Located: It has the Arabian Sea on the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers crisscrossing it

Main Tourist Attractions: Krishnapuram Palace, Pathiramanal Island, Ambalappuzha, Karumadi , Arthunkal, Mararikulam Beach, Champakulam, Kayakulam

Best Time To Visit: August to March

Major Tourist Attraction
Krishnapuram Palace
The 18th century Krishnapuram Palace built during the reign of the Travancore monarch, Marthanda Varma, is a double storied structure with Kerala's typical architecture-gabled roofs and narrow corridors. It houses one of the largest mural paintings in Kerala called the Gajendra Moksham. It measures14 feet by 11 feet and is at the western end of the ground floor, a walking distance from the Palace Pool. There's also a museum of antique sculptures, paintings and bronzes that shouldn't be missed. Situated 47 kms from Alappuzha on the way to Kollam, Krishnapuram, is easily accessible by bus from either town.

Pathiramanal Island
This is a small but beautiful island in the Vembanad Lake and is accessible only by boat from Kumarakom and Muhamma. Good for a day picnic and bird watching.

Ambalappuzha
The Sri Krishna Temple at Ambalapuzha, 14 kms from Alleppey is among Kerala's more famous temples, boasting of typical temple architecture. It is equally famed for its palpayasam - a sweet milk porridge offered to the deity. The temple's main festival occurs in March/April. It was in this temple that the 16th century poet Kunjan Nambiar staged his first Ottan Thullal, a solo dance performance.

Karumadi
Close to the Ambalappuzha, the village black granite figure of Buddha said to belong to the 9th or 10th century.

Arthunkal
Twenty two kms north of Alappuzha, the St. Sebastain Church here was established by Portuguese missionaries near Sherthallai. The feast of St. Sebastian is held here every January.

Mararikulam Beach
Situated on the coast, south of Alappuzha, it houses a quiet beach and has an adjoining fishing village. Pool, tennis, water sports and Ayurvedic treatment are the leisure activities one can indluge in.

Champakulam
Sixteen kms south-east of Alappuzha, this town is famous for the St. Mary's Forane Church dating back to 1870. Also worth visiting is the St. Thomas Statuary where wooden statues of Christ are made for export. One can also witness the Champakulam boat race on Moolam day during the Cheruppu festival. What makes this place really peculiar is that the modes of transport include only the odd canoes and cycles.

Kayakulam
Well-connected by buses to Alappuzha, situated 47 kms south of it, this town houses the Krishnapuram Palace. Built by Raja Marthanda Varma, this palace boasts of a typicla Keralite architecture.