Goa is undeniably one of the best places in India to unwind and have a blast with friends and family. For many, it’s the ultimate dream vacation destination. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people from all over India and the world flock to Goa to soak up the sun, party, and create unforgettable memories on its pristine beaches.
While Goa is often synonymous with beach fun, there’s so much more to this vibrant destination. From a plethora of activities to an array of places to visit, not to mention the tantalizing traditional cuisine, there’s something for everyone in Goa. If you’re visiting for the first time, it’s essential to plan your trip carefully and make a list of must-do activities, or you might miss out on the true essence of Goa.
In this article, we’ll highlight some of the best things you can do in Goa. From iconic landmarks to mouthwatering dishes and exciting activities, we’ll cover it all. So let’s dive in and discover the top experiences that Goa has to offer, ensuring you have the time of your life in this tropical paradise.
Contents
- 1 Amazing things to do in Goa
- 1.1 1. A perfect day at Beach
- 1.2 2. Visit Dudhsagar Falls
- 1.3 3. Basilica of Bomb Jesus
- 1.4 4. Ashiyana Yoga Center
- 1.5 5. Gaon Caves
- 1.6 6. Sinquerim- Play with the dolphins
- 1.7 7. Se Cathedral
- 1.8 8. Anjuna Flea Market
- 1.9 9. Visit the Spice Farms
- 1.10 10. Visit the Jungle!
- 1.11 11. The Uncommon Market of Ingo
- 1.12 12. Artjuna Garden Cafe and Lifestyle Shop
- 1.13 13. Fontainhas
- 1.14 14. Big Foot Cross Museum
- 1.15 15. Enjoy the local food and drink
- 1.16 Conclusion –
Amazing things to do in Goa
1. A perfect day at Beach
Well, it would be a crime if the first thing you need to do in Goa is not visiting the beach, after all, that’s why you are going there isn’t it? There are many beaches in Goa that you can visit and have fun. The North Goa beaches see pretty crowded and they are in limelight as well. On the other hand, the beaches located in the south Goa beaches are less crowded and they are a good place to enjoy your vacation peacefully.There are also several activities that you can do at the beaches, from water activities such as scuba diving or bungee jumping you can find a lot of activities to do there. The bottom line is you can easily find a perfect beach for yourself.
2. Visit Dudhsagar Falls
This is one of the landmark places in Gao that you need to visit. The word Dudhsagar means the sea of milk and if you look at it from a distance then it seems like it as well. It is Goa’s tallest fall with a height of 310 meters. The fall is located in the middle of the forest and it rises from the Western Ghats.This place is not only popular for its beautiful view but it’s also popular for trekking, and people who loved to trek have hardly missed this place. The best time to visit the fall and go on a trek is the monsoon season and the after rainy season. The forest looks pretty good too and it’s rich with the rare flora and fauna species. Overall this can be a fun activity to do.
3. Basilica of Bomb Jesus
If Goa is famous for anything other than the beaches then it would be surely the architecture. The place is full of some historical sites which are too beautiful to miss out on. And one of them is the Basilica of Bomb Jesus! It was built-in 1605 and to date, it’s known as one of the best churches in Goa.The place is most popular for holding the remains of the St. Francis Xavier. This is also tagged as the UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is living proof of the rich religious and cultural traditions of Goa. The building features some of the best architecture, carvings, statues, and paintings from the 20th century. This place is Perth visiting to know more about the heritage of Goa.
4. Ashiyana Yoga Center
One of the best places to visit in Goa is the yoga center! As you might know that the Yoga was originated in India, so it makes sense to participate in the Yoga activities in the country. This place offers training programs, short and long term yoga holiday, treatments, etc. You would also find the Ayurvedic spa and luxurious accommodations as well. The detox treatments and the spas are written popularly.The yoga center is located at the serene Mandrem beach. The bottom line is, the place offers something for everyone and that’s the reason you should go there while you are in Goa.
5. Gaon Caves
This is another major site in Goa to explore and to know a little bit more about the history of the place. The caves look surreal and they might even give you chills at the first sight. The caves are considered as one of the most romantic places in Goa.The whole tour of the caves would only take about an hour so it’s not going to be time-consuming activities but it’s definitely a place that you should visit while in Goa.
6. Sinquerim- Play with the dolphins
So these are the best things to do and you would surely love the time spent here. It’s kinds like sitting in a boat and having a great time just looking at the sites. Although here the surprise event is the dolphins that look just great.The cruise would start from the Fort Aguada, Panjim. Here the fun part is, you can also take a from with these amazing creatures and have a good time. Of course, you would have to get permission first and you will only enter the waters with full safety measures. So if you are interested in Dolphins or water sighting then you must do it.
7. Se Cathedral
Se Cathedral is known as one of the largest churches in Asia and that’s the first reason why you should visit the church. The church was built in the 1640s (the construction started almost a century before it was completed) which makes it one of the oldest buildings of the Goa.The church looks so beautiful while sitting on the stretches of the well maintained green lawns, here the architecture and the carvings of the church are something you would love. The Church also had two towers, while one of them collapsed a century after it was built, the second one still stands strong and houses a large bell know as the Golden Bell.
8. Anjuna Flea Market
Every trip is incomplete without shopping from the local market, and when it comes to that your first choice should be the Anjuna, Flea Market. This is a weekly market that was starred as a hippie exchange over 3 decades ago where the travelers who were having a shortage of money used to sell their possessions in exchange for money or things.And in the modern-day, this place is known as one of the largest fleas markets where you can but anything from premium textile to electronics or some local handicrafts. The place is usually full of people and you can see by some of the best stuff or just see the crowd.
9. Visit the Spice Farms
The Spice plantations or the Choice Farms are also tourist attractions of Goa that you should not miss. There are two very popular places that you can visit to visit the Spice plantations that are the Savoi Plantations and the Sahakar Spice Farm. The latter covers over 130 acres of land and there is an impressive range of rare plant and tree species of ayurvedic and medicinal importance.There is a lot to learn about the nutritional value of these plants as well as just sailing ourselves in the rich aroma of spices around us seems like a good ideal. The place also has some in-house restaurants where you can taste some of the delicious food.
10. Visit the Jungle!
Goa is a place where you can find tons of wildlife and get closer to nature. For starters, there are wildlife sanctuaries and National Park which houses over 200 species of animals. The place is full of animal life and you will get to see some rare indigenous species of animals.Don’t forget to explore the Sahyadri sanctuary located at the foothills of the Western Ghats. The animals you can see there include panther, bear, a variety of deer’s, etc. And there are also several birds that you can see. Overall if you are in Goa then you must visit the wildlife there.
11. The Uncommon Market of Ingo
A long time ago, a German named Ingo set up a market, which is currently known as the Ingo’s Saturday night Bazar. Here you would find several amazing things that are locally handcrafted or made with the local stuff. The thing about this bazaar is it not only features the stuff from Goa buy from all over India (mostly). From the textile to the jewelry you can find anything here.Not only this, here you get to find taste some of the best cuisine of India as well as from the world. You can spend a fair share of your time in Goa here she still can’t enough the place. And the music that keeps going on in the background also adds a bit of entertainment.
12. Artjuna Garden Cafe and Lifestyle Shop
This one too is a place that you should visit in Goa. As its name suggests, the place offers food as well as something to shop as well.The place is housed in a Portuguese Villa and it features some of the great food as well as the speaking garden of Hammocks and mango trees.The place offers several handcrafted lifestyles item to buy and see, there are also several events going on such as movie nights or other fun events. There is also a library where you can grab a book and order a healthy smoothly and have a peaceful time there.
13. Fontainhas
Fontainhas is also a UNESCO cultural heritage zone where you can find the Portuguese villa dating back to the 19th and the 20th century.There are several things to see here and enjoy the views while exploring the history of Goa. It surely will make your time here worthwhile. Also if you are an Instagrammer there are several places worthy of photography and will provide you the best background as well. You can also find some of the historical buildings and places which will get your attention for good.
14. Big Foot Cross Museum
This museum hosts a collection of over 15,000 crosses. This is not just a museum but also an educational site where the people tried to recreate the typical Goan village from a century ago.This one should be on your list if you have got a thing for history and artifacts. There is also a handicraft fare held where you can see a lot of unique handcrafted stuff.
15. Enjoy the local food and drink
One of the things that you should not miss out on while in Goa is its local cuisine. Here you would find some healthy and delicious food and drinks and you can also learn how to make these dishes from the locals.
There are many other things to do in Goa such as river rafting, bungee jumping, visiting the butterfly sanctuary, and exploring the nearby islands. You can also take a cruise and have a romantic date with your partner. There are also several resorts where you can relax and have a great time. Although Goa is popular for its churches, if you give it a chance then you might be able to see some temples as well. There are several events held in Goa, so you should always check the calendar and see if you can be part of one of the festivals or events while you are in the Goa.
Conclusion –
These are indeed some of the best things you can do in Goa! While you may already have some ideas from local friends, don’t forget to explore the other options as well. Goa is brimming with activities and attractions, offering something for every type of traveler and ensuring an unforgettable trip.
Given the ongoing global pandemic, it’s essential to be mindful of any guidelines or restrictions in place and to check with the policies of specific venues before visiting. This will help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience during your time in Goa.
We’re glad you found the article helpful, and we hope you now have a clearer idea of what to do in Goa. Thank you for visiting us, and we wish you a fantastic time exploring all that this beautiful destination has to offer!