Vasco da Gama in Goa, India - Travel guide to tourist attractions, holiday spots, beaches, hotels, resorts, photos and videos

Vasco Da Gama is Goa's port town located in the Mormugao taluk of South Goa district. It is also Goa's gateway by air as it has Goa's only international airport at Dabolim. It is about 30 Kms south of the capital city of Panaji (Panjim). It is connected by road to other parts of Goa and the state of Karnataka.

Vasco da Gama is named in honor of the Portuguese sailor & traveller by the same name. Situated on the mouth of the Zuari river it acted as an import port when the Portuguese ruled Goa.

Vasco da Gama itself doesn't have many tourist attractions. However it is a meeting point for travelers entering and leaving Goa; the city is also renowned for its Goan music and culture.

The main tourist attraction in Vasco da Gama is the Mormugao port. The port is a natural harbour and immensely important from commercial point of view. However, you can also pay a visit to the port because a number of cruise ship sail in every morning. These cruise ships take you round on a trip to Goa, passing through beaches, churches and temples. These trips are basically for few hours since the ship sail out of Goa in the evening.

The "Japanese Garden" up the hill in a place called SADA. It is in a hill top facing the ocean. The route to the garden from the VASCO station, gives a good view of the ships in the ocean in the Goan ship yards on your right. You can sit on top and watch the ocean, or walk down to a temple at the shore. There is a side walk that takes you to the navy apartments nearby. It is not a usual tourist spot. It is very quiet and calm in the day time and the ideal time to visit would be early mornings or evenings.

Bogmalo Beach is a small beautiful beach behind the airport. But the water can get very rough here. Velsao Beach is a long fantastic beach a little far from the airport. But its absolutely lonely most of the time, nobody is around!