Bassein fort

About Bassein fort

The Bassein Fort is the Sea fort in Vasai Road, which is a suburb towards north of Mumbai. Vasai Road is the third last station on the western railway towards Virar. It falls in Thane District on the mainland just north of the Bombay archipelago. It was established by the Portuguese as the headquarters of their Indian operations in 1534 and centre of their operations until 1739. With this as the main base, they built other smaller forts such as the Castella de Aguada, and strong houses in many of the islands in what is now Pakistan.

Despite the fort is so old and in the condition of ageing, there are many remains, which are still livens the wonderful architecture of the olden days. Three chapels inside the fort are in the condition, which can be easily recognized. They have facades typical of 17th century Portuguese churches. The southernmost of these has a well-preserved barrel vaulted ceiling. Many of the watchtowers still stand so strong, with secure staircases.

Interesting things to do

Visit the Chinchoti waterfalls located to the east of Vasai are a popular picnic spot for the young crowds from Mumbai City. In the center of the thick forest is this waterfall, which flows continuously from June to October. The waterfall is about 100ft. high and 20ft. broad. Tourists visit this place to enjoy the falls. This wonderful waterfall makes a great monsoon getaway. But on weekends it might seem as though the entire population of Mumbai is here.

There are lots of beaches in vasai like,
* Gaulwada/Bhaskarali Beach
* Mercis Beach
* Raangaon Beach
* Kalamb Beach
* Rajodi Beach
* Arnala Beach

Interesting things to Visit

Vasai Fort:
Bassein Fort also known, as Vasai Fort is an important sea fort located in Bassein, present day Vasai, at about 55-km away from Mumbai. Built by Bahadur Shah, Sultan of Gujarat, it was initially one of a chain of forts intended to guard the coast against the Portuguese and the pirates.

Aagashi Jain Mandir:
About 5-km from Virar, there is a 400 years old ancient Parshwanath Temple. During “Kartik Poornima” every year, a very big festival is organized at this temple, which is visited by large number of devotees. Food and accommodation facilities are made available to those who visit this place. The saints in the assembly hall of the temple conduct a religious lecture.

Arnala Fort:
Arnala fort was built on Arnala Island, approximately 8 miles North of Vasai. It is surrounded on all sides by water and so is also known as “Jaldurg” or “Janjire Arnala”.

Holy Chirst Church:
On the hill beside the town of Mahabaleshwar stands the Holy Christ church. This church was built in 1842, is a place worth visiting. With its beautiful stained glass window still intact, the squatters now occupying the church will happily allow you in for a peek.

Jiwadani:
Jiwadani“ means “Goddess of Life”. The mountain on which the temple is situated is known as “Mount Jiwadani”. It takes about half an hour from Virar and about 40 to 45 minutes to walk over the mountain to have “Darshan” of Goddess Jiwadani.

Vajreshawari:
Vajreshwari is a small village about 31-km from Vasai and 85-km from Mumbai City. Vajreshwari is named after the goddess Vajreshwari whose temple has historical importance. This temple looks like an ancient fort. The idol of the goddess is very impressive and is being worshipped for last few centuries. After the Victory of Vasai Fort, Chimaji Appa, the younger brother of Bajirao Peshwa built this Temple besides the Mandakini Mountain, which was formed as a result of a volcanic eruption. That is the reasons why there are number of hot water streams near this place. In fact, some of the hot springs here are hottest in Asia.

Nearest Visiting places

Matheran:
Matheran, 70 kms from Thane, is a hill station of natural beauty and pollution free environment. It is situated 750m up in the Sahyadri Ranges of the Western Ghats. Matheran is a 11 km hike by road from Neral and accessible from the foothills by a toy train. There are fine views from the top. Best season is November-February and April-June.

Tansa wildlife sanctuary:
This sanctuary is located 90km from Mumbai in Thane district. The sanctuary with an area of about 320sq.kms has around 54 species of animals and 200 species of birds in the sanctuary. Major wild animals are Panther, Barking deer, Mouse deer, Hyena, Wild boar etc. Tansa Lake flows through the sanctuary. Best time to visit is November -May.

Lonavla and Khandala:
Lonavla and Khandala are two hill resorts 5kms apart at an altitude of around 600m in the western ghats. Khandala is a quite village overlooking a picturesque ravine and surrounded by wet season waterfalls. Located 106km from Mumbai, on the Mumbai-Pune railway line, Lonavla is a good base to visit the Karla and Bhaja caves and also the Rajmachi, Lohagen and Visapur Forts nearby. Karla and Bhaja are rock-cut-caves which are among the oldest and finest examples of Hinayana Buddhists rock temple art in India. The Walwan Dam at Lonavla was built in 1915 to supply hydroelectric power to Mumbai’s textile mills. Best time to visit is during the monsoon.

Kashi Mira:
Kashi and Mira are two villages in Thane Taluka located close to each other. The surroundings of the two villages abound in natural beauty and scenery. Just after leaving the check-post at Dahisar is an open surface with the backdrop of hills with zigzag paths leading up the hills. And it is this flushy background that has given these two villages the name “Kashimira”.

Jawhar Palace:
It is called the “Mahabaleshwar of Thane District”, when compared in beauty and climate. And places to see are the majestic Dadara Kopra Falls, Jai Vilas, the palace of the tribal kings, the Hanuman and Sunset Points and the enthralling Shirpamal, where Shivaji chose to camp on his way to Surat. Jawhar also offers you the unique opportunity to expose and enlighten yourself with the tribal way of life especially with the Warli paintings.

Suddhagad Fort:
Sudhagadh Fort is located near Pali- a famous pilgrimage center in Maharashtra. It is one of the rarely visited forts in Konkan region. The fort is one among those forts, which are still in good condition. It can be covered during a trip to Pali and Mahad in Ashtavinayak.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation

Sharda International Hotel
Naupada W,Near Malhar Cinema, Thane, Mumbai, 400602

Hotel Satkar
Mohan Mahal,L B S Marg, Thane, Mumbai, 400602

Hotel Sharanam
Eastern Express Highway,Near R T O,
Opposite Ramkrishna Nagar, Thane West, Mumbai, 400604

Help Line/Phone Number

Nearest Hospital:

Ravi Hospital
Thane, Maharashtra

Golden Park Hospital
Thane, Maharashtra

The district of Thane to the North East of Mumbai offers a unique hill station of Jawahar. A distance of 125 miles from Mumbai, the hill station is closer to Nahsik though. The area was a major tribal kingdom of Maharashtra. You can get the feel of the tribal life by visiting few protected tribal villages of the region and those with nimble fingers can learn a trade or two……more

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Location info

• Address: Vasai,Mumbai Suburb,Maharashtra,India.

• District: Thane.

• Nearest City: Mumbai

• Best time to visit: Oct to March.

Climate & weather

Climate of Mumbai is warm and humid.

How to reach Bassein fort

• Nearest Railway Station: Vasai Railway Station.

• Nearest Airport: Mumbai Internatinal Airport.

Road Transport: Vasai being an important tourist place is well connected by road with all the places in Maharashtra. MTDC and Maharashtra State service ply buses from almost all the important places.

Nearest petrol pump

Available in the nearby town.

Best time to visit Bassein fort

October to March: cool and pleasant weather ideal for trekking. Avoid monsoon (June–September) as trails become slippery and dangerous.

Timings & opening hours

Typically open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. Some forts may close earlier during monsoon or for maintenance.

Entry fee & tickets

Free entry for most hill forts. ASI-protected forts may charge INR 25 for Indians and INR 300 for foreign nationals.

Duration needed

3–4 hours including trek to the top and exploration. Larger forts may require a full day.

Safety tips

Wear sturdy footwear with good grip. Carry sufficient water — many forts have no water sources on top. Do not climb on unstable walls or edges. Start the trek early in the morning to avoid afternoon heat. Inform someone about your trek plan.

Things to carry

Sturdy trekking shoes, 2–3 litres of water per person, snacks, hat, sunscreen, first-aid kit, torch, and a light raincoat (in monsoon). A walking stick is helpful on steep sections.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest airport: Pune International Airport (PNQ) or Mumbai International Airport (BOM). Nearest railway station: Pune Railway Station or nearest station on the Central Railway. Well-connected by road from Pune and Mumbai.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, and Vi all provide excellent coverage across Maharashtra’s cities (Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur) and major tourist areas. 4G is reliable along highways and in most towns. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Tadoba, Melghat, and certain ghat sections. Free Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels and cafes.

Food & restaurants nearby

Most hill forts in Maharashtra have local snack stalls at the base serving pithla bhakri, vada pav, and tea. Carry food for longer treks — many forts on hilltops have no facilities. The nearest village or town offers Maharashtrian thali meals.

History of Bassein fort

This historic fort in the Sahyadri range played a significant role in Maratha history. Built at a strategic location, it served both as a defensive stronghold and an administrative centre. Many such forts were controlled by the Maratha Empire, Mughals, and later the British.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to trek to the top? The trek to most forts takes 1–3 hours depending on the fort’s height and the trail condition. Some forts have road access up to the entrance.

Is there food and water available on the fort? Most forts have no facilities on top. Carry at least 2 litres of water per person and some snacks. Local stalls at the base village sell refreshments.

Can I visit during monsoon? Many forts are open year-round but trails become extremely slippery during monsoon. November to February offers the best trekking conditions.

Accessibility

Historic forts typically have uneven stone pathways, steep staircases, and no ramps. Forts are built on elevated ground — reaching them requires a climb on foot or by vehicle to the base followed by stairs. Visitors with mobility issues may find the outer grounds and lower levels more accessible than the upper ramparts. Wear sturdy footwear and allow extra time.

Rules & restrictions

Do not climb on unstable walls or beyond marked boundaries. Some bastion platforms are partially collapsed. Graffiti and defacement are illegal. Alcohol and smoking are not permitted inside most historic sites. Drones may require permission. Large bags may be checked at the entrance. Photography is permitted but tripods may need special permission. Respect heritage rules — these monuments are protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act.

Best photography spots

The ramparts offer the best panoramic views — arrive early morning or late afternoon for golden light across the landscape. The bastions and arched windows make excellent natural frames. Wide-angle lenses capture the scale of the fortifications; telephoto lenses isolate details of the stonework and distant views. Sunset silhouettes of the fort walls against the sky are iconic.

Quick facts

• Location: Maharashtra
• Best time to visit: November to February for pleasant weather
• Ideal duration: 1-3 hours for a thorough exploration
• Entry: Entry fee applicable (varies for Indian and foreign tourists)
• Guided tour: Available on request at the ticket counter
• Photography: Permitted in most areas; flash may be restricted

Visitor information

• Timings: Generally open from sunrise to sunset. Verify local timings before planning your visit.
• Entry fee: Entry fee applies as per Archaeological Survey of India rates. Check at the ticket counter for current charges.
• Best time to visit: October to March for the most comfortable weather conditions.
• Duration needed: 1 to 2 hours recommended for a comfortable visit.

Map & location view

• Destination: Bassein fort
• State: Maharashtra, India
• Region: archeological region of Maharashtra
• How to reach: Accessible by road from nearby towns and cities. Local transport options include buses and taxis.
• Google Maps: Search for “Bassein fort, Maharashtra” on Google Maps for precise directions and navigation.

Photo gallery of Bassein fort

Photos coming soon. In the meantime, you can find images of Bassein fort on popular travel photography sites and social media.