Castella de Aguada/Bandra Fort

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

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Castella de Aguada, commonly known as Bandra Fort, is a historic Portuguese sea fort located at Land’s End in Bandra, Mumbai.

Built in 1640, it served as a strategic watchtower overseeing Mahim Bay, the Arabian Sea, and nearby areas such as Worli and Mahim. The fort’s name, meaning "Fort of the Waterpoint" in Portuguese, comes from a fresh water spring near the fort that supplied water to passing ships. It was armed with seven cannons and smaller guns to defend the northern sea route to Mumbai Harbour.

In the 18th century, after the decline of Portuguese power, the British partially demolished the fort to prevent it from being used by the Marathas, who later captured it in 1739. The British regained control in 1774 after the First Anglo-Maratha War.

Today, the partly restored fort is a popular spot for locals and tourists, offering scenic views of the Arabian Sea, the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, and hosting a peaceful walkway and seating areas. It stands at about 24 meters above sea level, with its architecture featuring granite blocks, arched gateways, and cannon openings that reflect its military past.