Travel Guide Margao

Population approx. 90,000. 33 km south of Panjim. Capital of the province of Salcete, Madgaon is a major population center in southern Goa, a pleasant provincial town that still displays many reminders of its Portuguese past. In itself, it is not of great interest to travelers, although the old town of Margao, as it is still commonly called, is well worth a visit for its superb Portuguese-style houses and its covered market, the best of its kind in the whole of Goa. It's also the departure point for the train to Hampi. There are a number of interesting sites around the town. 3 km from the small village of Raia is the seminary and church of Rachol. The old church dates back to the early 1600s and the seminary boasts interesting architecture. There isn't a plethora of accommodation options in the town, but you will find a considerable number of lodgings of various categories along the nearby beaches of Colva, Benaulim, Mobor and Cavelossim.