By Ulhas Polle, host at Happy Moon Homestay, Aldona, North Goa, since 2024 · Updated 3 October 2026
Our track record: Google 4.9★ (141 reviews) · Airbnb Superhost 4.94★ (154 reviews) · Booking.com 9.8/10 Exceptional
The easiest church trail in Goa from Aldona is a one-day loop of eight churches: St Thomas in Aldona, four in Old Goa (Bom Jesus, Sé Cathedral, St Francis of Assisi and Our Lady of the Mount), the Immaculate Conception in Panjim, Reis Magos and Mãe de Deus in Saligao. All are 2.7 to 29.2 km from Happy Moon Homestay in Corjuem, Aldona, North Goa, where rooms start at ₹1,200 a night. WhatsApp +91 95034 25896 to plan it.
We suggest this trail to families, history lovers and photographers. It is a full day of driving, not a beach day, and it works best Monday to Saturday, because the Basilica of Bom Jesus opens to visitors only from about 11 am on Sundays.
| Church | What it is | From our homestay | Map |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Thomas Church, Aldona | Village church built in 1596 | 2.7 km | Map |
| Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa | Holds the relics of St Francis Xavier | 28.5 km | Map |
| Sé Cathedral, Old Goa | Cathedral completed in 1619 | 28.7 km | Map |
| Church of St Francis of Assisi, Old Goa | Church and museum, built 1661 | 28.4 km | Map |
| Chapel of Our Lady of the Mount, Old Goa | Hilltop chapel | 29.2 km | Map |
| Immaculate Conception, Panjim | White church with zig-zag stairs | 20 km | Map |
| Reis Magos Church, Verem | First church in Bardez | 16.8 km | Map |
| Mãe de Deus Church, Saligao | Neo-Gothic church, 1867 to 1873 | 15.4 km | Map |
Which churches in Goa are on this heritage trail?
Eight churches in three areas: Aldona; Old Goa; and Panjim with the Bardez side of the Mandovi. Bom Jesus, Sé Cathedral and St Francis of Assisi belong to the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Churches and Convents of Goa”, listed in 1986. Our Lady of the Mount, the Immaculate Conception, Reis Magos, Mãe de Deus and St Thomas are not part of that listing. For the churches around Margao, see our guide to South Goa churches.
What is the best order to visit Goa’s churches in one day?
- St Thomas in Aldona early in the morning, or the evening before (2.7 km).
- Old Goa by about 9 am on a weekday (around 40 minutes), after the early Masses.
- Drive up to the Monte chapel for the view.
- The Immaculate Conception in Panjim, then lunch in Fontainhas.
- Cross the Mandovi to Reis Magos in the late afternoon.
- End at Mãe de Deus in Saligao after dusk to see it lit up from outside, then drive 15.4 km home.
It is a full day of driving.
What is special about St Thomas Church in Aldona?
Our village church, St Thomas Church, Aldona (official website), was built in 1596 on a plateau above the Mapusa river, 2.7 km from us. Its feasts are the Feast of St Thomas on a Saturday a few weeks after Easter, in April; the Choranchem Fest on 29 October; and São João on 24 June. More about the village is in our Aldona travel guide.
Which Old Goa churches should you see, and how long do you need?
Bom Jesus, Sé Cathedral and St Francis of Assisi stand within a few hundred metres of each other, so allow two to three hours. The Monte chapel is a short drive up a hill to the east.
Basilica of Bom Jesus
Built between 1594 and 1605, it holds the relics of St Francis Xavier. His feast is on 3 December, with novenas from 24 November. The relics are put on display about every ten years, most recently from November 2024 to January 2025. Bom Jesus on Google Maps.
Sé Cathedral
Dedicated to St Catherine of Alexandria and built between 1562 and 1619, it is one of the largest churches in Asia, 76 m long. The style is Portuguese-Manueline, with a Tuscan exterior and a Corinthian interior, and its Golden Bell is said to be the largest in Goa. Sé Cathedral on Google Maps.
Church of St Francis of Assisi
Beside Sé Cathedral, across the road from Bom Jesus. The present church was built in 1661, and its nave walls keep painted panels of scenes from the life of St Francis. The Archaeological Museum is in the old convent next door. St Francis of Assisi on Google Maps.
Chapel of Our Lady of the Mount
Built between 1510 and 1519 on the orders of Afonso de Albuquerque, on a hill overlooking the Mandovi. It is not easy to reach on foot, so drive up. It is quieter than the main Old Goa churches. Our Lady of the Mount on Google Maps.
Why stop at the Immaculate Conception Church in Panjim?
It is Panjim’s landmark white church with the zig-zag double staircase, 20 km from us. A chapel stood here from 1541, and the present church dates from the early 1600s; the staircase was added in the 18th century. Its bell, the second-largest church bell in Goa, was brought from the Augustinian monastery at Old Goa in 1871. The feast is on 8 December, when the church is illuminated. Have lunch nearby in Fontainhas; more of Panjim is in our Central Goa guide.
Is Reis Magos Church worth a stop?
Yes, if you like river views. It was the first church in Bardez, built by Franciscan friars in the 1550s, and stands on the north bank of the Mandovi next to Reis Magos Fort, 16.8 km from us. The Feast of the Three Kings is on 6 January. The fort is in our guide to the forts of Goa.
When is Mãe de Deus Church in Saligao lit up?
After dark, which is why it ends the loop. You see the illuminated exterior; visitor hours inside are roughly 9 am to 12:30 pm and 3 to 5 pm. The neo-Gothic church was built between 1867 and 1873 and is 15.4 km from us. Saligao is also on Day 1 of our North Goa itinerary.
What should you know before visiting churches in Goa?
- Cover shoulders and knees.
- Visit outside Mass. At Bom Jesus, Masses are roughly at 7 and 8 am Monday to Saturday and at 7, 8 and 9:15 am on Sunday, with visiting from about 9 am on weekdays and 11 am on Sundays. Check locally.
- Keep quiet, and ask before taking photographs inside.
- November to February is the most comfortable season. Feast days (3 December, 8 December, 6 January) are crowded.
How do you get to Old Goa and Panjim from Aldona?
By car or taxi: about 40 minutes to Old Goa and about 25 minutes to Panjim. Use the GoaMiles app or the Goa Taxi App, or a local taxi from Mapusa. If you rent a two-wheeler, take one with yellow-and-black commercial plates; a helmet and a driving licence are compulsory. Buses run via Mapusa, with timings that vary. Arriving by train? See our Thivim station guide, and plan the day on our interactive Goa map.
Stay with us in Aldona, North Goa
Happy Moon Homestay is a quiet, family-run homestay in Aldona with AC rooms, a guest kitchen, power backup and 300 Mbps Wi-Fi. Rooms from ₹1,200 a night.
How to contact and book Happy Moon Homestay
- WhatsApp or call: +91 95034 25896 (Ulhas Polle, host)
- Address: House No. 524/4, Hatalwado, Corjuem, Aldona, Bardez, North Goa, Goa 403508
- Google Maps: Happy Moon Homestay on Google Maps (4.9★, 140+ Google reviews)
- Book direct: homestayingoa.com, with no OTA commission
Frequently asked questions
How many churches can I see in Goa in one day?
About eight, if you follow this loop: St Thomas in Aldona, four churches in Old Goa, the Immaculate Conception in Panjim, Reis Magos and Mãe de Deus in Saligao. It is a full day of driving.
Which is the most famous church in Goa?
The Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa, which holds the relics of St Francis Xavier and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Churches and Convents of Goa.
What are the Basilica of Bom Jesus timings?
Visiting is roughly from 9 am on weekdays and from 11 am on Sundays, outside Mass times. Check locally before you go.
What should I wear when visiting churches in Goa?
Cover shoulders and knees, keep quiet during services and ask before taking photographs inside.
How far is Old Goa from Aldona?
About 28 km, roughly 40 minutes by car.