Goa has always been a charmer despite of the season of the year.With recent developments, allowing beach shacks to be open year-round in Goa, it is no more silent even in off seasons. Rather people now days prefer visiting this happening place during monsoon seasons for a luxury stay at pocket friendly prices.What is so happening about Goa? Below lies the answer!
Destinations of goa one should put in the itinerary of their visit.
- Famous Beaches of North Goa:
- Baga Beach
One of the most happening and popular beach of Goa. Located at a distance of 18 Km from Panaji, the capital city of Goa. From beach activities to nightlife to simple lazing under a shack, this has it all. Remains crowded year-round.
How to reach?
Activities to explore:
Various beach activities like water scooter, banana boat rides, jet skiing can be availed here at government run shops at a decent price.
Shop:
The whole lane towards the entrance of the beach is lined up with shops of all kinds from souvenirs, beach wears to casual wear one can buy anything. Also, never forget to test your bargaining skills, you can get a fair deal.
Beach Shacks:
Few famous beach shacks of all time on Baga beach for cheap food to drinks: Brittos, St Anthony and Dream Catcher
Party hard at:
Lane near the Baga beach also houses various famous night clubs of Goa like Café Mambo, Club Titos, Café Kamaki and few more. Usually this side of Baga comes alive post 9.00pm in the evening till late morning. Let it any season of the year you can hop in to find yourself a good deal for partying.
- Calangute Beach
Another popular beach of North Goa which remains flooded with tourist year-round. It also follows the traditional Goa beach tradition of beach activities, lazy beach shacks to coming alive at night.
How to reach?
Goa airport which is well connected to most part of India is at a distance of 38Kms from Calangute. Madgaon and Vasco da Gama is the nearest railhead at a distance of 50km and 42 km respectively. One can hire bikes at the range of Rs.300-500 and cars at the range of Rs.1000-1500 for commutation in Goa.One can also avail local buses that ply to all famous beaches of Goa in the range of Rs.10-30 depending on the location.
Activities to explore:
One of the few beaches of Goa where enjoying the waters is secure. This is another place for adventure sport activities like parasailing, jet skiing, banana boat ride, wind surfing etc at reasonable rates.
Shop:
While heading towards the beach, one can find lane of shops on both sides selling appealing products like clothes, jewellery, souvenirs of all kinds, bags, shoes etc at marginable prices.
Eat and Party at shacks:
Few famous beach shacks in Calangute where one can laze in the day and party hard in night like Karni’s, Bubbles, Copacabana, Typsy, Paulo Candido, Moonlight, Peter’s Shack, Sea Face, Jolly Boys. If looking for authentic goan food and seafood you can head into its all famous shack namely Souzo Lobo.
- Anjuna Beach
Not so crowded yet happening is this rocky beach of Anjuna. One can avail a lot a cheap accommodation options near this beach. From letting oneself lose to the party mood or just lazing the waters enjoying the serenity, this is your choice of destination.
How to reach?
Anjuna lies at a distance of 7Kms and 9 Kms from Baga and Calangute respectively.One can hire bikesat the range of Rs.300-500 and cars at the range of Rs.1000-1500 from either of the above locations.One can also avail local buses that ply to all famous beaches of Goa in the range of Rs.10-30 toward Anjuna.
Eat and party:
Famous shacks of Anjuna which also gives the flavour of Goan Night life are- Curlies, Café Liliput, Nyex Beach and UV Bar.
- Vagator beach
One of the secluded beaches of Goa to enjoy in peace and tranquillity. Famous mostly among peace lovers. This peace-loving beach also comes alive at night with its famous beach shacks.
How to reach?
Vagator lies at a distance of 9Kms and 10 Kms from Baga and Calangute respectively. One can hire bikes at the range of Rs.300-500 and cars at the range of Rs.1000-1500 from either of the above locations.One can also avail local buses that ply to all famous beaches of Goa in the range of Rs.10-30 toward Vagator. Since it is little interior better to avail hired vehicles than relying on local transport while visiting here.
Eat and party:
This secluded beach is also nowhere behind when it comes to Goan partying culture. Shacks to party namely Chronicle, Club 9 bar, Hill top, Disco valley where one must visit to get the real feel of Goa. This is one of the beach where these pary shacks remain shut during monsoon season.
- Famous Beaches at south goa:
- Dona Paulo
Famous beach of South Goa where the sea meets theriver. Has also been the location for various Bollywood movies. Beach is covered with swaying palm trees making its ambience a paradise for nature lovers. It being shallow waters is ideal of all water sport activities and casual bathing. The both lanes of the path towards the beach is covered with small shops selling trinkets and local products.
How to reach?
Goa airport which is well connected to most part of India is at a distance of 27Kms. Madgaonis the nearest railhead at a distance of 41Kms from Dona Paulo. Depending on where one is staying weather north goa or south goa, one can hire bikes at the range of Rs.300-500 and cars at the range of Rs.1000-1500 for commutation in Goa. One can also avail local buses that ply to all famous beaches of Goa in the range of Rs.10-30 depending on the location.
- Palolem beach
This place is usually famous for being home to numerous beach huts for cheap accommodations. If one wants to avail beach stay within one’s budget, this is your destination. Being less crowded makes it ideal for peace lovers. From here, one can head to offbeat beach like Butterfly beach. Activities like dolphin watching, kayaking in the range of Rs.100-150 can be availed here. This is only low-cost option among all beaches of South Goa as from food to stay to booze everything is reasonable compared to other parts of South Goa.
How to reach?
Goa airport which is well connected to most part of India is at a distance of 60Kms. Madgaonis the nearest railhead at a distance of 35Kms from Palolem beach. Depending on where one is staying weather north goa or south goa, one can hire bikes at the range of Rs.300-500 and cars at the range of Rs.1000-1500 for commutation in Goa. One can also avail local buses that ply to all famous beaches of Goa in the range of Rs.10-30 depending on the location.
- olva Beach
White sand, coconut trees, swaying palm trees which makes the scenery mesmerizing of this another secluded beach of South Goa. This beach is one of the most peaceful and tranquil among all other beaches and is usually dominated by all major five-star resorts of Goa. Shallow waters and presence of life guards makes it ideal beach for bathing.
How to reach?
Goa airport which is well connected to most part of India is at a distance of 24Kms. Margoais the nearest railhead at a distance of 7Kms from Colva beach. Depending on where one is staying weather north goa or south goa, one can hire bikes at the range of Rs.300-500 and cars at the range of Rs.1000-1500 for commutation in Goa. One can also avail local buses that ply to all famous beaches of Goa in the range of Rs.10-30 depending on the location.
One of the famous tourist destination, where the fort lies on the hilltop overlooking the sea.While ascending the road towards the fort, one would cross the five-star rated hotel of Taj. This place depicts Portugal culture.
How to reach?
Fort Aguada lies at a distance of 5Kms and 4Kms from Baga and Calangute respectively in Aguada-Siolim Road in Sinquerim. One can hire bikes at the range of Rs.300-500 and cars at the range of Rs.1000-1500 from either of the above locations.One can also avail local buses that ply to all famous beaches of Goa in the range of Rs.10-30 toward Anjuna.To reach the fort one can take a 4 km long road from Sinquerim beach used by motor vehicles or a shorter 2 km foot path, but it should be noted that it is a steep climb.
- Dudhsagar falls
Only destinations which comes into its full valour during the off-beat season i.e. monsoon seasons. It is one of the beautiful trekking experience towards the fall from Goa. Even it is visible during the train journey entering Goa. There are few options one can take to reach this place like: Option 1-One can board a goods train till Castle rock station and trek along the tracks till the fall, Option 2: One can drive down to Kulem at a distance of 69Kms from Panjim and hire a jeep till the foot of the falls. It is a 14 Km trek along the track to the falls. While returning by train from the falls one should go down till Kulem station. One should be precautious to care own food and belongings as there are no stalls near the falls.
- Churches of Goa
Visit to goa would seem incomplete if one has not soaked into its culture by paying a visit to its age-old churches. As one identifies Goa as the party capital of India, so is it renowned as the land of churches.
Some of its famous churches are:
- Se Cathedral
- Bom Jesus Basilica
- Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception
- Church of St. Catejan
- Church of St Francis of Assisi
Block your dates and book your travel to Goa soon!