Places to Visit in Diu: Beaches, Forts and Portuguese Heritage

A world away from the pilgrim towns of the coast, the little island of Diu, with its Portuguese forts, palm-fringed beaches and relaxed air, is a delightful add-on to a Somnath and Gir trip. This guide, from the team behind Somnath Dwarka Tour Package, a unit of Experience My India, covers the best places to visit in Diu, its beaches, a one-day plan, how to reach it and how to combine it with the mainland.

About Diu

Diu is a small island and Union Territory off the southern coast of Saurashtra in Gujarat, a former Portuguese colony until 1961, whose heritage gives it a character all its own. With its grand sea forts, Baroque churches, whitewashed old town, golden beaches and swaying Hoka palms, Diu feels quite unlike mainland Gujarat, more Mediterranean than Indian in places. Being a former Portuguese territory, it is also one of the few places in the region where alcohol is legally sold, in contrast to the dry mainland. Compact, easy-going and full of history and beaches, Diu is a lovely, laid-back escape and its closeness to Somnath and Gir makes it a natural addition to a Saurashtra journey.

Diu at a glance

The best places to visit in Diu

Here are the top places to visit in Diu, covering its forts, beaches, churches and unusual sights:

Diu Fort. The mighty Diu Fort, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, is the island's grandest landmark, with its sea-facing ramparts, old cannons and a lighthouse. Standing at the edge of the sea, it offers panoramic views and is one of the best sunset spots on the island, a must-see for the history and the scenery.

Naida Caves. Just outside the fort walls, the Naida Caves are one of Diu's most unusual sights, a labyrinth of tunnels and square-hewn steps carved from the rock during Portuguese quarrying. Sunlight filtering through the openings in the rock ceiling makes them a favourite of photographers and they are easily combined with the fort.

Gangeshwar Mahadev Temple. About 3 km from Diu town at Fudam, this ancient Shiva temple is famous for its five Shivlings set amid the rocks on the seashore, washed continuously by the waves of the sea, said to have been established by the Pandavas. It is a striking and sacred spot where you can perform jal abhishek with the sea water itself.

Nagoa Beach. The most famous beach in Diu, Nagoa is a beautiful crescent or horseshoe, of white sand fringed by tall Hoka palm trees, with calm waters good for swimming and a lively range of water sports, from parasailing to jet skiing and banana boat rides. It is the island's most popular spot for relaxation and fun.

St Paul's Church. In the old town, St Paul's Church is a beautiful example of Portuguese Baroque architecture, built in the 17th century and dedicated to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. It is the island's last fully functioning church, its ornate facade and carved interior a highlight of a heritage walk.

INS Khukri Memorial. A poignant maritime memorial on the Diu coast, the INS Khukri Memorial honours the crew of the Indian naval ship that sank in the 1971 India-Pakistan war. With its open amphitheatre and the model of the ship, it is a moving stop and another fine spot for sunset views.

Panikotha or Fortim do Mar. A striking white sea fort standing in the water off Diu, Panikotha, also called Fortim do Mar, was once a Portuguese fortress and jail, with a lighthouse and a small chapel. Best seen from the shore or on a boat ride, it is one of Diu's most photogenic sights.

Zampa Gateway and the Diu Museum. The historic Zampa Gateway, with a medieval chapel and carvings, marks the old entrance to Diu town, while the Diu Museum, housed in the former St Thomas Church, displays antique statues, stone inscriptions, wooden carvings and other relics of the island's past.

The beaches of Diu

Diu is ringed by beaches, each with its own character, so beach-lovers are spoilt for choice:

• Nagoa Beach: the famous crescent beach with Hoka palms and water sports, the liveliest on the island.

• Ghoghla Beach: on the mainland side of Diu, a long, golden, less-crowded beach with water sports and resorts.

• Chakratirth Beach: central and well-kept, near the town, with a nearby sunset point on a landscaped hillock.

• Jallandhar Beach: close to town, with the hilltop Jallandhar shrine and lovely views over the coast.

• Gomtimata Beach: a quieter, more secluded beach on the island's western side for those seeking calm away from the crowds.

A one-day Diu itinerary

If you have only one day in Diu, a sensible loop takes in the highlights without backtracking. Start in the morning with the Diu Fort and the adjoining Naida Caves, while the light is good and the day still cool. Around midday, head to the Nagoa Beach for a swim, some water sports and lunch at a beach shack and stop at the Gangeshwar temple on the same side of the island. In the late afternoon, visit the INS Khukri Memorial and Chakratirth Beach for the sunset and end the day with an evening stroll through the old town, taking in St Paul's Church, the Zampa Gateway and the Diu Museum. This covers the island's forts, beaches and heritage in a single, well-paced day.

How to reach Diu

Diu is well connected despite its island setting. By air, Diu has its own airport, with flights to Mumbai and Porbandar, making it a convenient arrival point. By train, Diu has no railway station of its own, so the nearest railhead is Veraval, about 90 km away, near Somnath, from where a taxi reaches Diu, with Delvada station closer for local links. By road, Diu is connected by a bridge across the creek to the Gujarat mainland and is easily reached from Somnath, about 66 km away and Gir, about 50 km away, so a Somnath Dwarka taxi service can bring you to the island. See our how to reach Somnath guide, as most visitors come via Somnath.

Best time to visit Diu

The best time to visit Diu is the cooler season, October to March, when the weather is pleasant and mild, ideal for exploring the forts and the old town on foot and for the beaches, in line with the best time to visit Gujarat. The summer, April to June, is hot and humid and the monsoon, July to September, brings rough seas that can limit water sports, though the island stays green and lovely. Winter, from November to February, is the most comfortable and popular stretch for sightseeing and beach visits, so plan your trip then if you can.

Combine Diu with Somnath and Gir

The joy of Diu is how easily it fits into a Saurashtra trip. It lies only about 66 km from Somnath, the first Jyotirlinga and about 50 km from Gir, the last home of the Asiatic lion, so many travellers weave a relaxing day or two on Diu into a Somnath, Gir and coast itinerary, as covered in our places to visit near Somnath and Diu guide. After the intensity of the temples and the thrill of the safari, Diu's beaches, forts and laid-back air make a perfect change of pace, rounding out a Saurashtra journey beautifully.

Tips for visiting Diu

A few pointers make your Diu trip better:

• Visit October to March and see the fort and old town in the cooler morning and evening hours.

• Combine the Diu Fort and the Naida Caves, which are right next to each other, in one stop.

• Head to Nagoa Beach for water sports and the beach shacks and Chakratirth for the sunset.

• Try the fresh seafood and Portuguese-influenced local food, a highlight of the island.

• Combine Diu with Somnath and a Gir safari, all within easy reach, for a full Saurashtra trip.

• Hire a car, taxi or scooter to get around the compact island easily between the sights.

Plan your Diu trip

Experience My India can plan a Saurashtra trip that includes a relaxing stay on Diu along with the temples and the safari. See the sightseeing places in Somnath, add a Gir lion safari, time the trip with the best time to visit Gir, book Somnath Dwarka hotels and let the Experience My India Somnath Dwarka tour packages include Diu, the temples and the coast in your itinerary. You can also extend the trip up the coast to Dwarka for a fuller journey.

Related guides

To plan the rest of your Saurashtra trip, these related guides help:

Plan your visit

Experience My India can arrange your Saurashtra trip with Diu, the temples and the safari. Browse more travel guides, message us on WhatsApp or call +91 73006 20809.