Goa

Why Goa is famous? What makes it unusually special? It is the smallest state in India in terms of geographical area but has numerous tourist places. Goa is a combination of old Portuguese colonies, sandy beaches, forests, monuments, and amusing cuisine. What comes to your mind when you hear Goa? Beach parties, Calm and quiet walks on unplumbed beaches, New year parties, Carnival, Private beach resorts, and many other things. It is a dream destination for many tourists, as it never deceives any tourists who come over here to relish this heaven on earth. Everyone knows that there are many tourist places in Goa to offer for each type of tourist. This place is quite famous among honeymoon couples and foreign tourists. Foreign tourists arrive in Goa in winter, whereas the summer and monsoon seasons see many Indian tourists.

Scenic view of a beach in Goa
Photo by alexey turenkov on Unsplash

You shouldn’t wonder why Goa is popular with Indian tourists if you have ever been to this famous city. Goa is one of India’s top vacation destinations, and it is obvious to see why. From shopping at the various markets to eating the local cuisine and water sports aplenty, Goa is well-known for a lot of unique offerings. Goa is famous for Amazing Beaches & different Water Sports, Carnival, Festive Atmosphere at the end of the Year, Cheap Alcohol, Night Parties, Delicious Sea Foods, Casinos, Churches & Forts, and Shopping. No doubt, the place attracts youths like nothing else. And you don’t need a reason or a season to visit the country’s party capital. All you need to do is make a list of the best tourist places in Goa. Book your hotel or resort to sort your lodging and head straight for this land of fun.

Best time to visit Goa

The best time to visit Goa is November to February. These are the winters’ best and most crowded months to visit, with temperatures hovering between 21 ⁰C and 27 ⁰C. The favorable weather is excellent to laze around on the beaches. Let me also categorized the best time to visit Goa for honeymoon couples and youngsters.

The best Time for Honeymoons is November to April. But remember, December and January can be very crowded.
The Best Time for Nightlife or Youngsters is from Winter to the summer season, October to May. Goa offers a fantastic range of nightlife, but some bars and clubs may close during the wet season (June to September).
The best Time for Saving Cash is June to September. It is a wet season and some tourist businesses or national parks may close at this time.

COVID-19 has taken the wind out of the sails of those who love to travel, explore & experience all that the world has to offer. We are sure that you are eager to visit Goa and have a grand time, having been unable to see it for so long!

Best Tourist places in Goa

There are many tourist places in Goa worth visiting. From the beaches in Goa to the national parks and hills, churches, forts, markets. There are so many choices that it may be difficult to see them all in one visit if you don’t have a list to guide you. So here’s a list of the best tourist places in Goa with amazing photos that you should include in your tour planning.

Make sure you don’t miss these best places to visit in Goa:

Beaches

We all know that Goa is majorly famous for its beaches. The laid-back and picturesque state is all about relaxation, and in fact, the only stress you’re likely to encounter is choosing the top 5 best beaches in Goa. Indulge yourself in the wide range of watersports activities offered like jet skiing, banana boat rides, parasailing, paragliding, snorkeling, kayaking, Ringo Ride, Scuba diving, surfboard, water zorbing, and so many more gives you a thrill of adventure.

Despite being so pretty and attractive, the beaches are also dangerous to swim in, so you have to be cautious and adhere to the warning of lifeguards constantly patrolling the shores. We’ve selected the perfect list for those of you grappling to pick your ideal seaside location

  • Calangute Beach, North Goa
  • Anjuna Beach, North Goa
  • Baga Beach, North Goa
  • Colva Beach, South Goa
  • Candolim Beach, North Goa
  • Agonda Beach, South Goa
  • Mandrem Beach, North Goa
Tourist places in Goa - Calangute Beach
Photo by Laliteshwar Suman on Unsplash

Aguada Fort

It is a 17th-century Portuguese fort located at the confluence of the Mandovi River and the Arabian Sea. It is named after the Portuguese Word for water in Agua and used to be a replenishing source of freshwater for sailors. Fort Aguada has also used as Aguada jail. A statue in front of the Jail salutes the freedom fighters, giving a touch of patriotism. The highlight of this is alone a four-story lighthouse (which is one-of-its-kind in Asia )and a stunning view of the sunset.

It is a famous Goa sightseeing place dividing Sinquerium Beach and Candolim Beach. It is a great way to spend an afternoon. Middays are usually too humid to spend on the beach. But you don’t want to be caged up in your hotel room while in Goa. So, head over to Fort Aguada and spend your time exploring it.

Location: Sinquerim (Candolim)
Timings: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Entry Fee : Free
Great For: The Lighthouse, Aguada Jail,  Experience the sunset
Distance from Panaji: 21 kilometers.

Tourist places in Goa - Aguada Fort
Photo by Hiren Harsora on Unsplash

DudhSagar Falls

It is one of India’s tallest and most mighty waterfalls, located inside the Mollem National Park. Dudhsagar Falls looks most exciting in the monsoon when there is a lot of water. It avalanches down for 1017 feet from a steep mountain face. Most people visit the Dudhsagar falls by jeep or by their private conveyor from Panaji and nearby cities. You can also view the waterfalls from a train journey to and from Margao, or you can trek to the base of falls. The Dudhsagar should visit during the monsoon when it is in full flow, and the surrounding passing forests are at their flourishing best.

Location: Sonaulim, Goa
Time Required: 1 day is more than enough
Entry Fee : 20 INR
Great For: Sightseeing, trekking, Picturesque view
Distance from Panaji: 60 kilometers.

Tourist places in Goa - Dudhsagar falls
Image by Bishnu Sarangi from Pixabay

Chapora Fort

The Chapora fort built-in 1717, but its history extends back at least three centuries. Today, this is well known as a place where the Bollywood film Dil Chahta Hai was shot. It stands on the head of a natural valley that points directly to the sea. As you can imagine, the view from the fort is breathtaking. You can spend a couple of hours in this fort exploring it and taking in the natural landscape around it. You can even take a walk from the fort to the sea if you feel energetic enough. Carry your food along as there aren’t any food providers here, and the sea winds are craving generators.

Location: Chapora Fort Road, Bardez, North Goa
Timings: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm on all days of the week
Entry Fee : No fee
Great For: Sunset, Picturesque view
Distance from Panaji: 21.3 kilometers

Tito’s Night Club

Titos Street is one of the best clubs you can visit. This club attracts a lot of crowds because of its prime location and top-notch service. Established in 1971 by Tito Henry de Souza, the pub is synonymous with Goa nightlife. The entire lane in Baga is called Tito Lane. The club is known for its outstanding services, and this remunerates amply for the lightly overpriced tags on drinks and food.

The place has two levels: the lower one is a dance floor with separate dance space for couples, the upper one allows people to sit and watch the activity below while enjoying their food and drinks. The DJ reckoned to be very good, and you’re sure to get in some soul-pumping dancing on your visit. Nonetheless, even if you aren’t looking to drink, Tito’s Street is one of the best places to visit in Goa for youngsters.

Location: Tito’s Street, Baga Beach, North Goa
Timings: 6 pm to 3 am
Entry Fee (Couples and Stag):  2000 INR for couple, Free entry for two ladies, and 2500 INR for stag entry
Great For: Party, drinks, Fun
Distance from Panaji: 18 kilometers

Anjuna Flea Market

Every Wednesday, Anjuna hosts one of the best shopping destinations in Goa. Here you can pick up everything clothes, handicrafts, junk ornaments, and home décor to a range of Indian spices and even musical instruments. Tea stalls and snack stalls line the streets, allowing the tourists to have a good time without fretting about food. Visit the Anjuna Flea Market to get a flavor of the other side of Anjuna and some fascinating gadgets. Bargain as much as you can. Demand a price less than half of what has been told to you. The shopkeepers try to con the visitors as they have no idea about the actual value. Do not be deceived into thinking that any product is genuine or authentic. Mostly all of them are first copies or duplicates.

Location: Anjuna, North Goa
Timings: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM every Wednesday
Great For: Shopping
Distance from Panaji: 21.8 kilometers

Casino Cruise

Cruise in Goa allows exploring the exotic view and marvel at the breathtaking view of the sunset. There are different types of cruises in Goa vary from simple evening cruises, elaborate and romantic dinner cruises, backwater cruises, and casino cruises that is why this is in the list of best tourist places in Goa. All of these usually originate from Miramar Beach in Panjim. There are many Casino Cruises in Goa like Deltin Royale Casino, Casino Pride, Casino Royale, Casino Carnival, etc.

A Casino Cruise is vital, at the level, a restaurant, but with the additional casino features for those who want to try a hand at Vegas-style entertainment. The casinos are open all round the clock, but they come to life in the night from 9 pm to 3 pm. They are like clubs, but instead of the DJ and the party music, you have casino games and soothing music. If you are lucky, you might even end up slightly richer when you come out of the Casino Cruise. The tickets are expensive but seeing that they come inclusive of the procurement of food, drinks, and other entertainments apart from the casino rooms.

There are dance shows and discotheques and lovely decks where you can hear the river waters dapple against the ship. If you are visiting Goa as a honeymoon couple, this is a very romantic place to be.

Location: Varies by the Cruise you go to
Timings: 24 hours
Entry Fee: Varies according to the cruise type and package chosen
Great For: Fun, Romance

Tourist places in Goa - Casino Goa Cruise
Image by graemeevans from Pixabay

Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is named after India’s top ornithologist. The sanctuary has blessed with many overflowing water streams and tributaries. It houses a wide variety of resident birds that includes eagles, kites, kingfishers, egrets, parrots, cormorants, and herons. It serves as a hub for migratory birds, Coots, and Pintails during the winter season. The island is easy to visit, but it needs some planning in advance as you require a permit from the Chief Wild Life Warden, Forest Department, Junta House, Panaji. Its short distance from Panjim makes the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary a convenient place to visit.

Location: Chorao Island
Timings: 6 am to 6 pm on all days
Entry Fee: 10 INR
Great For: Sightseeing, bird watching
Distance from Panaji: 6.6 kilometers

Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary Goa
Photo by SAHIL SHAH on Unsplash

Museum of Christian Art

The Museum of Christian Art was built in 1994 and is the best tourist attraction in Goa. The residents of Goa are very artistic people, and they love their art. Richly ornamented vestments, vessels, and other sacred containers made out of precious metals and inlaid with expensive and semi-precious stones, carved whalebone, beautiful paintings, and more are on display in the Museum of Christian Art. The museum contains artworks of only Christians. There are some outstanding carvings, paintings, furniture, precious metals present in the museum.

Location: Velha Goa, Convent of Santa Monica
Timings: 9:30 am on all days
Entry Fee: 5 INR for Adults and 2 INR for Children
Great For: Artwork, history
Distance from Panaji: 10.4 kilometers

Basilica of Bom Jesus

One of the most famous of all tourist places in Goa and a central landmark for Catholics, the Bom Jesus Basilica. The building of this church coincides with the beginning of Christianity in India. The building constructed in baroque style and one of the best examples of baroque architecture in India. Even after 400 years, the remains are in good condition and taken out once every decade. The Basilica of Bom Jesus has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO as it is a rich cultural and religious significance.

Location: Old Goa
Timings:  Monday – Saturday: 09:00 AM – 06:30 PM,  Sunday: 10:30 AM – 06:30 PM
Entry Fee: No fee
Great For: Statue of St Francis Xavier, Chapel of St Francis Xavier, Modern art gallery
Distance from Panaji: 12.7 kilometers

Tourist places in Goa - Basilica of Bom Jesus
Image by Bishnu Sarangi from Pixabay

There are many other tourism places near Goa which you can enjoy depending upon your interests. I have not mentioned water sports, sunburn and carnival in this list which are you shouldn’t miss during your trip. I hope above list of sightseeing places in goa helps you to decide your Goa Itinerary.

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