Fort Aguada, Goa

Fort Aguada was built by the Portuguese in 1612 to protect Goa from the Dutch and the Marathas. Although it does not compare to the forts of Rajasthan, it is a very well-preserved and interesting fort. Its name comes from the natrual springs within the fort that provided water to the fort and passing ships.

The fort itself, sits high on a hill with great views across Agauda Bay/Mandovi River to Panaji on one side to views across the Arabian sea on the other. The walls are 5 metres high and 1.3 metres wide and you can walk along the top. Also on the fort is a 4-storey lighthouse, which you can climb to the top for great views of Sinquerim and Candolim beaches.

I recommend getting there early in the morning because the sun beats down on the fort later in the day. Wear sunscreen and a hat, and bring plenty of water.

Located right beside the Taj Aguada, it's quite impressive to see the fortifications of this Old Fort. There are other Fort to visit in along the coast also, check them out !

Take a hike up the hill along the coast and enjoy the scenery

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Fort Aguada is located between Sinquerim Beach and River Mandovi. The fort was built by the Portuguese in the early 17th century to defend themselves against any foreign attack, and to control the entry of the River Mandovi.

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Fort Aguada was built in 1612 and comprises of a lower fort with bastions all around at sea level and an upper fort on a high overlooking the sea. It was built to guard against the Dutch and the Marathas and was used as a reference point for vessels coming from Europe.

A freshwater spring within the fort provided water supply to the ships that used to stop by. This is how the fort got its name: Aguada = Water. Crews of passing ships would often visit to replenish their fresh water stores. The spring used to fill a water tank within the fort that had a capacity of 2,376,000 gallons. On the fort stands a 4-storey Portuguese lighthouse, erected in 1864 and the oldest of its kind in Asia.

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Fort Aguada built in 1612 by the Portuguese at the mouth of the Mandovi River to protect Goa from the Dutch and the Marathas.

It is worth a visit and is only a reasonable walk from Candolim along the beach. If however you want to walk up to the lighthouse this will take around 45 minutes or longer to walk to the top and in the blazing heat this can be quite a mission especially with only half a bottle of water!!! It would take about 5-10 mins in a cab from the bottom. There isn't that much going on up there apart from the lighthouse, water tank that once supplied the towns below with water and the old ramparts but you will get great views over Panjim and Aguada Jail. The walk will give you some great photo opportunities too so it was all worth it in the end.

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You can't miss the For Aguada while visiting Goa. The Aguada fort is situated 18 Km from Panajim, Goa's capital, in the beach of Sinquerim.

The fort was built by Portuguese in 1612 AD near Mandovi River. The idea behind the fort was to protect Goa against any enemy attack from sea. Currently at one end of the fort, the central jail of Goa has been made.

Next to the Fort there are two of the best hotels in North Goa, the Taj Holiday Village and the Fort Aguada Hotel.

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In between our "busy schedule" of tanning, swimming, dozing, sipping cocktails and feeding the street dogs we decided to spend one whole day sightseeing.
So, armed with my VT-travel tips, a taxi driver, a camera and lots of water we set off towards one of Goa's must-sees: Fort Aguada.

The fort was constructed in 1612 to guard against the Dutch and the Marathas. It is the largest and best-preserved Portuguese bastion in Goa.
The walls are 5 metres high and 1.3 metres wide... perfect for walking along the top for a good view. Not surprising then that this remains to be the only fort that was not conquered by any invaders during the 450 year long rule of the Portuguese empire in Goa.
It stands on the edge of a hill, overlooking the south of the Mandovi river & the lush greenery that we loved so much. A freshwater spring within the fort provided water supply to the ships that used to stop-by. This is how the fort got its name: Aguada = Water.
The other unusual feature is a 4-storey Portuguese lighthouse, erected in 1864 and the oldest of its kind in Asia.

Much of the site nowadays serves as a prison & is inaccessible, which made our visit a bit boring and therefore short. Also, as with any tourist-hot spot there's a small, slightly annoying gathering of street vendors on the road near the fort trying to sell snacks, pool & beach toys, postcards & plastic souvenirs.

So after getting some great shots on the camera, we left after about 30 minutes & headed off to discover more Goan heritage.

Even if you're not really interested in history, I'd still recommend taking 1/2 hour out of your day to visit the Fort. It wasn't too crowded, and sitting on one of the terraces overlooking the hills was worth the drive already :-)

Opening Hours: Weekdays 10:00am - 05:30pm (check with tour operators or taxi drivers... timings may change)

guys interested in photography and those who r planning to open their hearts to their loved ones ..this is the place to do all of those and more :-) ...romantic setting, sound of waves lashing against the coast, boats and ships and the huge river with its skyline ...old fort backdrop with stones and greenery ..it really steals your heart. People visiting goa just should not miss a visit to this place ...not as a crowd but with ur spl someone ...where you can sit and enjoy the view, laze around hand in hand and talk sweet nothings :-) ..check the place out ..it may be one of the few heartwarming places you can visit in your lifetime !! ..atleast it was mine ..