Old Goa also known as Velha Goa served as the capital of Goa state before it was shifted to Panaji in 1843. The town is renowned for baroque style architecture: Basilica of Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral,  Church of St Cajetan and the Augustine Church of Our Lady of Grace, now in ruins. The Bom Jesus Basilica, Churches and Convents of Old Goa are designated UNESCO World Heritage sites. The town is known for the Feast of St Francis Xavier (December).

Major tourist sites in and around Old Goa: Se Cathedral, Kristu Kala Mandir Art Gallery, Church of St Francis of Assisi, Archaeological Museum, Museum of Christian Art, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Church of Our Lady of the Mount, Monastery of St Augustine, etc.

Tourism Board Website

When to visit: best time to visit October to March. March to May is hot and humid. June to September is monsoon season.

HOW TO REACH

Nearest railway station: Karmali railway station is 3 km (1.8 mi) away. Vasco da Gama station is about 30 km (18.6 mi) away. Madgaon Junction railway station in Margao is about 35 km (21.7 mi) away. Margao station is the terminus station for several Konkan Railway trains and almost all trains passing through Goa stop here. There are direct trains from most parts of India including Delhi, Mumbai, Cochin, Mangalore, Bangalore, Gujarat, Kerala, coastal Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

For detailed train timings and other information log on to www.indianrailways.gov.in or https://www.irctc.co.in/nget/train-search

Nearest airport: Goa International Airport (Dabolim Airport) is about 25 km (15.5 mi) away.

For more information see section TravelInfo/Airports/Goa/Goa International Airport

Buses: The Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC) is the state government’s bus service. Buses go from Panjim. For longer distances you need to change buses. Biggest bus stations in Goa are – Mapusa, Panjim, Vasco da Gama, Margao and Canacona.

By road: The distance from Goa International Airport (Dabolim Airport) to Old Goa is about 25 km (15.5 mi) via MDR 1. It takes around 1 hour.
The distance from Madgaon Junction railway station in Margao to old Goa is about 35 km (21.7 mi) via NH 66. It takes around 1 hour.
The distance from Vasco da Gama station to Old Goa is about 30 km (18.6 mi) via MDR 1. it takes around 1 hour.
The distance from Panaji to Old Goa is about 12 km (7.4 mi) via NH748. It takes around 30 minutes.
The distance from Mumbai to Old Goa is about 586 km (364.1 mi) via NH48. It takes around 10-11 hours.