Most Popular Places and Activities to Explore in Goa
Food and drink in Goa
Goa’s street-side eateries and restaurants offer a great variety of cuisines, from traditional Goan dishes to international cuisine.
Set in a Portuguese villa, the Artjuna Garden Cafe and Lifestyle Shop is an amazing spot to relax with a delicious meal or smoothie. The cafe has a sprawling garden and a shop with intriguing curios and handmade jewellery.
You can also be part of a guided tour of the Tropical Spice Plantation. Explore the subcontinents trove of spices such as nutmeg, turmeric and cinnamon,
before moving to the park’s butterfly garden.
For a twist, sample Goan Portuguese cuisine at Viva Panjim. Made in a heritage home, the restaurant delivers mouth watering dishes such as prawn balchao (spicy prawn curry) and crab xec xec (crab curry).
Give the local and international street food a try at the Saturday Night Bazaar in Arpora. This open-air market also holds a range of local goodies such as handicrafts, spices and clothing.
Venite serves traditional Goan and continental food, and is said to be one of the first restaurants in Goa. Try their 16-layered cake, called the bebinca, or opt for a shot of local liquor called feni.
Top Places to Visit in Goa
If you are looking for some adventure you can always Trek up the mountains to reach the Dudhsagar Waterfalls. The breathtaking falls stand at over 1000 feet and feature three streams of rushing water
For bird lovers, situated along the Mandovi River is the Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary a home to a number of wild animals, including jackals and crocodiles. The mangroves also attract birds such as black drongos, pintails and kingfishers.
Visit the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary to have a look at the elephants, leopards and Indian bisons housed there.
Take a stroll down the streets of Fontainhas, Goa’s oldest Portuguese quarter. This UNESCO-certified heritage zone is full of charming 18th and 19th-century colonial villas.
The Anjuna Flea Market was formed around three decades ago as a space where people could sell their possessions. Today, this beachside market features stores with a huge variety of products, from electronics to textiles.
Historical Highlights of Goa
Goa has no shortage of historical monuments on display, such as ancient temples and colonial architecture.
Still an active site of worship to this day, the Mahadeva Temple is devoted to the Hindu deity Lord Shiva. Constructed in the 12th century, this temple features carved stone columns and sculptures of religious figures.
Visit the Big Foot Cross Museum to marvel at the huge collection of crucifixes. With more than 1,500 Christian crosses, this museum is a testament to Goa’s Portuguese heritage.
Located in a heritage building, the bookstore Singbal’s Book House was established way back in 1936 and stocks thousands of book titles, including several Goan history and travel guides.
Built in 1605, the Basilica of Bom Jesus is home to the mummified body of Goa’s patron saint, St. Francis Xavier. The UNESCO World Heritage Site also features delicately decorated altars and grand statues.
The 17th-century Se Cathedral is another church located in Old Goa and is believed to be the largest church in Asia. Adjacent to this Cathedral is the Chapel of the Cross of Miracles, which is said to be the place where Christ appeared in 1619.
Beaches in Goa
With approximately 100 miles of coastline, it’s nothing surprising that Goa has a well-established beach life.
Probably Goa’s most popular belt of sand, the crescent-shaped Palolem Beach is lined with beach huts and palm trees.
The lively Vagator Beach is a stunning stretch of sand that has gained fame for its rock carving of a Hindu deity, which is adorned with garlands and colourful pigments.
Goa’s Queen of Beaches, the Calangute Beach, has golden sands, smooth waves, and plenty of healthy sunshine. The beach has become a well-known
destination for water sports, including sailing and banana boat rides.
Anjuna Beach is a favourite with backpackers and hippies. This bohemian beach also features several eateries and live music venues, along with a popular flea market.
Pairing a party vibe and a beautiful view of the sea, Baga Beach is known for its beachside yoga sessions and nightlife.
Couples Holidays in Goa
There are numerous activities for couples to keep the sparks flying on holidays in Goa.
Why not enrol in a relaxing couples yoga class at the Ashiyana Yoga Centre on Mandrem Beach? Both short- and long-term programs are available.
Dona Paula Beach is known as one of the most romantic beaches in India (if not the world). The beach comes complete with towering palm trees, calm waters, and stunning sunsets to set the mood for romance.
Book a couple’s massage or an Ayurvedic treatment at a local day spa. First done in India more than 5000 years ago, Ayurveda is the oldest practice of medicine in the world.
Splurge in a candle-lit dinner at A Reverie. In a verdant garden, this fine dining restaurant specialises in fusion dishes and excellent customer service and assistance.
Visit the Purple Martini at Sunset Point on Anjuna Beach to pair ocean views with the best cocktails. Relaxing lounge music and an amazing lo-lit ambience complete the romantic scene.
Goa has the absolute most staggering seashores on the planet that are totally sickle formed, bordered with palm trees and are spotted with ocean side
cabins. A large portion of these seashores have rosy sand, some have delicate white sand, many have odd rocks developments, some have slopes all over and a couple of them have tidal ponds as well.
