alleppey

Nearest airport: Cochin (COK), about 73 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.

How visitors arrive in Alleppey

• Train to Alappuzha station By train from Kochi · common

  Alappuzha has its own railway station within the town, reached from the Kochi area. Source: dtpcalappuzha.com

• KSRTC bus to Alappuzha stand By road from Kochi · common

  Road access via the Alappuzha KSRTC Bus Stand. Source: dtpcalappuzha.com

• Fly to Cochin airport then road By air from Kochi · possible

  Cochin International is the nearest airport, then rail or road. Source: dtpcalappuzha.com

Getting around

• Auto Rickshaw
• Boat

  Houseboats are a major draw on Alleppey's backwaters, and state water transport boats from a jetty by the bus stand are another way to travel.

• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Pre-paid taxi "broken meter"

  Airports, train stations, popular squares

  Driver insists meter is broken, quotes ~3x the fair price; or detours via "shopping" stops earning commission.

  How to avoid it: Use pre-paid taxi counter at airport, or Uber/Ola/Rapido apps. Insist on meter or agree price upfront.

Best time to visit Alleppey

• Jan 33°C
• Feb 33°C
• Mar 34°C
• Apr 34°C
• May 33°C
• Jun 30°C
• Jul 29°C
• Aug 30°C
• Sep 31°C
• Oct 31°C
• Nov 32°C
• Dec 33°C

More in India

• New Delhi
• Agra
• Jaipur
• Panaji
• Mumbai
• Varanasi

Frequently asked questions about Alleppey

What are the top-rated places to visit in Alleppey?

The highest-rated places in our Alleppey guide are Nehru Trophy Boat Race Preparation, Alleppey Houseboat Overnight Backwaters, Alleppey Traditional Kerala Lunch Sadya, Backwater Sunset Photography Alleppey, Punnamada Lake (Vembanad Backwaters).

Where should I stay in Alleppey?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Alleppey: Backwater Area.

How do I get around Alleppey?

Ways to get around Alleppey covered in our guide: Auto-rickshaw, Boat, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Alleppey?

Scams reported to us for Alleppey include Pre-paid taxi "broken meter". Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Alleppey?

Average daytime highs in Alleppey run from 29°C in Jul to 34°C in Apr.