In pictures: Alleppey, the Venice of the East

A prominent place in Kerala, Alleppey is all about canals and lakes. If you have always wanted to visit Venice, there’s Alleppey closer home; a place where you will find vibes better than Venice, plus the desi food. The fun and memorable boat cruises between Kollan and Alleppey will offer you a glimpse of backwater life, along with the building of boats, fish farming, and the rugged village life. All in all, Alleppey will not disappoint you for sure.

If you are not convinced yet, here are some more.

It won’t be incorrect to say that this place is considered the mecca for tourists, and is one of the most beautiful places in Kerala to visit. Dotted with lush green coconut grooves, boundless lagoons and, of course, the silent backwaters, Alleppey is a dream come true for most travellers. For a peaceful vacation, check out the backwaters that will offer some unforgettable memories of the place.

This is definitely one of the best experiences that you can have when in Alleppey. Enjoy sailing in a houseboat through the backwaters of Kuttanad, a place dotted with lakes and canals. The very experience of sailing along the unspoilt backwaters on a houseboat can’t be put into words.

There is no better way to relax and escape from the chaos of city life than by watching a beautiful sunset. Mark our words, the sunset views here are just out of the world. Romancing the sunset here can’t be compared to any other place. Also, Alappuzha offers a number of idyllic spots from where you can witness beautiful sunsets, like Alappuzha Beach.

It’s one of the cultural highlights of Kerala, and if you plan your trip right, you can very well be a part of this grand festival. The sight of long boats racing down Lake Punnamada is truly fascinating. For all the adventure enthusiasts, this festival undoubtedly offers them a chance to try something new and exciting. The race is known as a snake boat race because the boats’ shape is long and snake-like.

There are many spiritual and religious sites here that lure tourists from across the world. There are places like the Latin Catholic Church, Florence Forane Church, Nagaraja Temple, Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple and St. Mary’s Church, which you can add to your travel itinerary. Also, there is this Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple, which is the oldest in the city, the highlight of which is the pond inside the temple complex.

Alleppey’s cookery will offer you with numerous choices to treat your taste buds. When here, give Malayali parotha and ghee roast dosa a try. Although idlis and appams are the prerequisites, you can also try toddy, which is a locally sourced alcohol beverage made from palm trees and coconut palms, or the rice wine for a change.