9 Most Interesting Museums in Goa
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Goa, as you all know, is a hub of ancient culture and modern lifestyle and the natives, as well as the tourists of Goa, take both the cultures prevailing in Goa close to heart. The attractions in Goa have the touch of its culture evidently and one such attraction is the museums in Goa. 

Each museum has a separate story to be shared regarding the life of Goa from the ancient centuries. We are giving you an extra ordinary chance to go through the most interesting museums in Goa and select the best you wish to see and observe when you visit the mighty land of beaches.

The pre Portuguese attitude as well as the post British adaptations of Goa can be easily understood from these museums and they are the pioneers in the attractions of Goa which have the ability to hold any number of tourists of Goa together and force them to be in love with the cities. 

Come and fall in love with the culture and tradition of a paradise on Earth with a visit to these exclusively well-maintained museum like Houses of Goa Museum, Goa State Museum, Bigfoot Cross Museum, Goa Chitra and so on. Some of them are displaying the most exciting facts and figures related to the state which have connection with the ancient centuries and the colonial conquerors.

Here are some of the best museums in Goa:

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01

Goa State Museum, Panaji

Located on the Mahatma Gandhi Road in Panjim, the Goa State Museum has an impressive collection of artifacts. Of all museums of Goa this one features exhibits, artifacts and items pertaining to religious expression, history of printing in the state, lottery printing, cultural anthropology, contemporary and Christian art, furniture, sculptures and information on Goa’s struggle for freedom. The museum is open on all weekdays between 9.30 am and 5.30 pm.

Photography is allowed only for students and scholars based on prior request. The museum also organises screenings for students on prior intimation. These screenings are short videos displaying the various cultural, heritage and anthropological facts about Goa. There is no entry fee to the Goa State Museum and the museum is divided into several galleries. Twelve out of these are open to the public. Some of the notable galleries are the Banerji Art Gallery and Sculpture Gallery.

02

Museum of Christian Art, Old Goa

This is Asia’s only museum featuring a collection of items pertaining to the emergence of Christianity in the state. Located in Annexe, Convent of Santa Monica in Old Goa, the Museum of Christian Art is famed for its impressive collection of sculptures, furniture, ivory, paintings, textiles and metals. 

One of the well-known sculptures is the Holy Trinity showing the culmination of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as a symbolic representation. There are several other exhibits that are centuries old and depict the overpowering prevalence of Christianity in Goa several centuries ago.

Open on all days of the week from 9.30 am to 5.00 pm, this museum has a nominal entrance fee averaging around Rs 3 and photography is allowed. This museum showcases the depth of religious harmony and prevalence during the Portuguese rule of Goa.

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03

Goa Chitra Museum, Benaulim

Located on the St. John the Baptist church road, Mondo-Waddo, Benaulim, this is amongst a handful of museums of Goa displaying artifacts related traditional farming equipment. These are ancient tools that were used by agriculturalists and farmers centuries ago. Some of these tools were used in the cultivation of organic farms. What began as a modest collection of 200 such items when the museum first began has grown to over 4000 and is still growing.

The entrance fee to the museum is Rs 100 and photography is allowed inside the museum. Apart from traditional farming equipment, the museum showcases coconut farming tools, milk churning tools, traditional hand-woven baskets and several other implements that are not in use today. 

The Goa Chitra Museum partners with scholars and educational institutions to do more research on the farming and traditional cultivation techniques of ancient Goans. This is one of the many novel initiatives undertaken by the museum to provide solutions for the modern times.

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04

Houses of Goa, Alto-Torda, Porvorim

Located in Torda, Salvador do Mundo, Bardez this museum presents a stunning exterior and interior design given that it was architected by the renowned Gerard da Cunha. The design of the Houses of Goa befits its stature as a place that houses artifacts that depict the history of architecture in Goa. 

The displays present interesting facts about European and Portuguese building practices during the colonial times. The renowned Mario Gallery displaying the paintings of Goa’s legendary painter Mario Mirando is here. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 7.30 pm and the entrance fee is INR 100 for adults and INR 25 for children.

The specialty of this museum is that it changes your perceptions of the traditional homes you see in Goa. After visiting this museum you understand why these homes were built in this fashion and the purpose behind it.

05

Goa Science Centre, Panaji

Located on the New Marine Highway, Miramar, this is amongst the museums of Goa housing numerous wonders pertaining to science and astronomy. The museum features a planetarium and science park. The 3D theatre on-location showcases science shows. The entrance fee is Rs 10 and Rs 15 for the Planetarium show and Rs 15 for the science show at the 3D theatre.

The museum is open on all days from 10.00 AM to 6.00PM except on public holidays. Cameras and videos are allowed inside. The Goa Science Centre organises several package tours for students and visiting researchers. There is something always happening at this place for science lovers. There is also a range of activities here such as science seminars, demonstrations, drama contest, film festivals and quiz contests.

Goa is famous for water sports. Check some of them out here.

06

Naval Aviation Museum (India), Vasco da Gama

Located in Bogmalo which is a short distance from Vasco da Gama, this museum is a unique one amongst museums in Goa. Displayed here are artifacts, items and various staged machinery and equipment of the evolution of India’s naval force over the years. 

There are two sections to the museum - the outdoor exhibit and indoor gallery. The outdoor exhibit displays a range of decommissioned aircraft that served with the Navy. A small shed hosts a decade old aircraft machines and interested visitors can see the engines as well. Visiting this place is one of the best thing to do in Goa.

The indoor gallery displays information on battles undertaken. A special section of the museum displays naval aircraft armament. Also displayed are the different types of attire of naval servicemen and servicewomen. The museum is open on all days except Monday from ten in the morning to five in the evening and charges Rs 20 for admission and photography is allowed.

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07

Ancestral Goa, Loutolim

Located in the picturesque village of Loutolim, Ancestral Goa is also called the Big Foot museum. It is an open air museum that displays life-size statues and sculptures depicting the culture of rural Goa. There is an art gallery on-premise displaying paintings of children and local artists. The handicraft section of the museum displays Goan handicrafts. You can visit the model village that displays miniature Goan traditional homes, village market, liquor stores and distilleries.

 One of the prime attractions of the Ancestral Goa museum is the sculpture of Sant Mirabai sculpted by the creator of the museum MJA Alavres. This sculpture entered the Limca Book of Records for being a laterite creation completed within 30 days. The museum is open on all days of the week between 10 in the morning and 5 in the evening and photography is allowed.

08

Palacio do Deao

This centuries old mansion is located opposite the Holy Cross Church in Goa. A sprawling bungalow, the home is a treasure trove of cultural artifacts; the Indo-Portuguese architecture to the stone ornaments and the library with rare books on History, this place is for people seeking an odyssey through Goa’s rich legacy. 

Whilst exploring this house, you learn about the history of Goa through various exhibits such as paintings, artifacts, and general household items. You can top this experience with a culinary indulgence at the in-house restaurant serving delectable Goan cuisine.

Open on all days of the week, this is also a heritage villa where you can stay. Photography is allowed and you can capture vivid images of this home and its surrounding through your camera lens.

09

Archaeological Museum

Established in the mid nineteenth century, this museum displays antiquities that date back to the medieval period – making it one of the most interesting museums of Goa. On the walls you can see portraits of governors and viceroys who ruled Goa during the colonial times. Apart from this there are pillars, postage stamps and several other objects pertaining to the Portuguese rule in India. Located in Old Goa, the museum is open on all days except Friday and is open from 10 am to 5 pm.

The highlight of this Archaeological Museum is that it contains several ancient Persian and Arabic inscriptions, weapons used by the Portuguese army and such related artifacts. All of these items showcase an all pervasive Portuguese involvement in Goa’s history. 

These are some of the most interesting museums of Goa. These museums showcase different aspects of Goa’s tryst with history. In these places you witness artefacts, inscriptions, sculptures and such items that open your perceptions to Goa’s rich and illustrious history. Visiting such museums in Goa increases your understanding of this glorious state. You’ll come back with new regards and appreciation for the fun capital of India with a magnificent history!

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12 April 2019
Excellent
Simply WOW!! Quite a thrillophilic journey with immensely warm hospitality, perfect planned schedules and of course amazing travel. As planned we were picked up @7 in the morning and were taken to the falls which happens to be around 100 kms. Bus they provide are very comfortable and AC will also be sufficient to beat the heat of sultry Goa. We also covered a landmark church of Goa enroute. They will give you around 15 20 mins to get that holy feel. Once we reached the venue we were given time to have breakfast, meanwhile the guide arranged tickets for the whole group and settled us up in the bolero which takes you from there further. It was again a Splendid journey of 45 mins through mahavir national park where you will cross several streams also. Pure off roading and adventurous experience. From the parking u have to walk for 5 mins to finally reach the destination which, you undoubtedly will feel deserving enough to have travelled for. Such a sublime scene and cool clear water with fishes around you will quench all the tiredness you might have had after traveelinh to several beaches. You get around 1.5 hours in total after final parking out of which for bathing you will get around 45 mins. Caution : please travel with good non slippery shoes as the rocks are too slippery and carelessness might get fatal. No worries though, you wont drown as they will provide you with life jackets so a good news for non swimmers. Post bath again you will be taken back and be served with complimentary lunch in goan style which is quite palatable. Then a short spice plantation tour followed by a return drop to the reapective pick up points. The trip will end in North Goa around 6 evening. ps : If you have time on your goa trip, do visit this place and thrillophilia is definitely a good option to consider coz it will wave off your trip organisational headache.
03 February 2020
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Superb cycling experience, it was just the 3 of us including the guide and we were able to complete the trip real fast. The bird sanctuary is where we took most of the pics. We went off road through the forest area as well and we could find the railway lines located there. Couple of steep ups and downs which made cycling challenging. The total distance would be 30 kms. Best I've ever cycled
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06 March 2021
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Had an amazing morning with the best people! Rohan and his team are amazing hosts and if you are looking to cycle along scenic views and connect with some good folks- you should definitely try this!
"good trip....dudhsagar was good, lunch provided was too good, spice plantation was not that good as I come from kerala all are same spices what i see at home, so was not that great for me.... overall its a good experience.. "
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"here's the review of scuba diving \nhttps://youtu.be/x9yBS772ym8"

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