Diu, a sleepy little town at the tip of South Gujarat has the perfect Laidback vibes. Diu is a tiny island separated from the mainland Gujarat by a creek. Once governed by Portuguese, the Indian Military seized Diu in 1961. However, the Portugal influence is evident in its architecture, culture and heritage. Ironically, Diu forms a Union Territory with Daman, but it is about 600 kms away from the latter. This small fishing town is known for its fortress, a cathedral and also scenic beaches. It deserves to be on your travel list and here’s an Essential Travel Guide to Diu to help you plan it out.
Essential Travel Guide to Diu
Places of Attraction
Diu Fort
Built by the Portuguese in 1535, it was one of the main fortresses of the Portuguese Empire. The high walls of Diu Fort still stand tall today. The huge array of cannon balls lining the walls and a double moat depict how formidable the fort had once been. The fort is surrounded by the high waters of Gulf of Khambat on three sides and it is still one of the highest structures of Diu. The fort also has tiny chapels scattered around. The light house still shines a light that is visible over 32 kms. It is a great place with amazing ocean views but in need of preservation. We as responsible travellers can always do our bit by not littering around and destroying this heritage.
St. Paul’s Church
Situated on the banks of Gulf of Khambhat, this is one of the three churches built by the Portuguese in India. It was built in 1605 AD and is still functional. The attractive baroque facade, wooden ensemble and intricately carved 400 year old pulpit is one of the finest. The Gothic architecture is similar to Bom Jesus Church in Goa. The church is crowded all day long with tourists and the best time to visit is when its all illuminated at night.
Nagoa Beach
This horse shoe shaped beach is the most popular beach in Diu. It lies in the south east part of Diu and well situated in the heart of the city. This beach attracts people at all times. The breeze flowing from the palm trees lining the beach makes it even more pleasant. Here, there are a number of water sports options as well as pony rides to choose from. The road outside the 2 km beach is full of easy on the pocket eating and staying options.
Jallandhar Beach
This beach too lies in south east Diu but is less populated which makes it untouched and more beautiful than Nagoa. This beach is perfect if you are in search of some solitude. You can easily get lost in the beauty of this place. The beach gets its name from the mythical demon Jallandhar killed by Krishna right here. A short hike up the hillock takes you to a small temple that has a stone carving of the demon.
INS Khukri Memorial
Just south of Chakratirth beach lies the humble tribute to our brave soldiers. INS Khukri went down after a missile attack during the 1971 Indo – Pak war. The soldiers on the ship chose to go down with with her instead of abandoning the ship. This place as a memorial to those brave men. Here, you get to see a life size model of the ship here.
Nadia Caves
This is one attraction that will interest the history buffs, explorers and photographers alike. Formed due to geographical irregularities and quarrying by Portuguese, these series of interlinked caves lie just outside Diu. It is believed that the Indian army was once stationed here to seize control over the Portuguese. The caves have many openings that let sunlight seep through which makes this place even more photogenic. The caves are well maintained with entry and exit signs to keep you from getting lost. These caves are undoubtedly one of the most under rated attractions in Diu.
Ganeshwar Temple
This temple is situated 3 kms from Diu and is a popular attraction. Legend has it that this temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was built by the Pandavas during their exile period. The temple has 5 Shiva Lingas in the middle of the sea only the tips of which are visible during high tide. It is believed that the sea pays homage to the Lord at that time. This is one of the main temples of Lord Shiva and devotees from all over the country visit this temple.
Chakratirth Beach
Situated at south west Diu, this beach guarantees an amazing view of the sunset. The lighted hills lining the beach makes it even more perfect. The beach is well planned with landscaped gardens and multiple changing rooms. Bhanslo, a small hillock accessible only during the low tide is another attraction here. The beach got its name in honor of the weapon Chakra used by Krishna to kill the demon Jallandhar. There is a small temple dedicated to this.
Panikota Fort
Also known as the Fortim-D-Mar, this is a part of the Diu Fort. The white colored ship shaped structure was originally the Diu Jail. The fort accessible by a short ferry ride provides an amazing 360 degree panoramic view of the ocean surrounding it.
Zampa Gateway
This is the main gateway to the city walls of Diu. The bright red colored structure gives an idea of the colonial rule of the Portuguese. The gateway is adorned with carvings of a lion, angel and a priest.
Ghogla Beach
This is the largest beach in Diu and perfect to try out parasailing and wind surfing. This beach is in the outskirts of the city so its not very crowded. The clean water and white sand make it worth visiting. The amenities on this beach are well maintained which makes your visit here all the more worthwhile.
Dinosaur Park
Still under construction this is a dinosaur themed park for kids. This park is close to the Nagoa beach and also has a temple in its premises. The vast ocean lining the park is prefect for a stroll. It is a good attraction when travelling with kids.
Gomtimata Beach
This is another popular beach of Diu. The waves splashing on the rocks makes it Instagram worthy. Though the sea is not perfect for swimming due to high tides, the white sandy beach are perfect to build a sand castle. The beach is little far from the city and is a perfect place for an excursion.
Best Time to Visit
Diu, being an island is hot and humid all year round. The summer months can get too hot during the day. But it is the perfect time to enjoy the beaches. The winter months from November to February are cool enough to do some sight seeing. Monsoons are pleasant too but the sea gets rough during this time.
How to Reach
Diu has its own airport which has daily flights to Mumbai and Porbunder. The closest railway station to Diu is 90 kms away at Veeramal. It connects to all major cities in Gujarat. The roads leading to Diu from Gujarat are well maintained with good connectivity to all major cities.
Where to Eat
Diu is a perfect blend of authentic Gujarati and Portuguese cuisine. The rich Portuguese legacy of Diu is evident in its food joints. Some of them serve authentic Portuguese meals and our personal favorite was O Coqueiro, a small cozy garden restaurant run by a couple. Khajura is another famous restaurant serving a mix of continental and Indian. Gujarati food on the other hand is served by majority of the restaurants here. Diu’s proximity to the sea makes it a sea food lovers paradise. Since Gujarat is a dry state Diu is also popular for its alcohol.
Where to Stay
Diu has a host of good family friendly hotels and kid friendly resorts to choose from. We have listed a couple of them that will make your family holiday even more enjoyable.
Situated right at Nagoa beach, Krishna Beach Resort is perfect for families. Kids especially will love it as the rooms come with a splash pool. The property is well maintained and the rooms have a sea view.
This resort is right in the lap of nature. The resort boasts of a great garden area offering stunning views of the countryside which can be explored by leisure walks or on rental bicycles. The facilities also include a spa, pool and a gym.
Have you been to Diu? What was your experience? Do let us know or if we are missing something, please contact us or comment below and I will update this blog soon. Your comments and/or feedback are welcome.
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