Places to visit in Margao

Margao, often called the commercial capital of Goa, is the capital of the southern taluka of Salcette and also of the South Goa district. Because of its location, it serves as a service and transport hub to the areas of south Goa.

It is a typically crowded Goan town, with chaotic, noisy traffic and quite a few architectural reminders of its Portuguese past. Margao is Goa's second largest town and a bustling commercial centre.

Surrounded by fertile farmland, the town of Margao was once a major religious centre, with dozens of wealthy temples and dharmshalas (dormitories). In fact the name Margao is thought to be the Portuguese corruption of the word Mathgram (from Math - a Hindu religious centre that used to exist there) However most of these were destroyed when the Portuguese absorbed the area into their Novas Conquistas during the 17th century.

Margao has an old-worldly charm about it because of its Portuguese churches, and some magnificent specimens of old Portuguese houses complete with shady balcaos (porches) and oyster-shell windows in its Borda area.

The Largo de Igreja, or the Church of the Holy Spirit as it is also known, dominates the entrance to the city, just north of the Municipal Garden square. The church area is surrounded by beautiful old residential houses still in pristine condition. The church was built by the Portuguese in 1675 and is one of the finest examples of late-Baroque architecture in Goa, boasting a pristine white façade and an interior dripping with gilt crystal and stucco.

Places to visit in Margao

The Sat Burzam Ghor

The Sat Burzam Ghor, a magnificent mansion also known by the name of "House of Seven Roofs", is a wonderful specimen of the grand Portugal architecture in Goa.

Church of Holy Spirit

Built in 1675 by the Portuguese in a colonial enclave surrounded with picturesque landscapes, the beautiful Church of Holy Spirit in Goa is an excellent example of Baroque architecture, decorated with crystal and stucco.

Ancestral Goa

Spread over a nine acre hillock at Loutulim in South Goa, the Ancestral Goa project is an effort to recreate the rural life of Goa with a number of art galleries and artifact centers. The main attraction of this open air museum is the "Legend of the Big Foot” and the longest late rite sculpture of Saint Mirabai.

The Colva beach

Located at a distance of 6 kilometers from Margao, the Colva beach is supposed to be the oldest beach in Goa known for its natural white sand of very fine quality, tall coconut trees, and turquoise blue water. It looks like a wonder of nature with its scenic beauty, especially at evenings during sunset. There are many hotels and resorts of all ranges near this place.

Varca Beach

Located at a distance of 5 km from Colva beach in Salcete district, Goa with 26 kilometer stretch of fine white sand, the beautiful Majorda Beach is a perfect place of fun with the beautiful view of the sunrise from the beach. Majorda beach is very close to the airport and the Margao railway station.As per Hindu mythology, it is believed that Lord Rama was kidnapped when he was a kid and was brought here. Accommodation facilities are also easily available at the beach with a fine quality of food, especially bakery items like- European bread fermented by coconut juice.

Catigao Wildlife Sanctuary

Located at the Canacona district in south Goa (on the Goa - Karnataka border) and spread over an area of 86 sq km, Cotigao wildlife sanctuary is the second largest sanctuary in Goa. Nearest town is Poinguinim at a distance of 2 km from where local transport is available to reach wildlife sanctuary.The Cotigao sanctuary of Goa has basically three types of vegetation- moist deciduous (dominant vegetation), semi-evergreen and evergreen forests. The Cotigao wildlife sanctuary has numerous species of wild animals including sloth bears, deer, wild boars, panthers, laughing hyenas and Indian Bisons and a number of bird species like Rufus Woodpecker, white-eyed eagle, Malabar crested eagle, White bellied woodpecker, etc. and a vast number of reptiles. There is a 25 meter high watchtower located near the Talpona River, to watch the animals, from where animals can be viewed easily around evening or early morning. The sanctuary also houses a Nature Interpretation Center that provides fascinating and valuable information about the wildlife here. Best Time to Visit the sanctuary is October to March.