Best Beaches in North Goa

Baga Beach

Anjuna Beach

Calangute Beach

Candolim Beach

Arambol Beach

Sinquerim Beach

Vagator Beach

Best Beaches in South Goa

Palolem Beach

Agonda Beach

Colva Beach

Benaulim Beach

Butterfly Beach

Forts in North Goa

Fort Aguada

Key attractions: An old lighthouse, prison cells, exotic sunset view

Timings: 9:30 am to 6:00 pm; every day

Chapora Fort

Key attractions: Fascinating view of Vagator Beach

Timings: 24×7

Reis Magos Fort

Key attractions: Cultural and Heritage Centre

Timings: 9:30 am to 5:00 pm (closed on Mondays)

Corjuem Fort

Key attractions: Spellbinding views of the Corjeum River and the area beyond it

Timings: 6:00 am to 7:00 pm

Forts in South Goa

Cabo de Rama Fort

Key attractions: Church of Santo Antonio

Timings: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm

Mormugao Fort

Key attractions: An abandoned chapel, amazing views of traditional fishing boats lining up the Varca Beach

Timings: 24×7

A mummy is something you wouldn’t expect to see in India unless you are visiting the Basilica of Bom Jesus. This spectacular church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Goa and is known for its architectural brilliance. Steeped in history, this 400-year-old structure features non-plastered exterior and ornamented interiors. The key highlight of this church is the mummified body of St. Francis Xavier that remains encased in a silver casket here.

Location: Old Goa Road, Velha Goa

Timings: 9:00 am to 6:30 pm (Monday to Saturday); 10:30 am to 6:30 pm (Sundays)

Goa is as much about history and heritage as it’s about beaches and parties. The UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Goa testify to the rich heritage and colonial legacy of the region. Spend some time at these heritage sites in Old Goa to experience the spiritual and architectural grandeur the land is known for.

Sé Catedral de Santa Catarina

Saint Catherine’s Chapel

Church of St. Francis of Assisi

Church of Our Lady of the Rosary

Church of Saint Augustine

Church of Saint Cajetan

Mangeshi Temple

Location: Mangeshi Village, Priol

Timings: 6:00 am to 10.00 pm

Shanta Durga Temple

Location: Kavalem Village, Ponda

Timings: 5:00 am to 10:00 pm

Mahadev Temple

Location: Sanguem, Surla

Timings: 5:00 am to 10:00 pm

Chandreshwar Bhoothnath Temple

Location: Paroda, Quepem taluka

Timings: 5:30 am to 8:30 pm

Brahma Temple

Location: Valpoi, Satari

Timings: 7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Saptakoteshwar Temple

Location: Narve, Bicholim

Timings: 6:00 am to 7:00 pm.

SinQ Night Club

Location: Candolim, North Goa

Timings: 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Café Mambo

Location: Tito’s Lane, Baga, North Goa

Timings: 8:00 pm to 3:30 am

Cantare

Location: Saligao, North Goa

Timings: 6:30 pm to 1:00 am

Cohiba

Location: Sinquerim, North Goa

Timings: 4:00 pm to 2:00 am

Leopard Valley

Location: Palolem, South Goa

Timings: 10:00 am to 3:00 am

Edge

Location: Majorda, South Goa

Timings: 9:00 am to 1:00 am

Tuscany Gardens

Location: Candolim, North Goa

Timings: 4:00 am to 11:00 pm; closed on Tuesdays

Spice Goa

Location: Mapusa, North Goa

Timings: 11:30 pm to 3:00 pm; 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm; every day

Britto’s Bar and Restaurant

Location: Bardez, Baga, North Goa

Timings: 8:30 am to 12:00 midnight; every day

The Fisherman’s Wharf

Location: Cavelossim, South Goa

Timings: 12:00 noon to 11:00 pm (Sunday to Thursday); 12:00 noon to 12:00 midnight (Friday to Saturday)

How about wooing lady luck during your Goan trip? The casinos in Goa are where you can seek her out. Most of them are floating casinos located around the state capital Panaji, where a world full of games, entertainment, and fun awaits you. Deltin Royale, Casino Pride, Deltin Jaqk and Casino Palms. There is a casino located at Grand Hyatt, Goa.

Water Skiing (Baga, Majorda, and Mobor Beach)

Kite Surfing (Arambol Beach, Morjim Beach, Mondego Bay)

Scuba Diving (Grand Island, Pigeon Island)

White Water Rafting (Tilari River, Mandovi River)

Windsurfing (Calangute, Vagator, and Colva Beach)

Wakeboarding and Kneeboarding (Candolim Beach, Mobor Beach)

Kayaking (Hollant Beach, Dona Paula Beach, Backwaters of Zuari, Sal, and Mandovi)

Jet Skiing (Calangute, Candolim, Majorda, and Miramar Beach)

Banana Boat Rides (Anjuna, Candolim, Vagator, Miramar and Agonda Beach)

Parasailing (Arambol, Baga, and Dona Paula Beach)

Snorkeling (Grand Island, Bat Island, and Navy Island)

One of the fun things to do in Goa is to hire a boat and venture into the deep blue Arabian Sea for an early morning rendezvous with dolphins. Yes, you can actually go on a dolphin safari and watch the lovely water beasts diving in and out of the water in all their majestic grace.

Location: Baga Beach, Sinquerim Beach, Morjim Beach

Dudhsagar is a gorgeous waterfall that dances down a height of 1017 feet. This four-tiered waterfall is surrounded by verdant greenery. During the monsoons, it seems like a sea of milk is flowing down and presents a spectacular sight to behold. You can also trek along the scenic trails surrounding this waterfall.

Location: Sonaulim

Location: Anjuna

Timings: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm; every Wednesday

What to Buy: Garments, Souvenirs, Footwear, Jewelry, Tibetan Goods

Away from the sunny and sandy beaches, the Mollen National Park stands as a green haven in Go. The park covers the core area of the Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary. The best way to explore this park is to go on an open jeep jungle safari. You can spot a variety of animals, reptiles, birds, and butterflies here, including the Bengal tiger, sambar, leopard, spotted deer, etc.

Location: Sonaulim

Timings: 8:00 am to 5:30 pm; every day

A visit to the spice plantations in Goa is a sensory experience that will stay with you long after you have left the party capital of India. A walk through the plantations of black pepper, cardamom, cloves, and several other spices can be a therapeutic experience in itself. If you are a nature lover, you will love this activity.

Top Spice Plantation Tours in Goa: Tropical Spice Plantation, Pascoal Spice Farm, Savoi Spice Plantation, Sahakari Spice Farms

Are you a foodie? Then you should not miss the Goa Collective Bazaar! This is held every Friday and is a great flea market you will enjoy. There are food stalls that serve all kinds of cuisine here and you cannot resist gobbling plate after plate of delicacies.

Location: Orzan Beach Road, Vagator

Best time to visit: 3:00 PM to 2:00 AM

Quad bikes are customised four-wheelers that can be ridden in all kinds of terrains and leaves you exhilarated and adrenaline-pumped. Race your friends on muddy tracks and off-road trails on powerful quad bikes. You will remember this experience for a long time.

Location: Mandarem Beach

Duration of the activity: 15-30 minutes

Beach parties are quite common and very interesting in Goa. You can enjoy the colours and beauty of the state in such night parties. Most beach shacks turn into party houses after sunset. Enjoy visiting these with your friends and dance to the groove.

Top beach party destinations:

Anthony’s Bar

Location: Baga beach

Timings: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, 7:00 PM to 11:00 AM

Known for: Live karaoke, hookah, great seafood

Café Lilliput

Location: Anjuna

Timings: 8:00 AM to 5:00 AM

Known for: Great drinks, fast food, awesome music

Curlie’s Beach Shack

Location: Anjuna

Timings: 8:30 AM to 3:00 Am

Known for: Nightlife, hookahs, sea view

Chronicle

Location: Little Vagator Beach

Timings: 5:00 PM to 1:00 AM

Known for: Live DJ, continental food, sea view