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Along the beautiful coastline of Western India lies the sun-kissed paradise, Goa. With a sweet blend of Portuguese and Indian culture, Goa is a destination famous for its vibrant beaches, spirituality, and tasty cuisine. Since I’m no expert in planning holidays in Goa or finding the best places to visit in South Goa, I invited another travel blogger to share her travel tips.
Akansha Negi frequently writes at India Travel Blog by Indian Holiday. She shares her passion of travel and love for various Indian destinations. While planning your holidays in India, feel free to browse through her write-ups on Indian Holiday for more juicy inspiration.
Are you craving secluded beaches, peace and tranquility on your wellness vacation? If you are shaking your head in agreement, you are in the right place, with a trip to Goa. I’m going to introduce you to the best hidden places to visit in North and South Goa. During the peak season of October to March, the popular tourist attractions in Goa have become mainstream and many of them remain crowded. On the brighter side, the off-beaten-path places in Goa get very few tourists with a scenic natural beauty of that is no short of magic.
Goa is divided into two districts – North and South. Each of them has its own unique charm. The North is known as the party hotspot for youngsters and hippies, whereas the South district of Goa invites leisure and solitude-loving tourists, mainly leisure travelers and honeymooners. The thin line between the two districts is tranquility and serenity. Otherwise it’s found in the beaches, history, and Portuguese architecture which highlights Goa’s North and South district.
From the waterfalls to the beaches, from the temples to the forts and churches, check out the hidden places to visit in North and South Goa in this five day guide to holidays in Goa.
- How to get to Goa
- Places to visit in North Goa
- Day one: Arrival at Panjim and visit North Goa
- Day two: Explore the hidden places in North Goa
- Places to visit in South Goa
- Day 3: Travel to South Goa and go sightseeing
- Day 4: Visit the waterfalls and forts
- Day 5: Your holidays in Goa comes to an end
- Wrapping up your holidays in Goa
- Best tips for holidays in Goa
- Faqs about holidays in Goa
- More resources for travel in Asia
How to get to Goa
In order to enjoy the best off-beaten places in Goa, arrive early to the city of Panjim from Dabolim Airport, which is about 17 miles (45 minutes) away. Enjoy an assisted transfer to one of the best beach resorts in Goa as part of your Goa tour package, or hire a prepaid taxi.
Panjim, the capital of Goa, is located quite near the Dabolim Airport of Goa. Thus, it’s advisable to make Panjim your base camp for your Goa holiday and begin your exploration in North Goa first. The distance between North Goa to Panjim is 14 miles/36 minutes (approx.).
Places to visit in North Goa
Here are the best places to visit in North Goa for a 5 day holiday to Goa, with two days in the north and two days in the south.
Day one: Arrival at Panjim and visit North Goa
North Goa is famous for its cobbled pathways, colonial structures, Portuguese churches, swanky nightclubs, and it’s sun-kissed beaches. Keep in mind that many of these best places in North Goa constitute these beaches, nightclubs, churches, waterfalls, and forts.
Plan to arrive early for your first day in Goa. If you can, you’ll have more time to enjoy sightseeing in North Goa on your first day and slow travel through the city.
Shopping at the Old Goa and the Panjim streets are one of the best things to do in Goa on your first day. After, end your day with a scrumptious dinner. Take a stroll and enjoy an early evening to get some quality rest and relaxation after your long flight. If you’re looking for more recharging activities to ground you in your new destination — try these travel and wellness tips.
Day two: Explore the hidden places in North Goa
Begin your second day in Goa with a hearty breakfast or snack at your accommodation in Panjim. Try a traditional Goan breakfast such as baji-pao (flavorful stewed vegetables served with soft bread), or samosas (deep-fried spicy potato balls).
Post breakfast, take a tuk-tuk ride to one of these gorgeous beaches in Goa: Querim Beach (Keri Beach), Kalacha Beach, or Sinquerim Beach (I highly recommend keeping this list of Goa beaches handy). All of these hidden beaches of North Goa are adored by locals. They are beautiful, secluded and mass amounts tourists rarely flock here.
Indulge in some “me” time or “soul-care” at these shorelines of North Goa. For adventure seekers enjoy various water-sports like jet skiing, surfing, kayaking, banana boat ride, and dolphin excursion. There’s also several beach shacks and huts lined with sunbeds for tourists. These are found along many of the hidden beaches of North Goa.
Reserve your afternoon for hiking the Dil Chahta Hai Fort , Chapora Fort. While its a popular tourist attraction, it still warrants a visit to gape at the spectacular views of the Goan coastline. Another a unique experience involves witnessing the wildlife at the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary. Hear the cascading sound of the Arvalem Falls (a beautiful waterfall) and bathe in the therapeutic Pomburpa Hot Springs.
Side note: To help you prepare for these Goa attractions, read through these popular posts that share some of best practices to keep in mind when visiting hot springs and waterfalls.
Nightlife and evening activities in Goa
End your day by visiting the onshore or offshore casinos to test your luck. Unleash the shopaholic in you by venturing through the Mapusa Market. Here you can buy Goan handicrafts, textiles, and jewelry along with beachwear items.
Or, spend your evening at one of many swanky nightclubs of North Goa. Grove your body to the music of techno, psytrance, and EDM. The lesser explored and must-visit nightclubs of North Goa are: Katzensuppe, Cohiba, and Waters Beach Lounge.
Places to visit in South Goa
Here are the best places to visit in South Goa including unique sights, hidden beaches, delicious food and the must-see tourist places in South Goa.
Day 3: Travel to South Goa and go sightseeing
Bid adieu to the North Goa vibes on day 3 of your Goa tour after a lip-smacking breakfast. Proceed to South Goa via escorted transfer or a private taxi. Upon reaching South Goa, complete the check-in formalities at the hotel or beach resort, then unwind. You’ll find the unique places in South Goa or the entire South District are more tranquil and serene than the North.
The average distance between North Goa to South Goa district is 42 miles/2 hours (approx.).
Following, head over to the hidden beaches of South Goa like Benaulim, Galgibaga, Palolem (which happen to be extremely popular among Russian and Israeli tourists). Try your hands at the water-sports at the South Goa beaches. Otherwise, enjoy sipping drinks at the beach shacks and join the elite crowd for a sundowner. You can also go for a half-day spice plantations tour in South Goa and ride a hot air balloon.
Additionally, there’s silent noise parties found in Palolem Beach, Benaulim Beach, and Agonda Beach. These headphone parties in South Goa are world-famous. End your evening with lip-smacking Goan sea food or a multi-cuisine meal at the beach shacks. They definitely give strong competition to the swanky mainstream restaurants of North Goa — both are delicious!
Day 4: Visit the waterfalls and forts
Reserve the fourth day of your Goa trip for a full day of leisure amongst nature. I suggest waking up early over an appetizing breakfast and to prep for the adventurous day (also this helps avoid any crowds). Take pride in exploring the scenic waterfalls of South Goa, other than Dudhsagar Falls. Get enamored with the lush greenery of the Netravali Waterfalls inside the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary. Get the best of waterfalls, flora and fauna in one place.
In the evening, consider some fort exploration and head to Cabo De Rama Fort. This fort has a legend associated with the Hindu Epic — Ramayana. Legends say this was the place where Lord Rama, his brother Laxman and wife Seta stayed during exile for 14 years. There’s also Fort Aguada and Se Cathedral.
In the evening, head to the bubbling lake of Netravali. This lake is a small muddy pond with the presence of natural methane gas that emits bubbles.
Did I mention that Galgibaga Beach is a hatching ground of endangered Olive Ridley Sea Turtles? If you’re an animal lover, head to this beach to witness these gorgeous animals. They’re actually one of the smallest sea turtles breed with a smaller head and shell.
Lastly, one of the best things to do in South Goa for couples is watching the marine creatures like dolphins during the sunset.
Day 5: Your holidays in Goa comes to an end
Finally, day five of your Goa trip marks the end of your journey to the sunshine state of India. So, savor breakfast in the morning, pack your luggage and head to the Dabolim Airport to return back home full of Goan memories.
Wrapping up your holidays in Goa
Ultimately, this is just an attempt to introduce you to the top unique places in Goa. There are many other unexplored attractions in both north and south Goa districts. While I summed up how to have beautiful holidays in Goa, feel free to add extra buffer days to your Goa tour packages. After all, both the popular places and the hidden attractions in Goa are worth a visit.
Best tips for holidays in Goa
- December to February is the peak tourist season in Goa.
- Monsoon season is from July until September and water-sports are nonoperational.
- Local transportation in Goa includes tuk-tuks, auto rickshaw, and private taxis.
- Rent a two-wheeler to explore the Goan countryside if you want to save cash.
- Book your accommodation and plan your trip at least 3-4 in advance to book the best stays.
- Be a responsible tourist and respect the Goan culture and people.
- Don’t explore the beaches of Goa alone at night.
- Boozing on Goan beaches and nudity is strictly prohibited.
Faqs about holidays in Goa
Answer: Yes! If you follow the right itinerary, a 5-day trip is the best suggested time to explore all the places in North and South Goa.
Answer: Exploring the tourist places in Goa on a private taxi would cost you around 300 INR or $4.00, (approx.) and upwards. Expect to pay around 700 INR or $9.40 (approx.) for two people per day per meal. Although accommodations in South Goa are a little more expensive than the North district, the average accommodation price in North and South Goa starts at 1,000 INR or $13.40 (approx.).
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