Places to visit in Alleppey at a glance
Most things to do in Alleppey sit on and beside the water, but the town and its district also have a lighthouse, a palace museum, temples and a basilica. Some are in the town. Others, such as Krishnapuram Palace, are a drive away in the wider district.
Build a day around a backwater trip, for example on an Alleppey houseboat, and add one or two stops on land. Opening times and prices below are the ones for 2026 where they are known. Check hours on the day, because some places close on Mondays or at midday.
Alleppey Beach and the lighthouse
The seafront is the easiest stop in town.
Alleppey Beach has an old pier standing in the surf and a lighthouse in town. The lighthouse is open to visitors from 10:00 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 17:00, and it is closed on Mondays. A ticket costs INR 10 for Indian citizens and INR 25 for foreign citizens in 2026, each plus 18 percent GST, and it is booked on the day of your visit. The pier is old and in poor condition, so view it from the sand. Read the full Alleppey Beach guide for swimming cautions and the best months.
Our picks: things to do
A paddle to the bird island, a day by e-bike and a food walk.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Full-day e-bike or cycling tour from Kochi
- E-bike or bicycle with guide
- Hotel pickup and return
- Local lunch
Six hours in the saddle with activity and entry fees covered. Pick Marari, Kumarakom or Alleppey as your route when you book.
Check availability →
Two-hour food tasting walk in Alleppey
- Local food tastings
- Storyteller guide
- Beverage included
A guide takes you through the town for tastings and local tips. It makes an easy half-evening from wherever you stay.
Check availability →
SUP or kayak to Bird's Island
- English-speaking paddle guide
- SUP or sit-on kayak
- Life jacket and paddle
Two hours on a paddleboard or kayak with a nature walk on the island. The meeting point depends on the option you book.
Check availability →Alleppey tours and places to visit
Backwater cruises, canoe trips and day tours from Alleppey, with live prices and availability.
Krishnapuram Palace
A palace museum in Kayamkulam, not in the centre of Alleppey.
Krishnapuram Palace is in Kayamkulam in Alappuzha district. It is a palace museum with a Gajendra Moksham mural, sculptures, paintings and bronzes. It opens at 09:00 or 09:30 and closes at 16:30, so aim to arrive in the morning and check the hours before you go. The palace is closed on Mondays and on national holidays.
Do not assume entry is free. Ask at the gate for the current ticket price, and plan the trip as a separate outing from Alleppey.
Ambalappuzha Temple and Mullakkal Rajarajeswari
Two temples with very different settings. Visit both with respect.
Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple
This is a Vishnu and Krishna temple in Kerala temple architecture, known for its wall paintings and for palpayasam, an important offering. Access rules for non-Hindus and for dress differ between the outer grounds and the inner shrine. Ask at the entrance, dress modestly and follow the instructions of the staff.
Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple
The main deity is Durga. The temple is open every day from 05:00 to 12:00 and from 17:00 to 21:00. Its festival, Mullakkal Chirappu, runs for 41 days, with processions that can include elephants. Do not expect to see them on an ordinary day.
St. Andrew's Basilica at Arthunkal
The church at Arthunkal is St. Andrew's Basilica. It is known for a festival for St. Sebastian, even though the church is named for the apostle Andrew, so do not mix up the two names.
Visiting hours, mass times and festival dates change. Check them locally before you go, and dress for a church.
Canals, villages and the water
The water around Alleppey is a connected system of canals, rivers and lakes. Houseboats are one way to see it. Another is Kainakary, a village in the Kuttanad area, where kayak sessions of 1 to 2 hours run on narrow canals. There is no fixed standard route and no access to private fields, so ask what is on offer. Coir, the coconut fibre, was central to the town's trade.
Read the backwaters guide for Kuttanad and the canals, or the shikara guide for small boat rides.
Places at a glance
Hours as for 2026. Check them on the day.
| Place | Hours | Ticket and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alleppey lighthouse | 10:00 to 12:30 and 14:00 to 17:00, closed Mondays | INR 10 / INR 25 plus 18 percent GST, same-day booking |
| Krishnapuram Palace | 09:00 or 09:30 to 16:30, closed Mondays and national holidays | Ask for the current price at the gate |
| Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple | 05:00 to 12:00 and 17:00 to 21:00 daily | Ask about access and dress at the entrance |
| Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple | – | Ask about access and dress at the entrance |
| St. Andrew's Basilica, Arthunkal | – | Check visiting times locally |
For most first visits, pair the lighthouse and beach with a backwater trip, and add Krishnapuram Palace only if you have a spare half day for the drive.
More places beyond the town
Day trips and events that sit outside the centre.
Places to visit in Alleppey: frequently asked questions
What are the main things to do in Alleppey?
A backwater trip by houseboat, shikara or canoe comes first. On land, the lighthouse and beach, Krishnapuram Palace and the temples are the main stops.
Is Krishnapuram Palace in Alleppey town?
No. It is in Kayamkulam in Alappuzha district, so plan a separate trip. It is closed on Mondays and national holidays.
Can non-Hindus enter Ambalappuzha Temple?
Access depends on the temple and on the area. The outer grounds and the inner shrine are treated differently. Ask at the entrance and follow the staff.
What are the opening hours of Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple?
It is open every day from 05:00 to 12:00 and from 17:00 to 21:00.
What is the church at Arthunkal called?
It is St. Andrew's Basilica. The well-known festival there honours St. Sebastian.
How much does the Alleppey lighthouse cost?
In 2026 a ticket costs INR 10 for Indian citizens and INR 25 for foreign citizens, each plus 18 percent GST, and it is booked on the day of your visit.