Alappuzha is also known as Alleppey and it’s a district located in Kerala. This district is well-known for beautiful backwaters, beaches, temples, and here you can also enjoy the traditional boat races as well. Alappuzha district has a rich historical background along with natural beauty in abundance that makes it a great place for history buffs and tourists. The district is also a popular wedding destination in India.
Best Time to Visit Alappuzha
Months from November to February are great to visit Alappuzha because the overall temperature is quite pleasant during these months. Visiting Alappuzha in summer or monsoon is not advisable because the weather during this time can get extremely hot and humid.
History of Alappuzha
Kuttuvans were the inhabitants of Alappuzha during the 1st and 2nd centuries. During the 9th and 12th centuries AD, the place developed culturally under the rule of the Cheras empire. Historians claim that Alappuzha had trade relations with many middle east countries and Greece in medieval times. The advent of the 14th century brought many foreign invaders to mainland India and the most prominent ones among them were the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the Britishers. Portuguese had a great influence on the culture of Alappuzha. All these invaders exploited the land for the local spices like black pepper and ginger, which they traded to the international market at very high profits.
After India’s independence, a lot of development work was carried out in Alappuzha which involved the construction of roads and canals. This led to an increase in the number of local tourists, and today Alappuzha is a top tourist destination in Kerala. At the beginning of the 20th century, Lord Curzon the viceroy of India paid a visit to Alappuzha and he was so impressed by the beauty of the place that he exclaimed: “Here nature has spent up on the land her richest bounties. Alleppey, the Venice of the East”. Such quotes aptly define the beauty of Alappuzha.
Places To Visit In Alleppey
Alleppey is one of the popular tourist places in Kerala. Here's the list of the places to visit in Alleppey.
1. Alappuzha Beach
This beach is so popular in the local area that it is even considered the Venice of East. Furthermore, it is also enjoyed as a very important place in the maritime history of Kerala. Right now it is quite famous for its boat races, backwater holidays and so much more.
2. Backwaters in Alleppey
This was formed by the amalgamation of a plethora of water sources and is just the right post-card perfect view with a good number of coconut trees lined all along the shore with houseboats in the middle.
3. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
This is quite an ideal place for all bird lovers. This bird sanctuary is just the right place to wander and spot different birds in the 14 acres of land. Furthermore, it also serves as a home to innumerable rare species of native and migratory birds.
4. Village Life
Also known as the lowest point of India, Kuttanad is all about dense paddy fields, waterways, coconut lines, fishing along with spice cultivation, etc. It is also known as the Rice Bowl of India. What is really interesting to know is the fact that this place has also been declared as one of the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems in the world.
5. Beaches
In this place, you will find a lot of exceptionally beautiful beaches which have been bestowed by the beauty of nature. Especially, taking an evening stroll with your loved ones will be simply an amazing thing to consider.
How to Reach
Alappuzha is a little town located in the Indian state of Kerala. The small town is famous for its scenic beauty. People come here from all over the world to enjoy the beauty of nature. The distance to Kochi from Indian metro cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Delhi is 530 km, 690 km, 2367 km, 1320 km, and 2694 km respectively.
By Air
The nearest airport is situated in Kochi. Being one of the major cities in South India, there is no doubt that Kochi is properly connected with other cities. Kochi has its airport, Kochi International Airport. It is 90 kilometers away from the beach. After arriving at Kochi airport, you can board a bus or car to reach Alappuzha beach.
- From Kolkata - You can board flights from Dumdum airport to reach Kochi. Flights from Indigo, Air Asia, Air India are there. It usually takes 2 hours and 55 minutes to reach Kochi from Kolkata. Price 3600 to 5500 INR per person.
- From Delhi - Flights usually take 2 hours and 30 minutes to 3 hours to reach Kochi from Delhi. Price Range 3500 to 4000 INR per person.
- From Mumbai - there are multiple flights from Mumbai to Kochi. The flight will not take more than two and a half hours to reach Kochi from Mumbai airport. Price Range 3700-4000 INR per person.
- From Bangalore - Various airlines offer affordable flights to Kochi, and the journey usually takes 1 hour. You have to pay an average airfare of 1000- 2000 INR per person.
- From Chennai - You can avail flight from Chennai to reach Kochi, and it will take 2486 Indian rupees per person. The duration of the flight will be 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available to Kochi
By Train
Kochi is well-connected with other cities by rail routes. You can board trains from junctions like Howrah, New Delhi, Bandra Terminus, etc. situated in these metro cities of India to reach Kochi. Alappuzha railway station is the nearest railway station, which is 1 kilometer away from the beach. The other railway station, which is 60 kilometers away from the beach is Ernakulum.
By Road
As previously mentioned, Kochi is one of the most important cities in the southern part of India. If you are traveling from Chennai or Bangalore, then you can access a direct bus service for getting to Kochi. Once you arrive at Kochi, you can take a bus from the KSRTC bus stand to reach Alappuzha. Apart from state buses, there are private buses as well. Even private cars are also a great option for a road trip experience. February to October is the most convenient time to visit Alapuzzha and enjoy the pleasant weather by the beach.
- From Vagamon. 100 km via Changanassery-Vazhoor Road
- From Kottayam. 40-50 km via SH40
- From Thrissur - 130 km via NH66
Frequently Asked Questions about Kochi
Q. What are the top tourist attractions in Kochi?
A. Some of the top tourist attractions in Kochi include the Fort Kochi beach, Dutch Palace, Chinese Fishing Nets, St. Francis Church, Hill Palace Museum, and Jewish Synagogue.
You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner. Click here
