Cities & Townships in Goa

Though primarily renowned as the Land of Beaches, Goa is not all about beaches only. Having remained an erstwhile Portuguese colony, the state is home to several beautiful churches and other Portuguese marvels. An immensely diverse flora and fauna, rich cultural heritage and magnificent temples are also among the major tourist attractions in Goa. The cities & townships in Goa are home to all or some of these salient facets of Goa. Famous for their historical and cultural aspects, Goan cities & townships are some of the most beautiful in India.

North Goa:

Panaji (Panjim) : Goa's capital city, Panaji lies on the left bank of the Mandovi River in Tiswadi taluka of north Goa. The administrative headquarter of North Goa; Panaji is a commercial hub and the third largest among cities & townships in Goa. The city houses several beautiful gardens and statues.

Old Goa : The historic city of Old Goa lies 10 kms to the east of Panaji. The city was seized by Afonso de Albuquerque in 1510. Home to some of the most renowned churches in Goa, Old Goa lends visitors a fascinating insight into the history of Goa.

Mapusa : Lying close to many popular beaches in Goa, Mapusa flaunts a beautiful layout with gardens and church, and ranks as one of the popular tourist destinations in Goa. The Friday bazaar (market) held every Friday in the city, is also a major draw for tourists here.

The other important cities of North Goa are - Bicholim, Ponda, Mollem, Valpoi and Tiracol.

South Goa:

Vasco da Gama : Vasco Da Gama was one of the busiest ports on India's west coast when the Portuguese occupied it in 1543. Located across the Zuari River, about 40 kms from Panaji, Vasco is situated close to the Dabolim airport and the famous port of Mormugao.

Margao : Margao is the head-quarters of South Goa District and the cultural and commercial hub of the region. The town is well connected by rail and roadways with Karnataka and Maharashtra.

Mormugao Harbor : Mormugao is one of the famous natural harbors on the west coast of the Indian subcontinent. A hub of immense maritime activity, the port handles passenger and cargo ships from the world over.