Shri Mahadev Temple, Tambdi Surla
Goa has a lot to offer beyond beaches and one of best places to explore is the oldest temple of Goa, Shri Mahadev temple located in Tambi Surla. This 12th century temple is small, beautifully carved basalt stone preserved is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered to be the only specimen of Kadamba-Yadava architecture.
The temple faces east so every day at dawn the rays of the rising sun fall on the deity. The place is quiet, serene and surrounded by lush green vegetation.
The river Surla flows nearby and for people looking for some adventure, Tambdi Surla Waterfall is in the vicinity of the temple.
Tourist attractions near Beleza
Reach out to us at guestrelations@belezagoa.com to book excursions.
Colva Beach
One of South Goa’s most popular beaches, Colva Beach offers powdery white sands, beach shacks, and water sports. The vibrant nightlife makes it a favorite spot for party lovers.
Location
Proximity to Beleza by the Beach: 3 km.
Best Time to Visit this beach is either Sunrise or evening.
Benaulim Beach
This serene beach is perfect for a relaxing day by the water and dolphin-spotting tours. It’s quieter compared to Colva beach but equally as amazing and encahting.
Location
Proximity to Beleza by the Beach: 5 km.
Make sure to try the seafood at the beachside shacks when you visit this week.
Betalbatim Beach
Revealing the hidden gems of Betalbatim Beach – go beyond the usual tourist spots to discover magical experiences like spotting glowing plankton, kayaking on the Sal River, and immersing yourself in local village life.
Location
Direct beach access
Visit Betalbatim from November to February for a chance to see the glowing bioluminescent plankton at night.
Margao Market
Dive into Goan culture at this bustling market. You’ll find spices, handicrafts, fresh produce, and so, so much more, making it a sensory delight.
Location
Proximity to Beleza by the Beach: 7 km.
Best Time to Visit is early in the morning for fresh stock and first pick in stalls.
Goa Chitra Museum
The Goa Chitra Museum contains an organic farm for the cultivation of all staples along the Western Ghats of India. It is the first and only ethnographic museum in Goa featuring artifacts like local pottery, farming tools, musical instruments, ancient carts, and palanquins from various civilizations.
Location
The St. John Baptist Church Road
Mondo-Waddo, Benaulim
Salcete Goa – 403716
Menezes Braganza Pereira House
The Menezes Braganza Pereira house, built over 350 years ago, is the personification of the aristocratic life of the Braganza house in its heyday.
Location
Culsabhatt, Chandor, Goa – 403714
Visiting Hours
Open every day between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm
The Basilica Of Bom Jesus Church
The Basilica of Bom Jesus Church is one of the biggest attractions in Goa. The site preserves the remains of Goa’s patron saint, St. Francis Xavier. Tagged by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, this church is located in Old Goa, previously the capital of Portuguese Goa. The church holds sacred significance as it is the first church in India to be assigned the status of Minor Basilica.
Location
9km away from Panaji, Old Goa, India
Sé Cathedral Church
Sé Cathedral Church (Sé Cathedral of Santa Catarina) is one of the largest churches in Asia and has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Dedicated to Catherine of Alexandria, the church was built to commemorate the victory of the Portuguese over a Muslim army.
Location
10km away from Panaji, Old Goa, India
Visiting Hours
7:30 am to 6:30 pm, except during mass hours
Dona Paula
This picturesque destination is named after Dona Paula de Menezes, daughter of the former Viceroy of Goa who plunged into the sea when she was refused permission to marry her lover – a local fisherman. It is one of Goa’s finest tourist destinations, surrounded by many luxury hotels and institutes in the suburbs of Panaji.
Location
7km from Panaji, Goa, India
Church & Convent of St Francis of Assisi
Founded by Franciscan friars in 1517, the Church & Convent of St. Francis of Assisi is a unique masterpiece attached to Se Cathedral. The Se Cathedral and the Church are connected by the Archiepiscopal Palace, a residential palace of the Archbishops until 1695, after which they moved to Panjim.
Location
10km away from Panaji, Old Goa, India
Fort Aguada
Fort Aguada is a well-preserved 17th-century Portuguese fort gets its name – meaning water – thanks to its freshwater springs that satiated the thirst of sailors who passed nearby. It was constructed by the Portuguese to ward off attacks by the Dutch and Marathas, and as a checkpoint for ships arriving from Europe.
Location
18km from Panjim, Bardez Taluka, North Goa, India
Fort Cabo de Rama
Fort Cabo de Rama derives its name from Lord Rama. Legend says that he and his wife Sita took refuge at this fort when they were exiled for 14 years. This fort withstood gruesome battles between the Portuguese, Marathas, Muslim invaders, and Hindu kings, and was used as a prison by the British.
Location
Canacona Taluka, South Goa, India
Fort Chapora
Built on an earlier structure constructed by Adil Shah, Fort Chapora was rebuilt by the Portuguese in 1617. The main intention behind its construction was to keep away the Hindu rulers that were eyeing this prime location near Anjuna beach.
Location
10km from Mapusa, near Anjuna Beach, Goa, India
Fort Tiracol
Standing tall along the coast of the River Tiracol, this fort provides a scenic atmosphere and a beautiful view of the river, making it a major tourist attraction in Goa. It was originally constructed by the King of Sawantwadi in 1746, but was acquired by the Portuguese under the reign of Viceroy Dom Pedro De Almeida.
Location
Querim, 42km from Panjim, Goa, India
Mayem Lake
Located in the Bicholim district of Goa, Mayem Lake is a beautiful freshwater lake where tourists can enjoy a romantic paddle boat ride. It is one of the more popular tourist destinations in Goa and boasts an extremely relaxing ambience surrounded by picturesque forests, lush landscapes, and a calm, sparkling lake.
Location
Bicholim Taluka, North Goa, India
Cabo Palace (Cabo Raj Niwas)
Cabo Palace, also known as Cabo Raj Niwas and Cabo Raj Bhawan, is situated opposite Fort Aguada on River Mandovi and currently houses the Governor of Goa. Formerly home to a Franciscan monastery and later the Viceroy during Portuguese rule, it was built in 1541 to guard the Mandovi and Zuari rivers. Today, the Cabo Raj Bhavan is used to carry out political duties like swearing ceremonies and other official occasions.
Dudhsagar Falls
Dudhsagar Falls are the fifth tallest waterfalls in India with a plummeting height of 1,017 feet and a width of 100 feet. These waterfalls are situated along the Goa-Karnataka border, high up on the Mandovi River’s watershed.
Location
60km from Margao, Mollem National Park
Eastern border of Goa-Karnataka
The Rachol Seminary
The Rachol Seminary, also known as the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol, was founded in 1560 from the remains of a Muslim fort. Fragments of St. Constantius’ remains are said to be enshrined here since 1782.
Best Time To Visit
7:30 am to 6:30 pm
except during mass hours
Church of Lady of the Rosary
The Church of Lady of the Rosary is located right opposite the Basilica of Bom Jesus Church. It was built between 1544-1549, and is one of the most visited places in Goa. It is one of the oldest surviving catholic churches in Goa – a standing testimony of the early Portuguese conquests.
Location
Holy Hill, Old Goa, India
Shri Naguesh Temple, Bandora
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple was built in 1413 AD during the rule of the Vijaynagar empire and has great archaeological importance. It is one of the few temples in Goa that have withstood Portuguese conquests. The temple underwent major renovations during the rule of Shahu Maharaj.
Location
Pharmagudi-Kavalem-Ponda road:
800m from Pharmagudi
26.2km from Panaji, Panaji-Belagavi Road, Goa, India
Shri Mahadev Temple, Tambdi Surla
The Shri Mahadev Temple at Tambdu Surla was constructed in the 12th century as a dedication to Lord Shiva, by the Kadamba Yadava dynasty. It is the oldest temple in Goa, and contains intricate relief carvings on stone that occupy a very prominent archaeological position in Indian history.
Location
65km from Panaji
12km from Molem
Shri Damodar Temple, Zambaulim
Shri Damodar Temple is situated on the banks of the Kushawati River in Zambaulim, about 22km from Margao. This temple dedicated to Lord Shiva serves as a place of worship for both Hindus and Christians.
Location
22km from Margao, Zambaulim, Goa, India
Shri Mahalsa Temple, Mardol
Shri Mahalsa Temple in Mardol is dedicated to Mhalsa Devi, fondly known as Mhalsa Narayani, the Mohini avatar of Lord Vishnu. The 450-year old temple is famous for its huge brass bell and its Palkhi festival.
Location
Mardol, Ponda Taluka, Goa, India
Shri Shantadurga Temple, Kavlem
More than 450 years old, the Shantadurga temple is situated in the foothills of Kavalem village. Goddess Durga was said to act as a mediator between Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu’s fierce war, and was given the name Shanta, meaning ’peace’.
Location
Mardol, Ponda Taluka, Goa, India