The famous churches in Goa were built around the 15th century AD during the rule of the Portuguese in Goa. That is why you can mostly see innovation and creativity in 15th-century architecture, as well as all the skilled work done by Indian workers. You can not only see the architecture but also learn many unknown facts about the customs and traditions of Goa. You will also learn about all the historical stories of Portuguese rule.
Churches and convents in Goa were declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.
12 Best Beautiful Churches to Visit in Goa:
Below are some of the best and most famous churches you should visit in Goa,
1. Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa:
The Basilica of Bom Jesus Church in Goa is one of the most famous and frequently visited historical churches in Goa. The name of the famous church in Goa is mainly due to the Jesuits who came to India in the 15th century. It is also one of the oldest churches founded in 1594. Along with the body of St. Francis Xavier, you can easily find the delicate and extensive work of precious stones in St. Francis Church Goa. There is also major painting works as well, and therefore this church will astonish anyone who visits it. The St Xavier church Goa came into operation in the year 1605. The times of Bom Jesus Church Goa vary on weekdays and weekends.
- Church Days: Monday – Saturday, Sunday
- Timings: 7-8 AM and 6 PM on weekdays, 8-9.15 AM and 6 PM on Sunday
- Location: Old Goa Rd, Bainguinim, Goa
- How to Reach: Via Road using bus or car
- Celebrations: Christmas and St. Xavier’s Feast
- Other Attractions: St. Francis Xavier’s Body
2. Se Cathedral, Goa:
Se Cathedral in Goa is very impressive due to its unique structure. It is one of the largest convents and churches in Goa. These beautiful churches in Goa were built in the 16th century when the Portuguese celebrated their victory over the Indians, in capturing Goa. Thus, this St Francis Xavier Church Goa was dedicated to St. Catherine. The churches to see in Goa are the house for the great golden bell and also have received the benediction of the Pope, mainly in the form of a Golden Rose. This is why the place has a fantastic spiritual aura. Three Kings Feast is also celebrated here. The Saint Francis church Goa was established in the year 1640.
- Church Days: Monday – Saturday, Sunday
- Timings: 7.30 AM – 6 PM on weekdays, 7.30 AM, 10 AM and 4 PM on Sunday
- Location: Velha, Goa
- How to Reach: Using roadways with the car, bus or train ways
- Celebrations: Christmas and Three Kings Feast
Read: Main Festivals Celebrated in Goa
3. Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Old Goa:
St. Francis Church was mainly established by the great and famous Franciscan Friars. The best church in Goa is the perfect match-up between Corinthian, Tuscan and Baroque styles in its architecture. This makes the church look different from the other churches in Goa. The best church to visit in Goa is not only just a convent but also a museum as well, which showcases various types of paintings, artifacts and sculptures will also help you to get a glimpse of Goa’s past as well. You will also come to know about Goa’s past culture as well. The San Francisco church Goa was established in the year 1661.
- Church Days: Monday – Saturday, Sunday
- Timings: 5 PM on weekdays, 9-11 AM and then 5 PM on Sunday
- Location: National Highway 4, Velha Goa
- How to Reach: Through NH4 using a car or bus
- Celebrations: Christmas
4. Chapel of Our Lady of the Mount, Old Goa:
This old Goa church is situated in Monte, and therefore it is also one of the oldest and most famous churches in Goa as well. This church is situated beside the Se Cathedral, and therefore the church gives the best view of the side-by Mandovi River. You can also catch a glimpse of the Chorao Islands and also the place of Old Goa. The presence of the surrounding hills gives the place a calm feel. This Goa church name has been featured in many Bollywood movies as well. The church was established in the year 1510. Timings of the churches to visit in Goa are on weekdays and weekends.
- Church Days: Monday – Saturday, Sunday
- Timings: 9 AM – 7 AM on weekdays, 9 AM – 12 PM on Sunday
- Location: Ella, Goa
- How to Reach: With the help of a car, bus or train
- Celebrations: Christmas
- Other Attractions: Chorao Islands, Old Goa, Mandovi River.
5. Church of St. Cajetan, Goa:
This most famous church of Goa was very much made and modelled on St. Peter’s Basilica. The St. Peter’s Basilica is present in Vatican City. It is no doubt that the St. Cajetan Church is one of the most beautiful-looking churches in South Goa. The must-visit churches in Goa have the Baroque style and the advantage of Corinthian Architecture as well. This is one of the few churches in Goa that greatly portrays the culture of the Portuguese-era rulers, and thus has thousands of visitors every year. The church was established in the year 1661. The church timings in Goa are open all days.
- Church Days: Monday – Sunday
- Timings: 7 AM – 12 PM and 4 PM – 7 PM
- Location: Ella, Goa
- How to Reach: By the use of train, bus, and car
- Celebrations: Christmas, Bonderam festival
6. Mae De Deus Church, Saligao, Goa:
The Mae De Deus Goa church history is one of the most unique-looking churches in Goa. The place has flawless architecture, design and also structure as well. This is one of the fewest churches in Goa that was made in the style of neo-gothic. The Mae De Deus statue was carved very intricately, with a fantastic-looking glide and also embellishment as well. This picture of churches in Goa is a show stopper at night, and therefore more people visit the place at night to see the starry show. The church was established in the year 1873.
- Church Days: Monday – Saturday, Sunday
- Timings: 7 AM and 8 AM on weekdays, 7 AM and 8.30 AM and 9.30 PM on Sunday
- Location: Chogm Rd, Saligao, Goa
- How to Reach: By the use of a bus or car or auto.
- Celebrations: Christmas
- Other Attractions: Mae De Deus statue.
7. Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, Goa:
The top churches in Goa have unique architecture, and there’s no denying that. That’s what makes the main church in Goa an old gem among all the other churches in Goa. The people of Goa mainly visit this place to experience the powers of God. The famous church in Goa has double flights of staircases zigzagging each other and is situated on a hillside as well. The Panjim church in Goa is the second largest church in Goa. Goa a church was established in the year 1609. You can visit these Goa church images any day.
- Church Days: Monday – Sunday
- Timings: 7 AM to 5.30 PM
- Location: Rua Emidio Garcia, Panjim, Goa
- How to Reach: By the help of trains or bus or car
- Celebrations: Christmas, Shigmo
Read: Best Beaches in Goa for Honeymoon
8. Our Lady of the Lourdes Church, Goa:
This is a type of unique-looking Panjim church in Goa, where it has a bell on top of the structure and has a very neo-romantic type of styled architecture. This biggest church in Goa is very much small in size compared to the other churches in the place. The largest church in Goa then expanded slowly as the number of believers increased. The painted glass and also the white colour of the famous church in north Goa gives the church a very calm and serene look nonetheless. The church was established in the year 1913. The timings of the old Goa church information are weekdays and weekends.
- Church Days: Monday – Saturday, Sunday
- Timings: 6.30 AM and 8.30 AM on weekdays, 10.30 AM and 5 PM on Sunday
- Location: Railway Crossing, Utorda, Goa
- How to Reach: Via using railways.
- Celebrations: Christmas
9. St. Clara’s Church, Goa:
The St. Clara Church in Goa is one of the oldest churches in the area. The surroundings of the forest are covered with forests that look very beautiful in lush green colour. Also, the pure white exterior paint of the most beautiful church in Goa gives off a very fairy tale vibe to the overall impression of the place. But, it should be kept in mind, in the past, this old Goa church history was attacked by people many times and was again reconstructed many times as well. This shows the strength of the foundation of the st cathedral church Goa and also the perseverance of the surrounding people as well. The church was established in the year 1748. The old Goa church timings of the church are on weekdays and weekends.
- Church Days: Monday – Saturday, Sunday
- Timings: 6.45 AM on weekdays, 7 – 8.30 AM on Sunday
- Location: Assonora, Goa
- How to Reach: Via the help of a bus or a car.
- Celebrations: Christmas
- Other Attractions: Nearby forests.
10. Chapel of Saint Sebastian, Goa:
The St. Sebastian church is a small famous church in north Goa, in white colour and also attracts a notable amount of tourists as well. This is a very favourite tourist spot in Panjim, the capital of Goa. This church in south Goa has a striking crucifix, and it was placed at the original place of the inquisition. According to the people who visit the churches in North Goa, the crucifix has powers to reward and as well as punish people according to what deeds they do as well. The St Augustine church Goa was established in the year 1818.
- Church Days: Monday – Saturday, Sunday
- Timings: 6.45 AM on weekdays, 7 – 8.30 AM on Sunday
- Location: Altinho, Panjim, Goa
- How to Reach: By using a car or a bus.
- Celebrations: Christmas
11. St. John the Baptist Church, Benaulim, Goa:
The St. John church is one of the most famous churches in old Goa, due to the old Goa church name carries out Baptism. The Goa old Goa church is established on top of a hill, and has very elegant interiors, along with numerous art galleries as well. This makes people visit this white-washed looking church very often as well. The surroundings of the Francis Xavier church Goa are very calm and quiet and therefore make the whole place very serene too. Various celebrations are celebrated at this best church in north Goa. The church was established in the year 1956.
- Church Days: Monday – Saturday, Sunday
- Timings: 7 AM on weekdays, 6.15 AM and 7.45 PM on Sunday
- Location: Benaulim, Goa
- How to Reach: Through the aid of a train or bus.
- Celebrations: Christmas, Three Kings Feast
- Other Attractions: Surrounding place.
12. St. Elizabeth’s Church, Goa:
The St. Elizabeth Church has the statue of Christ on top of the old Goa church images and is also one of the oldest churches in Goa as well. The Goa church photos were built in the style of the Mannerist and thus include various rococo features as well. The best church in south Goa was once destroyed in a heavy storm, and still, the churches in Goa India are kept under good maintenance throughout the year as well. The Goa famous church name was established in the year 1708. The timings of the Goa churches to visit are for only Saturday and Sunday.
- Church Days: Saturday – Sunday
- Timings: 6 AM – 7 PM
- Location: Aldona, Balbot, Ucassaim, Goa
- How to Reach: You can reach via train or bus or private car.
- Celebrations: Christmas, Sao Joao festival.
Read: Most Famous Temples in Goa
Therefore, it can be easily seen that there are many churches that need to discover in Goa, and all of them just look beautiful and worthy of visiting at least once. Each church in Goa has its own uniqueness and the festivals celebrated here are very much, all the same, so you will not miss out on any festivity when you visit Goa. Hopefully, you like this small article, and if you have any feedback, you can let us know for sure.
FAQs:
1. Should you travel to Goa in the monsoons?
Ans: Since the location of Goa is close to the sea, therefore the temperatures of the place remain moderate and also the rainfall as well too. Therefore, the place is not heavily affected by rainfall, so you will not be harassed by heavy rainfall in the area. The weather of the place is very pleasuring all over the year. That is the reason why it attracts so many people every year.
2. Besides exploring churches, what more can you do in Goa?
Ans: Besides seeing churches, you can do a lot more in Goa. You can go to the beach for a swim; you can enjoy the music and also the culture. And you can also try the delicious seafood over in Goa as well. Apart from that, there are always lots of music festivals that are held in Goa that you can attend with your family and friends and have fun as well.
3. Is Christmas Celebrated in a big way in Goa?
Ans: As Goa is mostly inhabited by Christians, due to the wide presence of so many churches, Christmas is very much widely celebrated here. There is a lot of gatherings, festivals around Christmas time, where you can enjoy music, food and even dance with your loved ones. The place celebrates various kinds of festivals apart from Christmas as well, like Feast of Three Kings, St. Xavier’s Feast, Sao Joao Festival, and a lot more. You will have a fun time in Goa.
