List of places to visit in Daman and Diu
Daman and Diu is a Union Territory in Western India. It houses various buildings and monuments with Portugese-styled architecture and is famous for various beaches, forts, churches, and much more. Being a popular tourist attraction almost throughout the year, below are some of the most popular and well-known tourist attractions you might want to visit the next time you head to this beautiful place.
1. Diu Fort
Diu Fort, also known as the ‘Diu Fortress’, is located on the west coast side of India in Diu. It was built by the Portugese in a defence alliance with Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat, against Humayun, the Mughal Emperor. The preserved fort features the bronze cannons at the top of the fort along with ruins of the walls, gateways, ramps which give shows us how well-planned and impressive the military defences the fort provided in the past.
Timings- 8AM to 6PM
Entry fee- Free
2. Gomtimata Beach
This beautiful beach is located in the western end of Diu in the village of Vanakbara. Gomtimata beach is characterized by its mesmerizing white sand and calm atmosphere. It is an ideal place to relax, sunbathe and enjoy the joys of life.
Best time to visit- Throughout the year
3. St.Paul’s Church
Names after St.Paul, the Apostle of Jesus, is one of the three churches in Diu which attracts a number of tourists every year. It is considered the best display of baroque architecture, an artistic style, in India. Inside the church. the alter has the image of St.Mary which was carved out of a single Burmese teak and is decorated with 101 candles. This church is easily accessible from the main land from the Ghoghla village in the east and Somnath in the west.
Timings- All days except Sunday (8AM- 6PM)
4. Naida Caves
This breathtakingly structured caves have interconnected tunnels with natural sunlight seeping in through the openings , thus creating a beautiful picture for the eyes. It is located out the Diu Fort and is well connected by road. It is believed that the caves got its structure from the cutting down of its rocks by the Portugese for construction.
Timing- Open 24 hours
5. Devka Beach
This beach lies on the outskirts of the main city with a serene atmosphere and has an amusement park by its side with a musical water fountain. This attracts tourists of all age groups creating a happy and thrilling day at the beach. Food courts align along the beach which will take care of your hunger pangs after an eventful day at the beach.
6. Moti Daman Fort
One of the most popular monuments of Daman, Moti Daman fort covers an of 30,000 square feet and features a deep trench for defence purposes. The most unique feature of this fort is the projections that protrude at regular intervals. It is allegedly also known as the ‘Governor’s Palace’.
Timings- Open 24 hours
7. Ghoghla Beach
One of the most popular beaches, it provides surfing and parasailing opportunities for all the adventure thrill seekers. The golden sand coupled with an enthralling environment gives a different shine to the beach. This beach is perfect for swimming, water games, sunbathing and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.
Best time- Throughout the year
8. St.Jerome Fort
This fort is also known as the Nani Daman fort. It is named after St.Jerome, an eminent priest. The gateway of this fort features a large statue of St.Jerome along with two human figurines on either side. It provides a splendid view of the skyline and gives a perfect view of the sunset. The fort also faces the Damanganga river which gives it a royal finishing touch.
Timings- 5:45 AM to 6PM
9. Jampore Beach
It is supposedly called the cleanest beach in Daman, and is a hotspot for tourists. Camel rides, decorated horse rides, car and vehicle riding for kids are some of the best activities for kids on this beach. The adults can go for water games like parasailing, playing outdoor games, motor boat rides and many more. The beach is famous for its unique mud-colored blackish water. This beach offers low tides water making it safe for tourists to peacefully enjoy swimming.
Best time to visit- 5PM to 6PM
10. Gangeshwar Temple
This Gangeshwar Mahadev temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and is located 3kms from Diu in the Fudam village. This temple is famous for its five shivalingas which are situated in the middle of the sea. The high tides of the ocean give way to the view of the tip of these rocks, as the water submerges the rocks. This temple is believed to have been built by the Pandavas during their exile time period.
Best time to visit- 6AM to 8PM (all days of the week)
