Alleppey is a place that is known for backwaters, green paddy fields, elegant houseboats, and serene images. The destination is a tourist hub attracting thousands of visitors every year. For the Kerala tourism sector, Alleppey attracts thousands of tourists each year towards backwaters, houseboat experience and adventure.
For adventurous people, Alleppey always has something new to offer. You get to enjoy a treasure trove experience when here in Alleppey. This destination is surrounded by ancient temples, wild beaches, forest trails, spice gardens, tea plantations, colonial ports and lots more. This blog covers the 12 most well-known destination spots to visit when in Alleppey.
Soulful fisherman cove- The Marari beach
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Marari Beach is a tourist spot located about 11 km from Alleppey, taking around 25 minutes to reach by road. The best feature of this spot is its calmness. You can enjoy a peaceful beach atmosphere, making it perfect for unwinding and relaxing with your family.
The coastal plain stretches for miles. You may find beautiful coconut groves lined up next to the coastal stretch. The beach is also an ideal spot for local fishermen. You can enjoy traditional catamarans on the shore and other fisherman meddling with their nets. It certainly is the best glimpse of life from the past. The trip to this beach is fast-paced, on time. You can enjoy the atmosphere here while relaxing in eco-friendly lodges and resorts. Just imagine holding your favourite book while listening to the mesmerising sounds of waves and wind against the palm groves. If you like to enjoy sunrise, then do care to wake up early morning. This can be your best photogenic moments.
Backwater bird sanctuary- Kumarakom
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Kumarakom is a tourist destination in Alleppey, located 35 km from the main city. To reach it, you will need to travel for about an hour by road. The destination is connected to Kerala’s backwater system and has a very distinct vibe.
You can Google for Lake Vembanad if you like to take a virtual tour of this destination. The place is certainly called a bird-watcher’s paradise in Alleppey. This spot is isolated and quiet. The main attraction here is the bird sanctuary, which is open to the general public.
The sanctuary breeding ground is often visited by Herons, Darters, Siberian Storks and Egrets. You find hundreds of other species of local varieties here as well. If you like birds, then do visit this sanctuary between June to February, including August and November.
This place is also ideal if you like to experience a houseboat vacation. You can always rent a shikara here in Alleppey. The place also offers you to rent a Kottayam villa if you like to enjoy a more luxurious stay. Book your stay by the backwater shores.
Below sea level fishing experience and rice bowl visit- Kuttanad
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Kuttanand is also known as the rice bowl of Kerala- Alleppey. The destination is only 30 km from Alleppey. To get here, you have to travel around 45 minutes by road. The place is certainly called as Agricultural Marvel of the state. This place has registered its name in the top list of agricultural lands where farming is practised around 4 meters below the sea level.
You may find this place has a breathtaking scenic view of rice fields and backwaters. You also find fishing canals scattered around small villages. Certainly, an artistic landscape by nature. For humans, this place is a dream destination. You find a vast expanse of scattered paddy fields with local farmers and fishermen in their traditional outfits.
You can organise a boat ride on the canal. This is the best way to view local village life, backwater edge and rural customs. The best time to visit Kuttanad is during the harvest season, around April and May. You can also visit here from September to October months when the rice fields are golden yellow in color.
Historical melting pot- Kochi fort
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If you are in Alleppey, then you must visit the Kochi fort. This has also earned its name as the Mattancherry fort by the locals. Your visit to Alleppey is incomplete if this fort visit is not in your itinerary. This was also one of the well-known economic ports during the British, Dutch, Portuguese and Chinese reigns.
The port was a hub for tapestries woven around the global market from Alleppey. When, here, you can experience, traditional Chinese fishing net experience. You should visit the Jew town synagogue, which is also an ancient synagogue here in Alleppey. This place is ideal to enjoy traditional Kerala dance and folklore.
Midnight sand- Pathiramanal Island
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Pathiramanal Island is a hardcore destination, which is around 25 km or a one-hour drive from Alleppey. The destination is by Lake Vembanad. The Island is tiny and secluded. You can reach here only via a boat ride from Alleppey. The spot is welcoming for bird lovers, year-round. When in this Island, you can see 90 different bird species.
Some birds native to this Island are rare and migratory, while others nest here year-round. So isolation and adventure are two reasons to visit this destination. The boat ride in itself is meaningful as you get to navigate through a narrow channel along the backwater lakes. The silence of this place is broken by lapping water waves and chirping bird sounds.
You can organise an Alleppey houseboat trip to visit this destination as well. Shikara tours from Alleppey can also be organised.
The Amma Ashram - Amritapuri
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If you like to visit the Amritapuri ashram, then you will have to travel around 40 km from Alleppey. The journey might take around one hour. The place is known for its spiritual vibe. If you are aware, then this ashram is identified internationally as the headquarters of Mata Amritanandamayi.
The mata was known for her humanitarian works. The ashram still maintains its bustling and tranquil energy vibe. You get mesmerised by the selfless and devotional atmosphere of this place. There are a number of activities for anyone to participate in. You can enjoy relaxing mentally by meditating next to a backwater shore.
For visitors, the daily routine darshan can be mesmerising. You get astonished by the very sight of thousands of devotees getting blessed by Amma. Before travelling, it is important to check with the ashram's daily schedule and activities.
The Grand festival (Chettikulamgara Bhagavathy temple)
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This temple is only 45 45-minute drive (25 km) from Alleppey. The temple is a tourist hub during the Kettukazhcha festival season. The event is organised by the community and authorities nearing February and March. This is one temple in Alleppey that is dedicated to Maa Bhagavathi. During this festive season, you get a glimpse of structures, effigies and color. A lot of music and dance is also a part of the festive season.
It is obvious that the temple is an architectural monument. This gives good reason for anyone to visit this temple year-round. The authorities host stunning cultural events within the temple premises every year. The festival time is best if you like to witness Kerala's traditional ornaments, devotion and artistry. The temple also showcases a parade within the village.
The drive-in beach (Thrikkunnapuzha beach)
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Alleppey is a destination rich with backwaters, groves and serene beaches. This is a drive-in beach nearby to Alleppey. The beach is known for wet sands, quiet picnic spots, thrilling drives and the best scenic view along the coastal shores. You may find the shore is a gentle stretch of land.
Thrikkunnapuzha beach certainly is a very unique beach experience in its own. This beach does not have hundreds of visitors every season. This means it can be a perfect getaway for people who love privacy. The beach also has a very beautiful landscape. You can watch local fishermen at work here at the shore. You should be careful of the incoming wave.
Snake boat race and Church (Champakulam)
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Kerala organises the traditional snake boat race event every year. Champakulam is the river village that hosts this festival. The St. Mary Church organises the race festival, and thousands of tourists visit Alleppey for this unique boat race event. It is believed that the Church holds its history rooted down from 427 AD.
The Church is also best for the display of ancient relics during the festive season. To reach this place, you have to travel 16 km down back backwater lake. The journey might take around 30 minutes. One reason to visit this place is related to the ancient church monument.
You can enjoy the Moolam boat race in the month of July. The snake boats are displayed in back backwaters year-round. You can book them and enjoy your ride.
The Crow’s Island (Kakkathuruthu)
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Kakkathuruthu is a famous destination near Alleppey. This place has already earned its name in the National Geographic book. The remote Island is isolated and located on Lake Vembanad. You certainly might feel that time comes to a standstill in this place,
This is the best destination if you want to travel back in time. This is a remote destination with no access to technology, roads, or cars. The place still has coconut grove pathways and traditional homes. You get to spend ethereal evenings on this Island. For photographers, this Island is a living paradise.
Kottayam spice garden
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If you like to visit the spice garden in Alleppey, then you have to invest around one and a half to two hours. This garden is located around fifty km from the main city. To reach here, you have to travel inland towards Alleppey. During your journey, you observe that the landscape transforms from backwater and flat lands to hilly terrains and lush green meadows.
The rolling hills of Alleppey form a gateway to the spice garden in Kerala. This destination is a hub for the global spice trade- cloves, nutmeg, vanilla, pepper, cardamom and much more. You also get to enjoy coffee and tea plantations here, mainly practised under organic farming techniques.
The Serpent Abode (Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja temple)
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The serpent abode or the snake god temple (Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja temple) is a destination spot that is 35 km from Alleppey. This place is easy to access within a one-hour journey. The temple is nestled within dense forest cover. You find tranquil and mystical creatures decorated on temple walls. The temple has a very different aura.
You find stone-carved serpent figures lined along the path to the temple. Snake idols are also offered by devotees here. The main attraction is the mini-cave-like structure within the premises. There are numerous folklores and beliefs related to the temple and its spiritual beliefs. This temple is also related to fertility blessings. You have to ensure you dress appropriately when visiting.
