Places to visit in Alappuzha
11 places, grouped by kind. Each one shows how well it is verified: an official source, two independent sources, or not yet verified.
Backwaters 4
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Alappuzha backwaters and houseboats Official source
Houseboat cruises through Kuttanad; Alappuzha-Kochi cruise one to two days via Kumarakom (Kerala Tourism).
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Kuttanad Official source
Rice bowl of Kerala, farmed below sea level (Kerala Tourism).
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Punnamada Lake Official source
Venue of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race (Kerala Tourism).
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Pathiramanal island Official source
Listed by Incredible India.
Beach and town 1
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Alappuzha Beach and Vijaya Park Official source
Listed by Kerala Tourism.
Temples and churches 3
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Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple Official source
Listed by Kerala Tourism and Incredible India.
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Arthunkal Church Official source
Listed by Incredible India.
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Champakulam Church Official source
Listed by Kerala Tourism.
Museums 3
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Krishnapuram Palace Official source
18th-century palace (Incredible India).
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International Coir Museum Official source
Listed by Incredible India.
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Revi Karunakaran Memorial Museum Official source
Listed by Incredible India.
In depth: Alappuzha backwaters and houseboats
Alappuzha is the starting point of Kerala Tourism's backwater cruise to Kochi. Converted rice boats run through Kuttanad, where Kerala Tourism says rice is farmed below sea level. The Nehru Trophy snake-boat race is held on Punnamada Lake each year.
At a glance
- Type
- Backwater network and houseboat base Official source
- Network
- Five interconnected lakes and 38 rivers (Incredible India) Official source
- Cruise to Kochi
- One to two days, via Kumarakom (Kerala Tourism) Official source
- Season
- October to March best; June-September heavy rain (Kerala Tourism) Official source
- Prices
- Set by operators; not listed Not yet verified
History and significance
- Kettuvallam
- Houseboats are converted rice and spice boats (Incredible India). Official source
- Snake boats
- Over a hundred feet long, with up to a hundred oarsmen (Kerala Tourism). Official source
What to see
- Houseboat
- Day cruise or overnight.
- Kuttanad
- Paddy below sea level.
- Punnamada
- Nehru Trophy course.
- Beach
- Alappuzha Beach and Vijaya Park.
Visiting
- Houseboats
- Choose a licensed boat with safety equipment; book ahead in peak season (Kerala Tourism). Official source
Festivals
- Nehru Trophy Boat Race
- Annual, on Punnamada Lake (Kerala Tourism); 2027 date to confirm. Official source
Visitor guidelines
- Choose a licensed houseboat with safety measures (Kerala Tourism).
- Do not swim in the backwaters.
How to reach Alappuzha backwaters and houseboats
- By train
- Alappuzha station. Official source
- By air
- Cochin International (COK); distance to confirm. Not yet verified
- By road
- NH 66. Official source
Month by month
| Month | Temp °C | Sunrise | Sunset | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 22.5-32.7 | 06:44 | 18:22 | Best: dry |
| Feb | 23.6-33 | 06:44 | 18:33 | Good: dry, warming |
| Mar | 25-33.6 | 06:33 | 18:36 | Hot, humid |
| Apr | 25.4-33.7 | 06:15 | 18:35 | Hot, humid; pre-monsoon showers |
| May | 25.3-32.8 | 06:04 | 18:37 | Hot, humid; showers |
| Jun | 23.9-30.4 | 06:04 | 18:45 | South-west monsoon: heavy rain |
| Jul | 23.2-29.4 | 06:11 | 18:49 | Heavy monsoon |
| Aug | 23.5-29.6 | 06:16 | 18:43 | Monsoon; Onam season |
| Sep | 23.8-30.5 | 06:14 | 18:26 | Monsoon easing |
| Oct | 23.8-31.3 | 06:12 | 18:08 | North-east monsoon showers |
| Nov | 23.8-32 | 06:19 | 18:00 | Good: showers easing |
| Dec | 22.9-32.5 | 06:32 | 18:07 | Best: dry |
Suggested plans
- Day
- Four-hour houseboat cruise and beach.
- Overnight
- Houseboat through Kuttanad.
- Two days
- Cruise to Kumarakom (Kottayam).
How to reach Alappuzha
- By train
- Alappuzha station (Incredible India).
- By air
- Cochin International (COK) (Incredible India).
- By road
- NH 66.
- Headquarters
- Alappuzha
- Coast
- Coastal
Best time to visit Alappuzha
- Best time
- October to February (Kerala Tourism, for the backwater cruise season; to confirm locally).
- Climate
- Humid tropical; south-west monsoon June-September, north-east showers October-November.
Dates to plan around in Kerala
- Kalpathi Ratholsavam — Palakkad: 14-16 Nov 2026 (Incredible India)
- Sabarimala Mandala-Makaravilakku — Pathanamthitta: Mid-Nov 2026 to mid-Jan 2027 (pattern, Kerala Tourism); online slot booking required in 2025-26
- Theyyam season — Kannur and north Kerala: December-April (Kerala Tourism)
- Attukal Pongala — Thiruvananthapuram: 14-23 Feb 2027; Pongala 22 Feb (Onmanorama)
- Guruvayur temple festival — Thrissur: February-March (Kerala Tourism)
- Eravikulam closure — Idukki: January-February every year, tahr calving (Kerala Tourism)
- Thrissur Pooram — Thrissur: Annual; 2027 date to confirm
- Nehru Trophy Boat Race — Alappuzha: Annual on Punnamada Lake; 2027 date to confirm
Where to stay in Alappuzha
Quick answers about Alappuzha
What is Alappuzha known for?
Houseboats on the Kuttanad backwaters, the Nehru Trophy race on Punnamada Lake, and Alappuzha beach.
What is the one place not to miss in Alappuzha?
Alappuzha backwaters and houseboats. Houseboat cruises through Kuttanad; Alappuzha-Kochi cruise one to two days via Kumarakom (Kerala Tourism).
Which is the nearest railway station to Alappuzha?
Alappuzha station (Incredible India).
Which is the nearest airport to Alappuzha?
Cochin International (COK) (Incredible India).
When is the best time to visit Alappuzha?
October to February (Kerala Tourism, for the backwater cruise season; to confirm locally).
How many places are there to visit in Alappuzha?
Our guide lists 11 places in Alappuzha district, Kerala, across backwaters, beach and town, temples and churches, museums.
Nearby, in neighbouring districts
- Kumarakom backwaters and bird sanctuary, Kottayam — On Vembanad, described as Kerala's largest lake; bird sanctuary of 14 acres (Kerala Tourism; Incredible India).
- Ashtamudi Lake, Kollam — Called the gateway to Kerala's backwaters (Kerala Tourism, claim); the Kollam-Alappuzha boat journey takes about eight hours.