- Best time
- November to February
- Nearest airport
- Cochin International Airport (about 80 km)
- Nearest railway station
- Alleppey (about 3 km from town)
- Known for
- Houseboat cruises on the backwaters
Getting out on the water
A houseboat (kettuvallam) stay is the main reason most people come. You board around midday, drift past villages, coconut groves and rice fields, and eat Kerala meals cooked on board, often with fish bought fresh along the way. Families and honeymoon couples both enjoy the overnight option; we can arrange one to suit your group size and budget.
For narrower canals that big boats cannot enter, take a shikara, a small covered boat that seats roughly four to six people. Motor boats are another choice for day trips, and they suit larger groups who do not need to stay overnight.
What to see in and around town
Leave a day on land for the sights below. Several are short drives out of town, so a car for the day works well.
- Kuttanad: called the rice bowl of Kerala, much of this farmland lies below sea level, which is rare in India.
- Alleppey Beach and lighthouse: a long stretch of sand with a historic lighthouse close by.
- Mullakal Rajeswari Temple: a centuries-old temple in the heart of town, lovely when the oil lamps are lit in the evening.
- Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple: a 17th-century temple known for its Dasavatharam murals and its daily palpayasam (sweet rice pudding).
- Jain Temple on Gujarati Street: a marble temple over a hundred years old, linked to the town's Gujarati trading families.
- Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple, Haripad: a major serpent shrine about 32 km away.
- Revi Karunakaran Memorial Museum: a private collection of art, sculpture and antiques opened in 2003.
- Krishnapuram Palace, Kayamkulam: an 18th-century palace in the traditional Kerala style, now a museum, around 45 km from town.
- Coir and village visits: see how coconut fibre is spun and how local fishing families work.
Best time to visit
November to February is the most comfortable period, with temperatures of roughly 17°C to 27°C. March to May is hot and humid, reaching about 35°C. The monsoon, June to September, brings heavy rain and some waterlogging, so outdoor plans can be disrupted, although the green landscape has its own appeal.
How to reach Alleppey
Alleppey sits on the main coastal highway and has round-the-clock state bus services. Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery is about 80 km away and Trivandrum International Airport about 140 km. Alleppey railway station is roughly 3 km from the town centre, with trains along the Kerala coast.
Places to see in Alleppey
Also nearby
Plan it with us
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We will build the route, book the car, driver and hotels, and send you a clear quote.
