Old Goa Heritage Walk by Make It Happen
Recommended by 100% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
India
- 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Learn about Goa's history while exploring some of its oldest buildings with this private, guided walk. You'll visit historic churches built by the Portuguese such as the Sé Cathedral and the St. Francis of Assisi Church, while your guide takes you through hundreds of years of history, with a focus on what Goa was like under Portuguese rule.
- Learn about Old Goa from your professional guide
- All entry fees are included
- Old Goa heritage maps will be provided to participants
- Private tour ensures flexibility and personal attention from your guide
What's Included
- A friendly English speaking Host
- Old Goa Heritage Map
- Entrance Fee
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Snacks
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Viceroys Arch, GoaOld Goa, Goa 403402, India
Our Tour Presenter will be waiting for you at the Viceroy's Arch. We will share the presenters contact number after you complete your booking
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Church of St. Francis of Assissi
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
2
Viceroy's Arch
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
3
Church of Our Lady of the Rosary
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Dress Code: It is mandatory to cover knees and shoulders to enter Churches
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 852 reviews
Isabel_F, Apr 2026
The guide Yashasvi was very knowledgeable and engaging during the tour. Bring plenty of water and hat. It can get very hot
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hi,
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so glad you enjoyed learning about the history of Old Goa and exploring its key landmarks.
Yashasvi will be delighted to hear your kind words—her knowledge and engaging storytelling truly make the experience special.
That’s also a very helpful tip about staying prepared for the heat—thank you for sharing that with future guests.
We’d love to host you again on another experience soon.
Selfina_D, Apr 2026
Review of Old Goa Tour
Our recent tour of Old Goa was a fascinating journey through history, faith, and culture. Guided with warmth and knowledge, we explored some of the most iconic churches and stories that make this place so unique.
One of the highlights was visiting the Basilica of Bom Jesus, where we learned about St. Francis Xavier. The guide brought his story to life, explaining his missionary work and the enduring legacy that draws pilgrims from around the world. The atmosphere inside the basilica was both solemn and inspiring.
Equally memorable was the tale of the crucifixion crab, a local legend that added a touch of folklore to the tour. It was shared with such enthusiasm that it felt like stepping into a living tradition rather than just hearing a story.
We also visited several other churches, including Jesuit sites, each with its own architectural beauty and historical significance. The guide’s ability to weave together the religious, cultural, and historical threads made the experience engaging and easy to follow.
Overall, the tour was well-paced, informative, and deeply enriching. It gave us not only a better understanding of Old Goa’s heritage but also a sense of connection to the stories and people who shaped it. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to experience the soul of Goa beyond its beaches.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hi,
Thank you for your wonderful and detailed review! We’re so glad you had such an enriching experience exploring Old Goa with us.
It’s great to hear that the stories, history, and cultural nuances resonated with you—from the Basilica of Bom Jesus and the legacy of St. Francis Xavier to the local legends like the crucifixion crab. Bringing these elements to life in an engaging and meaningful way is something we truly strive for.
We’re also happy you enjoyed the pacing and the way the experience connected the architectural, historical, and cultural aspects of Old Goa.
Thank you for recommending us so highly. We’d love to host you again on another experience soon.
David_T, Feb 2026
We were met promptly by our lovely guide Shreeya who explained the tour well. We had frequent stops and a few surprises. A friendly knowledgable guide who gave us detailed insight into old Goa. It was fun too! Well done
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your kind words about the Old Goa Heritage Walk.
We’re so glad you enjoyed the trail and that Shreeya made it special for you. She’ll be happy to know you appreciated her detailed storytelling, the thoughtful stops, and the little surprises along the way. Sharing the stories of Old Goa in a friendly and engaging way is exactly what we aim for.
Thank you for being a part of this experience with Make It Happen. We hope to see you on more trails soon.
Julia_L, Dec 2025
John gave excellent , knowledgeable and lively, interactive explanations and insights into the history and features of the people, buildings and monuments of Old Goa. Well paced and a good group. Highly recommended to make the most of your trip.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
It was a pleasure hosting you on the Old Goa Heritage Walk. We’re delighted to hear that the experience offered you such fascinating insights into the people, buildings, and monuments of Old Goa.
Our storyteller John will be happy to hear that his lively, interactive explanations and knowledge made the walk engaging and well paced for the group. Thank you for your strong recommendation and for sharing your feedback. It truly means a lot to us at Make It Happen.
We look forward to welcoming you for more such experiences.
Susan_N, Dec 2025
Very interesting - our guide advised in advance to wear comfortable walking shoes and appropriate attire for going into churches - this was very helpful.
Our guide had a lot of information and was so good at explaining everything.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
It was a pleasure hosting you on the Old Goa Heritage Walk.
Our storyteller will be happy to hear that their explanations and insights added value to your walk. Feedback like this means a lot to us at Make It Happen.
We look forward to welcoming you for more such experiences.
Tony_J, Nov 2025
This is an excellent tour of Portuguese heritage in Old Goa, especially if you are short on time. Our guide, Vimala, was articulate, knowledgeable and very personable. We learned a lot in a short space of time.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for your kind review! Vimala will be delighted to know that her storytelling during the Old Goa Heritage Walk made your quick heritage tour enjoyable and informative. We’re glad you learned a lot, and we look forward to hosting you again with Make It Happen.
Manju_P, Nov 2025
An ideal way to to see the churches of Old Goa as explained by a knowledgeable tour guide, Vimala Desouza. It was offered at a convenient start time of 8:30 AM before the heat of the sun got too oppressive and the churches got crowded. I would highly recommend this tour for a deeper understanding of the historical and religious significance of the churches in Old Goa. Villa also had some nice tips on what to see and do Fontainhas. This included a recommendation to visit a historic bakery in the Latin Quarter.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
We’re so happy that you enjoyed the Old Goa Heritage Walk. Vimala will be delighted to know that the timing and her insights into the churches and surrounding areas added to your understanding of Old Goa’s history. Thank you for recommending the walk, and we hope to see you on another experience with Make It Happen.
Melanie_B, Nov 2025
Both Se Cathedral and Basilica Bom Jesus were closed during my tour - disappointing but not the fault of Make it Happen. The tour guide, Yashasvi, took us by St Augustine Tower instead. I appreciated her efforts to adjust the itinerary.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for your feedback! Yashasvi will be delighted to know that she could adjust the Old Goa Heritage Walk itinerary and ensure you still had a meaningful experience, even with the cathedral closures. We hope to host you again on another Make It Happen walk.
Alex_K, Aug 2025
Wonderful walking tour of Old Goa with focus on religious sites and history. Led masterfully by John Ferrão, who told great stories and answered all of our questions authoritatively despite leading only his third tour of this area. Not to be missed!
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so glad you enjoyed exploring Old Goa’s rich history and religious sites with Make It Happen. John Ferrão will be thrilled to know his storytelling and knowledge made the experience memorable for you, especially so early in leading this trail. We truly appreciate your recommendation and are delighted it was a “not to be missed” experience for you.
Shilpa_G, Mar 2025
This is a very unique tour of Old Goa and visiting the different Chruches. Our Guide Vimala was excellent and was very knowledgeable about the history and the area of Old Goa. She spent a lot of time annwering our questions patiently and we were very pleased with the length and the pace of this walking tour.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you for the wonderful shoutout to Vimala! We're so happy to hear that you had such a memorable experience on the Old Goa Heritage Walk. Vimala's passion for sharing the history of the area truly shines through, and it's great to know that you appreciated her patience and knowledge. We're glad the pace and length of the tour worked well for you, and we hope you continue to explore more fascinating places with Make It Happen!
Caroline_D, Nov 2024
It was an excellent walk and I learnt so much. Vimala was a wonderful guide - knowledgeable, friendly and informative. She even spent an extra hour with the group so we could visit the exposition of St Francis Xavier, which was very special. It makes a real difference having a good guide rather than trying to visit sites on your own. Thank you to Vimala and Make It Happen.
Response from Host, Dec 2024
Thank you for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear you had such a great experience with Vimala. We're so glad you enjoyed the St. Francis Xavier exposition. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to hosting you again! 😊
David_B, Nov 2024
Santoshi was a brilliant guide, so knowledgeable and able to answer all our questions. Lovely friendly personality. Highly recommend
Response from Host, Dec 2024
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your experience with Santoshi. Her knowledge and friendly personality truly make the tour special. We appreciate your recommendation!
Nathan_R, Mar 2024
Make It Happen are an excellent, affordable and customer-friendly company which I cannot recommend highly enough. My tour guide Pawan was so friendly and knowledgeable I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Please try them you won't be disappointed!
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Thank you for taking the time to review us. We are pleased to know about your experience on the Old Goa Heritage Walk led by Pawan. Do join us again for more such experiences.
Liron_S, Mar 2024
Well informed guide, a highly educational tour of Old Goa visiting all the major sites. Highly recommended!
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Thank you for trying out our Old Goa Heritage Walk. We are happy you found the experience educational. We hope to host you again in the future.
Lauren_M, Feb 2024
Mugdha is a Goan Gem!
Such a sweet, knowledgeable and patient tour guide bursting with knowledge to share. She took time to answer all our questions and deal with our silly antics. We will appreciate and cherish the memories from this tour for the rest of our lives.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled that Mugdha’s knowledge, patience, and warmth made your Old Goa Heritage Walk so memorable. She will be delighted to hear your kind words. We’re so glad the tour created cherished memories for you, and we hope to welcome you again on another Make It Happen experience in Goa!
Cindy_C, Oct 2023
Mugdha, my lovely and cheerful guide, was very knowledgeable about the fascinating history of Old Goa. She even holds a Master’s degree in history, and I reaped the benefits of this. This was so much good value for the modest fee. I highly recommend this tour with this guide!
Kumar_A, May 2022
Old Goa etched in our memory! Amreen is an excellent guide and covered lot of ground wrt history & politics, architecture and folklores. Lots to learn from her. Also gained perspectives and enthusiasm to explore further about the history of Goa. Thankyou make it happen for making it happen
Rohini_P, Dec 2021
Going to the home of a local was very nice we had a snack and some feni. We played a fun game with the feni!
Landon_W, Jan 2020
Amreen was a wonderful guide - informative and enthusiastic about the details. We were a wide ranging age group - toddler to grandparents, and she managed to make it interesting for all of us. She easily adapted to our needs, including helping us out at the beginning of our tour. We loved it
From $13.03
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Old Goa Heritage Walk by Make It Happen
852
2 hours 30 minutes
Free Cancellation
From
$13.03
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Attractions in Goa, India
- Candolim and Sinquerim Beaches Tours & Tickets
- Baga Beach Tours & Tickets
- St. Catherine’s Cathedral (Sé Cathedral) Tours & Tickets
- Reis Magos Fort Tours & Tickets
- Fort Aguada Tours & Tickets
- Dudhsagar Falls Tours & Tickets
- Old Goa (Goa Velha) Tours & Tickets
- Shri Shantadurga Temple Tours & Tickets
- Tropical Spice Plantation Tours & Tickets
- Panaji (Panjim) Tours & Tickets
- Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary Tours & Tickets
- Calangute Beach Tours & Tickets
- Fontainhas Tours & Tickets
- Mollem National Park Tours & Tickets
- Basilica of Bom Jesus (Borea Jezuchi Bajilika) Tours & Tickets
- Sahakari Spice Farm Tours & Tickets