Diu, India: travel guide
A small Portuguese-era island with sea forts, churches and quiet beaches
Former Portuguese island territory of sea forts, baroque churches, quiet beaches, and a distinctive Indo-Portuguese culture on the Saurashtra coast.
About Diu
Diu is a small island off the southern tip of Gujarat's Saurashtra coast, joined to the mainland by a bridge. Portuguese rule left it with whitewashed churches, narrow lanes and a slower pace than the mainland.
The big fort looks out to sea from the eastern end, and St Paul's Church is a fine example of the island's baroque heritage. Beaches such as Nagoa and Ghoghla are the main draw for swimming and lazy afternoons, while the Naida Caves offer an unusual stop with carved stone openings to the sky. Cycling is a pleasant way to cover the island.
Things to do in Diu are gentle and unhurried, and it suits couples, groups of friends and families after an easy coastal break. Diu travel is at its best from October to March.
- Country
- India
- Currency
- INR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kolkata
- Nearest airport
- DIU
Last updated
Top places to visit in Diu
Nagoa Beach
Beach · 4.4 rating · about 2 h · free entry
Diu's most popular beach, a palm-fringed crescent of calm, shallow water ideal for swimming, water sports and family fun.
Diu Fort
Fort · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · free entry
A massive 16th-century Portuguese sea fort on the island's eastern tip, with cannon-lined ramparts, a lighthouse and dramatic Arabian Sea views.
St. Paul's Church
church · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A baroque 1610 Portuguese Catholic church with an ornate carved-wood facade and interior, one of Diu's finest colonial monuments, still in use.
Ghoghla Beach
Beach · 4.4 rating · about 2 h · free entry
A long, clean Blue Flag-certified beach on the mainland side, quieter than Nagoa, with golden sand, water sports and lifeguards.
Naida Caves
Nature · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h · free entry
A surreal labyrinth of rock caves and shafts just outside the fort wall, with light streaming through openings — a striking photo spot.
INS Khukri Memorial
Heritage · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A clifftop memorial to the warship INS Khukri lost in the 1971 war, with a model ship, gardens and panoramic sea views.
Gangeshwar Temple
temple · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A unique seaside Shiva temple where five lingams sit among the rocks and are washed by the Arabian Sea waves at high tide.
Diu Museum (St. Thomas Church)
Museum · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A museum in the beautiful 1598 St. Thomas Church displaying Portuguese-era statues, artefacts and stone inscriptions, with a Gothic facade.
Jallandhar Beach & Sunset Point
Viewpoint · 4.2 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A small town beach with a shrine-topped hillock and a popular sunset point, a relaxed seafront stroll near the centre.
Diu Town Heritage Lanes
Heritage · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The atmospheric old quarter of colourful Portuguese-era houses, narrow lanes, squares and churches — lovely for a leisurely heritage walk.
Things to do
- Nagoa Beach Water Sports Activity · 1.5 h · from INR 800 per person
- Diu Fort & Heritage Town Walk Cultural · 2.5 h · from INR 500 per person
- Diu Cycle / Scooter Island Tour Activity · 4 h · from INR 400 per person
- Sunset at INS Khukri & Sea Cliffs Nature · 1 h
Day trips and tours
- Diu Island Sightseeing Tour 7 h · from INR 1,200
- Diu Beaches & Water Sports Day 6 h · from INR 1,500
- Diu & Somnath Combined Trip 11 h · from INR 2,800
Where to stay in Diu
- Fort Area about INR 2,500 per night
Coastal town with beach resorts and Portuguese fort
Hotels
- Radisson Blu Resort Diu 5-star · INR 7,000 to INR 13,000 per night
- Hoka Island Villa 3-star · INR 3,000 to INR 5,500 per night
- The Azzaro Resort & Spa 4-star · INR 4,500 to INR 8,000 per night
- Hotel Kohinoor 3-star · INR 3,500 to INR 6,000 per night
- Zostel Diu 2-star · INR 500 to INR 1,700 per night
- Hotel Prince 3-star · INR 2,800 to INR 5,000 per night
Where to eat
- O'Coqueiro Restaurant Seafood, Continental, Portuguese · about INR 600 per person
- Ram Vijay (Ice Cream) Sweets, Snacks, Cafe · about INR 120 per person
- Apana Foodland (Nagoa) Seafood, Gujarati, Continental · about INR 450 per person
- Republic of Noodles / Cafe Da Diu Continental, Seafood, Cafe · about INR 400 per person
- Ghoghla Beach Shack Seafood, Coastal · about INR 450 per person
- Hotel Samrat Restaurant Gujarati, North Indian, Seafood · about INR 400 per person
- Khukri Restaurant & Bar Seafood, Continental, Bar · about INR 550 per person
- Shri Ram Vijay Garden Cafe Cafe, Seafood, Snacks · about INR 250 per person
Getting to Diu
Airport: Diu (DIU)
Getting around
- Auto Rickshaw
- Bicycle
- Scooter Rental
- Walking
More in India
Frequently asked questions about Diu
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Diu?
- The highest-rated places in our Diu guide are Diu Fort, St. Paul's Church, Nagoa Beach, Ghoghla Beach, INS Khukri Memorial.
- Where should I stay in Diu?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Diu: Fort Area.
- How do I get around Diu?
- Ways to get around Diu covered in our guide: Auto-rickshaw, Bicycle, Scooter rental, Walking.
- Which airport is nearest to Diu?
- The nearest airport to Diu has the code DIU.