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A First Timer’s Guide to Goa, India

• Last Updated: February 5, 2024

Even though Goa is the smallest state on the Western coast of India, it is one of the most popular due to its rich heritage, warm and friendly people, tropical climate, scenic beaches and exotic handicraft.

Back in the 60’s & 70’s, the North of the island became a hippy-haven, a place to escape everyday life and quickly became somewhere for backpackers to hang out and party.

For people travelling India alone, it was the perfect introduction. Naturally, the more popular a place becomes, the more it changes and over time.

The North now seems to be associated with high-rise hotels, watersports, street markets and cultural buildings but it also still retains its party-vibe.

Goa was recommended to us by someone when we were holidaying in Morocco, so we carried out some research on which was the best resort to stay – North or South?

Table of Contents

Quiet Cavelossim

Dudhsager falls & spice plantation, peaceful palolem, our final evening in goa, travel facts for goa, india, other attractions, a small selection of the best beaches:, pin it for later.

We tapped Goa onto the end of a week touring the Golden Triangle and were looking for something quieter, relaxing and less developed – with all this in mind, we were advised to head South and chose Cavelossim Beach at the Dona Sylvia Beach Resort .

To ensure the area doesn’t become monopolised with high-rise hotels in the North, the resorts around Cavelossim are not allowed to be more than two storeys high.

The grounds are in a beautifully tranquil setting, filled with trees and pretty flowers, including my favourite – frangipani!

The sand at Cavelossim beach was white, soft and crunchy – it felt a little like snow underfoot (only warmer!). On our first day we relished in feeling the warm refreshing Arabian sea lap against our toes. We watched crabs dart across the beach and watched locals trying to sell their wares.

They attempted to coax us into their beach shacks but after all the haggling in Rajasthan we simply wanted to relax and walk – shopping would come later.

Whilst we were in Goa, we celebrated our 2 nd wedding anniversary so we headed to the beach for sunset with a bottle of champagne. The sky turned from pastel peach to oranges then pink – it was the perfect end to our special day.

The Goan’s are renowned for their fine multi-cultural cuisine and we both absolutely loved the culinary masterpieces served up at the resort every single time we dined.

They whip up everything possible with various types of veg and we piled this high onto our plates – this is unusual for us, we love our meat!!

Outside the resort was a small road with shops and a few bars. We always had fun talking and joking with the locals, they really made us feel part of the community and quickly recognised our faces.

One night we stopped for a beer and cocktail at the Jazz Inn which, bizarrely, had a big frangipani tree growing through the middle of it! We grooved to the cool tunes played by the DJ who was also a Bob Marley impersonator from Birmingham, England.

We had a great chat with him and discovered he spends 6 months a year in Goa.

On one occasion we caught an auto-rickshaw as a taster of true India, it was hilarious! We laughed the entire journey!

The night sky was pitch black and our vehicle barely lit the way with its tiny headlamps – goodness knows how he could see! It was loud, crazy and filthy dirty, my hair looked like a scarecrow when we finished! The driver was so proud at how quickly we had reached our destination!

We had to shower when we were back to our hotel as we felt so disgusting – but the journey was well worth it!

Dudhsager Falls (pronounced dud-sager) means “sea of milk” and is located in Colem, two bumpy hours on a coach from where we were staying.

To reach the falls, we were transferred into an overland jeep for the final 45 minutes of the journey and we drove through 3 lakes (very cool!) followed by a 10 minute walk over stones and boulders.

We stripped off to our bathers and gingerly inched our bodies into the freezing cold fresh water – obviously after a few minutes of swimming and we were acclimatised, it was OK but it was rather crisp for those first initial moments!

Big fish swam alongside us and people threw pieces of banana for them to eat – oh yes – fish …eating bananas!

We swam over to the cascading falls and felt its power as the spray hit our face, it was beautiful. We had some free time here, so we chilled on a rock listening to the roar of the tumbling water – music to our ears!

Considered to be one of the best beaches in Goa, Palolem was an hour’s taxi drive from our resort.

It is an idyllic white crescent beach naturally blessed with palm trees lining the shore, calm turquoise sea and colourful beach huts. It definitely had a laid back vibe and we watched as fishermen gathered their nets on the beach – all very picture-postcard.

We had travelled here to enjoy the beach, and whilst sitting down for an hour, a few sellers asked if we wanted to buy anything, and when we declined they left us alone.

This made it such a pleasure to relax and we understood the lure of why a backpacker would spend weeks here – purely to enjoy the simple, chilled life!

After taking a peaceful stroll along the shore, we sat in a beach bar sipping a cold drink and just looking at the view, we wanted take time to soak up the ambience and really “feel” what this place was all about.

So to sum up Palolem – it really is a tranquil slice of paradise!

As the sun set on our last evening, we sat on the beach and reminisced at how magical our time had been.

Even though the sun had disappeared, there was such a nice atmosphere we chose to stay a few hours.

We listened to the music playing, danced on the sand and watched the high tide lap against the beach tables.

People lit paper lanterns and set them adrift into the sky. We watched as they faded into the distance forming an orange dot on the skyline, noticeably different to the gleaming white of the stars.

It was the best way to end our magical trip.

• A tourist visa is required for most nationalities but there is an e-visa scheme to apply online.
• The International Airport is in Dabolim on the west coast roughly in the middle of the state.
• 4 languages are spoken – Konkani, English, Marathi, Hindi
• Seasons: November – March – dry and cooler (by Indian standards). April & May it is unbearably hot and June – Sept/October have the monsoon rains.

Other Things to Do in Goa

We were attracted to Goa purely because someone recommended it! We had already looked at the Golden Circle tour with tiger safari, so Goa was the natural place to add-on.

Incidentally, whilst staying here, tour operators do give the option for overnights trips to visit the Taj Mahal and for tiger safaris.

You can book transport to come to and from Goa ahead of time by using the popular website, Bookaway .

• Panaji/Panjim – The capital full of historical Latin & Portuguese culture
• Bom Jesus Basilica –(for St. Francis Xavier tomb)
• Wildlife Sanctuaries – Bhagwan Mahvir (of which Mollem National Park is a part) or Cotigao Lamgau Caves
• Spice plantation visit (there are many all over)
• Casino cruise
• If you’re hanging out in Goa, head further south and check out the cool state of Kerala. Backwaters, surf and tonnes of cool things to do!

Markets In Goa

• Anjuna Flea Market (every Wednesday)
• Arpora Night Flea Market
• Mapusa Market (every Friday)

Angie Briggs

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.

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Thanks for the guide Alesha and Jarryd. This year I missed Goa Trip but not next time.

Nice post goa is the perfect destination for a explore beach and staying in beautiful hotels and resort with a beach view are the best combination for stay in goa.

Thank you so much. Glad you enjoyed the article 🙂

As awesome i am expecting from your blog

very informative blog!

Hey, nice thank you for this great information.

Glad you found the information helpful. 🙂

Hey Angie Briggs, Thank you for all this information and The way you explain the things was so commendable, I just went to goa it was so helpful for me and the resort where I stay was so amazing.

Happy to help. Glad you had a great time. 🙂

Goa is a stunningly beautiful city with a kind and inviting population that draws visitors from all over the world. a fantastic article! Goa appears to be a fantastic place to visit. I’ll be adding this to my long list of fantastic places to visit. Thank you for providing this information.

A delightful read. Goa is undoubtedly one of the best destinations to visit for anyone visiting India for the first time. Its laid-back charm and beach settings are quite alluring and would make you want to stay forever!

Thank you for your comment. 🙂

It is Informative and engaging at the same time. Really liked the content you included. On top of that pictures were lovely and gave a feel of Goa.

Glad you liked the article. Thank you

A very nice blog such a great place to visit. And I also share with my family.

Thank you so much

Wow!! You definitely have the art of story-telling. The way you have written and the flow in which you have written is mindblowing. A very well-written and informative blog. I really liked the Travel Facts and Other Things To Do in Goa section. Also, I would like to know if you visited any theme parks in Goa? I am looking forward to take my family to a theme park.

Thank you so much. Glad you enjoyed the article.

Thanks for sharing the article it is really informative to get knowledge about the place.Goa is the best place to relax yourself. You have posted beautiful pictures to explore goa without any hesitation.keep sharing the post.

Thank you so much 🙂

Nice blog on first-timer. Explained very well. I have visited Goa. Really, an amazing place for beaches, parties, waterfalls. Best time to visit Goa is from December to February. All the great festival happens in this time like sunburn, goa festivals, and new year celebrations.

Wonderful post ! it is very interesting and informative post, I really enjoyed to read this. Visiting for these places you can take the help of Bharat Taxi for taxi service.

Thank you so much. 🙂

Very well written blog. I have been to Goa a few times myself and I think the blog covers the essence and spirit of the lace quite well. Informative at the same time entertaining read. Please share more pictures if you have. I have written a Blog on Goa trip as well. Please check it out

Thanks for your comment Sonali.

Goa is one of my favorite travel destination, the best place to relax. Such a lovely post! So glad to see you added spice plantation, it is still not very known.

Glad you liked the article. Thanks 🙂

Goa is an interesting sea beach and it’s amazing. I love the marine drive there.

Your guide was impressive and mind-blowing photos.

Thank you so much. We appreciate it.

Thanks for giving a brief description on Goa .

Last some day I thinking where to go for a mini vacation and I reached on your blog. After reading blog I decide to plan a trip to Goa for next week,

Thanks for sharing amazing goa blog.

Glad we could help. Have a great time Karan.

This is a great blog as a first impression. Am living in Goa for the last 5 months and it has been a very immersive time for me here. There are plenty of people who are choosing to leave the fast-paced city lives and move to the sunshine state 🙂

Very nice blog. You share a grateful information about travel in India. Thanks!

Heyy you guys! this was an amazing article, I am from Goa, and glad you enjoyed your trip! as a student I am doing a research study on the hospitality industry in Goa, for which i’m taking input from various people like, who traveled to Goa, from Goa and so on. I would be delighted if you share your personal experience as tourists in Goa. Please answer these questions below: 1. Did you feel your trip went out of budget? 2. Were there any problems faced by you, like in your hotel stay? 3. Would you prefer coming back to Goa?

Thank you. This would be a great help!

Hi Anushka, thank you for reading the article. This article is a guest post from Angie from Feet Do Travel. Hopefully she will be able to help. All the best

https://www.feetdotravel.com/contact-the-feet.html

Hi i want to come There ,could you guide me

Awesome post. Last i trip to goa its is very pretty place.Its make more memorable to us!..I just remain that moment while read this blog. Thanks for sharing!

Hi Ryan, thank you for reading. Glad it bought back memories. 🙂

A very interesting post as I also familiar very little about Goa, but now I have added this to my list of places to visit.

Thank you. Glad you liked it. 🙂

I really love this place while reading your article I got excited and remembering my Goa trip Thanks for sharing Keep posting.

Would love this for our family! It looks a wonderful place to visit there.

Hope you all get there one day. Happy travels. 🙂

What a Great post! Goa likes an amazing place where I can enjoy a lot. I am adding these places on my list where I want to Goa. thanks for sharing the best information. The photos are also great.

Thank you for reading.

Nice post. it is a very useful post. I like very much. Thank you for your sharing.

Glad it was helpful. Thank you

Wow this is nice blog sites. Very interesting blogs. I reallly like your traveling images. Thanks for sharing.Really a wonderful post. Thanks for posting such an informative & useful post with us. keep posting & inspire us like this post.Amazing pictures and very interesting article….. Thanks a lot for giving proper tourist knowledge and share the different type of culture related to different places. If you are planning for your holiday and searching for the beautiful place to spend your time then you can wander around this vibrant city. Nice pictures & very helpful information to Goa. Thanks to sharing this blog…..!!!

Thank you so much. Glad you liked the article. Thanks for your comment.

Happy to know that you liked Goa. Its perhaps time for another visit. There is a lot more to see and do here. Come back soon 🙂

Thanks for your comment Jane. It definitely does sound like Angie had a great time. Jarryd and I will have to check Goa out one day. 🙂

This is quite helpful. And that picture of the waterfall is amazing 🙂 Keep sharing more.

Thank you so much. Angie wrote a great article for us. 🙂

My friends and I booked a yacht from rediscovery cruises in April.. We had the best time ever!!! The staff took really good care of us.. We were served chilled beers and light snacks. All in all it was an amazing experience. Will definitely recommend them to anyone.Thanks to sea water sports

What a trip. Sounds like you had a great time. 🙂 Thank you for your comment

Great. I like your article and I have never been there so I am planning to visit there very soon on my upcoming vacation. Thanks for sharing the information.

Thank you so much. We hope you have a great time on your next visit. 🙂

Very well explained the unknown things about goa.

I’m going this month on Feb’18 28th. join there.

Thanks for reading Arun. Angie wrote a great article for us. We can not wait to go. We hope you have a great time and happy travels.

Nice description about our own Goa. But you should come back for New year’s eve party to enjoy the real goa.

Thanks so much. We’d love to visit Goa one day. Angie wrote a great article for us. 🙂

Inspiring blog, will be visiting in this November. It would be fun if someone likes to join us.

Thank you so much. Sounds great. Have a great time Edgar, 🙂

Thanks for sharing, definitely inspires to go and explore! We will be traveling to India this year, will stop by there and stay for a bit, Looks like a graet place to hang out for a while. How as Wifi there? We will need that if we want to stay longer… Thanks!

Thank you so much Julian. Not too sure about the Wifi as Angie wrote this awesome guide for us. We do have a few friends who live there and are bloggers. They have never complained about it but then again they most likely have their own connection. I am so sorry we could be more help. Have a great trip.

I’ve met a few travellers who only have good things to say about Goa, but I’ve never been myself. I know it used to bit a hippy spot but that’s about as far as my knowledge goes, oh and it was featured one of the 2nd Bourne film at the start. Angie has given an excellent account and detailed write-up.

Hi Barry, that was our knowledge also (hippy place). Until we met someone who lived there and told us more about Goa. We have never been either and would like to one day. Angie has definitely made us want to go. Hope you get there soon mate. Happy travels.

Angie is such a great writer! What ever she writes down, it always consumes me in a good way. After reading her stories of various places in the world, I feel like I need to go to every single one of them right now! Ha! Same goes with this one and Goa. Can’t wait!

Indeed she is. She really takes you to the place and makes you feel you need to be there. We were very lucky to have her write a post for us. Happy travels Kreete. 🙂

I have been reading a lot about Goa lately. Looks like a great place to explore. Love those beautiful falls!

Thanks Lisa. It does seem a lovely place. Angie wrote a great post for and and has indeed made us want to go too. 🙂 Happy travels

Stunning photos and gave me a very good insight into a part of India I would really love to visit when I eventually make it out there. I have heard of some of the places you mention but you’ve really brought them alive with your photos! Thanks for sharing!

A great post – we have considered Goa as friends have recommended it but it’s fab to find out all this information – Palolem looks like paradise! Beautiful photographs

Thank you Tracy. Angie wrote a great post for us. Glad you found it useful. Happy travels

What a great post! Goa looks like an amazing place to spend some time. I’ll be adding this to my very, very long list of great places to go. Thanks so much for sharing – will pin this for later too!

Thanks so much Jenn. Angie wrote a great guide for us. We can’t wait to visit this area of India too.

Goa has been near the top of our list for a long time and we are thinking of making it our summer destination this year. We have heard that the monsoons make everything greener!

It looks absolutely stunning – especially Dudhsager Falls. One of my favourite things in the world is swimming in a waterfall plunge pool and listening to the water beat down.

It does, doesn’t it. We can not wait to visit India and Goa is on our list. Waterfall swim is so magical. Thanks for your comment Karianne.

A very informative post as I too know very little about Goa, but now I have added this to my list of places to visit. The photos are great !

Thank you so much. Angie wrote a great guide and she definitely can take a great shot. 🙂

As someone who knows very little about India and Goa, this was great. Palolem looks really relaxing and I like that the beach vendors aren’t too pushy. Surprisingly, I had heard of the Dudhsager Falls before somehow and they’re definitely somewhere I’d like to visit. Beautiful photos Angie!

Thanks for your message David. We have never been to India. Can’t wait. Definitely a great post by Angie and beautiful photos. 🙂

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A Complete 7-day Itinerary and Guide to Goa for First Timers

This guide to Goa is perfect for those of you planning to travel there for the first time, as it talks about the best time to visit, how to reach Goa, popular beaches in North and South Goa, where to stay for your first visit, and how to get around. Also included is Goa itinerary for 7 days.

Goa is a tropical paradise with endless white and golden-sand beaches lined with swaying palm trees. This small state in the southwestern region of India is unlike any other, with its laid-back culture balanced by its thriving nightlife. But that’s not all there is to Goa. It is a land of soothing bike rides, fascinating world heritage sites, plush resorts, friendly hostels, delectable seafood, and various forms of spiritual practices. It is definitely the most popular destination in India amongst Indian and international travellers (after the Taj Mahal, of course), as it has something for everyone.

Guide to Goa For First Timers

What is the best time to visit goa.

March-May : These are the summer months when Goa gets unbearably muggy, with temperatures touching 40ºC (104ºF).

June – September : During these monsoon months, Goa becomes lush green. It is relatively quieter than other months. Most shacks are temporary structures that are dismantled during this period and water sports aren’t going on. But this is a charming time in Goa overall, with plenty of restaurants and activities to keep you entertained.

November–February : Winter is the peak season here. Goa, being a coastal area, is balmy while the inland parts of the country go through typical winter temperatures. The sun is always out and the cool sea breeze blows through from time to time. December is the busiest month as Goa hosts the Annual Sunburn Music Festival, which attracts people from all over. Plus, people flock in to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s holidays at this party destination.

Verdict: For your first time in Goa, you should visit during the season, Mid-October to Mid-March , so that you can see all that Goa has to offer. The shacks will be open, beach stays will be available in South Goa and the weather will be pleasant. However, the prices will be higher than any other time of the year.

How to reach Goa?

Goa’s international airport is situated at Dabolim, near Vasco Da Gama, and there is also a new airport in North Goa, Manohar International Airport. You can land at either of these and hire a taxi to your hotel/hostel.

While most cities in India have an organised cab service like Uber and Ola, Goa has  GoaMiles  ( now also an app) that can pass for Goa’s very own Uber. We’ve used it a few times and found cabs at a good rate. You can also opt for the taxis lined up on the road outside the airport (be prepared to bargain and ensure to set prices before the start of the trip) or prepaid taxi stands at airports that have a set price. You can always ask at your accommodation if they provide airport transfers but these might turn out to be more expensive.

Local buses in Goa are significantly cheaper but also very inconvenient, as you would have to change multiple vehicles to get to your destination in Goa. Use the local bus only if you’re on a super low budget.

Bus, Cab and Car

You can also opt to reach Goa by overnight bus or cab from major cities like Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, and Hyderabad in India. If travelling by bus, Mapusa would be your de-boarding point for North Goa , Panjim for Central , and Margao/Canacona for South .

You can book your bus via Redbus .

We’ve driven it down from Pune a few times now and once from Hyderabad. The road is full of potholes as you get closer to Goa. But you’ll cross ghats and waterfalls. It is beautiful!

Goa is also well connected by train to the rest of India. The main train stations are Vasco da Gama (central), Margao (south) and Thivim (north) .

Which area to stay in Goa?

Goa is divided into North and South Goa, with its capital, Panaji (popularly known as Panjim), located around the centre. For your first time in Goa, it can be confusing to decide where to stay, as different corners of the state offer different experiences. In this itinerary, you’ll be staying in both North Goa and South Goa .

Baga, Calangute, Candolim or Anjuna : This is a good option for your first time in Goa, as the area is very central, so all places to see would be close to you.

However, please note that these beaches aren’t best, as they’re the most popular in Goa. Every Tom Dick and Harry visit these beaches so the crowd is also such. However, your purpose of staying around this area is different. You’re here to enjoy the water sports, the parties, the food and maybe even shop a little.

A little further north is Anjuna. While it is not the best location to stay for this itinerary, this area has come up a lot in the past few years, so you’ll find a lot of  must-visit restaurants in Goa  around this area.

Stay Options:

Casa Cenica (2BHK in Arpora) Onastay  (2BHK in Candolim) Casa De Mezzanine (Beautiful 1BHK in Arpora) Jade by CasaFlip (2BHK in Anjuna) Beach Villa With Private pool (luxury) Canary By CasaFlip (1BHK in Anjuna).

Palolem or Agonda: For your first trip to South Goa, you should stay at one of these two beaches and explore other beaches nearby. These beaches have restaurants but yet maintain a relaxed vibe so you can enjoy time on the beach. Remember that you should only stay in South Goa beaches beach from October to March as the huts and shacks are mostly dismantled before the monsoons and built back up when the monsoons get over. Click to  know more about South Goa Beaches .

Stay Options: Jardim-a-Mar (Agonda Beach- I’ve stayed here twice) Simrose (Agonda Beach – this one is often open all-year round) Agonda Serenity Beach Villa (has a jacuzzi on porch at Agonda Beach) Agonda Island View (Agonda Beach) BunkNBrew (hostel in Palolem)

How to get around Goa?

Taxis are expensive in Goa and not ideal for getting around and sightseeing. Buses are quite cheap but again, inconvenient. Instead, opt for a scooter or motorbike for the duration of your stay in Goa. There is no better way to get around, as it will give you the utmost freedom. The best bit is that it is inexpensive at about Rs. 500–800 a day, depending on the season (off-season or peak), type of bike (scooters like Honda Activa, low-end bikes like Bajaj Pulsar or high-end ones, like Royal Enfield) and your haggling skills.

If you don’t want to ride a bike or moped, you can hire a car . Most offer stick shifts so if you don’t know how to drive these, finding an automatic may not be easy. However, we have always managed to find one and so should you. Economy cars usually cost about Rs. 1000–1200 per day but may go up depending on the season.

You can get a bike or car on hire easily by talking to your accommodation host or hotel.

The perfect 1 week Goa Itinerary: North and South Goa

The Goa experience is different for every individual depending on their style of travel. It’s never a one size fits all because there is simply so much to see and do. We have stayed in Goa for 2 months and have yet not seen it all. Your personalised Goa itinerary would largely depend on what you enjoy – nature, culture, beaches, partying, etc. In this 7-day Goa itinerary, we’ve tried to include a bit of everything so you can get a true feel of the different sides of Goa and decide for yourself which aspect of Goa you enjoy the most!

Day 1-2 North Goa – Watersports, Shopping, Partying

Stay near the Baga Beach/ Arpora area. Despite being crowded, it is close to a lot of North Goa tourist spots you’ll be visiting. And also, hire a scooty, bike or car. You’ll need it to get around. Prior reservations for restaurants are needed!

Day 1: Beach, Water sports, Party

• Reach Goa and check into your hotel or Airbnb
• Rent a vehicle
• Calangute Beach for lunch at Pousada by the Beach
• Water sports and sunset at Baga Beach
• At night go partying at Hammerz (popular music) in the Baga Area or Las Olas (Bollywood music) at Baga Beach. Or both as they’re close by! Start at Hammerz and end at Las Olas.

Day 2: Cliffside Restaurants, Fort, Sundowner, Party

You don’t need to do all of these things mentioned below. Select the ones you wish to do based on your preferences and how much time you have. I’d recommend not partying till late this night so you can be fresh to explore Goa the next morning.

• Wake up late this day since you’ve partied the previous night
• Lunch:   Titlie OR Antares OR Casa Playa at Little Vagator or Felix OR Artjuna or Vinayak at Anjuna.
• Shop: Now go shop at Anjuna Flea Market!
• Explore Chapora Fort (The movie ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ was shot here so expect it to be crowded)
• Stay for sunset or go for a sundowner to Thalassa closeby
• Dinner at Ida in Vagator
• Party at one of the following – Soro (Siolim) or Romeo Lane (Little Vagator).

Day 3-4: North Goa – Culture, Heritage and Nature

Day 3: culture and heritage.

Head for a day trip to Panjim and Old Goa . On this day, you’ll get a good glimpse of Portuguese influence on Goan heritage.

Old Goa Churches : Start with Old Goa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see the following churches in this order:

• St. Augustine Church Ruins
• Basilica of Bom Jesus (the most renowned)
• Convent of Santa Monica and The Museum of Christian Art (optional but good)
• Se Cathedral
• Church of St. Cajetan
• Viceroy’s Arch
• Our Lady of Mount Chapel (optional- for panoramic views of the Panjim area)

Going on a tour will help you make the most of your time and understand the significance of Old Goa and its churches. It is highly recommended. We’ve taken several tours by this company and loved all of them.

Lunch : Head for either a local Goan lunch at Kokni Kanteen or Cafe Al Fresco By Cantina Bodeg a for continental food. Both are close to your next stop.

Fontainhas : After lunch, take a walk in Fontainhas, Asia’s largest Latin Quarter, which has lanes lined with houses built in the colonial style and painted in bright shades of red, yellow, green, and blue. We highly recommend seeing this area on a Latin Quarter walking tour; only then will you truly be able to appreciate the history and architecture. However, if you don’t wish to take a tour, start your walk at Maruti Mandir or Phoenix Springs, ending at the Church of Immaculate Conception. See the colourful houses, click a lot of photos at the colourful wall of Old Quarter Hostel, buy some Azulejo tile décor at Velha Goa Galleria, admire the white façade of St. Sebastian Chapel, and have some bebinca (Goan Dessert) at Confeitaria 31 De Janeiro .

Evening: Get drinks and small bites at Antonio@31 or head for a full-fledged dinner at Black Sheep Bistro . Please check the prices of these restaurants beforehand to see if they fit your budget and make reservations beforehand. You could also go for a fun Pub Crawl instead.

Night: Later you could head to a Deltin Royale Casino (buy tickets online for the best deals) OR go back home to rest for an early morning the next day.

Book Tours in Goa

Day 4: Nature and Heritage

Chorao Island and the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary : Do this either on a tour or go by yourself. You’ll have to take a ferry from Ribandar. Don’t miss the famous Mangrove Broadwalk. It is beautiful. We haven’t been here yet but can’t wait to go!

Lunch: Lazy Goose , Nerul. Reserve the table with the lake view if you can.

Depending on the time you start the day, see one/two of the following attractions. Choose one museum and one fort:

• Houses of Goa Museum (do this only after a walking tour of Fontainhas; otherwise, nothing will make any sense) OR Museum of Goa (modern art tinged in Goan history).
• Aguada Fort (great for sunsets but crowded) OR Reis Magos Fort (relatively less known and beautiful).

Have dinner in the Candolim, Calangute, or Baga area. There are plenty of good restaurants.

A Reverie : Fine Dining Toro Toro : Continental/Goan Yazu – Pan Asian Beach Club: Asian

Day 5-6: South Goa – Beaches and relaxation

Day 5: spice plantations, iconic restaurants, relaxation.

Now, head to South Goa. Stay at Agonda or Palolem Beach- both are fantastic beaches for your first time in Goa.

But on your way, you have the option of making a few stops.

• Sahakari Spice Plantation: Wonder why the Portuguese were so fascinated by Goa? The answer lies in the tantalising smell and flavours of spices like Cardamom, Cinnamon, Cloves, Allspice, Cumin, etc. See how these spices grow and learn about them. End with a local buffet lunch at the plantation. I found the experience very interesting and learned a lot. You can buy the ticket on reaching there.
• Iconic Restaurants: If you’re not in the mood for the above, stop at Martin’s Corner or Fisherman’s Wharf for lunch. They are both very renowned.

Check into your hotel and use this day to do nothing and just relax on the beach, see the sunset, etc. Otherwise, you could also choose to head to Sundowner Palolem (Bar) for a sundowner!

Day 6: Beaches and Viewpoints

Today is going to be a long day of beach hopping.

Cola Beach: Start your day at Cola Beach. It’s a bit of a hike down to the beach. You can even take the jeep to the beach to save time and effort but it’ll cost a bit. Cola Beach is famous for its lagoon, where you can swim and kayak. You can have lunch here before heading to your next stop.

Kakolem Beach: This beach has a waterfall. Yes, you read that right. ( you can skip this beach if you’re running short on time or want to take it a bit slow).

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Modi & Trisha – Travel Couple (@trywanderingmore)

Cabo De Rama Fort and Cabo De Rama Viewpoint for sunset . Both are gorgeous spots with fantastic views – you’ll love the sunset here. You can also choose to have a meal and drink at the Cape Goa restaurant near the viewpoint before heading back to your hotel.

Day 7: Butterfly Beach and Palolem/Agonda Beach

• Butterfly Beach : It’s a beautiful secluded beach. You can hike it to the beach or go via boat but I’ll suggest going as early as possible to avoid crowds.
• Palolem/Agonda Beach : For lunch head to either of these beaches that you’re not staying at. At Palolem, you can have lunch at Dropadi by the beach and at Treetop Tava or Zest (vegan cafe) at Agonda. Walk around the beach later afterwards.

Depart for home this evening or the next morning!

But do not forget to book your tours in goa before you get there!

Tips to Stay Safe in Goa

This guide to Goa would be incomplete if I didn’t mention tips to stay safe there. Goa is really welcoming and local-friendly. But because it is a  thriving party location and has people travelling from all over, you should take care of the following, especially if you’re a woman.

• Don’t hitchhike.
• If you’re a woman travelling solo, preferably rent a car. If you’re a woman travelling in a group, bikes will do. 
• Always get a video of the vehicle hired to avoid being ripped off on returning the vehicle.
• Don’t go out with people you don’t know and never go to parties alone.
• Watch your drink.
• Try to stay vigilant, even when drunk.
• Some Indian men can assume friendliness as flirting. 
• Be cautious of theft at your accommodation. Huts can easily be broken into.
• Drugs are available abundantly in Goa. Avoid getting stuck in the middle of a drug racket. 
• Avoid drunk driving. It is being monitored by the police more strictly than before.

Don’t let these scare you. I (Trisha) have  travelled solo to Goa  and also with my girlfriends and had an absolutely fantastic time. Most of these tips should be adhered to anywhere in the world. Here is a complete list of  ways to stay safe while travelling alone .

Wrapping up

Goa is a place that you can never get enough of. With each visit, you discover something new – a secret beach, a quaint café, a shack with amazing music, a magnificent fort, and so on. We have visited Goa about five times for short periods – with different people, as different people in different phases of our lives, or wanting something different from our trip- and Goa has never let us down. We are sure you will be taken by the charm of Goa and not want to leave just like the hippies in their heydays. Hope you found this Goa Travel Blog useful and have an amazing first trip to Goa. Tell us how it went!

This blog post on the ‘Travel Guide to Goa for First Timers’ has affiliate links that enable us to earn a small commission when you make a purchase, with no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and activities we like and those that might interest you. If you like any suggested product, do buy from the given links.

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Home » Asia » India » Goa

GOA Itinerary • MUST READ! (2024)

Gorgeous Goa is India’s smallest state stretching along the shores of the warm Arabian Sea. It has been a jewl in the crown of Indian tourism since the 1960’s attracting hippies and sun-seekers each winter.

Goa (like all of India) is a place of celebrations and you’re bound to experience a festival or parade sometime during your stay. The wonderfully festive province of Goa will remind you that there’s always a reason to celebrate (ie, you are alive)!

Its rich cultural history and lush forests make it a wonderful place to explore and there are some great guided tours on offer. If you’re looking for the perfect way to spend your time in Goa, you’ve come to the right place because we’ve put together the ultimate Goa itinerary.

Need some info about visiting Goa? Then read on!

A Little Bit About This Goa Itinerary

Where to stay in goa in 3 days, day 1 itinerary in goa – panjim & old goa, day 2 itinerary in goa – anjuna party time, day 3 itinerary in goa – arambol, what to do with more than 3 days in goa, best time to visit goa, how to get around goa, plan a trip to goa – what to prepare, faq on goa itinerary, final thoughts.

When you talk about backpacking India , you’ll quickly hear all about Goa, which is undoubtedly one of the most laidback and beautiful places in the entire country.

Whilst Goa is India’s smallest state, it is still nevertheless a state and is as big as some small countries. This itinerary covers the entire state from North to South and with several incursions inland.  Therefore, to execute this Goa itinerary in 3 days you will need to change accommodation a few times.

The good news is that finding places to stay in Goa is pretty easy wherever you are. There are loads of guest houses, party hostels , hotels and homestays all eager for foreigners to crash – it is usually as simple as turning up in town and asking around.

The itinerary does leave time for changing accommodation and moving around and has also been designed to be flexible enough to adjust to suit your own needs. In terms of traveling around Goa, the bus system is very cheap, but rides can be long and very uncomfortable. Therefore if you have the budget, we suggest taxi’s – if you book ahead and haggle you can cover even large distances for well under $30.

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Goa 3-Day Itinerary Overview

• Goa Itinerary Day 1- Old Goa | Spice Garden | Panaji Tiatre
• Goa Itinerary Day 2 – Vagator Beach | Foot Massage | Paddle Boarding | Trance Party
• Goa itinerary Day 3 –  Querim Beach | Sweet Lake | Yoga Session | Drum Circle | Ecstatic Dance

Let’s get this straight, Goa is a State. Whilst it is India’s smallest state it is still bigger than a lot of countries. You need to choose where to stay in Goa very carefully as it will inform your experience and will affect your Goa itinerary hugely.

Goa is roughly divided into North Goa and South Goa. North Goa has a few more famous attractions than South Goa so if you’re wanting to spend some time doing typically touristy things then North Goa is a great place to start!

Most visitors opt to stay in a beach town or village. The prime ones in the North are Anjuna & Arambol for hippies & backpackers, and Baga beach and Calangute for package tourists. In the South, Palolem Beach & Agonda and Candolim are popular. There are Airbnbs in Baga , Calangute & Candolim but very few in Arambol & Anjuna.

If you don’t want to be near the beach then there are a few nice towns and cities set further back inland, Goa Airbnb listings tend to provide a nice variety of options to choose from.

Panjim is a nice city in the Northern Goa region! It’s home to many gorgeous old Portuguese mansions and some good art galleries.

Best Hostel in Goa – Folklore Hostel

Situated in Vagator, Goa Folklore Hostel can only be described as a home away from home! With communal spaces that encourage interactions and facilities that you provide everything you need, there’s no better place to spend your stay in Goa if you’re looking for a hostel experience!

What’s more? If you don’t want to leave your furry friend at home, feel free to bring them with as the Folklore hostel is pet-friendly!

Best Airbnb in Goa – 2 Bed Lotus Villa @ Tito’s Street

This quirky and comfortable villa in Goa is located in the heart of the party district. With Bardez’s best beaches and hottest clubs within walking distance, you won’t find a better Airbnb in Goa.

Best Budget Hotel in Goa – Crystal Goa

This quaint hotel offers everything you’ve come to expect from a hotel, plus an incredibly tranquil setting! The restaurant and bar on the property are also a great place to dine during your stay in Goa. But don’t worry, should you feel like lying in and having a lazy morning, breakfast will be delivered to your door! Crystal Goa is located in Palolem in South Goa so perfect for those who prefer peace to partying.

Best Luxury Hotel in Goa – Vivanta Panaji

This incredibly beautiful luxury hotel is located right in Panjim center! But convenience is not its main drawing card.

A 24-hour gym and spa might have something to do with it! As well as the fact that the hotel is pet-friendly. This is very rare to find in such a luxurious venue! Live music is provided every night so there is no shortage of entertainment at the Vivanta Panaji!

For the first day of our 3 day Goa itinerary we are gonna base ourselves in Panjim or Panaji, the Goan state capital. Whist this city is inland, away from the lush beaches, it is one of India’s cleanest and most pleasant cities. It abounds with beautiful old colonial mansions and is well situated for executing day 1 of our itinerary.

10:00 – Old Goa

Old Goa is the former Portuguese Colonial capital. It was once considered a great city of the world rivalling even Lisbon itself I’m terms of its wealth, culture and beauty.

Most of Old Goa has been lost to the ravages of time but thankfully, enough has survived to justify a visit. The Dom Jesus Basilica is perhaps the grandest Christian temple in the whole of Asia. Then there are the ruins of the old Church of St Augustine. which blend into the Goan jungle like a level from Tomb Raider.

Old Goa can easily be explored in a day or even in half a day. The issue is getting there as it is about 20km away from the beaches. You can book a private or a bus tour from any travel agent in pretty much any resort which will leave in the morning and drop you back home after dark.

The Basilica of Bom Jesus Church is now a UNESCO world heritage site. Although the building is very rustic, it’s incredibly beautiful too. A church may seem like a strange place to visit while staying in Goa, India. But because Goa was colonized by the Portuguese for so long, many Hindus converted to Catholicism over this period of time. This is one of  Goa’s best places to visit  in 3 days.

A solid option, is to join an electric bike tour so you can really explore the jungles and roads!

• Cost – Most of the sites here are free
• How Long Should I Spend Here? Half a day
• Getting There – Old Goa is about 30 minutes drive from Panjim. I recommend getting a taxi or joining a tour bus

 15:00 – Sahakari Spice Farm

At the Sahakari Spice Farm , you’ll get the chance to take in the incredible fragrance of the beautiful spice farm! These lush plantations are not all there is on offer at the spice farm though.

During your tour, you’ll be shown how to climb the trees and swing from palm to palm! If any guest on the tour is brave enough to give it a try, they’re encouraged with enthusiasm. This often creates a lot of laughs among the tour group!

For those interested in a more relaxing form of entertainment, you will be treated to a folk dance by some of the female laborers and children who live on the farm. These often contain lots of color and excitement!

• How Long Should I Spend Here? 90 minus is plenty
• Getting There – It’s a 20-minute ride from Old Goa. Get a cab.

18:00 – See a Tiatr Production

The Hanuman Theatre in Mapusa is home to some of the most incredible Tiatr! Just like Broadway there are many different types of Tiatr that take place, these all have different names and contain different entertainment elements (dancing, singing, etc.)

To be honest, it doesn’t really matter which you decide to go see, they’re all great and can be enjoyed whether you understand the words or not.

The word Tiatr comes from the Portuguese word ‘Teatro’ – meaning theatre. As you know by now, Goa is heavily influenced by the Portuguese because of its previous colonization by Portugal.

• Cost – $1.45
• How Long Should I Spend Here? 2 hours
• Getting There – Get a taxi back to Panaji and then either walk or take a Tuk-Tuk to the theatre

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

For day 2, we’re gonna head for the beaches. Pack your bag into a taxi, or jump on a bus towards Anjuna. Whether you decide to base yourself in Anjuna or Vagator is fine.

 10:00 – Relax on Little Vagator Beach

Once you’ve checked in to your new digs, hit the beach!

Although it’s free to relax on the beach, if you’d like to make use of the loungers that line the beach, you’ll have to buy something from the restaurant. This isn’t a bad deal at all, cause trust me, you’ll want to be there a while! You can have drinks and food brought to you.

While lying back on your lounger, it’ll be hard to miss the many cows that stroll past and sit on the beach alongside you. There’s nothing to be scared of though, they are very peaceful creatures!

Due to the Hindu culture in Goa, it’s illegal to kill or harm these beautiful creatures. This means that you’ll find them roaming the streets and congregating in open areas – such as the beach.

• Cost – Free – but bring money for food and drink
• How Long Should I Spend Here? A good few hours
• Getting There – Depending on where you are staying, either walk, get a cab or hire a scooter

 14:00 – Foot Massage on The Beach

After all your gallivanting around you’ll be doing during your trip, you’ll be in need of a great foot massage! Luckily for you, they offer them right on the beach – along with a variety of other treatments. So it’s about time you put your feet up and enjoyed some good ol’ relaxation!

Be sure to ask around for the best price before settling on a masseuse, some tend to charge a lot less than $6!

• Cost: Bater hard and it will by anywhere between $2 – $5

14:30 – Sea Rafting

After all that relaxing, I’m sure you’re down to try something crazy. How about a bit of sea rafting?

After about half an hour of training on the beach, you and your team will be ready to hit the waves! Don’t worry, your guide will be with you to lead you every step of the way! The waves can be a bit daunting at first, but once you’ve caught your first wave, you won’t want to stop!

Be sure to head up the beach for some beers at one of the many beach shacks that call this beach their home.

• Cost: $6.50
• How Long Should I Spend Here? 60 minutes is usually enough
• Getting There – It’s on the beach

17:00 – Dinner at Artjuna

Artjuna is one of my favourite spots in Artjuna. It is a cafe with spacious grounds where you can spend the whole day for a price of a few coffees. The food is proper decent offering a mix of Indian food, vegan grub and a few Israeli specialities.

Other excellent dinner spots include Sakana in Vagator (delicious, pricy, sushi) or you can just hit up on the beach shacks like Curries for a fish tandoori.

• Cost: $5 – $10
• How Long Should I Spend Here? 60 – 90 minutes. Service takes time in India
• Getting There – Walk, ride or jump a cab

18:00 (Onwards) – Attend a Goan Trance Party

Goan Trance (latterly Psytrance) is perhaps Goa’s greatest gift to the world and you absolutely should not miss the chance to experience a Goa Trance party first-hand. The scene emerged in and around Anjuna in the early 90’s and reached worldwide fame with “Goa parties” popping up all around the world.

The music itself, is a fast, intense and utterly trippy form of electronic dance music. If you have never heard it before, it may be a bit much for you but bear in mind that it is a sound best heard in altered states . There’s a reason Goa ranks as one of the best places in the world to party !

There are trance parties most nights during high season (Nov – Mar) but the scene is curtailed a bit during election years. My personal picks are Shiva Valley (Anjuna) on Tuesday nights and the occasional, underground parties organised by The Trip Foundation in and around Arambol. The parties start after sunset (around 18:00) and go on until well after sunrise the following morning.

Another great venue is House of Chapora (Chapora is a 10 minute aside from Anjuna). I particularly recommend following Pandora Collective who are organising 2-3 great parties each week all across North Goa – there Instagram handle is @pandoracollective.

Hilltop (Anjuna) attracts the big names but is a bit over-priced and soulless but still the Sunday afternoon sessions are nice if you want to be in bed early.

• Cost: $0 – $10
• How Long Should I Spend Here? All night!
• Getting There – Get a taxi. Walking at night in Anjuna can be risky

For day 3, we’re heading North across the river up towards Arambol. If you stayed out all night partying, either skip over the morning section of this itinerary or sack it off altogether and spend today hanging out in Anjuna’s German Bakery.

 10:30 – Ride to Querim Beach

For a taste of true paradise, you must make the 30 minute scooter ride North from Arambol towards Querim (Keri) beach. Keri is a small village set in the mangrove forests and is home to one of North Goa’s quietest beaches. You can rent a sun longer, order food and drinks from the shacks or even rent a surfboard.

As well as exploring the beach, the ride itself is also worth savouring. There is little traffic in and around Keri and plenty of back roads that lead through the forest to explore. Bring a bottle of water and sun cream and simply enjoy the experience of being in the riding seat watching beautiful Goa pass by.

• How Long Should I Spend Here? 3 hours minutes including the ride
• Getting There –  Rent a scooter and ride. Wear a helmet as the road does pass a police checkpoint.

13:00 – Fish Thali at the Thali Shack

Just by the first, main park on Arambol beach, there is a completely unassuming looking little shack (a man selling coconuts sit’s by the door). Whilst you may be tempted to walk right past, don’t; because it offers the best and possibly cheapest Thali’s in Arambol.

A Thali is a big silver tray filled with rice, veg and a few different types of curry. The options are Veg, Chicken or Fish – the latter is particularly sublime.

 14:00 – Visit the Sweet Water Lake in Arambol

The Sweet Water Lake is a freshwater lagoon with a source that originates in the Goan Jungle. The Sweet Water Lake is warmed by a natural hot spring, so going for a swim is a must in the late evening!

The Lagoon is surrounded by luscious greenery, overhanging thick jungle branches, and coconut groves. Steam rises slowly from the lagoon, making it a beautifully picturesque scene to take in, and the perfect place to snap some pics for the gram!

There is a beach just a short walk from the lagoon that is only accessible by foot. There are loads of shack’s and restaurants selling classic Goan food.

• How Long Should I Spend Here? 60 – 90 minutes
• Getting There – Walk here from Arambol beach – it is the only way!

15:00 – Join a Yoga Session

I once checked the notice board in Arambol and realised that there is a yoga class taking place somewhere in town, at every minute of the day. Arambol is a proper yoga Mecca and churns out newly qualified yoga teacher like Yale & Oxford churn out future venture capitalists and war-mongers.

Therefore you won’t have to try too hard to find a Yoga class. Either check the notice board, ask around or ask any slender, toned yogini you encounter.

17:30 – Sunset Drum Circle & Market

Every evening on Arambol beach, the place to be is the drum circle. It is literally a circle where anybody can come, bring a drum and bang it. Whilst the sound is (for me) a bit tedious, it is nevertheless a very pleasant gathering and attracts the Goa freaks who come to congregate.

From here, walk down to the sunset market where you can barter for hand made jewellery, post cards and other wares.

• Cost: $4 – $8
• Getting There – Most sessions are within walking distance from the beach

19:00 – Ecstatic Dance at The Source

Dance is a way of life in Goa. Whilst you may be exhausted from last nights trance session, I guarantee your legs will still summon the energy for one more boogie! Ecstatic Dance is a giant sober (no drugs or alcohol) party that takes place around a giant Banyan tree at the source.

You may initially need some time to get over your inhibitions (dancing sober?!) but you’ll soon get into it. Ecstatic Dance is massive fun, don’t miss it. If this is your first time in Goa, then its time to embrace your inner hippy!

• How Long Should I Spend Here? Stay as long as your energy lasts
• Getting There – Walk from the beach or get a taxi

21:00 – Late Dinner at Aladdin’s

Aladdin’s is one of Arambol’s best restaurants. It has massive menu ranging from bar-bq, Indian classics and some very interesting vegetarian dishes. It is quite pricy for Indian standards but worth it for a treat.

• How Long Should I Spend Here? Until they throw you out!
• Getting There – Walk from the Source – bring a torch though as the way is dark

Need a place quick? Here’s the best neighborhood in Goa

Tiswadi is the best place to stay if you’re visiting Goa for the first time. Home to the capital city, Panjim, Tiswadi is where you’ll find most of Goa’s cultural sights, the vibrant Latin Quarter, and charming Old Goa.

• Visit the Basilica of Bom Jesus, which contains the tomb and mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier.
• Explore Fontainhas, Goa’s Latin Quarter full of colonial character, cobblestone streets, and vibrant, and colourful houses.
• Be amazed at Sé Cathedral, the largest church in Asia measuring more than 76 meters long and 55 meters wide.

If you are planning a trip that is longer than 3 days in Goa, then here are a few things you need to add to your itinerary for the rest of your trip.

Arpora Night Market

The Saturday night market in Arpora is a true Goa institution. It is a weekly mega market where you can barter hard for incense, jewellery, stones, gods, clothes, sheets and wonderful things you probably don’t even know exist!

As well as being a shoppers delight, the market has plenty of food stalls and a few bars mixing Techno into the early hours.

All of the above said, the word on the street is that the sun is setting on the Arpora Night market. Apparently the conduct of management has forced a lot of boutique owners and niche designers away and they can now be found at the Hilltop Friday Night Market instead. The Night Markets are amongst the best things to do in Goa in 3 days.

Visit Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary Near Ganjem

The Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary contains a mini zoo so that children and adults alike can see the animals up close. Plus, it has a massive deer park, which means that the deer can roam freely in their natural habitat! It also contains a botanical garden and a rose garden, for those who love flowers!

Here you’ll be educated about the animals and the bird life, as well as the vegetation found in Goa! This is a trip that will intrigue nature-lovers, so be sure you don’t miss out!

• It’s only 38 kilometers from Margao.
• There is a jungle resort containing tourist cottages on the property, just in case you want to stay the night.
• There are plenty of different attractions, so you’re bound to find something that will suit your taste.

Visit Brahma Karmali Temple

The Brahma Karmali Temple is one of the oldest temples in Goa! The temple attracts a lot of devoted worshippers from around the region. Based in Carambolim, this temple is said to have played a pivotal role in Goa’s struggle for freedom. Many sessions were held in the building by a member of Congress during the time of struggle.

Learning about the fascinating history of this temple is spiritually moving, and exploring the temple grounds is a wonderfully relaxing experience!

• This temple is named after a nearby town – Brahma Karmali.
• The main idol inside the temple is said to date back to the 12th century.
• Visiting and exploring this temple is absolutely free.

Hike to Hivre Waterfall

This waterfall is a great place to visit for nature-lovers and adventure junkies alike! During the hike to the waterfall, you will walk along a narrow pathway through the forest. Along the way, you’ll see beautiful river creeks that wind their way through the forest.

The locals that visit the waterfall are always friendly and helpful, and don’t mind guiding tourists to the waterfall with them!

• Hivre Waterfall is popular amongst locals and tourists alike so it’s often busy, especially on weekends.
• The waterfall is located only 14 kilometers from Valpoi City.
• You will need to travel through the Thane village to get to the Hivre falls!

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt  except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

Goa is definitely a seasonal destination and best experienced during the Northern hemispheres winter. The crowds flock to Goa between November and February when the weather is perfect. If you come off-season, not much may be happening. The high summer months are best avoided altogether as this is when monsoon hits.

During peak tourist season in Goa, the beaches are the place to be! The water is perfect, there are nightly parties, and it never rains. As the monsoon season in Goa approaches though, the beaches become more and more empty.

However if you’re not a beach bum, then the rainy season can be equally as beautiful! During the summer in Goa, mist rises over the plantations and fields, and rain cleans the cities, leaving them smelling fresh and new. Visiting India during June will also allow you to attend the Sao Joao Festival, which is one of the coolest celebrations in Goa .

There are a number of Goa transport options available depending on where in Goa you are, where you are going and what you want to do. For example, beach towns and cities themselves are pretty easy to walk around. However, to get between them you will need an engine. Tuk-Tuk’s (Rickshaws) are available in some parts of Goa but are banned from a lot of the Northern tourist hubs. Taxi’s are easy to find but Goa’s are expensive by Indian standards.

Renting a scooter is the most popular transport method. They can be rented anywhere in Goa easily and cheaply.

Hiring a tour guide with a vehicle is also a good idea for tackling some of the suggestions on this itinerary.

Whether you’re a solo traveler or traveling with your posse, there’ll be plenty of activities to keep you occupied on your trip to Goa! Here’s just a few that you shouldn’t miss out on!

Travel in India does carry with it a set of risks and Goa is no exception.

The biggest danger is the endless raft of scams which are played on unsuspecting foreigners and of which there are too many to list. Other than this, never leave your valuables unattended and always lock your room.

Be very careful of bad drivers whether you are riding a scooter or simply a pedestrian. If you are riding a scooter, always wear a helmet.

Be careful when swimming whether in the sea or the delta as under-currents can be deadly, especially at night. Use lots of sunscreen and drink plenty of bottled, mineral water. Food hygiene is generally pretty good in Goa but use common sense.

Women travellers sadly need to be extra careful as each year they are the victims of rape, assault and even murders in Goa. Take great care at night and try to travel in a group whenever possible. Avoid dark, unlit areas as much as possible. If you are riding your bike at night, do not stop in lonely areas ( you may be being followed ). Be very careful in or around Trance parties, be mindful of what you consume and watch your drinks like a hawk.

Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance for Goa

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Find out what people want to know when planning their Goa itinerary.

How many days do you need in Goa?

Despite being India’s smallest state, Goa is packed with incredible experiences and attractions. We recommend visiting for 3-5 days minimum to make the most of it.

What should you include on a Goa 5 day itinerary?

Don’t miss out on these awesome places to visit in Goa: – Old Goa – Sahakari Spice Farm – Braganza House – Sunset Drum Circle & Market

When is the best time to visit Goa?

November-February offer the best weather for exploring Goa. March and April also get warm and have smaller tourist crowds.

Is Goa worth visiting?

Absolutely. From the verdant forests and stunning shorelines to the vibrant food and buzzing festivals, Goa is a very popular destination among travellers.

Goa is the perfect place for your next holiday destination! With white sandy beaches, a rich cultural history and some great architectural beauties, there isn’t a single thing you could possibly miss out on!

Its beautiful landscapes are begging to be explored and the culture that surrounds every building in Goa is worth learning about! No matter what time of year you choose to visit, there will always be something going on in this province. From festivals and parades to cultural ceremonies, there’s never a dull moment in Goa!

It’s a great place to travel whether you’re with your crew or a solo traveler. The safety of this beautiful province adds to the appeal of Goa for solo travelers. Be sure you’re not the only one missing out on the amazing experience of visiting Goa, India! And be sure to add a few of these great activities to your Goa Itinerary!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Suzanne Borders

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I’m confused – you have this article but also this warning people away from Goa? https://www.thebrokebackpacker.com/is-goa-still-worth-visiting/

Where is the Braganza mansion (that you have mentioned close to Arambol). All search results only point to Menezes Braganza mansion in Chandor, South Goa.

Yes you are right. The Braganza mansion is in South Goa which is nowhere near Arambol at all. The writer who created this piece clearly had a moment of confusion. We have rectified the copy.

The typical mindset of western people. “watch your drinks like a hawk” hahaha! I hope you share some positivity also. Please teach your countrymen about Indian hospitality which is sorely missing in your country. I would love to read a blog about the USA itinerary mentioning “watch out for f…ing racists”

Personally I absolutely love Goa (Psytrance!!!!), have spent several months there and cannot wait to visit again. However, the FACT is that Goa can be very dangerous for women and there is no point in denying this – it doesn’t help anybody.

FYI – I am not from the US so cannot comment on American hospitality.

Good work on the blog, very helpful 🙂

This makes me want to rush to goa right now. Amazing blog

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Goa Travel Blog: Stories by the Coast

Goa Travel Blog: The moment we alighted and made it to our stay, I knew I’d be visiting Goa again. Some say there isn’t much to Goa apart from its Churches, beaches, and party vibes.

Some keep coming back to it. India has numerous places with great beaches. Yet Goa holds its head high among them all.

When I visited Goa, I realized there’s so much more to Goa than its beaches. The state it is today hasn’t bloomed over time; it has always been this way among tourists. I’d compare it to the Bali of Indonesia. I visited Goa in the winter of 2022. Here’s all about my Goa travel blog.

Table of Contents

Goa travel blog: Getting there from Bangalore

Bangalore is 560 km from Goa. While a drive to the coastal line is a sweet option, getting around Goa with a car can be a hassle. From Bangalore, the best budget option to get to Goa is via the sleeper coach bus or train.

By train , keep your itinerary planned weeks ahead as it’s difficult to get tickets at the last minute. Goa has two main stations, Vasco Da Gama and Margao with Vasco being the bigger of the two. Book your train tickets either via the official IRCTC website or a 3rd party site. It costs around Rs. 380 for a one-way sleeper coach.

We booked our sleeper coach tickets both ways, back and forth in Bangalore. We made it to Vasco Da Gama Railway station at 5 am and the platforms were already bustling with people. As local buses begin operating at 7 am, not wanting to waste time, we boarded a private bus for Rs. 100 per head that dropped us off at the Panjim Bus Stand (28 km from Vasco).

If you aren’t too worried about your budget and wish to spend time efficiently, I’d highly recommend booking a cab. Local buses get the work done but take a LOT of time to get to your destination and get congested often.

While Goa has no restrictions for tourists with cars, a road trip from Bangalore is simply unnecessary. Goan roads are narrow in most places and make it inconvenient for cars. Thus instead of your own car, get to Goa either by train/bus. Getting there by flight is also another option.

Goa Travel Blog: Bargaining Scooters to Get Around

Unlike Ooty where rental cars are banned due to frequent accidents on the sleek curvy roads, Goan roads rush with rental scooters.

Staying in Arambol, we found a sweet guy ‘Lorenz’ who rented out 3 new scooters, Yamaha Fascino 125s, he had with valid documentation and rental plates. He initially claimed it would be a flat Rs. 400 per scooter as they were new. Since we were getting 3 of them, we agreed to rent them all for 1000. A good deal if you ask me.

Now about scooters, Goa has abundant sources of car and scooter rentals. Most accommodations you visit, even some restaurants offer scooter rentals. Keep a few things in mind before renting one.

Most require you to return the scooter back to the pickup point. So it’s best to get your rental vehicle close to your accommodation where you’ll return. Staying in Arambol, we got scooters the first evening to explore Vagator and Anjuna Beach .

Make sure to get your driving license as well as an original identity card like a passport, Aadhar, or PAN card. The vehicle owner holds the ID as a lateral when you rent it out. Pick it up when you return the vehicle.

Regarding cops and safety, one helmet is usually provided per scooter. Unlike Bangalore, you need not have a helmet for the pillion rider here.

While most places offer scooter rentals, some offer motorcycles too. If I’d found one, I’d have no doubt gone for it!

Best time to Visit Goa

The best time to visit Goa is from November to February. These are the months that aren’t actual summers here. Goa being on the tropical coastal end, it’s humid throughout. From the months of March to May, it’s the summer but it also gets extremely hot during these months.

The months of November to February are sunny while being cool compared to the other months.

We visited in the November of 2022. With these months being popular for the climate and party season, there were crowds flocking off the train when we arrived and the roads jammed at night.

Lucky for us, we stayed at Arambol, North Goa which was comparatively remote and offbeat compared to the rest of Goa.

Goa Travel Blog: Budget Hostels

In India, I’ve personally loved some backpacker hostels on HostelWorld.com and initiatives like Zostels for travelers. But we didn’t intend on staying on separate dormitory beds as we were a group of friends. We got a homestay of sorts.

When we arrived in Arambol, we had a hustle with the accommodation and its staff. Though we had booked it prior to our stay, the reception told us there were no rooms currently available and we’d have to wait till the afternoon.

Though weary with the luggage and travel, we decided to look for offline homestays around close to the beach. And voila, we found one!

For budget stays, don’t keep your hopes high when you book online. You’ll know when the prices are too good for the amenities offered. Booking.com is great to book your accommodation without upfront payment. Check out the stay before you check in.

My Stay Recommendation in Goa

My favorite sites to book stays in India are Booking.com and HostelWorld for distinct reasons. Booking.com allows us to book without having to pay upfront booking fees. We can check out the stay and pay on spot.

HostelWorld , on the other hand offers its best hostels that have been selected carefully for backpackers and solo travelers. Though we do need to pay upfront on HostelWorld, all stays here are carefully selected. Thus HostelWorld ultimately maintaining its reputation with its quality stays.

Goa is full of resorts and backpacker hostels for all kinds of price ranges. For mid-range stays and not too far from citt center, the most affordable rates for accommodation are around Anjuna, Calangute, Vagator, and Morjim. Here are some I handpicked out for you based on pricing.

Resorts in Anjuna, Calangute, and, Vagator (Rs. 1400 – Rs. 5000)

• Casa De Calangute
• Koito-House
• La Vie Woods

Backpackers Hostels in Calangute, Anjuna, Vagator (Rs. 450 – Rs. 700)

• goStops Goa
• Piggy Calangute by Urban Nomads
• Dreams Hostel (HostelWorld)
• Wonderland Hostel (HostelWorld)
• Travo Tales (Morjim)
• Bunkd Hostel (HostelWorld)

As I stayed in Arambol, I witnessed hippie culture being prevalent in this remote part of North Goa. Though far from the city, it’s a paradise once you get there. And there are literally tons of dead cheap places to pick from here!

Keep in mind Arambol is best suited for backpackers rather than families. Here are some of my favorite traveler hostels from HostelWorld:

• ImagiNation – Artist’s Hostel
• Happy Panda Hostel

My Goa Travel Blog

The only downside to our Goa visit was we weren’t traveling , we were on vacation. We barely visited a handful of places and stuck to the comforts of the beach nearby, drinks, and evening strolls around. To add to it, we stayed for only 3 days in Goa.

Day 1: Getting off at Vasco Da Gama St.

The first day was a hectic travel day. The train journey from Yeshwantpur Junction, Bangalore to Vasco Da Gama Station, Goa had no hitches. It was a peaceful overnight journey. Since it was the start of the day and had time in hand, we decided to take the local bus to where we were staying – Arambol.

Till Panjim, we got on a private bus as there were no local buses available at 6:00 am. From Panjim’s local bus stand close to the bridges, we got on a local bus passing through Arambol. It cost us no more than Rs. 160 per person to get to Arambol.

Now the bad news? The time we took for the trip was debatable. We got there close to noon. Not to mention – the bus being suffocative and crowded like chicken poultry. For long distances, cabs are preferable. That’s the first thing we learned.

Luck would have it, our booked stay was ‘booked out’ due to the management’s fault, we took an hour to find ourselves a place and settle down our bags. We found a cozy spot for ourselves stowed in the alleys of Arambol barely a minute’s walk away from the beach.

I’d best recommend staying close to the beach. With Arambol being a far-off village, it’s quite affordable. For budget backpackers and solo travelers, here are some sweet places that I picked out for you on Booking.com.

Chapora Fort, Anjuna Beach, and Drinks for the evening

With the afternoon heat and little travel fatigue, we resorted to resting at our stay after lunch. In the evening, we rented out scooters and took off to the infamous Dil Chahta Hai fort .

With Arambol being a far-off North end, most places to visit in Goa were far off. It took us about 45 minutes to get to the fort only to find out it would close soon (at 5 pm). So we quickly parked the scooters and raced up the hill.

The 400 years old walls were one thing, the sunset view from the point was another. We found a sweet spot overlooking the beach and sunset and were just in time to witness its beauty.

When dusk fell, we decided to check out the nearest flea market. The Anjuna Flea Market. We didn’t know at the time that it’s best to visit on Wednesdays for the actual early flea market. Still, we strolled a good while through the permanent stalls here.

The flea market and Anjuna Beach go hand in hand. We heard waves in a distance and followed it through dark alleys, sand, and unevenly built cement steps down to the beach. We walked quite a long distance by the waves and the line of beach bars and fancy restaurants.

The night beach, as they’ve popularized Goa about, is quite the same. It’s a party hub alright. There’s loud music, lights blazing the night sky ultimately overpowering the sounds of waves washing ashore. The night sky’s stars were nowhere to be seen with all the light pollution.

We didn’t plan on spending a whole lot on fancy dining. So we returned late back to Arambol with liquor. It was cheap. It’s Goa after all :)

Day 2: Beach Walk and Arambol Sweet Lake

There wasn’t much we had planned for the day. We were exhausted from the previous day. With the hangover, most of us slept a couple of hours extra. I did, however, take an early morning walk on the Arambol beach .

The waters were calm. Unlike the night’s party animals, people at the same beach now were simply there for the waves and the quietness. They waved good morning at one another.

After a millionth attempt of convincing me, I finally gave in to the cheeky girl, my friend who’d planned the whole trip. She wished to check out Sweet Water Lake.

So we walked in the afternoon’s burning sand past clothing stalls on the shore edges, past a trail of large sharp rocks. And voila it was there! One of Arambol’s must-visit is the sweet water lake.

It’s a small trail away from the village. Unlike the beach waters, the water remains cool even in the heat. Sitting in the shallow waters, there were tiny fishes that swam around us. We spent the whole afternoon here relaxing under the coconut shades and cool water.

We didn’t do much towards the evening either. I had a Japanese class to attend on my laptop and the others took a dip in the waters.

Walking the Arambol beach at night is quite a wholesome experience. Most are non-Indians greeting and conversing with strangers, singing and dancing through the night. We even saw a couple of fire performances lighting the dark beachside.

Day 3: Watersports!

That cheeky girl who’d taken us to the sweet water lake? She’d arranged a day for watersports prior to our arrival. I personally was hesitant with the low price and the promising watersports they offered which included ‘scuba diving’.

As was my reluctance, the ‘scuba diving’ they had advertised, they did get us the scuba tank on our backs alright. Except we didn’t go far deep from the water’s surface. There were no more than a couple of fish swimming around the not-so-clear water. And it lasted no more than a few minutes.

Apart from scuba diving, parasailing along with hard dips into the waters was my favorite. The other activities included banana boat riding and jet skiing. From someone who’s lived on a tropical island in Indonesia for almost a decade, I was jaded about most of it.

It was, however, with some of my closest friends and that’s what made it all fun. We didn’t get any pictures of having all our belongings stowed away in lockers.

However, we did pay for scuba diving shots. But let’s just say they weren’t good enough to be up here on this blog.

We returned from the place early after lunch. After taking a shower, we all headed out to the beach one last evening. It was our last day in Goa!

Our last evening was again by the beach. We also spent a good while roaming the small alleys of Arambol. I’d met an Arambol resident, Sanjaysitting in his tiny reception (a shed of sorts) for stay bookings the previous day. He had a guitar behind him which led me to play it in his shed while customers went in and out.

Later in the afternoon, we’d gone into a deep conversation about how we look at lives, how most free minds look at lives. What makes us different from them? He was in his mid-50s with grey facial hair styled like most locals here, yet had a distinct touch to his features.

Before I left, I met him again and felt at home for a second. I guess that’s why people keep coming back to Arambol, Goa. It’s the people . The aura . I’m definitely not missing out on Arambol on my next Goa visit. We got pictures with our homestay owners as well.

While returning, we took the cab back to Vasco Da Gama. There wasn’t a way we’d take the local bus again. Neither did we have the energy, nor the time. It took almost a couple of hours with the evening traffic, and we were thankful the driver made it on time.

Goa Travel Blog: Tailpiece

That sums up my Goa travel blog – my experience of Goa. We did miss out on some major things to do in Goa. Things that we could’ve fit in our 3-day itinerary if we’d planned it better.

But we were looking for a vacation more than anything. If I visit Goa again (which I hopefully will), I’m traveling places. Having been there, I shall be writing more posts on guides and itineraries to Goa.

This is, anyhow, how my first trip to Goa went. That ends my Goa travel blog.

Happy traveling :)

Manas Patil

Hi there! I'm a 22-year-old dude all the way from India, I love traveling and building itineraries! Sign up and get your FREE COPY of my travel checklist to get the best of your next vacation!

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3 thoughts on “Goa Travel Blog: Stories by the Coast”

Nice blog! It was a really insightful blog as it would be really helpful for travellers, As a fellow traveller I would like to recommend you Lemon Tree Goa Resort which has a beautiful view of Baga River at North Goa.

Thanks for the detailed descriptions and helpful advice. I’m sure you had an incredible trip and your experiences are very useful for anyone looking to visit Goa. I look forward to hearing more inspirational travel stories.

Next time , please consider visiting our newly established cafe: Jambul Cafe & Stay at Panjim.

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Insider’s Guide to Goa: The Ultimate Goa Travel Guide

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I earn from any qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you.

This article is an insider's travel guide to Goa, India that contains a comprehensive Goa travel guide for first-time visitors as well as returning visitors to Goa.

Goa is a phenomenal beach destination that is a crowd favourite among Indians and foreigners alike. Even though Goa is known for the buzzing beaches, cheap alcohol, raging parties, and scores of people thronging towards the beaches, this is just a tourist's perception of Goa. The real Goa is a much more laidback, serene and not to mention, hauntingly beautiful place.

Thus, having lived in Goa for over 13 years now, I've put together my insider's guide to Goa in order to show you the real Goa - one that is known to tourists and also, the other side which is known to locals. I hope you enjoy reading my comprehensive Goa travel guide.

Additionally, if you have any queries or if you think I missed out on something, feel free to drop a comment below or reach out to me via direct messaging on Instagram ( @thespicyjourney ).

Table of Contents

Insider’s Travel Guide to Goa

My insider’s travel guide to Goa contains all the information about Goa that will help you plan your entire Goa trip on your own. I understand that as a first time visitor, doing research on a particular location can get overwhelming. And so, I've put together all the information on Goa in one place for you.

This Goa travel guide has information on all the beaches, places to visit in Goa, a list of extra activities you can indulge in, references to offbeat things to do in Goa, nightlife, flea markets, and lots more. So without further ado, dive right in.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Basic Info about Goa

How many days to spend in goa, how to reach goa, best time to visit goa, goa trip cost, where to stay in goa.

• Goa Toursim Hotels

Budget Hotels in Goa

Goa beach shacks, resorts in goa, getting around goa, what to wear in goa, best places to visit in goa for sightseeing, things to do in goa - list of activities, best beaches in goa, where to eat in goa, nightlife in goa, goa flea markets, events and festivals in goa, goa travel itinerary.

• Insider's Travel Guide to Goa
• Language : Konkani is the local language of Goa. Apart from that, English is widely spoken here. Keep in mind that locals aren't well-versed in Hindi.
• ATMS : There are ample ATMs in the cities. However, finding ATMs may be difficult in the villages and in areas farther away from the main cities.
• Petrol Pumps : The situation with petrol pumps is the same as that with ATMs.
• Currency Exchange : You will find counters at the Goa International Airport and various exchange shops in the cities as well as in the tourist hot-spot areas.

The answer depends on how much of Goa you want to see. In order to explore all of Goa in-depth, you will need at least 10-14 days in Goa. However, you can cover the major sightseeing spots in Goa within 3-4 days.

My personal suggestion is that you should spend 5-7 days in Goa to get its feel and cover some of the major sightseeing spots, beaches and everything else that Goa has to offer.

Goa is the most popular beach destination in India. Thousands of tourists - local as well as foreigners arrive in Goa on a daily basis. Thus, Goa is very well connected by flights, trains and road.

Goa has one airport - the Goa International Airport which is located at Dabolim in South Goa. The Goa airport has direct flights flying between Goa and major Indian cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kolkata, to name a few. Furthermore, the airport connects Goa to many international cities as well. Both Panjim and Margao cities are located at a distance of roughly 27 km from the Goa airport in opposite directions.

Goa has 3 main railway stations - Margao, Vasco-da-Gama and Thivim. Margao railway station in South Goa is the main hub which is connected by an extensive railway network to other parts of India. Margao or Madgaon railway station to Panaji is a distance of roughly 37 km.

One can very easily find buses to Goa from metropolitan cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad etc on the redbus website. Moreover, there are state run buses such as Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC), Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), and Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) between Goa and neighbouring states of Karnataka and Maharashtra. Alternatively, taking a road trip to Goa from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu is an option that many tourists prefer to take. The drive to Goa is scenic and there are many beautiful stops along the way.

Goa has two main seasons - the tourist season (also known as the “on” season) between October and April and the monsoon season (or the “off” season) from May to September.

The dry or the “on” season is the best time to visit Goa. This is when beach shacks are set up across most beaches in Goa, lots of events and festivals going on and the entire place is a gala feast. Plan a Goa trip during the “on” season if you want to attend events, parties and meet other travellers.

On the other hand, the monsoon season is a time when most of the Goa beaches are nearly empty and there’s very little going on. This is the time to visit Goa is you’re looking for greenery and peace and quiet.

So how much will a Goa trip cost you? The answer completely depends on how flexible your budget is.

If you’re looking to make a budget trip to Goa, then staying at hostels, eating at authentic Goan restaurants and taking local buses to get around Goa will save you a whole lot of money.

If you have a mid-range budget then you can very easily find budget and mid-range hotels in Goa. You can hire a two-wheeler instead of a cab and eat at mid-range restaurants.

On the other hand, if you're willing to splurge then you can stay at a nice resort, eat at upscale restaurants and travel around Goa in a hired cab.

Goa, being a popular backpacking destination, has many-a backpacker hostels scattered throughout the state. Most hostels in Goa are located in North Goa - near Vagator, Anjuna, Candolim and Arambol. Similarly, there are hostels at the popular beaches in South Goa as well. A bed in a dorm will typically cost between INR 400 and INR 800.

Goa Tourism Hotels

If you’re looking for hotels that provide the bare minimum comfort and amenities on a limited budget, then look into the Goa tourism hotels. There are hotels run by the state government located in Panaji, Old Goa, Calangute, Mapusa, Colva and a few other places in Goa. Book rooms at the Goa tourism hotels on the GTDC website .

Despite Goa being a popular tourist destination in India, there’s no dearth of budget hotels in Goa. You can find budget stays in every location in Goa - be it South Goa or North Goa. One way to look for budget hotels in Goa is on a site like booking.com. If not that, you can even find rooms on airbnb at low costs. Sign up to Airbnb using my referral code to get a juicy discount on your first stay.

Find hotels in Goa on Booking.com

O3 Beach Resort, Palolem Beach, Goa

The Goa beach shacks are a ubiquitous choice of stay in Goa. While beach shacks can be found at almost every beach in Goa, it’s the Palolem beach shacks that are predominantly popular in Goa. Read my comprehensive breakdown of the Palolem beach huts in my blog post on Palolem beach.

Check availability at O3 Beach Resort on Booking.com

The infinity pool at Doubletree by Hilton, Panaji, Goa

While North Goa has quite a few resorts, I highly recommend staying at a resort in South Goa. This is due to the fact that South Goa sees a fewer number of visitors as compared to North Goa which makes staying there all the more peaceful and serene. That being said, there are peaceful hotels in North Goa as well. Take Doubletree by Hilton Panaji for example (shown in the picture above). This hotel, located on the outskirts of Panjim, has sweeping views of the Goan rivers and islands as seen from the infinity pool and rooms. Moreover, the two restaurants here serve all sorts of International, Indian and Goan cuisine.

Check availability at DoubleTree by Hilton Panaji on Booking.com

Hiring a two-wheeler is the most popular and budget-friendly way to get around Goa. it’s a well-known and unfortunate fact that taxi prices in Goa are sky-high. This is the reason why renting a two-wheeler is an affordable and rather fun way to see Goa. A scooter typically costs INR 200-250 for a day whereas renting a motorbike such as Royal Enfield for a day will cost above INR 300. In case you need a taxi service at affordable rates, install the GoaMiles app to book a taxi instantly.

Unlike most of North India, you have the freedom to wear whatever you like in Goa. There are no restrictions on clothing items when it comes to choosing what to wear in Goa. While at the beaches, you can wear a bikini and shorts or short skirts, while sightseeing you can wear maxi dresses, knee-length skirts, trousers and fancy tops. Read my handy little guide on what to wear in Goa for women and girls.

1. Visit the Forts in Goa

Before the Portuguese invaded Goa in the 1500s, Goa was under the rule of the Muslim ruler Adil Shah. While Adil Shah built a number of forts for himself, after the Portuguese takeover, they modified some forts to suit their needs. Thus every fort in Goa has a rich cultural and architectural significance. Chapora Fort , Aguada Fort , Tiracol Fort, and Reis Magos Fort are the forts located in North Goa. On the other hand, Cabo de Rama Fort is a well-known fort located in the South Goa district. Each of these forts offers spectacular views of the ocean. While Chapora fort and Cabo de Rama fort don’t have any timings, since they are cliff-top ruined forts, Aguada fort and Reis Magos fort are open from the morning till 5.30 pm in the evening. Tiracol Fort, on the contrary, has been converted to the Fort Tiracol Heritage Hotel . You can book a stay here to live in a palace, dine with insane ocean views and to escape the hustle-bustle of the crowds.

Check availability at Fort Tiracol Heritage Hotel on Booking.com

2. Take a Ferry Boat to an Island

Divar Island near Old Goa

Most tourists coming to Goa think of it as a beach destination. While this may be true, there is lots more to do in Goa that’s beyond the beaches. There are two main islands in Goa - Divar Island and Chorao Island . Both of these islands can be reached by taking a ferry from Ribandar, which lies on the road between Panaji and Old Goa. Chorao Island is famously known for the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. You can hire a little boat, watch the mangrove, spot birds and enjoy a languid boat ride in the Goan rivers.

3. Explore Waterfalls

Dudhsagar waterfall , located on the Goa-Karnataka border is a 4-tiered, 3-streamed, 320 m high waterfall. Apart from being surrounded by a lush forest, the waterfall also contains natural pools to wade into the waters. You can reach the mighty Dudhsagar waterfalls by either completing a trek to the bottom of the walls or by going via the government-approved jeep rides that start from Molem. The waterfall has been named after its milky appearance and is a worthwhile day trip from Panjim, which is located 60 km away. Other than that, there are tons of other smaller, albeit beautiful, waterfalls scattered across Goa.

4. See the Churches

Goa was under the Portuguese rule for over 450 years from the 1500’s until 19 December 1961. Due to this reason, there are striking churches scattered all across Goa. While the Panjim church and the Old Goa church are the two famous churches in Goa, it’s the offbeat ones that steal the heart away. The Mae De Deus church and the Siolim riverside chapel are both exquisite and worth exploring!

5. Visit Old Goa

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6XRlrtDVYY/

While Old Goa may be known for the Old Goa church, there is, in fact, a lot more to do in Old Goa that only the locals know about. Whether it’s a hilltop chapel with a view of the river and islands, a hauntingly beautiful ruined church complex or a restaurant right next to the river, Old Goa has lots waiting to be discovered. You can take a half-day trip to Old Goa from Panjim, which is the closest city. Take a look at my post on all the places to visit in Old Goa to discover the hidden gems of Old Goa!

6. Go Sightseeing in Panaji

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv_uUgmDBkh/

Panjim or Panaji is the ever-lively capital city of Goa. While one might wonder if there’s hardly anything to do in Panjim, as a matter of fact, there are lots of things to do in Panjim. Whether it’s the famous Panjim church , Dona Paula jetty , Miramar beach , the chaat street of Miramar, the colour burst region of Fontainhas , there are so many popular as well as offbeat things to do in Panjim. Read this travel guide to Panjim city  which  contains all the top places to visit in Panjim, events, festivals and lots more.

7. See Salaulim Dam

Did you know that Goa has an extremely scenic dam called the Salaulim dam hidden away? This dam is the perfect example of a duckbill spillway, is surrounded by a botanical garden where you can indulge in a picnic and is located on the river Salaulim, a tributary of the Zuari river. Panjim to Salaulim dam is a distance of 61 km while Margao to Salaulim dam is a distance of 26 km. If you’ve explored Goa many-a-times and are looking to see a different side of Goa, visit this dam and enjoy the picturesque drive along the way.

8. Explore Offbeat Goa

Lately, more and more people are inspired to explore Goa beyond the beaches. Consequently, people are driven to explore offbeat places in Goa - such as the temples, the lesser-known churches, islands, lakes etc. If you too are keen on exploring another side of Goa, take a look at this blog post on the 17 best offbeat places in Goa . 

1. Goa River Cruise

The Panjim river cruises that originate at the Santa Monica jetty in Panjim city are a great way to spend the evening cruising in the Goan rivers. The cruises usually last an hour, there are food and drink stalls present and an entertainment program which includes local dance performances. You can book tickets with various cruise companies online or book directly at the booking counters present at the jetty. Do note that it gets crowded in the evening so be prepared to wait in a queue. It’s ideal to take a cruise at 6 pm in order to catch the sunset from the boat.

2. Visit a Casino in Goa

There are lots of casinos, to indulge in a night of carefree fun, that are located in Panjim city. Most of these casinos have a package that costs approximately INR 2500 per person that includes a buffet dinner and a few complimentary chips to get you started. The ports of all the casinos of located on the main road of Panjim (DB road). You can buy your tickets right here, catch a boat to the casino and come back the same way.

3. E-Bike Tour

Want to ditch the car or motorbike and cycle around the quiet lanes of Goa? B: Live runs e-bike tours in many places all across Goa. These e-bikes are battery operated and they come with an accelerator which means that you don’t have to pedal the bicycle if you don't want to. The bikes can even go up a hill with great ease and comfort to the rider. Check out the B: Live website to choose an e-bike tour of your liking. What’s more, each tour comes with an authentic Goan experience, snacks and a tour guide who will assist you throughout the duration of the tour.

4. Heritage Walks

If you’re the one who prefers to walk around and soak in the essence of a place, then a heritage walk is the way to go for you. You can take all sorts of heritage walks which give you an authentic experience where you will learn about the history of Goa, gain an insight to the Goan culture and go back with a wealth of knowledge about Goa. Perhaps the most popular and the most loved heritage walk in Goa is the Fontainhas heritage walk . You can take a look at some of the heritage walks in the Airbnb experiences section.

5. Yacht Party

If you’re the kind of person who likes to throw lavish parties or add a magical touch to special occasions, consider renting out a yacht for a few hours. Depending on the kind of package you choose, you can get food, drink and entertainment services on board along with a wait staff. These yachts come in different budgets for all kinds of occasions ranging from birthday parties, anniversary celebrations, wedding functions to office events, social gatherings etc.

South Goa Beaches

The South Goa beaches are the laid-back beaches in Goa. As someone who has been living in Goa for over 13 years, I prefer the South Goa beaches as opposed to the North Goa beaches because of the lesser crowds and the pristine nature of the beaches. Read my guide on the South Goa beaches to explore the tranquil beaches in Goa.

North Goa Beaches

While the South Goa beaches are peaceful, the North Goa beaches are always a happening place to be at. Whether it’s a taste of the hippie culture, the best beach shacks, karaoke bars and beach clubs, you’ll find it all at the North Goa beaches. Take a look at some of my personal favourites as well as the crowd favourite North Goa beaches:

1. Arambol Beach

Did you know that Goa was a raging hippie paradise back in the ’70s? The first hippies arrived in Goa in the 1970s and settled onto the North Goa beaches of Arambol, Vagator and Anjuna. While Vagator and Anjuna are more commercialised tourist beaches, Arambol still retains the hippie spirit. Whether it’s vegan cafes, yoga centres, hippie stuff (you know what I mean), you’ll find Arambol to be the perfect hippie paradise even today. While you’re at Arambol, do not miss other great nearby beaches of Ashwem, Mandrem and Morjim, which are less popular but equally beautiful.

Read my complete travel guide to Arambol Beach, North Goa (opens in new tab).

2. Vagator Beach

In case you’re looking for a beach that has a hippie touch yet commercialised to the extent that you’ll find nice places to stay and good restaurants and cafes nearby, Vagator should be the beach of your choice. Vagator is a bustling area that’s known for the very famous Chapora fort aka the Dil Chahta Hai fort. You’ll find lots of hotels, hostels, upscale restaurants, cafes, shops and everything else in close proximity to the beach.

3. Anjuna Beach

Anjuna beach is yet another one of the North Goa beaches that’s on the way to becoming highly commercialised (read: Baga beach). Anjuna has some of the best restaurants and cafes in all of Goa. You can easily spend a whole day in Anjuna just eating at the beachside restaurants or exploring cafes nested in the tiny lanes of Anjuna.

My insider’s guide to Goa would be incomplete if I didn’t touch upon this extremely important subject. When it comes to trying food in Goa, there’s no one list that anyone can prepare. Goa is home to so many wonderful restaurants and cafes, with new places coming up regularly that it’s hard to keep track of all the places to eat in Goa.

Nonetheless, I’ve put together 3 rough guides to Goa’s food scene. Of the three, this list of the best North Goa restaurants and cafes is perhaps the most popular of them all. Coming to Panjim city, check out this guide to the best restaurants in Panaji city . Finally, if you’re in the vicinity of the airport and need to refuel, take a look at the best restaurants near Goa airport . 

Goa has a raging nightlife that consists of nightclubs, beach clubs, karaoke bars, pubs. Pool parties, rave parties and everything else in between. There are plenty of nightclubs in the Baga-Candolim region such as LPK , Titos , etc that play Bollywood and Punjabi hits to cater to a North Indian crowd. Meanwhile, places like Favella and Soro are much classier establishments that come with a dining experience along with foot-tapping English hits. Moreover, they even have themed nights every once in a while.

Coming to Panjim city, Soho and Cafe Mojo  are the favourite pubs among the locals.

Going down south, Silent Noise in Palolem is well-known for the Saturday night parties where you dance to music while wearing headphones. In any case, you’ll find nightlife in Goa quite easily at almost every corner.

Apart from boutique stores and beach-side markets, there are quite a few flea markets in Goa. When it comes to the most popular Goa flea market, the Arpora Saturday night market tops the list. This market is held every Saturday night during the “on” season in Arpora which is located close to Anjuna and Calangute. This market has everything ranging from clothes, bags, jewellery, shoes, art and handmade artefacts. Furthermore, there are performances such as fire eaters and dancers along with live music and plenty of food stalls to choose from. Apart from this, there are lots of other markets like the Anjuna Wednesday flea market that are set-up in the tourist season.

The Goa Carnival is one of the most popular events to take place in Goa. The carnival parades are held at multiple Goan cities like Panaji, Margao, Vasco-da-Gama, and Ponda over a span of a few days late in the month of February. 

IFFI (International Film Festival of India) which is held every year in the state capital Panaji sees many movie screenings and talks attended by Bollywood as well as local celebrities. 

Coming to art festivals, Serendipity Art Festival is as big as it gets. This festival is held in the month of December at various venues in Panjim city.

While there are many events music festivals held in Goa, Sunburn , which is held late in December, is the most famous of them all that sees well-known international DJs and singers perform.

Even though this is a complete Goa travel guide to let you plan your own Goa trip, I do have a suggested itinerary for you. While I strongly suggest spending AT LEAST a week in Goa, tourists choose to spend anywhere between 2 days to months in Goa.

If you’re on a quick weekend trip to Goa, check out these places to visit in Goa in 3 days . This itinerary covers all the basics of Goa within 3 days. On the other hand, if you have more time, spend your time exploring the popular beaches and places in Goa like Arambol, Vagator, Anjuna, Panjim, Old Goa, Agonda and Palolem at the very least.

Did You Enjoy my Insider’s Guide to Goa?

If you liked reading this insider’s travel guide to Goa that I’ve put together based on my experiences of living in Goa, follow me on my social media handles  Instagram , Facebook , Pinterest , Twitter to receive quick updates and be the first one to know when I release a new blog post!

I have seen quite a bit of India but never been to Goa – looks amazing and I think I must really make a plan to go soon! Such a lovely post with such good tips 🙂

This guide is so informative- it’s great to read about Goa from someone who has lived there for so long rather than just visited. Saved for future travels 😀

Nice post!! It is really very informative content for everyone as there is many different information about the place to take decision to travel to goa with lot of memories of place which is unforgettable.

Great post and informative guide…thank you!?

Anjuna Beach is my favourite place in goa. Thanks for sharing this information to us.

Thanks for this info. I would like to add what i personally love about goa are the water sports.

Pingback: 15 amazing photos that will instantly tempt you to plan a Goa Trip! - Couple of Journeys

very useful post ,,,,these guide are very informative….thanks for sharing…

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Orange Wayfarer

Culturally Immersive & Responsible Travel

Ultimate Goa Travel Guide for the First Time Travelers!

About this blog: This travel guide to Goa will list out all the practical travel tips to the Coastal state of West India, and the country’s most beloved beach destination. If you are traveling to Goa for the first time, you will ideally find all the answers related to Goa travel in this article! If you do not, ask away in the comments section please!

Read all the posts on Goa Travel here!

Traveling to Goa is often hailed as a sign of attaining adolescent in India. Her long stretched coast line promises a new kind of free. Once a part of the iconic Hippie trail that flourished all the way from Europe to Nepal, Goa gave birth to a “New Found Land”, where you can just be, drifting away from the prejudices and societal niceties that bind you beyond logic can reason wish!

You do not visit Goa just once. You want to live there, get drunk on the intangible elixir that Arabian Sea serves with salty breeze! I visited Goa on a long weekend trip from Bangalore. I revisited Goa with another set of friends, in between a lot of failed Goa trip planning which are an incumbent part of Indian Millennial’s growing up experience! Then life happened and I visited Goa multiple times for “work”, I mean for travel blogging.

Each time, I visit, Goa opens a new chapter from past, while siting glorious nature by side.

• Language spoken: Konkoni, Marathi. Largely understood- English and Hindi.
• Famous for Beautiful beaches, water-sports, night-markets, sea food, yoga, nightlife
• Safer place to travel to for solo women in India
• It is a tiny state. Prosperous and with higher literacy rate. One of the leading tourist destinations in India.

How to reach Goa (by car/train/flight)

Goa is well connected with the rest of the country. Especially, multiple hour-long flights fly daily from Mumbai (erstwhile Bombay) to Goa, India’s financial capital. I prefer train journey to Goa as the route is particularly scenic!

Train journey by Konkan Railways!

Madgaon (MAO) and Vasco Da Gama (VSG) are the two major railway stations that connect Goa with rest of the country. If you are traveling to Goa from Bangalore or southern parts of India, I highly recommend taking a ride through Konkon railway. You shall see Dudhsagar falls for a fraction and mist shrouded lush green jungle everywhere will greet you to the land of Goa.

Fly into Dabolim Airport, Goa

Dabolim (GOI) is a domestic airport which is yet to receive international flights unless you are flying on a charter plane from somewhere in Russia. That is how Russians fly into Goa, in style. However, domestic carriers like Air Asia, Indigo, Spice Jet have multiple flights to Goa from morning 6 am to 11 pm at night.

Also keep in mind, Dabolim is an army airport serving the naval base of Indian Military and photography is restricted here. In Goa, a new airport is on the make to accommodate increased tourist footfall and should be operational by 2020.

Bus to Goa from nearby states

Overnight bus runs from nearby states and takes you to the connecting hub at Kadamba Bus station. From Bombay or Pune, traveling to Goa by bus is a last minute budget option. Bangalore to Goa bus is there too, however it runs for a painful 11/12 hours and stops are sparse. Bus journey in India do not have attached tpilets.

Goa Central bus station is located at the heart of Panaji. You can further change bus for North or South Goa or rent a car. Public bus ply in Goa till 6 pm and then frequency slows down, especially for the longer routes till Margao etc.

Road-trip to Goa

NH 66 passes through the Western coast of Indian peninsula and runs through Goa. Roads are a pleasure to drive. However you need international licence to drive in India (in case you are not Indian passport holder).

On new year eve or long weekends, there had been multiple reports of roadblocks with excessive traffic. Monsoon may cause road blockage due to mild flooding as well.

Public Transport in Goa

Kadamba line has recently hit the Goa roads. The Aircon bus runs from Panaji to tourist town of Arambol and Calagute. They also have hourly connectivity with Dabolim airport. Prices are close to INR 100 and Kadamba busline in Goa is the safest transport option.

How to rent a bike in Goa

You can also hire bikes, cars by depositing your licence. Do not forget to get a photo of the license which will can be further used at police check points on the road if any.

Bikes or cars are generally driven on the left side of the lane everywhere in India. Traffic rules are strict. Drunk driving is a punishable offence.

Also read about the most beautiful beaches of Goa . You may explore some of them in a long weekend vacation to Goa as well!

Best Time to Visit Goa

Famous for beach-life, Goa is best enjoyed under the bright sun. Winter is literally non existence.

Usually, tourist season in Goa spans from November to wee end of March. April is when school in India are closed for summer and you are likely to see plenty of domestic families traveling to Goa. Come every long weekend, millennial Indians working in nearby cities head to Goa to chase the grand sunset on Arabian sea. That crowd does not disperse when during monsoon.

The winter months in Goa usually have a very pleasurable moderate weather. They neither make you shiver under the blanket, nor force-feed challenging humidity. Summer can be different though, with a bright sun scorching everything on its way.

Monsoon in Goa

Monsoon in Goa is painfully beautiful. Raindrops drizzle from the straw huts and hinterlands turn lush green, complementing a swelled up river Mandovi. But Arabian Sea takes up a dangerous form, with most of the beach being off limit to swimmers. Watersports are usually closed during monsoon. Beach shacks are extinct.

Head to Goa during monsoon, if you love nature. However for the postcard perfect Goa where golden sand beaches stretch out till the horizon, dotted with coconut groves, you need to wait till dry month of winter.

Many beach huts and beach shacks are usually closed during monsoon. Be cognizant of the fact, relentless rain may also cause violent undercurrent in the sea.

Festivals in Goa

Be it a reminiscent of 450 years of Portuguese colonial rule or rich heritage of locals who find mention in epic tales of Mahabharat, Goa has no dearth of festivals and celebrations. It is worth planning your trip around one such festival in Goa. Watch out for the colorful costume, specific food, people letting there hair down and being a part of the merry procession, irrespective of cast and creed. It is beautiful.

Narkasur : Post Diwali, Narka Chaturdashi celebration where good triumphs over evil is manifested. It resembles that of Bhoot Chaturdashi or Dakini Jogini in Bengal , which we worship during Kalipuja when the rest of the country celebrates Diwali.

Viva Carnival : The Catholic festival, often compared to Mardi Gras, or even Rio carnival, that starts from Fat Saturday ( Sabado Gordo ) and end on Fat Tuesday, is a grand celebration where floats, parades, masked dance and other cultural identity find a way of expression. It is celebrated in Panaji and sort of reminds me of “Bisarjan Carnival” of Durgapuja, Kolkata .

New Years Eve: 31st December. Goa brings in New year in style with beaches beaming with color, elaborate fireworks and music.

Music festival in Goa : Supersonic, Sunburn.

Also read: Ramadan Foodwalk in Hyderabad!

Where to stay in Goa

I keep saying Goa as a tiny state. However, it takes at least 7 days to cover all the coastal region and hinterlands of Goa. You will still not see everything, but at least scratch the surface.

It is imperative, where you choose to stay in Goa, can actually make or break the experience.

Let me break down possible tourist accommodation options in Goa in three broad categories. Those who love to party and want to taste every pleasure Goa offers to tourists, must choose Baga or Calangute . Those who love offbeat stays and serenity, can choose between further North or South Goa. Panaji is the capital with plenty of old world charm. But who lives in Panaji when holidaying in Goa? It is good for a day trip.

North or South Goa, how to choose where to stay : this question can be compared with who came first, chicken or the egg? Here, let us look at the pros and cons of each area. I have stayed in these places personally and sharing feedback basis on my experience.

Staying at Baga/Calangute

Pro: Almost everything is available. You name it and you get it. Multiple bike rentals, car rentals, accommodation options, budget hostels, central bus station, public transport, bustling nightlife, cheap and quirky cafes. Nice beach, but…

Con: … the beach is super crowded. Especially, if you are in Baga on a weekend. Prices are on the higher end. Beach shacks are aplenty on season but charges painfully high price.

Staying at Arambol/Ashwem (extreme North Goa)

Despite a Cyclonic storm, I loved my experience of staying at the Yab Yum Beach Resort, Goa. It was right next to the hidden Ashwem beach and away from the buzz of a world moving, changing at a lightening fast speed.

Pro: Offbeat destination, often entire stretch of beach to yourself, away from where stag groups travel hence safer option for a solo woman traveler.

Con: Lack of water sports and limited activities. Not a bustling nightlife around.

Also read: Top 12 Cultural experiences in Goa!

Staying at South Goa

In south Goa, Colva, Benaulim, and Varca has multiple luxury resorts and upscale stay options. Further down south, Agonda and Patnem has better tourist infrastructures.

Pro: Offbeat, serene place, less crowded, beautiful lagoon style beaches, authentic local experience. Best for slow travel and exploring.

Con: Further away from central location. Long drive from airport/train station. Pricier in some cases. Less activities.

Book a stay in G oa: check reviews and best prices here!

Alternative stays in Goa

Goa also houses a world class wellness resort at Divar Island, where tranquility finds a new name. Check out my review of Mercure Devaaya Resort and choose it for a complete detoxing (7 spiritual) holiday in Goa!

Also read: 7 days in Shillong, where I lost my heart!

How Many Days are Good for Goa

Those who stay close-by, visit Goa for 3/4 days for a quick relaxing holiday by the beach. In reality, Goa deserves a longer stay, preferably between one week to 10 days. The state, in its short geographical span, holds numerous beautiful places of interests, each of which merits a visit.

With friendly locals, good connectivity and decent internet, Goa has emerged as an obvious choice for digital nomad hot spot in India. Slow traveling, living by the beach, great cafes and regular interaction with creative artists, Goa promises all of these and more. I have seen western families traveling to Goa with kids and their homework pile and solving mathematics by the beach. It felt surreal to some extent. Our summer vacations were ll about visiting Dadu and learning English grammar in the afternoon by the “ parar pukur “, local pond!

Top Things to Do in Goa

Goa is lauded as the beach capital of India. There are countless beautiful beaches in Goa, with Baga being one of the longest in entire world. They are sometimes hidden by a cliff, sometime out in the open. Some beaches in Goa are protector of lagoon. Some of them emerge with tidal waves. Beach hopping is what you must do when in Goa.

My pick for top 5 beaches in Goa!

• Cancolim Beach: the best in North Goa. The crowd is decent. Shacks were nice. Restaurants close-by were serving delicious food. Nightlife is good too.
• Ashwem beach: The best looking beach with white sand and blue sky as the backdrop. Located by the cliffs hence a bit hidden from the outside world. private and sky. No shack nearby.
• Vagator beach: Best looking beach as you get a perspective from the cliff. Chapora fort is located close which is an amazing place to catch the sunset!
• Colva beach: The only beach in Goa where I found translucent clear water despite heavy crowd During independence day. There is a shack close by where they serve Bengali meal too! I think it was named a Sonar Bangla. Local fishermen’s boat create beautiful photo ops at the Colva beach.
• Palolem beach: One of the best beaches in South Goa. It is coming up fast with many activities, local markets and food joints close by.

Also read: A complete guide to wildlife safari at Masaimara, Kenya!

Goa beyond the beaches!

However, there are tonnes of offbeat things to do in Goa . They span from cultural exploration to adventure activities.

1. Explore Old Goa. Velha Goa . It houses Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se Cathedral, both UNESCO World Heritage site.

2. Explore colorful neighborhood of Fontainhas , a piece of Portugal at the heart of Goa!

3. Take a day trip to the mighty Doodhsagar falls. Be cognizance of the fact that only local cars take you to the top. Only a limited number of car gets permit everyday hence it is best if you start your day early.

4. Sinquerim beach is the hot bed for all the water sport activities in Goa. Water sports are subject to a clear weather day. Parasailing, jet ski and banana boat are the most fun activities in my opinion.

5. Birding at Dr. Salim Ali Sanctuary is one of the prized experience in Goa. If you have time, I suggest take a day off to Dandeli wildlife Sanctuary and watch the pied piper hornbills in North Karnataka.

Yoga in Goa

Plenty of Yoga Teacher training school and Yoga retreats have come up in Goa. I stayed at the Devaaya resort and has taken part in Sunrise Yoga sessions which was uplifting holistic experience. Do not forget to pack a few yoga mats in your Goa bound luggage because there is nothing more refreshing than starting an active day on a beach.

Nightlife in Goa

There is no dearth of option in Goa, if you are a social animal. From night long trance parties to casino to nightclubs, central Goa usually stays abuzz with events for the whole night!

• Play at one of the casino cruise when in Goa. I went to Delyin and I liked the experience despite sort of meh food.
• LPK (Love Passion Karma) at Nerul is one club with decent crowd. Club Cubana is nice too.

Money Matters

Goa can be traveled in a shoestring budget. Goa can easily turn into a luxurious trip if you are in a mood to splurge. Options are wide and endless!

Night clubs, Casino, fine dine restaurants like Thalassa are few of the high class places to visit in Goa. For luxury stay, go with the Taj Aguada.

Like the rest of India, cash is the king in Goa, especially when you are buying from local markets or eating at the street side joints. Cash will make you and the seller happy. However card and in some cases digital wallets (think PayTM, much like M-pesa in Kenya or google Pay) works too.

Stay Connected: Wifi in Goa

Goa is well connected with most prominent Indian network (think Airtel, Vodaphone, or more recent Jio). However, I have seen network drops as you proceed towards obscure interior of the state.

Most of the hotels and beach side cafes provide decent wifi to get some work done, if not streaming a Netflix series.

Tracing back the Hippie trail from olden Goa!

The ghost of 70s hippie trail is yet to give Goa a respite. A typical hippie with grunge deadlocks and deep understanding of empty meagerness of life is a rare find. What you can find is a lot of western travelers tucked away at the fringe end of North and South Goa beaches. Think Arambol. Think Mandrem. Think Patnem.

Arambol is famed for the evening drum songs on the beach.

Souvenir Shopping in Goa

The iconic flea market of Anjuna and the likes of it which have mushroomed in recent times sell a number of interesting stuff. Though it may feel like a bargain, I tell you a bitter truth. I have bought/seen similar silver anklets or beaded necklace for lesser price at Gariahat market, Kolkata . Buy jewelry only if you are not heading to Kolkata in near future!

Bargaining in Indian local market is an art by itself. I usually start from 1/3rd of the initial quote. It may yield a good buy or sometimes I have to let it go.

Flea markets in Goa in earlier days used to sell imported goods which were off limits by virtue of a socialist state. Now that the entire globe is one village and we are swimming in a globalized market, most of these products make their way from China.

I usually sky away from these souvenir shops unless I am on the lookout for a quick swimwear. My favorite souvenirs from Goa are:

• A bottle of Feni
• Kunbi saree
• Musical instruments
• Bibinca cake
• Bottle of Kokum Juice
• Spices, especially black pepper and bird’s eye chillies
• Azulejos: Handpainted tiles of Goa

I Know. I am inching towards a life sans hedonism!

Arpora night market is a famous addition. So are the Sunday night markets. There are aplenty in Goa.

Stay safe when in Goa!

Goa is a safe place to travel to.

You may come across few rare news of violence against tourists in Goa. To be honest, I have traveled in Goa during a natural calamity (Cyclone Kyarr) and was scared of pack of dogs more than unknown male.

I was traveling solo. Even when I was traveling with friends, Goa was a safe place.

It is not the locals of Goa, but people traveling to Goa that create problem. Stay AWAY if you spot a group of male friends.

If people want to click a selfie with you, and come close with that excuse, strictly deny. This has escalated into unpleasant consequences in past. If you are making new friends and drinking with them, be very very cautious, irrespective of the new friends’ gender. Traveling from Central Goa to North (say Baga to Ashwem/Arambol) may turn out to be a tricky choice if you are a solo woman. I would suggest, try to pack your day by sunlight, especially if you are traveling alone and do not have a private vehicle.

Uber does not work in Goa. They have an app named Goa Miles. It works. Sometimes, it does not. It is a bit tricky. You should always have a plan B.

Mosquito and insect repellents are must when you are packing for Goa. Mosquito bites can make you susceptible to Malaria, Dengue apart from unpleasant looking rash.

When you discover an empty beach, be careful while approaching the bush or jungle nearby. Poisonous snake may call it home! yes, I have encountered a Cobra when in Goa. I am still alive and writing this blog post so do not panic!

Responsible Travel Tips for Goa

The Single Use plastic menace in Goa!

Beaches in Goa goes through surging plastic pollution, littering and other vices during tourist season. I have seen plogging party arranged by local communities at Arambol however there is no permanent solution to it. Plastic is hardly recycled in Goa.

Each coconut you buy, comes with a straw which put me off to no end. Traditionally, coconut juice is drunk in India from the shell itself. A few droplets will drench your shirt but that’s the beauty of it. Straws have emerged as the new devil.

Try to be mindful when you consume and stay away from accepting that extra single use plastic. Small things like carrying own tiffin-box for a take away counts in the longer run too!

Wildlife in Goa

Goa is largely saved from the vices of animal riding, say horses or camels on the beach. There are cows on the beach in abundance but they cohabit with humans, and work on the field on season, with the farmer. India remains largely an Agriculture based economy.

The only time I found disturbing proximity to animals were when local fishermen approach you for Dolphin tours. They will basically chase the dolphins in their natural habitat. I say leave it to your luck. I met dolphin in Goa when I was on a water bike. It came, pranced along by the side and swam alongside for 5 minutes before disappearing. What a blissful experience!

Support the local artist in Goa

Goa has a thriving artist community. Multiple art gallery dot the street side of Baga and calangute. Make sure you visit one and support the artist by buying her creation. Goa also has beautiful checkered print Saree, also known as Kunbi Saree. I think they add value to any collector’s wardrobe.

Alcohol & Drug in Goa

Due to relaxed taxation policy, alcohol is cheaper in Goa than other states in India. The local moonshine, Feni, has earned a GI tag and is a must try when in Goa. However drunk driving is a punishable offence by law, anywhere in India. Buying alcohol in Goa and taking is to other states can also draw ire of the authority. Do check with your flight/transport provider.

Drug consumption is punishable offence in India. Ganja/weed is sometimes sold on the beach by some over enthusiast chaps, which is an illegal act by itself. Of course it can lead to what happened to Saif Ali Khan in Dil Chahta Hain. Find out at your own risk!

Also read: Kaziranga, home to India’s one horned Rhino populace!

What to wear in Goa

Wearing a bikini/swimsuit in Goa: Yay or nay?

Beaches in Goa are more relaxed in dressing code compared to other Indian beaches. I have personally worn bikini in the following beaches and did not attract unwanted male stare/attention: Baga, Calangute, Candolim, Vagator, Colva, Arambol, Ashwem. Palolem is cool as well.

If you are staying by a beach-side resort, you can generally venture out in the sea in a bikini. When you are walking in the city, or going to eat at restaurants, please do NOT wear swimwear. It is not acceptable.

Hinterlands of Goa is made of traditional Indian households where modest clothing is encouraged. You will not stand out and can easily use public transport if you wear something that covers shoulder and knees. Carry a stole as that will help you to stay safe from the bright sun, fight back humidity and enter temples or churches if any.

Public toilet in Goa

Depending on the hotel you choose, you are likely to encounter a western toilet for a mid-budget to luxury route. For a more budget friendly option, Indian style toilet may make an appearance. It is does, learn to use the mug. In this part of the world, we do our business with water. If you want your tissue bad, I suggest carry some in the purse.

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34 Responses

Wow – clearly we need to put Goa on our Asia bucket list! Thank you for the very informative post.

Wow! What a comprehensive guide! I’ve only visited once some 25+ years ago! I’d love to go again with kids that age ?. I’ll save your guide to use it later

I will be heading to Goa soon. Am glad I came across you post!

Wonderful Pictures!! Goa is a great place where you can enjoy your trip with anyone like your family or friends, loved your blog. Goa being the most attractive place where all love to visit to have a peaceful vacation.

Wow,very nice blog and it is a comprehensive article which is very clearly explain and with the help of it we can explore it in well mannerd way.

Wow, very nice blog. we can explore it in a well manner way. Thanks for Sharing this info.

Goa is just treat to visit, as it has many events, places, festivals and many more to come across. Multiple beaches you mentioned where we can visit.The party we can enjoy, especially the goan food which goa is known it etc this all attract the visitor to go their and you have perfectly explained in your blog.

As soon as everything gets back in place i so wanna pack and head up to goa asap.

“Wow!!- Goa is Damn cool! It’s high up on my bucket list And The pictures is amazing and It’s really beautiful catching Content – Thanks for sharing all this great information. Glad you had a tremendous time there

Great tips for non locals. Goa is a must visit destination, it’s on my (long) list now.

I was amazed by the fact that information provided by you in this blog is so helpful ,

Keep it up!

Thankyou for such a wonderful article

Thanks for providing

I have been to goa a couple of cases then again there is so a total lot larger to find out there. Thanks for sharing the article.

i read your blog on goa it was very creative and innovative also go through our website

Thanks for sharing such a piece of wonderful information. Your knowledge about the topic is great please keep sharing.

Very valuable information, it is not at all blogs that we find this. Goa is my favorite place.

Thank you for a wonderful article about the destination. It provides a entirely new perspective about Goa, the dream destination.

This article is giving me such nice information and also when it comes to travel there are several options for transportation. I live in Mumbai, and I love to travel in India and the best mode of transport is car rental in India. Prince Hire Cab Service is best car rental provider in Mumbai.

Being a Goan, I am proud of my city. Thank you the great article.

The details as per the heading is useful for the Goa debutants, and I felt they are pretty much useful and specific which would help travelers save money and time

Wonderful post. and you Nice used words in this article and beautifully post it. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you for writing such an informative essay about the destination. It gives a whole new perspective on Goa, the fantasy vacation spot. The excursion was fantastic, especially the banana ride, which I thoroughly liked. The best things to do in Goa were scuba diving, jet skiing, and snorkelling while admiring the splendour of the underwater marine life.

Thanks for writing this great article for us. I have gained good stuff from this website. Looking forward to your next article. I am happy to share this post to my friends. Keep it up.

Thankyou so much for this amazing information, The way you explain the things was so commendable, It really help me out in Goa and one of the best part in Goa except all the parties and beaches was the place where i stay Resort Rio it was so good to stay in Goa not because of the service but every great place is so close like the baga beach, Nightclubs and the flea markets.

I like your blog post and and I really appreciate this blog post also it is according to the niche and we are the travel peoples and like to travel across the world & also try us.

Great article and I would like to visit goa after this article. it’s valuable

Found your post interesting to read. Good Luck for the upcoming update.This article is really very interesting.

After reading this article I will plan a trip to Goa…. Thanks for sharing this information with us.

Nice Blog…. This is really amazing. Great information about goa

Amazing blog!!Thank you for sharing with us. We provide Car rental services in Goa. Convenient & affordable to your advantage.If you are looking for Self Drive Car Rental in Goa , do contact us.

Goa is always a best place to enjoy. Everyone needs a break from this day to day work and have to enjoy the life. Those who dont know where to travel, just head over to Goa and if dont know hoe to enjoy just read this blog.

Nice and detailed information

Amazing blog!!Thank you for sharing with us. We provide Car rental services in Goa. Convenient & affordable to your advantage.If you are looking for Rent a Car in Goa , do contact us.

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Travel Itineraries | Luxury Travel | Travel Tips

The Best of Goa | 7 Day Travel Itinerary + Guide

Welcome to the Ultimate Goa Travel Guide , designed to help you make the most of your 7-day adventure in the beautiful Indian coastal paradise, of Goa. Whether you’re seeking pristine beaches, vibrant nightlife, or cultural experiences, Goa has something to offer everyone, and this 7 Day Goa Travel Itinerary and Guide , has it all. In this Goa Travel Guide, we’ll provide you with a suggested 7 Day itinerary to explore the best of North Goa, South Goa, and Panjim, along with key insights on the best time to visit Goa, must-visit places in Goa, offbeat experiences to do in Goa, and the best resort in Goa, India.

Day 1: Arrival in North Goa

Day 2: explore north goa, day 3: road trip from north goa to south goa, day 4: discover offbeat things to do in south goa, day 5: dive into south goa, day 6-7: immerse yourself in panjim, coconut creek resort | bogmalo, goa, feni and tapas food trail in old latin quarters, fontainhas heritage walk, e-bike tour to divar island, attending a drum circle, visiting salaulim dam, 7 day goa travel itinerary – summary, share this:, the best of goa – 7 day travel itinerary.

• Start your journey by arriving in Goa, preferably during the best month to visit Goa, which is typically between November and March, offering pleasant weather.
• Prefer to land at the Manohar Parrikar International Airport in MOPA, as you’ll be c hecking in into your accommodation in North Goa, known for its lively atmosphere and bustling beaches. Check out the Best Hotels in North Goa here and save upto 50%.
• Pro Tip – Make your life easy, by pre-booking a Rental Car in Goa. The vehicle can be picked up at the Airport, and make sure to do a proper visual inspection, and even take a video, before taking the keys. Car Rentals in Goa start for as less as ₹ 1400 – 2000 / day.
• Spend the evening at any of the famous beaches in North Goa, such as Baga Beach, Anjuna Beach, Arambol Beach, famous for its nightlife and beachside shacks.
• Begin your day with a visit to the historic Aguada Fort / Chapora Fort, offering panoramic views of the Arabian Sea.
• Head to Anjuna Beach to experience its bohemian vibes and browse the flea market. 
• Enjoy traditional Goan cuisine at Vinayak Family Restaurant and Gunpowder in Assagao. These are some of the Best Restaurants in North Goa , that you should definitely check out.
• Head to any of the popular beach clubs of Goa such as Mayan Beach Club, Thalassa Goa, Purple Martini, Titlie Goa for an epic sundowner.
• If possible, attend a drum circle.Attending a Drum Circle is one of the best things to do in Goa, and these Drum Circles are organised regularly on Arambol Beach, Morjim Beach, Anjuna Beach among others. Just ask the locals, they’ll be able to help you with the latest information.

PS – Useful Travel Resources that will help you plan better for your Trip to Goa

• Book the best Goa Tours at GetYourGuide or Viator
• Book your Accommodation in Goa on Agoda or Booking.com
• Book your Goa Car Rentals on Go Goa Car Rentals or Ezee Car Rent
• Book your flights at the cheapest rates on Kiwi.com
• Get an eSIM by Airalo to stay connected and Save on Roaming Fees
• Sign up for a Priority Pass before flying to Goa, and lounge for free at Premium Airport Lounges
• Sign up for a Travel Insurance to enjoy a hassle free vacation in Goa
• Check out from your North Goa accommodation and head to South Goa, which is less crowded and known for its tranquillity. 
• We recommend the Coconut Creek Resort near Bogmalo Beach. The resort, is one of the best in Goa, India;  has an inviting swimming pool, it’s surrounded by greenery, has an amazing in house restaurant serving the best dishes of Goa, and is just a 3 minute from Bogmalo Beach, which is a relatively cleaner and less crowded beaches of South Goa.
• Head out and experience the best Goan dishes such as Chicken Xacuti, Prawn Vindaloo, Pork Sorpotel, at Martin’s Corner or at Fisherman’s Wharf, which are some of the Best Places to Eat in South Goa.
• Explore offbeat destinations in South Goa, near Bogmalo Beach, such as Kesarwal Spring Waterfall and the Heart Shaped Lake.
• Visit the Paul John Distillery and do the distillery and tasting tour. Its one of those experiences, that might as well turn out to be one of the highlights of your trip to Goa. However, do enquire beforehand, and confirm the slot timings for your visit.
• Head further south to experience the calm at Majorda Beach, and the less touristy Cabo Da Rama Beach and Cola Beach and lagoon. If weather permits, enjoy a beautiful sunset from any of these beaches.
• Enjoy a traditional Goan Seafood Thali at any of the local eateries and pair it up with some Goan Feni – the local liquor made from cashew and coconut.
• Put the location on Google Maps as Salaulim Gardens, and head to one of the most beautiful and underrated tourist attraction in Goa – The Salaulim Dam. Even though, it’s a bit far from other popular sights in Goa, the drive to Salaulim Dam is very beautiful and the untouched beauty of the dam, makes it worth the effort of going the extra mile.
• If weather permits, also check out the famous Dudhsagar Waterfalls, which also happens to be one of the tallest waterfalls in India and one of the Most Beautiful Waterfalls in India , nestled in the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary. Enquire about all the information required to explore Dudhsagar Waterfall from the reception desk of your hotel in South Goa.
• Drive back to your South Goa hotel, and just relax by the pool. Enjoy a delectable dinner spread at the in house restaurant of your South Goa hotel.
• Check out from your South Goa Hotel and head to Panjim, the charming state capital.
• We recommend staying near Miramar Beach, or in the heart of Panjim – The Old Latin Quarters, in a heritage property. Check out the Best Hotels in Panjim here and avail upto 50% discounts on your booking.
• Spend your days in Panjim, exploring historic sites like the Fontainhas Latin Quarter, the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, and the Reis Magos Fort, and the nearby Divar Island. 
• Do the Fontainhas Heritage Walking Tour by Make It Happen Goa , to know more about the history of the iconic Old Latin Quarter of Panjim.
• Discover the beauty of Divar Island, by doing an E – Bike Tour by B:Live E – Bike Tours Goa , and combine the adventure of cycling with the ease of cruising .
• Take a cruise along the Mandovi River and enjoy the vibrant Goan culture.
• Go on a culinary adventure by joining the Feni and Tapas Trail by Make It Happen , and try out some yummy crafted Feni based cocktails, along with Goan and Portuguese inspired food dishes, at some of the Best Restaurants in Panjim.
• Try out your luck at any of the many famous Casinos in Panjim. Gambling is legal in Goa, if you didn’t already know.
• Goan Cashews
• The Goan Spices
• Homegrown Gins produced in Goa – Tickle Gin, Satiwa Passion Hemp Gin, Udaipur Gulaab Gin, Pumori Small Batch Gin, Matinee Gin, among others.
• Other Goan liquors – Cabo Rum, Goan Feni and Port Wine.
• The Portuguese inspired azulejos tiles.
• Edible Goan souvenirs – Goan Pork Chorizo Sausages, Bebinca, Prawn Balchao and Mackarel Molho (Goan Pickles)
• Mario Miranda’s Goan Themed paintings / fridge magnets.
• Departure from Goa (by flight, train or bus) in the evening of the last day of this 7 Day Goa Travel Itinerary.

Best Resort in Goa | India

The highlight of my Trip to Goa has to be the beautiful experience at Coconut Creek Resort Goa , where the staff literally went above and beyond to make my experience memorable. 

Welcome to Coconut Creek Resort | Bogmalo, Goa

Here are 5 Reasons that make Coconut Creek Resort near Bogmalo Beach, stand out in the list of the Best Hotels and Resorts in South Goa, India.

Apart from the stay, the highlight was the epic Goan culinary experience that Chef Aniket took us on. We tried some of the best Goan local dishes such as Chicken Xacuti , Pork Sorpotel , Prawn Curry , Lamb Chops , a variety of local Goan fish delicacies , and the famous Goan Caramel Pudding.

Coconut Creek Go a is without a doubt one of the Best Resorts in South Goa , India ; and is still one of the hidden gems. 

If you are heading to Goa, I would highly recommend you to make Coconut Creek Goa as your base, and explore the best of Goa from here. Staying at Coconut Creek Goa, might very well turn out to be one of the highlights on your 7 Day Goa Travel Itinerary as well.

Book your stay at the Coconut Creek Resort in Goa, by clicking here . Make sure to book it in advance, as this resort in Goa, India; runs fully booked, specially in the season, which is from October – March.

5 Unique Experiences to tick off in Goa

Dive into the culinary heritage of Goa with a Feni and Tapas Food Trail in the Old Latin Quarters. This experience combines the delightful flavours of Goan cuisine with Goa’s iconic spirit, Feni. Start your gastronomic journey at a traditional tavern/bar, where you’ll be introduced to Feni, a locally distilled liquor made from cashews.

Stop at local eateries and restaurants to try some unique Feni based cocktails, and savour a variety of tapas-style dishes, each bursting with flavours that reflect Goa’s culinary diversity. From seafood delights like prawn resois to vegetarian options like mushroom xacuti, you’ll indulge in a wide range of Goan specialties.

This food trail in Goa not only offers a delectable blend of culture and cuisine, allowing you to experience Goa through its flavours, from traditional to contemporary, all in the heart of the historic Latin Quarter; but can turn out to be of the best experiences in Goa during your 7 Day Trip to Goa.

Use the code “AMMIH10” to get a flat 10% discount on the Feni and Tapas Trail and Fontainhas Heritage Walk and other awesome experiences, such as the Latin Quarter Food Trail, Old Goa Heritage Walk, Campal Heritage Walk, Chronicles of Divar Island with Lunch, among others by Make It Happen Goa. 

Click Here to Book Your Experiences with Make It Happen Goa.

Discover the rich history and vibrant culture of Goa by embarking on a Fontainhas Heritage Walk. Fontainhas, located in Panjim, is the Latin Quarter of Goa and one of the most picturesque neighbourhoods in the state.

This guided heritage walk takes you through winding streets lined with colourful Portuguese-style houses adorned with artistic azulejos (hand-painted ceramic tiles). As you stroll through the narrow lanes, you’ll be transported back in time, learning about the Portuguese influence on Goan architecture, culture, and lifestyle.

Your knowledgeable storyteller will share fascinating stories about the heritage homes, quaint chapels, and local traditions. This immersive experience allows you to soak in the charm of Fontainhas, providing insights into Goa’s unique blend of European and Indian influences. It’s a perfect way to appreciate the Goa’s cultural diversity and architectural beauty.

L – Taken during the Fontainhas Heritage Walk 

R – Taken during the Divar Island E – Bike Tour

Experience the serene beauty and tranquil landscapes of Divar Island in an eco-friendly and exciting way with an E-Bike tour. Divar Island, located in the Mandovi River, is known for its lush greenery, traditional Goan villages, and idyllic countryside.

Your E-Bike adventure begins with a short ferry ride across the river from Old Goa to Divar Island.

Once there, you’ll hop on an electric bicycle, a sustainable mode of transport that allows you to explore the island without harming the environment. Pedal through narrow roads flanked by paddy fields, explore charming villages, and interact with friendly locals.

Highlights of the tour include a visit to the Our Lady of Compassion Church, enjoying scenic viewpoints, and taking in the peaceful ambiance of the island. The E-Bike tour provides an offbeat and eco-conscious way to immerse yourself in the natural beauty and culture of Divar Island, making it a memorable and sustainable adventure in Goa. So make sure to add the Divar Island E – Bike Adventure on your 7 Day Goa Travel Itinerary.

Immerse yourself in the rhythmic beats and positive energy of Goa by attending a Drum Circle. This unique and vibrant experience takes place at various beaches, cultural centers, and open spaces throughout Goa.

A Drum Circle is a gathering of people who come together to play percussion instruments, creating mesmerising and spontaneous music. These gatherings are not only about music but also about community, connection, and creative expression.

As the rhythms intensify, you’ll find yourself in a trance-like state, dancing and swaying to the hypnotic sounds. It’s a fantastic way to connect with fellow travellers and locals, experience Goa’s vibrant arts scene, and enjoy an evening of music and free-spirited fun.

PS – Just search for Goa Drum Circle on Instagram or Facebook to get to know about the different drum circles happening and the locations.

Escape the usual tourist crowds and head to Salaulim Dam, a hidden gem nestled amidst the Western Ghats in South Goa. The Salaulim Dam is one of Goa’s lesser-known attractions, offering a serene and picturesque setting surrounded by lush greenery.

The dam not only serves as a water reservoir but also provides a peaceful atmosphere for nature enthusiasts. You can visit the dam to take in breathtaking views of the reservoir and the surrounding hills. The best time to visit is during the monsoon season when the dam is at its fullest, creating a mesmerising spectacle of cascading water.

Visiting Salaulim Dam is an offbeat experience that allows you to connect with Goa’s natural beauty and offers a refreshing change of pace from the more touristy destinations. You can combine a trip to Salaulim Dam with a visit to Dudhsagar Waterfalls – One of the tallest waterfalls in India.

Whether you’re interested in history, food, or eco-friendly exploration, these unique experiences in Goa offer something special for every traveller, allowing you to connect with Goa’s heritage, cuisine, and natural wonders.

Day 1 –  Arrival in Goa | Stay in North Goa | Try some local Goan cuisine | Relax by the beach

Day 2 –  Explore any of the famous forts – Aguada / Chapora / Tiracol Fort / Reis Magos Fort | Sundowner at any of the famous Goa Beach Clubs | Attend a Drum Circle

Day 3 –  Head to South Goa | Try out local Goan food at any of the Famous Restaurants in Goa | Check in to any of the Best Resorts in South Goa

Day 4 –  Discover offbeat locations in South Goa | Explore Cola Beach and Cabo de Rama Beach | Catch a beautiful sunset 

Day 5 – Visit the Dudhsagar Waterfall | Drive to Salaulim Dam | Visit the Paul John Distillery  

Day 6 –  Divar Island E – Bike Tour | Go souvenir shopping | Feni and Tapas Trail

Day 7 –  Fontainhas Heritage Trail | Day at leisure | Departure from Goa

We hope, that you found this Goa Travel Guide containing the 7 Day Goa Travel Itinerary covering the best of North Goa, South Goa, and Panjim, to be helpful. Remember to plan your visit during the best months to visit Goa (October – March), for the most enjoyable experience. Whether you’re looking for beachfront relaxation, cultural immersion, or vibrant nightlife, Goa has it all.

Use this Goa Travel Guide as a roadmap, to plan your trip to Goa, and to create unforgettable memories in this tropical paradise.

Pin this Goa Travel Guide with a recommended 7 Day Goa Travel Itinerary and SAVE it for the future.

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Goa is the perfect mix of natural beauty, lively nightlife, and tropical environs. Check out our Goa blog portal, where you will find all the essential information to help you plan an awesome sauce vacation to the party-state. From the best tourist attractions to plush resorts, this collection of travel blogs on Goa will make your trip fun and hassle-free. Discover the tropical state's best-kept secrets in these blogs. Each Goa travel blog showcase essential information such as the best time to visit, how to reach, and other nitty-gritty tips and information for you to enjoy your vacation fully. We have treated every Goa tour blog as a platform to showcase our love and fervor for India’s favorite party destination. Don't limit yourself to crowded beaches and attractions when you can explore new and offbeat places with the help of these Goa trip blogs. Whether it's North Goa or South Goa, these Goa travel blogs have got you covered for both parts of the Portuguese corner of India. Pin your favorite articles and feel free to share on your social media channels to kick start everyone's wanderlust to Goa. Watch out our this space for the latest updates and new exciting information every day.

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Plan your Trip to Goa

Goa needs no introduction, long has it featured as the ultimate destination on the hippy-trail. A (former) hedonistic haven, there’s far more to Goa than its beaches, dance parties, and (not-so) impermanent beach-shacks. 

There’s a whole other side of Goa, too, which takes a little more digging to explore its backwater mangroves, spice plantations, farm-stays and palm-fringed winding roads through the Western Ghats . 

Of course, if you’re coming for the yoga, you won’t be disappointed, too.  But be warned about one thing: Many people who come to Goa find themselves staying way longer than planned… 🙂

Goa Travel Guide

Read my Goa Travel Guide to find out: 

• How to find your own secret part of Goa (without the crowds)
• Top Places to Visit in Goa
• Where to stay in Goa
• How to get around Goa
• Top responsible travel initiatives to support in Goa
• Practical travel tips

… and much more! 

>>Click here to read the Goa Travel Guide

Goa Destinations

Goa Travel Blogs

Messages from the Mangroves: Kayaking Goa’s Backwaters

Kayaking in Goa along the backwaters offers an entirely different perspective of Goa: One that’s filled with messages about the fine and beautiful balance nature plays in protecting our planet.

GOA TRAVEL GUIDE | Best of Goa Without the Crowds

Our Goa travel guide covers the best of Goa – aka Goa with fewer crowds! Once a hippy-paradise with swaying palms and the occasional coco-hut, Goa is one of India’s highlights.

Essential Goa Travel Information & FAQs

Winter months between November and February are the most popular time to visit Goa – temperatures are cooler with winter sun, hovering between 25-30 degrees in the daytime with cool evenings. 

Be aware that all of India tries to get to Goa for Christmas and New Year – so if that’s your plan, you’ll need to book months ahead. 

In monsoon season, between June & September, many places to stay pack up or shut down, and the seas are not safe for swimming due to storms, however it can be a beautiful time to explore inland Goa. 

You can get to Goa easily enough by train or plane (the main railhead is at Margao (south Goa) or Vasco da Gama. 

Getting around Goa is less easy without your own transportation – you’ll mostly need to take cabs (which love to overcharge) or the bus. 

When renting scooters, do your due-diligence to check that all parts of it work before agreeing to take it, and be aware of police issuing ‘fines’ to tourists. 

Goa caters for backpackers and those looking for luxury resorts, and most categories in between. Some beaches have a more family-vibe (such as Palolem) while others (Anjuna) are focused on the hippie-crowd. 

Budget beach shacks are less than inspiring, have paper-thin walls, but are affordable if you want to be right on the beach. 

Tourist oriented western style food is massively overpriced, and those seeking a good deal will fare better in local-style delicious Goan eateries. 

The waves can be big in Goa and are not suitable for all – check before you go in. Swimming is definitely not receommended during monsoon. 

As with the rest of India, tap water is not safe to drink, but UV or Reverse Osmosis filtered water is fine. We use and trust Water to Go filter bottles which we travel with – buy one here. 

I recommend sticking to hot food, served from busy stalls or restaurants. There are plenty of places to eat that are used to foreigners who prefer their curries a little less spicy. 

Goa is generally a safe part of India but solo women should still do their due diligence, avoid wearing (only) swimwear while off the beach, and avoid walking on beaches alone at night. 

Like much of India, Goa gets its best weather between October – March, with December and January being peak season. Temperatures hover between 20 – 30 degrees celsius. 

March – June are hot, sticky and humid with temperatures between 30-40 degrees, and see less tourism in general, so it can be a good time to go in search of a sea breeze. 

The beaches all but shut down between June – September, but visiting inland Goa during this time is possible – if you don’t mind the torrential rain!

Iconic Goa Hotels

Art Resort, Palolem

Light, bright and spacious bungalows right on beautiful Palolem beach. Click here for rates & info . 

Yab Yum, Ashwem

A beautiful eco friendly resort nestled among palm trees, right on Ashwem beach, north Goa. Click here for rates & info. 

Siolim House, Morjim

A stunning boutique hotel set in a Portugese era mansion with pool along the Goa backwaters. Click here for rates & info . 

Taj Fort Aguada, Candolim

If it’s luxury you’re after, there are plenty of high end resorts in central Goa, including this offering from Taj. Click here for rates & info . 

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The wanderer.

Stories of an Indian Traveller across the world!

Goa Travel Blog - Goa Beyond the Beaches!

Goa beyond beaches: visit a heritage home, goa beyond beaches: divar island, goa beyond beaches:   portuguese houses.

• Numerous smaller town across the state

Goa beyond beaches:   Living with a family

Goa beyond beaches:   coffee and food, goa beyond beaches:   saturday night markets.

Hey, loved your blog. Is it possible for you to share the name of Portuguese home you stayed at. So that we could also try and experience the same.

Hey Arjun we booked the place through airbnb. Look for the name 'Anant' :)

Wow... Yeah I read blogs on Goa and know it is quite a place for any one...there is loadds of greenery and good food and night shopping which is good enough for night exploring. I am not atall a party creature, I don't mind the beaches and would love the walks and exploration here... so the home stay was free is it?... asking... you have written so charmingly and I am going to come back to read it... goodday.

It was not free Maria, I paid for it :) But I loved it...we also became friends with the owners and stayed with them as friends more than just guests! But Goa does have loads to offer...great beaches and more :)

This blog is so helpful to me when I visit GOA...,...

Thanks Ajit :)

With plenty of attractions lying in Goa store, your weekend break will definitely become an enjoyable one. Take a flight to this great city Goa from CompareandFly and let the good times begin making you explore everything worth a visit.

Goa is such a places where you can go anytime in the whole year. Fabulous must visit places in Goa are Dudh Sagar Waterfalls, Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, and Devil's Canyon. For a break from nature, check out man-made attractions such as Basilica of Bom Jesus, Fort Aguada, and National Aviation Museum

Hi Siddharta, I'm going to Goa for a week towards the end of the year. It's my first time and I would like to live with a local (female). I'm a trained classical dancer and would love to teach it as well. Is there any place where I can find such a local? -Raghavi

Hi Raghavi, I am really sorry that I am replying after so much time. Unfortunately I don't know about any specific local, but use airbnb and I am sure you will surely find someone :) All the best :)

wonderful blog sid... well Iam planning my first time in Goa during Christmas 2015 :) ...just wanted to check, is Divar Island small enough to explore alone walking or do we need commutation for covering the stretches you have mentioned

I think it would be good to have a bike. The walking part is all fine, but it's a bit far from the jetty where the boat drops you...

thanks! I made some notes :) Best Payal www.payalkalra.com

Thanks Man...would definitely love to see Goa beyond beaches and booze parties

Hey, nice experience!! me and my friends are planning to go soo and we have booked are packages from Southern travels.we were wondering if you could help us know how to go about the water sports booking in advance and whom to contact locally etc etc .it would be a great help..thanks

Indeed! There is so much more to Goa than just the beaches. This is an amazing post highlighting the other aspects of Goa.

Also dont forget to enjoy different forms of Goa music such as Dekhani, mando, jagor, etc. Enjoy songs like . Golyan Sankhali sonyachi, hi pori konachi . Haav saiba paltadi vaita, . Umdra majhya mama, aaik sangta tuka . Chanyache rati madache savle Enjoy these songs without which your trip will be incomplete. Have a pleasant stay in Goa... we will love if you go beyond beaches ...

Hi, Sid Awesome Post and Amazing Pictures. I am huge fan of Goa and love to visit it again and again. But i never travelled like you in this post. Mostly i used to go to North or South Goa Nearby beaches. But old Goa seems to be a fantastic place for living too. Seeing your pictures and reading your story , a craving has started in me to explore Goa once again but beyond Beaches :). thanks for this amaizing post. Keep traveling.

Nice blog :)

Thank you so much :)

Hey Sid, Thats a nice account of Old Goa. I am visiting Goa after ages (visited as a 10 y o and now I am 41). I am sure shot victim of plush architecture and your blog captures all that so well. Btw I will be in Pune from 29th July to 12th Aug and in between will skip to Goa for 3-4 days. How is Goa to visit in 1st week of August? Would you recommend/not recommend? Any ideas would just be fine. Take care Tarun

Nice article . But some of the things mentioned here are myths about goa. Dong agree? then check this http://cheerfad.com/208-myths-about-goa-and-goans

Hii, Nice experience! me and my friends are planning to go and we have booked are Goa Packages from Ahmedabad. We were wondering if you could help us know how to go about the water sports booking in advance and whom to contact etc. Thanks in Advance!

Me n my frnds r visiting soon.can u please suggest places 4 youngsters to have fun.

This is really helpful stuff for anyone planning for Goa.

Hi, I visited Goa last month and explore few of your mentioned places more over i also went on yacht trip offered by Boat Goa. It was adventurous trip by BOAT GOA

Hello Sid, we have a travel startup from Goa, would love to connect. How to reach you?

You can reach me at connect [at] siddharthajoshi [dot] com

Thanks for sharing Goa beaches related information.Real beauty of Goa lies in its beaches that are surrounded by palm and coconut trees, jagged boulders, red cliffs, some of the top resorts and restaurants and party points.

Hey! Loved reading your blog, may I please request you to help me with the exact location of those streets where these pretty Portuguese old Goan type houses are located? What should I put on google maps so that I reach there? Thanks :)

I absolutely had no idea Goa was a Portuguese colony, in the past. I thought the Brits only went massively there, but I guess I was horribly wrong! Considering I usually don't travel to go to beaches, I like that there's something interesting to see also in a location so renown for pristine sand and blue water. The inside of the church is really beautiful and the Houses of Goa is super weird! :D

I don't know anything about Goa but it looks interesting from your photos. I love the cattywampus tree swing and the photo of Senhora Pereira's house. Wow! The Saturday market looks fun too. You said you liked the products by "No Nasties". What were they selling?

Wow I could never imagine Goa looking anything like this! I love how you went beyond the beaches because sometimes that's all people think of when they hear Goa. That House Museum looked pretty awesome, I am not an architecture enthusiast but this is cool!

I didn't have a clue that there was so much of a Portuguese influence in Goa... And there is NOTHING better than spending the holidays with a local family - that's always such a great way to dive into a culture. Also loved the fact about the market legend - thanks for sharing!

I have never read anything about Goa, but you definitely sold me on it. I would want to go and do the "off the beaten path" like you mentioned. It seems like you got to enjoy a lot more rather than the party scene. I bet that market is amazing! I love anything that has a good story to go with it. Great writing! You really drew me in.

I feel like I've been hearing more about Goa, but maybe I'm just spending too much time on travel blogs? The market seems really cool, and I'm just a little obsessed with architecture, so loved all of the photos of the houses. Nice "off the beaten path" guide.

I honestly think this is the first post I've ever seen about goa that is not to do with the beach which I can't understand after seeing your photos. Some of the architecture is so beautiful!

Goa has been coming up as an alternative when we have been looking for trip possibilities the last years. Sadly we have not yet taken the opportunity as something else have been better each time. Mostly due to price of flights. Hopefully we will go one day, but then I would also like to see more of India. :)

The town is so beautiful and so colorful! The markets are also interesting, because seem like a perfect combination between old and new, traditional and modern. Lately, I started to hear more and more about Goa and that makes me want to visit it ASAP!

I have been to Goa so many times but I have never seen this side of Goa. My friends would get a heart attack if I suggested something like this. I have been to Saturday market and I loved it. Also the first time I am hearing about Divar island.

unfortunately we haven't covered much of Goa yet. Goa is really fascinating and its great to read a post on something more than we know about Goa as beaches and party location. Portuguese houses looks interesting to explore and the church at Divar Island is stunningly beautiful.

I've been there last year in January :-) I love Goa so much! Amazing beaches and truly magnificent architecture :-) I would recommend that trip to everyone!

I can only handle the beach for a limited time before wanting to do something else. I was really excited to see the Vegan restaurant Bean me Up in the post since I am always on the look out for vegan places. The Portuguese architecture is pretty neat and seeing as it has survived all these years it is worth taking a look around.

I had no idea that Goa looks so European! The Portuguese villas are so pretty and I love that they keep the original mosaic designs and the bright colors. I have only traveled in the North of India but I know a lot of British go to Goa for their winter holidays to escape the cold. Maybe I should give it a go myself.

The offbeat locations of Goa are mind blowing. I wish they got more popular.

Goa surely has much to offer in terms of heritage and nature. Not many know of the hidden treasures that thiis tiny state has to offer. But in a way it is good if the party crowd gets confined to Baga and Calangute. LOL....

This experience sounds right up my street. I love the charming villas and the fact that you can actually stay in one. Where did you find the place? Would love to know how to go about booking something like that.

Wonderful post

Goa is the best best place for relax. if you want to travel Goa December and January is the best time to travel in goa. if you get a car on rent for travel in Goa then its a good thing.

Thanks a lot for such a beautiful write up...my family loves Goa and this time I hope to go at least few places out of the whole lot u have written about...

Very nicely written

Thanks for sharing in-depth about our beautiful place Goa and i like your photos as well. Dudhsagar falls is it open for visitors now ?

This is interesting actually. When we have a certain picture of a holiday destination but it actually have more than that. That actually a great thing to experience, to discover more. Staying with a family too is interesting, to be able to experience the local life, adds up more to your travel experience. Briliant! But at one point, we need to just go on a vacation to just relax. Then you should totally check us out. Visit Phuket and stay with us. Stunning ocean view and exclusive infinity pool, relaxing, woohoo. Please do check our website, thank you.

Goa is fondly believed to be one of the most preferred destinations of India as it attracts many visitors from various parts of India and abroad.

i had my holidays in goa Every one writes about beaches in Goa but you are different and given a lot of information beyond the beaches A good post on Goa thanks for this information keep writing

Goa is the best holiday places if you want to make your trip fully memorable. I spent my almost all vacations over- there. beach, sunset, sunrise each n everything is so beautiful... Loved this places!

Beautifully written blog. Talking about exploring the other side of Goa, I discovered this site through a friend and I think you should check it out as well. It's called www.nativefolks.com. Here you can find homestays in Goa, the rustic, authentic Goan kind.

Thanks . Your blog is not only interesting but also quite informative giving lots of insights to explore Goa beyond beaches. Your blog on HERITAGE HOUSES OF GOA - MENEZES BRAGANZA PEREIRA HOUSE is something which gives detailed insight about exploring Goa 's indeginous art and architecture and how people are preserving the heritage to their best showcasing to the visitors. I am planning to visit Goa in June and surely your blog will help me in preparing the itinerary.

Thank you so much Shaheen! I am really happy that you found the blog both interesting and useful. The visit to Menezes Braganza house was a memorable experience to me as well...

Even your photographs are mesmerizing. Just to add one more line to your passion .

Great !! Thanks for sharing :) You can check this out too http://moodeapp.com/story/Goa-with-my-family-at-Novotel-Goa-Resort-Spa--61554

Are you stealing my content and putting on this moodeapp? Pls take it down...you can't just use anything without permission :|

Thank you for the post . The moment we hear "Goa" we get flashes of beach , party and enjoyment. It is one of India's richest states. It is visited by large numbers of international and domestic tourists each year for its beaches, places of worship and world heritage architecture. Night life of Goa is very famous. Check out the link : http://www.goaleisure.com for more details of Goa

Great article! Very well described. To visit more wonderful tourist destinations around goa or any other place. Book taxi service or cab service now at ganraj Travels at very affordable cost. You can select your customized package. Hurry up! for more details visit our site- https://www.ganrajtravels.com/pune-to-goa-taxi-service.php

Great Share!!

nice blog has been shared by you. really the images are very attractive. so keep on sharing such kind of an interesting blogs. Banquet Halls in Chennai

Goans Are The Most Self-absorbed, Arrogant People Everyone is selfish to a certain extent. While normal levels of self-love, self-value and self-confidence are important for people to function well, there is a line between these characteristics and being a little too self-absorbed, arrogant or just plain narcissistic. For example, some of the Goan people are always trying to make others believe that their own world is the better one, while others will always cut you short and try to air their grievances when you wish to air yours. Yet others can talk for hours about themselves, making you feel like you are of lesser importance. These selfish people love the idea of all for one—only when that one is them. They will dislike and devalue you if you don’t buy into their misplaced “superiority.” If you’ve met someone very selfish or perhaps have a friend or partner who’s selfish. The so called Goan is nothing but a fake cast in disguise, people who help you only to get a recognition or name. I found this traits in the Goan Community, and being brought up in the Goan community I have seen and experienced so hatred and jealousy amongst this community that slowly eats them out one by one,So by pretending to be the the good and the religious. Why are they like so ? It might be there is a link in the ancestors who where the Portuguese, perhaps the Portuguese who can and interbreed with the Indians must have been a low cast of Indians, or it could be that the Portuguese themselves where of a faulty Gene,But this all come in the long term of a continuous bloodline from one generation to the other.

I like your blog .Totally interesting also extraordinary blog interesting picture gallery

Wonderful blog! I truly love how it’s easy on my eyes as well as the info are well written.

I merely found this excellent post through google. This info is very useful and I will certainly save the bookmark. With thanks

Wonderful post. keep updating..

Hi Sid, Loved reading your blog !! Planning my visit next week, so was searching Anant in Airbnb site, but couldn't find anything related. Can you please elaborate and help us book our stay. Or if you have their numbers, we can connect over cal.

Wonderful blog. Covered all required information. Still missed some other attractions which will help travelers. You can see below link to get some more information. Keep it up and all the best. https://visitingspots.com/#/detailLocation/goa

The North Goa package was an excellent experience, I really enjoy a lot of beaches, church, market, marine life special the water activity was memorable especially scuba diving, jet ski ride, parasailing etc was one of the best experience in my life. thank you sea water sports.

Absolutely amazing! super service, great value for money… all our family had a lovely relaxed day. Highly recommend to everyone coming to Goa. thank u sea water sports.

awanishnicmar.blogspot.com/2016/09/a-trip-to-remember-goa- A Trip to remember -- Goa!! Part-1/2 A journey to break the rules or to stay up with the ideology! A journey to understand what I need and what exactly is called the luxuries! And here on forth the trip to GOA starts. I am writing this writing on the very first night and start of travel being in THE AIR...air India it is! I am noway less excited than people who pray for a baby for years and the day comes when the lady gives birth to a new human body! In a way this journey is similar, we lived a trip to GOA in dreams always, when I go long back I have heard about Goa from family friends who either went on abmuja cement's dealer's free trip or in college time when some rahisjaade had succeeded to make the middle-class sons and daughters jealous. Although in my part of world girls were almost restricted to travel for Goa with their friends who have done mistakes of being male from birth. In post graduate time what I believe was it was sometimes money and many a times tight schedule and pressure of career building never allowed to fulfil ever dream Goa trip. I swear this is the trip which was tempted by Bollywood in such a way that when 3 friends will sit and plan, they will end up with dil chahta hai song, a car trip and beaches of Goa with best of the buddies. although this much anxiousness and wish to visit "the place" was always on peak and never faded but to realize this short of dream some day ago when Navlok said that- 'yaar tumhare sath kabhi Goa Jana hai!' it touched somewhere with yield of wish to make this happen soon. And within one or two day all necessaries tickets and plans started rolling in our Whatsapp conversations, we gradually booked airways tickets. In this era when time is important and it's an investment in many sense, I prefer to travel through means and ways which saves time, likes airlines over railways and direct connectivity over the layover flights. I am not denying on the pleasure of Indian railways journey but time comes when you find another pleasure of business class lounge and first class flight travels. Discussion on hotel and places of visit in Goa was a concern. read more in blog...

I am going to Goa with my family member Goa so nice place and i am so happy to see Goa one more time i am going to Goa with my family....make my Trip they take low Mony They are giving discount

Absolutely great article about Goa, it is such a lovely place, i loved reading it, I have a good video of Goa, it is my travel guide of Goa, people going to Goa should check it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQwcCdKGjPQ

Nice article, it's wonderful, thank you for sharing

Nice pictures & very helpful information to Goa. Thanks to sharing this blog.....!!!

The pictures are really cool.. seems you are a professional photographer.. and the contact is even more interesting... keep posting your experiences. Goa Travel Packages Explore Toours

good post.thank you

Really nice blog has been shared by you. before i read this blog i didn't have any knowledge about this. so keep on sharing such kind of an interesting blogs. Resorts for birthday party

I like the post so much.....Goa is best place to enjoy the party for beach lover. If you want to explore more places in India, then Click here

Amazing pictures and very interesting article..... Thanks a lot for giving proper tourist knowledge and share the different type of culture related to different places. If you are planning for your holiday and searching for the beautiful place to spend your time then you can wander around this vibrant city. Bharat Taxi is one of the leading taxi and cab service provider in all over India. https://www.bharattaxi.com/chennai

Wow!! I love Goa so much!! I visited some of the places mentioned here. it was mind blowing experience. For me its like heaven. I quite often visit now and book a villa and spend 1 week holiday. It is complete relaxing process. I am not promoting but if anyone Go Goa then stay here I often stay here. http://stayeden.in

Really a wonderful post. Thanks for posting such an informative & useful post with us. keep posting & inspire us like this post. If you are a travel freak do check out these.. Cheap and best goa tour packages Explore Travel Packages

Awesome and accurate, very informative article, amazuy.com

Really nice blog has been shared by you. Before i read this blog i didn't have any knowledge about this. but now i got some knowledge. so keep on sharing such kind of an interesting blogs. Resorts for birthday party

I've spoken on the phone with Jim Morgan and I'm just blown away by his simple and effective strategy to make money using his basic woodworking skills. He started his woodworking business with NO capital, a few shop tools, and a lot of nerve, in a small 10x20 foot space and grew it into a 1,400 space in the first few months while still remaining as a one-person business! See his story at: http://www.woodprofits.com?vhbshygdf398432

Appreciation for really being thoughtful and also for deciding on certain marvelous guides most people really want to be aware of. singapore's largest beauty group medi aesthetics top medi aesthetics

You just made my vacation to Goa lot more easy. I was looking for some best and budget villas for a peaceful stay in Goa and your post came for my rescue. These all look stunning making it difficult to decide one. Excellent compilation friend! Goa tour packages

I will use their services again for tours within India and strongly recommend them. www.rajasthantoursindia.com

Tourist places in Goa

Nice post. it is very useful post. I like very much. Thank you for your sharing. Travels in madurai

Absolutely right. There is so much more to Goa than just the beaches. Thanks for writing this informative post.

You can also explore the beautiful hidden beaches of Goa. Especially in South goa beaches like palolem, agonda & the hidden gem butterfly beach. You feel so relaxed at this places and way to far from very crowded area like calangute.

Wonderful blog. Covered all required information. Amazing pictures and very interesting article..... Thanks a lot for giving proper tourist knowledge and share the different type of culture related to different places.Wow!! I love Goa so much!! I visited some of the places mentioned here. it was mind blowing experience. For me its like heaven.

Great guide, thanks ! Would you recommend some day tours please ?

I have a confirmed booking at ITC Fortune Select Regina, Candolim, Goa. Three Deluxe room for 3 days (13th Dec to 16 Dec ‘18). Price Rs 6500 per night stay(all inclusive price including breakfast). Anyone interested may contact me ( 9099022989). Actually it a group booking but 3 of our colleague are not joining due to last minute unavoidable reasons. It’s a 4 Star property at beautiful Candolim beach.

Your blog is Fab.. loved it…!! And you seems so generous and kind hearted…Keep up the great work,….

Goa is such a places where you can go anytime in the whole year. Fabulous must visit places in Goa are Dudh Sagar Waterfalls, Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, and Devil's Canyon. For a break from nature, check out man-made attractions such as Basilica of Bom Jesus, Fort Aguada, and National Aviation Museum.Wonderful blog. Just Loved it

what an amazing read.

Really amazing blog. Thanks for sharing

Its true that there is something else than just those beautiful beaches in Goa. There are lot other many things in Goa to explore other than beaches. Thanks for such an wonderful blog. Cheers.

Hello Sid, Sid seemed short to type, Love your blog, I am travelling to goa on a solo trip so your blog just made it easy, but I did try to find the place you stayed in Airbnb but failed, can you please send me more details or the direct link or contact number please. Looking forward to your response. Pooja( [email protected])

Hello, Did you received my comment?

Goa is presented very well in a single article.

Thankyou for this detailed post about Goa Travel. In this post describe Goa Culture and travel ideas of Goa very well. If you are anywhere in India use Lugsto cloakroom for luggage free travel. Lugsto provide secure luggage storage space at all main transit spots in India

Me and my friend planning to visit Goa. Lucky that i red this blog before start my trip. Such a nice information helped to plan for our trip.

Thanks for the in-depth wonderful article you turned out here Enjoyed reading the article above and thank you for sharing good knowledge and information it’s very helpful. I was searching for a travel blog and found your blog site. I like your high-quality blog site design plus your posting abilities. Keep doing it .

Nice post, keep it up and enjoy a trip to Goa.

That's Great, Thanks for posting such a informative blogpost

Goa is really a wonderful place. A happy party place. This year I missed Goa Trip but not next time.

Sunset cruises along the Mandovi River, water sports at Baga Beach, and the lively Anjuna Flea Market – Goa is a treasure trove of exciting activities for every traveler.

thank you for providing its really amazing to know this

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

Our recent trip to Goa for 5 nights with a group of 10 was transformed by using Cheqin.club instead of the usual OTAs. The platform enabled easy negotiations directly with hotels and homestays, yielding prompt and competitive offers that significantly benefited our travel budget and experience.

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A Solo Female Travel Blog

My ‘Slow Travel’ Guide To South Goa

South Goa is a peaceful alternative to the much touristic and crowded North Goa. If you’re someone who enjoys slow travel, local experiences, and seeks lesser-known sights and an intimate rendezvous with nature, my South Goa Travel Guide is for you. 

When I decided to travel to Goa during the pandemic, I purposely chose South Goa. It was a trip without a specific agenda. I wanted to savour the slow and quiet life of South Goa. My idea was to extract unique experiences, spontaneous adventures and rare attractions without doing much. 

I was conscious about choosing a destination, which was easy to reach, required minimal movement and human contact. I guess I was able to do that.

Besides, I avoided the hotels completely. I stayed at heritage mansions, homestays and AirBnbs to be able to experience the local life and discover the best places to visit in South Goa.

I believe we should make better travel choices, even when we have a vaccination for Coronavirus. Let’s not forget that travel is a privilege. Thereby, let’s be respectful towards the environment, nature, local resources and the communities. Let’s not be ignorant anymore.

It’s time we take responsibility of being good and kind travellers.

My ‘Slow Travel’ Guide To South Goa     

Even though it was a long trip, I did not visit North Goa to be able to avoid crowded places. While South Goa is known to be less crowded and peaceful, North Goa also has some reclusive places. You got to choose the right kind of places with a little bit of research.

You can also read my post on offbeat sights and travel experiences in North Goa .   

It was a three-week mother-daughter sojourn in the laidback villages of South Goa.

Here’s sharing my personal South Goa itinerary –

Majorda is an exceedingly charming village in Salcete, South Goa. I’d say Majorda is a great choice to begin your stay in Goa, as it’s not so far from the airport.

It’s an amazing concoction of the vintage appeal exuded by the Portuguese homes, old churches, art galleries and simple, unimposing, traditional village life of Goa. And, not to forget you also have Majorda beach, which is one of the most serene South Goa beaches.

I’d suggest you should indulge your appetite at Martin’s Corner and Pentagon Restaurant , which are highly recommended for yummy seafood and other non-vegetarian dishes. Visit them during the lean hours when there are fewer people. Pentagon has a lovely outdoor seating with a view of the lush fields.

I spent four days in Majorda at an extremely fascinating Portuguese mansion – Vivenda dos Palhacos .

Although I did not enjoy staying in Colva much, it is a reasonably beautiful coastal village in Salcete, South Goa. It is quite close to Majorda.

Colva has a highly commercial side to it – crowded beach, lots of shops and vehicles, which is why I did not like it much. However, there’s a quiet and appealing side to Colva, too. There are lush roads, ideal for strolling. There are imposing churches and chapels, cute cafes and bakeries, too.

I stayed in Colva for four days in an Airbnb, which was close to all the necessary shops and barely a kilometre away from Colva beach.

Benaulim is another lovely village in South Goa. It’s just a few kms from Colva. I’d say Benaulim is one of the best places, which are not on tourists’ radar. Therefore, it’s peaceful, non-commercial and inspires you to indulge in slow travel and stay longer in Goa.

South Goa Homestays

I stayed at Simply Homestay owned and run by Nicole, Charlie and their wonderful children, Ethan and Emma.

Apparently, there are not many homestays in Goa. However, I found my kind of a place to stay in South Goa with quite an ease. Simply Homestay is located in Cana Benaulim, which is 3km from Sernabatim Beach.

My fondest memories of South Goa are from Benaulim. I stayed at Nicole’s homestay for six days. And, it was a time well spent in the midst of serenity and verdure. I have to mention that my room and the stay turned out to be even better than what I had expected earlier when I had seen a few pictures of the homestay online.

The homestay is beautiful. It is so full of love. It is your haven of peace and comfort.

Since I had stayed at so many homestays in India, especially in the mountains , I was aware of certain things that I’d experience at Simply Homestay. However, I need to mention that Nicole seasons her comradely hospitality with a lot of ‘extras’, which is rare to find.

Nicole and Charlie help you connect with nature in a more meaningful way. I’ve given it a new term – ‘green hospitality’. The homestay has a wide variety of trees and plants that fulfil all your kitchen needs. As you sit and enjoy a meal under a tree, with a view of the rice paddies, Nicole and Charlie join you for conversations.

It’s always more rewarding to stay with a local family , as they give you insights about their traditions and beliefs, and make you connect with the place in a more authentic way. I could discover things like how rice is steamed traditionally at Goan homes, Feni making, fish drying, and the much-loved baking culture of Goa.  

You can give Charlie’s GoaGreen a chance for offbeat South Goa tour packages. They create bespoke experiences of Goa for discerning travellers.  

My most favourite part about staying at Simply Homestay was the beautiful breakfasts! I really, really appreciate Nicole for being so precise and particular about what I liked and disliked in terms of food. It was so generous of her to prepare breakfasts (and other meals) keeping in mind that I wanted to have only healthy stuff.

She was so accommodative towards my mom as well. Even my mom, who’s extremely particular about her food, felt at home.

Simply Homestay is one of the best places to stay in South Goa, if you’re not looking for luxuries and frills. You can check out their amenities and rates on the homestay’s website .

Thanks to Nicole, I got to explore a bit of Margao aka Madgaon, the commercial as well as the cultural capital of South Goa. It was an unexpected bonus to my South Goa trip.

I had planned to sleep in the afternoon, and I get a message from Nicole, “I’m going to Margao. Would you like to join?” Well, the invitation was too good to decline. I get ready in a jiffy.

Margao is your alternative to Panjim’s Fontainhas , which is in North Goa. Nicole drove us to a viewpoint, which was from a church. It was a great place to enjoy some panoramic views. However, the sunlight was not appropriate. So, we came to Holy Spirit Church, a 15 th century historic church, which has a lot of beguiling heritage around it – the rundown old mansions.

The significant old buildings of Margao to visit: Margao Municipal Council, Sat Bhurzam Ghor, and the Latin Quarters (Abade Faria Road).    

Sadly, the heritage of Margao comes with a black history. On September 21 of 1890, 23 Goans were massacred by the Portuguese rulers.

As stated in Herald Goa : The municipal elections were scheduled on that day and there were allegations that the elections were rigged and people were denied their right to vote and as the murmurings increased, the Portuguese administrator directed his force to fire on the around 4,000 people gathered near Holy Spirit Church.

While 17 people died on the spot including a woman who was leaving the church and a young boy who was playing at his house garden wall. Ultimately 23 people died in the firing that lasted for 20 minutes.

The bullet marks can be seen even today at the house of Dr Slavador Alvares who has framed the marks with circular bass plaques.

If you want to completely drift from the Goa of sun, sand and beaches , sojourn in Curtorim (a village in Salcete) for a few days. The river Zuari flows along the village giving it a dreamlike character.

Curtorim is steeped in verdure. It’s just not about churches, chapels and old Portuguese homes. Curtorim has an abundance of beautiful paddy fields, water bodies, and a huge variety of birds. Thereby, it’s a totally different aspect of Goa.

There are plenty of nature as well as heritage trails in Curtorim. It’s really up to your curiosity and the spirit to wander.  

I stayed in Curtorim for three days at Arco Iris Boutique Homestay .

Cavelossim is a perfect ‘workation’ in Goa. Fortunately, I found a beautiful Airbnb in Cavelossim , which offered me free WiFi, Netflix, a well-equipped kitchen, washing machine (much-needed for long stays) and a portico facing the lush garden of the property.

There were shops close to the house for all the daily essentials. I’d say Cavelossim is ideal for slow travel or a long-term travel in Goa.

Besides the Airbnb, you can also find quite a few popular hotels in Cavelossim – Radisson Blu Resort Goa , The Leela Goa Luxury Beach and Riverside Resort , and Novotel Goa Dona Sylvia Resort .

But if you’re someone like me who prefers to stay away from the touristic crowd, especially in times of Coronavirus, you should opt for a secluded accommodation in South Goa.

I loved Cavelossim particularly because of the deserted farms and fields and the distant blue mountains that I got to see while driving or walking. Not to forget there are some of the calmest beaches in Cavelossim.

I stayed in Cavelossim for four days, and it was the last leg of my trip.    

Carmona is another beautiful village in the Salcette district of South Goa. It’s barely 4 kms from Cavelossim.

I discovered Carmona, as I visited Carmona beach, which I thought was one of the best beaches in Goa – it was serene and deserted. And, I witnessed an exceedingly gorgeous sunset from the beach.

However, I have a word of caution for you – make sure you have your own vehicle with you whenever you visit these isolated beaches. You might not get a cab and it’s not fun to walk after sunset through the lonely streets.

Top experiences & activities of my South Goa trip      

• Elaborate breakfasts in old, heritage balconies or under a tree.
• Long walks through Goan villages.
• Visited lesser-known Goa beaches.
• Explored the cafes and bakeries of South Goa.
• Visited homes that make Feni, the local beverage of Goa.
• Watched many beautiful sunrises and sunsets.
• Relished a variety of fish at Goan homes.
• Enjoyed panoramic views from hilltops.
• Conversations with the locals.
• Walked by rivers and lakes.
• Savoured doing nothing.

Where To Stay In South Goa

South Goa has plenty of accommodation options for all kinds of budgets. You can either choose one of the heritage hotels in South Goa, such as Vivenda dos Palhacos , Arco Iris Boutique Homestay , or a comfy Airbnb for a budget stay.

Goa has many tastefully made hotels to give you that unforgettable experience. 

Check hotel prices on Booking.com

The worst part about your Goa trip could be the local taxis that you hire for commuting. Wouldn’t you agree? You could perhaps save some money when it comes to your accommodation, but the taxis in Goa do make a hole in your pocket.

Well, I found a cheaper alternative on my last trip in Goa –   

• Use Goa Miles App while you’re in Goa. Since there’s no Ola or Uber in Goa, the local taxi drivers exploit tourists. Say a big NO to them, and download Goa Miles app on your phone for much cheaper local cabs.
• If you’d like to drive, rent a car for the entire trip.

Is it safe to travel to Goa now?

Well, in the wake of COVID, it’s not safe to travel anywhere at the moment. However, you can be safe in Goa with proper precautions, such as staying away from crowded places, wearing your mask in public places and sanitizing your hands regularly.

Read my posts on Pandemic Travel:

Post Lockdown Travel – How To Be Safe?   

Is Air Travel Safe During COVID?

South Goa Trip Budget

The budget of your trip depends upon many things, such as the length of your trip, the season, the choices you make in terms of accommodation, food and transport.

You can follow some of my budget travel tips for your Goa trip –

• Choose all-inclusive homestays for your stay. Stay longer and ask for discount.
• Stay in Airbnb homes of Goa – the benefit is that you can cook your own meals and save money, which you would otherwise spend on restaurants.
• Stay at hotels that offer activities and sights at walkable distances. Avoid spending on local taxis.
• Make sure the first hotel that you check in as you land in Goa and the last hotel before you leave are close to the airport. You can save on kms and save on fuel.
• Look for good hotel deals on websites like Booking.com and Agoda. They are my favourites, as you get real good deals and also flexibility to cancel later without a charge.

Disclaimer: This post has affiliate links. If you make a booking through these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

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My Alternative Travel Guide to Goa.

Beyond the beaches, crowds and cut-copy-paste lists, my unique guide to offbeat Goa, featuring responsible travel experiences discovered over the years!

Ever since I gave up my home to embrace a life of travel , Goa has become my ‘digital nomad refuge’ in the monsoon.

That liberating feeling of driving a scooter along the endless rice paddies and palm-fringed interiors. Working out of quaint cafes with decent Wifi. Indulging my taste buds in authentic Goan curries  and at organic cafes. Calling charming old Portuguese houses (and other offbeat stays in Goa) ‘home’ for a few weeks.

This offbeat Goa, a Goa that few end up discovering, is everything I need to recharge my batteries, catch up on work and retreat into susagade (contentment) mode.

Also read: Inspiring Places to Live, Work and Explore as a Digital Nomad

Beyond the beaches, an offbeat Goa

Away from the grey beaches and boisterous crowds, this is my guide to lesser-known, offbeat places in Goa. Where peacocks dance in open meadows in the rains and locals gather at neighborhood churches to pray and socialize. Where long-term dwellers embrace an organic way of life, and creative types find abundant inspiration.

Slow down, stay a while and discover offbeat Goa through responsible travel and sustainable living experiences.

Also read: The Perfect 3-Day Goa Itinerary for Slow Travel

• Soulful family-run homestays

Experiential eco-friendly B&Bs

Minimalist hipster airbnbs, boutique hotels, volunteer for free accommodation (offbeat stays in goa in exchange for work).

• Royal Fantacy (Ponda)
• Nostalgia by Chef Fernando (Salcete)

Voltaire (Bardez)

Goan thalis, other authentic goan restaurants, bean me up (anjuna).

• Saraya (Saligao)
• Ruta’s Roadhouse (Assagao)

Café Bodega (Panjim)

Sunday mornings at museum of goa, have a beach to yourself in the rains (easier than trying to find offbeat beaches in goa), kayak on the backwaters, go on a sunrise heritage walk, show up for a jazz night, attend a talk on sustainability at 6 assagao, find goa offbeat places as you drive your bike on the inner roads, shop at a unique fair trade clothing boutique, automatic bikes / scooters, self drive cars, see the goa responsible tourism collective for offbeat hotels in goa (and other lesser known ideas), live and buy local, say no to plastic bags and bottles, be mindful of your surroundings, best time to visit goa, phone connectivity in goa, must pack for goa, what’s up goa, goan food critic, odette mascarenhas, hippie in heels, global gallivanting, noticeboards in cafes, what are your favorite offbeat places in goa got any questions for responsible travel in goa, offbeat places to stay in goa.

Soulfu l family-run homestay s

To be honest, I had never really experienced offbeat Goa until I stayed at Cancio’s House with the Amaral family in a quintessential Goan village.

Their 500+ year old Portuguese era home is full of untold stories and their drinking water still comes from an ancient well. In the outhouse cottage surrounded by old jackfruit trees, there is plenty of privacy. Yet chances are, you won’t leave without feeling like a part of the 3 generations of this family.

Helene and Derek refurbished their 150+ year old ancestral home – The Secret Garden – so beautifully that it’s hard not to fall in love the moment you enter its little blue gate.

This Portuguese-style home is nestled in one of Saligao’s villages with cobbled streets, home to stunning rice paddies. I felt totally pampered by Helene’s famous breakfasts – home-baked sourdough bread, hummus, vegan sourdough pancakes and Goan savories. And those late night dips in a mostly naturally cleaned pool under a moonlit sky were something else!

Bungalow 598 is an old Goan home turned into a cluster of chic, minimally designed rooms and common living spaces. Glass walls overlook the green Assagao neighborhood in this low-energy, low-waste, hipster space. I loved the creativity of the space and the easy access it offers to North Goa’s best hangout spots. But I sorely missed being able to open my windows to the salty breeze and natural elements.

If you’re not on Airbnb yet, sign up with my referral to get 40$ off your first booking.

It takes a while to manoeuvre through the long list of characterless hotels to find offbeat hotels in Goa. But a little bit of research could land you amid the sunny courtyards of the uniquely designed Alila Diwa and its infinity pool overlooking endless rice paddies. Its restaurant Spice Studio serves delicious curries and offers a ‘Dine in the Dark’ experience every month.

When you browse through hotels in Goa, the trick is to focus as much on the Goan authenticity as on your budget.

The rustic eco-huts and vegan-friendly cafe at Saraya operate on a cool concept. You work for a few hours daily, managing the cafe or working in the organic garden, and get food and lodging in exchange. A pretty sweet deal!

Also read: Offbeat, Incredible and Sustainable: Travel Companies Changing the Way We Experience India

Offbeat places in Goa for authentic Goan food

Restaurants like Britto’s and Susa Lobo were once considered food institutions in Goa. But now serve average, ‘nothing like real Goan’ food.

Ditch those, and head to small, lesser-known, family-run restaurants for an authentic taste of Goa.

Royal Fantacy  (Ponda)

On a desperate afternoon of quiet hunger, while driving from North Goa towards a spice plantation stay near Dudhsagar, we decided to take our chances and stop for lunch at the decrepit Royal Fantacy (yes, fantasy with a “c”). Oh what seredipity it was!

Given its vicinity to the spice plantations, my slow-cooked mushroom xacuti was made with aromatic, freshly-ground spices, lending it a flavor so delicious that I still salivate at the thought of it. Totally worth a detour.

Nostalgia by Chef Fernando  (Salcete)

Hugely popular among locals, Nostalgia by Chef Fernando , is set in an old Portuguese house full of character. They’ve dug out Goan recipes that are obsolete or otherwise hard to find in other restaurants.

The big vegetarian (also vegan, since there’s no dairy in traditional Goan food) section is a delight for plant-based eaters. I love their seasonal Goan curries with sana (a small round bread with a tinge of sweetness), along with a refreshing glass of urrak (a local cashew-based alcohol, lighter than feni) mixed with Limca.

Also Read: Most Amazing Vegan Restaurants to try in Goa

Right across the Mandovi River, Voltaire focusses on Hindu-influenced Goan cuisine. It’s the only haunt I’ve found yet that can do a vegetarian / vegan version of udamethi and tonak – both deliciously flavorful curries, served up with une , a local bread similar to pao.

As a vegan traveller , I’ve watched friends relish their fish thalis at Ritz Classic with an empty plate. So imagine my delight when my hosts at The Secret Garden first recommended a neighborhood joint for a vegetarian/vegan thali. Thus began my long, on-going search for Goa’s best thalis!

Some of my current favorites are Wood’s Inn in Porvorim, Manisha’s Home Food and Kokni Canteen in Panjim. The Goan thali experience begins with squeezing alongside locals into a hole-in-the-wall space. A typical vegan thali consists of a mound of rice, seasonal veggies, Goan curries, coconut-flavored daal, grated papad-coconut mix and a spicy kokum to round up the meal. Go hungry!

I’ve written in greater detail about my favorite Goan food restaurants over the years. The food at Andron  in Nachinola is still among the best I’ve had in Goa yet, but call Anthony in advance if you want to eat vegetarian/vegan.

Best cafes for an offbeat Goa itinerary

All the cafes I’ve included in my Goa travel guide are vegan/vegetarian friendly, offer free wifi and remain open even during the monsoon months:

It took me forever to try the food at Bean Me Up , because I typically land up in Goa during the rainy season when it used to be closed. But I finally got beaned up in 2019 – both during a spring trip and their decision to open part of the resto during monsoon.

I now know what the hype is all about – for Bean Me Up serves up an incredibly diverse plant-based menu. I love their ‘taste of the middle east’, Buddha Bowl and tofulafel wrap. Oh and it would be a travesty to leave without trying their insanely good chocolate mousse cake!

Saraya  (Saligao)

I’m almost embarrassed by how often I’ve shown up at Saraya over the years – thanks to their farm-to-table food from their own organic garden!

My favorites are the Summertime Sandwich with minced mushrooms and vegan cashew cheese, the homemade hummus and toasted pita bread, and the wood-fired vegan pizza (served only at night). Don’t miss the lemongrass and mint iced tea!

Ruta’s Roadhouse  (Assagao)

Ruta’s Roadhouse is one of my favorite cafes to work from in Goa. I can see myself sitting by the dome shaped windows overlooking the wilderness on a rainy day, while indulging in homemade hummus and Moroccan style chickpea curry and couscous.

While running errands around Panjim, I make it a point to grab an eggplant-hummus sandwich at Café Bodega . Built around a sunny, green courtyard, it offers respite from the city and would’ve been my hangout of choice if they had more vegan options.

Offbeat things to do in Goa

Something we would’ve never known had our hostess at Secret Garden not tipped us off. Every Sunday morning, locals and expats meet up at Museum of Goa (MOG) in Bardez for a talk / discussion by Goans doing something unique. We saw a short play by a theatre startup, followed by an interesting discussion on Konkan vs international theatre. The following week was a documentary screening by a local artist. I think it’s a great way to connect with the creative side of Goa.

Truth be told, the grey beaches of Goa don’t do much for me. But I’d take the coast in the monsoon over the December crowds anyday – with grey skies, roaring waves and beaches like Little Vagator and Ashwem almost entirely to myself.

Back in the day, I had no idea Goa even had backwaters, let along kayaking on them. Scratching the surface slowly, I learnt from my hosts at Cancio’s House about discovering Goa’s secret mangroves on kayak. So on a rainy July afternoon, we set out rowing into the untouched backwaters of northern Goa. Amid the mangroves, we heard peacock cries and spotted eagles on barren trees – all while getting drenched in the rain. What an experience!

I’m not a morning person, but I made a vow to be awake for more sunrises, and managed it on my last day in Goa this monsoon. I’m glad I did, because seeing those rice paddies shrouded in mist is totally worth it. You can do it yourself, or join a heritage walk (complete with offbeat locations and quirky stories) with Subodh Kerkar, the founder of MOG.

It’s one thing to hit the discotheques in Goa with other travellers, quite another to dance with locals to jazz music at a neighborhood joint (Cantare in Saligao for example) till the wee hours of the morning – it’s not my thing, but it could become yours!

Typically every Monday, the outdoor space of the popular Gunpowder restaurant at 6 Assagao transforms into a space for talks and screenings on a wide range of subjects. I’ve attended multiple talks by environmentalists and NGOs on India’s – and Goa’s – impending water crisis and ecological challenges. It was here that I watched a rare screening of the Konkani film on life in a typical Goan village – an eye-opener for an outsider like me.

If these are subjects that interest you, this is a great opportunity to meet like-minded locals too.

For me, one of the biggest charms of Goa is driving a scooter along the palm-fringed inner roads and the vast rice paddies, through truly susegade Goan villages, away from the traffic and the crowds. The point is not to get anywhere, but to just let my hair down, set my thoughts free, and experience that ‘Goa is a state of mind’ feeling!

No Nasties is the newest kid on Goa’s shopping block. And even for someone like me, who hardly ever shops, I was sold by their organic, fair-trade, vegan clothing. They use no harmful chemicals or animal dyes in their entire supply chain. The clothes range from trendy dresses to cotton t-shirts with trendy slogans. My “who invited the vegan?” t-shirt from No Nasties always draws eyeballs!

See  12 mind-blowing experiences I’ve discovered in Goa over the years. These include visiting one of Goa’s last remaining traditional bakeries and joining a local festival that involves jumping in old irrigation wells!

How to get around

Seriously, rent an automatic scooter and feel the wind in your hair as you whizz around Goa! Look for inner routes on Google maps so you can ditch the crowded highways and main roads.

I love Honda’s new 125cc bikes, but the more easily available Activa is good enough too. Ask your hosts to get you a good deal – usually INR 300 a day for short term rentals, and INR 250 a day for longer stays.

A convenient option to get around on rainy days, or when you need to go a long distance, like from north to south Goa. A basic car like Maruti or Indigo costs around INR 1200 a day.

My least preferred option, but for rides to/from the airport or if you’re not too keen to drive yourself, go with a Goan driver who can also share stories of living there. Ask your host to arrange a local driver for you.

Also read: Things to do in Kasaragod to Refresh Your Connection With Nature

Responsible travel and ecotourism in Goa

Time and again, I’ve heard Goans lament about (and seen for myself) how mass tourism is slowly destroying the beauty of Goa. As travellers, it is upon us to make more informed travel choices and be more aware of our surroundings.

My recommendations in this offbeat Goa guide are all based on responsible travel elements. We can further do our bit to travel responsibly in Goa in these simple ways:

The Goa Responsible Tourism Collective is a collection of accommodations, restaurants, tour providers and adventure outfits with a common vision to protect the environment while offering incredible experiences. It has seriously grown my Goa travel wishlist, especially offbeat things to do in South Goa.

While deciding where to stay and what to eat, choose places owned or run by Goans, that are mindful of the environment. These tend to be more authentic experiences, ensure that tourism money goes back to the locals and are kinder to the beauty of the state.

I picked up a nifty cloth bag that folds into the size of a fist, at the boutique shop at Gunpowder . Although plastic bags are banned in Goa, many small shops still give them freely, and you just have to say no – better still, remind them about the ban. And like anywhere else, carry your own water bottle to refill fresh spring/well water and save money (and trash) on plastic mineral water bottles. Every time you see trash lining the beaches and hillsides, you’ll remember why.

It’s quite awful to see beaches, forts or stretches of rice paddies made popular by Bollywood movies overrun by Instagrammers or groups of boisterous drunk tourists. Be mindful that you’re in someone else’s home. Perhaps drink at home, and go to Goa to savor its natural beauty and unique culture instead?

Also read: 15 Responsible Travel Tips for Authentic, Meaningful Experiences on the Road

Goa essentials

The winter months (October to March) are the most popular time to visit Goa, but if you ask me, there is nothing like Goa in the rains .

The cloudy weather makes it much more pleasant to be outdoors than the otherwise hot sun, the rice paddies paint the countryside lush green, and everywhere is relatively less crowded. The perfect time to discover offbeat Goa.

Airtel and Vodafone tend to work well (with 3G/4G) in North Goa, but I remember Airtel giving me trouble the one time I stayed at Agonda in South Goa.

I love that you can walk into a fancy resto or a street market in flip-flops, a casual dress, harem pants or anything you fancy – without being judged. Pack for tropical weather; carry sunscreen, shades and a cap.

Also read: What the Village Folk of Kumaon Taught Me About Life

Other resource for Goa: Offbeat places to visit and stay

Their events calendar is a handy way to find out what’s happening in Goa while you’re around.

I’ve discovered many of my favorite eats in Goa, thanks to Odette’s candid food reviews in Goa !

A travel blog written by Rachel, who moved to Goa from the US a while ago. Her list of places to  volunteer in Goa  is especially helpful.

Run by travel blogger Anna, who quit her job in the UK and is now based out of Goa. Her recommendations of books on Goa’s hippie past have expanded my reading list.

There is always something happening in Goa – yoga classes, discussions, movie screenings, live music. Look out for event posters in cafes like Saraya.

Welcome to my blog, The Shooting Star. I’ve been called a storyteller, writer, photographer, digital nomad, “sustainability influencer,” social entrepreneur, solo traveller, vegan, sustainable tourism consultant and environmentalist. But in my heart, I’m just a girl who believes that travel – if done right – has the power to change us and the world we live in.

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68 comments.

Enticing as always …. Cheers 🙂

I like your section Responsible Travel. Go local and do never, for any reason, contribute to unnecessary waste. That’s true everywhere. Enjoy your stay in Goa!

I agree, true everywhere!

Thanks Shivya. Gr8 read as usual. Love the inclusion of local resources links too. I get lost in the reading (in a good way) before i even get a chance to get lost in Goa! lol. Safe travels friend. Greg

That’s a good place to get lost, Greg 😉 Hope it’ll be in person in Goa soon!

Goa….my love. rather i have decided to get settled there . Inner roads & small bars are awesome. Fish curry & Uman..mouth watering test! step in to Ravi bar in Ponda

Good read, makes me long to travel again.

Hi, I’ve been following your posts for a month now and it’s truly inspiring. Was wondering you to share few thoughts about communication when you reach a place with totally unaware of it’s language and culture. Did that ever happened?

I try not to let that happen, but even if it does, it’s just about getting on google and reading a little bit about the culture and learning some basic phrases (hello, thank you go a long way). Talk to bilingual local and ask what you need it. If you have a local host, even better. Observe and don’t judge 🙂

Thanks for giving us a view of a different side of Goa. I really enjoyed Panjim, especially the food there, and the beaches are okay, but they are a nice break after Mumbai!

I like Panjim for a city, but I really prefer the lush, quiet interiors over the beaches 😉

• Pingback: My Alternative Travel Guide to Goa. — The Shooting Star – kesuvulu

Hey this was a very informative and beautifully writtten..Thank you:)

That is a nice and comprehensive guide for one of my favourite destinations 😉 Thank you!

This is excellent! Any tips for South Goa?

Only the couple of interesting restos I came across – Nostalgia and Royal Fantasy. I tried staying in South Goa for a bit this time, but realized I prefer the interiors of the north much more.

A perfect guide to visit original goa which is not only discos & nigh out parties.

I too visited Goa during monsoon and its best during that season. I fall in love with its lush green environment & prefer to travel at less crowded destinations so off season is best time to visit Goa.

Brilliant Shivya….i can’t help but agree…Goa or for that matter whole of Konkan / Western Ghats / Malabar is enchanting in Monsoons…. very well written….grrrrrrrt info….wud surely luv to take good use in next yr or so…..more power to u..ur thoughts, lens nd Pen….Khush Raho.

Also visit Arvalem Caves and waterfall during monsoon. The drive through North Goa to Arvalem is breath taking.

I visited there a while back and found it to be an interesting part of North Goa! It’s on my offbeat, mind-blowing experiences in Goa list, so didn’t include it here again 😉

Thank you lots for this post 🙂 Gave me an idea of the other side of Goa.. Something that was required :))

Thanks again for the post 🙂

I couldn’t agree more! I’ve been to Goa in the off/ rainy season once and it was very enjoyable. You should do more of such alternate guides, very useful and thoughtful!

Cheers for your further travels. Love.x

Thanks Pragya; glad you found it useful. I’ll try to do more such guides on places I’ve spent plenty of time in!

Twice in Goa this year. Will surely try the alternative guide next time there. Thanks @Shivya.

Hi Shivya, Lovely post, Goa is my favorite place to be, especially during the rains. Loved your insights and recommendations will try them out when I visit again.

I too have written a similar post last year, take a look https://donandthetravelmafia.wordpress.com/2015/10/11/beautiful-goa-my-home-forever/

Regards Malita

Good one, Shivya. Especially touching the aspects of being a responsible tourist/traveler. I guess that has a cardinal impact on the future of the destination especially a place like Goa.

Absolutely, and it’s upon each one of us to make more responsible choices!

WOW – where do I start? What a great blog. I was going to book some hotel on the beach and then I read your blog. I so want to stay at Secret Garden and will ask if they have space Will I need a car to get around What else can I do thanks again for your super recommendation

I’m so glad to hear that Jackie! I absolutely loved my time there.

You can hire an automatic scooter to get around, and locals taxis are available too. Your hosts will be able to guide you with that and more things to do 🙂

thank you for all of your help and useful information…..

I have been to Goa more than 10 times till now still I feel I have one more place to explore as soon as I come back. Loved your great detailed writing and awesome documentation.

Nice Blog !!! After reading your blog i am very excited to visit Goa.

You blog is a good lesson for me .I am just with you .

Nice work! I would love to travel the world too someday. X

That is exciting! I’d love to do something like this. There’s so much to see!

Good to meet someone who loves goa for its rustic charm. Travel wide and spread the awesomeness !!

I’m just staring at this looking like the heart-eye emoji. I love your blog so much!

Aww thank you, love that expression, haha!

Thank you for these beautiful and realistic photos! And love the tips. We are preparing for a round the world trip with our boys and really want to go to India. I have been in the North but, thought a lot about Goa.

I hope you make it to Goa! India has so much to offer beyond the tourist-y places 🙂 All the best for your RTW!

the real feel of a trip is only felt wen we try to experience it like a traveller and not a tourist.

This sounds like an absolutely AMAZING lifestyle! I look forward to reading even more of your fabulous adventures. xx

Hi Shivya , you are simply superrrrb , living a fabulous life inspirational to so many including me . Hats off to you dear . Enjoy your travelling .

woww.. have been to Goa 2 times already..I m surely gonna steal ur itenary 😀 ,it is so cool

To do for Simple and reminiscing trip..Goa is sexy and from your words, sexier 😍

What wonderful information here! Thank you. As we continue our travels around the world, I will be referring back to this.

this is really good..its been a long time since i went to goa, thinking of revisiting it after reading your post 🙂

I’m glad you are! There’s so much to discover in that little state beyond the beaches 🙂

As always you create a great Go guide which never fails! Love the post which unearths a new side of Goa Shivya!

Very nice description

Amazing natural pictures, feeling good to see this locations, generally we think GOA means only beaches but this change my mind. Thank your for sharing.

Great ! Love how detailed and informative it is 🙂

Could this get better? It was amazing 🙂 I have been to Goa 5 times but then this just gave me a whole new perspective of travelling

Its amazing the way you can express your feelings and the beauty of the place. totally loved it.

Reblogged this on Eat N Travel to Live .

Wonderfully written! I’m going to travel solo to Goa this coming December. Would love to connect and find out the offbeat stuff I can do other than usual riding around on a scooter to explore! Wish you many memorable trips around the world!

Beautiful Place , beautifully explained by a beautiful Girl 🙂

How to check that i am not overcharged in food as i am going in quite busy months of january ?

You’ve mentioned to stay at places that are run by the locals, how do you find them? I know one way viz to ask around once I get there, but how do I book my stay from a remote location?

Outstanding post for any traveler. This post just motivated me to go to Goa Again. I am a traveler myself and I’ve always preferred road trips as it has always given me the ultimate pleasure of sight seeing. I still remember my road trip from Bangalore to Goa. I went with my friends and we made a road trip as usual. We rented six bikes from Wheelstreet bike rentals and trust me that was one of the best trips I ever had. recently we have a plan to go to Mumbai. And this post is really motivating me to take another road trip to Goa but this time it is gonna be from Mumbai. Thanks a lot for such amazing post and the pictures look beautiful.

Great experiences. And thanks for sharing the information. It will be very helpful.

hi shivya, as soon as i get confirmed train tickets, i open this page. i read it long time ago and very determined to visit goa in rainy season. i print helpful notes from above page and i will be there in coming days. keep posting your travel experience, so we can enjoy the same place with your help.

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I so want to pack my bags and travel to goa right now. Awesome blog.

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3 Days Goa Itinerary: A Perfect Plan for Sightseeing

Budget Hotels > Travel Blog > Tours & Itineraries > 3 Days Goa Itinerary: A Perfect Plan for Sightseeing

No wonder Goa tops the list of best holiday destinations in India. The sun, sand and the sea together with the party hotspots in the north and the serenity down south make it an irresistible combo of fun and leisure. But scenic beaches and eccentric nightlife are not the only attractions that await you in Goa. From exploring ancient temples and churches, age-old forts and pretty Portuguese villages to captivating sunsets, flea markets, exciting water sports and a night of gambling at the casino, there’s a lot more to experience in this beach paradise.

With so much to see and do, even a week’s time might seem less to explore this beautiful state. But if you can’t accommodate such a long trip, choose a Goa itinerary for 3 days.

Here’s a perfect itinerary to help you explore the best of North and South Goa:

8.00 am – 10.00 am: Enjoy a sumptuous breakfast in North Goa

Breakfast in North Goa | 3-Day Trip to Goa

As you arrive in Goa early in the morning, you probably wouldn’t want to waste even a split second to delve in the amazing vibe of the state. So just drop off your luggage at the hotel and head for an appetizing meal at one of North Goa’s most-loved breakfast places.

Where to eat?

• Infantaria, Calangute
• Baba Au Rhum, Anjuna
• Lila Café, Anjuna
• Artjuna, Anjuna

Places to Stay: Hotels in North Goa

10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Visit the sun-kissed beaches in the north

Beaches in North Goa | 3-Day Trip to Goa

Post a sumptuous English breakfast or an authentic Goan morning feast, it’s time to hit one of the popular beaches in the north… after all, isn’t that why you planned a trip to Goa in the first place? Depending on what you want to do, choose where you wish to go.

Where to go and why?

• Baga Beach : For water sports like scuba diving, jet skiing and paragliding, dolphin cruises and banana, bumper and boat rides
• Calangute Beach : For swimming, yoga, long walks, sunbathing, surfing, catamaran sailing and water skiing
• Anjuna Beach : For water sports, Ayurvedic massages, hair braids and temporary tattoos

In case it’s a Wednesday, don’t miss out on the popular Anjuna Flea Market to buy souvenirs, beachy clothes, home décor, artificial jewellery, spices and much more.

• Timings : 9.00 am till sunset (November to March)
• Places to Stay: Hotels near Baga Beach , Hotels near Calangute Beach

After strolling down the long stretches of golden sand and indulging the water baby in you, you must have worked up an appetite by now. You can try the seafood delicacies and other local fare served at one of the beach shacks or head to a good restaurant nearby.

• Pousada by the Beach, Calangute
• Souza Lobo, Calangute
• Britto’s, Baga
• Fat Fish, Baga
• De Baga Deck, Baga
• Purple Martini, Anjuna
• Burger Factory, Anjuna
• Café Cotinga, Anjuna

Thereafter, continue your Goa journey to the iconic Chapora Fort.

• By road : Approx. 20-30 minutes’ drive

Do check our blog:  North Goa vs. South Goa

4.30 pm – 6.00 pm: Recreate ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ pose at Chapora Fort

Chapora Fort | 3-Day Trip to Goa

If you’re a Bollywood buff at heart, you wouldn’t want to miss out on exploring the historical ruins of Chapora Fort located next to Vagator Beach. You might find the trek up to the fort strenuous but the captivating views of the sunset sky above and the sea below will be worth it! Plus, you’ll get to click a picture at the place where the blockbuster, Dil Chahta Hai was shot.

• Last Entry : 5.30 pm (All days)

After sunset, carefully climb down the fort and proceed to Vagator.

• By road : Approx. 10 minutes’ drive
• Places to Stay: Hotels near Chapora Fort

6.10 pm – 8.00 pm: Unwind under the starlit sky at Vagator Beach

Vagator Beach | 3-Day Trip to Goa

Unlike its counterparts that are known for tourist traffic, Vagator Beach is one of the cleaner, quieter and rather isolated beaches in North Goa. You can just relax here; soaking in the cool sea breeze, the sound of the waves lapping the shore and the beautiful night sky.

If you stay at the beach for long, you can even attend one of those famous Goa parties that go on till the wee hours of the night and play some hypnotic trance music.

• Places to Stay: Hotels in Vagator Beach

8.00 pm onwards: Eat, drink and make merry till late night hours

Eat-Drink late Night | 3-Day Trip to Goa

Should you wish to stay back in Vagator for dinner, it has some of the finest European restaurants in the area serving exotic Goan cuisine especially seafood delicacies.

• Olive Bar and Kitchen
• Spice Traders

Another option would be to get in your car and drive down to Thalassa.

• By road Approx. 15 minutes’ drive

This happening Greek tavern in Siolim is all the rage amongst party seekers and popular for its good food, electrifying music and spirited ambience. And to top it all, it offers the most beautiful views of the Arabian Sea owing to its amazing location right on the shore.

You can party here till late amidst music and madness and then come back to the hotel in North Goa for a goodnight’s sleep so you wake up refreshed the next day.

8:00 pm onwards (alternate option): Shop at Goa’s night markets

NIght Market in Goa | 3-Day Trip to Goa

If it’s a Saturday, then you can leave Vagator Beach for one of the famous night markets in Goa: Saturday Night Market (Arpora) and Mackies Saturday Nite Bazaar (Baga).

• By road : Approx. 15 minutes’ drive

These markets are not just great to shop for an extensive selection of handmade goods but they also have everything you need to feel the true Goa vibe. There’s live music; food stalls serving salads and waffles and other local fare; cocktail bars; fun zones; and more.

• Timings : Saturday Night Market (Arpora): 4.00 pm – 11.00 pm (November-April) Mackies Saturday Nite Bazaar (Baga): 6.00 pm – 1.00 am (November-May)

You can shop your heart out, binge on savoury and sweet treats and have a gala time at the markets before retreating to your hotel in Goa to sleep off the night.

9.00 am – 12.00 pm: Delve into history with a trip to Old Goa

History in Goa | 3-Day Trip to Goa

Goa is not all about partying and chilling… it also has a totally different side to it that speaks volumes about the state’s rich architectural and cultural heritage. So start your second day with a quick breakfast at the hotel followed by a long drive to Old Goa (or Velha). Once the capital of Portuguese India, Velha has many colonial-era buildings for history buffs to explore.

What to see?

• Basilica of Bom Jesus
• Se Cathedral
• Church of St. Cajetan
• Church of St. Francis of Assisi
• Church of Our Lady of the Mount
• Chapel of St. Francis Xavier
• Augustine Tower
• Museum of Christian Art

Click as many pictures as you can at these magnificent edifices dating back years and thereafter, take the road back to Panaji, the state capital, to explore its gems.

12.30 pm – 5.00 pm: Take a tour of the best of the best in Panaji

Panaji | 3-Day Trip to Goa

Drive through the cobblestone streets and bright, colourful Portuguese-era houses of Panaji to get a true feel of what the real Goa is. En route, catch a glimpse of some of the most popular landmarks in the area and if you have the time, don’t miss to capture them.

• Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception
• Fontainhas Latin Quarter

It’s almost time for lunch now, so take a break from all the sightseeing and halt at one of the popular restaurants or cafes in Panaji to sample an authentic Goan meal.

• The Fisherman’s Wharf
• The Black Sheep Bistro
• Kokni Kanteen
• Ritz Classic

Once you’re full, continue your sojourn in Panaji with a visit to its most frequented place – Miramar Beach. Clean and filled with soft sand, this beach is perfect for unwinding or taking an evening stroll or even binge drinking at one of the pubs or bars along the shore.

You can also check , Budget Hotels in Goa , Couple Friendly Hotels in Goa  and 3 Star Hotels in Goa

5.00 pm – 7.00 pm: Go for a boat cruise on the River Mandovi

Boat cruise on River Mandovi | 3-Day Trip to Goa

After spending a couple of hours at the tranquil Miramar Beach, prepare yourself for the experience of a lifetime: an hour-long boat cruise on Mandovi. The relaxed sail, traditional dance performances like Dekhni and Fugdi , DJ music, sightseeing and the best of all, the enchanting Goan sunset all make it the best way to spend some quality time with friends or family.

• Last Cruise : Around 8.00 pm

7.00 pm onwards: Try your luck at Goa’s anchored casinos

Goa’s anchored casinos | 3-Day Trip to Goa

When in Goa, you definitely shouldn’t miss out on the memorable gaming experience offered by the state’s offshore casinos. Who knows, you just might get lucky!

Where to go?

• Deltin Royale
• Deltin Jaqk
• Deltin Caravela
• Big Daddy Jetty
• Casino Pride

You can also enjoy live music and dance from 9 pm onwards along with a world-class gourmet buffet and free drinks that make the casino visit all the more worth it.

• Entry Fee : Starting @ 1500 per person

Spend as much time as you wish at the casino; you can even stay here till the dawn of light and keep playing and hopefully, winning before you return to your hotel.

(Alternate Option)

5.00 pm – 7.00 pm: View a spellbinding sunset at Fort Aguada

Sunset at Fort Aguada | 3-Day Trip to Goa

From the Miramar Beach, you can also head back towards the heart of North Goa but don’t forget to make a stop at Fort Aguada to enjoy a captivating view of the sea.

• By road : Approx. 45 minutes’ drive
• Places to Stay: Hotels near Fort Aguada

Reach the fort via the 4 km-long road from Sinquerim Beach or take the shorter 2 km-long foot path; however, do note that it is a steep climb. But watching the sun setting on the horizon from atop this fort would be a memory that will be etched in your mind forever.

• Last entry : 6.00 pm (All days)

After experiencing the tranquillity and enjoying the natural beauty at Fort Aguada, proceed to one of the famous pubs along Candolim-Baga stretch for max-level fun.

• By road : Approx. 15-30 minutes’ drive

7.00 pm onwards: Party till you drop at North Goa’s pubs

North Goa’s Pubs | 3-Day Trip to Goa

You’ve spent time at Goa’s beach shacks that are open till late but your trip will be incomplete if you don’t witness the state’s happening nightlife at its various pubs. The delicious food, the cocktails and the peppy music are sure to bring out the party animal in you.

• Cohiba, Candolim
• SinQ, Candolim
• LPK Waterfront, Nerul
• Café Mambos, Baga
• Cape Town Café, Baga
• Tito’s, Baga

Do visit St. Anthony’s shack on Baga if karaoke is your thing.

Since most pubs are open till late, you can dance (or sing) your heart out while sipping on drinks and binging on snacks before you head back to sleep off the night.

Full Day: Explore the beaches of South Goa and more

Beaches of South Goa | 3-Day Trip to Goa

Relish a delicious breakfast at the hotel or outside and then get ready to explore the tourist hotspots down south. From serene and beautiful beaches to revered shrines to wildlife sanctuaries and more, South Goa has a lot on offer for people of different interests.

• By road : Approx. 2-3 hours’ drive

Since the first two days have been quite frenetic, it would be ideal to spend your last day of the tour just lazing around, away from the hustle-bustle of the north. The sun-kissed beaches and spectacular landscapes of South Goa are sure to offer you absolute bliss.

• Colva Beach: For adventure sports like skiing, parasailing and paragliding
• Benaulim Beach: For spice plantations, boat rides, bike rides and other water activities
• Agonda Beach: For windsurfing, hiking and dolphin rides
• Palolem Beach: For silent parties, dolphin spotting, scuba diving and sunset viewing
• Polem Beach: For swimming and sunbathing

You can also visit Shantadurga Temple, which is a sight to see.

Whenever you’re hungry, you can enjoy a sumptuous Goan meal or other multi-cuisine delicacies at any of the restaurants, cafes or shacks dotted across South Goa.

• Martin’s Corner, Betalbatim
• The Fisherman’s Wharf, Cavelossim
• Dropadi, Palolem
• The Red Ginger, Colva
• Mickey’s Colva
• Zeebop, Majorda

After spending whatever time you have at the most popular places in South Goa, it is best to head back to the airport in time for your flight with a bag full of memories.

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Things to Do in Goa for a Memorable Trip

No matter what your travel goal is, Goa is unarguably the most sought-after beach destination for most travelers. The palm-lined shores with golden sandy beaches, the azure sea meeting the sky, and the colorful, vibrant culture of the Konkan state make for an incredible travel experience in every visit.

Table of Contents

• Places to visit in North Goa
• Places to visit in South Goa
• Places to visit nearby
• Places to eat
• How to reach
• Best time to visit

Hidden Facts

• Places to stay

Things to do in Goa

While you explore old forts, churches, popular beaches, and other famous places in Goa, don’t forget to have some adventures in Goa. Try these interesting activities for the ultimate travel experience. 

• Take a tour of the ancient palaces and mansions dating to the time of the Portuguese rule, like the Fernandes House, Braganza House, or the Fontainhas and Sao Tome. 
• Experience the night beach life infamous clubs like Love Karma Passion, Mambos or SinQ.
• Take a dining cruise on the Mandovi River , and try your luck at the casino cruises, while you sail along. 
• Enjoy all kinds of water sports in Goa like parasailing, banana boat, jet ski, scuba diving, and more.
• Go shack hopping and exploring the bustling pubs on Baga or Calangute beach, Anjuna, Arpora, Ashwem, and others in the north. Or, relax and dine at the exotic beachside restaurants and diners in the south beaches of Palolem, Patnem, Canacona, Colva, and Majorda. 
• Explore the food trail . The Konkan state is a heady mix of traditional Konkani fare and a rich culinary legacy derived from its Portuguese past. Sample special Goa food like vindaloo, xacuti, cafreal, or traditional sweets like bebinca, dodol, or guava cheese. Don’t forget to try freshly caught fish.

Hire a car rental in Goa to travel around the place with ease and experience all these major adventures.

Best Places to See

With its palm-lined shores, golden sandy beaches, the calming blue sea, the clear sky, and the vibrant cosmopolitan culture, there are endless places to see and visit in this beach paradise . Goa tourist places are divided across the north and south parts of the state. 

The best beaches of Goa are mostly in the northern part, known for nightclubs, pubs, and beach adventures, while the south beaches are known for their serene and peaceful vibes.

[Also read: The Ultimate Guide to Goa Nightlife – Night Parties in Goa ]

Places to Visit in North Goa

Anjuna flea market .

• Timings – 9AM-6PM (Only Wednesdays)
• Entry Fee – Free
• Time Required – 2-3 Hours 
• Tips – Check with local guides for live jazz performances and other art events

Panjim Church/ Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception

• Timings – 9:30AM – 12:30PM, 3:30PM – 7:30PM (Monday to Sunday)
• Time Required – Less than 1 hour
• Tips – Also visit the nearby churches of Bom Jesus, Chapel of our Lady of the Mount, etc. at a 10-minute drive

Fort Aguada 

• Timings – 9.30AM-6.30PM
• Time Required – 1-2 Hours
• Tips – Visit the four-storied lighthouse on the premise – the oldest lighthouse of Asia

Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

• Timings – 6AM-6PM
• Entry Fee – INR20 (adults), INR 10 (children), boat rides – INR 750-900
• Time Required – 2-3 Hours
• Tips – Explore Chorao Island for crocodile spotting on the marshes

Chapora Fort 

• Timings – 9.30AM-5.30PM

Basilica of Bom Jesus

• Timings – 9AM – 6:30PM (Monday – Saturday),10:30AM – 6:30PM (Sundays)
• Time Required – 1-2 Hours 

Book a cab in Goa to visit these interesting places and enjoy a great trip with your family and friends.

Places to Visit in South Goa

Dudhsagar falls .

• Timings – Sunrise to sunset
• Entry Fee – INR 20, For camera, INR 300(still), INR 5000 (professional cameras for shoots)
• Time Required – 6-7 Hours to trek
• Tips – Also visit the Mollem National Park, at 7KM and the hidden springs of Devil’s Canyon

Butterfly Beach 

• Timings – 6AM-10PM
• Entry Fee – Free, boats/ferry to reach INR 1000-1500
• Tips – Visit very early mornings for dolphin spotting, or at sunset for great views

Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary 

• Timings – 8AM-5.30PM
• Entry Fee – INR 20(adults), INR 10(children), Still camera: INR 30, Video camera: INR 150
• Time Required – 1 day
• Tips – For safaris and forest treks, visit between January and March

You can also book a cab from north goa to south goa to visit these places.

[Also Read: Chorao Island – Goa’s Best Kept Secret ]

Places to Visit nearby

Besides all the popular places listed above, Goa sightseeing also includes many other interesting sites nearby. With a Goa tour package, you can cover most of them. Include some of these destinations on your next Goa trip.

Chorla Ghat Waterfalls 

• Timings – Sunrise to Sunset
• Time Required – 1 day 
• Tips – Stay at forest camps or jungle lodges for the best experience

Kurumgad Island, Karwar 

• Entry Fee – Free, boat ride to the island – variable on season
• Time Required – 3-4 Hours
• Tips – Also enjoy watersports, fishing, beach sports, or nature walks, or visit the deserted lighthouse

Best Places to Eat

A culinary joyride, Goan food is an integral part of the state’s heritage. Here are some of the must-visit and best restaurants in Goa – 

• Curlies Beach Shack
• George Restaurant & Bar
• The Black Sheep Bistro
• Venite Bar & Restaurant 
• Chef Fernando’s Nostalgia
• Martin’s Corner
• Fisherman’s Wharf
• Britto’s 

How to Plan a Trip to Goa

How to reach.

There are two major railway junctions in Goa – Margao and Vasco da Gama. There are frequent trains to both of these stations from major towns and cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Mangalore, Ernakulam, Pune, Nagpur, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, etc. 

Goa is well-connected to Mumbai, Pune, Belgaum, Mangalore, and other neighboring cities and towns by NH 48 and AH 47. There are also state-run and private buses frequently available to Panjim, Magao, Mapusa, and Vasco. The best way to travel is to book a cab and take a road trip from any of the above cities to Goa.

You can reach goa from the following cities with ease:

• Cab from Mumbai to Goa : 568-593 km (depending on the route)
• Cab from Pune to Goa : 450-570 km (depending on the route)
• Cab from Belgaum to Goa : 109-125 km (depending on the route)
• Cab from Mangalore to Goa : 345-441 km (depending on the route)

The nearest airport is Dabolim International Airport, which is about 28 KM from Panjim city. There are daily flights to Panjim from all metro cities and major towns like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Mangalore, Kochi, Trivandrum, etc. From Dabolim, you can book a Goa airport taxi to reach Panjim or your destination in Goa. 

Best Time to Visit

The temperature is usually good all year round, with warm, humid summers and cool, pleasant winters. Usually, September to January is the best season to visit, when the weather is comfortable to spend time outdoors, do water sports, and explore all the beaches all day. For the best experience, the best month to visit Goa is December , when they have Christmas celebrations, followed by New Year and the Goa carnival.

In June right before the commencement of Monsoon, you can experience the vibrant Sao Joao Festival in Goa, including the thrilling tradition of well jumping. Discover the cultural significance of this unique celebration.

This tiny state is a highlight of the southwestern coast of India. Surrounded by Maharashtra on the north, Karnataka on the east and south, and the Arabian Sea on the west, the state spans only 3702 sq. km .

T he state is divided into North and South Goa, each with its salient geographical and cultural features that collectively make tourism an incredible experience. Panjim is the capital of this state, while Vasco da Gama is the largest city. 

The history of the state is long and diverse, dating back to prehistoric times. The current state as we see it was only established in 1987 . There has been archaeological evidence of human settlements from the palaeolithic and Mesolithic periods.

During the Iron Age, the Maurya and Satavahana empires ruled the state, followed by the Kadamba, Vijayanagara, Bahmani and Bijapur Sultanate rulers in the medieval period. In 1510 , the Portuguese invaded the place and defeated the Bijapur Sultanate.

The Portuguese rule lasted for 450 years , which became the most prominent history and influenced its people, culture, art and architecture. In 1961, the Indian army annexed the state overthrowing the Portuguese. Until 1987, Goa was a union territory and received statehood in 1987. 

Here are some interesting and fun facts about Goa – 

• The state has at least 7000 bars and pubs , which is more than most metro cities in India. 
• This state has the highest per capita income , and Human Development Index, mostly due to its flourishing tourism industry over the years.
• It is the only state with official bike taxis , i.e., two-wheelers serving as taxis. 
• Goa celebrates two independence days – the national one on August 15 , and a local one on December 19 . 

Best Places to Stay

Staying at one of the beach hotels in Goa is a major part of your vacation. From the best hotels to best resorts and homestay in Goa, there are ample accommodation options. You can look for the best deal while booking a Goa hotel. With so many to choose from, we divided resorts and hotels by region- 

Hotels in North Goa

• Bogmallo Beach Resort 
• Pranha Resort by the Sea 
• Baga Beach Residency 
• Casa Menezes
• Double Tree by Hilton Hotels 
• Bambolim Beach Resort 

Hotels in South Goa

• Caravela Beach Resort 
• Alila Diwa 
• ITC Grand (formerly Park Hyatt)
• Palolem Beach Resort 
• Mayfair Hideaway Spa Resort

The oldest Mandir of Goa, that survived from the Portuguese as it was hidden in the dense forest. pic.twitter.com/OUdS9aRo4A — Raghu (@IndiaTales7) September 3, 2021

Download our Savaari car Booking app for a smooth and pleasant journey. 

Best Road-trips to Goa

Last Updated on February 1, 2024 by Swati Deol

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The perfect 1 week holiday in north goa itinerary.

The Best North Goa Itinerary

Planning a holiday in goa here’s your perfect 1 week north goa itinerary for what to do and when to make the most of your holiday.

Goa is India’s most popular holiday destination due to its tropical beaches, vibrant night life and laid back lifestyle. Although Goa is most famous for its beaches there is so much more to a holiday in Goa than just lazing on the beach!  There is something in Goa for everyone and your holiday in Goa can be as relaxed or as action packed as you want! There’s so much to do so you’ll need to think about your Goa itinerary if you want to fit it all in.

What sets a holiday in Goa apart from other tropical beach destinations is the unique, magical mix of Indian and Portuguese culture that it would just be a crime not to explore fully so use my insider tips and 1 week Goa itinerary to make sure you get the most out of your holiday in Goa.

First things first: When to come and where to stay in Goa

The best time to holiday in Goa is the main tourist season which is between November and March when the weather is sunny, dry and not so humid.

First things, you’ll need to  get an Indian visa . If you’re visiting for less than 60 days then an E Tourist Visa is the quickest, easiest and cheapest way to get an Indian visa. See my post here for how to get an E Visa for India.

Goa is really very diverse and each beach offers a different scene so it’s worth researching a bit beforehand about the different beaches in Goa before choosing. Generally speaking South Goa is quieter , and mostly the realm of luxury resorts, apart from the popular more backpacker orientated resorts around Agonda and Palolem in the far South. North Goa is where most of the action is and where the best parties, nightlife , markets , restaurants and attractions are and where this Goa itinerary is based.

The beaches of Baga and Calangute are the most popular in Goa and have the most facilities and offer easy access to the rest of Goa, but they can get quite busy. The further South you go in Calangute and onto Candolim the less crowded and more upmarket it gets.  If you want something a bit quieter then check out the beautiful beaches of Morjim, Mandrem and Ashwem a bit further North.

Check out my favourite hotels and places to stay in Goa here. 

You can find direct flights to Goa with Thomas Cook Airlines from the UK and there are domestic flights that will connect you to the rest of India. You can also reach Goa by train or bus.

You might also want to get the Lonely Planet Goa Guidebook for more info, it also has Mumbai and Hampi which are popular and easy add ons to a Goa trip. The Love Goa Guide is also really good, especially for luxury and higher end places to stay, eat, shop, relax and things to do. The best Goa guidebook is by top blogger Rachel from  Hippie in Heels  has lived in Goa for years and recently put together  the Insider’s Guide to Goa E Book  This is the most comprehensive book about Goa out there, it’s 169 pages packed with all her amazing insider knowledge and local tips for Goa.  Get it here. 

For more on the different beaches in Goa and where to stay check out my Ultimate Insider’s Guide to Goa .

Your 1 Week Goa itinerary

Goa itinerary day 1: saturday – welcome to goa.

Your holiday in Goa starts here! You will probably be pretty tired from the flight so grab a pre paid taxi from the airport to your hotel. To get the best out of your holiday in Goa you’ll need your own transport as public transport is not very convenient and taxis charge exorbitant prices. Most guesthouses and hotels should be able to arrange scooters and motorbike hire (about 300 rupees a day) and this is definitely the best way to get around and explore Goa.

Once you’re all sorted with your accommodation and transport hopefully there’s still time to zip down to the beach to get your first dip in the warm Arabian sea, feel the sand in your toes and catch your first Goan sunset they are pretty spectacular!

Eat : South Anjuna Beach is one of my favourite spots to swim, chill and catch the sunset as it’s not so crowded as the main part of Anjuna beach, you don’t get hassled by vendors and the sea is nice and calm. Curlies is a famous beach shacks here that has been around since Anjuna’s hippie days. Curlies has a lively atmosphere and is a popular party place.

NightLife : On Saturdays don’t miss the amazing Saturday Night Market at Arpora. This huge market situated between Anjuna and Baga is the best place to shop for souvenirs, clothes, handicrafts, sarongs. There are many Indian sellers and also some foreigners and hippies who sell unique handmade clothes, jewellery and other things. The night market is also a bit of a party as there is a bar, many food stalls, live bands and music that goes into the early hours of Sunday morning. Don’t miss it!

Goa Itinerary Day 2: Sunday – Relaxing Beach Day

Relax into your holiday in Goa with day lazing on one of the beaches. Start to fully relax into your holiday with an ayruvedic massage and take a yoga class , all kinds of yoga are on offer in Goa and people come from all over the world to take a yoga retreat here or if you are feeling a little more active then you could try some water sports, take a cookery class or climb up to Aguada Fort or Chapora Fort for amazing views at sunset.

Eat : Relax and eat at a beach shack by day and later you must check out The German Bakery, tucked away on a side road just before the Flea Market it’s almost an institution in Anjuna. The German Bakery serves an interesting selection of healthy food in a super nice, chilled out spot. It’s a good place to hang out under the colourful Tibetan prayer flags and there is also a good beauty and massage place here and lots of posters where you can find out all the yoga and alternative therapies that are going on nearby.

Nightlife : Goa is famous for its lively psytrance scene and Hilltop in Vagator is one of the best places to experience Goa trance with a party night on every Sunday. Check out this post for more info on parties.

Goa Itinerary Day 3: Monday – Explore Inland Goa

A holiday in Goa has much more to offer than just beaches. Prise yourself off the sun lounger and hire a driver or take a day tour for a fascinating day exploring more of Goa’s nature, culture and history.

Head into the jungle for a refreshing swim in Dudhsagar waterfall and then learn about why spices are so important with a visit to a lush, tropical  spice plantation . Goa was ruled by the Portuguese for nearly 500 years which is why it has such a unique culutre and history so don’t miss visiting the impressive, UNESCO listed Portuguese churches of Old Goa . Also make time to explore Panjim , Goa’s capital, check out the stunning Church of our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and the colourful old Portuguese architecture around Fontainhas.

The daily cost to hire a car with a driver should be around 2000 rupees or you could take a tour.  This is a pretty full on day, if you have more time in Goa you could split this over 2 days if you want to explore at a slower pace.  This great value Waterfall, Plantation and Old Goa tour takes you on a jeep safari through Mollen National Park to Dudhsagar Waterfall, visits a luscious spice plantation, the churches of Old Goa and includes a traditional Goan lunch. See full details here.

Eat : Most of the Spice Plantations include a Goan buffet lunch in the entrance price or Panjim has some great restaurants, Try Mum’s Kitchen – famous for Goan food or popular Hotel Venite.

Nightlife : You’ll probably be pretty tired so maybe just have a relaxed meal with some live music/ jam session to wind down after your day exploring. Or, if you still want to party how about a  party on a boat!

Read More: 16 Things to do Off The Beach in Goa

Goa itinerary day 4: tuesday – beaches, beaches and more beaches.

There are so many beaches you can explore while on holiday in Goa! Get on the scooter, feel the wind through your hair and soak in the gorgeous countryside and explore further up the coast. Check out quiet Morjim Beach , the home of rare Olive Ridley turtles, the wide, empty sands of Mandrem and the hip Ashwem . Don’t miss hippy Arambol , head over the cliffs at the North end of the beach and discover Kalacha Beach with it’s cute sweet water lake or head further up to quiet Keri (Querim) Beach with it’s cute cupcake like pink temple.

Eat : There are some amazing restaurants and famous beach shacks on this stretch – Try Sublime in Morjim, Café NU in Mandrem or La Plage in Ashwem (possibly the best beach shack ever!) If your exploring further Tiracol Fort has been converted into a heritage hotel and has a good restaurant with a view or you can just try one of the many cheap beach shacks along the coast.

Nightlife : Try to be in Arambol for sunset as each night hippies, backpackers and long stayers set up a cute little market along the beach and you’ll see all kinds of weird and wonderful people practising yoga, meditation, fire dancing or juggling and the drum circle that Arambol is famous for.

On South Anjuna Beach, Shiva Valley has a big and hugely popular Psy Trance party each Tuesday night that starts at sunset and goes on till sunrise – come and see why Shiva Valley is called the temple of trance!

Goa Itinerary Day 5: Wednesday – Anjuna Flea Market

While on holiday in Goa you simply can’t miss the famous Anjuna Flea Market that is held every Wednesday. What started off as a way for hippies converge and raise funds to carry on their travels is now largely a mainstream affair that sprawls from the beach and back into the paddy fields of Anjuna village in a colourful array of sarongs, spices and souvenirs but it’s still great fun and an essential Goan experience. You can pick up handicrafts and souvenirs from all over India here just don’t forget to haggle hard if you are looking for a bargain and check out the interesting unique, hippie run stalls.

Eat : If you tire of looking at the stalls and haggling with the vendors there are quite a few places to grab a bite to eat. The best is Café Loodas which is right on the sea front and usually has a live band playing. It’s the perfect place to chill out after shopping.

Nightlife : If Psy Trance isn’t your thing then check out Club Cubana a huge nightclub perched on top of a hill in Arpora (between Anjuna and Baga) Club Cubana plays more commercial and chart music and has an open bar. On Wednesdays it’s Ladies Night which means the girls get to enter and drink all night for free!

Read More: An Insider’s Guide to Goa: The Best Restaurants in Anjuna

Goa Itinerary Day 6: Thursday – Cycle around unspoilt Divar and Chorao islands

The sleepy inland islands of Divar and Chorao are like stepping back in time. Get off the beaten track and away from the tourist crowds and discover the picturesque inland Goan villages, countryside and bird sanctuaries at a relaxed pace on a cycling tour of unspoilt Divar and Chorao Islands! See more details here.

If you feel like doing something with more of an adrenaline rush you can now try the newest extreme watersport – flyboarding and jetpacking in Goa!  Or you could experience the magic of a hot air balloon flight and get 360 degree views over the jungles and coastline of Goa.

Eat : You can taste authentic village food on the cycling tour.

Nightlife : Ever popular Curlies shack on South Anjuna Beach is where it’s happening for Psy Trance on Thursdays.

Goa Itinerary Day 7: Friday – Mapusa Local Market

Goa is one of the most westernized states in India but you can still get a taste of ‘ real India’ and feel the hustle and bustle of local life at   Mapusa Market, it’s on every day apart from Sunday but it’s busier on Fridays and most tourists visit then. After the hustle and bustle of the market then return to your favourite beach and treat yourself with a refreshing swim and soak up as many rays as you can before your holiday in Goa sadly ends.

Eat : If it’s your last night on holiday in Goa then make it one to remember and eat at one of the best restaurants in all of Goa – Thalassa , perched on the cliffs overlooking Vagator beach. The Greek food and chilled ambience is just as amazing as the views. Sunset here is amazing but you’ll need to make a reservation call (+91) 98 50 033 537

Nightlife : On the cliffs overlooking Vagator Beach near Thalassa, Waters is a swish multi level club with a pool and sea view that has a popular techno party on Friday nights.

Read More: How to Rent a House in Goa and Live in Paradise for less than £10 a day.

Got more than 1 week for a holiday in Goa? Awesome – explore the pristine and empty sands of South Goa, stay in a colourful beach hut in the beautiful crescent bay of popular Palolem and take the train to explore the magical ruins of Hampi !  I just took my Mum on a 2 week trip to Goa, Hampi and Mumbai. Check out our itinerary here. 

Read More: 30 Incredible India Bucket List Experiences.

By the way: I’ve put this itinerary together carefully based on the days that markets and parties usually happen so sorry, for some things you can’t switch it round and visit the Flea Market on Monday or Hilltop on Thursday because it won’t be open!

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Anna! OMG I had no idea you could do a backwaters tour in Goa. Learn something new every day!

Great and comprehensive article on Goa. Anjuna is definitely where it’s at.

I think Palolem has started to retain a bit of its charm again (after a brief onslaught of Russian tourists). Also, Little Cola beach is great little hidden gem!

Hi Samir! Thanks, yes the backwaters and hinterlands of Goa are still quite unexplored compared to the busy beaches. Arambol is another great hippie area too – Anjuna is good for partying but can get a bit noisy and busy. I haven’t visited Palolem again this season but Cola is great – I don’t want to write about it because I don’t want anyone else to know about it!

I am planning to go in June and July. Want to stay for like 15-20 days in goa.. Will it be a good time to go. Would love to meet new people cz m traveling alone.. and how are the hostels in goa?

Hi Uttam, thanks for reading and commenting. To be honest, June and July is monsoon time and not peak season so it’s not the best time to visit. I wrote more about the pros and cons here – http://www.global-gallivanting.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-visiting-goa-in-monsoon-season/ June and July is a good time to head to the mountains places like Rishikesh, Manali and Ladakh are where most people go at this time. There are lots of good backpacker hostels in Goa which are great for meeting people check out my top 10 hostels here – http://www.global-gallivanting.com/8-best-hostels-goa/ Hope this helps you 🙂

Hi! I was wondering which towns you recommend staying in for each night on the itinerary? We’d love to stay in a couple of different places and we’re planning to follow all your recommendations!

Hi Darcey! Thanks for stopping by – I’m so glad to hear that you’ve liked my blog and it’s helping you plan your trip to Goa. For most of these places you can base yourself in Anjuna/ Vagator area or even Baga and Calangute but I don’t like that area much. It’s only an hours drive from there to the very North of Goa or down to Panjim and it saves messing around moving hotels. The Old Goa, Waterfalls and spice farm trip is a bit further but still best done as a day trip. I’ve recommended some hotels in my big Goa guide http://www.global-gallivanting.com/flashpackers-guide-goa/ I’m planning to write more before the new season but send me an email if you want any more tips 🙂 Have a great trip!

its really nice place to visit goa. I am looking to go out for goa this month.

Yes I love Goa – hope you have a good trip 🙂

Thank you so much Ana for this fantastic resource! I am planning my first visit (my first solo vacation – detox for the soul :)) and I am super excited to have found your article.

Great to hear that you are going to Goa and I’m really glad my article has helped you.

Hope you enjoy your trip 🙂

Hi Anna I’m from Sonipat, Haryana near Delhi. I’m planning to visit Goa in January for 8days with my family of four( 2 kids age 10;13yrs) I find your article very informative. It clears most of the queries all by itself. Will it be suitable to book hotel at one place for whole Goa trip?

Hi Akshay, a trip to Goa with the family in January sounds ideal! Yes, Goa is small and you can easily stay in one hotel (better if it’s more centrally located) and explore Goa and do day trips from there. I’m planning to write a more detailed guide about where to stay soon. Hope you have a nice time in Goa 🙂

I found your article very goods. I have planned my holidays from 9-16 August. Pls advise what are the must visit places during Mid-August and pubs/DJ party spots during Monsoon. I will be staying in Panjim.

I love rain and greenery so i booked during monsoon.

Thanks your article reply goods. Regards Pram

Glad you found the article useful.

Monsoon is a great time to go to Goa for the lush greenery, less crowds and lower prices but there are not so many parties happening in monsoon although I think Hilltop has a special monsoon party sometime in August.

I’ve got a post about the best party places in Goa here – http://www.global-gallivanting.com/nightlife-ingoa-the-best-clubs-and-parties-in-goa-india/ I’ve included links to the facebook pages of the clubs so you can check out what will be on when you come. Hope it’s useful for you.

You might also like this post about Goa in monsoon – http://www.global-gallivanting.com/where-to-stay-in-goa-monsoon/

Hope this helps and hope you have a great trip! 🙂

Hey, really loved this and the whole website..I was thinking to coming to India next Oct/Nov..would 3 months be ok to see India or would I need more time?also any hostels u reccomment in Goa?

Hope u can help

Hey Umesh – you would need a lifetime to see all of India but 3 months is a good start. Check out my 3 month India backpacking route here -http://www.global-gallivanting.com/the-perfect-india-itinerary/ and my favourite hostels in Goa here – http://www.global-gallivanting.com/8-best-hostels-goa/ Hope you have a great trip! 🙂

Hi Anna This side Harjeet I m planning to come Goa with my wife could u plz help me by telling me about night markets in October……

Hi Harjeet – sadly the night markets don’t usually start until November 🙁 but the wednesday flea market in Anjuna should be on

Hi Anna! Your blog proved to be expremely helpful. Thanks for sharing your experience. Cheers.

Thanks, glad it helped. Hope you have a great holiday 🙂

hi anna, i want to plan for 1 week goa trip in this june’2018. but little worried about monsoon. i m going with my family 2 adults + 2 kids. please tell me if there is any big issues in this time period. i don’t have any option than this dates.

Hi yes it is monsoon then – its quiet and wet and most of these events will not be happening but some people love it – read these posts to help you decide http://www.global-gallivanting.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-visiting-goa-in-monsoon-season/ http://www.global-gallivanting.com/where-to-stay-in-goa-monsoon/ Hope you have a good trip

Anna, this post really took to me to goa, what a vivid description. i visited goa last year and it was fantastic and i would tell you that i followed your article as well, great places. But i also enjoyed Ferri Rides in goa, which you have not covered. would love to hear your opinion about that

Hi Shama. Glad you liked my Goa itinerary! I sometimes take the ferry from Keri to Fort Tiracol in Maharashtra. Makes a lovely daytrip 🙂

Hi Anna, I’ve found your article most informative from the 1000’s, yes, 1000’s of articles I’ve read to research India. Im staying in Goa from 24 Dec-2 Jan. Which place is best to book accommodation? I definitely want to do 1 or 2 trance parties, but don’t want to stay in the busy party areas. I want somewhere close enough to the party scene to not have to travel more than 30mins after a night out. Liezl😀

Glad it was useful – years of living here went into that post. I wrote it to help my friends when they come to visit me and now its got popular!

It’s a tricky question to answer because this is the busiest time of year in Goa so there’s alot of traffic. For example on NYE roads can get gridlocked and taxis are more expensive so you don’t want to travel too far but then the places near the parties will be busy and noisy. For trance parties base yourself in Anjuna or Vagator. Can check my recommendations in this post – https://www.global-gallivanting.com/best-places-stay-goa-beaches-budgets/

Hope this helps and hope you have a great time in Goa. 🙂

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10 Best Places to Stay in North Goa (2024)

Goa is the party town of India. People all over the world visit Goa to have fun and relaxation sessions. Practically Goa is the least expensive city as compared to the other party cities of India.

The food, accommodation and everything else are the least expensive here. You can find the best places to stay in North Goa. We are going to make a list of the best places in North Goa to stay.

Table of Contents

North Goa Best Hotel & Resort: Find out which are the best places to stay:

1. stonewood riverfront resort, goa.

It is a luxurious property situated in North Goa. The rooms are lavish and offer a beautiful view of the surroundings. There is an outdoor swimming pool present at the resort which is open to every guest.

You can take a relaxing dip in that pool. The resort also offers various packages according to the number of people. The most famous package is for Rs.5900. The resort is situated very near Anjuna Beach . It is only walking distance away from the beach.

Check-in and out time: Check-in time is 2:00 pm and check-out time is 12:00 pm.

Facilities: Restaurant with multicuisine, spa, and swimming pool.

2. Mayfair Hideaway Spa Resort, Goa

The hotel offers lush green surroundings with amazing room views. Some of the rooms offer a view of the beach. These rooms cost high than normal rooms. It also offers the spa to the guest to get rid of all the stress and tiredness of the day. You can take the most famous package of Rs.12, 561 for two people.

Check-in and out time: Checking-in time is 2 pm and checking-out time is 12 pm.

Location of the hotel: The resort is located at the Betul in South Goa.

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3. Casa Anjuna, Goa

The hotel gives the perfect beach view and lush green surroundings. The resort is completely lavish and you will have an amazing experience here. The rooms are loaded with all the amenities and are very spacious also.

The most famous package of the hotel is Rs.6480 for two people. It also contains a complimentary free breakfast. There are two types of rooms available at the hotel deluxe rooms and super deluxe rooms.

Location: The beach is situated near Anjuna Beach. It is two km away from the beach and you can reach it with the help of private and public transport.

The nearest airport to the hotel: Is 24.7km away from the Goa International Airport. Book a cab or take local buses to reach the hotel.

4. De Alturas Resort, Goa

The whole hotel basks in the sun where you can spend your lazy afternoons. The most famous package of the hotel starts from Rs.4000 for two people.

There is a swimming pool at the hotel for every guest. The three types of rooms available at the hotel are grand premium rooms, royal club rooms, and premium rooms.

5. Baga Hideout Resort

The resort is also luxurious from the inside out. It serves some of the best cuisines of Goa which you cannot refuse to eat. The package includes Rs.9500 for two people. You will get a complimentary breakfast with your package. There are two types of rooms deluxe room and premium room. The price of the package varies with the type of room you go for.

Checking-in and out time: The checking time is 2 pm and the checking-out time is 12 pm.

The exact address: 7/42, Saunta Waddo, Baga Road, Saunta Vaddo, Baga, Goa 403519.

6. Chalston Beach Resort

This ocean-front land is situated on the delightful Calangute Beach . An ideal staycation encompassed by lavish green nurseries and on the sands of Calangute Beach.

Partake in an agreeable and sterile stay in rooms that are interesting and basic in plan and stylistic layout. An open-air pool and free WiFi access are accessible in the public region of this Charleston Beach resort.

Check-in and out time: 12 pm and 10 am

Location: Baga Road Goa

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7. Sea Horse Resort and Spa

Remaining at an awesome area in Goa, simply 1.7 km away from Baga Beach, Sea Horse Resort is probably the best retreat for a sumptuous occasion stay.

Partake in a lavish stay in the rooms planned with old provincial engineering giving a feeling of extravagance and solace. Just take a load off on the hammock close to the pool while tasting your cherished refreshment at The Sea Horse Resort Goa.

Check-in and out time: 12 pm to 2 pm

Location: Baga Arpora, Goa

8. Resort Terra Paraiso

An interesting intriguing retreat, Resort Terra Paraiso is encircled by an entrancing Goan scene on one side and the blue shimmering ocean on the other. Encircled by the tall green trees, the Resort Terra Paraiso has a casual mood wherein you can either lie on the hammocks or take an invigorating plunge in the pool.

The Terra Paraiso Goa includes a spa where you can spoil yourself with that truly necessary taking care of yourself and love.

Check-in and out time: 2 pm to 12 pm

Location: Calangute Goa

9. Santana Beach Resort

Embrace an ideal end-of-the-week escape, a long way from hurrying around, and investigate the town of Candolim when you benefit from remaining in the Santana Beach Resort.

Referred to conspicuously as the ideal objective for harmony sweethearts, this retreat will not dishearten you in letting you get the pleasant scenes of Goa.

Check-in and out time: 1 pm to 11 am

Location: Candolim Goa

10. Riva Beach Resort

The wonderful Riva Beach Resort is situated on probably the best ocean side of North Goa – Madrem Beach. Encircled by the tall green trees and the sound of ocean waves you can either decide to unwind on the sunbeds or mess around with your friends and family with various exercises to do.

The Riva Beach Resort Goa includes a spa where you can spoil yourself with that genuinely necessary taking care of yourself and love.

Check-in and out time: 2 pm to 11 am

Location: Mandrem Beach, Goa

These are the ten best hotels and resorts in North Goa. Each accommodation is filled with lots of facilities and a lavish experience. The best part is that each property is quite near to all the famous beaches of North Goa. You cannot miss the chance to try these properties on your next visit to Goa .

• South Goa Attractions
• North Goa Places Visit
• Places Visit in Goa for April 2024
• Famous Goa Churches
• Popular Casinos in Goa
• Must-Visit Goa Beaches
• Goa Famous Tourist Places
• Famous Waterfalls in Goa
• Goa Famous Nightlife Places
• Wedding Hotels in Goa
• Goa Popular Forts
• Visit Goa in Summer
• How to Reach Goa from Delhi
• Goa Carnival Festival
• Things to Do in South Goa
• Weekend Getaway from Goa
• Hotels Near Goa Airport
• Goa to Mumbai Angriya Cruise

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• Goa: A Quick and Handy Travel ...

Goa: A Quick and Handy Travel Guide

Ragini Mehra

Last updated: Feb 23, 2023

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The Sunburn Festival is an electronic dance music festival held in Candolim Beach every year in December Supersonic is a beach music festival, conceptualised by popular DJ Nikhil Chinapa and features international as well as local talent

Dil Chahta Hai style shots at Chapora Fort Sernabatim Beach is a great place to get beautiful pictures of the sun setting into the Arabian Sea

Good Evening: Sanj Bare Zavonn How are you?: Kashi assa How much does this cost?: Kitle poishe?

Goa remains a favourite destination with many Bollywood filmmakers. Some of the movies shot here include Finding Fanny, Singham 2, Golmaal series, Dil Chahta Hai, etc.

Police: 100 Government of India Tourism: 2223412 Emergency Relief Centre on National Highway: 1033

Think of Goa , and think of a coastal retreat with sights of gleaming sands and azure waters with a shimmering sun in the backdrop. A lush green landscape edges the golden coastline, which overlooks the scintillating seas in the beach capital of India. Although the smallest state in the country, Goa is one of the nation’s biggest tourist destinations.

Tourists typically know Goa as North and South Goa; the former being the place to be if you’re looking forward to a “happening” holiday , and the latter, if you need a more relaxing respite from your hectic lifestyle. Whether you’re planning a family holiday, a quick weekend getaway with friends or looking to spend some cherished moments with that special someone, Goa has all the ingredients for a perfect holiday recipe. 

Book Your Tourism in Goa Package Now!

Don’t leave Goa before you:

• Beaches : Goa has well over 25 amazing beaches ranging from the full-of-life party destinations to the serene and peaceful ones. North Goa offers sprightly beaches like  Baga ,  Calangute ,  Anjuna  and Arambol, that necklace the northern coastline with tons of shacks buzzing with life, serving lip-smacking delicacies from the Konkan cuisine with cocktails and mocktails to go along; Goa’s beaches make your holiday experience complete. South Goa is rather mellow, with serene beaches like Colva, Palolem and Galgibaga (famous as a nesting ground for Olive Ridley turtles) which are cut off from the world, but really worth paying a visit if you are looking for some peace and quiet.
• Chapora Fort :  Chapora For t first got noticed in the movie  Dil Chahta Hai . This ancient fort in North Goa offers splendid views of the adjoining Vagator beach and overlooks the Arabian Sea from all angles. The fort is located on top of a hillock with slopes on all sides, and though it is almost in ruins now, it doesn’t stop visitors from standing where Bollywood stars once did!
• Basilica de Bom Jesus in Goa : This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a church in Old Goa, extremely popular throughout the Roman Catholic world. One of the most important Goa Tourist attractions here are the mortal remains of the missionary Saint Francis Xavier. The grand interiors will leave you awestruck the moment you enter. 

• Indulge in water sports : Diving, catamaran sailing, jet skiing, parasailing and windsurfing keeps your heart racing as you test the waters and let out the adventurer in you. There are plenty of water sports operators in Goa, especially in North Goa, and you can identify them by the herd of water scooters and boats parked in one corner of the beach. 
• Go on a dolphin spotting cruise : Dolphin watching tours are a popular activity in various parts of the Mandovi River and are especially popular at Sinquerim beach alongside Fort Aguada . Operators gather tourists in groups of 4 or 6, who hop on to a boat and venture out about a couple of kilometres into the sea to watch the dolphins circling in action.
• Try your luck at one of the casinos : A visit to one of Goa’s several casinos should be on your to-do list as Goa has some exceptional avenues to put your stakes on. The casinos feature several games like slots, roulette, poker, flush baccarat and more along with live entertainment and occasionally unlimited food and drinks. Even if you’re not a big gambler, cruising on the high seas is a great way to relax. Some casinos you can head to are Caravela (a one-of-its-kind floating casino, anchored on the Mandovi River in Panjim), Casino Carnival (Goa Marriott, Miramar) and Casino Royale (a floating casino on the Mandovi River in Panjim). 

Read More:  Luxury Villas in Goa to Celebrate Those Extra Special Moments in Life

• Vindaloo : Fiercely spicy gravy that literally is a hot favourite in Goan households, this preparation can be made using chicken, pork, mutton or prawns. The usage of vinegar and sugar adds a distinctive flavour to the gravy.
• Crab Xec Xec : Yet another fiery preparation from the Konkan kitchen, Crab Xec Xec is made by cooking crabs in thick gravy of tamarind, red chillies and coconut. It is best served with steamed or boiled rice, which is a staple in Goan households.
• Bebinca :   A popular Goan, East Indian and Mangalorean dessert, Bebinca is a pudding with 7 layers (or more!) made of flour, eggs, sugar, coconut milk and cardamom-nutmeg powder. It’s a  must buy for friends back home!

When to Go:

Mid-November to Mid-February : This is the perfect time to relax on the beaches and for other outdoor activities in Goa. December is the time when Goa witnesses one of its most popular festivals, Sunburn , besides extensive Christmas and New Year celebrations and is home to lakhs of visitors from across the world. You might want to book your flights/hotels in advance since this is the peak season and prices go way higher than you would imagine.

March to May : This is the season when the temperature rises, the sea becomes rougher and the weather turns hot and humid. The good thing is that Goa is not too crowded during this time. However, the prices of hotels and home stays become way too reasonable in case you want to visit Goa for a three-to-four day break with your beloved, looking for peace and calm.

Mid-June to October : There are parties across the length and breadth of Goa to welcome the rains that hit Goa during this time. If you love the monsoon and the lush green countryside that the Rain Gods turn Goa into, July to September is a great time to visit. The festival of Sao-Joao (fertility feast of Saint John the Baptist) is also held in June. It’s an interesting event where men jump into wells that are overflowing to fetch bottles of the local alcohol called  feni . 

Read More:  Budget-friendly Cottages in Goa with The Most Stunning Beach Views

Getting There:

By Air : Dabolim Airport is 29 kilometres away from the state’s capital, Panjim. It is well connected by daily flights from Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Cochin and Bangalore.

By Train : The two major railheads in Goa are Madgaon and Thivim, which are well connected by trains from all over the country.

By Bus : There are a number of public as well as private bus operators in Goa, which offer options for intra-city and inter-city conveyance. KSRTC, MSRTC and KTC are some of the Government undertakings that operate from Panaji, Madgaon and Vasco Da Gama. Private bus operators include the likes of Neeta Tour and Travels, Paulo Travels and Naik Tours and Travels. Goa enjoys daily bus service from important cities like Mumbai and Pune.

Getting Around:

Taxis:  Much of Goa is well-connected with roads that are in a good state of repair, and it is not hard to get good rates for taxis and rented cars as well. One can either book a taxi in advance from tour operators/taxi rentals or hire cabs on a direct payment basis from the airport or railway station.

Self drive:  Hiring cars and motorcycles on self-drive basis is a popular transport option in Goa. This is one of the best and most economical ways to tour the beach capital on your own. Just grab a two-wheeler or four-wheeler by submitting an ID proof and set off on the ultimate trip around Goa!

Book Your Flight to Goa Here!

What to Pack:

• Light cotton clothes and a strong sunblock
• Caps and sunglasses which will come handy on the beaches and while sightseeing
• Swimming and beach gear
• Shoes if you plan to trek up one of the forts in Goa

While one facet of Goa is the tireless insomniac revelry, the other is a laid-back, old-world charm that Portuguese brought along in the 17th century. The churches, bungalows and cafes will excite you no less, if no more than sipping a refreshing drink by the beach. Old Goa has its own appeal, and it never fails to entice. Showered with numerous beaches facing the majestic Arabian Sea, Goa has more than enough to make you fall in love with it.

Read More:  Goa Hotels that Offer Breathtaking Views of the Sea

Book Your Goa Holidays Now!

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Goa Travel Guide - MakeMyTrip

Goa Travel Guide - Lonely Planet

Ragini Mehra Follow    

An avid animal lover, Ragini is mostly busy taking up animal welfare initiatives at shelters, on the streets and on social media. When not spending time with animals, she loves to travel, write and play the Keyboard.

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North goa tour ... | on 22 December 2018

Awesome Post and Amazing Pictures. I am huge fan of Goa and love to visit it again and again.. Mostly i used to go to North or South Goa Nearby beaches. but in your blog not mention south or north goa packages so read more blog for more information .But old Goa seems to be a fantastic place for living too. Seeing your pictures and reading your story , a craving has started in me to explore Goa once again but beyond Beaches :). thanks for this amaizing post. Keep traveling.

komal shinde | on 20 December 2018

Great information you giving to us, it helps me to plan my next tour in Goa, today I am reading this great article thanks for sharing this informational blogs, goa is a great place where you can enjoy your trip with anyone like your family or friends, you can also read this blog to know more information about Goa

Needha | on 13 December 2018

Amazing Article really happy to say it was an interesting post. Thanks For Sheering. This Is Needha From Mysore One Day Trip .

Perviz Surti | on 04 December 2018

Goa is just treat to visit, as it has many events, places, festivals and many more to come across. Multiple beaches you mentioned where we can visit.The party we can enjoy, especially the goan food which goa is known it etc this all attract the visitor to go their and you have perfectly explained in your blog. Do visit

Perviz Surti | on 03 December 2018

Loved your blog. Goa being the most attractive place where all love to visit to have a peacfull vacation.Visit

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