Madgaon Beach

Madgaon, south of Panjim, is the second largest town in Goa and the chief commercial center. Madgaon is well connected to south Goa's beach area. The distance to the beachfront is a mere 10-15 minutes drive.

Located on the banks of the River Sal, Margão or Madgaon is amongst the oldest recorded towns in Goa and is famous for the enormous Portuguese style mansions or villas which mark its landscape. The Margão Railway station is Goa's biggest and most important as it is a railway junction and is the gateway to south Goa. Hence Madgaon is used more commonly as a transit stop rather than as a tourist destination, by many people who either travel down south to Palolem Beach (38 kms.) or to Benaulim Beach and Colva Beachwhich is about six kilometers away. All these beaches offer spectacular views of the cool blue and emerald-green seas and the silvery-white sands glisten in the sun. Tourists lie down on the soft sand grains on these beaches and gaze wonder-eyed at the gushing sea waves that constantly wash the beaches. The beachfront is a collection of grand hotels, souvenir stalls and fly blown snack bars scattered around a central roundabout.

The prime attraction of Madgaon is the Benaulim Beach which lies 7 km west of Margao. People visiting the Madgaon Beach also visit other places of interest in Madgaon such as the Holy Spirit Church founded in 1565 and the distinctive cross in front built a century earlier. One cannot miss the large rectangular 'Jorge Barreto' park in front of the colonial-styled building with its arched corridors. Other interesting places are 'Closed' Market called, in the Portuguese language, "Mercado de Afonso de Albuquerque" Anna Fonte (natural springs), the Hindu crematorium the Muslim burial ground or 'Kabrasthan' both situated on Pajifond's Rua de Saudades.

How to Get There
There are regular bus services from Panaji and Vasco da Gama and they ply from the KTC bus stand, 3kmsd north of the city. There are also buses to Colva, Benaulim and other nearby villages leaving from here. The interstate buses also depart from the KTC bus stand.

There are two train stations, the newest being the Konkan Rail train station located about 3kms from the city center.