Alleppey — Kerala's backwaters
Houseboats on palm-lined canals
Backwaters · Best Sep–Mar
Verified by editor · 12 Jun 2026
Alleppey (Alappuzha) is the gateway to Kerala's backwaters — a network of palm-fringed canals and lakes best seen from an overnight houseboat or a quieter village canoe.
Travel scores
Who it's for
A gentle houseboat cruise is a hit with kids, with railed decks on most boats.
An overnight houseboat with onboard meals is a classic honeymoon experience.
Peaceful and safe, though houseboats are pricier solo — consider sharing or a homestay.
Village homestays and canal canoe rides keep costs well below a full houseboat.
Relaxed, low-effort sightseeing from the comfort of a boat deck.
Best time to visit
September to March is the best window — pleasant weather and calm backwaters ideal for houseboats. The monsoon (June–August) is lush and cheaper but wet, and peak summer (April–May) is humid. For the Nehru Trophy snake-boat race, visit in August.
Major attractions
- Overnight houseboat cruise — The signature experience: a kettuvallam gliding through palm-lined canals.
- Alappuzha Beach & Pier — A long beach with an old colonial-era pier, good for sunsets.
- Vembanad Lake — Kerala's largest lake, best explored by quiet village canoe.
- Marari Beach — A calm fishing-village beach a short drive to the north.
- Village shikara rides — Narrow canals and paddy-field hamlets the big houseboats can't reach.
Suggested 3-day itinerary
- 1
Arrival & town
Settle in, stroll Alappuzha Beach and its old pier, and get your bearings.
- 2
Houseboat
Board an overnight kettuvallam and cruise the palm-lined backwaters with meals cooked onboard.
- 3
Village canals
Disembark, take a quieter village shikara ride, then head onward.
Food & drink
Backwater cuisine means karimeen pollichathu (pearl-spot fish in banana leaf), appam with stew and lots of coconut. Houseboats cook fresh meals onboard.
Shopping
Look for coir (coconut-fibre) products, Kerala spices, tea and handloom textiles — Alappuzha is India's coir capital.
Local etiquette & customs
Kerala's backwater villages are traditional and unhurried — dress modestly when visiting temples and churches along the canals, and greet with 'Namaskaram'.
- Remove footwear before entering temples and traditional homes.
- Ask before photographing villagers or fishing families up close.
- Tipping houseboat crew (~₹300–500) for good service is customary.
Festivals & events
The famous snake-boat race on Punnamada Lake, with huge crowds and long chundan vallams.
Kerala's harvest festival, with sadya feasts, flower carpets and boat processions.
Getting there & around
Kochi airport is ~75 km; Alappuzha has a railway station. Houseboats and shikara canoes are the main way to explore the water.
Good to know
- Book houseboats through a verified operator and inspect before paying — quality varies widely.
- Village canoe (shikara) rides reach quiet canals the big houseboats can't.
- Carry mosquito repellent for the evenings on the water.
- Cards work in town, but carry some cash for village stops and small vendors.
Packing list
Practical info
What it costs
An overnight houseboat for two runs ₹8,000–15,000 all-in; homestays are far cheaper.
Budget-level estimate for two sharing; excludes long-distance travel to reach Alleppey.
Safety & essentials
One of India's most laid-back regions; standard care applies.
Verify the operator and read recent reviews; inspect before paying.
Frequently asked
Is an overnight houseboat worth it?
Yes — a night drifting through the backwaters with meals cooked onboard is the signature Kerala experience.
Houseboat or homestay?
Do one houseboat night for the experience, and a canal-side homestay for a cheaper, more local stay.
Are the backwaters safe for kids?
Generally yes on a good houseboat with railings; keep a close eye near the open deck.
