Green Palm Homes

Alappuzha (Alleppey)


Around 12km southeast of Alleppey, long-running Green Palm Homes is a series of homestays in a picturesque village on a backwater island, where you sleep in simple rooms in villagers’ homes among rice paddies (though 'premium' rooms with bathroom and air-con are available). Take a guided walk (₹500), hire bicycles or kayaks (from ₹300), or join a cooking class (₹250).

The cheapest rooms have shared bathroom; some others have an air-con option (₹500 extra). There's a 30% discount for solo guests. To get here, call ahead and catch one of the hourly ferries from Alleppey to Chennamkary (₹12, 1¼ hours).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Alappuzha (Alleppey) attractions

3. Kidangamparamba Temple

5.12 MILES

Dedicated to the goddess Bhuvaneshvari, this major Hindu temple in central Alleppey has a soaring, rainbow-coloured Tamil Nadu–style gopuram.

4. RKK Memorial Museum

5.63 MILES

In a grand building fronted by Greco-Roman columns, this intriguing museum houses a priceless, astonishing collection of crystal, porcelain, South Indian…

5. Alleppey Lighthouse

5.97 MILES

A few blocks back from the beach, the candy-striped 1862 lighthouse contains a small museum with an original oil lamp, but is best visited for the 360…

6. Alleppey Beach

6.12 MILES

Alleppey's main beach is 2km west of the city centre; swimming is fraught due to strong currents, but the sunsets are good and there are a few places for…

7. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

11.88 MILES

This reserve on the 5-hectare site of a former rubber plantation on Vembanad Lake is the haunt of a variety of domestic and migratory birds. October to…

8. St Mary’s Orthodox Church

12.3 MILES

Built by the Portuguese, 2km northwest of central Kottayam, the elegant 1579 Cheriapally (Little Church) fuses European baroque architecture with Keralan…