Blog Story #04
A weekend getaway, a perfect road-trip destination, a vacation with your friends or a romantic trip with your loved one. What if we can tell you that you can get this all in just one place? The first name that comes up in every Indian’s mind is GOA. Want to enjoy a swim along the beach? Or a hike on the mountain near the beach? Or maybe have an aerial view of the beach and the nearby mountains? Or just unwind in a small beach resort with your loved ones? You got them all! For people of all kinds and ages, Goa has a lots of things to offer.
Goa is a small state on the southwestern coast of India and is India's smallest state by area. It is a part of the Konkan region, and is separated from the Deccan highlands by the Western Ghats of India. It lies between the Indian states of Maharashtra to the north and Karnataka to the east and south. The Arabian Sea forms Goa’s western coast. Goa is a very popular tourist destination in India for the past 50 years because of its lifestyle, food and World Heritage-listed architecture which is rare to find in other parts of India. In the early 16th century, Goa was a part of what was then known as Portuguese India. It remained the part for about 450 years and was later annexed by India in 1961. Many parts of the state still show a cultural influence of the Portuguese, like the architecture, food and lifestyle, which is the reason why people like to come here. Every year Goa is visited by a large number of tourist’s, both international and domestic, because of its white-sand beaches, active nightlife, places of worship, and its rich flora and fauna of the Western Ghats.
One thing that excites most of the people coming to Goa is its beaches. While domestic tourists come to these beaches for swimming and fishing, many International tourists flock to Goa just to unwind and enjoy the calmness and serenity of these beaches. Although Goa has quite a lot of beaches, we have curated a list of ten of the best beaches in Goa, from North to South, that you can go to on different occasions.
1. VAGATOR
Starting from North, Vagator beach is one of the most desired beaches in the northern-most part of Goa among the youngsters. Known for its raves, this beach is home to the best music festivals of India like Sunburn and VH1 Supersonic. These festivals mainly happen in the month of December, when the Goan climate is cooler than it is in the rest of the year. Tourists coming to Goa never miss this opportunity and because of this, Vagator beach and its nearby areas are loaded with tourists in December. Vagator beach is a go-to destination for all youngsters. Apart from the music and raves, this favoured beach has rocky formations and is surrounded by red cliffs, which makes it look unique. The Chapora fort sits on the hill and is admired among people who like to go for a short hike. The sunset views form the top of fort are not to be missed.
2. ANJUNA
Water sports are very common throughout Goa, but if there’s a beach that is specially known for its water sports, it is Anjuna beach. It is an in-demand tourist beach which provides boating and water sport activities such as parasailing, jet skiing & banana boat rentals. All water rides are quite fun and have various budget options. Another spot nearby, is the Anjuna Flea market, which is a well-known beachfront flea market. It opens on Wednesdays and is famous for selling eclectic goods, clothing and handmade items.
3. BAGA
If there is a party, it has to be at Baga. Baga beach is the most happening party place in Goa and home to numerous night clubs and pubs. This place never sleeps and is filled with party goers all night. You can stop here at any time of the night for a drink or a midnight snack. Baga beach is also famous for its seafood shacks that are right on the beach. You can grab a table on the shack and enjoy a romantic dinner with your loved one, and if you don’t want to sit on the shack but enjoy with your friends on the beach, they will bring food to you. So just sit back, take a sip and feel the cold sea breeze.
4. CALANGUTE
If you arrive in North Goa form the Maharashtra state by bus, you will end up getting off at Mapusa bus stand. From there you can rent a cab to the nearest beach hotel or homestay and if you ask the local cab drivers for a good beach, they will always suggest you to stay near Calangute. Calangute beach is certainly the most visited beach in North Goa. If you come to Goa, you have to visit this beach. The sand on this beach is clean and white and there are hundreds of beach huts and chairs for everyone to rest, sunbathe or enjoy a drink at the beach. It has various food eateries facing the Arabian Sea. Nothing beats the fresh coconut water along with some pineapple slices at the Calangute beach at sunset.
5. SINQUERIM
Sinquerim beach is situated at the end of Candolim which is one of the last beaches in North Goa as we go towards south. Two of the best places to go near Sinquerim beach are Aguada fort and Sinquerim fort. The Sinquerim fort is lit in the evenings which makes the whole beach a sight for the eyes. There are many fancy but quiet dining places near the beach where you can bring your partner for a romantic evening. The picturesque coconut trees near the beach fort are something that you can’t miss in the evenings.
6. DONA PAULA
Famous for many Bollywood movie shots, Dona Paula beach has become a prominent tourist attraction spot in recent years. Movies like Golmaal and Singham were shot here, with the latter being shot at the Dona Paula viewpoint. It is a bustling waterfront landing which has expansive ocean views. The small hill near the viewpoint has a lookout tower from where you can get an even better view of the sea. It also has an area of food & shopping stalls.
7. MARMUGAO
Also known as the grandmother’s hole beach, Marmugao beach is placed in the centre of Goa, in the city of Vasco Da Gama, the starting point of the south Goa district. This is a city on the Mormugao peninsula in Goa. What makes this beach unique is that it is located near a hill that is covered by a garden called the hilltop Japanese Garden. You can take a stroll in this garden and then descend down to the beach situated at the foot of the hill. The garden has scenic ocean views and also contains the ruins of the famous Fortaleza Santa Catarina fortress.
8. COLVA
As you come to South Goa, the busy and bustling crowded beaches are replaced by more silent and peaceful beaches. South Goa has a laid back lifestyle and the people here are private but very friendly in nature. One such sought-after beach in South Goa is Colva beach. It is a vibrant white–sand beach that has many open-air eateries & numerous water sports activities. It has a sprawling and scenic beachfront lined with seaside cafes, bars & nightspots that overlook the Arabian Sea. If you are looking for a place to enjoy lunch with your buddies and go for a walk on the beach later, Colva beach is one of the best options.
9. CAVELOSSIM
Some of the most luxurious resorts, holiday homes and rented beach houses can be found in Cavelossim. These resorts are built right next to the beach and offer the most breathtaking views of the sea. There are some pocket friendly stay spots too, but if you are looking for a lavish experience, Cavelossim is the perfect place to go. It is an ideal place for a honeymoon or a luxe vacation with your family. One such resort is the Radisson Blu Cavelossim resort. It has both small villas and large beach houses. You can have dinner at one of their many restaurants or an all-you-can-eat buffet and head out to their private beach property for a late evening stroll. Cavelossim beach is one of the best places in Goa and we recommend everyone to stay here at least once.
10. PALOLEM
Last but not the least, Palolem beach is worth a visit if you’re visiting Goa with your pals. This beach is one of the popular beaches in South Goa. It is an uncrowded stretch of white sand which has calm waters, a nice restaurant and silent disco music parties. There is a dolphin viewpoint which is 10 minutes from the beach where you can go early in the morning and spot many dolphins. The best thing about Palolem beach is that there is no other place is in Goa that will give you a more calm and musical vibe than this place. You can go to this beach with your friends in the evening, chit chat over dinner and sing songs near the bonfire at the beach. You can even buy some fire lanterns from the local vendors, lit them up and release them in the sky. At some nights the sky near Palolem beach is filled with such lanterns, which definitely makes the beach a pleasing place to be.
No matter how many times you have been to Goa, its beauty and charm will always attract you and make you come back. From the party life in the north to the silence of the south, Goa has everything that you ask for. The people here are welcoming and the food here is just delicious. The best part of Goa is that being a small state, you can visit and enjoy all the beautiful places there if you have few days to spare. Just arrive, rent a bike and off you go.
And I think to myself, what a wonderful Goa!
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