Diu

Diu Island is an island that is home to 44,000 people (2011) south of Gujarat, India. It is connected to the mainland by bridges and a ferry. It is part of the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

Understand
Diu was a Portuguese colony from 1539 to 1961, when the Indian government used military action to retake all the Portuguese enclaves. Apart from Diu, also Daman, Goa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli were "captured" in this conflict. This area used to be a part of a larger union territory of Goa, Daman and Diu before Goa became a state by itself. Diu is directly administered by Delhi as part of the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

Diu has fine but not so spectacular beaches, Diu town, some villages and all in all very relaxed atmosphere compared to most of India. Diu is not anything like Goa for example and those expecting to find a similar place on a smaller scale might be disappointed.

Gujarati, Hindi and English are mostly understood and spoken. Some older residents might still speak Portuguese.

By train
Diu lacks a railway station. The nearest junction is at Veraval, 90 km from Diu. A direct train connects Verval to Ahmedabad. The nearest railway station from Diu is Una, which is 12 km from Diu.

By helicopter
A helicopter fight is available from Daman to Diu from M-Sa. Please confirm with Pawan Hans Ltd before planning as the fight may not operate regularly.

By bus
State-run buses as well as some private companies serve Diu from Ahmedabad. Trips take around ten hours and both regular and nocturnal sleeper buses exist.

A more than 20-hour trip by bus from Mumbai is also possible.

By car
Diu has an underdeveloped road system, leading to traffic jams during rush hours.

Like elsewhere in India, driving is challenging in Diu. You find cycles, motor cycles, rickshaws, hand carts, autos, share autos, mini trucks, buses, vestibule buses, and double deckers jostling along. There are long stretches of roads passing through thickly populated areas that have no median breaks, so vehicles, including motorbikes and cars, simply drive on the wrong side of the road. Several modern flyovers now link the arterial roads.

Get around
Autorickshaws, rent a bike or a scooter.

See
The old Portuguese churches and fort, local Hindu temples, the old Portuguese architecture in the town, beaches and sea shore.


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Do
Relax, go sightseeing, explore the island with a motorbike, work on your tan on a beach. The city has many beaches which one may choose as per their tastes.



Eat
Fresh seafood, Gujarati food, and standard North and South Indian food are all available. You will mostly get non-vegetarian food over here, but if you are pure vegetarian don't worry. There are some hotels serving pure vegetarian food near the tourism office.

Drink
Alcohol is legal in Diu, unlike in neighbouring Gujarat, so a lot of people come to Diu especially for drinking. Indian and foreign beer and spirits are widely available.

Sleep
Cheap accommodation as well as some mid range hotels are abundant and are mostly located in Diu town. Resorts and the like can be found for example near Nagoa Beach.



Stay safe
Wear a helmet (if you manage to rent one) when riding a motorbike or scooter.

Go next
If you have come by road this far than it becomes imperative that you would be looking for few more destinations. Some of them you can plan on your way to Diu and few of them while returning.


 * Veraval - Popular for Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple.
 * Gir Forest National Park - Only place on earth to have Asiatic Lions.
 * Tulsishyam - Drive through forest and Hot water spring.
 * Blackbuck National Park - Grassland which has blackbucks and birds.
 * Porbandar - Birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. Also has a vast wetland which attracts lot of migratory birds in winter.
 * Lothal &mdash; Well planned Harappan (Indus) Civilization Port.
 * Palitana temples &mdash; on Shatrunjaya holy mountain with marble temples and breath-taking views.