15 Best Tourist Places to Visit in Alappuzha
Alappuzha or Alleppey is best known for its backwaters, beaches, and canals. Because of the natural attraction in Alappuzha, it is referred to as the ‘Venice of the East’ by Lord Curzon. There is a number of tourist places in Alappuzha to visit. It is a world-renowned backwater tourist destination in India. Let us list out the 15 best tourist places in Alappuzha. The Alappuzha district is embraced by the Arabian Sea in the west and has a network of canals, lakes, and waterways. Here we list the 15 best tourist places to visit in Alappuzha before you die.
They are;
1. Alappuzha Beach
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It is one of the best tourist places in Alappuzha. It has another name ‘Alleppey Beach’. The Alappuzha beach bridge and lighthouse are the main things that are there on the beach. This beach hosts various festivals including the famous ‘Sand art festival’.
The main attraction to tourists to the place because of the availability of surfing, parasailing, and other adventure activities on the beach. It is the 15 best tourist places to visit in Alappuzha.
The lighthouse on Alappuzha beach is one of the oldest structures in Kerala. It is one of the 15 best tourist places to visit in Alappuzha. It was also the marker of the busiest ports and trade centers in the state. The tower was installed in 1862 during the time of Marthanda Varma II.
2. Vembanad Lake
It is the longest lake in India. This lake is 36 kilometers away from Alappuzha town. The length of the lake is 1512 square kilometers. The Vembanad Lake flows across Alappuzha, Ernakulam, and Kottayam districts in Kerala. This lake has several names including Kochi Lake and Punnamada Lake.
The main attractions in Vembanad Lake are houseboats or ‘kettuvallam’ and the world-famous ‘Nehru Trophy Boat Race’. While traveling in the houseboats, you can see numerous resorts along the banks of the lake, which is really a wonderful sight. 15 best tourist places in Alappuzha.
3. Kuttanad
Kuttanad is a land of lush paddy fields referred to as the ‘Rice bowl of Kerala’. It is one of the 15 best tourist places to visit in Alappuzha. The natural beauty of paddy fields and farming attracts tourists here. It is one of the 15 best tourist places to visit in Alappuzha. This is one of the few places in the world with farming below sea level.
The region is so named because of the abundance of paddy grown here. In the eastern part of the Alappuzha district, the cultivation is done in the low-lying part of the backwaters by tying bunds with mud dug from the lake. The water level in the lake is much higher than the water level inside the field.
It is gorgeous green heaven, which is a suitable place to take photographs during boat rides on the backwaters. The red and white water lilies in the water are another attraction. The time between October and February is the best time to visit Kuttanad. 15 best tourist places in Alappuzha.
4. Krishnapuram Palace
This is a historic palace and the best tourist place in Alappuzha, near the Kayamkulam district. In the 18th century, the palace was built under the supervision of the king of Travancore, Marthanda Varma. It is currently under the Kerala State Department of Archeology’s care. The palace is open from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm other than Mondays.
The dormer windows, a gabled roof, and narrow corridors make this palace a unique structure. There is a large pond inside the palace. It is one of the 15 best tourist places to visit in Alappuzha. This was believed as an underground escaping path from enemies. 15 best tourist places in Alappuzha.
This place was the headquarters of the Kayamkulam dynasty. The exact date of construction of the palace is not recorded. Over time, the palace’s ancillary buildings and other structures were destroyed. Only the main building remains today. Historical records indicate that the royal glory of the Krishnapuram Palace was tarnished when the King of Travancore, Marthanda Varma, captured Kayamkulam in 1762 and repaired the palace and demolished the surrounding forts.
5. House Boat
The first this comes to our mind while hearing the name Alappuzha is houseboats and lakes. Alappuzha is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kerala. If you want to enjoy the beaches. Must go to Alappuzha at least once. Trips to see the backwaters are one of the biggest attractions of Alappuzha. The main attraction of Alappuzha is houseboats and the travel in it. We will get fresh seafood and a natural experience from the travel in a houseboat. 15 best tourist places in Alappuzha.
Also, Read the best Kerala tourism places
6. Amabalappuzha Shree Krishna Temple
It is one of the historic temples in Alappuzha. The famous ‘Ambalappuzha pal payasam, a milk and rice pudding is the main attraction of this temple. Another name of this temple is ‘Dwarka of the South. It is said to be built between the 15th-17th centuries AD.
This temple has traditional Kerala-style architecture which is really attractive. The main deity in the temple is Parthasarathi, which is another name of Lord Krishna. 15 best tourist places in Alappuzha. The idol is carved out of black granite and has a conch in the left hand and holds a whip in the right hand. It is one of the 15 best tourist places to visit in Alappuzha.
7. Marari Beach
The Marari beach is one of the 15 best tourist places to visit in Alappuzha. It is 16 kilometers away from Alappuzha town. This is a resort beach. The turquoise water, golden sand, and palm trees at the backdrop make this beach an ideal place for a beach vacation.
This ‘Marari Beach’ is one of the top five ‘Hammock Beaches in the World’ by the national geographic survey. The availability of surfing, parasailing, and deep-sea fishing are other attractions there. 15 best tourist places in Alappuzha. Marari Beach is located at a distance of 11 km from the city of Alappuzha.
This is a resort beach. The main attraction of the place is the coconut groves that grow along the sea. As it is a relatively busy beach, tourists can enjoy sunset views well. Resorts and homestays have sprung up for tourists as locals and foreigners alike come to enjoy the beauty of Mararikulam Beach.
8. Arthungal Church
This is a historic Christian church in Alappuzha built by the Portuguese. It is a famous devotional place and one of the famous pilgrim centers in South India also. Though the church is named after St. Andrew the Apostle it is the feast of St. Sebastian. Devotees from different parts of the state come there in January every year for celebrations. 15 best tourist places in Alappuzha.
Arthunkal Church is a Christian church located in Sabarimala, a prominent Hindu pilgrimage center. Just as the legend of the friendship between Ayyappan and Bavar is spreading, so is the legend between Ayyappan and Arthunkal Veluthachan.
Arthunkal is said to have been a prominent Buddhist center during the time when Buddhism had strong roots. There is an argument that the name Arthunkal is derived from Buddhism itself. One argument is that the name Arthunkal is derived from the word Arhathan Kall.
9. Punnamada Lake
The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is in this Punnamada lake on August 2nd week in every year. It is in the festivals of Onam. Pallippuram, Pathiramanal, and Perumbalam are the Islands around the lake. The serene experience is unforgettable for the visitors. You can enjoy a quiet ride at any time, turning to the scary track of the calm lake during the festival.
Houseboats and other small boats are the main attraction on this Lake. This is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Alappuzha in 2 days. 15 best tourist places in Alappuzha. Punnamada Lake is an extension of the Vembanad Lake in Alappuzha and is the longest lake in the country. The backwaters of the lake attract visitors in peace.
10. International Coir Museum
The International Coir Museum in Alappuzha is famous because of the handicraft items made with coir. It includes birds, animals, symbols of Thaj Mahal. Tourists will also get an opportunity to understand the working method of the coir factory. It is one od the 15 best tourist places in Alappuzha.
11. Mannarshala Shree Nagaraja Temple
It is another historic temple in Alappuzha, in the place of the first snake temple in Kerala. That is at Vettikode. This temple is believed as built by Parashu Raman, after building the Kerala state. The main attractions of this temple are the statue of snakes and the Parashu Raman.
This temple surrounds by verdant greenery and attracts the people who worship the snake god, Nagaraja. There are more than 100,000 snake images in the paths and surroundings of the temple. Couples who yearn for children visit this popular pilgrimage to seek blessings. It is one od the 15 best tourist places in Alappuzha.
12. Pathiramanal Island
This is a small island in Vembanad Lake. The term Pathiramanal means ‘Sands of the Night’. Tourists can use the passenger boat service provided by the local people in that place to reach this island. The passenger boat service from the place ‘Muhamma’ to ‘Kumarakam’ is the cheapest way to reach out the island.
It is considering an ideal place to observe birds because of the presence of a large number of birds in the backwaters. There are almost 91 species of local and 50 species of migratory birds in this place. The presence of rare species of birds will really surprise tourists.
Until the 1970s, the island was privately owned. The land was subsequently acquired by the government under a changed law and the fourteen working families living there were relocated to another place in Muhamma Panchayat.
I remember reading somewhere about the island’s permanent residents and migratory birds. Pathiramanal is one of the best places for those who have made bird watching a hobby. It is one od the 15 best tourist places in Alappuzha.
13. Thannneermukkam Bund
The Thennermukkam Bund is another one of the 15 best tourist places to visit in Alappuzha. The specialty of this bund is that one side of it is salt water and the other side with fresh water. This bund is to protect the agricultural fields from the saltwater from the Cochin Sea.
The waterfront bund is filling the news again. The new bridge will be open to traffic on the 30th. The first phase from the Bund watershed, the second phase from Ambika Market and the road paving work at the junction with the new bridge are in progress. It is one od the 15 best tourist places in Alappuzha.
Vehicles will be diverted through the new bridge and filled with water between the southern and northern earthen canals. Vaidyanathan, a native of Valiyakulangara, Karthikapally in the south-western part of Kuttanad, visited the whole of Kuttanad and prepared a blueprint.
14. Ravi Karunakaran Museum
This Museum is the ‘Thaj Mahal’ in Alappuzha. This museum was for the memories of Ravi Karunakaran, by his wife Betty. Mr. Ravi Karunakaran was a leading industrialist and businessman in Alappuzha. It is one od the 15 best tourist places in Alappuzha.
This is a private museum with an awesome collection of things like Swarovski crystals, Murano glassworks, and sculptures. The entry fee to this museum is just 100 rupees and will be open on days other than Monday.
15. Kakkathuruth Island
The Kakkathuruth Island is the last place in the list of 15 best tourist places to visit in Alappuzha. It is the most important place that we need to visit before die. We can reach this island only through a local boat service. This is available from morning 6 am to evening 6 pm every day. The length of this island is almost 3 ½ kilometers.
The best time on this island is from 3 o clock in the evening up to sunset. The national geographic channel described the sunset in Kakkathuruth Island as the ‘Best sunset in the world’. The island
