Alleppey is a town built around water, and the best things to do in Alleppey reflect that truth in almost every case. The backwater canals, lakes, fishing-village waterways, and the Arabian Sea coast all offer experiences specific to this part of Kerala and impossible to replicate elsewhere. But the town also has temples, beaches, a historic lighthouse, and a food culture built on fresh seafood and local produce that rewards those who spend more than the standard overnight houseboat visit. This guide covers the full range of what Alleppey offers.
For a broader picture of the destination, read our Alleppey travel guide and places to visit in Alleppey.
Things to do in Alleppey: on and around the water
Stay overnight on a houseboat
The single most important thing to do in Alleppey is to spend a night on a private Kerala houseboat on Vembanad Lake. A full overnight stay, departing in the late morning and returning the following morning after breakfast, gives you the complete experience: watching the canal life from the deck as the afternoon light changes, eating a freshly prepared seafood dinner on board, sleeping to the sound of water, and waking to a backwater sunrise. No day cruise comes close to replicating this. For couples and honeymooners, see our guide to honeymoon tour packages in Kerala for guidance on choosing the right boat.
Take a shikara ride through the narrow canals
Shikara rides through the smaller waterways that connect the main Vembanad Lake to the village canals are among the most intimate experiences available in the Alleppey backwaters. These traditional narrow wooden boats can access channels too small for houseboats, bringing you into direct proximity with village life: women washing clothes at the water’s edge, children swimming in the canal, fishermen working nets in the early morning. Rides can be arranged at the main boat jetty in Alleppey town or through most homestays and guesthouses.
Explore Kuttanad by canoe
Kuttanad, the agricultural region south of Alleppey where paddy farming takes place below sea level, is best explored by canoe through the narrow field channels. A guided canoe ride here takes you through a landscape of vivid green paddy fields surrounded by water, with the distant line of coconut palms marking the edge of the reclaimed land. The Kuttanad region is recognised for its unique below-sea-level farming system and cultural landscape, and a canoe journey through it is one of the most genuinely educational and visually extraordinary experiences in Kerala.
Watch the Nehru Trophy Boat Race
The Nehru Trophy Boat Race, held on the second Saturday of August on Punnamada Lake, is one of the most spectacular sporting events in India. Over 100 rowers per team race traditional snake boats up to 30 metres long in a competition that draws enormous crowds and energy. First held in 1952, the race is the centrepiece of Alleppey’s calendar. Watching from the embankment or a viewing boat offers a completely different experience from television coverage, and attending in person is one of those experiences that stays with you permanently.
Visit Munroe Island on a day trip
Munroe Island, a cluster of eight small islands in Kollam district about an hour south of Alleppey, offers one of the quietest and most authentic backwater experiences in Kerala. Country boat rides through narrow mangrove-lined channels, home-cooked meals in village homestays, and the complete absence of tourist infrastructure make it a genuinely immersive day trip. Our offbeat places in Kerala guide covers Munroe Island in full detail.
Try bioluminescence on the backwaters
Between October and February, the backwater canals around Alleppey produce visible bioluminescence after dark. The phenomenon, caused by microorganisms in the water, makes the water glow blue-green when disturbed by paddle strokes or a boat’s wake. The effect is most visible on moonless nights and is best observed from a shikara or canoe rather than a large houseboat. Ask your accommodation or houseboat operator about timing and location for the best conditions.
Things to do in Alleppey: on land
Visit Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple
The Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple, about 14 kilometres south of Alleppey town, is one of the most significant Hindu temples in Kerala. The temple is famous for its Paal Payasam, a rice pudding offered to all visitors as a sacred food offering (prasad). The tradition is linked to a legend involving Lord Krishna and a local king, and the payasam served here has been prepared continuously for centuries. The temple’s architecture, in the traditional Kerala style with gabled roofs and carved wooden interiors, is also well worth seeing.
Walk to Alleppey Lighthouse and pier
Alleppey Lighthouse, operational since 1862, stands at the end of a pier that extends approximately 137 metres into the Arabian Sea. The climb to the top of the lighthouse offers sweeping views of the coast and the town. The pier itself, one of the oldest in Kerala, makes for a pleasant early-morning or late-afternoon walk, with the fishermen’s activity on the beach below adding life to the scene.
Eat at a toddy shop
The toddy shops (kallu shaap) around Alleppey are the most honest and flavourful places to eat in the region. These unpretentious roadside establishments serve fresh coconut toddy alongside kappa and fish curry, karimeen fry, prawn ularthiyathu, and other simply prepared, deeply satisfying dishes. Eating at a toddy shop is an experience that most travellers rank among the highlights of their Alleppey stay. They are not always easy to find independently: your houseboat crew or homestay host can usually point you to the right one.
Attend a cultural performance
Several cultural centres in and around Alleppey stage Kathakali and Kalaripayattu performances in the evenings, typically with pre-performance demonstrations. These are worth attending if you have not yet seen these art forms on your trip to Kerala. Our guide to cultural experiences in Kerala covers both in detail.
Visit Krishnapuram Palace
Krishnapuram Palace, about 47 kilometres south of Alleppey, is one of the finest examples of traditional Kerala palace architecture. The museum inside houses one of the largest Kerala mural paintings in the state, depicting the Gajendra Moksham, measuring over 14 feet by 12 feet. The collection of sculptures and Travancore royal artefacts makes it a rewarding half-day trip for those staying in the Alleppey region.
Spend a morning at Marari Beach
Marari Beach, 13 kilometres north of Alleppey town, is a long, clean, and largely undeveloped stretch of coast fronting a working fishing village. A morning here, watching the fishing boats come in, buying fresh catch directly from the fishermen, and walking along the quiet shoreline, makes a perfect counterpoint to the waterway-focused activities of the backwaters.
Practical tips
Timing: October to March is the best period. The monsoon (June to August) restricts houseboat routes but makes the landscape dramatic. August is the month for the Nehru Trophy Boat Race.
Getting around: Ferries connect the town to points along the backwaters. Auto-rickshaws are the easiest way to move around Alleppey town itself. A hired car is most practical for visits to Ambalappuzha, Marari, and Krishnapuram Palace.
Plan your Alleppey experience with us
At Immersive Trips, we know which houseboat operators maintain the highest standards, which canal routes deliver the best experience, and where the most authentic meals in the region are found. Get in touch with our team or view our Kerala tour packages.
Frequently asked questions about things to do in Alleppey
What is the single best thing to do in Alleppey?
An overnight private houseboat stay on Vembanad Lake is the defining Alleppey experience and the one most travellers remember longest. The combination of the water, the freshly prepared food, the silence after dark, and the morning light on the canals is unlike anything else in India.
Are shikara rides better than houseboats for seeing the backwaters?
They offer different experiences. A houseboat gives you the experience of living on the water for a full night. A shikara gives access to narrower, more intimate waterways and brings you closer to village life. Doing both is the ideal approach: an overnight on a houseboat followed by a morning shikara ride through the smaller canals is the best combination.
Is the Nehru Trophy Boat Race worth planning a trip around?
Yes, for travellers who enjoy spectacle and cultural energy. The race is one of the most visually extraordinary sporting events in India, and the atmosphere along the lake on race day is genuinely electric. The practical requirement is booking accommodation very early, as rooms fill months in advance for the second Saturday in August.
Can I see bioluminescence in the Alleppey backwaters?
Yes, between October and February on moonless nights. The bioluminescence is caused by microorganisms in the water and is visible when the water is disturbed. A shikara or canoe ride after dark during this period is the best way to see it. Ask your houseboat operator or homestay host for current conditions and the best timing.
What is Kuttanad, and why should I visit?
Kuttanad is the agricultural region of the Alleppey district where paddy farming takes place one to two metres below sea level, making it one of the few places in the world where agriculture happens below sea level. The landscape of flooded fields surrounded by water is extraordinary, and a canoe ride through the channels gives a direct experience of this unique cultural and agricultural landscape.
Is Alleppey Beach worth visiting?
Yes, with appropriate planning. The houseboat experience is gentle and well-suited to elderly visitors, provided the boat has good railings and a comfortable bedroom. Shikara rides are also calm and accessible. The main town sights involve minimal walking. The Krishnapuram Palace requires a short walk in the grounds but is otherwise manageable.
Can I do a day trip to Alleppey from Kochi?
A day trip is possible but not ideal. The 90-minute journey each way leaves limited time in Alleppey, and the overnight houseboat experience that defines the destination is obviously impossible on a day trip. A minimum stay of one night is strongly recommended, and two nights gives a much fuller experience.
How do I choose between Alleppey and Kumarakom for a backwater stay?
Alleppey is busier and more accessible, with a wider range of houseboat options and price points. Kumarakom is quieter, more exclusive, and has a higher concentration of luxury resorts fronting the lake. Alleppey is better for those who want the full houseboat-and-town experience. Kumarakom is better for those seeking a more private, upscale backwater stay. Both sit on Vembanad Lake, so the water scenery is broadly similar