Home > Local Attractions
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.
Location: 10 km away from Panaji, Old Goa, India
Timings: 7:30 am to 6:30 pm, except during mass hours
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
Timings: 7:30 am to 6:30 pm
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
Timings: Open on all days between 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
THE BASILICA OF BOM JESUS
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 OF ST. FRANCIS 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
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.
Location: Situated 33 km from Panaji, Old Goa, India
SHRI DAMODAR TEMPLE
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
Shri Mhalsa Temple in Mardol is dedicated to Mhalsa Devi, fondly known as Mhalsa Narayani, Mohini avatar of Lord Vishnu. Worshipped as the 'Kuldevata' of many Brahmins, the temple is said to have originated in Nepal during the 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 an 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
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, have 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
MAYHEM 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 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 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.
Location: Mardol, Ponda Taluka, Goa, India