If your idea of a perfect holiday is a vacation away from the madding crowd, DIU, a beautiful tiny island in the Union territory of Daman and Diu, should be your ideal destination. Once a settlement of the Portuguese, this beautiful place on the west coast of India is home to stunning beaches, beautiful churches, museum and a seafront fort.

Waiting to be explored and rediscovered, Diu, located off the coast of Gujarat, offers visitors an opportunity to have a charming date with unspoilt nature. The Diu festival is to be held every year in December staring from 19th for three days.

Places of interest

Chakrathirth Beach

4 Km from Diu town, Chakrathirth Beach is full of sand. You can reach there by bicycle or auto rickshaws. East of Chakrathirth is located the rocky Jallandhar beach, one km away from the town. Adjacent to the beach is the Jallandhar shrine sitting atop on a hillock. Jallandhar was a demon which was killed by Lord Krishna. Near the shrine is another temple dedicated to Goddess Durga.

Ghoghla Beach

The best and largest beach in Diu is Ghoghla Beach. Frequented by less number of people, the beach is located north of Diu and has gentle waves. If you wish to experience delectable dishes, the restaurants at the beach are perfect places to do so.

Nagoa Beach

Situated near the village of Bucharwada on the south coast of the Diu Island, the palm fringed Nagoa Beach is stunningly beautiful and isolated. 7km west of Diu town, the beach is safe for swimming and offers an array of water sports to the visitors. The Sea Shells Museum is located in close proximity to the beach. Gomptimata and Sunset Point are other beaches in Diu.

INS Khukri Memorial

Located near the Sunset Point, the INS Khukhri Memorial, built in 1999 in to commemorate an Indian Navy frigate sunk off Diu during the 1971 India–Pakistan War. Altogether 18 officers and 176 sailors lost their lives.

Diu Fort

One of the top tourists attractions in Diu, the impressive and massive structure was built between 1535 and 1541 AD by the Portuguese Governor Nuno-Da-Cunha. Bounded on three sides by sea, the fort offers a panoramic view of the sea. You can see several canons on the ramparts of the fort. The lighthouse inside the fort is Diu’s highest point from where you can have a stunning view of Diu.

Churches in Daman Diu

St. Paul Church: Built in 1691, St. Paul's Church is visited by the devotees who offer prayers here. Dedicated to our Lady of Immaculate Conception, the main facade of the church is arguably the most intricate in India.

Built in 1593, the St. Francis of Assissi has been converted into a hospital. Built in Gothic style of architecture n 1598, the St. Thomas Church is now a museum housing archeological artifacts

Fortress of Panikota or Fortim do Mar

The Fortress of Panikota is a magnificent stone structure built in the middle of the sea, right at the mouth of the creek. It can be reached only by a canoe or a motor launch. Approximately one nautical mile from Diu jetty, it also has a light house and a small chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the Sea. The fortress commands a magnificent view of the fort, the city of Diu Jetty, the new bridge Ghoghala and Ahmadpur Mandvi.

Pani Kotha

Lying in the middle of the sea, Pani Kotha is wonderful stone structure. The bridge connecting Diu to Ghoghla is another attraction.

How to reach Diu

BY Air: Diu is connected with Mumbai by flights

By Rail: The nearest railhead for Diu is Delwada which is 9km away. Delwada is connected to Veraval by metre gauge line. Verava, 90 km from Diu, is the convenient railway station connected to Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Rajkot.

By Road: Diu is well connected by road to different parts of India. Some iiof the cities and places connected with Diu are Tulsi Shyam (45 Km), Veraval (90 Km), Chorwad (97 Km), Sasangir (120 Km), Keshod (150 Km), Palitana (175 Km), Junagadh (185 Km), Bhavnagar (215 Km), Porbander (230 Km), Dwarka (240 Km), Rajkot (295 Km), Ahmedabad (496 Km), Vadodara (595 Km), Daman (675 km) and Mumbai (980 km).

Local Transport: Private buses and auto rickshaws ply within the Diu town.

Where to stay in Diu

Accommodation of several types is available in Diu catering to the needs of visitors. There are luxury hotels, budget hotels, guest houses that make your stay while visiting Diu an unforgatble affair. Hotel Kohinoor, Radhika Beach Resort, Hotel Ankur, Apna Guest House, Hotel Sea View, Sulzon Beach Resorts, Hotel Alishan, Hotel Ashiyana, Hotel Central, Hotel Galaxy, Hotel Umashakti, Gangasagar Guest House, Harekrishna Guest House, Dana Bazar, Hotel Hemal Garden, Hotel Jayshankar, Hotel Relax Inn, Hotel Kinara, Maheshwari Village Motel, Hotel Mozambique, Nilesh Guest House, Hotel Premalaya, Hotel Prince, Richi Rich Resort, Hotel Samrat, Tourist Cottages, Resort Hoka, Hotel Super Silver and Heranca Goesa are some of the hotels and accommodation options in Diu.

Side trips

120 Km from Diu, Sasangir or Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary as it is popularly known, is world renowned for Asiatic Lions.