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GOA: Most favourite among popular places to visit in India

A kaleidoscopic blend of Indian and Portuguese cultures, sweetened with sun, sea, sand, seafood, susegad and spirituality, Goa is India's pocket-sized paradise.

Goa is one of the most visited places in India as there are so many places to visit in Goa. Goa is known for the spectacular beaches it has. In fact, the beaches of Goa are so good that they are renowned all over the world. People from every corner of the world come to visit Goa and it is also considered to house some of the best beaches in the whole world.


There are numerous tourist attractions in Goa and one can visit any of them. The state is not a very diverse place and the majority of the people here follow Christianity. Therefore, there are hundreds of churches present in Goa.


Any Goa trip would be considered to be incomplete if one does not enjoy the outstanding nightlife in Goa, specially the night market. One will be sure to have a gala time as they will get to meet people of different cultures and countries here. Goa is the ideal place to visit if one wants to just relax and enjoy the beautiful beaches, have an amazing time partying or want to carry out any of the multiple water activities present here.


Goa night market

Goa night market: Saturday Nite Market, Arpora


There are multiple travel paths to Goa.One can go to goa either from Mumbai by road. That is a hell of experience. Goa has railway stations with names Madgaon and Vasco-da-gama. These railway stations are well connected with Mumbai and subsequently other major parts of India.Nearest Airport in Goa is Dabolim.


goa map

goa map


Popular Places to Visit in Goa


BAGA BEACH


BAGA BEACH


Baga Beach is the most famous of all Goan beaches and as a tourist visiting Goa you really haven’t been to Goa if you haven’t been to Baga. Full to the brim with activities you can indulge in, Baga Beach and its surrounding areas will not give you time to get bored. There is always something exciting going on here. In the morning, the beach is a great place to lounge in, soak in the sun and interact with tourists from all over the world.

CALANGUTE BEACH


CALANGUTE BEACH


The largest beach in Goa, Calangute Beach is also affectionately known as the “Queen of Beaches”. It is among the top ten beaches in the world, which means it is one of the tourist places in Goa that you should not miss. It is a big, serene beach with activities enough to fill your mind for the entirety of your trip. The beach alone is a great attraction for tourists. The beach is ideal for both the options, lying down in the sand without the fear of being run over or trying your hand at some water sports.

Water Sports: Calangute offers the best in water sports- enjoy kayaking, sailing, wind-surfing, water snorkeling, water-skiing, and fishing here. Parasailing is also a sport you can indulge in.

GRAND ISLAND


GRAND ISLAND

Grand Island is the nirvana of Goan water-sports. There is a lot to be experienced here from diving to snorkelling to fishing. Scuba diving in Goa is the most popular activity because it offers so much in terms of underwater exploration.

There are ship wrecks to be found here as well as some reefs. The “Suzy” wreck and the “Davy Jones Locker” are especially popular with divers as are Serge City, Bounty Rock, and Turbo Tunnel. Experienced and beginner divers both find something to satisfy in Grand Island. You can also go snorkelling. Professional instructors will provide the equipment and the instructions. Bumper boats and banana boats are also popular around the island.

DUDHSAGAR WATERFALLS


DUDHSAGAR WATERFALLS


The four-tiered waterfall structure is one of the tallest in India and is located on the Mandovi River. The white water cascades down from a height of nearly 1017 feet off a nearly steep mountain face. They form a part of the Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park, so the best way to reach them is by entering the national park and taking a van allocated by the park to the falls.

FORT AGUADA


FORT AGUADA


Another heritage from the Portuguese, Fort Aguada has been standing stern on the beach facing the Arabian Sea from 1612 when it was built in order to provide defence against the invading Dutch and the Marathas. It was a grand old fort in its time with the capacity to hold 79 cannons among other weapons of defense. It was one of the prized possessions of the Portuguese. Today, it stands as a famous landmark dividing the Sinquerim Beach and the Candolim Beach.

There is an old lighthouse standing within the fort which was built in 1864, the oldest lighthouse of its shape and size in India. Fort Aguada is a great place to explore when you are out visiting the Candolim or Sinquerim Beaches. The architecture gives a good insight into the building techniques of old Portuguese architects and it has some amazing views you should really see. The old fort provides a good view of the sea and the sunset is reckoned to be lovely.


ARAMBOL BEACH


ARAMBOL BEACH


Arambol Beach is located in North Goa and first became popular when people came to it in order to escape Baga and Calangute beach crowd. Today it is famous in its own right and draws several tourists, though not in the quantity that Baga and Calangute do. This is a good beach to visit if you are searching for a place that combines adventure sports in Goa with relaxation. The strong winds on the headlands around the beach make it an ideal spot for paragliding and kitesurfing.


ANJUNA BEACH


ANJUNA BEACH


The Anjuna Beach is arguably amongst the best beaches in India. The beach has the perfect picturesque background with hills. 

The beach is blessed with beautiful red laterite rock. Hundreds of people visit the Anjuna Beach every day and enjoy themselves by relaxing on the beach. A flea market is held on every Wednesday in the Anjuna beach. People from all around the state come to this flea market as one can get amazing products at really cheap prices here.


BOM JESUS BASILICA


BOM JESUS BASILICA


One of the most important of all tourist places in Goa as well as a central landmark for Catholics, the Bom Jesus Basilica is the place in which the incorrupt body of St Francis Xavier is kept. The Church was built in 1605 and the body of the Saint was brought to it in 1622 where it has laid since in its glass mausoleum. The body is perhaps the greatest attraction of the Basilica. A gallery of Modern Art is also a part of the Basilica.

The building is constructed in baroque style and is considered one of the best examples of baroque architecture in India. You can visit the Bom Jesus Basilica in December for the best experience of the tradition as the feast and novena take place at that time along with Christmas celebrations.


CASINO CRUISE


CASINO CRUISE


There are dance shows and ball rooms and lovely decks where you can hear the river waters dapple against the ship. If you are visiting Goa as a honeymooning couple, this is a very romantic place to be. There are many Casino Cruises in Goa like Deltin Royale Casino, Casino Pride, Casino Royale, Casino Carnival etc. Most are located close to Panaji.


THE CHURCH OF OUR LADY IMMACULATE CONCEPTION


THE CHURCH OF OUR LADY IMMACULATE CONCEPTION


This is one of the most frequented sightseeing places in Goa. The lovely church which stands tall in the capital city of Goa has had a long tryst with the past. It was first built as a chapel in 1541. Today, this church is a gorgeous white landmark in Panaji with a lovely multi coloured interior that at once imparts peace and delight. It is at its best in December as the feast of Our lady of immaculate conception is celebrated on 8th of December followed by the Christmas and New year celebrations.


CLUB CABANA


CLUB CABANA


Club Cubana calls itself the “Nightclub in the Sky”. It is an appropriate name for a club located in a remote location on top of the Arpora hill in North Goa. But though remote, Club Cubana is a great attraction for partygoers. It has revolving flash lights which throw their colourful lights all over the neighbourhood all night long, thereby attracting customers. There is a spacious dance floor where you can groove to the beats and there is also a swimming pool with a lounge which adds to the feeling of luxuriousness that characterises Club Cubana.


CURLIES


CURLIES GOA


Curlies is one of the necessary places to visit in Goa for youngsters. This club also provides a variety of accommodation options so you can, in fact, choose to stay here for a day or two. It will be well worth the stayover. Curlies is an all-in-one beach “shack”. Not only is it known for its good quality of service and its equally good food, it is also very famous for its sea view. Curlies is located almost at the edge of Anjuna beach which means that, figuratively, the sea waves knock right at its doorsteps.Loud, cheerful music, a whole host of foods and drinks to choose from, and a breath-taking view. If you’ve never seen how beautiful the sea looks at night, your night at Curlies will surely reveal it to you. The rooftop lounge area is great to relax in after dancing as is the pool area.


CHAPORA FORT


CHAPORA FORT


Once a huge, commanding structure which was the site of many battles, and which was passed from the hands of the Portuguese to the Indians and back several times in its long history, the Chapora Fort is a good tourist spot in Goa. The present building was constructed in 1717. The Fort rises on the banks of River Chapora and commands a great view of its surroundings. This feature of the fort is what led to the many battles for its possession in the past.



A lot more beaches and churches and nightlife to visit but the places mentioned cannot afford to be missed.

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