From cruising the backwaters on lavish houseboats to watching exotic birds at the Pathiramanal Island, there are several interesting things to do in Alleppey, the ‘Venice of the East’! Blessed with a network of visually stunning backwaters, lush greenery, pleasant weather, and utter peace, this wondrous town in Kerala is a delight to explore!
Adorned with exotic lagoons, gleaming canals, lush greenery, and year-round soothing sea breeze, Alleppey lures in travelers from every corner of the world each month and leaves them wishing they could stay here forever!
The town of Alleppey offers exciting experiences for all types of travelers. Before you browse our top Kerala houseboat packages, you must scroll down and take a look at each of them to find the right activities to do in Alleppey that you and your loved ones will enjoy the most.
List of the best things to do in Alleppey, Kerala
Want to know how you can plan a vacation in Alleppey, the most alluring town in Kerala?
Find the most thrilling experiences you can have here in the list below and include the ones you like in your Alleppey tour itinerary.
ALSO SEE – Alleppey Tour Packages
1. Relax on the Alappuzha Beach
The coastal region of Alleppey is known as Alappuzha. Relaxing along the shores and the golden sandy beaches of Alleppey is one of the best and most enthralling things to do in Alleppey.
Have a lovely picnic with your family or take a leisurely stroll holding your partner’s hand! You’ll also enjoy watching the sunrise and the sunset on the beach.
Witnessing the golden rays of the sun cast multiple colors over the Arabian Sea, imparting a sparking effect to the azure ocean, is one of the most soothing things to witness on Alleppey’s shores!
Strolling along the beach and spending leisure time with family and friends is the perfect way to enjoy the beauty of Alleppey’s coast. Soaking in the balmy breeze, sunbathing on recliners, engaging in watersports, swimming, and exploring the nearby lighthouse also make up for great beach activities here.
Another attraction here is the 137-year-old pier that stretches into the sea. You can walk along the pier and click breathtaking pictures of the sea and beach view.
2. Cruise along the backwaters
Boating and cruising along the backwaters are some of the most exciting things to do in Alleppey. It’s a popular way to spend a peaceful time floating in the serene waters.
The view around is picturesque with lots of greenery in between and the shores are lined with small villages and tall palm and coconut trees. We recommend that you board your houseboat in the afternoon and watch the sunset from your deck at dusk while cruising on the waters.
It’s a splendid feeling to watch the sunset on the horizon unfurling its vivid golden rays over the waters. Do not miss out on capturing these spectacular moments with your camera.
You can even stay in the houseboat overnight and embrace the serenity of your surroundings. They serve good food and drinks inside the houseboats.
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3. Go birdwatching at Pathiramanal Island
Spotting rare and exotic birds in Kerala backwaters isn’t hard. Pathiramanal Islands near Alleppey is the home of thousands of endemic and migratory birds.
Several species of resident and migratory birds, especially waterbirds, can be found in abundance in the backwaters of Alleppey, explaining why birdwatching is one of the most popular things to do in Alleppey.
Other than the 90 or so species of endemic birds in this region, it is also greeted by around 50 species of migratory birds in January and December. Make sure you have ample time in your itinerary to go birding in this region.
The most common bird species found here include kingfisher, Indian Cormorant, Northern Pintail, Whistling Duck, egret, heron, pheasant, drongo, waterhen, myna, Painted Stork, Black-winged Stilt, Indian Spot-billed Duck, Common Teal, darter, gull, Cotton Pygmy Goose, and Brahminy Kites among others.
Travelers visiting the island love to spend the day watching these colorful aviaries with their various antics and melodious sounds. Make sure you carry your camera and a pair of binoculars!
For a better birding experience, book a birding tour of Pathiramanal Island in advance via your agent or hotel. Many cruises also offer birdwatching package tours led by experts so that you can find and identify even rare bird species here.
You can reach Pathiramanal Island via speedboat.
4. Indulge in an Ayurvedic Spa treatment
Kerala is the birthplace of Ayurveda and is well-known for having some of the most fabulous Spa resorts. Alleppey is not an exception to the same!
Enjoying a relaxing Spa is one of the best things to do in Alleppey. You can choose to stay at a Spa resort or visit a Spa lounge to refresh your mind, body, and soul with soothing massage therapy.
There are different types of Ayurvedic treatments here for wholesome healing and rejuvenation. Charges for a Spa session start from INR 1,000/- for a basic package.
Experienced practitioners and medical experts in the field of Ayurveda at these Spa centers recommend tailor-made Ayurveda packages to guests after analyzing their medical statistics, so you can get maximum benefit from your therapy!
Ayurvedic Spa is a great remedy for attaining holistic well-being, calming the mind, and getting rid of daily fatigue and stress. Notable Spa resorts in Alleppey include Palm Beach Resort, Lake Canopy, Abad Turtle Beach, Warmth Lake Heaven, and Uday Serenity Backwater Resort among others.
ALSO SEE – Top 10 Holistic Ayurveda Resorts In Kerala For Every Budget
5. Explore the ancient temples and churches
A trip to Alleppey is incomplete if you do not visit its enchanting temples and churches. Worshippers, history lovers, and photographers from India and abroad flock to these sanctums in large numbers and find themselves bewitched by their beauty every time!
Alleppey’s most revered holy sanctums include Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple, Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple, Haripad Subrahmanya Temple, Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple, St. Andrew’s Basilica Arthunkal, Edathua Church, St. Mary’s Forane Church, and the Nainar Mosque.
Allow yourself to be embraced by the peaceful vibes and calming aura of these churches and temples in Kerala, some of which date back hundreds of years! You will love their magnificent architecture that depicts the true essence of Kerala’s culture, traditions, and heritage!
In addition to intriguing rituals, breathtaking architecture, and rustic interiors, you’ll be able to find influences of colonies like the British and Portuguese, as well as an amalgamation of Indian and Dravidian cultures displayed vividly in these holy sanctums.
6. Check out a toddy shop
It’s a sin to visit Kerala and not try its local liquor in a traditional toddy shop!
Toddy is a type of palm wine sourced directly from palm trees in Kerala. Locals climb to the top of the tree and make a hole in its flower before they tie a pot to the top to collect the sap that oozes from it.
The sap slowly and naturally ferments with the yeast present in the air and turns into a sweet liquid with 4-6% alcohol content within mere hours. If luck permits, the locals might allow you to get in on the action and learn the process of toddy tapping during your visit.
These traditional toddy shops of Kerala aren’t fancy, but the fascinating experience of trying this unique native drink will make your excursion worth it! You’ll surely enjoy this rare local experience while sailing in Alleppey!
The locals love consuming this sweet alcohol after a long day’s work. Just make sure you don’t drink too much as it can cause gut inflammation.
7. Gorge on local delicacies
South Indian food is famous the world over for its spiciness, rich flavors, and delectable choice of menu. Kerala’s fare, in particular, is exquisite!
Take a break from exploring Alleppey under the sun and have a nice lunch of Malayali delicacies at a local restaurant so that you can savor their authentic flavors. Trying the local cuisine is anyway among the mandatory things to do in Alleppey or any place you visit!
Head to local joints like A Tasty Land, A Taste of India, Udupi Saravana Bhavan, Halais Family Restaurant, or the Aatumukham Restaurant & Toddy Shop for their variety of spicy curries, tangy chutneys, and nourishing idlis and dosas served on a large banana leaf!
Try famous culinary delights like Sadya, Parippu Curry, Erissery, Puttu, Idli Dosa, Idiyappam, Kerala-style Beef Fry, and Karimeem Pollichathu at these restaurants.
You can either head to a restaurant of your boatman’s recommendation (the locals know the best places to eat in Alleppey, Kerala!) or you can pick one based on your research.
ALSO SEE – Top 9 Food In Kerala To Try When You Visit
8. Go offbeat & see hidden villages!
Don’t forget to explore the Kuttanad backwaters if you wish to get a taste of the local life of Alleppey. See ancient temples and churches, watch fishermen toss nets into the water, roam through dense mangroves, walk through wet paddy fields, and enjoy delicious “toddy” at a local toddy shack.
Kuttanad is the ‘Rice Bowl of India’ where, interestingly, agricultural farming is done below sea level! Paddy fields, coconut trees, sparkling streams, and spice plantations circumference this reposeful village. Duck and fish farming are some of the key activities practiced here.
Rowing through Kuttanad’s scenic maze of lakes and lagoons offering stunning sceneries of rustic villages, traditional Kerala houses, paddy and spice fields, coconut farmlands, and dense untouched jungles will surely leave you speechless!
If the local farmers let you help them cultivate paddy, you’ll find that farming is one of the most enriching and relaxing things to do in Alleppey besides sailing on the backwaters!
You must also take a day tour of the uncommercialized and unexplored Nedumudy Village. You can take the ferry to get to Nedumudy via Kannitta and Venattukadu.
Walking through these charming laidback villages, meeting cheerful kids playing in the fields, watching locals engrossed in daily chores undisturbed by tourists, and sailing through secluded canals flanked by lush green palms will surely leave you with the most beautiful memories of your trip!
These remote canals and hidden rivulets lie far from the crowded waterways of Alleppey swarming with houseboats and ferries and reveal the true cultural essence of Kerala backwaters. Opt for a shikara or canoe to get into these tight-spaced channels so you can explore Alleppey like a local!
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9. Take a night walking tour
Alleppey is a beautiful town during the day, but it’s more beautiful at night!
If you’re searching for an adventurous offbeat experience in the streets of Alleppey, you must go for a night walking tour! It is one of the most thrilling things to do in Alleppey.
See how this city comes alive at night! Visit the Alleppey Beach Lighthouse, watch hundreds of lit houseboats and cruises making their way on the Alleppey backwaters, chit-chat with friends and strangers at a campfire on the beach, drink toddy at a beach shack, and ride a tuk-tuk around the city!
There’s a lot to explore in Alleppey once the sun dips into the Arabian Sea! You can also visit some temples in Alleppey and see them lit up with a thousand diyas, a truly invigorating sight that will melt your heart! Don’t forget to attend the evening Aarti while you’re there!
Stroll along the shores of the backwaters, breathing in the fresh air, listening to the rhythmic lapping of waves, and embracing the tranquility that surrounds you!
You can either embark on a self-guided night walking tour in Alleppey or join a private tour organized by your resort. You can also find many night walking tour packages online while booking a trip.
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10. Feed and bathe elephants
Visit an elephant training camp in Alleppey and engage in the most enriching natural experience of interacting with Asian elephants in their habitat.
Learn about these gentle giants, watch their adorable antics, learn about the elephant conservation practices in place, and spend a fun day feeding and bathing them!
These camps allow visitors to participate in the daily activities of elephants to let them observe the wilderness from a close range and to allow them to feel one with nature!
Kids, in particular, love feeding elephants and letting these majestic beings throw water over them with their tusks! You can even take them out for walks in a designated area inside the forest!
You can visit the popular Mahadeva Temple Elephant Kraal and Rehabilitation Centre lying 5 km from Alleppey city center for these fun activities and a thrilling day with nature’s purest living beings!
11. Go on a shopping spree at the local markets!
An unmissable part of every trip is collecting souvenirs and memorabilia so that you can take a piece of that place’s culture and heritage home with you! Buying souvenirs and handicrafts is among the best things to do in Alleppey so you can cherish this place forever!
You can head to places like Mullakkal Street, Canal Bazaar, Alappuzha Zakariya market, or the local emporiums to find authentic and traditional handicrafts of Kerala along with other items.
You can buy everything from spices to coir products, houseboat models, snake boat models (Chundan Vallam), essential oils, traditional oil lamps (Nilavilakku), articles made from coconut shells, and banana chips among other things.
The prices are affordable but you can bargain a little. Alleppey is famous for its spices like ginger, turmeric, star anise, Cambodge (Malabar tamarind), cloves, cinnamon, pepper, cardamom, tea, and coffee, all of which you can find at the Canal Bazaar.
You can buy fresh seafood items from Alappuzha Zakariya market if you plan to have them cooked at your homestay. You can also buy local liquor, like toddy, from this bazaar.
Don’t forget to check out the famous floating Triveni market which is a tourist attraction in itself! You can buy household items like spices, groceries, vegetables, and fruits from this enormous red and white houseboat floating on Alleppey backwaters.
ALSO SEE – 18 Best Things To Buy In Kerala & Where To Buy Them
12. Check out the Coir Museum
Coir is a very famous product of Alleppey. With a rising global demand for coir products owing to its eco-friendly signature, Alleppey’s coir industry has put this town in the spotlight!
If you too would love to learn about the process of coir weaving and transforming this simple element into household products, visiting the Coir Museum will be one of the most enlightening things to do in Alleppey for you!
Here, you’ll get to watch this fascinating process and learn straight from the artists who have been practicing it for years. You can also sit and try weaving some local coir items yourself!
You can find several Alleppey coir products in the museum, including ornaments, bags, home decor products, and small replicas of animals and birds.
Visit the adjacent coir factory and watch the step-by-step process of extracting coir from scratch, an activity that keeps onlookers hooked!
13. Tour the famous Revi Karunakaran Memorial Museum
One of the best things to do in Alleppey is to visit the famous Revi Karunakaran Memorial Museum renowned for its astounding variety of crystals!
These crystals on display are the collections of the Revi Karunakaran family members. There are a total of 3,000 artifacts in the museum, each one distinct in their characteristic yet equally mesmerizing! The shimmering Swarovski crystal collection is the most famous of them all!
Established in 2003 by Betty Karan, wife of the late Revi Karunakaran, the museum houses several art pieces from ancient India.
Some of the prominent ones include Tanjore paintings, antique furniture, ivory swords, porcelain structures, and other traditional items that were used by the people of the olden times.
Collections from three generations of the family are said to be present in the museum. Here, you can witness the amalgamation of the four religions of India – Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism, and Islam.
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14. Enjoy the spectacular views!
One of the best things to do in Alleppey, Kerala’s most charming and visually scenic town, is to enjoy the vistas that surround you to the fullest!
You won’t find such stunning sights of amber-hued backwaters flanked by dreamily swaying palm trees and thatched huts of local villages anywhere else!
The sceneries of Kerala backwaters are unmatched and the primary reason this state receives a huge influx of tourists every month come rain or shine!
Rowing under a never-ending canopy of leafy palm trees, getting greeted by smiling locals, sailing past traditional houses, rustic villages, and ancient temples and churches are some of the most enriching experiences of touring Alleppey backwaters that visitors instantly fall in love with!
When you visit Alleppey, leave some room in your itinerary for relaxation and leisure wherein you can simply sit and enjoy the unique and heartwarming views of Alleppey that are unlike any other place!
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Alleppey is a charming and picturesque town blessed with a combination of natural beauty and historical heritage. Include these things to do in Alleppey in your itinerary and you’ll surely have a wonderful time exploring the ‘Venice of the East’ in Kerala, India.
