When in Goa, who said only beaches, nightlife, and cruise parties are there to amaze you. Goa also has some of the oldest museums in the region that reflects all its history and culture. For all those who want to know about Goa’s history, these 10 museums are a must-visit.
When you visit Goa, don’t just stick to Goa’s beaches, especially if you’re a history and art lover. It has some amazing museum in Goa. From traditional artifacts to modern art, these museums preserve Goa’s unique heritage spanning Portuguese colonization, religious evolution, and local traditions. You can easily include these museums in your Goa Tour Packages for a well-rounded experience that goes beyond the typical beach visits.
This ethnographic gem is the most authentic museum, showcasing the traditional Goan lifestyle through over 4,000 artifacts. From farming tools to kitchen utensils, the collection reflects how local communities lived for centuries. The museum was founded by artist-restorer Victor Hugo Gomes, who spent decades collecting these items.
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Location/How to Reach: Located in Benaulim, South Goa. Take a taxi from Margao (7 km) or Colva Beach (5 km). Local buses also stop nearby.
As the largest museum in Goa, this institution houses collections of ancient sculptures, coins, manuscripts, and paintings that trace Goa’s evolution from pre-historic times through Portuguese rule. The museum has 15 galleries, each focusing on different aspects of Goan history and culture.
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Location/How to Reach: Located in Panjim. Take a local bus to the Goa State Museum stop or a short taxi ride from anywhere in the capital city.
This contemporary art museum in Goa was founded in 2015 by artist Subodh Kerkar. It showcases modern Goan artistic expressions through paintings, sculptures, and installations. Also, the museum regularly hosts exhibitions, workshops, and talks by prominent artists.
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Entry Fee: ₹150 per person
Location/How to Reach:
Located in Pilerne Industrial Estate, North Goa. Around 15 minutes by taxi from Calangute or Candolim beaches.
Housed in a former Franciscan monastery, this historical museum displays artifacts from the Portuguese colonial period. The collection includes stone sculptures, colonial-era portraits, stamps, coins, and religious artifacts that provide insights into Goa’s Portuguese heritage.
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Entry Fee
Location/How to Reach: Located in Old Goa near the Se Cathedral. All buses and taxis to Old Goa stop nearby.
For automobiles and car lovers, this unique museum in Goa has a fascinating collection of vintage cars, motorcycles, and scooters. Most vehicles are restored to working condition, showcasing the evolution of transportation in India during the 20th century.
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Entry Fee: ₹100 Per Person
Location/How to Reach: Located in Nuvem, South Goa. Take a taxi from Margao (10 km) or Colva (8 km).
This open-air museum in Goa recreates a traditional Goan village with life-size sculptures depicting day-to-day activities. It’s built around a massive laterite rock carving of Sant Mirabai.
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Location/How to Reach: Located in Loutolim, South Goa. Take a taxi from Margao (10 km) or catch a local bus to Loutolim.
Housed in a beautifully restored convent, this unique museum houses one of Asia’s most important collections of Indo-Portuguese Christian art. The exhibits include religious sculptures, paintings, and church furnishings that showcase the fusion of Indian and European artistic traditions.
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Location/How to Reach: Located in the Convent of Santa Monica, Old Goa. Take any bus or taxi heading to Old Goa.
The only museum in Goa dedicated to military history, this place displays decommissioned aircraft, weapons, and naval equipment. It’s divided into indoor and outdoor sections, with full-sized aircraft displayed in the open air and smaller items, photographs, and documents housed indoors.
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Location/How to Reach: Located in Vasco da Gama, near Dabolim Airport. Take a taxi from Vasco (5 km) or catch a bus to the Naval Aviation Museum stop.
A fun and family-friendly museum of Goa with life-sized wax figures depicting scenes from Goan history and Indian culture. While smaller than international wax museums, it offers an entertaining exploration of historical events and cultural traditions through detailed recreations.
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Location/How to Reach: Located in Old Goa, near the Basilica of Bom Jesus. All buses and taxis to Old Goa stop nearby.
Also known as “Bigfoot Cross,” this cultural heritage museum in Goa recreates a traditional village from the 16th century. It includes demonstrations of traditional crafts, cooking methods, and farming techniques, giving visitors a hands-on experience of Goa’s rural past.
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Location/How to Reach: Located in Loutolim, South Goa. Easy to combine with a visit to the Big Foot Museum as they are in the same village. Take a taxi from Margao (10 km).
When planning your next vacation, consider exploring these fascinating museums in Goa to add cultural depth to your Goa trip. You can easily create your own museum trail based on your interests.
The entry fee for the Museum of Goa is approximately ₹200 per person. It is a contemporary art museum showcasing modern artworks, sculptures, and installations.
The Archaeological Museum in Goa has an entry fee of around ₹20-25 per person. It houses ancient artifacts, sculptures, and Portuguese-era relics.
The Goa Wax Museum offers lifelike statues of historical figures, celebrities, and cultural icons. While it’s an interesting experience, reviews suggest it’s relatively small compared to its international counterparts. It’s worth visiting if you enjoy wax sculptures and unique attractions.
The most famous museum in Goa is the Goa State Museum, which is famous for its collection of artifacts, sculptures, and manuscripts showcasing Goa’s history and culture.
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