Daman and Diu, the Less-Known Gems of India

When you think of traveling to India, what’s the first spot that comes to mind? Is it the breathtaking Taj Mahal? Or is it a day trip to the lively streets of Mumbai, New Delhi, or maybe even Kolkata? Well, what if I told you there are spots way better and way more underrated than the ones mentioned above? When visiting India for the second time, I didn’t have high expectations of Daman and Diu, but, boy, did they blow me away. If you’re planning a trip to Daman and Diu, I’ll cover everything you need to know about these less-known gems of India!

How to Get to Daman?

After my partner suggested a trip to Daman, my first thoughts were about the logistics of getting there. The first time I went to India, I spent five days in and around New Delhi, and it was terrific, but it wasn’t as complicated to organize as this. I spent two whole days studying the map of India and figuring out the best way to get there, but it was totally worth it.

There are a few options to get to Daman. First, there’s always a train; for me, there’s nothing more romantic than a long train ride. However, the nearest railway station is Daman in Vapi, only 12km from the town. Once you reach Vapi, you must take a local taxi to get to Daman. As for the trip from the states, the nearest international airport to Daman is Mumbai international airport, which is, luckily for us, not that far. But, instead of enjoying the train ride, I must admit I mostly slept through it.

What to Do in Daman?

I recently spoke with a friend who visited India at the same time as I did. The only difference is he was in Rishikesh while my partner and I spent a few fantastic days in Daman. Looking at his photographs, I, however, didn’t feel jealous at all. The things we saw and visited on this trip will forever stay in my memories. Here are only some of the spots we visited:

Jampore Beach

One of the first beaches we hit since unpacking was this one, and after we got there, I kept saying I never wanted to go anywhere else. I suddenly didn’t care about visiting other spots. My partner, however, had other plans, but not after we spent a whole day sunbathing and enjoying the Jampore beach paradise.

The Moti Daman Fort

Our second day in Daman was more touristy. That’s when we visited this beautiful monument from the sixteenth century. Although it’s slightly worn out and needs restoration, it’s still amazing. Also, it’s a great spot for travel pics if you’re into that sort of thing.

Jain Temple

There are several temples located all across the city of Daman, and I wanted to visit all of them. And I did. So, I’m glad to say that out of all of them, the Jain temple was probably my favorite. The distinctive design of this temple is breathtaking, and so are the frescoes from the 18th century that represent the life of Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism.

How to Get to Diu?

From Daman, there’s one main way to get to Diu; the bus. I initially dreaded this option since I easily get car sick, but the ride wasn’t as bad as I feared. However, during the night, it got freezing. But, lucky for me, I packed as though I was moving to India, so I followed the advice of the experts from Heart Moving NYC and packed for all kinds of weather. In the end, I took some pills to calm my motion sickness and slept through most of the ride, but that meant I was full of energy when we reached Diu in the morning.

What to Do in Diu?

Nagoa Beach

Nagoa Beach, which is about 20 minutes from the town of Diu, is a popular beach with locals and tourists, and I can see why. We had a fun day in the sun to fully recover from our trip, which definitely worked. Aside from the usual, this beach offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including water sports and horseback riding.

Naida Caves

My favorite spot in and around Diu was the Naida caves. I’ve never seen anything quite like it, although I have to admit I haven’t visited many caves in my life. I recently wanted to show my friend a photo of the caves, so I googled it and found out the caves are temporarily closed. Hopefully, they will open again soon because they’re an absolute must-see.

Diu Fort

Another beautiful old castle. It was fascinating to see it as it looks even better in person than in the photos.

If You Go:

Packing Tips

Though I did brag about bringing my entire closet with me to Daman and Diu, you shouldn’t try to be like me. It would be much better to pack lightly to help you get from one destination to another. Moreover, bring only the essentials, and leave the expensive jewelry and all of that back at home. If you’re afraid of someone stealing your valuables while on holiday, ask a friend to house-sit or rent a safe place for your items, like short-term storage that you’ll only use while you’re away.

When Should You Travel?

When it comes to traveling to Daman and Diu, from what I heard, you can visit these towns any day of the year, and it will still be beautiful. However, it does get scorching in the summer, so if you’re not into extreme heat, maybe use that time to camp in the Himalayas and then come back to Daman and Diu in the fall.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I spent two weeks in Daman and Diu, the less-known gems of India, and I have so much to say about these two towns. However, everything I’ve seen and experienced cannot be summed up in a single article. If I had to summarize it, I’d have to say I loved every single moment of this trip. Yes, even the bus.

 

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