Daman is located next to the state of Gujarat, on the western coast of India. It is one of the three districts of the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. It was under the rule of Portugal from 1539 to 1961, and the Portuguese influence is still evident in this part of India, in many ways until today. Because Daman is close to Gujarat, Maharashtra, and because of the impact of the Portuguese culture, Daman has developed its distinct cuisine which you should definitely experience. Aside from diverse delicacies, it is home to many interesting tourist attractions, such as the Devka Beach, Mirasol Lake Garden, and St. Jerome Fort. If your passion for travel and exploration has led you to the land of Daman, then you’re in the right place. Here’s our list of the top things to do in Daman, India.
1. Discover the fascinating history of Moti Daman Fort
Explore the rich history of the city through a visit to the Moti Daman Fort, a Portuguese enclave built between A.D. 1559 and A.D. 1581. The fort’s walls encompass a vast area, with several notable structures such as the Administrator’s Secretariat, Government House, Cathedral of Bom Jesus, Dominican Monastery, convent school, and other government organizations.
Visitors can access most parts of the fort, including the 10 bastions where stairs are located at multiple points for climbing upon the fort walls. A visit to the old lighthouse and other parts of the fort is a must-do.
Moti Daman Fort
Address: CR4M+8Q5, Fort Area, Moti Daman, Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu 396220
Website: Moti Daman Fort
Opening hours: 8am - 4pm (daily)
2. Learn about St. Jerome Fort's history
St. Jerome Fort is located in the Northern parts of the Damanganga River. It was built by the Portuguese people and was named after the priest St. Jerome. This 12250-square mile (31727-square kilometer) citadel features a cemetery, church, and ruins for travelers to explore and learn about Daman’s link to Portugal. This tourist attraction is a great place for history buffs because they will learn about the colonial history between Portugal and India. Also, it is a great place for the hobbyist photographer as it has a beautiful setting, overlooking a river, which makes for a great Instagram shot.
St. Jerome Fort
Address: Dhamatne, Daman, Daman and Diu 396210, India
Opening hours: 8am - 6pm (daily)
3. Take part in important events at Dominican Monastery
Dominican Monastery of Daman was once a center for theological studies. Christians from all over the world used to visit this monastery to learn more about the Christian faith. Today, it serves as a tourist attraction and a place to remember the colonial past of Daman. The site is also now used as a venue of two important events: the grand religious mass of St. Dominic, which is held every third Sunday of December, and the second event is the gathering of Catholic Christians, which is held on 2nd February every year.
Dominican Monastery
Address: Rua Martim Afonso, Fort Area, Moti Daman, Daman, Daman and Diu 396220, India
Opening hours: 12am - 11.59pm (daily)
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4. Take a selfie with your family at Jetty Garden
If you have kids with you and you feel like they’re getting bored already, why not take them to the Jetty Garden? It has a play area where you can make their boredom go away. There are also several eateries nearby where you can get them some food to eat, and there are many vegan stalls, too. The garden is near the ‘I Love Daman’ selfie spot and other tourist attractions, making it perfect for your next Instagram post. The site is frequented by local and foreign tourists alike, giving you plenty of chances to meet new people.
Jetty Garden
Address: Fort Area, Moti Daman, Daman, Daman and Diu 396220, India
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
5. Soak up the sun and salt at the Jampore Beach
If you are a beach person, Daman happens to have several beaches where you can get a dose of vitamin sea. One of its most famous beaches is Jampore Beach. It is a well-maintained beach, making it an ideal place to get wet and sun-soaked in Daman. The beach has calm waves, and fine sands, too. There are a couple of water activities to enjoy here, such as paragliding, banana riding; horseback riding, and even camel riding is also available. You can also buy local food from stalls, should you get hungry while enjoying Jampore beach’s calming ambiance.
Jampore Beach
Address: Jampore Beach Road, Daman 396220 India
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
6. See the stunning view of the sea on top of the Old Lighthouse
One of the most touristy attractions of Daman is the Old Lighthouse. Tourists mainly visit this spot because the top of the lighthouse gives its visitors an excellent view of the Arabian Sea. Whether you want to see a beautiful sunrise or a breathtaking sunset, this is the perfect spot for you. If you happen to love taking photos, even better, because you’ll get to take a shot of the sea from a bird’s-eye perspective.
Old Light House
Address: Fort Area, Moti Daman, Daman, Daman and Diu 396220, India
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
7. Know more about Portugal and Daman's history at Our Lady of Remédios Church
Built by Rui De Mello De Sampaiyo, captain and governor of Daman back in 1607, Our Lady of Remédios Church is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Daman. It is another place in the district where tourists can learn about the history of Daman and Portugal. Aside from being a tourist spot, the Church still functions as a gathering place for many Christian Indians. The Church is painted in white, while its interior is blue. You’ll see 14 images of the Way of the Cross here, and there’s also a grotto with the statue of Mother Mary.
Our Lady of Remédios Church
Address: Yogeshwar Mandir Rd, Macchiwad, Moti Daman, Daman, Daman and Diu 396220, India
Opening hours: 7am - 9pm (daily)
8. Watch the sunset at Moti Daman Beach
Another spot in Daman to get wet, sun-kissed, or catch the ephemeral beauty of the sun while it sets is at the Moti Daman Beach. It is known to be the cleanest beach in Daman, which makes tourists flock to this area. There are a couple of activities that will keep you from getting bored, such as paragliding, horseback riding, and they have camel rides, too.
Moti Daman Beach
Address: Moti Daman, Daman, Daman and Diu 396220, India
Opening hours: 5.45am - 10.30pm (daily)
9. Marvel at the Bom Jesus Church
Bom Jesus Church is one of the oldest Church in Daman. It was built back in the mid-1500s by Portuguese artisans and was consecrated to be a church in the early 1600s. The Church features intricate carvings which are evidence of the skill of the people who designed it back in the day. Its Roman-style architecture makes it a fantastic structure for people who love to see old-style architectures. The atmosphere in the church is calm and peaceful, making it an ideal place to contemplate about many things in life.
Bom Jesus Church
Address: Manguerial Rd, Fort Area, Moti Daman, Daman, Daman and Diu 396220, India
Opening hours: 7am - 9pm (daily)
10. Bond with your family at Mirasol Lake Garden
Mirasol Lake Garden is a picturesque tourist attraction in Daman. It has a lush and beautifully landscaped garden, perfect for people who love taking pictures. It has several great features for children, such as a toy train, and boats shaped like swans. The Mirasol Lake Garden is a great place to bond with your children. The Garden is connected to two artificial islands for you to explore. Food is not going to be a problem here, because there are several food stalls that sell great food and there are vegan options, too.
Mirasol Lake Garden
Address: Near Kadaiya Village, Daman India
Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (daily)
Price: 1 USD
There's still a lot more to explore in Daman
These are just some of the most interesting places to visit in this part of India. If you’d like to know more, you should definitely pack your stuff up and go and discover more things to do in Daman, India.
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