Of all the places to visit in Alleppey (Alappuzha), the backwaters of Alleppey form the most important tourist attraction here.
A backwater cruise on a houseboat is a delightful experience and one of the best things to do in Alleppey. An Alleppey houseboat cruise in these backwaters allows you to see the scenic man-made islands and beautiful sights of coconut fringed backwaters and paddy fields.
Various canals, lagoons and waterways surround Kumarakom’s small cluster of islands. These numerous waterways make up what is known as the backwaters. Tourists love to rent a houseboat here.
Although the town itself doesn’t have many tourist sites, it’s a pleasant, bustling place to walk around and there’s a lovely stretch of undeveloped beach as well. If you have time and are looking for other Alleppey tourist places, Alleppey Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Kerala. One thing that draws people to this beach is the facilities at Vijaya Beach Park. With the Arabian Sea to the west as well as a large network of lakes, lagoons and several freshwater rivers nearby, the beach makes for a picture perfect postcard. The beautiful sand contrasts beautifully with the colour of the water to make for a truly picturesque location & relaxing atmosphere. Picnicing at the beach is one of the best ways to spend the day here.
Other things to do in Alleppey include visiting religious and historic sites such as Karumadi, Krishnapuram Palace, Bay Island Driftwood Museum and Pandavan Rock.
Alleppey is also the access point for the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race, held on the Punnamada Lake, near Alleppey, on the second Saturday of August every year. This is the most competitive and popular of the boat races in India. One of the Alleppey attractions worth visiting is Mullackal Chirap, the colourful festive season held for ten days every year in the month of December.
Tips for Renting a Houseboat
Most places will tell you to book a houseboat well in advance. However, depending on the time of the year, you might be able to book a houseboat directly with the owner by heading to the boat dock just off VCNB Road. This enables you to see what houseboat you are getting and enables you to negotiate a price directly with the owner which excludes the middleman and saves you money.
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