When planning your vacation in Goa, this beach island of India has all to make your trip memorable with its amazing beaches, landscapes, churches, temples, casinos, & umpteen adventure activities to explore. All these features make this small Indian beach island a tourist paradise. But beyond all these attractions, there are amazing weekend getaways from Goa that must not be overlooked.
Goa has always remained a popular travel destination among all kinds of travellers, including family vacationers, honeymooners, & adventure seekers. It is famous among youngsters for the beach fun, water sports, casinos, & thrilling nightlife. Popularly known as Miami of India & Rome of the East, the place is a convergence of warm hospitality, rich cultural heritage, & unending party life.
Other than its natural scenic offering, Goa allows its visitors to have a glimpse of its rich Portuguese heritage. After exploring the endless list of places in Goa, your next target should be the weekend getaways from Goa. These places are frequently visited by Goans whenever they feel like taking a break. So now it’s time for you to explore the unexplored.
Weekend Getaways From Goa You Should Explore
1. Chorla Ghat
Chorla Ghat is one of the best amazing weekend getaways from Goa. It attracts tourists for its sublime waterfalls, lush greenery, & scenic views. Other than these, hiking, trekking, jungle walks, & spotting rare species of animals near the Western Ghats are some of the activities you would surely enjoy here.
- Distance from Goa: 66.9 km
- Places to explore: Charavane Waterfalls, Surla Waterfalls, Hiverem Waterfalls, Twin Vajra Waterfalls, Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, & Lasni Temb Peak.
- Best time to visit: August to November
2. Amboli
Amboli is another best place to add to your bucket list of the best weekend getaways from Goa. The place is located in Western Ghats & can be reached via roadway trip. It is one of the well-known Eco hot spots worth visiting for its rich flora & fauna. Ancient temples, cascading waterfalls, & incredible sunset points are some of the key features that drag the attention of tourists to this place.
- Distance from Goa: 118 km
- Places to explore: Shri Hiranyakeshi Temple, Amboli Ghat Waterfall, Shirgaonkar Point, Mahadev Gad, Amboli Forest Park, Parikshit Point, Kavalshet Point, & Gharapi Waterfall.
- Best time to visit: October to February
3. Karwar
Situated on the banks of Kali River, Karwar is known for its scenic natural beauty with beautiful beaches, & trekking activity. If you are looking for a much-needed break from your mundane routine, it is the best place to indulge in various activities like snorkelling & spotting dolphins.
- Distance from Goa: 87 km
- Places to explore: Majali Beach, INS Warship Museum, Tilmati Beach, Rabindranath Tagore Beach, Kali Bridge, Kurumgad Island, & Narasimha Temple.
- Best time to visit: November to April
4. Malvan
Joining the list of exciting weekend getaways from Goa is Malvan, situated along the coastline of Maharashtra. The one major reason you would love to explore this place is it hosts several adventure activities, including snorkelling & scuba diving. Moreover, you will also enjoy boat riding on the Karli backwaters & tasting the Malvani cuisine here.
- Distance from Goa: 143 km
- Places to explore: Malvan beach, Sindhudurg Fort, Rock Garden, Chivla Beach, Tarkarli Beach, Jay Ganesh Mandir, Kelbai Devi Temple, & Dandi Beach.
- Best time to visit: October to February
5. Dandeli
Dandeli is also a popular weekend getaway from Goa, especially for nature lovers. There is much to enjoy here, be it wildlife, nature walks, birdwatching, & boating. This place is also best for adventure activities like trekking, cycling, canoeing, mountain biking, kayaking, & river rafting. Dandeli is also an excellent retreat for wildlife lovers, who can spot several species of animals & birds at Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Distance from Goa: 98.4 km
- Places to explore: Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, Moulangi Eco Park, Sykes Kanive Viewpoint, Kavala Caves, Kali River, & Sri Dandelappa Swami Temple.
- Best time to visit: October to January
6. Gokarna
Other than Goa, you can have an exciting weekend of fun at Gokarna as it also features beautiful beaches for its visitors coming for a leisure trip. Among many major travel spots to explore here include the famous Mahabaleshwar Temple. So do visit Gokarna to make your trip memorable.
- Distance from Goa: 144 km
- Places to explore: Gokarna Beach, Om Beach, Paradise Beach, Kudle Beach, Gogarbha Cave, Mahabaleshwar Temple, Shree Bhadrakali Temple, & Koti Teertha.
- Best time to visit: October to February
7. Bhatkal
There are top things to explore in Goa for a perfect holiday vacation. But for a change, there are places nearby that you should pay attention to. Bhatkal is one such example. This port town from Karnataka is the best example to plan long weekend getaways from Goa. Bhatkal is worth visiting for its holy sites like Kethapayya Narayan Temple & Noor Masjid. If you want to get relief from bustling city life, then this is the ideal retreat to visit.
- Distance from Goa: 199.8 km
- Places to explore: Shri Chitrapur Math, Kethapayya Narayan Temple, Khalifa Jamia Masjid, Sri Mookambika Temple, Shri Shantheri Kamakshi Temple, Noor Masjid & Sharavati Valley Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Best time to visit: August to October
8. Kolhapur
Kolhapur is an ideal retreat for history buffs interested in knowing its history. It is also a top option for a weekend getaway from Goa to reach by car. The place is home to many temples, including the Bahubali Jain Temple, where you can experience peace with yourself. This city in Maharashtra welcomes shopaholics to shop for the famous Kolhapuri chappals & Kolhapuri Saaj (a particular type of necklace).
- Distance from Goa: 234.9 km
- Places to explore: Dajipur Wildlife Sanctuary, Panhala Fort, Shri Chhatrapati Shahu Museum, Gaganbawada, Ramtirth Waterfall, & Shree Mahalaxmi Mandir.
- Best time to visit: October to February
9. Mangalore
Beaches are the most sought attractions in the Goa itinerary, but you can also expect the same at Mangalore, as it is stocked with many beaches to have a great time with your loved ones. This city in Karnataka is located in the middle of the Arabian Sea on one side and the Western Ghats on the other. You have plenty of things to explore in Mangalore, from churches to temples.
- Distance from Goa: 342.9 km
- Places to explore: Panambur Beach, Kudroli Temple, St Aloysius Chapel, Kadri Manjunath Temple, Tannirbhavi Beach, New Mangalore Port, & Ullal Beach.
- Best time to visit: October to February
10. Hampi
Hampi is one of the places that deserves tourist attention for its ancient touch. Located near the Hospet town in Karnataka, this UNESCO World Heritage Site was an erstwhile capital of the Vijaynagar empire in the 14th century. Hampi remains a revered religious centre housing Virupaksha Temple, Adi Shankara linked monastery, & various other monuments that are related to this old city.
- Distance from Goa: 335.7 km
- Places to explore: Virupaksha Temple, Vithala Temple, Lotus Palace, Hampi Bazaar, Hippie Island, Queen’s Bath, Matanga Hill, Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, & Daroji Bear Sanctuary.
- Best time to visit: October to March
11. Mahabaleshwar
Mahabaleshwar is one of the top hill stations near Goa to visit for your long weekend plan. Located above the sea level, tourists can enjoy heavenly views from here. The soaring peaks, exotic flora & fauna, valleys, & chilly mountain winds make Mahabaleshwar an ideal retreat for nature lovers. The place also offers several outdoor activities for its visitors.
- Distance from Goa: 391.7 km
- Places to explore: Mahabaleshwar Temple, Elephant’s Head Point, Chinaman’s Falls, Dhobi Waterfall, Arthur’s Seat, Venna Lake, Wilson Point, & Lingmala Falls.
- Best time to visit: December to February
12. Udupi
Udupi, a district in Karnataka, is also among the top weekend trips near Goa. This place is not limited to only temples, but also beaches to welcome its visitors to have a great time. Akin to Mangalore, Udupi is also situated amidst the Arabian Sea & the Western Ghats. You must become part of its Paryaya festival.
- Distance from Goa: 288.7 km
- Places to explore: St. Mary’s Island, Malpe Beach, Kaup Beach, Delta Beach, Jomlu Teerth, Kudlu Falls, Anantha Padmanabha Temple, Chandramouleshwara Temple, & Corporation Bank Heritage Museum.
- Best time to visit: October to March
13. Lonavala
Other than searching for the top places in Goa for a memorable trip, why not flock to Lonavala, a treasure trove of picturesque views, lush greenery, & many top attractions? If you want to stay away from crowded places, then this hill station is a perfect choice to find solace.
- Distance from Goa: 558.2 km
- Places to explore: Tiger’s Leap, Rajmachi Fort, Imagicaa, Aamby Valley, Lonavala Lake, Karla Caves, Bhaja Caves, Lohagad Fort, & Sunil’s Celebrity Wax Museum.
- Best time to visit: October to March
14. Panchgani
Maharashtra is a neighbouring state to Goa. Hence, this allows you to plan your weekend trip to Panchgani. Other than forts & temples, there are various other attractions to explore in this famous hill station. The town is encircled with lush greenery, breathtaking views of valleys, & cascading waterfalls. Now, doesn’t it seem worth visiting?
- Distance from Goa: 382 km
- Places to explore: Kaas Plateau, Table Land, Kate’s Point, Mapro Garden, Sydney Point, Devrai Art Village, Rajpuri Caves, Wai, & Bhilar Falls.
- Best time to visit: September to May
15. Agumbe
Goa, no doubt, is the best weekend destination every couple would love to spend vacations in. But rather than visiting it often, we suggest you explore Agumbe, which lies in the Malnad region of Karnataka. This small, tranquil village attracts tourists not only for its rainforest conservation but also for medicinal plants & power generation. Apart from these, the natural beauty of Agumbe is beholding with its lush greens to beautiful waterfalls.
- Distance from Goa: 312.9 km
- Places to explore: Onake Abbi Falls, Barkana Falls, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, Jogigundi Falls, Agumbe Sunset View Point, & Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Best time to visit: October to February
Best Places To Stay For Weekend Getaways In Goa
Goa, the land of sun, sand, & sea, is a relaxing getaway & an action-packed vacation for most tourists. Popularly known as Miami of India, this Indian state has everything to offer to its travellers. If you are seeking a luxurious staycation, then let us suggest the 2 best stay options.
jüSTa Morjim Beach Resort, Goa
This beach resort in Goa is a perfect staycation in terms of both leisure & corporate motives. The guest rooms here are well-furnished, giving you an ideal beach view. It has a multi-cuisine restaurant named Wire Room that lets you savour the delicious Pan Indian & Goan-style cuisine with a range of drinks to tantalise your taste buds.
The well-lit atmosphere, lush green surroundings, tropical vibes, & soothing music in the background will surely make for a joyous dining experience. Adding more to your excitement, there is a swimming pool for a refreshing moment.
jüSTa Casa Frangipani, Goa
Another best option for your luxury staycation in Goa is jüSTa Casa Frangipani. It is one of the top boutique hotels in Goa that excels in its hospitality services, giving its guests a reason to spend quality time here. The best thing about this hotel is its location, which is nearer to the top beaches of Goa, including Calangute Beach, Candolim Beach, Anjuna Beach, & Baga Beach.
Staying at this hotel makes you feel like a new home. The restaurant at the poolside is there to tantalise your taste buds with its variety of local cuisines. The Goan hospitality services here excel in its breakfast offering to dinner at night. So be rest assured with all dining options when staying at jüSTa Casa Frangipani.
Conclusion
Goa is one of the popular travel choices among travellers, be it family vacationers, honeymooners, or adventure seekers. It has everything you dream of, from beaches to colonial structures, temples, water sports, casinos, thrilling nightlife, & so on. However, one must also be aware of weekend getaways from Goa that, too, are stocked with natural attractions. If you plan your visit to Goa, consider the luxury staycations mentioned above.