Top 10 Things to do in Alappuzha

Situated on the shores of the Arabian Sea, Alappuzha (or Alleppey) is an important city in Kerela. Famous for its backwater channels, each year Alappuzha receives a huge number of tourists due to it. On his visit, Lord Curzon named the region as the Venice of the East, due to its beautiful backwaters.
The huge Snake boats and canoes play an important part in the lives of the people living in the region. The panoramic view of the coconut trees, and cruise rides on the long water canals make this place a favorite holiday destination.

The beautiful beaches and the historically significant mountains of the region make Alappuzha an important town of Kerala. Also, the region is well known for its shopping districts selling aromatic spices and silk artifacts.

The area was once the part of the Chera Dynasty and flourished immensely under its rule. During the 1st century A.D., one of the 12 Apostilles of Jesus - Saint Thomas came here to preach Christianity. The city had trade relations with ancient Greece and Rome, and its mention can be found in the ancient texts by Ptolemy and Pliny. During the archeological excavation, several artifacts like stone inscription and coins have been discovered which establishes Alappuzha connections with the ancient times.
During the 15th century, Portuguese brought in western influences with them. They built the beautiful St. Andrew’s Basilica, one of the biggest shrines dedicated to St. Sebastian. In the later times Alappuzha, or Alleppey, was included into the Travancore Princely State. The modern town of Alappuzha was established by Raja Kesavadas in the later part of the 18th century.