Top 5 Sightseeing places in Alappuzha

Known by Dual Names – Alleppey – Alappuzha – it rose on tourism charts due to its maze of extensive backwaters bagging it the nickname as “Venice of the East”. Alappuzha stands out with its backwaters, beaches and Kuttanad region which is known for paddy cultivation 5 ft below sea level , also known as the rice bowl of Kerala. Alappuzha has more to it than just backwaters and has all the reason to be a 2-night destination. Enlisted below are the top 5 reasons for you to spend another night at Alappuzha. Each one of them is unique to Alappuzha and a must see.

1. Revi Karunakaran Museum

Revi Karuna Karan Memorial Museum is a privately-owned museum located at Alappuzha, Kerala, India. Revi Karuna Karan was the architect of the modernized coir industry of Kerala. After Revi’s death in 2003, his wife Betty Karan built this museum in his memory. The objects displayed at this museum were collected by his family over three generations and feature unique artistic pieces from across the world. This is now a renowned, privately owned museum holding one of the largest private collections of Swarovski crystals in the world along with porcelain, jade, ivory, Keralan artefacts, furniture, and Tanjore paintings.

2. International Coir Museum

Established by the Coir Board the International Coir Museum is located on NH 66 Enroute Alappuzha. This beautifully curated museum depicts the historical events and evolution of technological advancements made in the Coir Sector. The Coir museum showcases the traditional processes and development of coir industry, including retting and fibre extraction, advent of mechanisation in coir sector etc

3. Alappuzha Beach

Alappuzha Beach is a beach in Alappuzha town and it is the lesser known destination as its been overshadowed by the backwaters and houseboats. This beach has an old pier which extends to the sea and is over 150 years old.This beach is easily accessible through various town roads and an elevated highway passing by the beach as part of Alappuzha bypass in order to preserve the beauty of the area. A children’s park ,light house, museum and a pool are also available in the proximity of the beach besides multitude of budget resorts and homesteads by the coast line. The latest draw is the drive through the elevated bypass along the Alappuzha beach.

4. Marari Beach

Marari Beach, is a quaint little secluded lesser known beach destination in Alappuzha. It is located about 11 km from Alappuzha town in a laid-back fishing village called Mararikulam. This is a place to relax, unwind and recharge your energy levels. Come and sit by the beach or just walk around the village to get a feel of the village life. Home to some of the best beach resorts in Kerala, this is about 30-45 mins drive from the famous backwater zone of Alappuzha where the houseboats are located and not very far away from other attractions.

5. Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple

Tucked away in one corner of Alappuzha is one of 7 Vaishnava temples of India, at Ambalappuzha. Named the Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, this temple is dedicated to Lord Sri Krishna and is believed to have been built during 15th century AD by the local ruler Chembakasserry Pooradam Thirunal-Devanarayanan Thampuran. Known for its famous Prasadam – the Payasam, a sweet pudding made of rice and milk is served in the temple and is believed that the Lord Guruvayoorappan visits the temple daily to accept the offering, to explore more Alleppey .