Portugese people have left India. Now we shall rename it to Vasai Beach.

Located about 77 kms away from Mumbai, India’s commercial capital, Bassein beach is a lesser known beach destination in the state of Maharashtra. People who are looking for a quiet and peaceful beach outing will love this place as the shores are not as crowded as the other more known beaches in the region. Bassein has many interesting stories to tell from the historical point of view.

The forts in ruins that were once upon a time constructed by the Portuguese in the midst of dense forests of brushwood and palm grooves can be found here. People who are into history and heritage will have a lot to look forward to, and learn more on how the Marathas besieged the Portuguese in 1739. Tourists can also relish the Portuguese delicacies cooked and served by the locals in the region to earn their living.

This serene beach spot comes in the territory of the Thane district. Baasein- Vasai (Bacaim) lies on the northern bank of Vasai Creek, at the mouth of Ulhas River. This strategic location worked as a guard for the Portuguese against the Marathas. Bassein can be compared to India's party capital Goa. The only difference between the two is that Bassein Beach is less crowded in contrast to the Goan beaches. Tourists also have the option of making it to holy sites like the Vajreshwari Temple, Akloli hot springs, Sadguru Nityanand Maharaj and Baba Shaligram Samadhi Mandir at Ganeshpuri, the Samadhri Shrine of Guru Machendranath and Guru Gorakhnath, Bhimeshwar Temple and other ashrams are situated in the affinity. A few churches of the time when the Portuguese occupied a portion of India can also be found in Bassein.

If you plan a staycation to the Bassein Beach, the West Palm Beach Resort is an ideal place offering comfy rooms endowed with all the cool facilities. Make sure you carry a handy cam or any other handy camera to capture the beautiful vistas of this beach and the surrounding area.

Due to its closeness to Mumbai, Bassein can be reached from the capital of Maharastra in a span of one and a half hours. Of times, the Western Express Highway sees a heavy flow of traffic, so it may take longer to reach Bassein on those days. Bassein can also be reached from Thane via Ghodbunder Road. MTDC runs buses from Mumbai to Bassein or Vasai from different parts of the city.

Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport at Mumbai is the nearest international airport to reach Bassein. Tourists reaching Mumbai by air from any part of the world can easily reach Bassein Beach by taking a train from Dadar or Andheri railway station in Mumbai or travelling by road by the Western Express Highway.