History · Goa · India
8 historic sites to see in Goa
The places that tell the story of how the city came to be.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Nikhilb239, CC BY 3.0
Quick answer
Start with Basilica of Bom Jesus, Sé Cathedral and Church of St Francis of Assisi and Archaeological Museum. Together the 8 picks below take roughly 8–8 hours across 5 areas; 5 are free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 8
- Free entry
- 5
- Time to see them all
- 8–8 hours
- Areas
- Old Goa, Panaji and Candolim and Sinquerim
Historic sites in Goa
Religious site · Old Goa
1.Basilica of Bom Jesus
Its unplastered laterite facade and gilded baroque altars make it the best-known of the UNESCO-listed Churches and Convents of Goa.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Free
Religious site · Old Goa
2.Sé Cathedral
Its white Portuguese-Manueline facade lost one of its two towers in 1776, and the remaining tower holds the Golden Bell.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Free
- Rainy day
Museum · Old Goa
3.Church of St Francis of Assisi and Archaeological Museum
Behind the Sé, the Church of St Francis of Assisi has a painted, gilded interior, and its former convent houses the Archaeological Survey of India's museum with portraits of Portuguese viceroys, Hindu sculpture and hero stones from before colonial rule.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
Neighbourhood · Panaji
4.Fontainhas Latin Quarter
The Chapel of St Sebastian, small art galleries and old-style cafés and bakeries make it the best walk in the capital.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- History
Castle · Candolim and Sinquerim
5.Fort Aguada
The upper fort has thick laterite walls and a 19th-century lighthouse, with sweeping views over Sinquerim beach and the sea.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Kids
Castle · Anjuna and Vagator
6.Chapora Fort
Little remains inside, but the views north over Morjim and south over Vagator are among the best in Goa; it became famous from a scene in the film Dil Chahta Hai.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Couples
Castle · Panaji
7.Reis Magos Fort
Its ramparts look across the river to the capital.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Off the beaten path
Religious site · Ponda
8.Shri Mangueshi Temple
Its whitewashed buildings, domed roof and seven-storey lamp tower (deepastambha) reflect a blend of Hindu, Islamic and European styles.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Old Goa | Basilica of Bom Jesus, Sé Cathedral and Church of St Francis of Assisi and Archaeological Museum | 45 minutes + 30 minutes + 1 hour |
| Panaji | Fontainhas Latin Quarter and Reis Magos Fort | 1.5–2 hours + 1 hour |
| Candolim and Sinquerim | Fort Aguada | 1 hour |
| Anjuna and Vagator | Chapora Fort | 1 hour |
| Ponda | Shri Mangueshi Temple | 45 minutes |
Booking and timing
Of these 8, 5 free, 3 low cost. None needs booking far in advance. The longest visit is Fontainhas Latin Quarter; group the rest by area to save travel time.
How to fit them into 2 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Old Goa and Panaji): Basilica of Bom Jesus → Sé Cathedral → Church of St Francis of Assisi and Archaeological Museum → Fontainhas Latin Quarter, at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Panaji, Candolim and Sinquerim, Anjuna and Vagator and Ponda): Reis Magos Fort → Fort Aguada → Chapora Fort → Shri Mangueshi Temple, at least 4 hours.
The quietest months for queues
- June: highs of 30°C (86°F), about 22 rainy days, very quiet crowds. The monsoon breaks with heavy rain and rough seas; swimming is unsafe and most shacks are closed, but the countryside turns green.
- July: highs of 29°C (84°F), about 27 rainy days, very quiet crowds. The wettest month, with near-daily downpours; waterfalls are at their fullest and hotel prices at their lowest.
- April: highs of 33°C (91°F), about 1 rainy days, quiet crowds. Hot and humid with calm seas; quieter beaches and the season for fresh urrak and mangoes.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Candolim and Sinquerim — Calmer North Goa beaches below Fort Aguada, with upscale resorts
- Anjuna and Vagator — Cliffs, small coves, the Wednesday flea market and Goa's party history
- Morjim, Ashwem and Mandrem — Long, quiet far-north beaches with boutique stays and yoga retreats
- Panaji — Riverside state capital with the Latin Quarter, cafés and floating casinos
More of Goa
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Goa?
Basilica of Bom Jesus. Completed in 1605, this Jesuit church holds the remains of St Francis Xavier in a silver casket above a marble tomb gifted by the Medici.
+Which of these are free in Goa?
Basilica of Bom Jesus, Sé Cathedral, Fontainhas Latin Quarter, Chapora Fort and Shri Mangueshi Temple.