Built in 1612 by the Portuguese, Fort Aguada in Goa stands on Sinquerim Beach, overlooking the Arabian Sea. What makes Fort Aguada a must-visit destination are its unique features like a four-storey lighthouse, a church dedicated to St. Lawrence, a freshwater spring, and a massive cistern capable of storing over 2,000,000 gallons of water.
Fort Aguada Lighthouse, the oldest in Asia, offered a beacon for early European vessels. Today, it’s a testament to Goa’s colonial past and a tribute to the freedom struggle, making it a must-visit for its panoramic views and rich history
History of Fort Aguada
- Fort Aguada was built in the early 17th century, between 1609 and 1612, by the Portuguese.
- It was constructed to guard against the Dutch and Marathas, and to provide fresh water to passing ships.
- The fort is named "Aguada" which means "watering place" in Portuguese, highlighting its original purpose.
- Its architecture includes sturdy walls, bastions, and a well-preserved lighthouse built in 1864.
- The fort was strategically located to overlook the Arabian Sea, offering a vantage point for spotting enemy ships.
- Over the centuries, Fort Aguada played a significant role in protecting Portuguese territories in Goa.
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Main attractions inside Fort Aguada
Guided tours are available for Fort Aguada in Goa. Various tour operators like Expedia, GetYourGuide, and Viator offer guided tours and activities to explore Fort Aguada. Visitors can book these tours in advance to enhance their experience and gain a deeper understanding of Fort Aguada's rich heritage.
Aguada Lighthouse: A historic 13-meter-high Portuguese lighthouse built in 1864, offering panoramic views of the sea and coast.
Freshwater Spring: A freshwater spring within the fort complex that served as a vital source of water for passing ships.
Church of St. Lawrence: A church dedicated to St. Lawrence, adding to the historical and architectural charm of the fort.
Massive Cistern: A colossal water reservoir capable of storing over 2,000,000 gallons of water, showcasing the fort's strategic importance.
Prison Cells: Explore the prison cells within the fort, providing insights into the fort's past as a defensive outpost. It displays the history and artifacts of the fort and its prisoner
Timings & Entry Fee of Fort Aguada
- Visitors typically spend 1-2 hours exploring Fort Aguada, depending on their interest in history and architecture.
- There is an entry fee to visit Fort Aguada. The fee is nominal and varies for Indian and foreign tourists.
- The operating hours of Fort Aguada are usually from early morning to early evening, approximately from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
Architecture of Fort Aguada
- Fort Aguada is made of laterite stone and has a triangular shape with two gates: one facing the land and one facing the sea.
- The fort's lighthouse, 13 meters high, features a spiral staircase and a lantern room at the top, built in 1864 to replace the original one from 1612.
- Fort Aguada's freshwater spring, near the church, stores 2,376,000 gallons of water and is potable, supplying water to the fort and anchored ships.
- Other structures include a moat, bastions, gunpowder rooms, barracks, and a church dedicated to St. Lawrence, featuring a simple facade, a bell tower, and a statue of St. Lawrence holding a gridiron, symbolizing martyrdom.
Best Places To Eat Near Fort Aguada
Morisco: This is a fine dining restaurant with Arabian sea view is located inside the Taj Fort Aguada Resort and Spa. It specializes in seafood and Goan delicacies.
The price for two is around INR 3000. The must-try dishes are the grilled lobster, the fish curry rice, and the bebinca.
Latitude: This is also located inside the Taj Fort Aguada Resort and Spa, serving Indian, Continental, and Asian cuisines.
The price for two is around INR 2500. The must-try dishes are the chicken cafreal, the Goan sausage pizza, and the chocolate brownie.
Pousada by the Beach: This is a beachfront cafe that offers a casual and relaxed dining experience, serving Continental, Mediterranean, and Indian cuisines.
The price for two is around INR 1500. The must-try dishes are the grilled fish, the hummus platter, and the apple pie.
Bomra's: This is a fusion restaurant that serves Burmese, Asian, and Continental cuisines. The restaurant has a modern and minimalist decor with a garden and a pond.
The price for two is around INR 1200. The must-try dishes are the tea leaf salad, the khao suey, and the coconut panna cotta.
Earthen Oven: This rooftop restaurant serves North Indian and Mughlai cuisines in a live ghazals and folk music ambience.
The price for two is around INR 1800. The must-try dishes are the tandoori chicken, the dal makhani, and the kulfi falooda.
Calamari: This beach shack serves Goan, Continental, and Seafood cuisines. It has a colorful and lively decor with live music and karaoke.
The price for two is around INR 1000. The must-try dishes are the calamari fry, the prawn curry rice, and the chocolate cake.
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Best Places To Stay Near Fort Aguada
Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa: This 5-star resort is located inside the fort premises. It offers luxurious rooms and suites with sea views, balconies, and bathtubs. It also has a spa, a fitness center, an outdoor pool, a restaurant, a bar, and a lounge.
The nightly tariff is around INR 15,000.
SinQ Beach Resort: This is a 4-star resort that is located near Sinquerim Beach. It offers cozy rooms and cottages with garden views, balconies, and minibars. It also has an outdoor pool, a restaurant, a bar, and a nightclub.
The nightly tariff is around INR 5000.
Santana Beach Resort: This is a 3-star resort that is located near Candolim Beach. It offers spacious rooms and apartments with pool views, balconies, and kitchenettes. It also has two outdoor pools, two restaurants, a bar, and a garden.
The nightly tariff is around INR 3000.
Marquis Beach Resort: This is a 3-star resort that is located near Candolim Beach. It offers comfortable rooms and suites with sea views, balconies, and an outdoor pool.
The nightly tariff is around INR 4000.
Aguada Anchorage - The Villa Resort: This is a 4-star resort that is located near Fort Aguada. It offers luxurious villas with private pools, balconies, and kitchenettes. It also has two outdoor pools, a restaurant, a bar, and a playground.
The nightly tariff is around INR 10,000.
Attractions Near Fort Aguada
Sinquerim Beach: This is a beautiful golden sand beach that lies at the foot of the fort. It is ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing & offers activities such as water skiing, parasailing, windsurfing, scuba diving, and fishing.
Candolim Beach: This beach is adjacent to Sinquerim Beach and has a long stretch of sand, calm water, and shacks. It is perfect for walking, jogging, cycling, and playing. You can also try jet skiing, banana boat rides, bumper rides, and dolphin trips.
Reis Magos Fort: This is a 16th century Portuguese fort that is located on the opposite bank of the Mandovi River. It has a distinctive white facade with red laterite walls. It also has a church dedicated to the Three Wise Men.
Coco Beach: This is a small and secluded beach that is situated near the mouth of the Nerul River. It has black sand, rocky shores, and coconut trees. It is ideal for picnicking, boating, and fishing.
Dolphin Point: This is a spot where one can see dolphins in their natural habitat. It is located near Coco Beach and can be reached by boat.
How to reach Fort Aguada?
Fort Aguada is located on a hilltop near Sinquerim Beach in North Goa. It is about 18 kilometers from Panaji and 8 kilometers from Calangute.
One can reach the fort by bus, taxi, or bike from these places. There are also boats that take tourists from Coco Beach to the fort.
Tips For Travellers Visiting Fort Aguada
- The best time to visit is from October to March when the weather is pleasant and dry.
- To reach the fort, one can take a bus, taxi, or bike from Panaji or Calangute. The distance from Panaji is 18 kilometers and from Calangute is 8 kilometers.
- One should carry water, sunscreen, hat, camera, and comfortable shoes while visiting the fort.
- One should also respect the history and heritage of the fort and avoid littering or vandalizing it.
