Goa is among the top travel destinations in India that pulls a heavy tourist footfall with its exotic natural beauty, & a treasure trove of known & lesser-known attractions. The sizzling nightlife, tempting seafood, beachside fun, thrilling parties, & a sublime dose of spirituality make it a memorable weekend getaway for travellers who want to lose themselves in the free-spirited atmosphere. With so many things to do in Goa, you get reason to escape from your mundane city life.
Moreover, the buzzing lifestyle in Goa lets you live your dreams with the utmost enjoyment that you can hardly get from any other destination in India. This small island getaway lets you explore its grandeur of ancient Portuguese colonial structures laced with Indian culture. So, if you plan to visit Goa for a beach holiday, let us bring you a Goa itinerary guide with a list of top things to explore in this beautiful travel destination.
Things To Explore In Goa For An Exciting Vacation
1. Basking in the Sun At Beaches
The first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Goa is its beaches, of course. There are many things to do on beaches in Goa, including basking in the sun, enjoying water sports, having a thrilling experience at sunset parties, & lots more. Goa, being a beach island, is stocked with many beaches in northern & southern regions. Below are some suggestions for you to have complete beach fun.
- Candolim Beach
- Vagator Beach
- Anjuna Beach
- Calangute Beach
- Sinquerim Beach
- Baga Beach
- Arambol Beach
- Colva Beach
- Palolem Beach
- Butterfly Beach
- Benaulim Beach
- Agonda Beach
If you are not comfortable at beaches that are jam-packed with tourist footfall, then you can have peaceful moments by visiting other beaches in Goa, which are less crowded. There are nearby beach resorts in Goa to choose for your staycation.
2. Visiting Amazing Forts
It would be wrong to confine Goa merely for its beaches. This island state also stocks many spectacular forts representing glorious past, architectural excellence, & resplendence. Apart from that, visiting these forts will also let you have an astonishing view of surroundings. The popular forts to visit here include:
- Chapora Fort
- Reis Magos Fort
- Fort Aguada
- Tiracol Fort
- Corjuem Fort
- Mormugao Fort
- Betul Fort
- Cabo de Rama Fort
- Rachol Fort
- Anjediva Fort
3. Exploring The Rich Grandeur of Churches In Goa
When visiting Goa for your holidays, do not limit your excitement merely to beaches. There are many enchanting churches to explore here. These sanctums showcase colonial legacy & are also connected with the Christian faith & are glorious reminders of bygone ages. Below are those top Goan churches to soak oneself into the old world of grandeur.
- Nossa Senhora de Penha de Franca
- Church of Saint Francis of Assisi
- Church of Our Lady of the Mount
- Church of Saint Cajetan
- Santa Cruz Church
- Basilica of Bom Jesus
- Sé Catedral de Santa Catarina
- Chapel of Saint Catherine
- Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception
4. Praying At Historical Temples
Goa is a treasure trove of multiple attractions, including the historical temples. For peaceful moments, there are many divine places to visit in Goa. It may seem strange to associate temples in this small Indian state. But you will spot many wonderful temples in Goa blended with Portuguese, European, Jain & Mughal architectural styles. The prominent temples include:
- Mahadev Temple
- Brahma Temple
- Saptakoteshwar Temple
- Kamakshi Temple
- Mahalasa Narayani Temple
- Mangeshi Temple
- Chandreshwar Bhootnath Temple
- Mahalaxmi Temple
5. Party All Night At The Best Nightclubs & Pubs
It won’t be wrong in terming Goa as a tourist paradise not just for its pristine beaches, but also for a thrilling nightlife. Dotted with numerous nightclubs & pubs, this Indian state welcomes vacationers to lose themselves in the exotic compelling atmosphere by partying hard with their special ones. Below are the top nightclubs & pubs for an entertaining night.
- Curlies
- Silent Noise Club
- Cantare
- Leopard Valley
- Café Mambo
- Britto’s
- Silent Noise Club
- Nyex Beach Club
- SinQ Night Club
- Soro
- Club M
- Cape Town Café
- Cohiba
- Shiva Valley
- Café Mojo
- Club Tito’s
- LPK Waterfront
6. Feasting On Irresistible Goan Food Items
What seems worth visiting a travel destination is having a taste of its local food. When visiting Goa, your journey is complete with having your mouth stuffed with delicious seafood & other Goan delicacies. Below are some of the top foods that would tantalise your taste buds. These are:
- Goan Chicken Xacuti
- Prawn Balchao
- Bebinca
- Sorpotel
- King Fish Goan Rava Fry
- Goan Khatkhate
- Patolea
- Feijoada
- Goan Samarachi Kodi
- Poee
- Ras Omelette
- Chorizo
- Feni (liquor)
7. Try Your Luck At The Best Casinos In Goa
Besides beachside bliss & thrilling nightlife, the other offbeat places in Goa that keep you engaged are casinos. For your information, Goa is among the rare Indian states where gambling is not considered illegal. So this gives you a golden chance to try your lady luck at these top casinos in Goa.
- Deltin Jaqk
- Casino Palms
- Chances Casino
- Deltin Caravela
- Casino Pride
- Deltin Royale
- Casino Paradise
8. Get Into The Glimpse Of Rich History of Goa At Museums
Goa is a place to explore not only for beaches but also to dig deeper into its past & find out what lies behind its image of beach capital. To discover all these, there are museums you should visit with your little ones to let them brush up their knowledge about Goa. The museums to explore here include:
- Ancestral Goa Museum
- Museum of Christian Art
- Indian Naval Aviation Museum
- Wax World Museum
- Big Foot Cross Museum
- Houses of Goa Museum
- Goa Chitra Museum
- Archaeological Museum
- Museum of Goa
- Goa Science Center
9. Beholding Spectacular Views of Cascading Waterfalls
No doubt, Goa comes as a treasure trove of natural beauty that makes it an excellent travel destination in India. Besides its other top attractions, tourists can also watch the beautiful cascading waterfalls. With many luxury resorts in Goa, you can have the advantage of exploring such gifted natural attractions. Some of the waterfalls you should add in your Goa itinerary are:
- Bamanbudo Falls
- Karmalya Falls
- Tambdi Surla Waterfalls
- Charavane Falls
- Dudhsagar Waterfalls
- Kuskem Waterfalls
- Sada Falls
- Netravali Falls
- Hivre Waterfalls
- Kesarval Falls
- Charavne Waterfalls
- Arvalem Waterfalls
10. Exploring Flora & Fauna At Goa’s Wildlife Sanctuaries
Goa is more to beach fun, parties, casinos, & other thrilling activities. It welcomes wildlife lovers to explore a variety of flora & fauna at its wildlife sanctuaries. If you love watching different species of animals & birds, then the below wildlife sanctuaries in Goa are worth exploring.
- Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary
- Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary
- Molem Wildlife Sanctuary
- Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary
- Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
- Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary
- Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary
11. Have a Thrilling Experience With Water Sports Activities In Goa
There are countless factors which make Goa an ideal travel destination for both Indian travellers & foreign visitors. When you return home, you will be equipped with cherished memories. And this is only possible by enjoying the thrill of water sports activities. To add more fun to your travel journey in Goa, below are the adventure sports you must explore.
- Scuba Diving
- Paddleboarding
- White Water Rafting
- Windsurfing
- Parasailing
- Snorkelling
- Jet Skiing
- Kite Surfing
- Kayaking
- Banana Boat Rides
- Kneeboarding
- Wakeboarding
- Water Skiing
12. Goa: A Welcome Zone For Shopaholics
Apart from enjoying pristine beaches, having a thrilling nightlife, playing at casinos, visiting museums, & experiencing water sports, the one thing that needs to be added is shopping. Yes, Goa welcomes all its visitors to experience shopping for souvenirs or other items of their interest. So, when it comes to winding up your travel journey in the Rome of East, why not stuff some things in your bag as a token of memories? Below are some of the top shopping places to look for:
- Ingo’s Saturday Night Bazaar
- Mapusa Friday Market
- Anjuna Flea Market
- Ashwem Beach Market
- Mackie’s Saturday Night Market
- Palolem Market, Palolem
- Jade Jagger Beach Boutique
- Ashwem Beach Market
- Calangute Market Square
- Beach Candy, Morjim
- Mapusa Friday Market
- CocoRoots, Anjuna
- Tibetan Market, Baga Road
- Panjim Municipal Market
- Margao Municipal Market
- Tuk Tuk, Margao
Best Places To Stay In Goa For Vacation
Goa is a wonderful place for all kinds of travellers, be it family vacationers, honeymooners, or adventure junkies. This Indian state is all stocked with what you can expect for. With so many places to visit in Goa, it is important to make your bookings in advance for your stay in this Indian state. Well, no need to bother your fingers tapping for the right options. There are two luxury beach resorts in Goa to book for your staycation. These are:
jüSTa Morjim Beach Resort, Goa
This boutique resort is a perfect staycation for travellers for both purposes – leisure as well as for business. Acquainted with well-furnished guest rooms, your stay at this resort will be memorable. It is just a few steps away from exploring the spectacular views of the beach. After retiring from all your activities, you can dine out at its in-house multi-cuisine restaurant that serves you delicious Goan-style cuisines, & a range of drinks that tantalise your taste buds. It also features a swimming pool where you can spend some quality time dipping in the water pool. So do prefer a stay at jüSTa Morjim Beach Resort, which presents the perfect blend of relaxation & luxury.
- Book Hotel: jüSTa Morjim Beach Resort
- Hotel Contact: +91-9799-361-110
- For Reservation: +91-9590-777-000
- Email: book@justahotels.com
- Location: Vithaldaswada, Morjim, Goa 403512
- Map Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NmPFQqUrC2XyC19q6
jüSTa Casa Frangipani, Goa
Another alternative to go regarding your staycation in Goa is jüSTa Casa Frangipani. If you want to experience the beach fun, then this is the right choice to go with since it is located nearby to Anjuna Beach, Baga Beach, Calangute Beach & Candolim Beach. This resort leaves no stone unturned in giving the utmost pleasure to its guests with its verdant courtyard surrounded by lush surroundings, providing a refreshing atmosphere. A swimming pool here also lets you spend some relaxing moments. Booking this luxury boutique hotel will make you feel like you’ve found a new home.
- Book Hotel: jüSTa Casa Frangipani
- Hotel Contact: +91-9799-361-110
- For Reservation: +91-9590-777-000
- Email: book@justahotels.com
- Location: Jardim De Amor Bouta Waddo, Assagao, Goa 403507
- Map Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/r4KP5JRBDdPaJswK9
Conclusion
With so many things to explore in Goa, this Indian state is truly a traveller’s paradise. It is gifted with seamless natural & man-made attractions, which becomes the biggest reason for pulling the maximum tourist footfall. Just name any desirable activity you prefer to explore; the Miami of India has all covered for you. To make your travel journey hassle-free, search for the best luxury staycation in Goa.
