Aguada Beach Sightseeing, Quick Facts, History, Packages, Tours & Excursions

The majestic Fort Aguada is one of Goa's most ancient historical treasures. Goa, in the 17th century was a hub of commercial activity owing to its ports and cattle and was coveted by many. The Portuguese built this classical fort to prevent the invasions of the Dutch and the Marathas and even built a moat around it. The fort is famed to have housed around 79 canons once. Fort Aguada is most famous for the natural springs that existed here, and water was given to the people, sailors and ships, who used to stop by, hence the name Aguada, which means water in Portuguese.

Fort Aguada proved to be the only fort that remained unconquered during the 450-year long Portuguese rule. Its walls are 5 m high and 1.3 m wide. On the fort stand a 4-storey Portuguese lighthouse, erected in 1864 and the oldest of its kind in Asia. The lighthouse featured a gigantic bell reacquired from the ruins of the St. Augustus monastery at Old Goa. The bell has now been moved to the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception church at Panaji. A part of the fort is now converted into the Central Jail.

Situated atop the Sinquerim plateau in Bardez Taluka on the beach south of Candolim, at the shore of the Mandovi River, Fort Aguada overlooks a series of Goa's tourist hot spots like the port on the Mandovi River, the beautiful Candolim beach, the vast expanse of the Arabian Sea and the extremely pretty Fort Aguada Beach Resort. Though the historical fort is now owned by the Taj Group of hotels, it is open to the public and the resort is in concurrence to the existence of the fort.

Fort Aguada is located at close proximity to the beaches, shopping hubs and happening clubs of Goa. A few minutes walk will take you away from the historic realm into a life throbbing with entertainment and activity. The Goan shacks located on the beach offer an exotic variety of sea food along with your favourite wine or beer.