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Goa is a tropical territory in India which has beautiful beaches and mesmerizing streets. It is also called as the party destination of India and is a treat for the hippie souls.
You could have a relaxing beach holiday or party continuously into the night or enjoy the beach in solitude or stay at a yoga retreat. The choice is all yours as Goa has it all.
This particular place can literally offer you everything. The coconut trees with farms on both the side of the roads offer picturesque views. Apart from that, there are cute cafes and shopping markets which will feed the wanderlust in you.
Goa is also divided into two parts which are known as North Goa and South Goa. North Goa has beaches filled with beautiful shacks and clubs. Needless to mention that the beaches remain crowded throughout the year. South Goa, on the other hand is more peaceful and tranquil. It has clothing optional beaches and you can enjoy nature and the sunrises and sunsets there.
Since Goa has so much to offer, it might get a bit confusing to include everything in just one visit. So, for your convenience, we present to you the must-see places that you should not miss while you’re in Goa.
Anjuna Beach
Arjuna Beach is no doubt one of the most popular beaches in Goa. The beach stretches for 2 km. It has cafes, shacks, guest houses, and water sports. The beach offers a different view on both the ends. It also has small rocks by the seaside where people prefer to sit and enjoy the waves.
It is also a sunrise point, and the sun looks beautiful rising up. Apart from that, each shack has a great party held on a particular day of the week. When you get there, make sure to ask the locals or hotel owners about the parties. Also, do not forget to visit Lilliput café and Shiva valley on Anjuna beach.
Scuba Diving in Grande Island
Grande Island looks like a paradise. It offers one of the best scuba diving experiences in the Arabian Sea. Goa offers an excellent diving course which is safe and usually conducted with the help of scuba diving experts. The whole experience lasts for about 45 minutes, and the diver is accompanied by a trained Professional with proper equipment. You can book it solo or in a group.
Visit the Kakolem Beach
Most of the beaches of Goa are quite popular and crowded. But, you might not experience this when heading to Kakolem beach. It is almost a hidden treasure for people looking to spend some time in solitude.
You can sit in the lap of nature and write, read or paint. It is also a good idea to spend some quality time with your partner or friends. Also known as the Tiger Beach, the beach is deserted yet clean. You can get to this beach via NH 66.
Stay at any of the Backpacker’s Hostel
There are various kinds of backpacker’s hostels in Goa. The best part is that each has a unique experience to offer in terms of its location and interiors. Most of them have a private room option if you do not feel like staying in a dormitory.
The fun part of staying in these hostels is that they have a common room where you can chill and interact with other fellow travelers. It is a great experience, and they also allow you to bring outside food and beverages. Some of the best hostels include The Funky Monkey hostel, Jungle, Wonderland, Zostel, and The Happy Panda.
Experience the Hot Air Balloon
If adventure is what you look for, then Goa is the place for you. Assolda ground in Goa gives you the much desired hot air balloon experience, and it is totally worth it. It mainly happens in South Goa and is indeed hard to miss.
It is generally offered early in the morning so that you can see the sun rising on the beautiful coastal line. Make sure that you try this one without fail.
Dudsagar Waterfalls
This is a beauty that you simply do not want to miss. It is 60km away from Panjim, but it is worth the travel. The waterfall is 310 meters high which makes it Goa’s tallest waterfall. The falls is situated in the Western Ghats of India which is also one of the most diverse biospheres in the World.
Make sure that you hire a driver instead of opting to self-drive as the roads are narrow and have potholes. It is also called the sea of milk because it looks like one. It can be seen while traveling to Karnataka from Goa through the train.
Arambol Beach
Arambol is basically a small fishermen village in Goa, but it attracts tourists from all over the World. Firstly, because it has restaurants serving some great sea delicacies with barbecue snacks, and secondly because it has a great flea market.
The beach offers a complete hippie culture with its late night parties and lovely cliff views. You can expect to indulge yourself in adventure activities like paragliding and kite surfing. In spite of so many things to offer, it is still counted as one of the unexplored places of Goa as only a few people know about it.
Arvalem Caves
Image: Kavya Rastogi
Apart from beaches, Goa is known for its mysterious caves. They are also known as the Pandava caves and were formed in the 6th century. However, archaeologists debate a lot due to its mixed architecture.
Some believe the caves were used by the Pandavas because of the Shivling found inside while others say that the caves were used by Buddhists because a large statue of Buddha is found outside. Whatever it is, the place is worth a visit as it can give you some Instagram-worthy pictures.
Plan your visit to Goa wisely. Make a proper checklist to enjoy the most of your stay. The places are a bit far from each other, and thus, you will have to calculate your commute time accordingly. Remember, Goa is a place which you cannot have enough of, so you will keep on visiting it again and again.