KSRTC has regular buses to Alleppey from almost all the major cities in God’s Own Country; visitors can easily avail luxury, premium or regular buses to reach Alleppey. Regular buses are also available from nearby cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Mysore, and Coimbatore.
Alleppey has its own railway station, and is well-connected with cities like Trivandrum, Cochin, and other major cities. The station also offers passage to several other passenger mails plying from cities outside the state.
Cochin International Airport is less than 100km away from Alleppey, and is well-connected with major Indian cities through regular flights. Visitors from within the country and several international destinations can book a flight to this airport, and hire private taxis or cans to reach Alleppey.
Vembanad Lake is at the heart of Kerala Backwaters tourism with hundreds of kettuvallams plied on it and numerous resorts on its banks. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is located on the east coast of the lake. The lake has become a major tourist attraction. A generally safe destination, this place had just one incident of tourist harassment in 2004 as reported in The Times of India. An exciting house boat cruise over the silent backwaters and introduce them with the enchanting beauty of God’s Own Country.
The beach, visited by both local as well as international travellers, has gained popularity for its incredible natural beauty. The ancient dock that spreads out into the sea is a relic of Alleppey’s celebrated past when it was popular as a port city. Thick palm grooves, a lovely garden right on sea shore, an antique light house and much more, they further add on to the beauty of this scenic beach. If you wish to slow down a bit, you can probably make a stop at Vijay Sea Park and Sea View Park.
Spread over an area of 75kms, the Kuttanad, also known as the “Rice bowl of Kerala”, is well-known for its green paddy fields clubbed with lively backwaters that add to the charm. This scenic landscape is surrounded by vast expanses of water. A houseboat tour along the picturesque Vembanad backwaters is the best way to enjoy a fun-filled and exciting cruise over the silent backwaters and introduce them with the enchanting beauty of God’s Own Country.
The 18th century Krishnapuram Palace built during the reign of the Travancore monarch, Marthanda Varma, is a double storied structure which displays typical characteristics of Kerala architecture-gabled roofs, dormar windows, narrow corridors. It houses one of the largest mural paintings in Kerala called the Gajendra Moksham. It measures14 feet by 11 feet and is at the western end of the ground floor, a walking distance from the Palace Pool. Inside is also a museum of antique sculptures, paintings and bronzes. Situated 47 kms from Alappuzha on the way to Kollam, Krishnapuram is easily accessible by bus from either town.
This is a small beautiful island in the Vembanad Lake and is accessible only by boat from Kumarakom and Muhamma. Pathiramanal means ‘Sands of Night’. This island along with the sights of the lake on both sides makes it a mesmerising sight. This island was also known as Anantha Padmanabhan Thoppu. The now uninhabited island was, in the late seventies of the 20 th century, home to around 14 worker families who were later on rehabilitated to the mainland. This small island is now home to around 91 local species and 50 species of migratory birds like pintail ducks, large egrets, Indian pond heron, stork-billed kingfisher, gulls etc.
Little-known Marari beach, not far from Alleppey in Kerala and around 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of Kochi, is ideal for anyone who’s exploring the Kerala backwaters and feels like some time at the beach as well. This beach is an undeveloped “hammock beach” that’s perfect for lazing around. Interest in it is growing though. While the beach is usually peaceful, it tends to become crowded with locals on weekends and holidays. However, this can be avoided by staying away from the main part of the beach. Marari isn’t a tourist beach with a lot of facilities, but rather a calm place to relax and unwind.