3 Days in Alleppey: A Day-by-Day Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

Day one covers Alleppey town: the Revi Karunakaran museum, the Mullakkal temple, the old lighthouse and sunset on Alleppey Beach. Day two is for the backwaters, a morning shikara ride from Punnamada Lake into the narrow canals of Kuttanad, then the quiet sands of Marari Beach. Day three drives south to the Ambalappuzha Krishna temple, the murals of Krishnapuram Palace and the serpent grove of Mannarasala.

Good to Know

Estimated total per person: ₹3,200 to ₹5,800, excluding flights, hotel and some gate fees

Weather: Hot and humid most of the year. The south-west monsoon brings heavy rain from June to August; winter is the most comfortable season.

Pack:

• Light cotton clothes
• Sunscreen, a hat and insect repellent
• A mundu or long skirt if you plan to enter temples
• An umbrella in the monsoon

Local tips:

• Agree the route, hours and price of a shikara or houseboat before you board, and check what is included.
• Many Kerala temples admit only Hindus and have a dress code: men in a mundu with shirts off, women in a saree or long clothes.
• Autos are the easiest way around town; agree the fare first.

Booking tips:

• For an overnight houseboat, book through a licensed operator and confirm the boat's licence and what meals are included.
• Book well ahead for the Nehru Trophy Boat Race on Punnamada Lake in August.

Getting there (from other Indian cities):

• flight: Fly to Kochi airport, about 85 km north, then drive - About 2 hours by road from Kochi airport
• train: Alappuzha station is on the coastal line between Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram - About 1.5 hours from Ernakulam
• car: Kochi to Alleppey on NH66, about 55 km - About 1.5 to 2 hours

Alleppey is also called Alappuzha; trains, buses and maps may use either name.

Book trains early for December holidays and long weekends.

Day 1: Alleppey town and the beach

The town on foot and by auto: the Revi Karunakaran museum, the Mullakkal temple, the lighthouse and sunset on Alleppey Beach.

• Revi Karunakaran Memorial Museum (morning): Start at the Revi Karunakaran Memorial Museum, a private museum built around the collection of a local coir businessman. It holds ivory carvings, crystal, porcelain, paintings and antique furniture gathered over decades.
  Entry ticket at the door; check the current fee
  Why visit: A large private collection of ivory, crystal and art; A cool indoor start before the midday heat
  Know before you go: Check the opening days before you go
• Mullakkal Temple (late morning): Take an auto to the Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple in the middle of town, about 10 minutes. The temple to the goddess Rajarajeswari is the heart of the old market area and holds a large festival in December.
  Free
  Why visit: Alleppey's best-known town temple; The busy old market streets around it
  Know before you go: Follow the dress code at the gate; men may need to remove shirts
• Alappuzha Lighthouse (afternoon): Head to the lighthouse near the beach, first lit in 1862 when Alleppey was a busy port. Climb the spiral stairs to the top for views over the coconut palms, the town and the sea.
  A small entry ticket at the gate, with an extra fee for cameras
  Why visit: Views over the coast from the top; A relic of Alleppey's days as a trading port
  Know before you go: Visiting hours are limited and it closes over lunch; check the time at the gate
• Alleppey Beach (sunset): Walk to Alleppey Beach, a few minutes away. The long sandy beach has the rusting remains of an old pier from the port's trading days, and the sun sets straight into the Arabian Sea.
  Free
  Why visit: Sunset over the Arabian Sea; The ruins of the old pier
  Know before you go: The sea can be rough; swim only where lifeguards say it is safe

Eat: Halais Restaurant - A long-running Alleppey restaurant known for its biryani and Kerala seafood.

Evening: Stay on the beach after sunset for snacks from the stalls near the old pier.

Budget for the day: ₹500 to ₹1,000 per person, excluding hotel and some gate fees

Day 2: The backwaters by shikara and Marari Beach

A morning shikara ride from Punnamada Lake into the narrow canals and paddy fields of Kuttanad, then the quiet fishing village beach at Marari.

• Punnamada Lake (morning): Start early at Punnamada Lake, where the houseboats and shikaras gather and where the Nehru Trophy snake boat race is held each August. Board a shikara, a small covered boat that can slip into the narrow canals the big houseboats cannot reach.
  Shikara hire, about ₹700 to ₹1,000 an hour for a small boat for two to four people, counted in the day's transport
  Why visit: The starting point for backwater trips; The course of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race
  Know before you go: Agree the route and hours before you board; Early morning is cooler and calmer
• Kuttanad canals (late morning): Glide into the canals of Kuttanad, where rice is grown on land below sea level behind earth banks. The boat passes village homes, churches, ducks and paddy fields, with people washing, fishing and rowing to school along the water.
  Part of the shikara ride
  Why visit: Village life along narrow canals; Paddy fields farmed below sea level
  Know before you go: Carry water, sunscreen and a hat; shade on the boat is limited
• Marari Beach (afternoon): After lunch, drive about 15 km north to Marari Beach at Mararikulam. It is a quiet fishing village beach lined with coconut palms, with far fewer people than Alleppey Beach.
  Free
  Why visit: A quiet beach with fishing boats; Sunset over the Arabian Sea
  Know before you go: There are few shops or shacks; carry water; Currents can be strong; take care swimming

Eat: A canal-side shop for Kerala meals - Most shikara routes stop at a small canal-side eatery for a Kerala rice meal with fish curry or karimeen fry.

Evening: Watch the sunset at Marari, then head back to Alleppey for dinner.

Budget for the day: ₹1,400 to ₹2,600 per person, excluding hotel

Day 3: Ambalappuzha, Krishnapuram Palace and Mannarasala

South along the coast to the Ambalappuzha Krishna temple, the murals of Krishnapuram Palace and the serpent grove temple of Mannarasala.

• Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple (morning): Drive about 15 km south to Ambalappuzha, home to one of Kerala's best-known Krishna temples. It is famous for its palpayasam, a sweet rice and milk pudding offered to the god and sold to devotees.
  Free
  Why visit: One of Kerala's best-known Krishna temples; The famous palpayasam offering
  Know before you go: Entry is for Hindus only, with a strict dress code; Palpayasam is sold at set times; ask at the counter
• Krishnapuram Palace (late morning): Continue about 30 km south to Krishnapuram Palace near Kayamkulam, built in the 18th century in the Kerala style of gabled roofs and courtyards. It is now a museum, best known for the Gajendra Moksham mural, one of the largest murals in Kerala.
  A small entry ticket at the gate, reported at about ₹35 for Indian adults; camera fee extra
  Why visit: The Gajendra Moksham mural; Traditional Kerala palace architecture
  Know before you go: Check the opening days before you go
• Mannarasala Temple (afternoon): Drive back north to Mannarasala near Haripad, about 30 minutes. This temple to the serpent gods stands in a shady forest grove, with thousands of stone snake figures along its paths.
  Free
  Why visit: A serpent temple in a sacred forest grove; Thousands of stone snake figures
  Know before you go: Follow the dress code; men remove shirts; Photography is restricted inside

Eat: Madras Veg Tables - A busy vegetarian restaurant on the south side of Alleppey for South Indian meals and dosas, handy on the way out of town.

Evening: Spend your last evening by the canals in Alleppey town.

Budget for the day: ₹1,200 to ₹2,200 per person, excluding hotel and some gate fees

Want a Different Pace?

• Spend a night on a houseboat: An overnight houseboat cruise from Punnamada through the Kuttanad backwaters: A night on the water with meals cooked on board. (Trade-off: Houseboats charge per boat, so it is much cheaper shared; boats moor for the night by early evening. - Costs more)
• Add Kumarakom: Kumarakom on the far shore of Vembanad Lake: Lakeside resorts and the Kumarakom bird sanctuary. (Trade-off: About an hour by road; birds are best from November to February. - Costs more)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 3 days enough for Alleppey?

A 3-day Alleppey itinerary like this one works well for Couples, Families, Slow travellers. It's not the best fit if You want nightlife or shopping or You are visiting from June to August, when heavy rain can cut boat trips short.

How much does a 3-day Alleppey trip cost per person?

Budget about ₹3,200 to ₹5,800 per person for entry tickets, food and local transport on this 3-day Alleppey itinerary. Flights and hotel are extra.

What's the best time to visit Alleppey?

The best time to visit Alleppey is November to February.

How do I reach Alleppey from other Indian cities?

Common options are flight (About 2 hours by road from Kochi airport), train (About 1.5 hours from Ernakulam), car (About 1.5 to 2 hours). Alleppey is also called Alappuzha; trains, buses and maps may use either name.

What are the must-see places in Alleppey in 3 days?

Day 1: Revi Karunakaran Memorial Museum, Mullakkal Temple, Alappuzha Lighthouse and Alleppey Beach. Day 2: Punnamada Lake, Kuttanad canals and Marari Beach. Day 3: Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple, Krishnapuram Palace and Mannarasala Temple.

Which Alleppey attractions are free?

On this itinerary, Mullakkal Temple, Alleppey Beach, Marari Beach, Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple and Mannarasala Temple are free to visit (some charge for special exhibitions or inside visits).

Shikara or houseboat in Alleppey?

A shikara is a small boat hired by the hour that can enter the narrow village canals; a houseboat is a large boat with bedrooms, hired for a day or overnight, that keeps to the wider channels. For a short trip, a 3-hour shikara ride shows more of village life for much less money.

When is the Nehru Trophy Boat Race?

It is held on Punnamada Lake in August, usually on the second Saturday. Tickets for the stands sell out early, so book in advance.

Where to Eat in Alleppey

• BayRoute Bistro - ★4.5 - PitchuIyer Jn, Cullen Rd, Erezha, Mullakkal, Alappuzha, Kerala 688011, India
• CutiePie Cakes - ★4.8 - North of Collectorate, Civil Station Ward, Alappuzha, Kerala 688001, India
• Asado cafe - ★4.4 - Erezha, Mullakkal, Alappuzha, Kerala 688011, India
• AL RAZI RESTAURANT ALAPPUZHA - ★4.3 - Valiya chudukad junction, beside ISHA AVANUE, Pazhaveedu, Alappuzha, Kerala 688009, India
• Raja Tea Shop, Alappuzha - ★4.3 - F9Q7+3QH, Kannitta Rd, Pallathuruthy, Alappuzha, Kerala 688009, India
• Namaste Tiffins - ★4.7 - Cullen Rd, opposite Sri Ram Mandir, Erezha, Mullakkal, Alappuzha, Kerala 688011, India
• Borma Cafe - ★4.6 - Zilla court ward, Thathampally, Alappuzha, Kerala 688013, India
• Rice Boat pure vegetarian Restaurant - ★4.4 - F8XR+622, Cullen Rd, Erezha, Mullakkal, Alappuzha, Kerala 688011, India

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