Alleppey, or Alappuzha, is the sixth largest city in God’s own country Kerala with a moderate urban population. The city is dotted with scenic canals, beaches, backwaters, and lagoons. Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India from 1899 to 1905, was deeply in love with the charming beauty of Alleppey and gave it the title of the ‘Venice of the East’. As a result, till date, Alleppey is known as the Venetian capital of Kerala.
The city is located at a distance of about 60 km from Kochi. You can also get there via Trivandrum, which is situated at a distance of 155 km from Alleppey. Speaking weather-wise, Alleppey witnesses a primarily hot and humid climate during summers. The city is enveloped by two Monsoons in a single year and thus experiences a relatively longer Monsoon season than other cities in the country. Southwest Monsoon in the region lasts from June to September, and the Northeast Monsoon brings rain in Alleppey from October to November. During winters, cool and pleasant conditions prevail in Alleppey.
Above everything else, Alappuzha is immensely famous for its backwaters. Kerala is known for its backwaters globally, and Alleppey plays a significant role in that. The Backwaters are best enjoyed on a houseboat cruise. Houseboats can be rented easily, and tourists from across the globe converge to Alleppey to enjoy the natural beauty that the region offers.
Other than this, the Alappuzha Beach is another important tourist attraction in Alleppey. The beach is an integral part of the maritime history of Kerala and still houses the Sea Bridge, which enabled the passage of goods that came via ships from other countries. The picturesque beauty of the beach has encouraged local filmmakers to shoot movies here. The Alappuzha Lighthouse stands tall near the beach and is also a popular tourist attraction. Visitors flock up to view the sunset, the Laccadive Sea, the famous Sri Krishna Temple, and other buildings and structures of cultural as well as religious importance.
Apart from all the visual treats that Alleppey offers, food and beverages attract foodies from everywhere. The variety of food in the region pleases both the vegans as well as the non-vegetarians. You get to taste authentic South Indian style preparations along with some refreshing filter coffee. Fish, shrimps, crabs, and all the seafood cooked in tangy spices rock your taste buds as you struggle to get enough. Mind you, Alleppey is a well-known prawn farming hub. Local sweet shops offer some new and unique sweets for those who wish to end it right. With tiny effort, you can also get your hands on some fresh homemade chocolate, both dark and white.
To sum it up, there’s not much textbook tourism material to find in Alleppey. However, Alleppey isn’t really for the loud and hungry, it is for the quiet and content traveler. You may bring a few books, rent a houseboat, and cherish the cuisine as you float through the brilliant backwaters of the region. In every way, Alleppey is a true ‘getaway’ destination. Despite being crowded with tourists for the most part of the year, Alleppey remains a meditative half-isle for every wanderer.
(Featured Image Credit: royalleisuretours.com)
(Top Image Credit: paradisekerala.com)
