Sights in Goa
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Fernandes House
A kilometre east past the church, and open to the public, is the Fernandes House, whose original building dates back more than 500 years, while the Portuguese section was tacked on by the Fernandes family in 1821. The secret basement hideaway, full of gun holes and with an escape tunnel to the river, was used by the family to flee attackers. A minimum Rs100-per-visitor donation is expected.
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Savoi Spice Plantation
Nearby, the 200-year-old Savoi Spice Plantation, whose motto is ‘Organic Since Origin’, is less touristy and elephant-free, but you’ll find a warm welcome from knowledgeable guides keen to walk you through the 40-hectare plantation. Local crafts are for sale, and you’ll be welcomed with fresh pomegranate juice, cardamom bananas and other organic treats.
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Professed House
The Professed House, next door to the basilica, is a two-storey laterite building covered with lime plaster. It was completed in 1585, despite much opposition to the Jesuits from the local Portuguese. There is a modern art gallery attached to the basilica; even if the art isn't to your taste it's worth popping your head in to look through a small window down on the tomb of St Francis Xavier.
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Betul
A small, sweet workaday village hugging the Sal River estuary, Betul will be your introduction to southern Goa if you’re heading down the coast via the Candolim ferry. There are few specific sights here, but it’s worth climbing up to the cross-topped Baradi Hillock viewpoint, especially for sunset, to see the glorious southern beach stretching off into the distance.
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Secretariat Building
Dating from the 16th century, this handsome colonial-era building was originally the palace of Muslim ruler Adil Shah, before becoming the viceroy’s official residence in 1759. Nowadays it houses rather less exciting government offices, but remains worth a gaze as the oldest building in town. It is currently under renovation and will be for quite some time.
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Church & Convent of St Monica
This huge, three-storey laterite building was completed in 1627, only to burn down nine years later. Reconstruction started the following year, and it's from this time that the buildings date. Once known as the Royal Monastery, due to the royal patronage that it enjoyed, the building is now used by the Mater Dei Institute as a nunnery. It was inaugurated in 1964.
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Church of St Augustine
The Church of St Augustine was constructed in 1602 by Augustinian friars and abandoned in 1835 due to the repressive policies of the Portuguese government, which resulted in the eviction of many religious orders from Goa. It quickly fell into neglect and all that really remains is the enormous 46m tower that served as a belfry and formed part of the façade.
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Institute Menenez Braganza
Step into the west entrance of the town’s public library, to examine the grand and dramatic azulejos (traditional painted ceramic tiles) adorning the wall, which depict scenes from Os Lusiadas, a famously epic and glorious Portuguese poem that tells the tale of Portugal’s 15th- and 16th-century voyages of discovery.
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Rajbag Beach
Quiet little Rajbag is these days dominated by the presence of the luxury Intercontinental resort, and most of its visitors are consequently hotel guests. It makes for a nice walk, however, from Patnem Beach to the north, clambering across the rocks along the way. Like many beaches in this area, though, beware a treacherous undertow when swimming.
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Public Observatory
For anyone interested in checking out the incredibly clear night skies over Goa, the local branch of the Association of Friends of Astronomy has a public observatory. The local enthusiasts are only too happy to welcome visitors and explain what you’re looking at. The view of Panaji by night is lovely, especially around dusk.
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Museum
Aside from the beautiful views afforded from the roof terrace of Pilar Seminary, which is a few kilometres north of Goa Velha and 12km southeast of Panaji, it is home to a small museum, which holds some of the Hindu relics discovered on-site, as well as some lovely religious paintings, carvings and artefacts.
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Galgibag Beach
Gorgeous, deserted Galgibag is one of the last preserves of Goa’s endangered Olive Ridley turtles, and is a beautiful pine-backed stretch of deserted sands. Don’t come here to swim – undertows and currents are strong – but it’s unsurpassed for a quiet, nature-immersed walk.
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Tropical Spice Farm
One of the best spice plantations to visit is the Tropical Spice Farm, 5km northeast of Ponda. An entertaining 45-minute tour of the spice plantation, followed by a banana-leaf buffet lunch, is included in the price, and elephant rides (Rs 500) and bathings (Rs 600) are also available.
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Ancestral Goa
If you’re keen for high kitsch, be sure to drop in at Ancestral Goa, which encompasses a host of attractions including – but not limited to – ‘Big Foot’, a wishing rock, Mini Goa (as if the full-sized version weren’t mini enough), and the ‘longest laterite sculpture’ in India.
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Museum of Christian Art
Within the Convent of St Monica, the excellent Museum of Christian Art contains statuary, paintings and sculptures transferred here from the Rachol Seminary. Many of the works of Goan Christian art during the Portuguese era were produced by local Hindu artists.
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Central Library
At the northwest corner of the Azad Maidan, the Menezes Braganza Institute and the city’s Central Library, the oldest public library in India, occupy part of the old buildings that were once the Portuguese army headquarters.
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Wax World
If you’re a fan of kooky representations of obscure historical figures, look no further than this waxworks, which boasts of a host of ‘Life-Size Look-Alike Wax Statues’ including a full, waxen version of Michelangelo’s Last Supper.
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Casa Araujo Alvares
Casa Araujo Alvares, built in 1757, is officially open to the public. It may not be as brimming with atmosphere as some of the other examples you’ll find scattered across the state, but it’s still well worth looking in on.
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Panaji Central Library
On the west side of the Azad Maidan, the Institute Menezes Braganza houses Panaji Central Library and is worth popping into to see the pretty blue-and-white azulejos (glazed ceramic-tile compositions) in the entrance hall.
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Kristu Kala Mandir Art Gallery
This gallery sandwiched between the Church of St Francis of Assisi and Sé Cathedral is located in what used to be the archbishop’s house, and contains an only mildly diverting collection of modern Christian art.
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Butterfly Beach
Hire a local boatman at the north end of Palolem Beach or in Colomb Bay to ferry you up to Butterfly Beach and back, relishing the views of untouched coastline along the way.
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Church of the Holy Spirit
The richly decorated Church of the Holy Spirit is certainly worth a look and can be positively exciting when a big service is taking place.
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Church of Our Lady of the Mount
For a wonderful view of the city head to the hilltop Church of Our Lady of the Mount, 2km east of Se Cathedral.
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New Lighthouse
The new lighthouse, built in 1976, can usually be visited; cameras are not allowed inside.
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