Often referred to as the “Venice of the East,” Alleppey (or Alappuzha) is famous for backwaters, houseboats, and greenery. But beneath the beauty is a spirited shopping area that brings to the forefront a rich cultural legacy that comes along with Kerala. Whether traditional handicrafts, aromatic spices or beautiful coir products, shopping in Alleppey is the icing on this place’s history and culture cake. In this article, we will explore some of the best places to shop in Alleppey, giving you detailed guidelines for rewarding your shopping experience in this beautiful town.
10 Best Places For Shopping In Alleppey
Here are some of the liveliest markets and shopping venues in Alleppey:
1. Floating Triveni
Photo: Harvinder Chandigarh / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Floating Triveni ensures a unique shopping experience in Alleppey. Such markets float to sell everything from fresh produce to typical handicrafts. All the vendors sell their commodities from boats, creating a mad hustle and bustle on water. Floating markets are typically active in the mornings, so visitors flock there in the early mornings to get the best fruits and vegetables and some lovely handicrafts. The sellers are usually shouting out to sell their colourful products and the customers are in a rat race to fill their carts.
Timings: 6 AM – 11 AM
Location: Vembanad Lake, Alleppey
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2. Alappuzha Zakariya Market
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One of Alleppey’s oldest and most famous markets, Alappuzha Zakariya Market is well-known for its spices, textiles, and handicrafts. The market is packed with activity as vendors sell their commodities from small stalls and shops. Apart from spices, the market has various textiles ranging from traditional Kerala wear, such as sarees and dhotis, to modern garments. The textiles are prepared using localised handcrafting methods that bring an original flavour to Kerala. Make sure to visit the list of handicraft items, from coir products to wooden sculptures and pottery.
Timings: 9 AM – 8 PM
Location: Mullakkal Road, Alleppey
3. Mullakkal Street
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Mullakkal Street is the hottest shopping destination at Alleppey. In the shops here, one can obtain various things, from garments and jewellery to souvenirs. The territory’s vibrant ambience and cultural extravaganza ensure that the time spent shopping here becomes illuminating. Alleppey is known most for its collection of traditional Kerala attire like sarees, dhotis, and other forms of traditional clothing. Another interesting characteristic of the place is its jewellery. Many shops in the street sell jewellery items prepared from gold, silver, and various precious stones.
Timings: 9 AM – 9 PM
Location: Mullakkal, Alleppey
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4. Canal Bazaar
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The Canal Bazaar in Alleppey is located on the sides of the beautiful lakes that go through the town. The market is loaded with everything, from freshly prepared vegetables and spices to handicrafts. The location provides a serene environment, making it a highly pleasurable shopping experience. This includes a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and fish. The Canal Bazaar generally receives its fresh produce directly from farms and fisheries to ensure the quality and freshness of the products. Its other main attractions are various spices grown in plantations around the town like black pepper, cardamom, cloves, and nutmeg.
Timings: 6 AM – 8 PM
Location: Near Alappuzha Beach, Alleppey
5. Alappuzha Beach Market
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Located close to the hugely popular Alappuzha Beach, Alappuzha Beach Market offers a variety of shopping items, such as apparel, ornaments, and souvenir items. The views of the beach and the jostling crowd together provide the best shopping experience. The market is one of the most famous places to shop in Alleppey, well-known for selling traditional Kerala attire, which includes sarees, dhotis, and other traditional wear. The dresses are made in a conventional style and cloth, giving one a cultural feel of Kerala. There are also numerous jewellery shops selling items of gold, silver, and precious stones.
Timings: 9 AM – 9 PM
Location: Alappuzha Beach, Alleppey
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6. Coir Board Showroom
Photo: Harvinder Chandigarh / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Coir Board Showroom is located in Alleppey and sells traditional coir products. Many products used daily, like mats, rugs, and decorations, are displayed in the showroom. These products feature excellent quality and intricacy, making them popular among tourists and the local audience. The showroom offers many coir products: mats, rugs, and decorative ones. The pieces are done traditionally and with materials that preserve quality and durability. The coir products are not only functional but also done artistically, thus attracting numerous tourists and the locals themselves. This showroom features everything, from coir products to wooden carvings and pottery.
Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM
Location: Mullakkal, Alleppey
7. St. Mary’s Forane Church Market
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The St. Mary’s Church Market is always busy. It is close to the renowned St. Mary’s Forane Church. It stocks numerous items, ranging from garments and spices to household articles. The market’s vibrancy in juxtaposition with the rich cultural heritage makes shopping a pleasurable experience. The market is popular for spices and produce from neighbouring plantations, which includes the best quality black peppers, cardamom, cloves, and nutmegs in their freshest state. Fresh fragrances of the spices waft in the air, encouraging people to browse through the many stalls in the market.
Timings: 9 AM – 9 PM
Location: Punnapra, Alleppey
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8. Marari Beach Market
Photo: Harvinder Chandigarh / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Marari Beach Market, located near the charming Marari Beach, is one of the most popular shopping destinations. It sells all kinds of wares, including apparel, trinkets, and souvenirs. The beautiful view around you and the lively atmosphere make shopping a fantastic experience. It is replete with traditional Kerala attires, for instance, the sari, dhoti, and many other conventional flairs. In Kerala’s traditional style of making Kerala, these articles are made to give a real taste of Kerala. The jewellery section alternates between attractive little kiosks, offering a dazzling display of exquisite pieces in gold, silver, and precious stones.
Timings: 9 AM – 9 PM
Location: Marari Beach, Alleppey
9. Kayamkulam Market
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Located in the town of Kayamkulam, close to Alleppey, Kayamkulam Market is quite a busy shopping hub. It deals with a range of products and reaches out to people who love to shop for clothes, spices, and handicrafts. The rich cultural heritage contributes to the vibrant air surrounding the market, thus enriching the shopping experience. This includes black pepper, cardamom, cloves, and nutmeg, renowned for their high quality and freshness. The air is filled with the smell of fresh spices that whet one’s appetite to go and visit the various stalls available in the market.
Timings: 9 AM – 8 PM
Location: Kayamkulam, Alleppey
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10. Pallathuruthy Market
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Pallathuruthy Market is one of the most famous domestic and international tourist destinations. Located in the heart of Pallathuruthy town, it is close to Alappuzha. The market offers shopping for different items, such as ready-made garments, spices, and handicrafts. The area’s liveliness and cultural richness make shopping an enriched experience. The market enjoys fame for its varied spices grown in plantations, including black pepper, cardamom, clove, and nutmeg—all popular for their quality and freshness. The aroma of fresh spices saturates the atmosphere, enticing visitors to explore the numerous stalls within the market.
Timings: 9 AM – 8 PM
Location: Pallathuruthy, Alleppey
Shopping in Alleppey for an exclusive mix of cultural heritage and local craftsmanship. From Mullakkal Street’s crowded markets and from the Floating Triveni’s peacefulness to the beauty of Canal Bazaar, each marketplace will give you varied shopping experiences. From traditional Kerala sarees to aromatic spices and exquisite coir products, the list never ends at the vibrant markets of Alleppey. Plan a fantastic time in Alleppey with Trip XL today.
Cover Photo: Ram Mohan Thangasamy / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only