Vasco da Gama
Vasco da Gama was a Portuguese mariner, explorer and nobleman.
His discovery of the first maritime route between Europe and India—around the Cape of Good Hope, then across the Indian Ocean from Malindi in Kenya to Kozhikode—opened up European exploration of, and commerce with, India, and is considered a landmark event in world history.
Getting to Vasco da Gama
- 01Dabolim Airport
- 02Vasco da Gama
Buses operate to towns in Karnataka and Maharashtra.
Worth seeing
The "Japanese Garden" up the hill in a place called Sada. It is in a hill top facing the ocean. The route to the garden from the Vasco station gives a good view of the ships in the ocean in the Goan shipyards on your right hand side. It is seated in a beautiful calm place. You can sit on top and watch the ocean, or walk down to a temple at the shore. There is a sidewalk that takes you to the navy apartments nearby.
- 01Naval Aviation Museum
This is a great place to see vintage aircraft like the Sealands, Doves, Alizes, Seahawks, Vampires and Hughes Helicopters, along with the relatively newer Sea Harriers and a Super Constellation.
Things to do
Being mainly a business town, there isn't much to do for the tourist in Vasco da Gama. However the parks and nearby beaches do provide an option to spend a few hours in complete leisure. One new attraction is the sea walk at Baina beach. The Naval aircraft museum on the way to Bogmalo beach is another must see attraction.
Where to eat
Ginza. Chinese restaurant, with food recommended as being "good". Add: At Karma Plaza's ground floor, walking distance from the Vasco Railway Station. Ph 2518928 Extn 48 or 2513776. Rangoli offers good food, with live music some evenings. In the same building is Temptation (Ph 2518928, extension 50), a 24-hour fast-food joint and hang out for the younger crowd.
Getting around Vasco da Gama the local way
- Get inThere are seasonal charter flights from Europe.
From Wikivoyage: Vasco da Gama, CC BY-SA. Not yet checked by us. Last edited 2026-09.
Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Sam 8393 (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikimedia Commons.