Snap. Snap. Snap.
Snap. Snap. Snap. Alleppey, often called the “Venice of the East,” is a paradise, particularly
Going to Alleppey? Here’s a jam-packed yet pleasantly easy-to-do master guide designed to help you discover Alleppey’s backwaters, beaches, culture, and local flavors—a soulful trip with just the right balance of exploration and relaxation.
Does 8:00 AM start work for you?
If it does, then begin your day with a traditional Kerala breakfast at the Thaff Delicacy, Indian Coffee House, or Garden Cafe. Try Appam with stew, Puttu-Kadala, or Idiyappam with coconut milk, or fresh dosa with chutneys.
When the clock strikes 9:00, head to Punnamada Jetty for an Alleppey Backwaters Houseboat Cruise. If you’re short on time, you could take a half-day ride for 4 to 5 hours.
A popular route often recommended is Alleppey to Vembanad Lake to Kainakary, with Kumarakom added as an option if you have more time. Or you could drift through Kuttanad, which is known as the rice bowl of Kerala.
Enjoy fresh coconuts, local music on deck, and beautiful countryside views. Add a blessing ritual by stopping at a riverside shrine. Ask the boat operator for a local temple en route. Dig into the lunch served hot and fresh onboard — rice, avial, Karimeen fry (local pearl spot fish), and payasam.
Tip: You can choose a private houseboat or a shared cruise, and as a responsible tourist, ask for an eco-friendly experience!
After completing the cruise, drive over to Krishnapuram Palace, an hour’s drive away. Located about 47 kilometers from Alleppey, the palace is a stunning example of traditional Kerala architecture and royal heritage.
Built in the 18th century by Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, the ruler of Travancore, the palace stands apart in architectural beauty, with its gabled roofs, narrow corridors, and dormer windows. It houses the renowned Gajendra Moksham mural, one of the largest and most exquisite mural paintings in Kerala. The nearby town of Kayamkulam has the Kayamkulam Lake, a perfect place to relax and breathe some fresh air as you make your way back to Alleppey.
Back to nature
By the time sunset falls, you could be at Marari Beach to chill by the sea, take a nap in a hammock, or watch local fishermen go about their daily work. The beach is clean, less crowded, and away from the hustle and bustle of the main town.
As evening starts to fall, how better to spend it than by attending a cultural show followed by dinner? Kerala Cultural Center hosts many shows and programs, and a Kathakali or Mohiniyattam performance could be well worth your time, your evening ending with a sumptuous Kerala-style, Chinese, or Continental dinner at any one of the many restaurants and eateries in Alleppey.
Day 2 — Itinerary
Get up early, around 7:00 AM, to watch a beautiful sunrise at Alappuzha Beach. Take a quiet stroll along the old pier. Meditate, or just listen to the waves. Explore the 150-year-old Alleppey Lighthouse, which opens at 9 PM, and feel the quiet magic of an early morning by the sea.
The walk will get you hungry so head to Café Catamaran or Chakara restaurant for chai (tea) and fusion Kerala food. Both overlook the sea so you will have a great view as well. Sit by the sea, barefoot in the sand. Try some Kerala-style French toast, herbal tea, and fresh pineapple juice.
Post breakfast, you can head to the Revi Karunakaran Memorial Museum, which has a fascinating collection of ivory art, crystal, and antique collections. It’s a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.
If you like history and religion, the visit to the Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple won’t leave you disappointed. This is a temple with divine feminine energy dedicated to the Goddess Rajarajeswari, a form of Durga. The temple comes alive with vibrant processions, traditional music, and thousands of oil lamps during the Mullackal Chirappu festival. The presence of other deities like Hanuman, Ganapathi, and Nagaraja adds to its inclusive spiritual aura. The temple has a peaceful inner courtyard flanked by banyan and mango trees. You can light an oil lamp and make a quiet offering.
Ripples of joy
The next two hours can be spent on a shikara ride through the narrow canals. You start from Finishing Point or Kainakary on a smaller boat that glides gently and silently through coconut groves and lily-covered water, letting you explore narrow winding canals, village homes, duck farms, toddy tapping— taking you right into the heartland of Alleppey. Spot a variety of birds, villagers bathing, kids playing on the banks—this is timeless Kerala at its best, a trip ideal for couples or solo travelers seeking solitude and introspection.
End your Drop-Off and Tea by a canal and take a slow walk to enjoy the ambience. Stop at a toddy shop to buy a bottle, or sip some cardamom tea at a local stall.
Tip: Request a non-motorized boat for a truly silent ride.
Afternoon ala carte
Time for lunch? If you want a unique gastronomic experience, opt for a Toddy Shop Lunch at Chakara Toddy Shop or any authentic local Toddy spot. Try Karimeen Pollichathu, duck curry, tapioca, and yes, fresh toddy if you’re up for it. For the less adventurous, you could have unch at a local homestay such as Heritage Heaven or Marari Dreamz. If you’re a vegetarian, you can try Sadya, a traditional vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf.
When in Alleppey, your trip remains incomplete without an Ayurvedic Massage. Choose from an Abhyanga oil massage or a Shirodhara session for deep relaxation.
As the sun slowly dips into the ocean, you can either climb to the top of Alleppey Lighthouse to be rewarded with panoramic sunset views or embark on a sunset cruise on the backwaters.
Or, if you want your sunset reflections by the Lake, head over to Vembanad Lake Viewpoint. Sit in silence. Journal. Breathe.
Or, if you want to do nothing at all, simply enjoy the Marari Beach Sunset. Pack a mat, some fresh fruit, and relax with your partner or family by the sea, resplendent in pink and orange hues. Feel the sand tickling your toes and collect a few shells to take back home as mementoes.
Optional: Join a sunset beach yoga session at one of the many resorts on Marari Beach.
But if you’re a history buff, you might want a detour, just half an hour away, to the Champakulam Church, one of the oldest Christian churches in India. It can be your peaceful retreat with strong spiritual vibes, beautiful murals, all found in a riverside setting.
Eventide
As evening slips slowly into night, head to Harbour Restaurant or Cassia, Vembanad Restaurant, or Raheem Residency for a farewell dinner under the stars. Choose an open-air table, lit by lanterns. Enjoy fresh seafood, candlelight, and the melody of the waves crashing on the shore in an eternal rhythm of crescendo and decrescendo. End with a dessert: banana fritters, or jaggery coconut rolls.
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Snap. Snap. Snap. Alleppey, often called the “Venice of the East,” is a paradise, particularly
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