Diu
District Of The Union Territory Of Dadra And Nagar Haveli And Daman And Diu; Portuguese Territory Until 1961 · Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
A small island off the southern coast of the Saurashtra peninsula, joined to Gujarat by bridges, and a Portuguese colony for more than four hundred years until 1961. It is now part of the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. The Portuguese left a great sea fort at the eastern tip of the island, a walled town of narrow lanes and coloured houses, and churches including the white baroque St Paul's, still in use. Around the island are quiet beaches, the best known being Nagoa, a sheltered crescent, and Ghoghla on the mainland side, along with the Naida caves, a maze of rock chambers and light shafts left by quarrying. The Gangeshwar temple has five lingams washed by the sea at high tide. Diu's other attraction is less romantic: Gujarat is a dry state and Diu is not, so it draws a steady stream of visitors from across the border for a drink by the sea, particularly at weekends. On weekdays it is very quiet. There is a small airport with flights from Mumbai, and buses from the rest of Gujarat.
Fort Road, Diu, Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, 362520, India
NO OPENING TIME HERE WAS CHECKED; confirm before planning. The usual pattern: Diu Fort keeps daytime hours, roughly eight to six, and the churches and St Thomas museum are open in the day, with St Paul's closing to visitors during services; the Naida caves and beaches are open all day; the Gangeshwar temple is best at high tide. Weekends and holidays are busy. THE TRAPS: arriving at Gangeshwar at low tide, visiting on a crowded weekend, swimming in the monsoon, and carrying alcohol back into Gujarat.