The coastal paradise, Goa is not unknown to anyone. This tiny state in West India is famous for its plethora of beautiful beaches, great seafood, amazing nightlife, and thrilling watersports.
Goa along with being a popular beach destination in India is a perfect honeymoon destination, a great getaway with friends, and an amazing family holiday place, which means, the place is filled with activities and attractions to keep all its visitors engaged.
The state is majorly divided into two districts - North Goa and South Goa. North Goa is famous for its lively beaches like Calangute, Baga, Candolim, Anjuna; beach shacks, Fort Aguada; Church of Mae De Dues; Boghdeshwara Temple; and Chorao, Divar Island.
South Goa, on the other hand is known for its quieter beaches like Butterfly, Palolem, Polem, and Agonda; luxury resorts; Se Cathedral and St Xavier’s Church; and many sightseeing places like Dudhsagar Waterfalls where one can enjoy trekking as well.
Goa also offers its visitors the chance to enjoy river carnivals; Rajbhavan Darshan; e-bikes tour; white water river rafting; hot air ballooning; birding tours at Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary; Ayurveda massages; shopping; water activities like scuba diving and sea rafting; and other adventure activities like motorised paragliding, and bungee jumping.
In our Goa Travel Guide, we add the most authentic information ensuring you know everything about the state before planning a trip. Our authentic Goa travel guide includes information on places to visit, top things to do, and best hotels. With us, you also get the best Goa tour packages that ensure an amazing holiday experience at this top beach destination in India.
A Quick Information About the State – Goa
Goa Region
West India
Goa Capital
Panaji
Geographical Area
3702 km2
Total Population of Goa
1458545
Spoken Languages
Konkani, Marathi, Hindi, English
Total Districts in Goa
2 (North Goa & South Goa)
State Animal of Goa
Gaur (Bos Gaurus)
State Bird of Goa
Ruby Throated Yellow Bulbul
State Fish of Goa
Grey Mullet
State Tree of Goa
Coconut Palm
Major Tourism Destinations in Goa
Ashwem Beach, Calangute Beach, Baga Beach, Vagator Beach, Anjuna Beach, Candolim Beach, Aguada Beach, Morjim Beach, Arambol Beach, Miramar Beach, Palolem Beach, Agonda Beach..etc
Agonda Beach is perfect for swimming and chilling. It is also great for taking a boat ride and enjoying the expanse of the sea and the beauty of nearby Butterfly and Honeymoon Beaches.
Ashwem Beach, located to the north of Panaji, Goa’s capital city, is a delightful sandy stretch edged with green coconut palms & adorable views of the ocean vistas.
Arambol Beach is a perfect place for taking Yoga classes. The beach also has a drum circle; a weekend beachside market; and a mystical baba sitting on top of a hillock.
The beautiful Aguada Beach is primarily known for the impressive Fort Aguada. This beach in North Goa is ideal for strolling and watching the sunrise and sunsets.
Dubbed the Queen of Beaches, Calangute Beach is unarguably one of the most popular beaches in Goa. It is also the busiest beach in North Goa with restaurants, shacks, and clubs fringing it
Activity, excitement & commotion, you will find plenty of these at Colva Beach. Those enthusiastic about water sports should not miss out visiting this beach during their holidays in Goa
An urban beach in North Goa, Miramar Beach was once known as Gasper Dias Beach. A short distance away from Panaji, Goa’s capital city, Miramar is a family-friendly beach.
Anjuna Beach is known for its lively nightlife. It has a number of nightclubs like Paradiso that offer great music, dance floors, and ambiance to keep the nights alive.
Bambolim Beach is located about 7 kilometers from Panaji, the capital city of Goa. Those looking to enjoy a picnic or a quiet day at the beach, should head to Bambolim Beach.
If you are excited by the thought of enjoying Goa’s juicy seafood while having an exciting day at the beach, then Patnem Beach is where you should head to.
Betul Beach is where you come to unwind, relax & just enjoy the views of the sun, sand & sea. It is famous for being home to Goa’s largest & tastiest mussels.
What also makes Benaulim Beach so special is that despite not being as touristy as the other beaches in Goa, it offers you opportunities to try out a variety of water sports.
Majorda Beach, located in South Goa, is one of the prettiest beaches of Goa. It is for those seeking solitude along with a bit of fun thrown in between.
Galgibaga, or Turtle Beach, in South Goa, is one of the few beaches in Goa that are the nesting ground of the shy Olive Ridley Turtles, a protected species.
Madgaon and Vasco Da Gama railway stations connect Goa to major cities of India
By Air
Dabolim International Airport connects Goa to the major cities of India and abroad.
By Road
NH 66, NH 366, NH 566, and NH 748 connect Goa to the major cities of India.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the best to visit Goa?
Goa has a tropical climate and can be visited all throughout the year with each season offering an amazing experience to the travellers. Summers in Goa are more popular with families and kids whereas the destination in monsoon let the tourist indulge in some of the water activities. Goa in winter season experiences cool and comfortable weather making it a perfect time for sunbathing.
Q. Why to visit Goa?
Goa offers a plethora of exciting activities for the tourist. From water sports in scenic sand beaches, shopping in flea markets, visiting colonial churches, to adventure tourism, chill and grill life of rave parties, yoga and ayurveda for rejuvenating your soul and spectacular views of picturesque beaches, Goa has it all. Moreover, Goa is a paradise for delectable seafood and awesome destination weddings.
Q. What is Goa famous for?
Goa is one of the most visited destinations in India, which is extremely popular for its beaches, rave parties, nightlife, flea markets, Casinos, Lip smacking cuisines, Portuguese style houses and colonial churches. The most important aspect of Goa is that it is a heaven for adventure lovers. Numerous water sports like Kayaking, parasailing, jet skiing, scuba diving etc. provides thrill and excitement to adrenaline junkies. Apart from that Goa also a perfect choice for solitude seekers and couples because of the exotic and offbeat locations, South Goa is very popular for its pristine beaches and remote locations.
Q. What are the famous events organized in Goa?
Goa is the first choice of tourists when it comes to nightlife and festivities. Tourist from all across the world come here to revel in the charms of Goan culture and festivities. Some of the very popular events organized in Goa are –
Goa Carnival
Christmas
New Year
Saptah Festival
Goa Food and Culture Fest
Goa Cashew and Coconut Fest
Goa Sunburn Festival
Sao Jao
Three Kings Fest
Shigmo festival
Bonderam Festival
St. Francis Xavier’s Fest
Q. How is the weather in Goa during winter, summer and monsoon Season?
Goa in Winter - winter in Goa starts from November and ends in February. The temperature ranges from 20-22 degree Celsius, which is the best weather to relax and sun bathe on sandy beaches. During this time Goa is dipped in the vibes of Christmas and New Year. The mega Sunburn festival is also organized in winter to blow the heart of tourists.
Goa in Summer - Summer in Goa starts from March and ends in May. The temperature ranges from 24-35 degree Celsius. It is not a favourable weather to travel in Goa due to hot and humid climate. However, cost of hotels and homestays are very low as it is an offseason to travel to Goa.
Goa in Monsoon - Monsoon in Goa starts from mid-June and ends in October. The temperature ranges from 28-30 degree Celsius. It is one of the best season to travel in Goa for those who loves to spend time in the solitude of nature. Due to high tides, beach activities are not possible but the weather is very awesome if you want to see lush greenery and scenic landscapes. Sao Jao festival is also celebrated during Monsoon.
Q. What are the best places to enjoy nightlife in Goa?
Goa’s nightlife is the most beautiful experience one can ever have. In fact, Goa is known for its nightlife and chill and grill vibes. Some of the best places to enjoy nightlife in Goa are
Hammerzz Nightclub, Goa
SinQ
Curlies
Mambo’s night club
Bora Bora
Club Cubana
Cavala
Firefly
Shiva Valley
Cape Town Café
Bombay Adda
Kamaki
UV Bar
Q. How many Domestic and International Airports are there in Goa?
Goa is well connected by airline services to the most major cities in India. All national and international flights operate from Goa International Airport at Dabolim which is 30 km from Panaji. It is the only airport Goa has. Chattered flights also land in Goa from UK and other European countries.
You can easily get chattered flights from Goa International airport's international terminal and domestic flights from domestic terminal.
Q. Is Goa safe for woman traveller?
Safety is the main concern for woman when it comes to travelling. Most parts of Goa are absolutely safe. However, one should always be aware of the surroundings nearby. It’s not about the destination as anything can happen anywhere. Most parts of Goa are woman Friendly; locals are also friendly and welcoming.
Q. How many minimum days are required to visit Goa?
It absolutely depends on the time and budget you have. Goa has many things to offer, From Beaches, Goan cuisine, heritage tour to alluring nightlife and adventure activities Goa gives the best holiday experience to the tourists. South Goa and North Goa offers unique activities to do and both are equally worth visiting. At least 2 weeks are required for Goa to explore the best of it, one for North Goa and one week for South Goa. If you want to explore nightlife and heritage, consider North Goa and if you need solace and beach fun explore South Goa.