The city of Alappuzha, also known as Alleppey, is the gateway to the Backwaters of Kerala. This beautiful region in southern India is one of the country’s tourist attractions. Here you can take scenic boat trips by houseboat or canoe across the 5 main lakes and 38 tributaries. Enjoy the beautiful scenery, flora and fauna and stunning sunrise and sunset from the water.
Are you planning to visit Alappuzha? And would you like to know more about the special history and culture of this city in the state of Kerala? In this travel guide, I will tell you more about its interesting history, read all about the best attractions and discover the best accommodation in the city. A history-rich visit to Alappuzha starts here…
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*This article is also available in Dutch – Alappuzha Reisgids
Practical Information & Travel Tips
- Best Time to Travel? The best time to visit Alappuzha is from December to April. During these months, there is a lot of sunshine and hence the least rainfall. From May to November, it can be very wet in Kerala and can even lead to floods and heavy flooding. The temperature is between 27 and 32 degrees throughout the year.
- How many days? Alappuzha is the gateway to the Kerala Backwaters. Basically, you can take a day trip and explore this beautiful region of India by boat. Or you can spend the night on a big boat on the Backwaters and enjoy the sunset from the water. Then you do need to schedule 2 days to visit this region.
- Accommodation? Looking for a nice hostel or hotel? There are two areas where you can spend a great night. That is around Punnamada Lake and near Alappuzha Beach.
- Tours & Tickets? Alappuzha is one of the gateways to the beautiful Backwaters. Book a houseboat and explore the area. Or book a day trip and explore the small canals by canoe.
- Transport? The city’s train station is located southwest of downtown. The bus station, KSRTC Bus Stand is located near Punnamada Lake. But the best transportation in this region is the ferry, right? Consider the 8-hour ferry from Alappuzha to Kollam.
History – What makes Alappuzha historically interesting to visit?
George Curzon (1859-1925), a British politician and viceroy of British India from 1899 to 1905 described Alleppey as the Venice of the East. He was impressed by its canals, beautiful lakes, lagoons and beaches. Because of its beautiful location, the town is also called the gateway to the Backwaters. The English named the town Alleppey; the Indians changed it to Alappuzha in 2012. The literal meaning consists of two words: Alayam meaning “home” and Puzha meaning “river. Unfortunately, the many rivers have also caused inconveniences at times, such as the severe floods in 2018. Large parts of Kerala were flooded.
Incidentally, the history of this town dates back to more than 2,000 years ago. During ancient times, for example, it is said to have had close ties with Middle Eastern traders and the Greeks. The old port, which was known as Barace, was located near the 1862 Alleppey Lighthouse. In the 16th century, the Portuguese settled here and converted residents to Christianity. St. Andrew’s Basilica in Arthunkal from 1584 is the best example. During the reign of Maharajah Rama Varma I (1724-1798), Alappuzha developed into the settlement as it still largely looks today.
Top 5 Places to visit in Alappuzha
Looking for the best sights of Alappuzha? Here are 5 best tips and ideas!
1. Explore the Backwaters by canoe
There are several ways to explore the beautiful Backwaters. You can take the ferry and visit a number of places cheaply. Or you can book a houseboat for a few days and stay overnight on the Backwaters. Or you join a tour and discover the area by canoe. An advantage of a canoe is that it is non-polluting and you can visit even the smallest canals this way. I myself did a day trip by canoe and I really enjoyed it.
2. Explore the historic red lighthouse
A notable structure of the city is the red and white lighthouse. The Alappuzha Lighthouse dates back to 1862 and you can visit for a small fee. It was the first lighthouse in this region. Because the city’s harbor was among one of the busiest in the country, a lighthouse was necessary to monitor the shipping lanes. The red and white lighthouse is 27 meters high and definitely a nice option for a visit.
3. Visit the colorful Sree Subramanya Swamy Temple
The oldest temple in the region is the Sree Subramanya Swamy Temple, better known as Dakshina Palani. It is located south of the city and is said to have a history of more than 3,500 years. It worships not only the God Murugan (Sree Subramanya), but also Shiva, among others. This also makes it one of the most important shrines in the region.
4. Take a walk on Alappuzha Beach
Okay, it may not be among one of the most beautiful beaches on the west coast of India, yet it is definitely recommended to take a stroll there. That’s because you’ll find a pier more than 150 years old and there’s something going on almost every day. Are you here in April? Then you can take a look at the Sand Art Festival. During this festival you can discover the most beautiful sand sculptures.
5. Discover the Revi Karunakaran Memorial Museum
Would you like to discover local history? Then head to the Revi Karunakaran Memorial Museum. Revi Karunakaran (1931-20023) was a leading coconut exporter from the state of Kerala. He was also a director of the Industrial Development Bank of India. His wife established a museum to display the family’s private collection. This includes a large collection of paintings, artifacts and the Kerala Room. In this room you will find 3,500 objects that tell something about the history and culture of this state in India.
Accommodation – Where to stay in Alappuzha?
Alappuzha is a city of about 170,000 inhabitants. It is the gateway to the beautiful Backwaters and definitely recommended to explore the area from here. The best place to stay is near Punnamada Lake near KSRTC – Alappuzha Bus Stand. From Punnamada Lake, boats leave for the Backwaters.
Looking for accommodation in Alappuzha? Book your Hotel of Hostel here!
Prefer to spend the night on the water? Through Getyourguide, you can take day trips or a multi-day houseboat tour of Kerala’s beautiful Backwaters. Book your tours from Alappuzha to the Backwaters here.
Transport – How to get there?
One way to get to Alappuzha from Kochi is by train. Several trains a day leave from Ernakulam in Kochi to Alappuzha Railway Station. This train takes about 1 hour. By the way, the train station is located southwest of the city center. Therefore, it is best to take a bus or cab from the train station to Punnamada Lake. From Kollam, south of Alappuzha it takes about 1.5 hours by train.
However, the best way to get to Alappuzha is by bus. In fact, at Punnamada Lake is the KSRTC bus station. From Vytilla Hub in Ernakulam, Kochi it takes about 1.5 hours by bus. From Kollam, it also takes about 1.5 to 2 hours by bus. Book your bus or train tickets to Alappuzha here.
Plan your trip to Alappuzha & India
- Accommodation? Hotel via Booking of Hostel via Hostelworld?
- Things to See and Do? Tickets & Tours via GetYourGuide
- Transport: Bus & Train Tickets via 12go.Asia
- Flight tickets to India? Skyscanner
Do you have more tips, ideas or comments about this Travel Guide to Alappuzha, India? If so, feel free to leave a message below.
