Fort Aguada

Fort Aguada, a huge defensive outpost built in 1612 that stretches across the entire Bardez peninsula, was designed to protect Goa from invasions by Dutch and Maratha invaders. A lighthouse on the site, added in the 19th century, also guided ships away from the nearby rocks.

The name Aguada relates to the freshwater spring that provided the fort with drinking water. The fort boasted a huge man-made cistern that could hold some 2 million gallons of water and allowed Portuguese ships to replenish their fresh water supplies after a sea crossing. Explore the fort and its grounds, or book a guided tour to learn more about the fort and its history.

• There is a fee to enter the site.

• The floors are uneven in places and may not be suitable for people with limited mobility.

• Part of the fort is still in use as a prison—one of the largest prisons in Goa.

Fort Aguada is located on the Bardez peninsula in Goa, close to the beach resort towns of Candolim and Calangute. You can reach the site by taxi or public bus from Panaji (Goa’s capital) or Candolim. Alternatively, join a guided bike tour of the fort or walk the steep, 1.25-mile (2-km) path from Candolim.

Fort Aguada is open seven days a week. There is little shade at the fort, so visit in the morning or late in the afternoon; the sun can be very hot around midday.

Old Goa (Velha Goa) was the state’s grand capital for 200 years. In the 18th century, outbreaks of bubonic plague, malaria, and cholera led the town’s inhabitants to abandon the city and move to Panaji. Many of the former capital’s grand buildings still remain, including the red-brick Basilica of Bom Jesus and the enormous Sé Cathedral.