Diu

A former Portuguese island off the Gujarat coast, where Diu Fort, whitewashed churches and Nagoa Beach create a laid-back Portuguese island vibe.

Diu is a small island (about 40 sq km) off the southern tip of the Saurashtra peninsula in Gujarat. A Portuguese colony from 1535 to 1961, it now belongs to the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu — so unlike dry Gujarat on the mainland, alcohol is sold on the island, making it a popular weekend getaway for Gujaratis. Diu's old town lies at the island's eastern end: the massive Portuguese fortress of Diu Fort, the Panikota sea fort offshore, the white Baroque St. Paul's Church and St. Thomas' Church (now a museum), plus colourful old Portuguese houses and the Zampa Gateway — all ideal for exploring on foot or by bike. Nagoa Beach in the southwest is the most popular place for a swim, and the south coast has further beaches including Jallandhar, Chakratirth (a sunset spot) and Gomtimata, while Ghoghla Beach, across the water from the north shore, is on the mainland side. Seasons: October to March is best, sunny and cool; April to June is hot; the June–September monsoon brings rough seas, and the beaches are unsuitable for swimming. Getting there: Diu Airport has flights from Mumbai and elsewhere; the nearest railway stations are Veraval and Delvada, with onward road transport; long-distance buses run from Ahmedabad and Rajkot. The best way to get around the island is by rented motorbike or e-scooter (about ₹300–500 per day); a full loop is under 40 km. Stay 2–3 days: one for the old town and fort, one for a beach loop around the island, and optionally a day trip to Somnath Temple, about 65 km away. Note: the fort and churches mostly close at 5–6 pm; rocky shorelines are dangerous at high tide; weekends and Diwali bring large numbers of Gujarati visitors, so book hotels in advance.

Top sights

• Diu Fort – A seaside fortress the Portuguese built at the island's eastern tip in 1535. Surrounded by the sea on three sides, its walls, batteries, li…
• St. Paul's Church – A white Baroque church completed in 1610. Its elaborate scroll carvings on the façade are considered among the finest Portuguese-style chur…
• Nagoa Beach – A beach in a horseshoe-shaped bay on the island's southwest side. Its gentle waves, water sports and beach bars make it Diu's most popular…
• Naida Caves – A maze of caves formed by quarrying outside the old city walls, with light streaming in through the openings above. It is one of Diu's most…
• Gangeshwar Temple – A Shiva temple among seaside rocks, where five lingams are washed by the waves in turn. Legend says they were worshipped by the five Pandav…
• Panikota Fort (Fortim do Mar) – A small stone fort standing in the sea off Diu Fort, shaped like a ship at anchor. Its lights come on at night and mark Diu's seascape.
• Diu Museum (St. Thomas Church) – A museum housed in a Gothic church converted in 1598, displaying Portuguese-era carved wooden saints, stone tombstones, and colonial relics.
• Zampa Gateway – The most ornate gate on the western side of the old city walls, decorated with lion, angel, and priest reliefs, with a small chapel inside.
• Chakratirth Beach & Sunset Point – A small bay and hillside viewpoint southwest of the old town, Diu's most popular sunset spot, next to the INS Khukri Memorial.
• INS Khukri Memorial – A memorial to the officers and crew of the frigate INS Khukri, sunk during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War. The hilltop has a ship model and vi…
• Ghoghla Beach – A long, open sandy beach at Ghoghla village on the mainland side, with water sports and fewer visitors than Nagwa.
• Jallandhar Beach – The small beach closest to town, just outside the southern walls of the old city, with rocky coastline views and a shrine on the hill overl…
• Sea Shell Museum – Thousands of seashells from around the world, collected privately by a retired ship captain and displayed under magnifying glasses. Small b…
• Somnath Temple – The first of India's twelve jyotirlinga shrines, a gold-topped temple rebuilt on the coast. A nightly light-and-sound show tells the story…

Where to eat

• O Coqueiro – A family-run open-air restaurant beside the Diu Museum, known for its Portuguese-style fish curry and jumbo prawns. It…
• Apana Foodland – A seafront restaurant on Fort Road in the old town with a wide menu of seafood and vegetarian dishes. It is a good plac…

Itineraries

• Gujarat Grand Loop – Starting from Ahmedabad, loop around the Great Rann of Kutch, the sacred sites of Saurashtra, and Gir National Park.
• Saurashtra Sacred Sites & Asiatic Lions – Follow the peninsula's coast to connect the Blackbuck plains, the sacred Jain hill, Portuguese-influenced Diu, Gir Nati…