Vasco Tourism Goa

29 km south west of Panjim, on the narrow western tip of the Marmogoa Peninsula is Vasco da Gama. Overlooking the Zuari river, it's a city that is named after the famous Portuguese sailor, Vasco da Gama. The history of the place states that the Portuguese got hold of it around 1543 and within a span of few years converted it into one of the most sought after ports of India. A fort was constructed at Sada so as to easen up the task of monitoring the movements of ships into the Zuari river. The fort played an important role during the year 1685 when the Maratha king Sambhaji marched in with his army to capture the place. The Portuguese, worried about the safety of their women and children, used the fort as a safe haven.

Around this time, plans were also made to shift the capital city from Old Goa. Vasco, or rather Marmugoa, was a strong contender for the post. The Viceroy of the time, D Fransico de Tavora was in favour of Vasco becoming the capital city of Goa. For this purpose, numerous construction work were carried out. Viceroy's Palace, offices and warehouse sprung up to take care of the needs of future. However, the plans came to an abrupt end when the court of Lisbon scrapped the plans of making Vasco as the capital of Goa. This was despite the fact that Vasco is the only city in entire Goa that is well connected by all means, both within and outside the state. It is the only city that has an air, rail, road and sea links.

Today, Vasco exudes all the charms of a metropolitan city. People from all over India have made Vasco da Gama their home. The town of Vasco is well planned. It is laid out straight with parallel roads connected to each other by smaller bylanes.

Being a commercial hub, Vasco is more liked by business class people. It provides good connectivity and also has a number of good hotels to stay in. However, if you come to Vasco thinking that there are a number worth visiting sites, then probably you'll end up a bit disappointed. This is not to say that there is absolutely nothing at all to see and do in Vasco, but perhaps they are few and numbered.

Prime Attractions of Vasco-de-gama

Bogmolo Beach
The sandy beach at the end of the cove would be even more picturesque were it not for the monstrous multi-storey edifice perched above it.

The Naval Aviation Museum
The first naval museum in Asia was inaugurated at Dabolim, Vasco in 1998 and opened for public from the 19th October 1998. The museum showcases the history of Indian Naval Aviation, various aircrafts, weapons, sensors, safety equipment, rare photographs depicting Goa's liberation and artifacts.

How To Get There - Vasco-da-Gama

By Air
Dabolim, Goa's airport, lies on top of a rocky plateau, 4-km southeast of Vasco da Gama. A large new civilian terminal was recently constructed at this naval aerodrome to accommodate Goa's rapidly increasing air traffic, but to avoid delays aim to check in well in advance.

Facilities in the terminal buildings include State Bank Of India Foreign Exchange Desks, Post Office Counters, and counters for domestic airlines. There's also a handy Pre-Paid Taxi Counter outside the main exit.

Kadamba buses for Panjim are supposed to meet domestic airlines flights, or one can catch a regular bus from the intersection immediately outside the airport to Vasco, from where there are services to Margao and Panjim, Goa's principal transport hubs.

By Rail
Vasco is laid out in a grid, bordered by Marmagao bay to the north, and by the railway line on its southern side. Apart from the cluster of oil storage tanks, the town's most prominent landmark is the railway station at the south end of the main Dr. Rajendra Prasad Avenue.

By Road
Arriving by bus from Panjim or Margao, you'll be dropped off at the Interstate Kadamba Terminus, 3-km east of the town centre. Local minibuses ferry passengers from here to the more central market bus stand.

At local minibuses ferry passengers from here to the more central market bus stand, at the top of the square, where buses from Dabolim airport also pull in. Auto-rickshaws, and Ambassador and motorcycle taxis, hang around on the corner of Swatantra Path and Dr. Rajendra Prasad Avenue, near the station and the small cycle rental stall.

Places To Stay - Vasco-da-Gama

Thanks to its business city status, Vasco boasts a better than average batch of hotels. Most are plush mid-range places, although there are several no-frills lodges near the railway station. Best of the budget bunch is available on the Dattatreya Deshpande Road. One can also try the GTDC Tourist Hostel, off Swatantra Path near the station, or the hotels situated east of the main square on FL Gomes Road.

Moving upscale hotels situated at Pe Jose Vaz Road, currently offers the best value for money among Vasco's many modern mid-range places. Finally, for fully air-conditioned comfort, complete with plush bars, restaurants and a gym, check in to the hotels on Swatantra Path.