Also known as the ‘Venice of the East’ among tourists, Alleppey is famous for its striking beaches, backwaters, and canals. Situated around 53 km away from Cochin, Alleppey is also officially known as Alappuzha. Bordering the Laccadive Sea, this beautiful travel destination is filled with many rejuvenating ayurvedic resorts and palm-fringed canals or backwaters. With vasty paddy fields, scattered coconut palms, and lush greenery all around, Alleppey is truly nature’s paradise. It is the perfect destination to enjoy a family tour. Here we make your trip planning easier by offering a list of top places to visit in Alleppey.
1. Kuttanad
Also known as the “Rice bowl of Kerala”, Kuttanad attracts tourists with its charming and picturesque sceneries all around. With lively backwaters, shimmering waterways, lakes, rivers, and green paddy fields, Kuttanad is one of the most popular Alleppey attractions. Do not miss a houseboat tour along the beautiful Vembanad backwaters to experience the surreal charm of the place. A meeting spot for four rivers including Manimala, Pampa, Achankovil, and Meenachil, Kuttanad is a place where you can spend the entire day admiring the beautiful scenery. Visting the paddy fields and exploring the Kerala culture are some of the best things to do in Alleppey.
2. Krishnapuram Palace
Situated 47 KM away from Alappuzha district, the stunning Krishnapuram palace is a major tourist attraction in Alleppey. Sprawled over about 1.5 acres, this historical palace was built by Anizham Thirunal Marthanda in the 18th century. Designed with the architectural style of Kerala, the Krishnapuram palace is adorned with gabled roof and dormer windows, and one of the most striking places to visit in Alleppey houseboat. It also features a stunning landscaped garden where you can see a broad variety of flowers and plant life. Currently, the Krishnapuram palace archaeological museum is protected by the archaeological department. Here, the statue of Buddha, Kayamkulam sword, and the mural of Gajendra Moksham are some vital demonstrations for visitors. The Krishnapuram palace is one of the best places to visit in Alleppey.
3. Marari Beach
With golden sand, turquoise water, and palm trees in the background, Marari is a perfect place to enjoy a beach vacation. Marari is a quaint village near Alleppey which is known for its rich culture and traditions. The National Geographic Survey has listed the Marari beach among top ‘Hammock Beaches in the World’. Here, you will find some of the best things to do in Alleppey as you can enjoy surfing, water-skiing, fishing, parasailing, and many other water sports activities at the beach. With the abundant natural beauty all around, Marari Beach is an ideal place to unwind yourself and spend some time away from the crowd. For food lovers, there are multiple cafes and restaurants, offering delicious meals and local cuisines. Marari beach is one of the most amazing places to visit near Alleppey.
4. Mannarasala
Devoted to the serpent gods, Mannarasala is one of the oldest temples in Alleppey, attracting visitors and devotees from all over the world. Located amid the thick and deep forest, the Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple is filled with a variety of snake paintings. It is a place of worship for devotees, who trust that by offering some specific things to Nagaraja, their all wishes would come true. Also, women, who are not able to conceive, visit this temple to seek special blessings. With more than 30,000 images of the serpent gods, visiting Mannarasala is one of the best things to see in Alleppey.
5. Pathiramanal
Situated on the backwaters of Alleppey in Lake Vembanad, Pathiramanal is a small island and a major attraction for tourists. It has around 50 migratory as well as more than 90 local bird species. With scenic geography and location, Pathiramanal is an ideal place to enjoy birdwatching and seeing some amazing water species. You would get a chance to see Purple Heron, Night Heron, Common Teal, Pintail Ducks, Little Egret, Cotton Pygmy-Goose, Whistling Duck, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Cattle Egret, Darter, Indian Pond Heron, Stork-billed Kingfisher, and Bronze-winged Jacanas. Kids would love to spot a variety of birds and animals. So if you are traveling with children, make sure you include Pathiramanal in your Alleppey tour package.
6. Ambalapuzha Temple
Also called the ‘Dwaraka of South’, the Ambalapuzha temple is devoted to Lord Krishna. This Hindu temple is designed in a conventional Kerala style architectural structure and renowned for its delectable rice pudding made with sweet milk called Pal Payasam. With its grand collection of mural paintings, portraying the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu, the Ambalapuzha Temple is filled with cultural ambiance. Visiting this spectacular temple is one of the best things to do in Alleppey. The temple premises has also become a place to see ‘Ottan Thullal’ which is a satirical creation, performed by Kunjan Nambiar. This exquisite place of worship is one of the ancient places in Alleppey, and its history is related to the Guruvayur temple situated in the Thrissur region of Kerala itself. The Ambalapuzha temple is one of the top places to visit in Alleppey for those who love to explore art, culture, and architecture.
7. Revi Karunakaran Museum
Built-in 2003, the Revi Karunakaran Museum is spread over three floors and has diverse segments dedicated to portraying four primary religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, and Christianity, with the help of ivory exhibits, murals, and paintings. If you are someone who loves to explore the artworks and relics, then visiting Revi Karunakaran Museum is one of the best Alleppey things to do. Here, the special Kerala Room showcases the development of Kerala by using more than 3800 distinctive displays. Also, one of the most astonishing parts that you would love is the aggregation of the Tanjore paintings, appealing art lovers from all over the world. Sprawling over 28,000 sq, ft, the museum is famous as a modern architectural marvel and one of the top places to visit in Alleppey.
8. St.Mary’s Forane Church
Constructed in 427 AD, St. Mary’s Forane Church is one of the most beautiful churches in Alleppey. Famous for its events and educational initiation, the church hosts two fests each year, committed to various occasions, and welcomes a huge number of visitors coming in for the feast. The rich history, legacy, and architecture of this church attract tourists from across the world. The architecture and construction of the church is a unique blend of Portuguese and Syrian designs. The entire church gets adorned with lights, making it look royal and majestic. Also, famous for housing around 2500 families, the St.Mary’s Forane Church is one of the biggest and most visited churches in Alleppey. Known as one of the key Alleppey attractions, this church must be explored to see the grand architecture of Kerala.
Alleppey has everything to attract tourists. Whether you are going on a solo trip or someone who is looking forward to going on a fun family vacation with kids, there are several picturesque places to visit in Alleppey. We hope that this will aid you to plan your trip to Alleppey and explore this amazing place in the best way.
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