By Ulhas Polle, host at Happy Moon Homestay, Aldona, North Goa, since 2024 · Updated 3 October 2026
Our track record: Google 4.9★ (130 reviews) · Airbnb 4.88★ Guest Favourite (41 reviews) · Booking.com 9.8/10 Exceptional
The best-known South Goa churches are in Salcete, around Margao: Loutolim, Raia, Rachol, Curtorim, Chandor, Margao’s Holy Spirit Church, Colva and Benaulim. They are about 48 to 59 km from Happy Moon Homestay in Aldona, North Goa, and close enough to each other to see in one long day. Rooms from ₹1,200 a night; WhatsApp +91 95034 25896.
None of these churches is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Churches and Convents of Goa”; all of its monuments are in Old Goa, which we cover in our churches in Goa trail.
| Church | Village | Dates | Main feast | From our homestay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saviour of the World Church | Loutolim | 1586 | Third Sunday of November | About 48 km |
| Our Lady of the Snows | Raia | Founded 1668 | 5 August | About 51 km |
| Rachol Seminary and church | Rachol | Seminary 1609 | St Ignatius of Loyola | About 53 km |
| St Alex Church | Curtorim | 1597; enlarged 1647 | Check locally | About 58 km |
| Our Lady of Bethlehem | Chandor | 1645 | 6 January | About 59 km |
| Holy Spirit Church | Margao | Present building 1675 | Pentecost | About 49 km |
| Our Lady of Mercy | Colva | Present church 1794 | Fama of Menino Jesus, October | About 52 km |
| St John the Baptist Church | Benaulim | Moved here 1596 | São João, 24 June | About 54 km |
Distances are by road from our homestay in Corjuem, Aldona; allow about 1 hour 15 minutes to reach Margao in normal traffic.
A one-day route through the South Goa churches
- Loutolim, the first stop coming south.
- Raia and Rachol, a few kilometres apart near the Zuari river.
- Curtorim and Chandor, inland to the east.
- Margao for lunch and the Holy Spirit Church.
- Colva and Benaulim at the coast, with the sunset on the beach.
It is a full day of driving. Combine the coast with our places to visit in South Goa, or the forts with the forts of Goa.
Saviour of the World Church, Loutolim
Built by the Jesuits in 1586, replacing an earlier church of 1581; six chapels belong to the parish. Its feast is on the third Sunday of November. Find it on Google Maps.
Our Lady of the Snows, Raia
The church’s foundation dates from 1668, and its feast on 5 August is a harvest festival, the Konsachem Fest. Find it on Google Maps.
Rachol Seminary and its church
The Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol dates from 1609, and its church is dedicated to St Ignatius of Loyola. The seminary’s 17th-century press, the third in Goa, printed the Krista Purana and the first printed Konkani grammar. Find it on Google Maps.
St Alex Church, Curtorim
Built in 1597 and enlarged in 1647, the church stands beside a lake, on the site where a Ravalnath temple once stood. Sources give different main feast dates, so check locally. Find it on Google Maps.
Our Lady of Bethlehem, Chandor
Built in 1645 by the village communities of Chandor, Cavorim and Guirdolim. The façade fell in 1949 and was rebuilt in neo-Gothic style in 1950, while the nave and sanctuary keep their older style. The feast is on 6 January, the day of the Three Kings. Find it on Google Maps.
Holy Spirit Church, Margao
The present Baroque building dates from 1675; it is the fifth church on the site, after the first of 1564 was burnt in 1571 and later churches were rebuilt after fires. Its main feast is at Pentecost, and the Immaculate Conception on 8 December is also celebrated. Find it on Google Maps.
Our Lady of Mercy Church, Colva
A chapel stood here from 1630, and the present church dates from 1794. It is known for the statue of the Menino Jesus (the Child Jesus), and for the Fama of Menino Jesus, held on the second Monday of October. Find it on Google Maps.
St John the Baptist Church, Benaulim
The church moved here from Colva in 1596 and was renovated in the early 18th century. St Joseph Vaz was baptised here, and its feast is São João on 24 June. Find it on Google Maps.
What should you know before visiting?
- Cover shoulders and knees, and visit outside Mass times.
- Feast days are crowded and colourful; check dates locally, as some move each year.
- Ask before taking photographs inside.
- November to February is the most comfortable season; see our best time to visit Goa guide.
Where to stay
If South Goa is your main reason for travelling, stay in the south. If you want a quiet North Goa base with one South Goa day, Aldona works well, and you can see the Old Goa churches, about 40 minutes from us, on another day. Read our Aldona village guide, including our own St Thomas Church, Aldona.
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★, 130+ Google reviews)
- Book direct: homestayingoa.com, with no OTA commission
Frequently asked questions
Which are the main churches in South Goa?
The best-known are in Salcete: Saviour of the World in Loutolim, Our Lady of the Snows in Raia, Rachol Seminary, St Alex in Curtorim, Our Lady of Bethlehem in Chandor, the Holy Spirit Church in Margao, Our Lady of Mercy in Colva and St John the Baptist in Benaulim.
Are any South Goa churches UNESCO World Heritage Sites?
No. All the monuments of the UNESCO site Churches and Convents of Goa are in Old Goa, in North Goa.
When is the Colva church feast?
The Fama of Menino Jesus at Our Lady of Mercy Church, Colva is held on the second Monday of October.
How far are the South Goa churches from Aldona?
About 48 to 59 km by road; allow about 1 hour 15 minutes to reach Margao in normal traffic.