Alleppey also known as Alappuzha is the one town in Kerala that is synonymous with the backwaters for which this spectacular state is famous. There is an intricate web of waterways in Kerala, where the sea playfully teases the shore. The lagoons gently brush past villages and overhanging grass, and throw back the palms’ reflection off their blue-green-blue surface.
Kollam and Alleppey hit the tourism map as the launch pad for the backwater cruises. They are both typical little market towns but tall coconut palms sway in the cool breeze, cashew plantations dot the surrounding countryside and scenic little houses line the streets. The backwater cruises in Kerala are definitely a must-do. The houseboats may look rugged on the outside but inside they have a quaint rustic softness. Western toilets, neat rooms, fresh catch cooked to perfection in the local way, a gently nattering boatman...this is life!
This is backwater country- and Alleppey, very appropriately is dubbed the 'Venice of the East'.So travel to Kerala and have a holiday you will remember long after you have left!
How to Reach Alleppey?
By Air : The nearest airport is the Kochi International Airport which is 90 kms from Alleppey. From here you can hire a cab for the rest of your journey which takes about 2 hours.
By Rail : Alleppey has its own railhead that is connected to major cities like Kochi, Chennai, Howrah, Bangalore and Bokaro, New Delhi and Kolkata.
By Road : Alleppey is on the National Highway 47 and is easily accessible and well connected to all important towns in south India. There are bus plying to Alleppey from cities like Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Chennai, Bangalore, Mysore and Coimbatore. Buses from Cochin take around an hour and a half to reach here.
Best Time to Visit Alleppey
The summers are muggy till the rains break and bring wet relief in June. The slush becomes all-pervasive, and so do the green and the bugs. Hardened travellers wouldn’t mind but novices and strictly pleasure travellers should stick with the October to February official season, which definitely is the best time to be in Kerala.
Things to do in Alleppey
When in Alleppey the top most thing to do is naturally go on a backwater cruise down the waterways – observe life as it is along the banks of the waterway and enjoy the scenic beauty of gliding along the waters. For the spiritually inclined a visit to some of the oldest temples in the state is in order. Before you leave Alleppey, do sample the karimeen and other delicious seafood that this area is known for. And don’t forget to buy some coir handicrafts to take back as gifts for your friends back home.
Places Near Alleppey
There are a few places in the nearby area that one can visit.
Krishnapuram Palace is an 18th century palace, located 47 kilometers south of Alleppey on the way to Kollam. It contains impressive murals and a museum of antique sculptures and artefacts that are really worth checking out. The building has architecture typical of Kerela.
Sree Nagaraja Temple in Mannarasala is 32 kilometers south of Alleppey near Harippad. It is a snake temple featuring stunning stone carvings of snakes all over the property.It is headed by a priestess and women come here with the hope of restoring their fertility.
Sree Subrahmania Swamy temple, at Haripad is on the Kollam- Alleppey highway and is one of the oldest and most important temples devoted to Lord Subrahmania.
Hotels in Alleppey – Choice is Yours
There are numerous hotels in Alleppey ranging from 3-star, 4-star and 5-star deluxe to budget hotels.