Top 10 Places to Visit in Daman | Daman Tourist Places

A paradisiacal piece of land standing tall since the time of Portuguese in India, Daman is an exquisite go-to destination for travel bugs. The old town was the home of Portuguese for four centuries and thus had a coat of their breath-taking architecture painted on it. It can be called a mini version of Goa with its golden sands meeting the unruly waves at the subcontinent’s western coast. From quiet beaches to magnificent forts and churches, there are many places to visit in Daman. The town might not be a top tourist destination with all provisions, but the setting sun weaves magic in the air to make you fall in love with the place.

SOME FACTS ABOUT THE TOWN

State: Daman and Diu, a Union Territory of India situated on the western coast
Location: On the banks of Daman Ganga River
Area: 102 sq. kilometres
Famous for: Architecture and Beaches
Distance from Gujarat: 520 kilometers (approximately)
Distance from Mumbai: 177 kilometers (approximately)
Daman subdivisions: Moti Daman and Nani Daman

HOW TO REACH DAMAN

By Air: Flights are readily available from nearby cities of Mumbai and Baroda. There are also daily flights of Gujarat state airlines connecting cities to this historic town. The local airport is in Nani Daman and has all the amenities for travelers to get into the city.

By Rail: The easiest way to reach Daman is to take a train to Vapi. It is located at a distance of 12 km, and then you can take a bus/taxi/tonga to reach the old town. Vapi is the hotspot for a real shopping experience of travelers. While on the way from Vapi, you will know you have reached the chilling zone when you see liquor stores lined up on the roadside.

By Road: The place is easily accessible by road, and is connected to some major cities. Vapi lies on the Bombay-Ahmedabad Highway No.8 and is connected to Daman by road. The town is 170 km from Mumbai, 360 km from Ahmedabad, 110km from Surat, and 300 km from Baroda.

Also Read: Daman and Diu Tourism: Best Time to Visit and How to Travel

TOP 10 PLACES TO VISIT IN DAMAN

Now let's hop into the best part of our Daman ride, the places to visit here. Daman has two parts; Moti Daman and Nani Daman. Some of the best places to visit in Daman are:

Jampore Beach

This beach is located almost 6 km away from Nani Daman taxi stand where you can book a taxi till Nani Daman Jetty. If you are in Moti Daman, it is 5 km away from Moti Daman Jetty. With its shacks offering cheap liquor and great food, this beach is a magnet for the youth. It has camel rides, horse rides, and sometimes all-terrain vehicle ride. They have parasailing, paragliding, motorboat ride, and other water sports too. It has an arch-shaped boundary wall that runs for 2-3 kilometers and adds to the beauty of the beach. It is the best place to hang out with your gang while the sun sets for the day. It is also the best weekend getaway for your family, for the kids to enjoy the rides and build sandcastles. It has proper parking arrangements for your private vehicles.

Mirasol Lake Garden

A famous lake garden is a happy place, which is about 1.5 km from Devka Beach. A clean and well-maintained garden with an artificial pond, which serves as the heart of Daman. Suitable for children as they can enjoy train and boat rides and a bunch of water games. A must paddle boating experience on the lake, with birds to add a smile to your calm evening. It has low entry charges and proper parking arrangements.

Cathedral of Bom Jesu

This ancient structure is situated about 3 km from the Mirasol lake garden. A 400+-year-old Catholic church that had been constructed by the Portuguese. It was completed in 1603 A.D. It is one of the oldest Portuguese churches in India. It is located inside the Moti Daman fort. The doorway with the elevated façade and richly decorated interior, lofty ceiling, carved and embellished with statues of six saints attract your attention.

Somnath Mahadev Temple

A shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, the destroyer, which is a 4-kilometer ride from Daman, from the Cathedral of Bom Jesu. Temple opens at 6 in the morning till 7.30 in the evening. Afternoon 1 to 3.30 is its break time. Peaceful, spiritual, and relaxing for the people.

Devka Beach

This beach is located at a distance of 3 km from the Nani Daman bus stop. It is best approached by foot, though parking facilities are available for two or four-wheeled vehicles. It is more like a rocky outreach to the sea, with black sand. There are many unique stones and shells for your collection. There are shacks with cheap liquor, seafood, and loud music, thus perfect for the youngsters. The high monsoon tide is the best time to visit this beach. The most popular attraction is the beachside amusement park. Along with it, there are also pony and camel rides available.

Mirasol Water Park

Located at a distance of 7 km from the taxi stand of Nani Daman, this amusement park is known for its thrilling rides. Jumper boat, go karting and striking car. You can enjoy a spring/summer fun with your people in this water park. There are options for the mini train ride and paddle boating at affordable prices. The food is good and a must-go-to place for families with kids.

Also Read: The Most Awesome Mini-Break, With the Best Things to Do In Daman

Moti Daman Fort

This massive fort lies at a distance of 2.5 km from the Daman bus stand, Nani Daman. This fort was built by the Portuguese in 1559 to protect against the invasion of Mughal armies. The fort is spread over a massive area of 30,000 sq. m. The fort houses several cannons, and each cannon's mouth is engraved with a crest and year of manufacture. The fort has Church of Bom Jesu, Chapel of our lady of Rosary and Church of Our Lady of remedies inside. This can be an interesting place for poet enthusiasts since the house of Portuguese poet; Bocage is located close to the main gate of the fort.

St. Jerome Fort

Also known as Nani Daman Fort, this is situated on the Northern side of the Daman Ganga river and is a 10-minute walk from Nani Daman bus stand. This fort gives an insight into the rich Portuguese history of Daman. One of the essential places to visit, this fort was made in 1672 A.D. It was named after St. Jerome, a priest and theologian of ancient times. It has a cemetery, church, and a school inside as well. The Portuguese bastion has very thick and robust walls with impressive architecture and design of the entrance gate. You can climb the walls of the fort to enjoy the view of the Arabian Sea and the fisherman colony. Watching the sunset is a must here.

Jetty Garden

This is 2 km away from the Nani Daman taxi stand. You can take a taxi/auto to the Nani Daman Jetty and then get a boat ride of 2 minutes to reach this place. This is a cool hangout place on the outskirts of Daman. It comprises of a Portuguese colony converted into government offices and boats and ships with an 'I love Daman' selfie point. There is a line of food stalls mostly serving no vegetarian. A right place for families with kids as well because of the play installations.

Kadaiya Lake Garden

A famous spot for film shooting, his lake garden is at a distance of 7 km from the Nani Daman taxi stand. With the toy train as its main attraction and other activities for children, this is a must-visit for families. There are joy rides, computer games, and go-karting options in this garden. The garden also has a multi-cuisine restaurant for your taste buds.

There are many other places to visit in Daman, like the Lighthouse, Dominican Monastery, Church of our Lady of Sea, Jain temple, House of Bockage, etc. Two to three days itinerary should be enough for a wholesome experience of this Portuguese haven.

BEST TIME TO VISIT DAMAN

With a serene backdrop, the town of art and booze welcomes you best from October to March.

If you are a culture explorer, the moderate temperature throughout the year does not have any rules for you. There need not be any best time, therefore, to travel to Daman. There are plenty of places to visit in Daman with the beach always welcoming to give you a scenic break.

Also Read: The Hidden Gems Of Daman and Diu

RESORTS

For any traveler, a safe, cozy cot to sleep in and an excellent resort experience is an additional bliss. At our Club Mahindra resorts, you get the perfect getaway since we offer every comfort that one can even think of! Some of our resorts nearby Daman are:

Club Mahindra resorts, Vapi, Gujarat: 13.4 kilometres from Daman, 28 minutes’ drive
Club Mahindra, Umargam, Gujarat: 31.1 kilometres, 44 minutes’ drive
Azzaro Resorts and Spa, Diu: If you have plans to cover both Daman and Diu, this is the best option. It is located on the Nagoa beach road in Diu.
Club Mahindra, Bardoli, Gujarat: 106 kilometres away from Daman, 2 h 3 min drive
Club Mahindra Hatgad, Nashik, Maharashtra: 136 kilometres, 3 h 8 min drive
Mahindra holidays and resorts India Ltd., Surat, Gujarat: 128.2 kilometres, 2 h 22 min drive

Why choose us?

All our Club Mahindra resorts offer the best hospitality to guests. They are equipped with Wi-Fi and swimming pools, with fitness centers running all day. To spoil you, they also have spa and massage sessions with sauna treatment after your long days. They are not just for a fabulous holiday; you can also host weddings, birthdays, parties and a lot more.

RESTAURANTS IN DAMAN

Daman offers you a varied food platter like Seafood, Chinese, Italian, Indian, Asian, and Fast food. There are many restaurants in Daman, offering you an unforgettable bar and pub experience on the side. There are excellent dining places and many economical options, along with fast-food eateries. Also, if you visit the beaches and halt there, the food at the shacks along with cheap beer is a few things Daman is loved for. Some of the best-rated restaurants/fast food joints in Daman are Spice Galleon at the Gold Beach Resort, Veera Da Dhaba, Gurukripa Restaurant, 19Sixtyone Restaurant and Bar, Emperor Restaurant, Kathi junction, Daman Delite Restaurant, Café Farohar. So many flavors that could melt into your mouth and keep you coming back for more!

THINGS TO DO IN DAMAN

With a rich colonial history, Daman will make you feel like you have entered into another time and another territory. The wanderlust in you can enjoy the magic by participating in many things to do here. Some of the ‘You have got to do these!’ affairs are:

Soul searching at Beaches – for you to experience the tropical weather.
Admire the Architectural Marvels – get the taste of history.
Enjoy that shopping spree – buy souvenirs for your special ones.
Go on that mandatory spiritual tour – blend into the world of churches and temples.
Get the adrenaline rush – visit the Devka amusement park.
Have fun with water sports – for the adventurer in you.
Visit all the other magnificent locations.

You can enjoy light booze with your friends or enjoy that midnight campfire by the beach; Daman has an endless list of things to do.

DAMAN TRAVEL GUIDE

A small, old but artistic town does not need any local travel guides. The hotels and resorts there can give you contacts if you still need assistance in knowing the history. At our Club Mahindra official website, you can find information of the city. Some of the other travel guides are: Native Planet, Tripoto, Wannabemaven, Yatra, Indian Holiday, WikiVoyage So hop into a flight or train and start your Daman adventure now!

SERENE, SUBLIME, SCENIC

Whether you are a nature lover, a solitude seeker, a soul searcher, or an adventure junkie, Daman will lure you into its exotic beauty as it has everything that you are looking for. Daman Tourism is a bliss for the job holders who want to enjoy life and its simple pleasures out on a small island. Home to beaches, lined with Palm and Casuarina trees and groves, Daman will surely impress you. The Portuguese colonies and architecture are a layer of icing on that beautiful cake. Many people from its neighboring cities of Maharashtra and Gujarat, often come to laze around the shorelines of the beaches.

You can enjoy a spa in a resort or a party at the beach; walk along with the old town, or have a cycle race with your buddies; Daman Tourism has its door open for you! Book your tickets as we wait to host you.

About Mahindra Holidays

Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited (MHRIL), India’s leading player in the leisure hospitality industry, offers quality family holidays as also stated by Club Mahindra Resort Reviews, primarily through vacation ownership memberships. While Club Mahindra is the flagship brand offering Club Mahindra Membership the other brands offered by the company are – Club Mahindra Resorts Fundays and Svaastha Spa. As on Mar 31, 2019, MHRIL has 61+ resorts across India and abroad and its subsidiary, Holiday Club Resorts Oy, Finland, a leading vacation ownership company in Europe has 33 resorts across Finland, Sweden and Spain. Visit us at www.clubmahindra.com