How to Beat the Crowds at the Basilica of Bom Jesus
The Basilica of Bom Jesus is free and open daily (from about 9 am on weekdays and late morning on Sundays). Visit on a weekday morning to see the tomb of St Francis Xavier without tour groups. Avoid the feast week (about 23 November to 3 December), when tens of thousands of pilgrims come, and Holy Week, when the basilica can close to tourists.
- Entry
- Free
- Hours
- Weekdays about 9 am to 6:30 pm, Sundays from about 10:30 am
- Feast day
- Around 3 December, with a novena from about 23 November
- Holy Week
- May close to tourists for services
- Best time
- Weekday morning
- Busiest
- Feast week, Christmas to New Year and weekends
- Time to allow
- 30-45 minutes, half a day for Old Goa
How busy is the Basilica of Bom Jesus?
This UNESCO-listed baroque church holds the remains of St Francis Xavier, Goa's patron saint. On normal days, tour groups pass through from mid-morning. During the feast and novena, the basilica and the streets of Old Goa fill with pilgrims, with masses from before dawn.
Before you go, check how busy the Basilica of Bom Jesus is likely to be. BeatTheCrowd shows the live crowd level and an hourly forecast for any date, adjusted for Christian festivals, Indian holidays and weather.
Check today’s crowds at Basilica of Bom Jesus →Best (and worst) times to go
- Weekday mornings: quiet nave and tomb.
- November to February: the best weather, but also peak season.
- Worst: feast week, Christmas to New Year and Sunday mornings during mass.
- Holy Week: check for closures.
Our hourly forecast for the Basilica of Bom Jesus shows how busy each hour is expected to be on your date.
Check today’s crowds at Basilica of Bom Jesus →