Se Cathedral Church

Se Cathedral Church (Sé Cathedral of Santa Catarina) dedicated to Catherine of Alexandria is one of the largest churches in Asia and has been declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. One of the oldest buildings in the state depicting true Portuguese royalty in its architecture, the church assumes importance in the eyes of Christians.

Visiting Hours: 7:30 am to 6:30 pm, except during mass hours
Location: 10 km away from Panaji, Old Goa, India

Goa Chitra Museum

Goa Chitra Museum is Goa’s first and only Ethnographic Museum featuring collectibles like local pottery, farming tools, musical instruments, ancient carts and palanquins, from various civilizations. It displays an organic farm for the cultivation of all staples in coastal western India.

Location: The St. John Baptist Church Road, Mondo-Waddo, Benaulim, Salcete Goa – 403716
Visiting Hours: 7:30 am to 6:30 pm, except during mass hours

Menezes Braganza Pereira House

More than 350 years old, the Menezes Braganza Pereira house is the most attractive heritage house located near the church square in Chandor. With a Portuguese style façade, it is a museum of chandeliers, paintings, porcelain, crystal and period furniture, and other antique items, which personify the aristocratic life of Braganza house in its heydays.

Location: Culsabhatt, Chandor, Goa – 403714
Visiting Hours: Open on all days between 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

The Basilica Of Bom Jesus Church

The Basilica of Bom Jesus Church could be termed as one of the biggest attractions of Goa with the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier enshrined here. Tagged by UNESCO as a World Heritage site, this church is located in Old Goa, previously the capital of Portuguese Goa. The church holds a sacred value as it is the first church in India to be assigned the status of Minor Basilica and preserves the remains of Goa’s patron saint St. Francis Xavier.

Location: 9 km away from Panaji, Old Goa, India

Church & Convent of St Francis of Assisi

A unique masterpiece, the Church & Convent of St. Francis of Assisi is attached to Se Cathedral and was founded by Franciscan friars in 1517. Much of it, except the black stone gateway was demolished in 1661 and rebuilt again, which is the present structure. The Se Cathedral and the Church are connected by the Archiepiscopal Palace, a residential palace of the Archbishops until 1695, after which they moved to Panjim. The church presently does not hold any religious functions.

Location: 10 km away from Panaji, Old Goa, India

Shree Shantadurga Temple, Kavlem

Shree Shantadurga temple has an impressive idol of Goddess Shree Durga who mediated between Shree Vishnu and Shree Shiva and stopped the fierce war going on between the two. She is flanked by Vishnu and Shiva on both sides.

The original place of Shree Shantadurga Devi was at Keloshi. From there, Devi was shifted to Kavlem during the rule of the Portuguese government. This current temple structure of Shree Shantadurga Devi was built during the period from 1713 a.d to 1738 a.d. The temple, showcasing Indo-Portuguese architectural aesthetics, harbours a main temple, three smaller shrines, and lush greenery, reflecting Goa's rich cultural and historical legacy tied to the Maratha Empire.

Location: Situated 33 kms from Panaji, Old Goa, India

Shri Naguesh Temple, Bandora

The Naguesh Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is one of the few temples in Goa that have withstood Portuguese conquests. Built in 1413 AD during the rule of the Vijaynagar empire, this temple has great archaeological importance. Major renovations had been carried out during the rule of Shahu Maharaj. The main attractions at this temple are the Deepsthamb and the Kunda in which you can see the reflection of the Naguesh idol.

Location: Pharmagudi-Kavalem-Ponda road, 800 m from Pharmagudi, 26.2 km away from Panaji, Panaji- Belagavi Road, Goa, India

Shri Damodar Temple, Zambaulim

Shri Damodar Temple is situated on the banks of the Kushawati river in Zambaulim about 22 km from Margao. This temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is a place of worship for both Hindus and Christians. It is also one of the more popular local attractions in Goa.

Location: 22 km from Margao, Zambaulim, Goa, India

Shri Mahalsa Temple, Mardol

Shri Mhalsa Temple in Mardol is dedicated to Mhalsa Devi, fondly known as Mhalsa Narayani, Mohini avatar of Lord Vishnu. Worshiped as the 'Kuldevata' of many Brahmins, the temple is said to have originated in Nepal during initial stage of Kalyug. The temple, famous for its huge brass bell and its Palkhi festival, is one of the best tourist attractions in Goa and is visited by several tourists every year.

Location: Mardol, Ponda Taluka, Goa, India

Dona Paula

Dona Paula, positioned in the suburbs of Panaji, is one of the finest tourist destinations of Goa with many luxury hotels and institutes having made it their home. The place is named after Dona Paula de Menezes, daughter of the former Viceroy of Goa who plunged into the sea when she was refused permission to marry her lover – a local fisherman. Even today, Dona Paula beach is referred to as Lovers Paradise. This location has been a iconic spot for many Bollywood movies, known for its superlative beaches, unique locales and mysterious legends. Attractions that can be visited in Dona Paula are its beach, Vasco da Gama bay, the ‘Image of India’ statue, Cabo Raj Niwas and the National Institute of Oceanography.

Location: 7 km from Panaji, Goa, India

Shri Mahadev Temple, Tambdi Surla

The Shri Mahadev Temple at Tambdu Surla is the oldest temple in Goa established by the Kadamba Yadava dynasty. Constructed in the 12th century as a dedication to Lord Shiva, the temple with its intricate relief carvings on stone occupies a very prominent archaeological position in Indian history. Managed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the deity is so placed that the first rays of the rising sun fall on the idol. One of the most attractive places in Goa, the temple is a must visit if you have a cultural bend towards ancient heritage.

Location: 65 km from Panaji, 12 km from Molem, Goa, India

Fort Aguada

Fort Aguada was constructed by the Portuguese in 1612 to ward off attacks by the Dutch and Marathas, and as a checkpoint for ships arriving from Europe. Comparatively smaller than other forts in India, this fort consists of a lighthouse and the Fort Aguada Beach Resort, a property of India Hotels. The fort got its name Aguada, meaning water, due to the freshwater springs that satiated the thirst of the sailors in ships which passed by. The present-day Fort Aguada houses the Central Jail. Many Bollywood shootings take place at this fort.

Location: 18 km from Panjim, Bardez Taluka, North Goa, India

Fort Cabo da rama

Fort Cabo de Rama derives its name from Lord Rama from the epic Ramayana. Legend says that he and his wife, Sita took refuge at this fort when they were exiled for 14 years. Now in ruins, this ancient bastion has switched hands several times. Withstanding gruesome battles between the Portuguese, Marathas, the Muslim invaders, and Hindu kings, towards the independence of India, this fort was used as a prison by the British. There’s a church inside the fort which is still a place of prayer for devotees.

Location: Canacona Taluka, South Goa, India

Fort Chapora

Built on an earlier structure constructed by Adil Shah, Fort Chapora was rebuilt by the Portuguese in 1617. Located near Anjuna beach, this fort offers an excellent view of Vagator beach. The main intention behind its construction was to keep away the Hindu rulers that were eyeing this prime location.

Location: 10 km from Mapusa, Near Anjuna Beach, Goa, India

Fort Terekhol

Standing tall along the coast of the River Tiracol, the fort was constructed by the King of Sawantwadi. In 1746, it was acquired by the Portuguese under the reign of Viceroy Dom Pedro De Almeida. This fort stands testimony to the revolt between Almeida and the Portuguese forces. Its surrounding scenic atmosphere and the beautiful view of the river, has made it one of the major tourist attractions. Today, it houses a heritage hotel, but tourists can visit it via a 30 minute ferry ride.

Location: Querim, 42 km from Panjim, Goa, India

Mayem Lake

Located in the Bicholim district of Goa, Mayem Lake boasts of an extremely relaxing location surrounded by picturesque forests, lush landscapes and a calm yet sparkling lake. One of the popular tourist destinations in Goa, Mayem Lake also offers boating facilities for tourists in addition to picnic spots. GTDC has also constructed a resort for lodging purposes.

Location: Bicholim Taluka, North Goa, India

Cabo Palace (Cabo Rajniwas)

Cabo Fort also known as Cabo Palace, Cabo Raj Niwas or Cab Raj Bhawan is situated opposite Fort Aguada on River Mandovi and currently houses the Governor of Goa. Formerly the home to a Franciscan monastery and the Viceroy during the Portuguese rule, it was built on 30th June, 1541 to guard the Mandovi and Zuari rivers. The Cabo Raj Bhavan today is used to carry out political duties like swearing ceremonies and other official occasions.

Dudhsagar Falls

Dudhsagar Falls (meaning “Sea of Milk”) are the 5th tallest waterfalls in India with a plummeting height of 1017 feet and a width of 100 feet. The waterfalls completely transform once the rains arrive, becoming one of the most stunning and powerful falls in the country. Situated along the Goa-Karnataka border, high up on the Mandovi River's watershed, this waterfall is very important for Goa’s ecosystem with the mystifying Mollem National Park surrounding it.

Location: 60 km from Margao, Mollem National Park, eastern border of Goa-Karnataka, Goa, India

The Rachol Seminary

The Rachol Seminary has great religious significance as it is one of the pillar stones promoting Christianity in Goa. Founded in 1560 from the remains of a Muslim fort, a church dedicated to Saint Ignatius Loyola was later built by the Portuguese in 1576. The seminary housed the first printing press in 1616 and the college of Ignatius Loyola in 1580. Remains of St. Constantine brought in 1782 are said to be enshrined here.

Location: 7:30 am to 6:30 pm, except during mass hours

Church of Lady of The Rosary

The Church of Lady of The Rosary is one of the oldest surviving churches in Goa standing testimony to early Portuguese conquests. Located right opposite The Basilica Of Bom Jesus Church, it is said that St Francis Xavier used to preach catechism here. The church was the idea of Alfonso de Albuquerque who wanted to construct a religious structure right where he had defeated the Sultan of Bijapur, Adil Shah in 1510. Built between 1544-1549, it is one of the most visited places in Goa.

Location: Holy Hill, Old Goa, Panjim, Goa, India

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS IN GOA