A prominent spot in Kerala , it holds treasures that every tourist seeks. Boating and traditional food are the main attractions here. The wide network of lakes and lagoons make Alleppey a Backwater tourist spot . The important attractions here include houseboats, boat races, beaches etc:

Water Sports - Tourists can participate in numerous beach activities offered on the beautiful Alappuzha beach. For instance, you could indulge in any of the exciting water sports such as surfing or parasailing, or go for swimming in the clear blue sea, or even try your hand at building a sand castle or playing a game of beach volleyball.

Boat Races - It is held in the months of August and September when the earth is moist and rain-drenched and the glorious backwaters overflows. Hundreds of men and women gather on the banks to witness a spectacular view especially, the Snake Boat Races.

The most famous event of boat race is the "Nehru Trophy Boat Race". It is held on the second saturday of every August. There are a dozen other snake boat races, providing an unforgettable and truly special scene. The fund of energy, spirit of competition and unerring co-ordination makes this sport extremely dynamic.

Kuttanad - Kuttanad, called the rice bowl of Kerala, because of her wealth of paddy crops is at the very heart of the backwaters. The scenic countryside of Kuttanad with its shimmering waterways also has a rich crop of bananas.

Krishnapuram Palace - The 18th century Krishnapuram Palace built during the reign of the Travancore monarch, Marthanda Varma, is a double storied structure which displays typical characteristics of Kerala architecture-gabled roofs, dormer windows, narrow corridors.

Ambalappuzha (Pilgrim Center) - The Sri Krishna Temple at Ambalapuzha, 14 km's from Alleppey is among Kerala's most famous ones boasting of the typical temple architectural style of the state that dates back to centuries.

Pathiramanal - 14 kilometers from Alleppy, this little island on the backwaters is a favourite haunt of hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts of the world and this itself has made it a hot spot for many tourists.

One of the finest harbours in the world Cochin often known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea is indeed a place to behold. Being a harbour with an excitingly eventful past with the foreign powers that came to trade, it has an exotic blend of many cultures such as the Portuguese, Jewish, English, French, Dutch and Chinese.

Houseboats that are available in plenty provide an impressive view of the waterfront.

Bolghatty Island - Bolghatty palace, built by the Dutch in 1744 for their governors and later used by the British governors is situated here. Today it is a Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) owned hotel.

Wellington Island - This is situated in the backwaters and is named after the British viceroy to India, Lord Wellington. The headquarters of the naval command, port trust, trading canters etc are located here.

Fort Kochi - A fishing village, Fort Kochi became a European trading center in the middle ages.

Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace) – This impressive building was built by some foreigners on Hindu architectural style in 1555.

St Francis Church - Built of wood in 1503, it may be the oldest European church in India. Vasco-da-Gama was buried here.

One of the oldest ports of Kerala, it was once the center of international spice trade especially cashew products.

30% of Kollam (Quilon) is covered by the renowned Ashtamudi lake and the eight-hour boat trip between Kollam and Alappuzha is the longest and most enchanting experience on the backwaters of Kerala. Kollam (Quilon) with its architectural remnants and a number of temples built in the traditional ornate style bear witness to the enchanting history of this town.

Tourist can visit Mata Amritanandamayi Ashram, a spiritual trust in India with a large number of educational, technical and health care industries is headquartered at Vallikkavu, near Kollam. The Picnic Village located at Ashramam, along the backwater front, is the main center of recreational activities in Kollam. A 200-year-old Government Guest House, an Adventure Park, a Tourist Boat Club, a Children's Traffic Park and a Yatri Nivas are a few of the attractions here.

The ancient Sastha temple, which lends its name to the town, is an important pilgrim center. Mayyanad, 10 km's off south to Kollam town, is famous for the shrines and temples. The most important of the nine temples here is the Subramanya Temple at Umayanallor. Thangasseri, a seaside village five kms away from the town,it is of great historic importance with the remnants of the old Portuguese fort and church.

Oachira is noted for its Parabrahma temple where no deity or idol is consecrated, but is dedicated to the universal and transcendental consciousness. The PAlaruvi waterfalls, 75 kms from Kollam town, make its way down the rocks from a height of 300 feet. The Palaruvi forest is a beautiful picnic spot.

Kumarakom is situated 15 km from Kottayam, on National Highway (NH) 47 between Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) and Kochi (Cochin). It consists of a cluster of islands on the banks of the Vembanad Lake.

It is an exciting experience to cruise in Kumarakom backwater in a country boat, experiencing the beauty of Kerala villages. The bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres, is a favorite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian stork can be spotted here during the season. The best way to watch the birds of the Kumarakom sanctuary is to take a boat trip round the islands.

An enchanting backwater destination, Kumarakom offers visitors a number of leisure options. Boating and fishing facilities are available at Kumarakom. Holiday packages on the houseboats, traditional Kettuvalloms, are an out-of-the-world experience at Kumarakom..

The extensive backwaters of Trivandrum provide the picturesque view that would take your breath away. The backwaters form a specially attractive and economically valuable feature of Kerala. The biggest backwater is the Vembabad lake, some 200 sq kilometers in area, which opens out into the Arabian Sea at Cochin port.

The serene backwater stretch, en-route to Kovalam, is famous for its canoe rides. It is the meeting point of two rivers-Killi and Karamana. A temple dedicated to Parashurama, the legendary founder of Kerala, is located in Thiruvallam.

Padmanabhaswamy temple - The most impressive landmark in the town, the temple's presiding deity is Vishnu reclining on serpent Anantha. It has a seven-story tower, umpteen number of pillars, intricate carvings and mural paintings.

Museum complex - Art and natural history museums, art gallery and zoological and botanical gardens are located in a plot in the heart of the city. The museum contains paintings and other collections of the royal family.

Kanakakkunnu Palace - Today it is a venue for cultural and other public functions.

Science & Technology museum - Located near Kanakakunnu palace, it is a valuable site for students and researchers.

Shanghumugham beach - A favorite haunt of sunset watchers. A gigantic 35 m sculpture of a mermaid, called Matsya Kanyaka, is a major attraction here. There is facility for recreational activities. The place is near the airport and the Veli tourist village.

Veli tourist village - An ideal picnic spot where the lake joins the sea. Boating facility is available in the lake. A popular retreat, it has a children's park and other attractions.

Neyyar dam - It is a popular picnic spot and has a watchtower, crocodile farm, lion safari park and a deer park, Aruvikkara dam, a picturesque picnic spot on the banks of Karamana river, This is one place where you could spend those lazy afternoons.