50 Top-Rated Best Places to Visit in Goa

Last Updated on August 9, 2021 by Mrunal & Jiten

Best Places to visit in Goa, that is the is question is in your mind right now and we are here to give you answers.

Popular Party Destination for Youth and families from India and World

Your vacation is short and precious. Therefore, it is natural that you would want to use them to rejuvenate yourself.

Come to Goa! It is the best place to weary souls looking for some revitalization and fun.

The name Goa brings to mind images of the Sun, surf, and golden beaches. Its pulsating nightlife attracts visitors from all parts of the world. A small state on the west coast of India, Goa is an erstwhile Portuguese colony, resonating with cultural vibrancy. Its beaches such as Calangute Beach and Baga Beach are world-renowned today. Other attractions here are pristine nature, medieval period forts, and great retail outlets.

Some of the Popular Beaches to Visit in Goa

The 105 km Goan coastline differs from other international beaches in various aspects such as

• It’s many unexplored environs,
• Excellent infrastructure for water sports
• Lesser holiday crowds
• Multi-cuisine restaurants and cafes
• Better choices for vegan travelers
• A laid-back hippie feels all the time.
• Economic packages – both budget and luxury
• And a non-notorious but vibrant nightlife

While North Goan reflects vibrancy, crowds, and boisterous markets, the southern ones of the state specialize in serenity and solitude. Do not also miss the Goa Carnival in February, Night flea markets, discos, and Christmas parties when there. The Flea markets sell colorful beachwear, flip-flops, trinkets, souvenirs handicrafts, knick-knacks, handmade home décor both high end to low-end goods.

Top Beaches in South Goa – Best Places to Visit in Goa

Colva Beach

It is located in Salcete Village in South Goa. Its attractions are Pubs, bars, balmy beach and food. In addition are facilities for exciting water sports such as water scooter, skiing, swimming and parasailing. Sundecks/shacks are available where you can rest with a book. Allot time to explore Portuguese buildings of historical and architectural interest here.

Palolem Beach

Palolem’s unique arc shape with nature-kissed beaches, palm trees, and colorful shacks is a trip not to miss. Some shots of the movie The Bourne Supremacy starring Matt Damon were canned here. Enter this beach in a cool tuk-tuk. Be ready for more adventure as some bars are accessible by wading on the beachfront. Few resorts are cut-off during high tide but you reach there in a ferry.

Agonda Beach

If you want some peace and quiet after the adventures in Palolem, travel 15 minutes to reach this Beach. Spend a lazy and undisturbed day under the sun and get the tan you always wanted to achieve.

Benaulim Beach

Try this beach with soft white sands located south of Goa’s capital Panjim. You will find both luxury and economy hotels here. Benaulim is also an idyllic spot windsurfing, snorkeling, and parasailing. Relish tasty seafood in beach shacks any time of the day or night. Indulge in Dolphin spotting as you head to nearby islands.

Bogmalo Beach

This beach is near the airport and North of Colva. Clean and crowd-free, this beach is an ideal place for safe swimming shopping.

Betul Beach

This picturesque beach has swaying coconut trees and the Betul fort in its landscape. The fish is in plenty and so you can make some plans around it. The lighthouse nearby is the best place to take enchanting photos of the surroundings.

Majorda Beach

Five kms off Colva is a Majorda, attracting visitors to its golden sands, turquoise water and seafood. Its 25 km stretch has plenty of Shacks providing appetizing fare. They also offer sun beds for a fee. This beach is also a famous for late night parties.

Butterfly Beach

This beach, a small cove, is in close proximity to Angoda beach. It gets its name from the number of butterflies that flutter around the beach.

The sea and a thick forest border this beach. Hidden away from view, it is also called a honeymoon beach.

Polem Beach

Polem is the last beach in Goa, 2 kms away from capital Panaji. Popular water sports here are Kayaking, dolphin rides and paddling. Since it is isolated, privacy is assured. Some favorite nightlife haunts are Café Del Mar, Dreams Euphoria. Do not miss the sunset here if you are a nature lover.

Patnem Beach

Patnem beach is a surprise package, not many tourists know about it. Just 20 minutes away from Palolem, it is amazingly clean and calm.

Shacks here have basic infrastructure. Of course, you will discover a beach table or two with candles lit… isn’t that romantic. Visit the roadside stalls for some amazing omelet, Indian fried stuff, and Mexican food.

Galgibaga Beach

Seven kilometers away from Palolem beach, this beach gets is name from the self-named Galgibaga river that meets the Arabian sea at this spot. The area is twisted and has an amazing green-covered hillock that contrasts with the blue sea. Galgibaga is also an Olive turtle nesting habitat hence enclosed areas are monitored.

Cavelossim Beach

It is located in village with the same name. In 2016, Tripadvisor ranked this beach at 19th position in Asia and 5th in India. What strikes you first is the contrast between the black rocks and white sand. Many tourists come to this beach for dolphin sighting, swimming and trips on boats.

Mobor Beach

Amazing and clean, these are the two words to describe this popular beach in Goa. It is a go to- beach for adventure tourists who throng this beach for water sports such as water skiing, jet skiing, wind surfing, banana boat. Get into local shops for awesome souvenirs, local products and gift articles.

Cabo De Rama Beach

Azure waters and a strip of swaying palms welcome you to this beach located some 19 kms from Agonda beach. This beach is a traditional picnic spot for local schools and families.

Varca Beach

It is located 12.9 kms away from Margao between two beaches Fatrade beach and Zumbrai beach. The water here is shallow water and good for swimming. There are numerous luxury hotels, resorts, and private villas here to keep you in comfort.

Cola Beach

The Golden sands, gorgeous sunsets, an emerald and blue lagoon, volcanic boulders and shallow waters beckon you to Cola Beach. This beach just 2 hours from state capital of Panjim has cozy retreats and resorts such as Dwaraka Eco beach, blue lagoon resort etc.

Talpona Beach

Talpona is the quietest of all; this lonely beach has basic infrastructure and few lifeguards. The Goan airport is about 1 hour 40 minutes away. You reach it with a scooter, worth the trip for solitude.

Hollant Beach

This pretty cove between two hills is located some 27 kms from Panaji. The waters are so clear that you can actually see the fish swimming. One can go for a nice long swim in solitude.

Kakolem Beach

Travel 7 kms from Cabo De Rama beach to reach Kakolem beach. It is not visible from afar. There is only one resort on the cliff. Nightlife not in its portfolio but exploration, sightseeing and water sports is.

Some of the Top Beaches in North Goa

North Goa is more hip and happening as compared to the laid-back and serene south Goa beaches. Some famous ones are:

Calangute Beach

It also called the queen of Beaches, one of the top ten beaches in the world. The biggest beach in Goa, it lies 15 kms away from Panaji.

It is as beautiful as a jewel with its canopy of palm and coconut trees, cool sea breeze, and adrenaline-pumping water sports. If you wish to explore, just hire a bicycle and look around.

There is always a flurry of activities going on at Calangute – Art exhibits, water sports, handicrafts shopping, food and more. The phenomenal nightlife in Calangute beach could fool you into thinking that you are in heaven.

Partying goes on all night. Beer to food to souvenirs to trinkets… everything is available here. Christmas time is best to explore this scintillating beach. The seafood at places such as Prince of Tides is mouth-watering.

Baga Beach

This is another world-famous tourist destination, named after the Baga creek nearby.

Water sport facilities attract hordes of tourists. Dolphin sightings are common; local ship owners could also take you for watching them deeper into the sea.

No hassles for parking as there is place enough to park more than 800 cars at the newly constructed parking lot nearby.

Nightlife here could be termed “high-spirited”. It is no surprise that it is called “The Hometown of Nightlife”, what with music, dance and late-night parties with luscious food.

Anjuna Beach

This beach is popular for rave and trance parties. It was among the first hippie stops in the state. A weekly flea market organized by a German is also very popular.

Tourist season begins from October and ends in February. The place attracts hundreds of international tourists during this time to sink in the party scene.

Candolim Beach

Candolim is one of the quietest north Goa beaches lying between two busy neighbors Calangugte and Baga. Some foreigners are repeat their trip year after year.

Vagator Beach

The first thing to attract your attention on this beach is the surrounding Red cliffs. The laid-back attitude and the evening rave parties retain your presence here. Sunsets here are glorious. Popular bars like Nine bar, Hilltop and Primrose entertain you with trance and psychedelic music played by international DJs.

Morjim Beach

It has nightclubs on par with ones in Miami. It is sometimes called little Russia due to the number of Russians here. This beach, 27 kms away from Panaji, is a breeding ground for Olive Ridley turtles.

Arambol Beach

Here is one for nature-lovers. This beach is famous for a water lagoon with shallow waters, accessible only by foot.

The sand around this beach is known for its healing properties. You can find people taking part in a Yoga session or shopping at the weekend market. Drums circles are formed in the evening to make everybody around, shake a leg.

Food is yummy in places like Shiva moon and Shantaram. Check out Reiki at Alleys Crystals. You can also meet an intoxicated Baba sitting under a Bodhi tree.

Mandrem Beach

It is 25 kms from Panjim. It is a 800 metres long stretch with white sands and swaying Casurina palm trees. Sand dunes and shrubs mark the areas populated mostly by locals and minimal tourists. Enjoy lip-smacking food in the local shacks or sun beds.

Chapora Beach

This beach is close in proximity to its namesake fort where the youth-centric hit Bollywood movie Dil Chahta Hai was made.

Travel 20 kms from Panaji for high-class food, water sports, artistic shell art, brassware and exciting nightlife. Bars and food shops are open until midnight serving assorted drinks along with exotic food.

Ashvem Beach

This beach is nearest to Goa. It gives you many options.

Rest on sunbeds in the white shimmering sand with a book and forget the world. Likewise, you can dine yummy dishes on the seafront at S2 beach shack and La Cucina, enjoying the scenery.

Probably you can explore a mix of architectural, religious places during day and enthralling night clubs like Liquid Sky at night.

Sinquerim Beach

It was the first beach to receive influx of international tourists. Get your smiles right for many memorable clicks here during the sunset or at other times. People who have already visited it vouch for its cleanliness.

Aguada Beach

Aguada Fort reflects Portuguese influence in Goa. Water sports is very popular here. Massage services are also much sought after. A Word of warning though, fix a standard price before seeking those services.

Dona Paula Beach

This place is not exactly a beach but is known for its scenic beauty, also a sought after location for honeymooners.

Querim Beach

Also called Keri Beach, this beach features a big stretch of white sand and Goan houses.

Bambolim Beach

Some seven kms off Panjim, it is a go-to land for the adventurous. Restaurants serve both Indian and continental food. The beach is not as crowded as other beaches.

Kalacha Beach

Only few restaurants and unspoiled stretches of sand… that is Kalacha for you! Eye-pleasing landscape featuring a water lagoon, music sessions around a camp fire and exotic wild life are what you enjoy here.

Bathing in the sea and soaking up the sun under palm trees can ease away all your stress. Sea Food in small shacks is yummy. Keep the adventure streak going with numerous water sports here.

Beautiful Places other than Beaches in Goa

Chapora Fort

Climb the fort and enjoy the grand view of the beachfront and the surrounding areas This fort is a must for history enthusiasts.

Terekhol Fort

Located in North Goa Terekhol Fort is steeped in 15th-century history. It is now well preserved and converted into a boutique hotel.

Reis Mogos Fort

It is the oldest fort in Goa and has been as a hospital and a jail earlier. Come here to admire an amalgamation of Hindu and Portuguese style architecture.

Cabo De Rama Fort

Though it is in ruins, archaeology lovers will find the fort interesting. The views from the top of the fort are astonishing.

Bom Jesus Basilica

This is a Roman catholic church and an UNESCO World Heritage Site. It holds the mortal remains of Saint Francis Xavier. Its construction in 1594 marked the beginning of Christianity in India.

Se Cathedral

It houses a large bell called Golden bell. Six panels on the walls depict the life of Saint Catherine.

Church Of St. Francis Of Assisi

This Roman Catholic church was built in 1661. It is located near Basilica of Bom Jesus. This church also has an Archaeological survey of Indian museum with artifacts, paintings and temple sculptures of Goa.

Church Of St. Cajetan

This church is modeled just like the St.Peter’s Church in the Vatican. Its construction is in the form of a Greek cross.

Best Places to Party in Goa

Titos Night Club

On Baga beach, this club is open till 2.30. Its stimulating night parties feature special light, sound effects, amazing DJs doling out Hollywood, and Bollywood music. One of my friends who had a great trip in 2018 and stayed at temptation resort Mexico, felt similar vibes at Titos nightclub.

Mambo’s Night Club

Come here to groove to the electrifying atmosphere with playlists of international and national DJs

Club LPK

LPK means Love Passion and Karma; aptly named for a club playing great music dance beats for fluid dancers. It is located in Candolim. Try the yummy Finger food such as pasta, fish, garlic bread, cocktails and beer here.

AZ.U.R

It is both a club and cafe with option for finger food. Desserts are to die for here. Full bar is available with free Wi-Fi arrangements.

SinQ

It is opposite Taj Holiday village in Candolim. Pool party and play pool available along with some delectable food and unlimited drinks. Dance away all night in the dancing section.

Cape Town Café

It is located in Baga. To its credit, it has its own music compilation by famous DJ Andrea Bertolini. Continental and Italian cuisines are available pizza, cocktails, beer, burgers and more. Weekends are for letting your hair down here.

Club M

Club M is located near Morjim Beach. You can choose from North Indian, Goan, Mexican and Italian cuisines. Discover great ambiance and a Party floor to enjoy all night.

Best time to visit Goa

The best time to visit Goa October to April, just before summer begins.

How to Reach

Goa is easily accessible from major global cities of the world by air. The Dabolim international airport is 29 km away from the capital city of Panaji.

The nearest railway station is in Margoa. It is Therapy Time in Goa…beach therapy, art therapy, music therapy, dance, and retail therapy. Come to Goa and make golden memories.

Ratings