This paper presents the structural and optical studies of porous GaN sample compared to the corresponding as grown GaN. The samples were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high resolution x-ray diffraction (HRXRD), and photoluminescence (PL). The porous area is very uniform, with pore diameter in the range of 80-110 nm. XRD measurements showed that the (0002) diffraction plane peak width of porous samples was slightly broader than the as-grown sample. PL measurements revealed that the near band edge peak of the porous samples were redshifted. Metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photodiode was fabricated on the samples. For as grown GaN sample, this detector shows a sharp cut-off wavelength at 362 nm. A maximum responsivity of 0.258 A/W was achieved at 360 nm. For the porous GaN sample, this detector shows a sharp cut-off wavelength at 364 nm. A maximum responsivity of 0.771 A/W was achieved at 363 nm.