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

These are the eight forts of Goa we suggest to our guests, from Corjuem Fort, 1.2 km from our house, to Cabo de Rama, 78 km south. Our family runs Happy Moon Homestay in Corjuem, Aldona, North Goa, with rooms from ₹1,200 a night (WhatsApp +91 95034 25896). Five of these forts fit into one day from here; Tiracol and the two South Goa forts each need their own trip.

Goa forts at a glance

Fort Area Built From our homestay Map
Corjuem Fort Corjuem, Aldona 1705 1.2 km Map
Chapora Fort Vagator Rebuilt 1617 18.6 km Map
Reis Magos Fort Verem 1551 About 20 km Map
Fort Aguada and lighthouse Candolim Completed 1612; lighthouse 1864 24.3 km Map
Sinquerim Fort Sinquerim beach Part of the Aguada complex 24.8 km Map
Fort Tiracol Goa–Maharashtra border 17th century; Portuguese from 1746 49 km Map
Betul Fort Sal river mouth, South Goa 1679 About 70 km Map
Cabo de Rama Fort Canacona, South Goa Portuguese from the 1760s 78 km Map

Which forts can you visit in Goa?

This guide covers eight forts you can reach from Aldona: one next to us, four near the North Goa coast, one at Goa’s northern tip and two in South Goa. Goa has more forts than these; these are the ones worth the drive for most visitors. Most were built or rebuilt by the Portuguese between 1551 and 1705. Tiracol and Cabo de Rama were taken from local rulers, in 1746 and the 1760s, and Betul was built in 1679 on Shivaji’s orders. You can see all of them on our interactive Goa map.

What is the nearest fort to Aldona?

Corjuem Fort, 1.2 km or about 5 minutes from Happy Moon Homestay. The Portuguese built it in 1705, under Viceroy Caetano de Melo e Castro, to defend against the Marathas. It is one of only two inland forts left in Goa: a small square fort on Corjuem island in the Mapusa river, close to the Aldona–Corjuem cable-stayed bridge. It has had restoration work in recent years, so check it is open before visiting; there is no entry fee when it is open. More about the village is in our Aldona village travel guide. Corjuem Fort on Google Maps.

Corjuem Fort (Fort Assunção), the 1705 Portuguese inland fort in Corjuem, Aldona, North Goa
Corjuem Fort, about 1.2 km from Happy Moon Homestay.

Which forts are on the North Goa coast?

Chapora, Fort Aguada, Sinquerim Fort and Reis Magos are all about 18 to 25 km from Aldona and easy to combine in one day.

Chapora Fort, Vagator

Rebuilt by the Portuguese in 1617 on an older site, this red laterite fort sits on a hill above Vagator beach and is known as the fort from the film Dil Chahta Hai. There is no entry fee. The climb is short but steep and uneven, so wear proper shoes, and go in the late afternoon for the light over Vagator. 18.6 km from us. Chapora Fort on Google Maps.

Fort Aguada and lighthouse, Candolim

The Portuguese built Fort Aguada against the Dutch; it was completed in 1612. Its lighthouse, built in 1864, is one of the oldest in Asia. The old jail on the site is now the Fort Aguada Jail Museum, opened in December 2021; check current entry details before you go. 24.3 km from us. Fort Aguada on Google Maps.

Sinquerim Fort

The sea-level part of the Aguada complex, at Sinquerim beach. Its walls run down to the rocks at the sea, and it once served as a safe berth for Portuguese ships. It is best seen from the beach. 24.8 km from us. Sinquerim Fort on Google Maps.

Reis Magos Fort, Verem

Built in 1551 and restored and reopened in 2012, the fort now hosts exhibitions, including cartoons by Mario Miranda, and looks across the Mandovi river towards Panaji. It is usually closed on Mondays and charges a small entry fee. Reis Magos Church stands next door; it is on our Christian heritage trail. About 20 km from us. Reis Magos Fort on Google Maps.

Is Fort Tiracol worth the drive to Goa’s northern tip?

Yes, if you pair it with Arambol or Mandrem beach. Fort Tiracol is about 49 km from Aldona, at the Goa–Maharashtra border. It was built in the 17th century by Khem Sawant Bhonsle, the ruler of Sawantwadi, and surrendered to the Portuguese in 1746. Today it is the Fort Tiracol Heritage hotel, and the Church of St Anthony inside still holds Sunday services. It is reached by ferry from Querim, so check ferry timings before you set out. Combine it with Day 3 of our North Goa itinerary. Fort Tiracol on Google Maps.

Which forts are in South Goa, and can you see them in a day from Aldona?

Betul Fort (about 70 km) and Cabo de Rama (78 km) are 10 km apart and make one long South Goa day, about 155 km there and back. Keep them out of the North Goa route.

Betul Fort is a small, single-bastion fort built in 1679 on Shivaji’s orders, where the Sal river meets the sea, facing Mobor beach. The access lane is narrow and passes through a fishing village. Betul Fort on Google Maps.

Cabo de Rama is a cliff-top fort that passed between local rulers before the Portuguese took it in the 1760s. The chapel of St Anthony inside is still in use. The ground is uneven, so go in daylight. Cabo de Rama on Google Maps. For more on the south, see our guide to places to visit in South Goa.

What is the best one-day fort route from Aldona?

  1. Corjuem Fort in the morning, if it is open (5 minutes from us).
  2. Reis Magos Fort (skip it on Mondays).
  3. Fort Aguada, the lighthouse and Sinquerim Fort, with lunch in Candolim.
  4. Chapora Fort in the late afternoon.
  5. Back to Aldona.

That is roughly 70 to 75 km of driving in total. Tiracol is a separate northern day, and Betul with Cabo de Rama a separate southern day. For getting around, use GoaMiles 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.

When is the best time to visit Goa’s forts?

November to February, when the weather is dry; it is also peak season, busiest at Christmas and New Year. October and March are quieter. In the monsoon, June to September, the hills are green but laterite paths get slippery. Whatever the month, avoid the midday heat and visit in daylight. Our month-by-month guide to the best time to visit Goa has more.

Where should you stay for a Goa fort trail?

A base in Aldona puts Corjuem Fort 5 minutes away, Mapusa about 18 minutes, Vagator and Chapora about 35 to 40 minutes and Candolim and Aguada about 40 minutes. To be honest about what we are: we are not on the beach (the beaches are about 35 minutes by road) and we are not suited to party groups. Rooms start at ₹1,200 a night, and you can book the entire homestay for a group from ₹9,500 a night. Our guide to choosing a homestay in North Goa compares the areas, and guests rate us 4.9 on Google (140+ reviews).

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.

Check availability on WhatsApp →  See the rooms

How to contact and book Happy Moon Homestay

Frequently asked questions

Can you see all the North Goa forts in one day from Aldona?

Yes. Corjuem, Reis Magos, Fort Aguada, Sinquerim and Chapora fit into one day, about 70 to 75 km of driving, ending at Chapora in the late afternoon. Reis Magos is usually closed on Mondays.

Which Goa fort is good for sunset light?

Chapora Fort above Vagator beach, 18.6 km from Aldona. Go in the late afternoon and wear proper shoes for the short, steep climb; some listings say it closes around 5:30 pm, so check before planning to stay late.

Do Goa's forts charge an entry fee?

Chapora has no entry fee, and neither does Corjuem when it is open. Reis Magos Fort charges a small ticket and is usually closed on Mondays. For the Fort Aguada Jail Museum and the South Goa forts, check current entry details before you go.

How far are Betul and Cabo de Rama forts from Aldona?

Betul is about 70 km and Cabo de Rama 78 km. They are 10 km apart, so see both on one South Goa day, about 155 km there and back.

How do you get to Fort Tiracol?

It is about 49 km north of Aldona at the Goa–Maharashtra border and is reached by ferry from Querim. Check ferry timings and combine it with Arambol or Mandrem.

Which Goa forts were not built by the Portuguese?

Betul was built in 1679 on Shivaji’s orders. Tiracol was built in the 17th century by the Sawantwadi ruler Khem Sawant Bhonsle and taken by the Portuguese in 1746. Cabo de Rama was held by local rulers until the Portuguese took it in the 1760s.