Close to Nature &
Close to Heart
Thanks to its many a tourist destinations exuding appealing beauty and enchanting charm, Alappuzha lures you in with its rustic charm. Also called the ‘Venice of the East’, it is one of the most popular tourism destinations in the country. On a stay here at Arcadia you’re welcome to explore this land and its myriad beauty spots that comprises secluded beaches, sparkling emerald backwaters and indigenous cultural heritage to boast of.
Alappuzha Beach
With a charming blend of the sea, canals, lagoons, and freshwater rivers all situated in close viscinity, the Alappuzha Beach is among the top places to visit in Alappuzha. The picturesque beach has been a perfect location for many of the movies shot here time and again. This golden sandy beach is a paradise for people looking for relaxation as well as for those willing to indulge in adventure activities like parasailing, beach volleyball, & surfing.
Alappuzha Lighthouse
A Wonderful experience to see the entire Alappuzha beach and sea, Alappuzha Lighthouse is a 150 year old towering structure perched right opposite Alappuzha Beach. Built in the year 1862, it was one of the busiest ports and trade centre of Kerala during that time. It is one of the oldest lighthouses on the south-west coast of India. It’s a scenic spot to have a hawk’s eye view of the serene beaches.
Alappuzha Backwaters & House Boat
Fringed with lush coconut groves, adorned with endless lagoons, and embraced by the charm of silent backwaters, Alappuzha Backwaters is a top spot for the globetrotters! These emerald green backwaters was earlier used as a mode of transportation, fishing and agriculture and have evolved over time as a tourism hotspot. The main attraction her is the overnight journey in the much popular Kerala houseboats.
Kuttanad
Popularly known as the rice bowl of Kerala, Kuttanad is one of the few places in the world where rice cultivation takes place below sea level. A tour to the place unfolds before you the lush beauty and bounty of the Kerala Backwaters like never before. Honeycombed by numerous canals, lakes, rivers and rivulets, Kuttanad is pretty much the face of the Kerala Backwaters. It’s a backwater paradise and an ideal destination for a backwater cruise in Kerala. Drift along in a houseboat and enjoy the scenic view of the countryside living.
Ravi Karunakaran Museum
Revi Karunakaran Memorial Museum is a one-of-its-kind privately owned museum located at Alappuzha, that displays decorative art and artifacts, including a large private collection of Swarovski crystals and ivory from around the world. Revi Karunakaran was the architect of the modernized coir industry of Kerala. This 30,000 sq. ft museum is acclaimed as a must visit place in the global travel platform and has a finest private collection of classic artifacts.
International Coir Museum
The International Coir Museum is a beauty spot in the tourist map of Alappuzha established for showcasing the coir industry over the ages with the latest developments which has brought in a revolution. Located in Kalavoor, Alappuzha, this museum showcases its history and journey over the ages in transforming fibre into beautiful products. The process and extraction of fibre to the mechanization of the coir sector are all exhibited at the museum. Visitors can even buy handicrafts, coir ornaments and other products from their small souvenir shop at the museum.
This Vijay Park & Sea View Park
Just beside Alappuzha Beach and Sea is located a watery paradise, Vijaya Beach Park, a favourite among locals and visitors alike. Here there’s also a Children Park for kids to play and even for riding a toy train. Enjoy the picturesque boat rides and protected trails where children can ride rented bikes. It is a wonderful place to relax with your friends and family. The place also has food court.
Maqam Jumma Masjid
It’s one of the oldest and most visited Mosques in Alappuzha. Being one of the oldest Mosques in the region, it always has a lot of visiting it all throughout the year. The mosque's architecture also differs from that seen in other parts of India because it draws on both traditional Kerala architecture and Islamic architectural influences. For its Unique architectural distinction, both believers and art lovers flock in to the place.
Sree Krishna Swamy Remple, Ambalappuzha
Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple is an ancient Indian temple dedicated to Krishna, situated at Ambalappuzha in Alappuzha district of Kerala. The temple is believed to have been built during 15th century AD by the local ruler Chembakasserry Pooradam Thirunal-Devanarayanan Thampuran. It is one of the seven greatest temples in Travancore. It is believed that the idol of Sree Krishna of Guruvayoor Temple was brought here for safekeeping during the raids of Tipu Sultan in 1789. The temple is also famous for its unique prasadam, the delicious Ambalapuzha Palpayasam – a sweet porridge made of rice, milk, and sugar.
Vembanad Lake
The vast network of rivers and canals of Alappuzha opens into the great expanse of water called the Vembanad Lake, a fast developing backwater tourism destination. Here the traditional Cargo boats called ‘Kettuvallams’ are modified into Cruise boats and House boats, that gracefully move around the back waters, providing facilities to tourist to enjoy the beauty of the Vembanad Lake in a relaxed pace. The Kumarakom tourist village offers house boat cruises and holiday packages. In the Vembanad Lake there is also a small beautiful island called Pathiramanal . This lonely island in the Vemabanad Lake is accessible only by boat. In the festive months of August and September, the rivers in and near Kottayam are turned into festival centres. The serene lakes come alive during Onam with a spectacular water regatta – the snake boat races.
Arthunkal St Andrew’s Basilica
Historically frequented by the Portuguese, Arthunkal Beach is calm, and a quiet place to unwind. Situated in the village with sea waters on the side, it is also an approved tourist destination by the government. This is an ideal place for those who want to spend time alone and in a state of serenity. An endless stretch of palm trees covers the beach, with the fishing boats out and normal humdrum of rural life going on. The beach also hosts devotees who come to visit the much hailed Arthunkal St Andrew’s Basilica.
Krishnapuram Palace
Located near the town of Kayamkulam, Krishnapuram Palace was built in the 18th century by Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, the ruler of the former princely state of Travancore. The palace is situated near the Sree Krishnaswamy Temple in the village of Krishnapuram and can be accessed via NH 47 between the towns of Ochira and Kayamkulam. It sits atop a small hill, and is surrounded by lawns and ponds and a terraced garden. Krishnapuram Palace is built in the conventional architectural style of Kerala with gabled low roofs, narrow corridors, thick-framed doors, and dormer windows. It is built in the Pathinaru-kettu (16 blocks) style, in which rooms are built around four inner courtyards called Nadu-muttams.
Harippad Sri Subramaniya Swami Temple
Sree Subrahmanya Swamy temple at Haripad is one of the oldest Hindu temples of Kerala. Haripad Sree Subrmanya Swami temple, which is known as the South Palani (Thekkan Palani) is enriched with the existence of the almighty Velayudha Swami. It is believed that the idol has been used by Parasurama for Poojas and was left in Kandanalloor in Govindamuttom Backwaters from which it was recovered. Believers all over the country consider it as a sacred place worth many visits
Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple
Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple in Haripad is a very ancient and internationally known centre of pilgrimage for the devotees of serpent gods (Nagaraja). The temple is nestled in a forest glade, like most snake temples and has over 100,000 images of snakes along the paths and among the trees, and is one of the largest such temples in Kerala.