The western Indian state of Goa is one of India’s tropical hideaways boasting some of the best beaches in the world that should be on the front of a postcard, a wild nightlife scene, sunsets to die for, and Portuguese influence that can be seen on every street.
Holidays in Goa are on the up, and now is your time to start planning your vacation there. We have carefully curated a list of the best places and attractions to visit in Goa to ensure you have the trip of a lifetime and don’t miss out on anything.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Goa?
The ideal time to visit Goa is the winter months between December and March; this is when the weather is when temperatures have relaxed, ranging between 20°C and 33°C, and the skies are clear. Because the weather is great, naturally, more people travel to the seaside state then, so prices increase, but Goa is a cheap place in general, so you don’t have to worry.
If you’re not a fan of the rain, you should avoid Goa during the monsoon season, which lasts from June to September. This is an extremely humid time to visit Goa, and the months are some of the warmest, with temperatures ranging between 24°C and 31°C, but humidity levels increasing by almost 85%.
Finally, you have the shoulder seasons in Goa which are from April to May and October to November. Expect some rainy days if you travel then, but it’s usually just short showers that are over within an hour.
Five Top Places To Go In Goa
- Panaji
- Vagator
- Canacona
- Baga
- Arambol
There are lots of colorful temples like this in Goa, India © Getty Images
Panaji - Goa’s Capital On The Banks Of The Mandovi River
Goa’s capital Panaji sits on the banks of the Mandovi River and is the state’s cultural center, filled with ancient churches and temples, and interesting museums that tell the story of Goa’s past. Often tourists will skip Panaji and head straight to the beaches, but there are so many cool places to see in this intriguing metropolis.
What Are Some Fun Activities And Beautiful Places To Travel In Panaji
Check out the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church - The Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church catches everyone’s eye because of its winding stairs and distinctive white color. No doubt, when you walk through the center of Panaji, you’ll spot it as it’s hard to miss. At various times of the year, the church opens its door to visitors, but double-check online beforehand.
Take a day trip to Divar Island - Get out and about into the countryside and explore Goa’s famous island, Divar Island. Seek out traditional Indian villages, walk through lush green rainforests, spot various forms of wildlife, and check out the remains of ancient Portuguese structures. Day trips run from the mainland daily and can be booked either online beforehand or from various vendors in the city center.
Visit Gallery Gitanjali - Pay a visit to Goa’s oldest modern art gallery, Gallery Gitanjali, a fascinating display of contemporary masterpieces, including some from Scandinavia. Don’t forget to pop into the onsite cafe to try out some Indian filter coffee before you leave. No words can describe how delicious it is.
What To Eat And Drink In Panaji
Pork Vindaloo - This spicy Goan curry is made with three simple ingredients, pork, garlic, and wine, as well as some added spices and chili peppers. Pork Vindaloo is sold all over Goa, including in restaurants and street food stalls; just prepare for your mouth to be on fire because some chefs don’t mess around with the spiciness of this dish.
Feni - Feni is Goa’s signature drink and can be found in bars all over Panaji. It’s a fermented spirit made from cashews or coconut sap and will test even the heaviest drinker’s liver, but the good thing is that it’s rumored not to give you a hangover which is nothing to complain about.
What To Know Before Visiting Panaji
- Book your accommodation in the Fontainhas district as it’s much closer to the main tourist attractions.
- The easiest way to get around is by taking a scooter which you can rent pretty much all over the capital.
- Bring travel diarrhea tablets with you on your travels to Goa. Regardless of how strong you think your stomach is when it experiences the bacteria from the water and food in Goa for the first time, there’s no doubt there will be a bad reaction.
Show me what Goa has to offer.
I would love to fly to see Panaji.
You can hike up to this viewpoint where the iconic Maruti temple is found © Getty Images
Vagator - The Ideal Coastal Village For Sun Lovers And Families
Vagator is a bustling seaside village in northern Goa famed for its breathtaking red cliff, exciting watersports, and paradise beaches perfect for lounging on to enjoy the nicest weather. Whenever you speak to someone from Goa, they’ll tell you to visit Vagator Beach, which is split up into two parts, Little Vagator and Big Vagator; both are absolutely stunning.
Vagator - What To Do There?
Explore the Chapora Fort - What was once the palace of the Sultan Adil Shah of Bijapur but was then taken over by the Portuguese, the Chapora Fort is now one of the most iconic places to visit in Vagator. When you get to the top, you’ll be treated to an awe-inspiring view of the Arabian Sea. Stick around to watch the sun go down; you won’t be disappointed.
Take part in some water sports on Big Vagator Beach - You can only do so much relaxing on Goa’s beaches before you get the itch to do something exciting, so why don’t you take part in some water sports? Down by Big Vagator Beach, you can do so many heart-pumping sea-based activities, from parasailing to banana boating.
Go dolphin watching - Dolphins are known to roam the waters around Vagator’s beaches, and if you’re lucky enough, you can spot some. Various boat tours run from shore throughout the day, and the captains who operate them know exactly where the dolphins hide.
Food And Drink To Try In Vagator
Vagator Beach is the perfect place to enjoy a beer © Getty Images
Poee - Similar to pita bread, Poee is a baked bread made with whole wheat flour, maida, and wheat bran, eaten all over Goa. In the early morning hours in Vagator, you’ll spot poders racing through the streets, trying to get rid of their loaves of Poee to head back to the bakery to pick up more.
Urrak - Urrak has been a part of Goan life for decades, and tourists who have never tried it don’t know what they’re missing. This tasty alcoholic beverage is double distilled on the first month of summer every year in Goa by locals and sold to bars throughout the cities and towns in the state.
What To Know Before Visiting Vagator
- If you see an area of either of the Vagator beaches marked with a red flag, that means that it can be dangerous to swim there because of high tides.
- Don’t be shocked if a local vendor in one of the markets at Vagator tries to get into a bit of a haggling battle with you. It’s part of the culture, so just roll with it.
- Beware of scams at sacred sites in Vagator. Often, tourists will be pressured to donate to a religious cost, but the people asking will be just chancing their arms to try to make some extra cash out of you.
I want to hear more about Vagator.
Provide me with flight deals to see the northern part of Goa.
Agonda in Goa is known for its incredible scenery like this beach overlooking the mountain © Getty Images
Canacona - The Perfect Spot For Honeymoons And Couples
Canacona is a charming city in southern Goa loved by couples in India for their honeymoon due to the number of luxurious resorts there. But Canacona is not only for those who are loved up; the city also boasts many fascinating sights, such as the Mallikarjun Temple and the Kuskem Waterfall.
What Are The Best Things To Do In Canacona?
Marvel at the Kuskem Waterfall - A little bit outside of Canacona but well worth the trip is the Kuskem Waterfall, a mesmerizing natural scenic fall that will have you in awe. Make the trip deep into the Goan mountains and green jungles to try to scout out this hidden beauty. It might be a bit of a trek, but when you get there, you’ll realize it was all worth it.
Dance the night away at Leopard Valley - One of Canacona’s top nightlife venues is Leopard Valley, that’s popular among young local Goans and international backpackers. Dance to the loudest music, sample some traditional Goan alcohol like Feni, and party like the Indians do.
See Mallikarjun Temple with your own eyes - One of the oldest shrines in Goa is the Mallikarjun Temple, that’s believed to date back to the 16th century. Admire the architecture and hear the story about how the temple is reported to have deities. Who knows, you could arrive when a celebration is on, as many rituals are held there throughout the year.
What To Eat And Drink In Canacona
Chicken Cafreal - Another Goan dish with Portuguese roots is the flavorful Chicken Cafreal, a dry chicken-based recipe where the meat is cooked in a green marinade, spices, coriander, garlic, and herbs. Wedges or boiled rice will be served alongside to complement the chicken legs.
Coconut Water - One thing that all beachside destinations have in common is that coconuts are in abundance, and it would be rude not to try one for yourself. Vendors crawl the streets with carts selling freshly picked coconuts for consumption for as low as 150 rupees.
Sometimes the best places to eat in Goa need to be reached on the road with a quick taxi or bike ride © Getty Images
Tips For Tourists Visiting Canacona
- Keep an eye on your drinks when you’re in the bars and clubs in Canacona. While spikings aren’t happening every night of the week, they do occur from time to time. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
- Always have cash on you in Canacona, as many shops and restaurants don’t accept card.
- It’s a good idea to always carry toilet paper with you in Canacona and throughout Goa. A lot of places won’t have any available, so come prepared.
I want to learn about places like Canacona.
Give me cheap fares to south Goa.
Baga - The Seaside Town On Everyone’s Radar
Baga is the epitome of what seaside towns in Goa are all about. Situated in northern Goa, Baga is adored by those looking to escape everyday life and immerse themselves in the hippie lifestyle for a few days, but for some, it ends up being months. That’s the hold Baga manages to have on travelers.
Vacation Ideas And Locations To Visit When You’re In Baga
Feel the vibes at Baga Beach - Baga Beach is arguably the face of beaches in Goa, adored for its wild bars and beach clubs that stay open until the sun comes up the following morning. Make sure you head down to this happy hangout as early as possible because the sun loungers get snapped up with the click of a finger.
Get a change of scenery at Snow Park - Go from one climate to another at Goa’s Snow Park. Build some snowmen with artificial snow, take on the ice climbing wall, push your kids on the snow skiing machine, and dance to classic Indian beats while playing amongst a blizzard.
Buy some souvenirs at the Tibetan Market - Stop by Baga’s Tibetan Market, that’s over 50 years years old and filled with vendors selling cool Tibetan-oriented souvenirs, from Buddha sculptures to craft jewelry pieces.
What Should Tourists Eat And Drink In Baga?
Sorak - Sorak is a tangy-tasting mild curry that becomes extremely popular among Goans during the monsoon season since there’s barely any fish in the sea to use in their dishes, so locals resort to Sorak. This red curry contains coconut, Kashmiri chillis, coriander seeds, cumin, and garlic and should be sampled by anyone who wants to try an Indian curry but is too scared in case it’s too spicy.
Armada - Armada is a spicy liqueur that started out as a family recipe and soon became one of the most drank drinks in the whole of Goa. Without a doubt, there’s a bottle of Armada in every Goans press; some people even use it to make Christmas cake and other desserts.
In Baga you will have the chance to experience their fishing culture with these beautiful fishing boats © Getty Images
What Tourist Should Know Before Visiting Baga
- Throughout Baga and the rest of Goa, public smoking isn’t allowed. You can only smoke in the labeled designated zone.
- If you plan on eating street food in Baga, do so with caution, as there’s a big chance you might end up sick.
- Don’t expect anything to go according to plan while in Braga. Goans live a slower pace of life; such things as bus schedules or trains more than likely won’t depart when they’re supposed to. Instead of worrying, go with it.
I would love to find out about more destinations in Goa like Baga.
Fly me to the shores of the Arabian Sea.
Arambol - The Spirituality Hub Of Goa
Arambol is where yogis, hippies, and backpackers come together and experience life for what it is in Goa. The little village has flare to it, unlike anywhere else in the region, with lively hole-in-the-wall beach shacks, adorable bars playing live music every night, and hotels and hostels hidden away behind jungle trees.
What Everyone Should Do In Arambol
Locate the Arambol Sweet Lake - At the end of Arambol’s Beach is the tranquil Sweet. Finding this peaceful heaven is an adventure in itself, but when you do, you’ll be treated to a secluded utopia encircled by rolling hills and still palm trees.
Take a yoga class - Since you’re in Arambol, you may as well join in on the hippie stereotype and take a yoga class. For a reasonable price, you can take an hour yoga class on the beach or in the jungle with a professional who will show you all kinds of useful breathing exercises and stretches that you can use in your own time.
Go see a fire show on the beach - After dinner, grab a beer and hit the beach to watch a fire show. Performers come together to put on a fantastic display filled with fire, breathing, and juggling. It’s free to watch, but tips are much appreciated.
Goa is known for being a very relaxing part of India and an ideal place to practice yoga © Getty Images
Drinks To Try And Foods To Eat In Arambol
Sanna - These yummy snacks are spongy steamed rice cakes usually matched with some curry. They’re made from a specific batter consisting of grated coconut and ground red rice, which creates their fluffy look.
Solkadhi - Solkadhi is a type of drink drank as an appetizer in Goa with some rice on the side, but you can also drink it on its own if you prefer. The ingredients are just coconut milk and dried kokum skins, which turn it pink.
What Should You Know Before Heading To Arambol
- The streets in Arambol are tiny, so be careful from oncoming traffic as drivers sometimes don’t watch where they’re going.
- Just check the walls to find out about anything in Arambol, as that’s how people advertise things. You won’t find much information online.
- Consider going vegetarian in Goa. Many Indians are vegetarian, which sometimes results in meat being prepared poorly, so the chances of you getting sick increase.
