Silvassa is the capital of Dadra and Nagar Haveli district and the largest town in the union territory it shares with Daman and Diu. It sits on the Daman Ganga river at the foot of the Western Ghats, close to the Gujarat and Maharashtra borders. Until the late 19th century it was one of many small villages in Portuguese India; the colonial administration moved the municipal seat here in the 1880s and made it a town in 1885. The Portuguese left in 1954, and the territory became a union territory of India in 1961.
It is a small, calm town rather than a heritage city. The sights are spread around it: Vasona Lion Safari Park and Satmaliya Deer Park on the Khanvel road, gardens and temples near the river, an 1889 church opposite a tribal museum, and the Madhuban Dam at Dudhni further out. Scheduled Tribes make up about half of the territory's population, and that shapes the food, the crafts and the festivals more than any single monument does.
For families and older travellers it works well as a two-day break from Mumbai, Surat or Daman. Distances are short, roads are generally manageable and most sights need little walking. Plan with a car, avoid the monsoon downpours and the pre-monsoon heat, and keep the Tribal Cultural Museum and the lion park as the two anchors of your trip.
Before you plan
Silvassa at a glance
- Best months
- November to February is the most…November to February is the most comfortable; October and March are workable. April to May is hot and humid, and June to September brings heavy monsoon rain.
- Ideal trip length
- 2 days covers the main sights2 days covers the main sights; 1 day is enough for the lion park, museum and a temple if you start early
- Airport
- No commercial airport in townNo commercial airport in town; Surat (STV) and Mumbai (BOM) are the nearest major airports, roughly 130 km and 160 km away by road
- Railway station
- VapiVapi (VAPI), about 16 km away, is the nearest railhead; Bhilad is also close at about 14 km
- Getting around
- A private car or app-based taxi is…A private car or app-based taxi is the practical choice; sights are spread over 6 to 40 km
- Daily budget
- Roughly ₹1,500 to ₹3,500 per person…Roughly ₹1,500 to ₹3,500 per person per day excluding the room, for food, local taxis and entry fees; varies widely with car hire
- Senior comfort
- Good: most sights need little walkingGood: most sights need little walking, but distances are long and midday heat is strong; plan breaks
- Language
- Gujarati and Hindi are most commonGujarati and Hindi are most common; Marathi and Konkani are stronger in the south, and local Adivasi languages are also spoken
Prices, opening hours and weather change. Recheck live details before booking.
Best time to visit Silvassa: January, February, November, December. Month-by-month weather →
How many days do you have?
Silvassa itinerary
One good day
1 day in Silvassa
Start at Vasona Lion Safari Park in the morning, having booked a slot online, then walk through Satmaliya Deer Park on the same road. Return to town for lunch and a rest. In the afternoon, visit the Tribal Cultural Museum and the Church of Our Lady of Piety, which face each other, then end with an easy walk along the Daman Ganga riverfront as the light softens.
Two days
2 days in Silvassa
Go to Vasona Lion Safari Park early, then stop at Satmaliya Deer Park. Have lunch in town and rest through the hottest hours. Visit the Tribal Cultural Museum and the church opposite, and finish at the riverfront or the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir around aarti time.
Three unhurried days
3 days in Silvassa
Book Vasona Lion Safari Park for the morning slot and follow with Satmaliya Deer Park. After lunch and a rest, walk to the Daman Ganga riverfront for a slow evening.
