Goa is popularly called the beach capital of the country. This place gives lifetime opportunities to explore silvery sandy beaches, night markets, and casinos. Several interesting tourist destinations in Goa are worth visiting. This guide lists all those destinations that you must include in your trip planning.
What is the best time to visit Goa?
If you are planning for a Goa tour, then winter is the best time to come. The weather is soothing and cool. Tourists can enjoy exciting beach activities and water sports at this time. Moreover, they can also participate in several festivals organized in the state at this time such as Christmas, New Year, and Sunburn. All these festivals are celebrated with immense splendor and attract a large number of tourists during this season.
List of the Top 15 Places to Visit in Goa:
1. Agonda Beach
Goa is about panoramic beaches. Whether it is south or north, the beaches in this state are truly mesmerizing. Agonda beach is one of the highly popular beaches that drive a huge number of tourists every year. It is located in South Goa at a distance of 39.2 km from Margao.
Agonda Beach was ranked as the “No. 1 Beach for 2018 in Asia” and the 4th best beach in 2016 in Asia. This is the best place to chill out, indulge in sunbathing or super thrilling water sports, or simply relax. You can enjoy the crowd, natural beauty, water adventure, and beach huts.
The sight of an isolated stretch of palm groves instantly catches the attention of people. Agonda is a peaceful, charming, and silent beach with few tourists. Though it is located far from the city, it has a developed tourist infrastructure. You will find several stores, restaurants, bars, and massage and yoga centers here.
Also Read:
2. Dudhsagar Falls
Dudhsagar falls is India’s fifth-largest waterfall that captivates nature lovers. This place lies close to Kulem. It is a beautiful waterfall that fills every visitor with marvel and delight. You can enjoy the panoramic drive of sixty km from Goa state to find how this fascinating waterfall flows down in numerous layers amidst dense lush greenery. Dudhsagar waterfall is the perfect place to enjoy your time admiring the scenic beauty, capture photos, and relax with this incredible setting.
Read Also: Best 100 Places to Visit in India
3. Fort Aguada
Fort Aguada is a very primitive seventeenth-century Portuguese fort located in North Goa. This fort is situated on top of a hill at the convergence of the Arabian Sea and the serene Mandovi River. The Portuguese built this fort to defend themselves against the Dutch and the Marathas.
There is a thirteen-meter-high lighthouse and a deep dry channel here. Several buildings were constructed in this fort that is still preserved in a very good state. From this fort, you can witness spectacular sights of the seashore, Mandovi River, Panaji city, and the Arabian Sea that lies on its other side.
Read Also:
4. Chapora Fort
The Chapora fort is located in North Goa, adjacent to Vagator beach. Its total distance from Panaji is around 21.7 km by NH66. This is the place where the Arabian Sea meets the Chapora River. Chapora fort has got a lot of significance due to the incredible natural views of the shoreline and river. It has been pictured in one of the Hindi films “Dil Chahta Hai”.
Also Read:
- North Goa Places to Visit with Family
- India’s Best Places to Visit in October
- Best Places to Visit in India in November for Honeymoon
5. Baga Beach
Baga beach is another very popular beach in North Goa that gives a beautiful view of the Baga River. Here, you will find various pubs, discothèques, beach hovels, shops, restaurants, and water sports activities, that include speed boats, banana riding, paragliding, paddle boarding, surfboarding, and a lot more. A Britto lying at the northern shore of the beach is another popular shed. The famous Cafe Mambo and nightclub delight all club lovers.
Read Also:
6. Basilica of Bom Jesus
Bom Jesus Basilica is an ancient place where the body of St. Francis Xavier is preserved. It is located at a distance of twelve 12 km from Panaji by the NH748. People from all parts of the world come to visit this tourist place. The Basilica of Bom Jesus is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is a popular landmark for Catholics from all over the world.
The Church was built in the year 1605 in the baroque style. This place has preserved the body of the saint since 1622 in a glass mausoleum. You will also see a vast gallery of contemporary artwork in the Basilica.
Read Also: Goa Popular Churches to Visit
7. Latin Quarter
The Latin Quarter is a fountain that has its neighborhood in Panjim. It is recognized as a UNESCO Heritage Zone. Some of the characteristic features of this place are the narrow winding streets, and lanes, the old buildings, bakeries, quaint shops, art galleries, and restaurants. The Portuguese mansions are a big attraction to this place. A distinct Mediterranean feel, the projecting balconies, and red-tiled roofs will make it a pleasurable experience.
Read Also: Goa Carnival 2023 – Festival Dates, Celebrations, Dance
8. Calangute Beach
Calangute Beach is a district in North Goa that is known for its awesome beach. This beach is regarded as the largest beach in North Goa. It is also visited by thousands of international tourists and domestic. The perfect time to visit this beach is during the summer season and Christmas and New Year. The beach offers a lot of thrilling water sports activities such as water skiing, and parasailing.
Read Also:
- Top Places to Visit in Kerala
- Popular Places to Visit in Lansdowne
- Most Popular Places to Visit in Bangalore
- Best Places to visit in Nepal
- Top Places to Visit in Pondicherry
9. Anjuna Beach
Anjuna Beach is another popular beach in Goa not just for Indians but also for foreigners. Its Anjuna flea market is a major attraction for visitors. Its vast seaside is known popularly for backpackers, long-stayers, and hippies. Anjuna Beach is an ideal tourist spot for nature lovers, meri-making, adventure seekers, and water sports lovers. Yoga, Ayurvedic massages, and Reiki are a few things that foreigners and Indians love to perform here.
Read Also:
10. Naval Aviation Museum
This museum is located at Dabolim in Vasco da Gama, at the backside of the international airport. Being India’s one and only Naval Aviation Museum, it has special recognition in Asia. The outdoor and indoor section exhibits include rockets, bombs, parachutes, aircraft, armaments, protective gear, pilot outfits, and a lot more.
Read Also:
- Holi 2024, the Color Festival in India
- Best Places To Visit In North East India in June
- Places to visit near Pune
- Places to Visit Near Pondicherry
- Places Near Agra for Weekend Getaways
11. Amboli Waterfalls
After Dudhsagar Waterfalls, there is another very popular must-see waterfall in Goa Amboli. It is regarded as one of the most fabulous waterfalls located in the Western Ghats hills. Amboli waterfall is an “Ecological Hotspot” due to the presence of unusual flora and fauna. This place is 78.2 km far from Panjim. In the monsoon months, the beauty of this place is enhanced by manifolds. There is plenty of mist and greenery. A drive through the mountainous road is captivating.
Read Also:
12. Palolem Beach
Palolem Beach is another beautiful beach located in South Goa. It is a place of natural beauty with lofty headlands surrounding it on both sides. Palolem Beach is close to various other secluded beaches like Cola Beach and Butterfly Beach. It is a hot destination for parties that are mostly held every Saturday between 9 pm to 4 am at Neptune Point of the beach. Read More Information for Top Things to Do in South Goa
Read Also:
- Best places to visit in Mumbai
- Best Places to Visit in North India in April
- Best Places to Visit in June in India
- Top Places To Visit In India In December
- Best Places to Visit in Chandigarh
- Best & Famous Places to Visit in Agra
13. Grande Island
Grande Island, also called Ilha Grande is located in the Arabian Sea. This is one of the ideal places for water sports lovers. You will get ample opportunities to indulge in adventurous sports for beginner as well as advanced snorkelers and divers.
Some of the activities that are worth enjoying at Grande Island are reef diving, scuba diving, swimming, snorkeling, dolphin watching, bumper boat rides, banana boat rides, and fishing. With the assistance of professional instructors, you can explore ship crashes that include the Suzy wreck, Turbo Tunnel, the Davy Jones Locker, the Serge City, and Bounty Rock.
Read Also: 5-Star Hotels Near Dabolim Airport Goa
14. Fort Cabo De Rama
This fort is located in South Goa, 17.2 km from Agonda Beach. It is primitive with rich historical significance. The Cabo de Rama Fort was constructed by the Hindu, Muslim, and Portuguese, monarchs at different times of their reign. In earlier days, this fort had a military barrack and a commander.
Later, when the Portuguese left, this fort was transformed into a prison. Now, it is a popular tourist spot that provides stunning sunset views of the Arabian Sea and the surrounding scenery from the top.
Read Also:
- Best Places to Visit and See in Manali
- Durga Puja in Kolkata
- Best Places To Visit In Jaisalmer
- Top Places to Visit in Varanasi
- Best Wedding Destinations in India
- Best Places to Visit in Dubai
15. Terekhol Fort
The Terekhol Fort is also popularly called Tiracol Fort. It lies in the extreme North Goa. This fort has derived its name from the Terekhol River on which this fort is built. The fort was built in the seventeenth century by a Marathi ruler, Khem Sawant Bhonsle.
The Terekhol Fort is situated on the top of the hill and provides an impressive view of the sea and the river. Portuguese extensively refurbished this fort in 1764. It was held for strategic naval defense till the time when Goa became a part of India.
Read Also: Goa Popular Forts to Visit
Conclusion
Whether it is the beach, the hills and national parks, water sports, forts, Old Portuguese structures, UNESCO World Heritage sites, churches, the backwaters, and local markets, you will find everything in Goa. This is what makes it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. So, the next time when you are traveling to Goa, make sure you don’t forget to include these places on your trip.
Planning a trip to Goa? Check out our below suggested tour packages, This tour including private guide & car, relaxing itinerary and affordable price. Get daily update from our blog with the latest travel news, places to visit, travel guide, Things to do. Let’s be friends on social media Follow TuskTravel.com on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and on YouTube and get our updates and fresh inspirations.
Pingback: How to Spend a Night in Goa - Tusk Travel