Diu and Daman is arguably the most underrated tourist destinations in India. The union territory gives you a sneak peek of Portuguese architecture and also known for its beautiful churches and pristine beaches. Although limited by size in terms of area, Daman has a lot to offer to its tourists to rekindle the explorer in them. Read on to find out the best places to visit in Daman that includes churches, beaches, temples, forts and much more.
Daman is a city located on western ghats in Diu and Daman union territory. The capital city is just 177 kilometres away from Mumbai and ideal for a short vacation spanning for 3-5 days. The best time to visit Daman is during months of October to March as the climate will ideal and temp will be moderate.
Also Read: Top Weekend Getaways from Mumbai for all Mumbaikars!
One of the best places to visit in Daman, the beach is known for its calm waters and slightly blackish sand. The beach is 40 kilometres to the south of moti daman and easily accessible by rickshaws and private cabs. If you are going on a family vacation, this beach can be a good way to engage your kids and has activities that cater to people of all age group. The water activities include parasailing, boating, jet skiing and also sand biking. However, if you are just planning to stay from adventures and just want a peaceful evening, they are enough spots around the beach where you can sunset and calm waters of Arabian sea.
Moti Daman fort is one of the popular tourist attraction and also a must-visit place in Daman. Fort was built with the intention of protecting the city from Mughals in the 16th century. The structure of the fort though needs some renovation is still an intriguing site for history buffs. The fort is home to a variety of fascinating canyons that comes in different size and shape. The Portuguese style of architecture is evident in the fort and also the surrounding attractions.
If you are a fanatic about capturing the city through the lens, the Colossal lighthouse is the place you need to be in. The light is just 25- 30 mins from Moti Daman and easily accessible at a nominal price by local rickshaws. From the top of the lighthouse, you will be able to witness and capture panoramic views of the entire city and the attractions. Don’t miss out to visit lighthouse during the evening twilight as it is the best time of the day to visit the lighthouse.
As the Daman city is geographically close to Gujarat, you will be able to find the famous Jain temple as well. A visit to this temple will be quite insightful as it depicts the journey of Lord Mahavir, the founder of the Jain community. Apart from the Jain temple, the city is home to many other important temples like the Hanuman Temple, Somnath Mahadev Temple.
One of the places to visit in Daman to rejuvenate your batteries. The Monastery is surreally calm and peaceful. The monastery is commonly known as the headquarters of theological studies among scholars worldwide. The monastery has a rich and fascinating history behind it, However, the reason for the downfall of Monastery is still a puzzle for the historians.
Dominican Monastery never fails to disappoint any of its tours, it leaves us mesmerized by its architectural brilliance and intriguing folklore. Monastery organises a parade on Dec 3rd every year to honour St.Dominic.
As mentioned previously, Daman is home to many interesting churches and cathedrals. One such Catherdral is the Cathedral of Bom Jesus. The cathedral is a testament of artworks of Portuguese designers and artisans. The gold plated wooden altar, lofty ceiling, craved doorways and overall ambience of the cathedral makes you fall in love with it. The 400-year-old church gives us a glimpse of both Portuguese and roman style architecture. Weekends may be crowded as mass prayers are offered during the weekend.
If you are going with kids, then it would ideal to dedicate one day to them and explore the Devka Amusement park. It is a good way to bond more with your children and the park has many joyful rides to offer that will surely entertain your kids. The park has an adventure element as well in form pony and camel rides.
Opening Hours: 9 a.m to 9 p.m
Location: Devka Beach Rd, Opp.Hotel Ashoka Palace, Nani Daman, Daman, Daman and Diu 396210
Commonly referred to as Daman Kadaiya Lake Garden by locals, the garden is a unique man-made wonder in Daman. The cafes, the boat rides, the joy rides all this makes this a beautiful spot to unwind with your loved ones. The lake is quite close to Devka beach and can be combined together. The Mirasol Lake Garden has managed to impress many movie makers and has witnessed many movies over the years.
If you are looking for some offbeat beach destination, then Daman can be a perfect destination. However, planning to an offbeat destination may require some professional expertise. log on to Pickyourtrail and contact travel consultants from Pickyourtrail for a smooth and hassle-free vacation. You can also check-out their Packages for exciting itineraries. Do feel free to drop a Whatsapp inquiry for further details.
Daman is closer to vapi and easier to reach. it is a former Portuguese colony with a plethora of sights to immerse yourself in and a peaceful location to enjoy the beach and the waves of the seaside
Daman is known for its beautiful parks, Portuguese colonial architectural marvels, mesmerizing beaches, museums and its diverse culinary wonders.
It takes about 2-3 days to visit all the marvels of Daman like Jampore Beach, Lighthouse, Devka Beach, Moti Daman Fort, Somnath Mahadev Temple, Church Of Our Lady Of Sea, Mirasol Lake Garden and many more.
Mirasol Resort, Devka Beach Resort, Cidade de Daman, Gold Beach Resort, The Fern Seaside Luxurious Tent Resort Daman are some of the best options to stay in Daman.
Kathi Junction, HARY ‘N LAV – Beachside restaurant, Spice Galleon at The Gold Beach Resort, 19Sixtyone Restaurant & Bar, The Backyard Cafe, Veera da dhaba are some of the top restraunts that offer a variety of culinary delights