CityDekho
Old Goa (Basilica of Bom Jesus)

Old Goa (Basilica of Bom Jesus)

heritage site · Goa

Old Goa, or Velha Goa, is a monumental historic heritage enclave along the banks of the Mandovi River, a short drive from Panaji.

State
Goa
Type
Heritage Site
Best season
Winter

Old Goa, or Velha Goa, is a monumental historic heritage enclave along the banks of the Mandovi River, a short drive from Panaji. Serving as the grand former capital of the Portuguese Eastern Empire, the site has systematically preserved a collection of multi-century old colonial religious structures. The architectural core of the complex is the Basilica of Bom Jesus. The Basilica stands out as a masterpiece of baroque architecture, uniquely featuring an un-plastered dark laterite stone facade. The interior features complex gilded altars and a grand marble and bronze mausoleum. Directly across the square lies the colossal Se Cathedral, one of Asia's largest churches, showcasing classic Portuguese-Manueline design elements.

When to go

The ideal months to visit Old Goa are from October to March, with December hosting the grand Feast of Saint Francis Xavier.

Why visit

Bom Jesus holds the body of St Francis Xavier, brought back from China and still kept in a silver casket. Its exterior is bare laterite because the lime plaster was stripped off last century and never replaced — the other churches here show you what it should look like.

Cultural notes

Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986, the enclave represents a monumental milestone of Christian art distribution in Asia. The Basilica holds the sacred, miraculously preserved mortal remains of Saint Francis Xavier, attracting millions of global pilgrims during the solemn decennial public expositions.

How to reach

Located 10 km east of the state capital, Panaji. Easily accessed via smooth state highways using local public transport buses, private tourist taxis, or rented scooters. The nearest major railway hub is Karmali station, just 3 km away.

2 days in Old Goa (Basilica of Bom Jesus)

Take the whole plan, or add any single stop.

Day 1

Day 1

Basilica of Bom Jesus

Basilica of Bom Jesus

Day 1

Se Cathedral & St. Cajetan

Se Cathedral & St. Cajetan

Day 1

Archaeological Museum

Archaeological Museum

Day 1

Ferry to Divar Island

Ferry to Divar Island

Day 2

Day 2

Fontainhas Latin Quarter walk

Fontainhas Latin Quarter walk

Day 2

Mandovi sunset cruise

Mandovi sunset cruise

Day 2

Goan lunch in Panjim

Goan lunch in Panjim

Old Goa (Basilica of Bom Jesus) guide & itineraries

Old Goa (Basilica of Bom Jesus) is perfect for

heritagespiritualfamilycouples

What & where to eat

Panjim (nearby)

Ros Omelette

Panjim street favourites nearby

Panjim (nearby)

Choris Pao

Panjim street favourites nearby

Goan Fish Curry Rice

Goan Fish Curry Rice

Coconut fish curry with rice

Sorpotel

Sorpotel

Fiery, tangy Goan pork specialities

Pork Vindaloo

Fiery, tangy Goan pork specialities

Prawn Rava Fry

Semolina-crusted fried prawns

Bebinca

Bebinca

Layered coconut dessert

Nearby getaways

Panjim

~15 min

North Goa beaches

~40 min

Ponda temples

~30 min

Frequently asked questions

What is Old Goa famous for?
Its UNESCO-listed churches, above all the Basilica of Bom Jesus with the relics of St. Francis Xavier.
How far is Old Goa from Panjim?
About 10 km, roughly 15-20 minutes.

Things to do

How to spend your time in Old Goa (Basilica of Bom Jesus).

Se Cathedral

One of Asia's largest churches, home to the Golden Bell

Church of St. Cajetan

Baroque church modelled on St. Peter's, Rome

Festivals around Goa

Time your trip around something unforgettable.

Goa CarnivalFebruary

Goa Carnival

cultural

Over 250,000 visitors attend the Goa Carnival parades annually, according to the Goa Tourism Development Corporation.

Explore festival →

Reviews & ratings

What travellers say about Old Goa (Basilica of Bom Jesus)

CityDekho traveller reviews

★★★★★★★★★★

No CityDekho reviews yet

Be the first traveller to review this place.

Sign in to write a review

Community

Ask questions and share tips about Old Goa (Basilica of Bom Jesus)

Sign in to ask a question or share a tip about Old Goa (Basilica of Bom Jesus).

Loading…

Been to Old Goa (Basilica of Bom Jesus)?

Write what you would tell a friend — where you stayed, what you would skip, the thing you wish somebody had mentioned before you went. We read every submission before it goes up.

Share your story

More heritage & forts

More places you'll love

Karnataka

Daria Daulat Bagh (Srirangapatna)

Daria Daulat Bagh is the elegant summer palace of Tipu Sultan, the Tiger of Mysore, set in a garden on the river-island of Srirangapatna near Mysuru. Built largely of teak in 1784 in the Indo-Saracenic style, its walls and ceilings are covered in vivid frescoes, floral motifs and murals, including a famous depiction of Tipu's forces at the Battle of Pollilur.

Tripura

Neermahal

Neermahal is a striking water palace rising from the middle of Rudrasagar Lake near Melaghar in Tripura, built by the Manikya king in the 1930s as a royal summer retreat. Blending Hindu and Mughal architectural styles, its white-and-red pavilions are reached by boat and beautifully reflected in the lake.

Tripura

Unakoti

Unakoti, in the forested hills of northern Tripura, is an ancient Shaiva pilgrimage and archaeological site famous for its colossal rock-cut carvings and stone images dating back over a thousand years. Legend says there are one less than a crore of images here, giving the site its name, set amid waterfalls and greenery.

Assam

Sivasagar

Sivasagar, once the capital of the mighty Ahom kingdom that ruled Assam for six centuries, is a town rich in monuments around its great tank. Its highlights include the Rang Ghar, often called Asia's oldest surviving amphitheatre, the Talatal and Kareng Ghar palaces, and the towering Sivadol temple.

Delhi

Lotus Temple (Delhi)

The Lotus Temple is a Baha'i House of Worship and one of Delhi's most photographed modern landmarks, shaped like a half-open lotus with 27 marble-clad petals set among nine pools and landscaped gardens. Completed in 1986 and open to people of all faiths, it is kept silent, and that is the point of going.

Rajasthan

Kumbhalgarh Fort

Kumbhalgarh, a UNESCO-listed Mewar fort in the Aravalli Hills, is famed for its immense perimeter wall, which stretches roughly 36 km and is often called the second-longest continuous wall in the world after the Great Wall of China. Built mainly in the 15th century by Rana Kumbha, it was the birthplace of Maharana Pratap and a refuge of the Mewar rulers.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Cellular Jail (Port Blair)

The Cellular Jail in Port Blair, known as Kala Pani, is a colonial-era prison built by the British between 1896 and 1906 to hold Indian freedom fighters in solitary confinement. Its original seven wings radiated from a central tower like spokes; today the surviving structure is a national memorial to the independence movement.

Delhi

Safdarjung's Tomb (Delhi)

Safdarjung's Tomb is a garden-tomb built around 1754 for Safdarjung, the powerful Nawab of Awadh and a prime minister of the Mughal empire. Set in a formal charbagh garden, its red-and-buff sandstone dome and symmetrical layout make it one of the last great monuments of the Mughal era.

Maharashtra

Daulatabad Fort

Daulatabad Fort (historically Devagiri) stands atop a steep 200-metre conical hill roughly 15-16 km northwest of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), Maharashtra. It is a massive fortified hill-city built up over about 1,000 years, enclosed by three concentric fortification walls and two moats, best known for Sultan Muhammad bin Tughluq's failed 14th-century attempt to shift the Delhi Sultanate's capital here.

Maharashtra

Bibi Ka Maqbara (Aurangabad)

Bibi Ka Maqbara in Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) is a grand Mughal mausoleum built in the 1660s to 1670s for Dilras Banu Begum, the wife of Emperor Aurangzeb. Closely modelled on the Taj Mahal, its marble and stucco dome earned it the nickname the Taj of the Deccan.

Karnataka

Gol Gumbaz (Vijayapura)

Gol Gumbaz in Vijayapura (Bijapur) is the mausoleum of Sultan Mohammed Adil Shah, completed in 1656. Crowned by one of the largest masonry domes in the world, it is famous for its Whispering Gallery, where even a soft sound is carried clearly across the vast circular hall and echoes many times over.

Delhi

India Gate (Delhi)

India Gate is a 42-metre war memorial arch on the ceremonial Kartavya Path, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and completed in 1931. It honours around 74,000 Indian soldiers who died in the First World War and the Third Anglo-Afghan War, their names inscribed on its sandstone walls.

Trending in Goa

Goa

Goa

Goa, India's smallest state on the western Konkan coast, pairs golden Arabian Sea beaches with a relaxed Indo-Portuguese culture. From the lively sands and nightlife of the north to the quieter palm-fringed south, plus whitewashed churches, spice plantations, fresh seafood and easygoing susegad charm, it remains India's favourite beach getaway.

Fort Aguada

Fort Aguada

Fort Aguada, completed by the Portuguese in 1612, guards the mouth of the Mandovi from the Sinquerim headland — the strongest of Goa's coastal forts and the one that never fell. Its name comes from the freshwater springs ('agua') that replenished passing ships, stored in one of Asia's largest freshwater cisterns. On the upper fort stands a stout 19th-century lighthouse; below, the ramparts drop to Sinquerim beach and the sea.

North Goa (Baga & Calangute)

North Goa (Baga & Calangute)

Baga and Calangute form the high-energy, commercial beach core of North Goa, stretching along a continuous golden sand coastline on the Arabian Sea. Characterized by a coastal ecosystem, this region transitions from sun-drenched daytime water sports hubs into an epicenter of nightlife and entertainment. The shoreline is densely lined with dynamic open-air food shacks, water sports operators, and international music bars. Calangute beach functions as a prime retail and family leisure avenue, while Baga creek marks the launching pad for late-night clubbing and beachside parties.