Alappuzha

Alleppey Backwaters and Houseboat Cruises

The backwater network of Alappuzha is a labyrinthine system of canals, rivers, lakes, and inlets. The waterways are bordered by coconut palms, paddy fields, and village houses connected to the water by wooden jetties. Traditional rice barges have been converted into houseboats with bedrooms, bathrooms, a kitchen, and a sitting deck.

Timing: Varies by operator
Entry Fee: Houseboat rates vary by operator

Vembanad Lake

The longest lake in India and the largest in Kerala, stretching across three districts — Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam. The lake is a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. Punnamada Lake, the eastern arm of Vembanad near Alleppey town, is the venue of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race held every August.

Timing: Open daily
Entry Fee: No entry fee
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Kuttanad

A region covering a large part of Alappuzha and some of Kottayam district, where paddy farming is conducted on reclaimed land that sits 0.5 to 2 metres below sea level — one of the few such agricultural systems in the world.

Timing: Accessible by boat year-round
Entry Fee: No entry fee
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Alappuzha Beach

A beach running along the western edge of Alleppey town on the Arabian Sea. The Alappuzha Lighthouse, built in 1862 in red-and-white stripes, stands at the southern end of the beach. The lighthouse is operational and open for climbing during designated hours.

Timing: Beach — open daily, Lighthouse — 9 AM to 11:45 AM and 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM, Closed Mondays
Entry Fee: No entry fee for beach. Lighthouse — ₹20 (cash at counter)
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Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple

A Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. Built in the traditional Kerala style with an elaborate wooden ceiling. The temple is famous throughout Kerala for its palpayasam — a sweet payasam (pudding) made of rice, milk, sugar, and ghee, prepared and distributed free of charge to all visitors daily.

Timing: Open daily, 3:00 AM to 12:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Entry Fee: No entry fee. Traditional dress required
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Krishnapuram Palace

An 18th century palace built by the Travancore king Marthanda Varma. The palace is one of the finest examples of traditional Kerala architecture — sloping tiled roofs, gabled windows, narrow corridors, and enclosed courtyards. The palace now operates as a museum containing antique furniture, portraits, sculptures, and bronze artefacts.

Timing: Open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 1:00 AM and 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM. Closed Mondays
Entry Fee: ₹50 (cash at counter)
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Pathiramanal Island

A small island in the middle of Vembanad Lake, accessible only by boat from Thakazhi or from the lake. The name means Midnight Sand in Malayalam. The island is a birdwatching destination — over 91 species of rare migratory birds from Siberia, Central Asia, and other parts of India have been recorded here during winter.

Timing: Open daily, accessible by boat
Entry Fee: Boat charges varies by operator
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Champakkulam

A village, considered one of the oldest Christian settlements in Kerala. The St Mary’s Forane Church at Champakkulam is believed to have been founded by St Thomas the Apostle in 52 CE, making it one of the earliest Christian churches in Asia. The Champakkulam Moolam Boat Race — the oldest snake boat race in Kerala, older than the Nehru Trophy — is held here.

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Edathua Church

A Roman Catholic church on the banks of the Pamba river at Edathua. Built in 1810 and associated with miraculous healing attributed to St George. The church is built in a traditional Kerala-Syrian Catholic style, with a tall tower visible from the river.

Timing: Open daily
Entry Fee: No entry fee
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Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

A bird sanctuary on the eastern shore of Vembanad Lake in Kottayam district. The sanctuary covers 14 acres of mangrove forest and is a significant roosting and feeding ground for both resident and migratory birds. Siberian cranes, egrets, herons, teals, and waterfowl are regularly sighted.

Timing: Temporary closed
Entry Fee: 
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Metro in Alappuzha

Not available.

Local buses in Alappuzha

Not practical. City buses run across the city but routes are difficult to navigate without local knowledge.

Ride-hailing apps in Alappuzha

Partially practical. Ride-hailing apps like Ola and Uber availability is limited in Alappuzha.

Boats and Ferries in Alappuzha

Practical. The primary transport for backwater exploration. Public country boats (vallam) operate on fixed routes.

Street-hailing auto rickshaw in Alappuzha

Practical. For short distances (5-10 km). Tell or show the auto driver your destination — they can refuse, in which case move to the next one. Agree on the fare (approx. ₹30—₹40 per km) before you get in. Know the distance to your destination via maps before negotiating.

Nehru Trophy Boat Race in Alappuzha

The most famous snake boat race in Kerala, held on Punnamada Lake in Alleppey. Chundan vallams — snake boats over 30 metres long, crewed by over 100 rowers — race on the lake to the rhythm of the Vanchipattu (boat song).
2026 Dates:

Champakkulam Moolam Boat Race in Alappuzha

The oldest snake boat race in Kerala, held on the Pamba river at Champakkulam. The race begins with the ceremonial procession of the Karppara Chundan — the village’s own snake boat.
2026 Dates:

Onam in Alappuzha

Kerala's harvest festival observed across Alappuzha with Onam Sadya (banana leaf feast), pookalam (flower carpet) designs, and boat races on the backwaters. The Nehru Trophy race and Champakulam race are Onam-season events.
2026 Dates:

Alappuzha's food is coastal Kerala — fish-centred, coconut-heavy, and built on the karimeen (pearl spot fish) from the backwaters. The city's position at the intersection of backwaters and sea means fresh fish is the default.

Local food to eat in Alappuzha

Karimeen pollichathu (pearl spot fish in banana leaf) · Kerala fish curry · Prawn curry · Appam with stew · Puttu and kadala curry · Idiyappam · Onam Sadya · Pazham pori

Food streets in Alappuzha

• Alappuzha Beach Road — seafood restaurants, local Kerala food
• Mullakkal area — local vegetarian restaurants, Sadya during festivals
• Punnamada lakeside — restaurants and toddy shops near the boat race venue

Alappuzha is well connected by rail and road and is approximately 55 km south of Kochi. Whether arriving or departing, use the station codes, airport, and bus terminal information below.

Alappuzha — Stations, Airport & Bus Stands

Rail Station: Alappuzha Railway Station (ALLP)
Airport: Cochin International Airport (COK)
Bus Terminal: Alleppey Bus Stand — KSRTC

By Train
Search “Alappuzha” as your origin (if departing) or destination (if arriving). Alappuzha Railway Station is the main station. Choose a train based on journey duration, departure time, and class availability.

By Flight
Search by city name across IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express and Akasa Air. Fly into Cochin International Airport (COK) — hire a taxi or take a bus to Alappuzha.

By Bus
Buses (AC or non-AC) operate from the bus terminal — head to the counter and ask for your destination. Or, use app-based platforms such as redBus to search and book buses on your route. Both state-run (KSRTC) and private operators are listed — prefer buses with ratings of 4★ or higher.

All fees and charges listed on this page are applicable to foreign nationals only.