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Goa is a small state in India that is famous for its beautiful beaches, nightlife, and historic and cultural attractions. But there is so much more to Goa than just the sun-kissed beaches and the blue seas; in the monuments of the Portuguese forts that dot its geographical map there is a lot of history to uncover. North Goa boasts of some of the oldest forts in the region that speak volumes about battles, power and lineage. These forts remain mute perched over the Arabian sea providing beautiful vistas.
10 Popular Forts In North Goa
In this blog, let us walk you through ten incredible forts in North Goa, read on to know more about the historical facts, architectural style and much more.
1. Aguada Fort
Photo: Rupeshsarkar / Wikimedia Commons
Overlooking the Arabian sea, Aguada fort was constructed in 1612 by the Portuguese and is one of the best preserved and the most important forts in goa. This fortress was built to defend the Portuguese colony from the invasions of the Dutch and the Marathas. The fort was named Aguada, which translates to water in Portuguese because the structure also consisted of a fresh water spring for the Navy ships. The fort is a very well preserved and typical example of a military construction of the Portuguese colonial period.
Location: Sinquerim Beach, Candolim, North Goa
Best Time To Visit: November to February
Entry Fee: Free
Timings: 9:30 AM – 6 PM
Nearby Attractions: Candolim Beach, Sinquerim Beach
Suggested Read: Top Famous Beaches In North Goa
2. Chapora Fort
Photo: ROMAN ODINTSOV / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Situated on the outskirts of Goa, Chapora Fort was featured in the much acclaimed Bollywood movie ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ thus it is also fondly known as Dil Chahta Hai Fort. The fort was mainly used as a look out post used in defence and overseeing of the rivulets to Chapora river. The fort is located on a cliff, and the site provides breathtaking views of the Vagator Beach and the Arabian Sea.
Location: Chapora, Bardez, North Goa
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Entry Fee: Free
Timings: 24*7
Nearby Attractions: Vagator Beach, Anjuna Beach
3. Reis Magos Fort
Photo: Amarender Jannu / Wikimedia Commons
Reis Magos Fort is one of the oldest and largest forts primarily built to protect Goa from the Marathas. They built it as a palace, which was later used as a house for the Viceroy of Goa and then a prison. The fort has been well preserved and has been turned into a cultural facility and an open air museum. This building also has features of usual Portuguese military fortification that includes bastions, a spacious interior yard as well as watchtowers.
Location: Reis Magos, Bardez, North Goa
Best Time To Visit: November to April
Entry Fee: ₹50 for adults, ₹25 for childrens
Timings: 9:30 AM – 5 PM (Closed on Mondays)
Nearby Attractions: Coco Beach, Mandovi River
Suggested Read: Things To Do In North Goa With Family
4. Terekhol Fort
Photo: Cajie / Wikimedia Commons
Tiracol Fort which is also known as Terekhol Fort is located at the southernmost part of Goa. The edifice was put up in the 17th century by Maharaja Khem Sawant Bhonsle who was the ruler of Sawantwadi. The Portuguese took over in 1746 and used it as a fort to protect themselves from Maratha raiding. The fort was later converted into a heritage hotel, and as such, the ambiance still remains characteristic of the original structure.
Location: Terekhol, Pernem, North Goa
Best Time To Visit: November to March
Entry Fee: Free for visitors; charges apply for hotel guests
Timings: 24*7
Nearby Attractions: Querim Beach, Tiracol River
5. Corjuem Fort
Photo: Roming Raj / Shutterstock
Corjuem Fort is another relatively small but rather important fortress which is situated on the island in the Mandovi River. Although it was a relatively small place, it served a very important purpose in the defence of Goa. The fort is rather small-sized but has thick walls, corner bastions, and even a moat around it. It provides an opportunity to have an extensive view of the countryside as well as the Mandovi River. The fort is isolated from the city’s buzz, which may be beneficial for its guests.
Location: Aldona, Bardez, North Goa
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Entry Fee: Free
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
Nearby Attractions: St. Thomas Church, Aldona Village
Suggested Read: Top Water Sports In North Goa To Enjoy Blue Views And Blissful Hues
6. Pomburpa Fort
Photo: Ssr / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Pomburpa Fort may be a relatively unknown structure but nonetheless, it plays a great role as a historical landmark in the region of Goa. The construction of this fort can be dated to Portuguese colonial rule when it was most likely used as a lookout post for water resources. The fort is fairly small, and the walls of the structure can hardly be called intricate despite their massive appearance. The location of the fort provided an effective vantage point for monitoring the surrounding regions as well.
Location: Pomburpa, Bardez, North Goa
Best Time To Visit: October to February
Entry Fee: Free
Timings: 24*7
Nearby Attractions: Pomburpa Springs, Mapusa
7. Sinquerim Fort
Photo: Anshikasjv12 / Wikimedia Commons
Built out of stones by the Portuguese in 1612, Sinquerim Fort is an extension to the larger Aguada Fort. The fort was integrated in the coastal defence, which functioned as a defence line against any potential threats from the sea. It also functioned as a landmark for locating ships entering the Mandovi River. This fort is near the Sinquerim Beach and it has been expanded into two parts. The lower part which is closer to the beach is equipped with a beautiful view of the sea. The upper section has thicker walls and bastions in comparison to the lower part.
Location: Sinquerim Beach, Candolim, North Goa
Best Time To Visit: November to February
Entry Fee: Free
Timings: 24*7
Nearby Attractions: Aguada Fort, Candolim Beach
Suggested Read: Less Crowded Beaches In North Goa For Peaceful Retreats
8. Rachol Fort
Photo: Melissadaine / Wikimedia Commons
Rachol Fort which is situated further inland was an important structure during the Portuguese domination of Goa. Originally, it was a Hindu fort, but the Portuguese later seized it and strengthened it to protect their commercial concerns in the area. There is not much left of the fort but from what is still visible you can feel the historical value of the place. The remaining walls and gateways give an idea of the past and the ambiance of the area is natural and scenic.
Location: Rachol, Salcette, North Goa
Best Time To Visit: November to March
Entry Fee: Free
Timings: 24*7
Nearby Attractions: Rachol Seminary, Zuari River
9. Nanuz Fort
Photo: Prajakt Kamulkar / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Nanuz Fort, which was constructed in the 17th century by the Maratha King Shivaji is located in Sattari taluka in North Goa. It also had the historical significance of having been used as a camp by the Marathas when they were in that area on military expedition. This fort was later seized by the Portuguese. Most of the fort is now in a dilapidated state, but the remains of the walls and bastions are still present. Something that also enhances the mysterious feeling about the fort is the fact that it is located in the middle of the dense forests.
Location: Nanuz, Sattari, North Goa
Best Time To Visit: November to February
Entry Fee: Free
Timings: 24*7
Nearby Attractions: Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, Valpoi
Suggested Read: Discover Places To Visit In North Goa For Couples For A Romantic Retreat
10. Anjediva Fort
Photo: BIJU THANKACHAN / Shutterstock / Image For Representation Only
Anjediva Fort is located on the Anjediva Island which is located near the North Goan Coastal area. The fort was constructed by the Portuguese in the year 1505 and stands amongst one of the oldest forts in the region. This location was important as a naval base and helped play a vital part in protecting Goa. The structure of the fort is now almost dilapidated, and very little remains intact. Nonetheless, owing to its historical background and beautiful views of the island, it is an interesting place to go to.
Location: Anjediva Island, Karwar, North Goa
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Entry Fee: Free (Special permission required to visit the island)
Timings: 24*7
Nearby Attractions: Karwar Beach, Rabindranath Tagore Beach
The forts of North Goa are not mere structures or relics of the past – they are alive with the history of the area. Each of the forts has its tale and gives a glimpse of the era that various historical forces brought to Goa. From the Aguada Fort, which was strategically placed to commemorate the efforts of the Europeans to the magnificent Terekhol Fort, people get a glimpse of how historically these structures depicted military might from the ages and architects of those earlier ages. To explore forts in North Goa and forts, book your trip with TripXL for hassle free journey.
Cover Photo: alexey turenkov / Unsplash
