Old Goa was founded by Alfonso de Albuquerque in the mid 16-th century. St. Francis Xavier played in important role in making the area a catholic stronghold of the Portuguese on the Indian subcontinent.

Today, Old Goa offers the best examples of portuguese colonial architecture in India. There are many churches -they are still being used- some museums and great palaces. Old Goa is probably the most popular day trip for all the beach bums looking for a bit of culture when they get tired of the beaches, so you will find quite some fellow foreigners here.