Places to visit in Dabolim

A heritage construction, the Church of St. Francis of Assisi was constructed as a chapel by the Portuguese in 1661. It was later transformed into a church. With the grand impressive architecture, the church has some amazing paintings and sculptures inside.

Natural activities in Goa, Dabolim are abundant. You can enjoy bird watching, wildlife safaris at various bird sanctuaries and wildlife sanctuaries respectively. Eco-tours in Goa will help you enjoy great jungle adventure with crocodile watching, elephant watching, etc. Visit to the various spice plantations in Goa is also highly interesting.

The Chapora Fort is nearly in ruins. The Chapora River is in close proximity to the fort and situated on the rocky headland. Sandwiched between Vagator and Chapora, the fort offers a great view of the surrounding and neighbouring hills and mountains and of the Arabian Sea.

Goa’s rich cultural history and tradition can be seen in the many art galleries and theatres that the place has. Some of the prominent art galleries in Dabolim, Goa include Kristu Kala Mandir Art Gallery, Kerkar Art Complex, Mario Gallery, Sunaparanta, Goa Chitra, Casa Goa Art Gallery, Earth Effects Pottery Studio, Panjim Art Gallery and many more such places of interest.

There are also many theatre halls in Goa where movies are shown. Some popular names include Cine National Theatre, Cine Paradise, El Monte Cinema, Osia Multiplex, Z Square Multiplex, and so on. 

Innumerable natural attractions await travellers and tourists visiting Dabolim, Goa. The beaches in Goa namely Anjuna, Calangute, Dona Paula, Baga, Agonda, Colva, Palolem, Bambolim and Patnem are the main beaches in the state along with many other small beaches.

Along with the beaches, the place has many wildlife and bird sanctuaries including Cotigao, Bondla and Madei wildlife sanctuaries. Salim Ali bird sanctuary is a well known place for spotting rare species of birds. The DudhSagar waterfall is a notable natural attraction in Goa along with other small waterfalls. 

With some time in hand, travellers can explore the various places that are around Goa. Karwar, located at a distance of 15 kilometres south of Goa-Karnataka border, can be reached within 1 hour 45 minutes from Goa. It is a sea-side town between the Western Ghats and Arabian Sea. Abundant in bio-diversity, this place has Sadashivgad Fort, KarwarBeach, KurumgadIsland, Oyster Rock Lighthouse, etc as prominent attractions.

The beautiful hill resort of Amboli can also be visited from Dabolim, Goa. The place abounds in immense natural beauty with other attractions as well. Some noteworthy attractions include Hiranyakeshi Temple, Nagatta Falls, MahadevGad Fort relics, Shirgaonkar, Purvicha Vas, etc.

Situated on the Konkan Coast lies Vengrula, in the Sindhudurg District of Maharashtra. The place is known for its hills, which surrounds the city on all directions, the various temples dedicated to different Indian gods and goddesses, the serene and pristine beaches and last but not least the extensive plantations of mango, coconut, berry and cashew-nut trees.

This quiet wildlife sanctuary in Goa is frequented by large numbers of travellers while on their visit to Dabolim, Goa. Snakes, plumed birds, monkeys, frogs etc are quite common in the sanctuary. There are well marked trails in the sanctuary with forest watchtowers. 

The lush green Azad Maidan lies to the western side of the MunicipalGardens. It is a martyr’s monument and it has sculptures of notable freedom fighters.

If you are heading to Miramar from Panaji, you need to pass through Campal. Before the KalaAcademy, on the seaward side of the road are the CampalGardens. It is also known as Children’s Park. It has a nice view of the Reis Margos Fort. 

Popularly known as Church Square, the MunicipalGardens are located in Panaji’s central square. At the centre of the garden is the Ashokan Pillar and so is a bust of Vasco da Gama. But in 1961, it was replaced by the national emblem of our country. 

The Naval Aviation Museum attracts innumerable tourists visiting Goa. India’s naval history can be well explored at the museum. Take a look at the various airplane models displayed here.

The ArchaeologicalMuseum in Goa is an integral part of the Franciscan Monastery, which is located right at the back of the Church of St Francis of Assisi. The museum contains fragments of sculpture from Hindu religion and bronze statues of LuísVaz de Camões – the Portuguese poet and the Portuguese conqueror Afonso de Albuquerque. There are also many portraits of Portuguese viceroys in the gallery in the museum.

The Se Cathedral is also called the SéCatedral de Santa Catarina. This is the largest church in India and one of the largest in Asia. It measures 76 metres in length and 55 metres in width. The construction work commenced in 1562 by orders of King Dom Sebastiao of Portugal and took almost 90-100 years to complete for various reasons. The exteriors of the cathedral are done in Tuscan traditional style and the interior is Corinthian, plain and simple. The Sino de Ouro (Golden Bell) is a major attraction of the church with other statues and interior decor work. It is also home to many old paintings.

The MarutiTemple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman, who is highly revered in the Hindu religion. The temple is a huge one and fully lit at night with lamps, presenting a lovely view. In February, a 10-day festival is celebrated in honour of the monkey god and the place beams with activity and excitement.

This is one of the oldest chapels in Goa and is located right opposite the Church of St Augustine. The chapel is partly used as a convent now. The chapel was constructed on the orders of Afonso de Albuquerque and was dedicated to the saint who led and protected the Portuguese navy and army. 

Choosing the right time for visiting Dabolim and selecting from the best Dabolim tour packages will help you enjoy a great vacation in the beach paradise of India. Whether you are a backpacker or a luxury traveller, you will have Dabolim tours suited to your travel needs.

The travel agencies design the packages accordingly so that they can cater to the travel requirements for all kinds of tourists. However, if you like to plan your own tour and do not like to avail the travel packages, a reliable Dabolim tourism guide can be of great help. You can plan a great travel itinerary with the help of the guide.

Kids can indulge in various kinds of activities on their trip to Dabolim, Goa. First and foremost are the long, sandy beaches where the kids can spend an entire day by playing with sand, making sand castles, etc. Then, kids can visit the Habitat of Dolphins or visit the nature reserve at Bondla. These will bring kids close to nature. Going to the Zoo or to the Butterfly Conservatory will also be a rewarding experience for the little ones. There are also many museums ofinterest for kids in Goa and these tours will be enjoyable and informative ones. There are activities for adventure loving kids as well who love to enjoy snorkelling or paragliding under adult supervision.

Constructed in 1605, the Basilica de Bom Jesus is presently a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The church is made in Baroque architectural style and is a place of pilgrimagefor Christians all over the world. Missionary Saint Francis Xavier’s mortal remains are held here in the basilica.

Though the GoaStateMuseum is not as illustrious as other museums in the state, there are many artefacts on display including bronze sculptures belonging to the Hindu and Jain religion, some coins, lottery machines, Portuguese era furniture, etc. The most popular exhibit is the carved table and the high-backed chairs. 

Though the state’s reputation as a party destination influences people’s travel plans, Goa has a lot more to offer than beaches and raves. Colonised by the Portuguese from 1510 – 1961, the state reflects a wonderful blend of Indian and Portuguese culture in the form of majestic churches, forts, and ancient buildings. Of them all, Fort Aguada is one of the most visited spots by tourists, and it’s not hard to see why! Playing home to the oldest lighthouse in Asia, this fort played a pivotal role in shaping Goa’s history, making it a spot that you must cross off your itinerary. 

Location : Located only 16 km away from Goa’s capital, Panaji, Fort Aguada is easy to access no matter where you are travelling from. It’s located on the Sinquerim Beach, just south of Candolim, a popular tourist hotspot.  

Timings : You can visit the fort anytime between 9:30 am 6:00 pm.

Entry fee: N/A (entry is free)

Highlights of Fort Aguada

One of the biggest highlights of visiting this fort is undoubtedly the four-story lighthouse built in 1864. It’s textured laterite walls, dark interiors and narrow staircase can help transport you to a different era when man sailed by ship, relying on nothing but paper maps and the stars for navigation. Climbing the lighthouse is worth the effort as you get to experience breath-taking panoramic views of the sea and surrounding flora.

The fort has many nooks and crannies that are perfect for photography, and if you love to capture the essence of a destination through your camera, then you simply must visit this place. Bollywood buffs will love visiting Fort Aguada as it has been featured in movies like Dil Chahta Hai, The Golmaal Series, Khamoshi, Josh, and many others. Go ahead and recreate your favourite movie scenes, zindagi na milegi dobara...see what we did there? 

Fort Aguada also plays home to a resident prison, and though this area is prohibited to tourists, it lends an aura of intrigue to the tourist spot. 

While in the area, you can spend a night aboard a houseboat on the Mandovi river. You can enjoy a range of activities like listening to live music, fishing, spotting crocodiles, star-gazing, and getting a glimpse into what the backwaters of Goa are like. Most importantly, you get to enjoy mouth-watering Goan food, with crabs, lobsters, prawns, Portuguese sausages, and pork sorpotel making an appearance.

You can also enjoy kayaking in the mangroves off the Aguada river. This is an experience that not many tourists in Goa can boast of, as many travellers are often too enamoured by the beaches to explore the hidden gems of the state. Having said that though, you still have to book your tickets in advance as timings vary with the tide, and the same goes for the availability of kayaks. 

Attractions near Fort Aguada

If you’re planning to visit Fort Aguada, don’t just chalk it down as an hour-long activity to add to your itinerary! There are a lot of wonderful attractions near the fort that you cannot miss out on seeing. 

To begin with, you must visit the nearby Sinquerim Beach and Candolim Beach. You can enjoy a myriad of adventure sports such as jet-skiing, parasailing, hand-gliding and wind-surfing. While you’re in the area, you must visit St. Alex Church, Calangute, which is one of the oldest churches in the state. Its beautiful white domes and pillars make it a favourite amongst both tourists and locals. 

The Reis Magos fort, less than 10 km away from Fort Aguada, is another popular tourist destination that you must visit. Apart from being a fantastic example of Portuguese culture and architecture, the Reis Magos fort also houses an art museum that shows the work of artist Mario Miranda. 

If you’re willing to take a short drive from Fort Aguada, you must visit Fontinhas, an old Portuguese quarter filled with narrow lanes, European homes, and brightly coloured buildings. It’s a quaint space that not many tourists know about. You must definitely visit Fontinhas if you want to see another side of Goa. 

Finally, party lovers and thrill-seekers must certainly make their way to Casino Paradise in Goa. Spanning a total of 5,000 feet, this casino is the oldest one in Goa and has all the games you’d expect to enjoy here like Blackjack, roulette, slot machines, mini baccarat, and more. 

Best time to visit

As Goa is a coastal state, it sees temperate weather that ranges from pleasantly warm in the winter season and fairly hot in the summer. Naturally, the winter season serves as the peak season and is the best time to visit. However, it is also the most crowded season and you’re likely to come across high tariffs and prices wherever you go. The Monsoon season (June to September) is unarguably the worst time to visit as you cannot enjoy the lovely beaches or head out to tourist spots because of torrential rains. Riding your way through Goan roads on a moped is one of the charms of visiting this state, and you just cannot experience that when it’s raining. 

You can visit Goa during the summer months (March – October), if you want to avoid running into crowds. This season generally works out to be the best time to visit for budget travellers who do not mind the heat. If you do happen to be in Goa during the summer season, head to Fort Aguada after 3pm so that the sun doesn’t bother you. 

About Fort Aguada

Built in 1612, Fort Aguada was used to guard the Portuguese colony of Goa from invading Maratha and Dutch troops. Apart from its role in defense, the fort also was instrumental in providing fresh water to ships that docked here, thanks to its natural freshwater spring. This is how the fort got its name, as ‘Agua’ is the Portuguese word for water. 

Interesting facts about Fort Aguada

• The fort once housed 79 canons
• The Church of St Lawrence was built quite close to Fort Aguada on purpose – Portuguese soldiers wanted to ensure that no one would fire at them!

Viceroy Francisco da Gama, Vasco da Gama’s grandson, constructed this famous arch in Goa in 1597. Green granite and laterite was used in the making of this arch. The main purpose of building the arch was for commemorating Vasco da Gama – the great explorer. This Arch also served as the entrance to Old Goa.