Kerala · India
Alleppey (Alappuzha)
The 'Venice of the East' — a lattice of palm-fringed backwaters, houseboats and beaches where Kerala's canals, lakes and Arabian Sea meet.
Alappuzha is backwater country: houseboat cruises, snake-boat races, coir villages, toddy-shop meals, and Kerala's crisp white-and-gold kasavu attire.
Plan your trip
Alleppey (Alappuzha) Tour Itineraries
Timed, walkable day plans — plus the best season to go.
Where to shoot
Alleppey (Alappuzha) Photo Spots
Medium crowdEntry Free
Alappuzha Beach
- Best timeLate afternoon into sunset, when the sun drops behind the old pier and the sky turns orange.
- ColorsWhiteCoralSky blue
High crowdEntry Houseboat / shikara hire
Alleppey Backwaters
- Best timeEarly morning, when the canals are still and mirror the palms; late afternoon for warm light before the houseboats moor for the night.
- ColorsWhiteTurquoiseCoral
Low crowdEntry Free
Marari Beach
- Best timeEarly morning for fishing boats on the shore and soft light; late afternoon for golden light through the palms.
- ColorsWhiteSandAqua
Medium crowdEntry Boat hire
Punnamada Backwaters
- Best timeEarly morning, when the lake is calm and fishing canoes are out; in August, race day for the snake boats in action.
- ColorsWhiteYellowGreen
Medium crowdEntry Boat hire
Vembanad Lake
- Best timeSunrise, when the lake is still and fishing boats are silhouetted against the light; sunset for warm colours over the open water.
- ColorsWhiteTealCoral
For the feed
Trending Wear in Alleppey (Alappuzha)
Modern, Instagram-friendly looks
Rooted in the city
Alleppey (Alappuzha) Traditional Wear
Local, cultural, handcrafted outfits
Taste the city
Food to Eat in Alleppey (Alappuzha)
Trusted tables
Where to Eat in Alleppey (Alappuzha)
Representative photoChakara
Beach Road
Representative photoHalais Restaurant
Mullackal
Representative photoKream Korner
Mullackal
Madras Veg Tables Vegetarian Restaurant
Representative photoThaff Restaurant
Iron Bridge
About Alleppey
Alleppey, officially Alappuzha, is a town on Kerala's coast where the Arabian Sea on one side meets a network of canals, rivers and lakes on the other. Those backwaters are why most people come. Converted rice barges, now houseboats, cruise past coconut palms, village jetties and the paddy fields of Kuttanad, much of which is farmed below sea level. The town itself has an old beach with a ruined pier and an 1862 lighthouse, and it is the base for trips out onto Vembanad Lake.
Plan your days around the water. Take a houseboat or a small shikara in the morning or late afternoon, spend an evening on Alappuzha Beach, and give a slower day to Marari Beach, a fishing village about 11 km north of town. In August the town fills for the Nehru Trophy snake-boat race on Punnamada Lake. Leave room for the local food too: karimeen pollichathu, prawn curry, kappa with fish curry and a vegetarian sadya on a banana leaf.
Questions
Alleppey (Alappuzha) — FAQ
What is Alleppey famous for?
Alleppey is famous for its backwaters and houseboat cruises, the Nehru Trophy snake-boat race on Punnamada Lake, Vembanad Lake, Alappuzha and Marari beaches, and the rice fields of Kuttanad. It is also known for coir-making and Kerala seafood like karimeen pollichathu.
How many days are enough for Alleppey?
2–3 days works well: one for a houseboat or shikara trip, one for the town, the beach and the lighthouse, and a slower day at Marari Beach. Add a night if you want an overnight houseboat stay.
What is the best time to visit Alleppey?
November to February is the most comfortable time, with drier days and calm water for cruising. The monsoon, roughly June to September, is green and quiet but very wet, and March to May is hot and humid. See the best time to visit Alleppey for a month-by-month guide.
How do I reach Alleppey?
Alappuzha has its own railway station on the coastal line between Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram. The nearest airport is Cochin International, about 80 km away, and the drive usually takes around two hours. State-run passenger ferries also link Alleppey with Kottayam across the backwaters.
Should I choose a houseboat or a shikara in Alleppey?
A houseboat is a floating stay with a crew and cooked meals, and suits a full day or an overnight trip on the wider waterways. A shikara is a smaller canopied boat for a few hours, and it can slip into narrow village canals that houseboats cannot enter. Many visitors do both.