Compared to the other bustling urban locations in India, Goa’s golden sand beaches, tangled palm trees reaching for the sky, and laid-back vibe are striking. Even a brief stay in this seaside paradise feels like an additional holiday. You will feel refreshed after spending time in Goa, and you won’t run out of things to do thanks to the city’s packed events schedule.
Colva Beach and Palolem Beach are just two of Goa’s many popular coastal destinations. Goa is a popular tourist destination in India, but its beaches are only the beginning. The area is also home to exotic species, beautiful landscapes, and delectable food influenced by Portuguese cuisine, cathedrals, and temples. No matter how long you stay there, you’ll wish you had more time to explore Goa.
We hope that our list of the top 10 tourist sites in Goa will guide you in your planning of a vacation to Goa.
Places to visit in Goa
1. Calangute Beach
Calangute Beach, 15 kilometres from Panjim, is the longest beach in North Goa and stretches all the way from Candolim to Baga. Large and well-known, it attracts sightseers and travellers from all over the world.
Goa’s Calangute Beach, sometimes known as the “Queen of Beaches,” is consistently ranked among the world’s best beaches for sunbathing and water sports. It’s a popular place for tourists and locals alike, making it one of Goa’s most commercialised beaches. There are various restaurants, shacks, and clubs offering seafood, alcoholic beverages, and other delicacies.
The beach is where most people spend their days, but the nightlife is where people really let loose and have fun. The other north Goa beaches, including Baga, Anjuna, Candolim, and Aguada, are easily accessible from Calangute, making it a popular place to stay.
Best Time to Visit: Monsoon season is the best time for water sports enthusiasts.
Facilities:
1. At a cost of INR 25 ( $0.3), each guest can use the facility’s changing rooms.
2. Loungers and sunbeds
3. Beach Shacks
4. Water Sports
5. two-wheeler and four-wheeler parking.
Water Sports Cost (Approx): Without a licenced operator, a trip on a Jet Ski will cost you INR 300.
INR 450 (about $6.50) per person for a ride on the banana.
The cost of a parasailing ride is INR 1000. (including boating and parachutes)
2. Grande Island (for scuba diving).
Grande Island seems very exotic thanks to the Arabian Sea’s turquoise waters that surround it. This island is naturally beautiful, but it also has other attractions. If you’re a thrill seeker at heart, you’ll be overjoyed to learn that scuba diving is a popular activity on Grande Island. Even if you don’t know the first thing about scuba diving, don’t worry; there are plenty of places to go where you can learn the basics and have fun. With expert trainers and safety gear that meets international standards, you can be sure to have a wonderful time.
Timings : 8:30 am to 4:00 pm on the jetty
Time Required: 1 day
Tour Price: The price begins at 1200 Indian Rupees.
3. Palolem Beach (for kayaking).
In South Goa, Palolem is one of the most popular destinations thanks to its beautiful stretch of white beach, which is lined with colourful wooden shacks and lush palm trees. The presence of numerous water sports facilities makes this beach even better. Kayaking is one fun water sport you can try in Palolem. Kayaking is one such water-based sport to try in Palolem. Exploring the world at sea on a tiny boat is exciting. It’s simple to rent a kayak here, but always wear a life jacket when paddling in the water.
How To Reach Palolem Beach
1. By Flight: Dabolim Airport is the closest airport to Palolem Beach and is located 67 kilometers distant.
2. By train: Palolem is located 43 kilometers from the nearest train stations at Madgaon (43 kilometers) and Canacona (2.1 kilometers).
3. By Road : NH178 and NH66 pass via Margao whether you’re traveling by bus or rental car.
Best Time To Visit Palolem Beach
November through February are the best times to visit Palolem beach for alternatives and crowds. You may have a lot of different kinds of fun at Palolem Beach, but it all depends on the time of day.
Nightlife lovers, for instance, should visit this beach either late at night or early in the morning. In fact, you may even have the opportunity to take boat rides to the local islands at this period.
4. Beach at Morjim (For Kite Surfing)
Morjim Beach is one of the most tranquil beaches in North Goa. It’s a nesting area for Olive Ridley Turtles and is a little south of Aswem Beach. As a result, Morjim Beach earned the nickname Turtle Beach. The 3 km long beach is perfect for a lovely walk and taking in the sunset. Most visitors to Morjim Beach come to unwind on a peaceful afternoon among the sun loungers and beach shacks.
Morjim Beach is also locally known as’ Little Russia ‘, as a significant number of Russians visit the area and make it a point to stay here for more than a month. As a result, there are numerous Russian restaurants and shops throughout the area. Some of the popular activities at Morjim Beach are water sports activities, dolphin sightings, diving with the seagulls, and kite flying.
How To Reach Morjim Beach
From Panaji: There are around 27 kilometers between Morjim Beach and Panji. All forms of transportation are available to you. It is simple to take a local train to Morjim Beach from either the Vasco Da Gama or Madgaon train stations. You can also use a local bus or a rented cab to get there if you like.
From Goa International Airport: The distance between Morjim Beach and Goa International Airport is approximately 52 kilometers. Both the local bus and a taxi can get you there, so you have a few options. To go from the airport to the beach, hire a cab. This is the cheapest and fastest way.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Morjim Beach?
From November to February is the best time to go to Morjim Beach. This will be a good time to go to the beach because the beach shacks will be open for parties.
The monsoon season will be quite wet, and the summer will be very hot and muggy. The beach is not an appropriate destination during the summer or during periods of heavy rainfall. Plan your Goa visit in the winter if you want to enjoy the beach.
5. Fort Aguada
Another Portuguese building that has consistently stood on the seashore facing the Arabian Sea is Fort Aguada. It was built in 1612 to ward off Marathas and Dutch attackers. It was a superb old fort at the time. This fort, built in the typical Portuguese style, features breathtaking views and an impressive architectural style. Fort Aguada was an extremely important Portuguese possession because of its ability to store 79 cannons and other defensive armaments. A great place to visit, it presently separates Sinquerim Beach from Candolim Beach and is a popular tourist destination in Goa.
The fort contains a historical lighthouse that, based on its size and shape, is the oldest lighthouse in India. The fort is reputed to provide a beautiful view of the sea and a breathtaking sunset.
Timings: 9:30 AM-6:00 PM
Entry Fee: Free
Built in: 1612
Location: Sinquerim (Candolim).
The best places to visit in goa:
- The Lighthouse
- Aguada Jail
- Experience the sunset
- Church of St Lawrence
6. Beach of Colva (for jet skiing)
One of Goa’s most popular beaches is the alluring Colva Beach, which is situated in South Goa. The 2.5-kilometer-long beach is well-known for its fine, white sands, which are surrounded by swaying coconut trees, adding to its beauty. There are huts, nightclubs, and souvenir stalls everywhere, and it’s very gorgeous.
Paragliding, jet skiing, snorkeling, speed boat excursions, and banana boat rides are just some of the best water sports that attract visitors to Colva Beach. For its breathtaking sunsets and tranquil blue seas, it is one of the best places to visit in Goa. Colva Beach is peaceful during the day but comes alive at night for the party crowd. Colva Beach is one of the best places in Goa, and for good reason: it has a laid-back vibe and a breathtaking panorama of the unending beach.
Time Required: 2-3 hours
Must Visit :
- Powdery White Sand
- Water Sports
- Sunset View
- Beach Shacks
- Roadside Trinket Shops
7. Arvalem Waterfalls
Arvalem Waterfalls, one of the best places to visit in North Goa, is situated in Sanquelim, around 30 kilometers from the Panjim Kadamba bus stop. Harvalem Falls has a large pool of water at its foot that is practically the size of a lake. As a result, Arvalem Falls is a popular tourist and picnic destination. The waterfall becomes a trickle after the monsoon. Therefore, the best time to visit is during the wet season.
So that tourists may get a closer look at the falls and have a safe place to take beautiful pictures, GTDC built a park there with protective railings. There is natural beauty and the Rudreshwar Temple is next to the waterfall.
Height: 50m
Width : 7m
Location: Mapusa, North Goa.
Timings: Waterfall: 8:00 AM–6:00 PM;
Caves: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, with a lunch break of one hour in between, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.
8. Goa Carnival
The Goa Carnival, which began as a small celebration during Portuguese rule, has expanded into a large-scale event that draws thousands of visitors from all over the world every year. The carnival, one of the most anticipated events in the state, has a rich history dating all the way back to the Roman Empire. Wonderful parades, dances, musical performances, and delicious food all contribute to the electric atmosphere that draws so many people. Panjim has the biggest number of Goa Carnival Festival celebrations and events, with Mapusa, Margao, and Vasco da Gama following closely behind.
Goa Carnival Festival Celebrations & Events.
1. Floats and Ceremony:
The largest of these festivals takes place in Panjim, and features elaborately adorned carnival floats and dancing men and women in colorful costumes. The celebration is characterized by gigantic floats in the shape of mermaids, clowns with oversized heads, and people dancing on the roads.
2. The Stalls:
There are also performances of short plays showcasing Goan culture. Various musicians can be found playing their instruments with great enjoyment. Individual artists from other art forms are showcased. There is a row of food stands selling a wide range of tasty treats.
3. King Momo
King Momo, a fictitious ruler who is intended to take control of the country for the duration of the festivities, is selected in the days leading up to the festival. It is common practice all across the world to hire a chubby, cheerful person for the position. Eat, drink, and enjoy! is the motto King Momo of the Goan Carnival leads his dancers with as they parade through the streets.
9. Sri Mahadeva Temple
The Sri Mahadeva Temple at Tambdi Surla is among the oldest Shiva temples in all of Goa. Hemadri, a minister to King Ramachandra of the Yadava Dynasty, is credited with having built it, but there are also architectural traces from the time the Kadamba Dynasty ruled Goa. Basalt from the Deccan Plateau makes up the monument, which also has beautiful sculptures.
A Shiva Linga on an elevated pedestal stands in the holiest part of Sri Mahadeva Temple. In the temple mandap, encircled by four columns, is a headless Nandi statue (Lord Shiva’s vehicle). The villagers think that a large king cobra is always seated next to the Shiva Linga.
How to reach the Sri Mahadeva Temple in Goa
The temple is situated in the Tambdi Surla village, some 65 kilometers from Panjim, the state’s capital. You can use a local cab to get to the temple.
10. The Church of St. Cejatan
Goa is not a particularly wide ranging state. Most residents of Goa practice Christianity, which is the most common religion there. There are a lot of churches in the state because Christianity is the most popular religion here. The people of Goa place a high value on their local churches. One of the most well-known churches in Goa is the Church of St. Cajetan. The church has a striking similarity to the world-famous St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
The Church of St. Cajetan has been around for almost two decades, although you would never know it by looking at it.
Location: Velha Goa, Goa 403402
How to reach St. Cejatan Church from Panaji: The Church of St. Cajetan is easily accessible from Panaji via taxi, bus, or auto.
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