Alleppey

Alleppey — officially Alappuzha — is the gateway to Kerala’s legendary backwater network. Often called the "Venice of the East," this coastal town is threaded with a labyrinth of canals, lagoons, and lakes that stretch for hundreds of kilometres through the heart of Kerala. A houseboat cruise through Alleppey’s backwaters is one of India’s most iconic travel experiences, offering a window into a way of life that has remained largely unchanged for centuries.

Beyond the houseboats, Alleppey is a town of quiet charm. The beach promenade offers stunning Arabian Sea sunsets, the old lighthouse district has colonial-era architecture, and the surrounding villages are centres for coir (coconut fibre) production — a craft that has defined this region for generations. During August, the town comes alive with the famous Nehru Trophy Boat Race, where traditional snake boats race through the Punnamada Lake in a spectacle of colour, rhythm, and fierce competition.

The backwater villages accessible from Alleppey offer some of Kerala’s most authentic cultural experiences. Watch toddy tappers scale coconut palms at dawn, join a family for a traditional fish curry lunch, or paddle a canoe through narrow canals lined with swaying palms and Chinese fishing nets. Alleppey proves that the best of Kerala isn’t always found in guidebooks — it’s found on the water.