You’ll find everything you need to know to plan a trip to Goa in this blog post. This guide contains details on what to see in Goa, where to stay in South and North Goa, getting around Goa and which cafes to chill at. We’ve also put together the perfect itinerary for Goa!

Our experience of visiting Goa

Having lived in Bangalore, Karnataka, Goa has always been a long weekend destination of sorts! But each time we’ve visited (with parents, on a school trip, with friends, and twice as a couple) its been a wonderfully distinct experience! Our last visit was in October 2020 and although Covid restrictions were in place, we did enjoy most of what the sunshine state had to offer!

We spent four days in South Goa, one day in Panaji and three days in North Goa. As budget conscious as we generally are, this time, we managed to bag a free stay at a five start resort with Karma membership points. So our south Goa stay was a lot more comfortable and we thoroughly enjoyed the free breakfast and amenities! We rented a scooter for the eight days we were there (after traveling to and fro via an overnight sleeper bus). Since October is shoulder season, the monsoon weather made some days perfect to explore nature and other days  were perfect for beach side fun!

We hiked up forts, went into forest patches, ate delicious Goan food, walked around the most beautiful neighbourhood and stayed at a 150 year old Portuguese homestay! Overall, it was awesome.

So come checkout this post and plan your trip to Goa! 😍

Best beaches in South Goa and North Goa

Goa is the most popular place in India for beaches because of accessibility! Although the beaches in Goa are not as beautiful or pristine as the ones in Andaman or even the Blue Flag beaches in mainland India, they are definitely worth visiting! The best beaches in Goa are located either towards the southern end of the state, or the northern end.

The beaches in the south are more family friendly, perfect for relaxing and for enjoying natural beauty. In addition, some of these beaches have turquoise blue water, which is otherwise so rare in India! Most of these beaches also have seaside stays ranging from backpacker budget hostels (Agonda and Palolem) to the best hotels and exotic resorts (Cavelossim and northwards).

Here’s a list of the best beaches in Goa:

Best colonial forts to visit in Goa

No visit to Goa is complete without a hike to one of the old colonial forts in the state. Goa was one of the longest standing colonies in India. It was first occupied by the Portuguese in 1510. Goa remained the main Portuguese base in the East for four and a half centuries, until 1950 when it was annexed to India.

Many of the forts were built or strengthened by the Portuguese during the colonial rule. Some of these forts were used until independence, so the building structures are very well intact even today. The forts which were built along the beach not only had sea facing walls which towered upwards, but also featured light houses. 

Here’s a list of the best Fortresses in Goa:

The most beautiful Churches in Goa

As Goa was occupied by the Portuguese from 1510, most residents were introduced to Christianity. However, after independence, many Christian moved to Portugal. As a result, today the proportions are far different. With 60% being Hindus, Christianity is practiced by over 30% of the people.

However, all major Christian religious sites continue to attract devotees and admirers irrespective of faith. One of the main reasons for this, is the sheer beauty of the Church architecture. Built in classic European style, these churches feature gothic styling, white pastel shades and sometimes, wonderful surrounding scenery as well.

Tip: If you visit during Christmas, you’re definitely in for a treat! Festivities are at their best in the last week of the year.

Here’s a list of the best Churches and Cathedrals in Goa:

In addition to these, you will find many churches all over the state with interesting stories. For instance, if you visit Three Kings Chapel, you’ll hear the story of a haunting.

The story goes that the church and the surrounding land was governed by three kings. But in a quest to become the ultimate ruler amongst themselves, they fought and killed each other. Later, they were buried at the church site. Rumour has it that their spirits still roam the place, quietly governing and protecting the kingdom. Although many people have claimed that they have had mysterious, paranormal experiences there, some people have claimed to have experienced a strong presence behind them while walking in the evenings.

Like gothic churches? You’ll absolutely love admiring this one!

Must visit Museums and Cultural sites

Goa’s culture is deep rooted since its pre-colonial times. There are many traditional Hindu temples in the state which are highly referred. If you are looking for something from the colonial era or about the history of how the Goan culture came to be, then you must consider visiting one of the many museums in town. We highly recommend visiting Big Foot, which is a little south-east of Panaji.

And no culture experience is complete without a visit to Fontainhas, the last remaining Latin quarter in Panaji. The colours of the houses, the narrow streets lined with plants and pots, the tiny cafes tucked away in the alleys will transport you to the 1700s! The St. Sebastian’s Chapel, which has stood from the nineteenth century, is a whitewashed, 3-tiered church. In addition there’s a Gallery displaying contemporary art and hosts cultural events. If you are looking to buy Portuguese azulejo tiles, Fontainhas is the place to pick them up! There are a few traditional Goan eateries and quaint bakeries serving local dishes.

Tip: Combine the visit to Fontainhas with a visit to the Immaculate Conception Church. They are only 5 minutes away from each other on foot!

Here’s a list of the best Museums and cultural sites in Goa:

Best nature trips and experiences in Goa

Goa is one of the most lush green states in India. Its biggest advantage has been its location. The south west coast receives heavy rainfall for nearly four months in a year. In addition, the rugged terrain of the western ghats has created so many thick forest patches over millennia and a lot of it is intact today. As a result, a nature lover will enjoy Goa in the monsoon as much as a part-goer in December! Therefore, we highly recommend visiting Goa at least once in the monsoon season.

Depending on the season you visit in, there are a number of nature spots to see and explore. The best of the lot is definitely Dudhsagar Falls! It involves a little bit of trekking and a jeep ride to the trek site. Fares are around INR 350 per person and you will find agents all over north and south Goa. Harvalem Falls is another treasure trove especially in the rainy season.

Here’s a list of the best Nature spots in Goa, for trekking, hiking, waterfalls and wildlife:

The perfect resort experience

As much as hippies and budget backpackers love Goa, the place is incredibly popular with honeymooning couples! As a result, you’ll find a wide variety of resorts and luxury hotels in the south and north which not only cater to all kinds of preferences and amenities but also across a broad range of prices.

Some of the best resorts are in South Goa though, thanks to its calm atmosphere unlike the wilder north Goa. Dona Sylvia, Alila Diwa, The Leela, Taj, ITC Grand, Radisson Blu Cavelossim and Karma Haathi Mahal (where we stayed) are very popular! If you stay in the north of Goa, Lemon Tree Amarante Beach, Taj Fort Aguda, Le Meridian Calangute, The Grand Hyatt, W Goa are great options.

Tip: If you are honeymooning, we highly recommend staying in the south. The crowd is more suitable, and many beaches are privacy/bikini friendly. Moreover, you can always visit North Goa on day trips or for a couple of days in between!

Staying in a colonial era Portuguese Homestay

Goa may be an Indian state, but you’ll find that a LOT of Portuguese era culture has remained deeply rooted! In fact, Portuguese architecture is extremely prevalent, with old houses being restored to their most beautiful original appearance. Some of these houses have been turned into home stays and are wallet friendly for the interesting experiences they offer. And we found one such house in a little town called Saligao in North Goa, called Quarto Da Lua!

The homestay is 150 years old and is in the same shape as it was originally built, with modern maintenance only! The owner, a kind old Septuagenarian, lives in the ground floor, while the upper floor makes the homestay for visitors. It comfortably sleeps 4 adults – there are two large rooms, one with a classic European queen bed and another with a King sized bed. The colours of the walls, the rose wood decor and the wonderfully mild creaking of the wooden floorboards made the experience very authentic! Turns out, the homestay is maintained by a travel blogger couple that lives in Goa – that explains the attention to detail in the homestay!

The homestay had a living space, two bedrooms, one window side lounge area in the master room, a separate dining hall with a fully equipped kitchen and of course, a private bathroom with hot water. In addition, wifi is available too. However, we were perfectly happy with a strong cellular network.

Tip: If you choose to stay at the Quarto Da Lua, contact The Moonchasers directly to get a cheaper deal than all app listings.

Water sports and activities in Goa

Jet skiing, parasailing, banana boat rides, speed boating and many more water sports are very popular here. The views are also very enjoyable, especially if you go parasailing in southern beaches (which have small hills along the coast)! But, being a tourist spot puts Goa in a tough spot. There are so many water sports companies selling activities on nearly every major beach in both South and North Goa. And because these beaches are so popular with tourists, the prices are also very high. Two minutes of parasailing costs INR 1,000! Thats daylight robbery – but also the common price in Goa (and even Karwar). In comparison, it cost INR 3,000 for 20 mins of parasailing for a couple over a beautiful reef in Mauritius.

However, pub crawls in north Goa are a far cheaper activity! 😛

Cafes, Restaurants, Pubs and Discos

Goa is synonymous with PARTY! There are many cafes, restaurants, pubs and discos in north Goa. These not only have a great ambience and vibe, but even attract talented artists. We absolutely loved Mojigao cafe for its great ambience and delicious brunch. The cafe looks like its in the middle of the jungle with lush greenery. Want a more premium experience? Head to Jamun, a resto bar that comes alive in the evenings! And for a light Goan breakfast, we recommend the street side shack a few hundred meters westward from QuartoDaLua, Saligao. The Poha there was so good! If you love Thalis (meals) eat at Colours restaurant.

In the south, we had lunch at Mike’s Place in Cavelossim and enjoyed dinner at Sunset At Agonda, on Agonda beach. However, we loved the Veg Xacuti and Cocum coolers at Camron’s in Majorda. We also liked the delicious pizzas at Gaffino’s in Cavelossim for INR 200!

Panaji has many old cafes. We had lunch at George’s Restaurant and dinner at Viva Panjim in Fontainhas.

In our previous trips to Goa, we also visited Brittos in Baga and Curlies at Anjuna Beach. We also visited the old pubs and discos: Tito’s and Mambo’s. And the newer clubs like LPK, Eve’s and cafes in Anjuna and Chapora Market area are very popular too.

Here’s a list of the best cafes in Goa:

Stay, food, transport, weather and budget

Stay: Goa has many hotels, hostels, camping sites, colonial home stays, beach huts and many premium resorts. You can check them out here. We stayed at Karma Haathi Mahal in South Goa and Quarto Da Lua in North Goa, and an Oyo room in Panaji. We also recommend other places we’ve stayed at before like Estrela Do Mar (mid range) and Villa Goesca in north Goa (budget), and Secret Garden (budget) on Agonda beach in the south. Stays are as cheap as INR 500 per night for private rooms and a lot cheaper for dorms.

Food: Food was absolutely delicious! We loved the mix of Goan, Maharastrian and Karnataka dishes and cuisines. Although cafes are expensive (at least INR 300 per dish), they are well worth visiting as they are an integral part of the modern Goan culture! But if you enjoy feasting on a budget, you MUST visit a small streetside restaurant which serves Thali meals (INR 80 and upwards). They are very delicious and options for veg, fish and meat meals are available. And don’t forget to try Poha and Vada pavs at coffee shops (INR 30)!

Transport: Getting around in Goa is easy. Renting a scooter is the easiest and best way to travel within Goa. You can rent a scooter for INR 300 per day. If you rent by the week or month, you can get  much better rates. For instance, monthly rentals are less than INR 150 per day. Alternatively, you can also rent cars for over INR 800 per day (rent a Thar at INR 2,000/day). If you want to use public transport, bus services are good and cheap, autos are easy to hire for a fair price, but taking a taxi is pricey!

Weather and best time to visit Goa

Goa is hot and humid all year round. Although it is a little uncomfortable during the day, the sea breeze makes up for it in the evenings and nights in the summer months. But, October to March is the best season to visit Goa. The weather is sometimes chilly, in the late evenings! But if you love monsoon season for how beautiful and lush green nature is, you can comfortably visit Goa between May and September. We’ve visited in nearly all seasons and loved the monsoon experience. as well as the October weather. Avoid March to May.

How much we spent on our trip

We spent on a few avoidable luxuries this time, but excluding those and considering our general travel style (budget with reasonable comfort) it came out to INR 900 (USD 12) per person, per day. This was based on the total expenses over a week including stay, food and drinks, local travel including bus and sightseeing tickets. Overnight bus tickets cost INR 1,000 per person (from Bangalore), one way. Of course, some of these expenses could be even lower, but this should give you a general idea of the minimum cost.

How to get to Goa

Goa has excellent connectivity with most major cities in India. Here, we’ve broken it down by mode of transport to Goa:

Buses: There are daily overnight buses from Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad and many more cities. Depending on the distance, you can get AC overnight tickets from as little as INR 500 per person. We travelled from Bangalore by non AC sleeper for INR 1,000 per person, one way.

Train: Goa has excellent rail connectivity thanks to the Konan railway network. You can easily reach any part of India by this railway network for very cheap prices. For instance a train ticket from Bangalore to Goa can cost as little as INR 300 per person (13 hours).

Flights: There is an international airport in Dabolim, Goa. It is very well connected with major Indian airports. In addition, it is also well connected with the UK, Russia and many more European countries. After all, its one of the most popular beach side places in the country!

Love road tripping? Check this list of weekend getaways from Bangalore

Wearing a Bikini in Goa

Some of the beaches are mostly bikini friendly. Beaches in the south include Agonda, Palolem, Cola, Majorda (on most days) while in the north, Ashvem, Arambol and Morjim are good.  You can wear a bikini or any swimsuit on other beaches too, but the attention is not the most comfortable. Avoid bikinis on public beaches like Calangue, Baga and Anjuna – and keep a Sarong handy to cover up.

Checkout good quality swimwear here

Itinerary for the perfect Goa Trip

We’ve put together a suggestive itinerary for exploring Goa over a long weekend and for upto a week. For the long weekend option, you can choose to spend your time in the north or the south. On the other hand, if you are there for more days, visit the north, south and Panaji comfortably over a week!

3 day Long weekend trip

Option 1 – South Goa:

• Day 1: Check into Hotel on Agonda beach / Cavelossim, rent a bike and enjoy beach day at Cola beach or Butterfly beach, followed by dinner in a nearby beach shack
• Day 2: Ride the bike to Cabo De Rama Fort and explore the ruins, have lunch at Fisherman’s, play in Shiva Waterfalls and chill out at The Cape or cafes nearby. Enjoy sunset before returning to the hotel.
• Day 3: Explore Fontainhas and visit the Churches at Panaji before going on a Mandovi River Cruise. If you have some more time, head out to a Casino!

Option 2 – North Goa:

• Day 1: After checking into a hotel in north Goa, hike up Chapora Fort or Vagator and enjoy the sunset views. Feast at the nearby Chapora night market area for dinner.
• Day 2: Chill out at Arambol or Ashvem Beach, then have lunch at Mojigao or Jamun. In the night, head to one of the pubs in town.
• Day 3: Explore Fontainhas and visit the Churches at Panaji before going on a Mandovi River Cruise. If you have some more time, head out to a Casino!

7 days / one week trip

• Day 1: Check into Hotel on Agonda beach / Cavelossim, rent a bike and enjoy beach day at Cola beach or Butterfly beach, followed by dinner in a nearby beach shack
• Day 2: Ride the bike to Cabo De Rama Fort and explore the ruins, have lunch at Fisherman’s, play in Shiva Waterfalls and chill out at The Cape or cafes nearby. Enjoy sunset before returning to the hotel.
• Day 3: Head to Dudhsagar Falls for a day trip. Alternatively, visit Harvalem Falls and then Big Foot Museum. Enjoy sunset at Three Kings Chapel and dine at Camrons!
• Day 4: Check out from South Goa. Then, explore Fontainhas and visit the Churches at Panaji before going on a Mandovi River Cruise. If you have some more time, head out to a Casino! Check in to a hotel in north Goa.
• Day 5: After breakfast, hike up Chapora Fort or Vagator and enjoy the sunset views. Feast at the nearby Chapora night market area for dinner.
• Day 6: Chill out at Arambol or Ashvem Beach, then have lunch at Mojigao or Jamun. In the night, head to one of the pubs in town.
• Day 7: Play watersports at Baga beach and relax at Curlies in Anjuna. Party at LPK, or Tito’s/Mambo’s if you are curious to experience the old Goan discos. Dine at Brittos and call it a night!

Goa is indeed a very popular tourist destination in India! But if you are looking for the next destination after exploring Goa, you might just find other Indian destinations just as appealing to explore – check it out here.

If you have more questions or want to explore Goa with us, please write to us – we’d be very happy to help!

Useful links

Here are some useful resources to plan and book your next trip. These are the same websites and apps that we use for our own bookings! We may earn a small commission if you make your booking using the below link, at no extra cost to you. 🤓