Top 10 Must Visit Places in Alleppey While on a Short Trip

Lord Curzon, the viceroy of India, during the colonial era, famously referred to Alleppey or Alappuzha as the Venice of the East. Known for its serene backwaters, pristine beaches, and canals, Alleppey is one of the most popular tourist places in Kerala.

But Alleppey has much more than the houseboats and the backwater, the ancient temples, and churches are equally fascinating. If you have been longing for a vacation away from the city, amidst nature, Alleppey would be the perfect destination.

There are many interesting sites here, and if you are pressed for time, here are the 10 must-visit places that would give you the best Alleppey sightseeing experience.

Kuttanad Village

Known as the Rice Bowl of Kerala, Kuttanad is a beautiful and quaint village that you must visit on your trip to Alleppey. If you cannot fully explore the place, you can admire its beauty and photograph it during a boat ride on the backwaters in the village.

During the ride, you would see the magnificent lighthouse at Pallom, and acres of rice fields that are decorated by the blooming white and red water lilies. You can stop at one of the restaurants along the banks and enjoy gorging on the fish curry with locally grown rice.

Triveni Floating Market

You may have heard or seen of the much famous floating market in Bangkok, Thailand. Well, you can find a similar market in Alleppey. The one-of-a-kind market has a unique charm to it and gives you a unique and memorable experience.

The market is owned by the State Government of Kerala, it is one the best Alleppey tourist places. There are plenty of traders in the market who sell a variety of goods on boats that float over the backwaters. It is an excellent place to buy some Kerala specialities like dried fish pickle, banana chips, jackfruit chips to name a few.

Krishnapuram Palace

A splendid 18th Century Palace built by Maharaja Marthanda Varma of Travancore, Krishnapuram Palace boasts of a typical Kerala-style architecture. The gabled roof, dormer windows, and narrow corridors make it unique and add to its charm.

Once a property of the king, the palace is now under the care of Kerala State’s Department of Archaeology. You can spend some time soaking in the beauty of the large pond in the palace vicinity, which is believed to conceal a secret underground pathway that was once used as an escape route.

Other important attractions here are the 154 sq. ft mural of Gajendra Moksham, a double-edged sword called Kayamkulam Val, and a copy of the Bible written in Sanskrit.

Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple

One of the most unique and fascinating places to visit in Alleppey, Mannarasala is unlike any other temple you will find in India. Dedicated to the snake God, Nagaraja, the path leading to the temple and in the premises is adorned by more than 100,000 images of snakes.

It is believed that couples who yearn for a child will have their prayers answered by visiting the temple. And, once the baby is born, the couple offer a snake image to the temple as a way of saying thanks for fulfilling their wish.

Another major highlight of the temple is the turmeric paste available on the premises that is known to have magical healing powers.

Andrew’s Basilica Church

Andrew’s Basilica Church was built by the Portuguese missionaries during the 16th Century. It has the distinction of holding the world’s largest shrine of St. Sebastian.

Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world come to the church to take part in the annual feast of St. Sebastian, which happens in January. The statue of St. Sebastian that was crafted in Milan, Italy is placed inside the church. It depicts the saint bleeding as he was struck by an arrow, which acts a reminder to the devotees of his suffering to embrace Christianity.

Apart from being a place of religious importance, the church is known for its beautiful architecture and historical significance.

Haripad Shree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple

One of the oldest and the largest temples in Kerala, it is one of the most famous places in Alleppey. The temple, dedicated to Lord Karthik, features an 8-ft tall statue of the God with four arms. One of the noteworthy things about the temple is its stunning architecture that has four ornate entrances.

The temple premises have several peacocks that roam around freely as the temple authorities protect them, adding another unique experience to your visit.

Punnamada Lake

When you are in Alleppey, you are never too far away from a lake. The Punnamada Lake is the extension of the Vembanad Lake, and it is known for hosting the famous Kerala boat race during one of the most important Malayali festivals, Onam.

Tourists from all over India come here to get a sight of the grand race and it is a sight you must not miss. Apart from witnessing the grandeur of the race and the festive celebrations, you can rent a boat yourself and enjoy cruising over the lake while capturing the beauty of the place on your camera.

Pandavan Rock

As the name suggests, Pandavan Rock gets its name for its association with Pandava brothers from Mahabharata. According to legends, the Pandava brothers lived in these caves during the exile. Nestled in the hills amidst thick forest, caves are a perfect backdrop to click some exciting pictures and add to your Alleppey diaries.

Revi Karunakaram Museum

Built by Betty Karunakaran in the memory of her husband, Revi Karunakran, a leading businessman and industrialist, it is one of the interesting places to see in Alleppey. The privately-owned museum holds an exquisite collection of Murano glassworks, Swarovski crystals, Tanjore paintings and sculptures.

There is a separate room known as ‘Kerala Room,’ which exhibits more than 3000 items of different kinds that depicts the growth of Kerala state over the years in different aspects.

Andhakaranazhi Beach

The best Alleppey Kerala tourist places list will be incomplete without a beach in it. While there are many beaches here, this one deserves a special mention for its peaceful atmosphere, cleanliness, and the stunning view of the sunset you get from here.

Where to Stay in Alleppey –

Book your holiday at Club Mahindra Arookutty for an experience of a lifetime.

A trip to Alleppey is the best gift you can give to yourself and your family. The place, replete with natural beauty and its serene surroundings is a bliss! So, plan a trip to this paradise soon and rest assured you will rave about its beauty forever.