A small island off the Saurashtra coast with a Portuguese sea fort, old churches and quiet beaches.
FamousBeachHeritageIsland
Diu mixes Portuguese-era forts and churches with calm, clean beaches, all within a short ride of the compact town. It suits couples, families and slow travellers who want sea views and history without big-city crowds.
Trip planner
Plan from your city
Photos
Diu Fort on the sea edgeNagoa Beach, DiuWalls of Diu Fortress
Photos from Wikimedia Commons. Select a photo for its author and licence.
Best time to go
When
What to expect
October to February
The most pleasant time, with temperatures of about 15 to 25 C, good for beaches and sightseeing.
March to June
Hot but less crowded; plan outdoor visits for early morning and evening.
July to September
Monsoon rain limits beach time and outdoor activities.
Sights and activities
1
Diu Fort
A large Portuguese fort from the 16th century on the sea edge, with thick stone walls, bastions, old cannons, a moat and a lighthouse.
Distance
At the eastern end of Diu town, about 2 km from the bus station.
A beach near town known as the sunset point. On the hill beside it, a memorial honours the Indian Navy sailors lost when INS Khukri sank in the 1971 war.
GSRTC and private buses run from Ahmedabad (about 9 to 10 hours), Veraval, Rajkot, Vadodara and Surat. A few sleeper buses also run between Diu and Mumbai. The main bus stand is in Diu town.
By train
Diu has no railway station. Delwada, a small metre-gauge station about 8 km away, gets two daily trains from Junagadh and Veraval. Veraval Junction, about 90 km away, has direct trains from Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune and other cities.
By air
Diu Airport is at Nagoa, about 7 km from town, with flights from Mumbai and connecting flights from Delhi.
Where to base yourself
Diu town near the fort and bus station for sights and food, or the Nagoa Beach area about 7 to 8 km away for a beach stay.
Getting around
Diu town is compact and easy to explore on foot.
Auto-rickshaws and taxis are easy to find in town and for trips to Nagoa and the outer beaches.
Scooters, bikes and bicycles can be rented to explore the island at your own pace.
Local buses link the town with outlying villages and beaches.
Buses between Diu and Veraval take about 2.5 to 3 hours, with fares from about 125 to 600 rupees.
Often combined with
Places people usually visit on the same trip, and how long it takes to get between them.
Fresh seafood is the highlight, often cooked with Portuguese and Goan touches, at town restaurants and beach shacks. Gujarati dishes are widely served too. Budget about 500 to 1,000 rupees a day for food.
Try these
Grilled lobster
Fish curry with rice
Prawn curry
Prawn Koliwada (fried spiced prawns)
Bebinca (layered Goan-style dessert)
Dhokla (steamed Gujarati gram-flour snack)
Vegetarian Gujarati and Indian food is easy to find in town restaurants.
Daily costs
Budget level
Stay per room
Food per person
Local transport
Budget
₹1,500
₹500
₹200 per person
Mid-range
₹4,000
₹800
₹800 per vehicle
Luxury
₹8,000
₹1,500
₹1,500 per vehicle
Per day. Travel to and from your city is added in the planner above.
Permits and documents
No permits are needed for Indian travellers. Carry a photo ID for hotel check-in.
Safety
By day
Generally relaxed. Beaches can be windy, so take care during water sports and swim in marked areas, such as the lifeguarded zone at Ghoghla.
At night
Keep belongings secure and avoid isolated areas and empty beaches after dark.
Solo women
Diu is a small, tourist-friendly town, but the usual care applies: keep to busy areas after dark and use known taxis or autos.
Roads
Roads on the island are short and easy. The long drives to Ahmedabad or Mumbai are on national highways.
Emergency numbers
112 (all emergencies)
Practical
Mobile network
All the main networks (Jio, Airtel, Vi and BSNL) work in town.
ATMs and cash
At least a few ATMs and banks within about 6 km of the centre (Dena Bank, ICICI Bank), the nearest under 1 km away. Carry some cash as a back-up. Carry some cash for autos and small shops.
Fuel
There are several petrol pumps in and around town.
Medical
There are several hospitals within about 6 km, including Government Hospital, Diu. In an emergency dial 112, or 108 for an ambulance in most states. Serious cases may need transfer to a larger mainland town.