One Day in Alleppey
Alleppey, often called the “Venice of the East,” has a way of slowing you down in the best possible way. With its peaceful backwaters, palm-fringed canals, and colorful houseboats gliding by, the town has a calm, almost meditative energy. It’s one of those places where time feels different—where you linger a little longer than you planned.
I flew into Kochi late at night and had originally planned to go straight to Varkala, but since it was too late to catch a train, I decided to stop in Alleppey after hearing such wonderful things about it. It ended up being one of the best decisions of my trip. I stayed for two days and completely fell in love with the place—largely because of the people I met at my hostel.
The owners and staff were some of the kindest people I’ve ever met. I’ve never stayed anywhere where the workers cared so deeply about their guests. One of them took me out for coffee and even drove me to the beach, and we all went out for dinner together one night. They cooked the most delicious food and insisted we all eat together, making sure everyone felt included and taken care of. Their warmth and generosity made Alleppey feel like home and turned what was supposed to be a short stop into one of the most memorable parts of my time in India.
FAQs
How to arrive?
You can reach Alleppey by taxi, train, or bus from Kochi, depending on your budget and schedule. I took a taxi directly from Kochi Airport to Alleppey, which cost around ₹3,300. It was comfortable and convenient, especially after a late-night flight.
If you’re traveling by bus, I recommend using RedBus to book tickets—it’s reliable and easy to use. You can also ask your accommodation to help arrange transport or recommend a trusted option. Always look for buses with higher ratings, as the quality can vary.
Trains in India are generally fine, but they often run late, so build in some buffer time if you choose that option. In addition, it’s best to buy your ticket in advance as they can sell out easily. Sometimes the website doesn’t work and will show trains are still available but they aren’t, so I ended up going to train station the day before to buy my ticket.
How do I get around?
Tuk tuk and for tours ask whatever accommodation you are at to help you book.
How long do I need?
You don’t need longer than a day here, most people I met stayed from 1-3 nights.
Where should I stay?
I loved my accommodation at Dutch Square Hostel. In the main town and beach area it is quite easy to get around. You can also stay in a houseboat, along the canals, or closer to the rice fields.
Perfect Day: Peaceful canals, golden sunsets, and incredible food
Morning – Lighthouse and Local Exploring
Start your day with a visit to the Alleppey Lighthouse, one of the oldest in Kerala. You can climb to the top for panoramic views of the coastline and the Arabian Sea — it’s especially beautiful in the soft morning light. Afterwards, wander through the nearby streets or grab a chai from The Chai Walah or Chilla Art Cafe. Alleppey has such an easygoing charm that even a slow walk feels like part of the experience.
Afternoon – Backwaters Tour
In the afternoon, join a backwaters canoe tour, which most hostels or homestays can easily arrange. Mine organized a three-hour trip, and it is the main attraction in Alleppey. You glide through narrow canals lined with coconut palms, watch local families going about their day, and see life unfold on the water — fishermen casting nets, women washing clothes, children waving from the banks. It’s incredibly peaceful and gives you a glimpse of the slower rhythm of rural life.
Evening – Sunset at Alappuzha Beach
Head to Alappuzha Beach to watch the sunset. The sky turns golden and pink, and locals gather along the shore to play cricket or simply sit and enjoy the view. It’s a relaxed, friendly scene and a perfect way to unwind after the backwaters. I watched the sunset from 5:00pm to 6:00pm, but it’s nice to go there earlier and hang out at the beach.
Tip: If you walk more north along the Alappuzha beach, there is hardly anyone there. If you want to relax at the beach some more, a local told me that Pollethai Beach is the best one without crowds.
Dinner – North Indian Jain Homemade Food
End your day with dinner at North Indian Jain Homemade Food, a hidden gem tucked inside someone’s home. It’s a true local experience — the family grows many of the spices in their own backyard and shows you around before serving the meal. The food was absolutely delicious and cooked with so much care. One of my hostel friends loved it so much she went four times in just three days! The owners even sat with us for a while, making it feel more like dining with family than eating out. I’ve never experienced anything quite like it — a home turned into a restaurant, full of warmth, conversation, and incredible food.
HELPFUL TIPS
You can book everything through your hostel or hotel, nothing needs to be planned in advanced! The tour guide on my backwaters tour told me that 10,000 visitors come every day! I’m not sure if that’s true it doesn’t feel like it but the town is definitely accommodating to tourists who want to see the backwaters.
Other Activities
Go to the Rice Fields/Backwater Drive: You can visit the Kuttanad rice fields by bicycle, tuk-tuk, or as part of a backwaters tour — no matter how you go, it’s a side of Alleppey that feels timeless and deeply authentic. You can try local coconut liquor and eat at a typical backwater restaurant as well.
More Backwater Experiences: Have a different experience on the backwaters. I met people who went kayaking, stayed overnight on a houseboat, went for a sunrise tour, etc.
Museums: International Coir Museum or Revi Karunakaran Museum
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary: Small island in the middle of the backwaters which is known for its birds.
Markets: I personally didn’t find them particularly good compared to other markets I’d been to in India, so I would skip
Eat Amazing Food: On my backwaters tour I ate some amazing local food on a banana leaf! The food even at my hostel was truly incredible, you can tell that everything is super fresh.
Cafe Catamaran
Garden Cafe
Hotel Brothers
Kream Korner
