Best Alappuzha Sight Seeing Places

The Alappuzha beach, also known as the Alleppey Beach, is famous for local getaways, its intrinsic beauty and a 150 years old pier which stretches into the sea. Relaxing under the palm groves and picnicking beside the beach are fantastic options available to those visiting the beach. Alleppey Beach is a host to many festivals like Sand Art festival and Alappuzha Beach Festival.

In addition to the pristine beauty of Alleppey Beach, some exciting activities and attractions are present in and around this destination. Vijaya Beach Park has amusement amenities which acts as a plus point for the people visiting the beach. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race which takes place every year in August gives this beach another reason to become the most famous attraction in Kerala.

Krishnapuram Palace Situated in Kayamkulam, approximately 47 km from Alappuzha, the Krishnapuram Palace is a remarkable structure that serves as both a palace and museum. Constructed during the reign of Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, a king of Travancore, this palace is renowned for its exquisite mural paintings and architectural beauty. Built in the traditional Kerala style, the palace features a distinctive gabled roof, narrow corridors, and dormer windows, and is conveniently located near the Krishnaswamy Temple.

One of the major highlights of the palace is the colossal mural painting known as 'Gajendra Moksha,' which covers an impressive area of 53 square feet and holds significant historical value. Additionally, visitors can also view the Kayamkulam Vaal, a unique double-edged sword, within the palace's premises. The Krishnapuram Palace stands as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Kerala and offers an immersive experience into the region's art and history.

Location : Kollam
Distance from the hotel : 35 km
Distance from the airport : 100 km
Driving time : 57 minutes

Built in the typical Kerala architectural style, Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. The temple is famous all over India for the Pal Payasam, a daily offering of deliciously sweet milk porridge. The temple is also noted for the performance of Pallipaana performed every 12 years by Velans (sorcerers).

The temple also has a majestic display of paintings depicting the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu (Dasavatharam). Devotees are also reminded that is here that the first performance of the legendary Ottanthullal, a powerful satirical folk art that comments on various socio-political issues, was first performed.

Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple is a Hindu temple in Ambalappuzha, Alapuzha district of Kerala, in south India. The Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple is believed to have been built during 15th – 17th AD by the local ruler Chembakasserry Pooradam Thirunal-Devanarayanan Thampuran.

For most people, the best place to start such cruise is Alappuzha town. Kuttanad being a wide zone, the distance to Alappuzha town varies. Since Kuttanad starts just a few kms after the periphery of the town, a boat ride to there is an easy choice.

The Kuttanad are amongst the most fascinating backwaters of Kerala. The landscapes of Kuttanad are crisscrossed by the waterways that are flanked by the lush green paddy fields along with the cultivation grounds of yam, cassava and banana. The backwaters of Kuttanad are paradise and an ideal destination for enjoying a memorable backwater cruise of Kerala. The best way to explore these enchanting backwaters is by drifting along in a houseboat and enjoy the scenic surroundings of this region.

Stretched over an area of 75 kms from Kochi in the north to Kollam in the south, Kuttanad lies sandwiched between the hills and the sea. The travelers frequent this place, for their passion to traverse the puzzling maze of shimmering waterways, that comprises of rivers, canals, lakes and rivulets flanked on either side with the dense tropical greenery and magnificent rural Keralan lifestyle, that remains completely hidden from the road.

Among the various sights of the Kuttanad backwaters, the most magnificent makes of the ducks quacking together in high decibels while moving across the backwaters in great number being shepherded by men on small boats. One can even see people diving down for collecting lime shells from the depth while some engaged in fishing with their nets and traditional cane basket called ‘Ottal’.  There are a large number of ‘village tours’available in the area which provide the visitors with the trips to watch boat builders, coir makers and rice farmer in action from close quarters along with an opportunity to dine in a traditional Keralan village setting.

The entry to Pathiramanal Island is free for adults, children, and even foreigners an entry fee is zero. The island is open all days of the week from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM and you can enjoy island for a visiting duration of two to three hours.

The island is a plastic-free zone so visitors are not allowed to leave without clearing any wastes or dangerous goods brought during their visit. Being small-sized, the island can be covered by walking. There is also the talk about the Pathiramanal air possessing healing properties. Ninety-three species of birds, twenty-four diverse dragonflies, and thirty-four butterfly types were found based on a study conducted by the Environmental Sciences Department of MG University.

According to mythology a young Brahmin dived into the Vembanadu lake to perform his evening ablutions and the water made way for land to rise from below, thus creating the enchanting island of (sands of midnight) Pathiramanal . This little island on the backwaters is a favourite haunt of hundred of rare migratory birds from different parts of the world. The island lies between Thaneermukkom and Kumarakom, and is accessable only by boat.

The Pathiramanal beach which is reputed for its nice scenery and avifauna can be visited anytime during the day. Nevertheless, it is preferable to go within the hours of 11:00 am to 04:00 pm. You may wish to visit the beach when it is post-monsoon as the beach gets muddy during the monsoon season. The newlyweds should not miss visiting the astounding Pathiramanal Beach if they are on a honeymoon in Alleppey.

Pathiramanal Bird Sanctuary timings: 6:30 am to 5 pm

Pathiramanal Bird Sanctuary Ticket Price: Rs.50

St. Andrew's Basilica, Arthunkal is one of the famous pilgrim centres in South India. Though the Church is named after St. Andrew the Apostle, it is the feast of St. Sebastian that has brought fame to Arthunkal. The Christian presence in Arthunkal dates back to a very early period, to 7th Century or earlier. After the arrival of the Portuguese in Kerala Jesuit missionaries turned their attention to Arthunkal. They under¬took missionary work in Arthunkal from 1530 onwards. As there was a ban on Christian conversion till 1560 per mission to put up churches was hard to obtain. When Fr. Gasper Pious s was appointed the first Vicar of Arthunkal he managed to get permission to construct a Church.

In 1581 the King of Cochin, Veera Kerala Varma, gave permission to build a Church in wood. It was the second Vicar, Fr. Giacomo Fenicio S.J. who managed to obtain permission from the King to renovate the wooden church in stone in 1602. He had spent 33 years in Arthunkal in two terms and is rightfully called the Apostle of Arthunkal.
Holy Mass Timing :
Sunday : 5:30am, 7:00am, 9:00am, 11:00am, 5:00pm
Week days : 5:30am, 7:00am, 5:30pm

Thursdays : 5:30am : Holy Mass and Novena to St. Sebastian
7:00am : Holy Mass
9:30am : Confession
10:30am : Novena to St. Sebastian, Holy Mass & Eucharistic Adoration
4:30pm : Novena to St. Sebastian, Holy Mass & Eucharistic Adoration

Vembanad is the longest lake in India, as well as the largest in the state of Kerala. The lake has an area of 230 square kilometers and a maximum length of The vast array of rivers and canals that Kottayam is blessed with, empty themselves into the picturesque Vembanad Lake. It is a lovely place to go for a picnic and has also turned into a prominent backwater destination. There are many boating, fishing and sightseeing options available in the area. The Kumarakom Tourist Village has many house boating and holiday packages available. Onam brings new life to these waters with stunning Snake Boat Races. As oarsmen in large numbers dictate the rhythm of the water underneath, one is transported to a new dimension altogether.

Getting there

Nearest railway station: Kottayam, about 13 km

Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 63 km