The Basilica of Bom Jesus is a 16th-century Catholic church in Old Goa that holds the mortal remains of Saint Francis Xavier. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 under the collective listing "Churches and Convents of Goa", it is one of the most prominent pilgrimage and heritage landmarks in India.
General entry to the church is completely free. Visiting hours run from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Saturday, and 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Sundays. Because this is an active place of worship with daily liturgies, a strict modest dress code and church sanctuary regulations are enforced at the entrance.
This guide covers visiting hours, Mass timings, dress code mandates, architectural features, transit routes across Goa, and neighboring historical sites to help you plan your itinerary.
Visiting Hours, Mass Schedules, and Entry Fees
Entry to the main nave of the Basilica of Bom Jesus is free of charge for all domestic and international visitors. Sightseeing access is scheduled around daily Catholic services, with Sunday morning tourist entry opening later to accommodate liturgical worship.
Catholic Mass is celebrated daily in both Konkani and English. On the 6th of each month, a special Mass is held at 10:00 AM in the Chapel of Saint Francis Xavier, and a Holy Hour is held at 5:00 PM on the first Friday of every month.
| Day / Service | Tourist Visiting Hours | Holy Mass Timings |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Saturday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | 7:00 AM (Konkani), 8:00 AM (English) |
| Sunday | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM | 7:00 AM & 8:00 AM (Konkani), 9:15 AM (English) |
| 6th of Every Month | Follows standard daily hours | 10:00 AM (Chapel of St. Francis Xavier) |
| First Friday of the Month | Follows standard daily hours | 5:00 PM (Holy Hour) |
Dress Code and Sanctuary Rules
Because the Basilica is a functioning Catholic church, security personnel and church volunteers enforce strict conduct and clothing policies at the perimeter gates. Anyone wearing beachwear, sleeveless tops, crop tops, or short skirts and shorts above the knee will be denied entry.
Volunteers provide temporary shawls at the door for visitors whose clothing falls short of the policy, though dressing appropriately beforehand avoids delays. Clean footwear is permitted inside the church nave, but shoes must be kept quiet on the stone floor.
Inside the church, silence is mandatory. Goa Police and monument security also advise visitors to keep an eye on pockets and personal bags outside in the courtyard, where crowd density rises when tour buses arrive between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
- Dress modesty: Shoulders and knees must be completely covered for all visitors.
- Headwear: Male visitors must remove hats, caps, and any head coverings before entering the nave.
- Photography: Flash photography, tripods, and videography are strictly prohibited inside the nave and around the saint's relics.
- Services: All photography and filming are strictly banned during religious masses.
- Mobile phones: Devices must be switched off or put on silent mode before passing through the entrance.
History, Architecture, and the Relics of St. Francis Xavier
Construction of the Basilica of Bom Jesus began on November 24, 1594, funded by the estate of Dom Jerónimo Mascarenhas. The church was consecrated on May 15, 1605, by Archbishop Dom Frei Aleixo de Menezes. On March 20, 1946, Pope Pius XII elevated the monument to the status of a Minor Basilica through the apostolic decree Priscam Goae. Preservation today is jointly managed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman.
Built in the Baroque style using Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite orders, the cruciform church measures 55.77 meters in length, 16.76 meters in width, and 18.5 meters in height. Unlike other historic churches in Old Goa, its exterior laterite wall and black granite details stand unplastered—the protective lime plaster having been stripped during a 1950s Portuguese conservation project. Adjoining the church on its southern wing is the Professed House of the Jesuits, a lime-plastered two-story laterite structure completed in 1585.
Inside, the main altar is dominated by a gilded reredos with a large statue of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, looking up toward the Jesuit monogram IHS, placed over an image of the Infant Jesus. The upper floor houses a modern Christian art gallery displaying 36 large oil paintings executed between 1973 and 1976.
The church's south transept holds the mortal remains of Saint Francis Xavier, transferred here permanently in 1624. The sacred relics rest within a 17th-century silver casket crafted by Goan silversmiths, set atop a three-tiered Florentine marble mausoleum carved by Italian sculptor Giovanni Battista Foggini and gifted in 1698 by Grand Duke Cosimo III of Tuscany. During the decennial Exposition of the Sacred Relics, the silver casket is brought down to ground level for public viewing; the 18th Exposition was held from November 21, 2024, to January 5, 2025.
How to Reach Old Goa
The Basilica of Bom Jesus stands along National Highway 748 (Old Goa Road) in the village of Old Goa (Velha Goa), Tiswadi taluka, North Goa (PIN 403402). It sits directly across the road from the Sé Cathedral complex.
Public Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTCL) buses connect Panaji KTC Bus Stand to Old Goa frequently, costing between ₹15 and ₹25 for a 20 to 25-minute journey. Visitors travelling by car or taxi have access to dedicated open-air municipal and pay-and-park parking lots situated 100 to 200 meters from the gates along the Old Goa bypass. Parking fees generally run ₹20 for two-wheelers and ₹50 to ₹100 for four-wheelers.
| Starting Point | Distance | Travel Time by Road | Direct Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panaji (Capital City) | 10 km east | 20–25 minutes | NH 748 |
| Karmali Railway Station | 2.5–3 km east | 5–10 minutes | Old Goa Bypass Road |
| Calangute Coastal Belt | 22–24 km southeast | 45–55 minutes | Chogm Road & NH 748 |
| Dabolim Airport (GOI) | 25–26 km north | 40–50 minutes | NH 566 & NH 66 |
| Madgaon Railway Station | 34–35 km north | 50–60 minutes | NH 66 |
| Ponda Town Center | 18–20 km west | 30–40 minutes | NH 748 |
| Mopa Airport (GOX) | 41–45 km south | 50–65 minutes | NH 66 |
Best Time to Visit and Crowd Tips
The primary visiting window falls during Goa's dry winter season from November to February, when daytime temperatures stay between 20°C and 32°C with minimal rainfall. If you are exploring the church as part of a wider itinerary, pair it with our goa-travel-guide or plan your route using our south-goa-itinerary.
To avoid crowded queues, plan to arrive at 9:00 AM on a weekday morning. Scheduled tourist coaches and excursion groups usually arrive from 11:00 AM onward. Wheelchair access ramps are available across the courtyard pathways leading to the ground floor of the basilica, and public pay-and-use toilets and drinking water stations are installed near the exterior boundary gates.
Every year, the annual Feast of Saint Francis Xavier is celebrated on December 3, preceded by a nine-day public novena starting in late November. The novena draws thousands of pilgrims to the open grounds, resulting in police-enforced vehicular diversions, temporary checkpoints, and heavy traffic along NH 748.
Other Historic Sights Nearby in Old Goa
Old Goa was once the capital of Portuguese India, and multiple historic structures sit within short walking distance of the Basilica. You can easily combine these stops on foot:
Across the highway, approximately 200 meters north, stands the Sé Cathedral, famous for its grand Renaissance architecture. Just 250 meters north sits the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi alongside the Archaeological Museum of Goa, which displays historical artifacts from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (closed Fridays) for an entrance fee of ₹10 to ₹25 per adult.
Walking 800 meters west brings you to the Museum of Christian Art, located in the Convent of Santa Monica on Monte Santo (Holy Hill). If you walk roughly 500 to 700 meters northeast toward the banks of the Mandovi River, you will reach the Church of Saint Cajetan and the historical Viceroy's Arch.
Guided Tours and Sightseeing Options
Travelers who prefer structured transit can book coach tours or walking guides to explore Old Goa's heritage precinct:
Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) runs coach sightseeing tours covering Old Goa's church circuit, with seats priced between ₹400 and ₹550 per passenger. For travelers wanting deeper context, licensed heritage operators provide walking tours covering the Old Goa complex for ₹1,200 to ₹1,500 per person.
If you want a dedicated day trip organized by bus, consider booking the South Goa Tour for ₹400 per person, which covers key regional sights including Old Goa. For a broader overview of state monuments, check out our goa-sightseeing-guide.
Book with GoaWala
3 options from ₹400 per person — live prices, October 2026.
- North Goa Tour — from ₹400 per person · 9 Hours · North Goa
- South Goa Tour — from ₹400 per person · 9 Hours · South Goa
- Extreme South Goa Tour — from ₹1,500 per person · 10 Hours · South Goa
Frequently asked questions
Is there an entry ticket for the Basilica of Bom Jesus?
No, general admission to the Basilica of Bom Jesus is free for both domestic and international visitors.
What is the dress code for entering the Basilica of Bom Jesus?
Visitors must have their shoulders and knees covered. Sleeveless shirts, low-cut tops, and beach shorts are prohibited, and men must remove hats before entering.
What are the visiting hours for tourists?
Tourists can visit Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and on Sundays from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
When are the English Mass services held?
Regular English Holy Mass is celebrated at 8:00 AM from Monday to Saturday, and at 9:15 AM on Sunday mornings.
Can I take photos inside the Basilica?
Non-flash photography is allowed in general areas, but flash photography, tripods, and videography are strictly prohibited inside the nave and around the relics. Photography of any kind is banned during liturgical services.
Where is the nearest railway station to the Basilica?
Karmali Railway Station is the closest station, located 2.5 to 3 kilometers east of the Basilica (a 5 to 10-minute drive).
When is the Feast of Saint Francis Xavier celebrated?
The Feast of Saint Francis Xavier is celebrated annually on December 3, preceded by a nine-day public novena starting in late November.
Sources
- oneboard.app
- goa-tourism.org.in
- wikidata.org
- miroshotels.com
- tripoto.com
- stfrancisxavierofficial.com
- agatetravel.com
- rome2rio.com
- pavancab.com
- goatravelcompany.com
- rome2rio.com
- stfrancisxavierofficial.com
- travanya.com
- thrillophilia.com
- santonio.co.in
- myholidayhappiness.com
- resortrio.com
- captureatrip.com
- wordpress.com
- epw.in
Last checked 9 October 2026
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