Places to Visit in Goa


Goa is a verdant natural paradise bounded on the one side by the foothills of the Sahyadri range and on the other by the Arabian Sea.
The old adage is true: Living in Goa is a 365-day vacation. Beaches, scenic sunsets, historical forts and an easygoing life make Goa one of the best beach destinations in India. Whether you want to witness the majestic 600-m-high Dudhsagar Falls or try your luck in Casino Royale, Goa serves travelers of varied tastes. From the famed Fort Aguada to the blue waters of Dona Paula and Sinquerim beaches, there's no dearth of points of interest in Goa.

If you want to get the same feel of that of Las Vegas and Miami, staying in India, visit Goa. The nightlife in Goa has to be experienced close to the beaches in North Goa - Baga and Calangute - where most of the bars and restaurants offer live music accompanied by amazing coastal cuisine. Even if you can't make it to Goa Carnival, which is held every year, you can always feel the carnivalesque atmosphere and a cosmopolitan crowd making the most of their visit.

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Tourist Places in Goa



Dona Paula Beach

Located at a close proximity of 4 Km from Panjim city, Dona Paula is one of those beaches in Goa that you must pay a visit to. You will see many tourists having fun there and involving themselves in various kinds of water sports. If you are a lover of scenic beauty, then reach the far-end of the beach and have a great time seeing the beautiful view. The amazing fact about this beach is its different, more cleaner water colour. When you are on this beach, don't forget to take a sip of the lemon drink that the locals sell.

Bogmalo Beach

If you are staying somewhere near Dabolim Airport, make sure you go to Bogmalo beach. The sunset of this beach is something that should not be missed when you are in Goa. It used to be a small fishing hamlet, but now it is growing as a tourist hub.

Candolim Beach

Candolim Beach Category : Nature
Located 14 Km north of Panaji in the state of Goa, the Candolim Beach is a part of a long extension of beach coastline along the Arabian Sea that begins at Fort Aguada and ends at Chapora Beach. This place is also famous as it is the birth place of Abba Faria, considered to be one of the Goan freedom fighters and the Father of Hypnotism. More...


Miramar Beach

Miramar Beach Category : Nature
The Miramar Beach is situated 1 kilometer ahead of the confluence of Mandovi River and the Arabian Sea. It is situated on the way towards Dona Paula, about 3 kilometers from Panjim, the capital city of Goa. The Miramar Beach is also known as 'Gasper Dias'. It begins at the gulf and then culminates in the Emerald Coast Parkway. It is a golden beach fringed with palm trees. The soft sands of the beach makes it the best site for evening walks. Moreover, 'miramar' in Portuguese implies 'viewing the sea'. Tourists can get a glimpse of the majesty of the Arabian Sea from the Miramar Beach at Goa. More...


Majorda Beach

Majorda Beach Category : Nature
Majorda Beach is situated in the southern part of Bogmola. It is one of the marvelous beaches in Goa that is located about 18 kilometers from Dabolim Airport. Marjorda Beach in Goa is connected to Margao an offer an excellent network of roadways, including buses, auto rickshaws and taxis. It is one of the most popular beaches of Goa.

Majorda Beach of Goa has a strong bearing upon the Indian mythology. Legends believed that Lord Rama was kidnapped and brought to the Majorda beach in his childhood. It is also said that Lord Rama came to the beach in search of his wife, Sita. He is said to have come to Cabo-de-Rama, which lies in the southern part of the beach. More...


Mobor Beach

Mobor Beach Category : Nature
Mobor Beach is an ideal location for the adventure tourists. It is one of the most popular beaches in Goa, which enables the tourists to indulge in adventure sports such as water skiing, water surfing, jet ski, banana and bump rides, and para-sailing. The beach can be visited throughout the year; however, the best months to visit Mobor Beach of Goa is between the months of September and March.

The Mobor beach is one of the most popular tourist sites in the city. Every year thousands of tourists come to the beach to indulge in water sports. In fact, the Cavelossium-Mobor is famous for water sports. More...

Colva Beach

Colva Beach Category : Nature
The Colva Beach lies about 6 Km to the west of Margao and is the oldest, largest and the most spectacular beach of South Goa. The beach consists of about 25 Km of the fine-powdered white sand and is bounded along its coast by coconut palms that stretch from Bogmalo in the north to Cabo-de-Rama in the south, along south Goa's coastline. In the colonial days, it used to be the resting area for Margao's high society, who would visit Colva for their "Mundanca" or change of air. Today, the area that is reminiscent of the luxurious lifestyle of the aristocratic class has beautiful houses or villas that dot the village. More...


Anjuna Beach

Anjuna Beach Category : Nature
Located about 18 kilometers from Panaji and situated in Bardez taluka, the Anjuna Beach is part of a 30-km extended beach coastline along the west coast of Goa by the Arabian sea. The Village of Anjuna, a five square mile area is nestled between the Arabian Sea and the Hill overlooking the beach. The beach is famous for its stunning natural beauty with swaying palms trees and soft-powered white sands. More...


Varca Beach

Varca Beach Category : Nature
Varca Beach is one most popular tourist sites in Goa. It is one of the most beautiful and exotic beaches of Goa and is situated about 2 kilometers from Benaulim. The beach is marked by a number of wooden boats, belonging to the fishermen of the city. The Varca Beach in Goa is known for its soft white sands and its cleanliness. It is one of the cleanest beaches in Goa that allows the tourists to spend some time in solitude. More...


Sinquerim Beach

Sinquerim Beach Category : Nature
The Sinquerim Beach of Goa is located some 13 km away from Panaji and is stunningly beautiful and quieter than the other beaches of Goa. This long, extended sandy terrain that runs incessantly along the coast is ideal for taking a walk. The glistening sands and the cool water caressing the feet give you the best feeling in the world. The beach is a tranquil and spectacular stretch of sand and an ideal place for swimming. The tourists come down to this beach quite often and prefer it over others for its pristine and serene setting.

The lovely beach of Sinquerim is one of the oldest preserved beaches in Goa. The famous fort Aguada is located near the beach. Fort Aguada was built by the Portuguese in the early 17th century to defend themselves against any foreign attack and to control the entry of the intruders through River Mandovi.


Vagator Beach

Vagator Beach Category : Nature
The Vagator beach - located near Mapusa Road, North Goa and 22 Km far from the state capital Panaji - is less crowded and isolated compared to other Goan beaches. It boasts of pure white sand doted with black lava rocks and swaying coconut and palm trees, and lies within the backdrop of the 500-year-old Portuguese Fort. It can easily take the visitors down the memory lane depicting the Old Portuguese era.

Vagator's broad white sandy beach, Big Vagator Beach also known as "Little Vagator", is undeniably beautiful and offers picturesque vista with the red ramparts of Chapora Fort. At the southern end of the beach, a row of makeshift cafes that provide shade and sustenance for a predominantly Israeli crowd stand out. Like Anjuna, Vagator is a relaxed, comparatively undeveloped resort that appeals, in the main, to budget travelers with time on their hands. Accommodation is limited, Reaching There


Immaculate Conception Church & Reis Magos Fort

Immaculate Conception Church & Reis Magos Fort Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church was one of the first churches to be built in Goa. It is said to be there since 1541. The early church was completely re-built from its foundation in 1619 and this was even considered, taking into account of the negligible population of the area and the size of the new church, a striking commentary on the religious climate of the time and the wealth available to the churches. More...


Morjim Beach

Morjim Beach Category : Nature
The Morjim Beach, popularly known as the Turtle Beach, is located in Pernem, north Goa. The beach is bestowed with elegant vistas, including a blossoming, green environment. It is a special beach as it serves as a hatching and nesting habitat of the Olive Ridley turtles, which are an endangered species. The sight of the tiny hatchlings, turtles and crabs makes your experience at the beach an unforgettable one. Kite surfing is another activity popular at this beach because of its shallow depth. More...


Betalbatim Beach

Betalbatim Beach Category : Nature
We have all been lucky enough to witness beautiful sunsets, but the beauty of the sunsets at the Betalbatim Beach is beyond imagination. Located in the south of the Majorda Beach, Betalbatim Beach offers spectacular sunset views, and thus is popularly known as the "Sunset beach of Goa". Not only is it more peaceful than the other beaches, but is also much cleaner. The quiet and secluded location of this beach makes it all the more attractive and inviting. More...


Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary

Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary Category : Nature
Heading to Goa this season? Then don't forget to set foot in the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary for a close rendezvous with your favorite animals. The smallest yet most popular sanctuary in Goa, it is located in Ponda Taluka in the northeastern part of the city. Contained in a very small area of just 8 Km, the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is covered with moist deciduous forest and evergreen vegetation patches. This little sanctuary proudly houses a Mini Zoo, Rose Garden, Deer Safari Park, Botanical Gardens, Nature Education Centre and Eco-Tourism Cottages within its premises. More...


Baga Beach

Baga Beach Category : Nature
Goa, an endearing paradise of scenic charm, is famous for its mesmerizing beaches all over the world. With glistening sands, sky-high coconut trees, majestic sea waves and delectable sea food, the region has so much to offer. It is blessed with a number of exotic beaches, yet as we think of Goa the first name that comes to the mind is the super-adventurous Baga Beach. Anybody who has had a chance to witness the beauty of Goa will vouch for the fact that Baga beach is for sure the most happening beach in Goa.More...


Arvalem Caves

Arvalem Caves Category : Nature
Apart from the admirable beaches and waterfalls, Goa is also one of the most sought after destinations for heritage architectures. Goa is an ancient state and so is the architecture found here. A beautiful example of the historical monuments present in Goa is the Arvalem Caves or the "Pandava Caves". Located in the Bicholim town of North Goa, these caves are ancient rock cut caves that give us a chance to steep into the mythological tales. The origin of these caves dates back to the 6th century. More...


Arvalem Waterfalls

Arvalem Waterfalls Category : Nature
A thunderous spurt of water beautifully cascading down a rocky terrain of a mountain! This is the picture of the splendorous Arvalem Waterfalls in Goa. Popularly known as the Harvalem Waterfalls, it is located at Arvalem, around 9 kilometers from Bicholim, North Goa. With water falling headlong from a height of 70 meters, it makes for an absolutely breathtaking view.More...


Palolem Beach

Category : Nature
The Palolem Beach is located about 2 Km West of Chaudi, Canacona District of South Goa and is also known as the "Paradise Beach". It was amongst the virgin beaches of Goa which remained secluded from the tourists' eyes until a few years back, but now it is gradually becoming commercialized and developed since tourists have started pouring in. It is the place of glorious sunsets and stunning sunrises with backdrop of Western Ghats situated in Southern Taluka of Canacona. The enthralling Paolem Beach instills in us a feeling of tranquility that is one of the major attribute of this serene Goa beach.



Goa Churches

Category : History & Culture
Goa churches enjoy their share of popularity. There are several churches in the state owing to the long history of Portuguese rule in Goa. These churches, other than being a place of worship, also make for beautiful pieces of architecture from by gone days. Some of the popular churches in Goa are St. Cathedral Church, St. Francis of Assisi, Basilica of Bom Jesus, St. Augustine Church among others. These churches are visited by most of the tourists heading to the state of Goa. More...

Arvalam Waterfall

Category : Nature
Arvalem Waterfall is located 2 kilometers from the town of Sinquelim in the North of Goa. The 24-feet-high waterfall makes for a beautiful picnic spot. One can have a look at the waterfall from the staircase of the famous Rudreshwar Temple. The government has also constructed a park near the waterfall to help people have a closer look of the fall and appreciate its beauty. More...

Aguada Fort

Category : History & Culture
Aguada Fort stands tall as one of the most known representatives of the Goan history. The fort was constructed in 1612 by the Portuguese who were fearing an attack from the Marathas and the Dutch. The fort had a fresh water spring that provided for the water requirements of all those who used to pass through the place. The giant fort served as a crucial point for all the important operations of the Portuguese.

Chapoli Dam

Category : History & Culture
Located about 40 Km from Margoa, Chapoli Dam is blessed with scenic charm as it lies in a valley which is surrounded by hills. If you are fond of fishing, this eco-tourist spot of Goa, is a place for you.

Mahalaxmi Temple

Category : Religious
Mahalaxmi Temple situated in Bandora Village of Goa, is dedicated to goddess Mahalaxmi (Goddess of power and strength). The Temple has a beautifully constructed Chowk, which is its major attraction. The temple constructed as early as 1413 A.D, is visited by tourists all across the country especially during the Navratri, which is celebrated with great pomp and show at the place. More...

Mangeshi Temple

Category : Religious
Mangeshi temple in Goa is an amalgamation of modern and traditional Hindu pieces of architecture. The temple is a dedication to Lord Mangueshi, incarnation of Lord Shiva. Legend has it that Lord Brahma himself consecrated the Linga that is worshiped here. The idol of the presiding deity is taken out in a procession every week on Monday. More...


Tourist Destinations Near Goa



An excursion can be planned to the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka from the state of Goa. Both these states have a lot to offer to the tourists. The cities like Mumbai and Pune are visited by a lot of people across the country. Mumbai is the home of the Bollywood (largest film industry in India). Pune has a lot of parks, museums and zoos to woo the visitors. Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka is one of the fastest growing cities in India. Mysore is known for its numerous temples including Chamundeshwari Temple.

From gorging on the lip-smacking and mouth-watering Konkan and Goanese cuisine like chicken rechado and xacuti to rock and rave in the night parties by the fire-lit sea beaches, the vast collection of diverse rocky and sand, golden or silver sand beaches spellbinds the tourists with their awe-inspiring scenic beauty..


Last Updated on : August 30, 2016