Best Places to Visit in Alleppey for Escapes
Alappuzha, still fondly called Alleppey, is one of the most searched places to visit in Kerala and the beating heart of the state's famous backwaters. Threaded together by a maze of rivers, canals and lagoons that spill into the vast Vembanad Lake, this coastal town earned the nickname 'Venice of the East' from the British Viceroy Lord Curzon for its network of waterways lined with coconut groves and paddy fields. For anyone planning a trip to Alappuzha, this is where a slow, water-bound holiday truly begins.
What draws travellers back year after year is the sheer variety packed into one destination. A houseboat cruise in Alleppey aboard a traditional Kettuvallam remains the signature experience, drifting past the paddy fields of Kuttanad, a region farmed below sea level and often called the rice bowl of Kerala. Beyond the water, Marari Beach offers a quieter stretch of Arabian Sea coastline, while Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple and the serpent shrine at Mannarasala draw pilgrims and heritage seekers alike. Every August, the town turns electric for the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, Kerala's most celebrated snake boat race held on Punnamada Lake. Alappuzha sits barely 86 kilometres south of Kochi, making it an easy add-on to any central Kerala itinerary that also covers Kumarakom and Kuttanad.
Most travellers set aside two to three days for Alappuzha, splitting time between a slow backwater cruise, a stroll through the canal-side Mullakkal market, and an evening by the sea at Alleppey Beach. Beyond the scenery, the town carries a layered history as an old colonial-era trading port that once linked Kerala's spice trade with Europe, and traces of that past still show up in its coir warehouses, canal bridges and quiet backstreets. It's this mix of nature, history and unhurried village life that keeps Alappuzha high on every Kerala backwaters itinerary.
Our Resort(s) at ALLEPPEY
Important Information
State: Kerala
Destination Type: Backwaters and riverside coastal belt
Destinations Nearby: Vembanad Lake, Pathiramanal Island, Kumarakom
Languages: Malayalam and English
Nearest Railway Station: Alappuzha Railway Station (6.4 km)
Nearest Airport: Kochi International Airport (86 km)
Summer (March to May): 24°C to 37°C, warm and humid
Monsoon (June to September): 23°C to 31°C, heavy rain and lush backwaters
Winter (October to February): 17°C to 32°C, pleasant and the most popular season to visit
By air: fly into Kochi International Airport and drive down in roughly two hours along the coastal highway.
By rail: Alappuzha Railway Station is well connected to Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and other major Kerala towns.
Getting around: auto-rickshaws and taxis cover the town easily, but the most authentic way to explore is by shikara or houseboat along the canals.
Etiquette: dress modestly and remove footwear before entering temples such as Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple and Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple.
Quick Facts
Our Resort In Allepey
Sterling Lake Palace Alleppey
Spread across a 17-acre waterfront property on Vembanad Lake, India's longest freshwater lake, Sterling Lake Palace Alleppey pairs heritage-style cottages and lake-view suites with a private lagoon, an island swimming pool and an Ayurvedic spa. Accommodation ranges from 280 to 470 sq. ft. across four room categories, Water Front Heritage Cottages with Balcony, Lake View Premier Rooms with Sit-Out, Lake View Suites with Balcony and standard Guest Rooms, most opening onto views of the lake, lagoon or surrounding meadows. Dining spans three venues: the all-day Lakeside Pavilion for global and Kerala fare, the Resto Bar for local flavours and coffee, and The Ocean Kitchen, an alfresco seafood restaurant overlooking Vembanad Lake known for dishes like Karimeen Polichathu and Alleppey-style grilled prawns. Guests can also step straight from their cottage into kayaking, shikara rides, jet-skiing, lake fishing and sunset cruises, making it one of the most complete lakeside resorts in Alleppey.
Sterling Luxury Houseboat Alleppey
For a stay that floats rather than stands still, Sterling's luxury houseboats in Alleppey are air-conditioned Kettuvallam boats fitted with spacious 2-bedroom layouts, ideal for families or groups who want the entire houseboat to themselves. Each cruise comes with a dedicated onboard crew and a menu of authentic Malayali cuisine, think Fish Vattichathu and traditional Alleppey fish curry, served as the boat drifts past the villages of Kuttanad, coconut groves, paddy fields and the Nehru Trophy Boat Race venue at Punnamada. Guests can choose a day cruise or an overnight stay aboard, with check-in around midday and disembarkation the next morning after breakfast, or combine both worlds with a Lake and Land package that adds on a stay at Sterling Lake Palace Alleppey.
LOCATION & INFORMATION
State: Kerala
Destination Type: Backwaters and riverside coastal belt
Destinations Nearby: Vembanad Lake, Pathiramanal Island, Kumarakom
Languages: Malayalam and English
Nearest Railway Station: Alappuzha Railway Station (6.4 km)
Nearest Airport: Kochi International Airport (86 km)
By air: fly into Kochi International Airport and drive down in roughly two hours along the coastal highway.
By rail: Alappuzha Railway Station is well connected to Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and other major Kerala towns.
Getting around: auto-rickshaws and taxis cover the town easily, but the most authentic way to explore is by shikara or houseboat along the canals.
Etiquette: dress modestly and remove footwear before entering temples such as Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple and Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple.
Summer (March to May): 24°C to 37°C, warm and humid
Monsoon (June to September): 23°C to 31°C, heavy rain and lush backwaters
Winter (October to February): 17°C to 32°C, pleasant and the most popular season to visit
Gallery
Best Time to Visit
October to February - Peak Season
Cool mornings, clear skies and calm waters make this the most popular window for a houseboat cruise in Alleppey. Expect the biggest crowds and the best sightseeing weather, ideal for beach visits and temple tours alike.
March to May - Warm and Quieter
Days turn warm and humid, but the backwaters stay just as scenic, and hotel rates are gentler with fewer tourists around. A good stretch for travellers who prefer a laid-back Kerala backwater holiday without the peak-season buzz.
June to September - Monsoon Season
The monsoon turns the paddy fields of Kuttanad a deep green and swells the canals, giving the backwaters their most dramatic look. This season also hosts the famous Nehru Trophy Boat Race on Punnamada Lake, usually held in August, when the town fills with the sound of Vanchipattu boat songs and thousands of spectators lining the banks.
The best time to visit Alleppey is between October and February, when pleasant weather is ideal for houseboat cruises and outdoor sightseeing. Travellers keen on culture should time their trip around August for the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, while the monsoon months reward those chasing the backwaters at their greenest.