Fort Aguada In Goa
A seventeenth-century shining beacon that once directed Portuguese sailors who dreamt of trading spices from the Konkan Coast is now thronged by vacationers wanting to make their Dil-Chahta-Hai dreams come true.
Built by the Portuguese, the formidable Fort Aguada sits south of the Sinquerim Beach in Goa near the mouth of the Mandovi River. Facing the inviting waters of Arabian Sea, a lighthouse inside the fort attracts visitors throughout the year. Today its remnants stand as a testimony to the glory days of Portuguese Empire. Its name is derived from the Portuguese word ‘Agua’ which stands for ‘water’ as the fresh spring near the hill provided constant supply to ship crews. An engineering marvel of its time, this prized bastion kept off Dutch and Maratha invaders for many decades before it was finally captured by the British.
Its lighthouse used to house the famous bell from the Church of St Augustine which now tolls in the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Panaji. Besides the five-star Fort Aguada Beach Resort, the complex also has a fresh water storage tank, one of the largest in Asia built in that era. This is an ideal place to get a peek into the history of the region.
How To Reach Fort Aguada In Goa
For those wondering how to reach fort aguada, it is located on the pristine beach in Sinquerim village near Candolim. It lies about 16 kilometres from the state capital Panaji (Panjim). Goa International Airport is 39 km north of the fort.
By Road – The Siolim–Fort Aguada Road connects Panaji to the fort and nearby beach. Bike and car rentals are available from Panaji to get here. To reach the hilltop, follow the 4-km curving road that runs east of Sinquerim Beach. The candolim to Aguada Fort distance is around 5 Kms. The Baga Beach to Fort Aguada distance is around 11 Kms. For those wodnering how to reach Fort Aguada from Panjim, there are several buses and taxis available easily.
By Train – The railway station at Carambolim (Karmali), about 25 km east of Candolim, is the nearest broad-gauge stop.
Timings For Fort Aguada In Goa
The timings for Aguada Fort in Goa is from morning 8:30 am till evening 5:30 pm. Tourists generally spend 2 hours to explore this historical fort.
Timings
Monday to Sunday
8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Tips for Fort Aguada
Entry to the fort for the general public is free
Fort Aguada timings for visit are all days between 9:30 am and 6:00 pm
Wear comfortable clothes and footwear to explore the fort complex
Do not litter inside the fort and on the adjacent beach
Apply sunscreen to protect your skin from tanning.