Coco's Nest
Goa · Heritage
Basilica of Bom Jesus & Se Cathedral
Old Goa
What is left of a city that was once larger than Lisbon. Both churches are part of the UNESCO-listed Churches and Convents of Goa.
- Time needed
- About 2 hours for both churches
- Best time
- Early morning, before the coach groups
- Timings
- Basilica 9:00 am – 6:30 pm; from 10:30 am on Sundays
- Entry
- Free
- Getting there
- 10 km east of Panjim, 25–30 minutes by road; frequent buses from the Panjim stand
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About Basilica of Bom Jesus & Se Cathedral
Old Goa was the colonial capital until malaria and cholera emptied it in the seventeenth century. The population left; the churches, built in laterite and lime, stayed.
The Basilica holds the remains of St Francis Xavier. Se Cathedral, a few minutes' walk away, is the larger building and the quieter one: most visitors do the Basilica and leave.
The Basilica of Bom Jesus was completed in 1605 and holds the body of St Francis Xavier. It was raised to a basilica in 1946 and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Churches and Convents of Goa. Its front is plain dark laterite; inside, the altars are gilded baroque.
Across the square, Se Cathedral, dedicated to St Catherine, is the seat of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman and one of the largest churches in Asia. Several other churches and ruins of the old city are within a short walk.
What to see
- The tomb of St Francis Xavier inside the Basilica
- Se Cathedral and its famous Golden Bell
- The Church of St Francis of Assisi, next to the cathedral
- The ruined tower of the Church of St Augustine, up the hill
Good to know
Free. Shoulders and knees covered, and mornings are both cooler and far emptier.
- Dress modestly: shoulders and knees covered.
- These are working churches, so keep quiet, especially during Mass.
- Follow the signs on photography near the relic.
Practical details checked September 2026. Timings and fees change without notice, so confirm anything ticketed before a long drive. Source: Basilica of Bom Jesus: visiting hours. Background: Wikipedia.
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