Your guide to Basilica of Bom Jesus, Panjim: How To Reach best time and tips

Oct 17, 2023 By Juliana Daniel

Goa is home to several iconic destinations, and if you are visiting Goa, remember to consider Basilica Bom Jesus. This excellent place in old Goa of India is a must-visit as it is a UNESCO world heritage spot. Visit the site and explore its breathtaking architecture along with its rich history. Tour the whole place and have a charming time learning about the history of the Basilica of Bom Jesus. So shall we start the talk?

A complete guide for the tour of the Basilica of Bom Jesus

History:

The Church was started in 1594, and the work was done in 1605. It was when the area was ruled by a king named D. Joao. A Portuguese interior designer designed the place, and you will be amazed by the stunning architecture of this place with an exceptional artistic touch to it. The Church is quite popular among the locals and travelers, making it one of the most visited destinations in old Goa in India.

Different transport to reach the Basilica of Bom Jesus

It is better to plan the journey before stepping out. There are multiple ways to reach this Church, which is either by air, by bus, or by train. You can choose the one thing that is comfortable for you.

Through train: Thinking about a train journey, the closest train station from the Basilica of Bom Jesus is Catabolic train station, which takes about fifteen minutes of drive—and Kamali station, about 1 km away. From the Kamali train station, it will take you 2 minutes of walking to reach the spot of taxes. The journey by taxi takes about an hour or a half, depending on the traffic in your way.

Through road transport: For a journey by road, if you want to travel among a crowd, several buses are available that provide a satisfactory journey from Panjim to visit the place on a road trip. If you want privacy, you can go for private taxes available at the spot. From the Panjim stand, it will take you 32 km of drive, which takes the time of 1 hour and 30 minutes depending on the road jam. After dropping off at the bus stop, you can take a bus directly, dropping you right in front of the Church.

Through airplane: For quick traveling, an aircraft is an excellent option. Dabolim airport is closest to the destination, being 25 km away from the place. After landing, you must take a taxi to reach the goal. Find plenty of cabs in front of the airport, and it takes about 30 to 50 minutes to land at Basilica Bom Jesus from the airport. The time of driving mainly depends on the bottleneck.

Tips

Timing: Basilica of Bom Jesus is accessible for all visitors from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. from Monday to Saturday and from 10:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Sundays. In addition, the place is available to visit every day except in the holidays, when the inner park remains closed.

The art gallery: Get the chance to see the marvelous art gallery present on the top floor of the Church. Explore this place as it was the first art gallery with Morten art. The gallery is a must-visit as it holds numerous stunning paintings and pictures. The fantastic illustrations filled with the unbelievable creativity of the artist will give you a pleasant experience. The artist Dom Martin of these gorgeous paintings does not get any reward or payment other than just a canvas and a brush. Find amazing images of temples and excellent landmarks.

Guide: Although you can move around the place by yourself, taking a companion is a brilliant idea as the guide will make you aware of the rich history of Basilica Bom Jesus from the very start, along with the knowledge of its incredible architecture. A guided tour is an excellent option if you want to make your visit worthy by exploring every site of the Church and collecting the learning of it.

Relics:

The place is home to countless Relics of St. Francis Xavier. Make sure to view every single one. Take your time and enjoy the knowledgeable tour. St. Francis Xavier was an icon of spreading the religion of Christianity.

Outfit check: The Church is not a place to wear inappropriate clothes or revealing dresses. Try not to wear revealing clothes to show respect towards the religious site. Wear clothes that fully cover your body from shoulders to toe.

Environment: The environment of this place is quite soothing. Make sure you don't make noises to maintain the peace of this mystic place. Keep the surroundings quiet, as the Church is a place where many people come to do prayers. Enjoy the tour of visiting a calming destination of viewing the fantastic architecture while respecting the rules.

In addition ,The tourists will take time, and you must be hungry. Don't worry, as several local shops offer mouth-watering regional cuisines and delicious snacks that will wipe away your cravings. The shops provide a budget-friendly menu, so make sure to eat everything.

Shops

If you are on vacation in Goa, you must seek the time to buy some presents as a memory of a fantastic journey. In that case, look at the local shop accessible from the Basilica of Bom Jesus. You will find educational books, souvenirs, religious things, etc in the shops.

Final words

Are you ready to step out and explore the iconic destinations? Plan the journey before heading out, choose the vehicle according to your comfort zone, and have a wonderful trip. It is imperative to know about a historical place before reaching it to know about its highlighted spots. The whole journey will give you a tremendous amount of knowledge. With the tips above, you will make the most of the trip. So it's time to pack your stuff and head towards this heritage destination, the Basilica of Bom Jesus.