Old Goa Churches, Temples & Spice Plantation Tour with Lunch

Walk through centuries of Goa's religious heritage, then eat lunch where the spices grow

A guided tour of Old Goa visiting the Sé Cathedral and Basilica of Bom Jesus, a 400-year-old Hindu temple, and a tropical spice plantation where you eat a fixed-menu Goan lunch. Includes hotel pickup, private car and English-speaking guide for five to six hours. Not available for cruise ship arrivals.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Sé Cathedral30m
2. Basilica of Bom Jesus30m
3. Tropical Spice Plantation2h · entry included

Explore Old Goa and Spice Plantation

• Pick up from hotel
• Visit Sé Cathedral
• Visit Basilica of Bom Jesus
• Visit St. Augustine's tower
• Enjoy Goan lunch at Tropical Spice Plantation
• Visit 400 year old Mangeshi temple

The experience

Your guide picks you up from your hotel in the morning and drives you into Old Goa, where the Sé Cathedral (the largest church in Asia, built in 1619) rises with its Iberian façade and intricate wood carvings. The cathedral's soaring ceilings and gilded details reflect centuries of Portuguese colonial rule. Next is the Basilica of Bom Jesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only church in Old Goa left unplastered on the outside. Its triangular roof is carved with the Jesuit emblem. You'll also see St. Augustine's tower, a landmark favored by Bollywood filmmakers.

After the churches, the tour moves to the Tropical Spice Plantation for lunch. You arrive to the sound of birds and can walk through betel nut plantations or rest by the stream before eating. The fixed menu includes prawn curry, Goan chicken, rice, Goan bread, fish fry and vegetarian options: all served within the plantation grounds. This is where you get hands-on with how spices actually grow in this region.

The final stop is the Mangeshi temple, a 400-year-old shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. Built with simplistic beauty and set beside a refreshing water body, it stands as a reminder of Hindu heritage in Goa before the Portuguese arrived. A seven-story lamp tower rises within the complex, alongside shrines to family deities. The whole day runs five to six hours and ends with your return to the hotel. Note: dress code is smart casual, and shorts and sleeveless clothing are not permitted inside the religious sites.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in a private car with a driver.
• English-speaking tour guide for the full day.
• lunch on a fixed menu at the Tropical Spice Plantation.

Options for this experience

2 options

Up to 5 per booking · Guide in English10:00

Up to 2 per booking · Guide in English10:00

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (18 to 75 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Discover Activities

Is this one for you?Pick this if you're based in Goa and want hands-on time at a spice plantation where lunch is served. You'll eat among the plants rather than at a separate venue, and a private car picks you up from your hotel.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5).

What's inside the Sé Cathedral that makes it worth the visit?

The Sé Cathedral holds superb Iberian architecture with soaring ceilings, fabulous mosaic work, and intricate wood and gilded carvings throughout. Built in 1619, it's the largest church in Asia and a centerpiece of Old Goa's colonial heritage.

Can I book this tour if I'm arriving by cruise ship?

No. Tourists arriving by cruise ship cannot book this tour because Sea Port authorities have their own transport setup and do not permit independent tour operators to provide transfers from the dock.

What does the Goan lunch at the plantation include?

Lunch is served on a fixed menu basis and includes prawn curry, Goan chicken dish, white and brown rice, Goan bread, fish fry and vegetarian options. It's eaten inside the plantation grounds.

Is the Mangeshi temple different from the churches on this tour?

Yes. Mangeshi is a 400-year-old Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, built before Portuguese colonial rule. It contrasts with the Christian churches and represents Goa's Hindu heritage, set beside a water body with a seven-story lamp tower and family deity shrines.