Goa

Tourism in Goa

Known as the land of sun, sand and sea, Goa is one of the most happening tourist destinations in India and across the world.Sun-kissedbeaches, comfortable beach facing shacks, scrumptious seafood, vibrant nightlife, casinos, numerous party places make Goa a paradise for fun seekers. No wonder it is called the ‘Party Capital of India’.

Neatly tucked into the Western coast of India, Goa is beautifully settled amidst seas and lush greeneries. Goa is also referred to as the ‘city of churches’. The colonial charm as well as the 300-year old Portuguese architecture make it a worth visiting destination for explorers.

The north and south of Goa are strikingly different from each other. North Goa is a cultural hub where you will find authentic eateries, shopping markets, nightlife, partiesand liveliness, while in South Goa you will find luxurious resorts, private and secluded beaches, scenic drives and tranquillity.

Travel to Goa and explore the mystical charm of this heavenly abode. For more tourist information on Goa, you can check out our travel guide to Goa to plan a perfect holiday for yourself.

Best Time to Visit Goa

Goa in Winter (Mid-December to February) : As per our tour guide for Goa, winters are the best season to visit Goasince the weather is pleasantly cool and comfortable.  The temperature during the night is around 21°C, while in the day it rises up to 28°C. It is the perfect time to relax on the beaches while also enjoying the popular festivalslike Sunburn, Christmas and New Year.

Goa in Summer (March to May) : During these months the temperature rises to around 35°C, the sea becomes rougher and the weather turns hot and humid. Summers are not a great time for Goa holidays. There are not many activities to indulge in. However as per our Goa tourist guide, if you are planning a budget trip, the hotels are cheap because of offseason.

Goa in Monsoon (Mid-June to October) : During this time rains hit Goa turning the city into lush greenery and provides a much pleasing break from the heat. It is the perfect time to plan a trip to Goa and you might also get a good bargain at the hotels during this season.

How to Reach Goa

By Flight : Dabolim Airport of Goa is located at a distance of 29 km. from the capital city, Panjim. It is well connected by daily flights from Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Cochin and Bangalore. It also connects international major cities in Germany and U.K.

By Train : As per Goa tourism guide,the two prominent railway stationsin Goa are Madgaon and Vasco-Da-Gama, which are well connected by trains from all over the country.Konkan Railway operates regular trains between Goa and cities of the western coast of India like Mumbai, Bangalore, Calicut and Mangalore. Moreover, South Western Railway operates regular trains between Goa andChennai, Belgaum, Hubli, and other cities in Karnataka. Railway network also connects Goa to Delhi and Thiruvananthapuram.

By Road : There are four national highways in Goa that connects it to other cities in India like Mumbai, Pune, Belgaum, Chennai, Mangalore,Bangaloreand Hyderabad. There are many Government-run and privately operated buses that connect Goa with other parts of India.

Best Place to Visit in Goa

• Baga Beach

It is the most famous of all Goan beaches. During the day, one can gaze upon the rising Gold-Ball. While, in the afternoon, you can indulge in adventurous water sports activities like jet skiing, parasailing, banana ride and boating. But the highlight of Baga beach is when the sun sets down and party mode is switchedon.

• Calangute Beach

Known as the ‘Queen of Beaches’, this largest beach in Goa ranks among the ‘top ten must-visitbeaches in the world’. This gives you all the reasons to visitCalangute beach. One can just laze around the sand or indulge in water sports at the beach including kayaking, sailing, wind-surfing, water snorkeling, water-skiing, and fishing. It is also a great place to party post sunset.

• Grand Island

The underwater aquatic world of Goa is as beautiful as the land and beaches of Goa are. You can enjoy underwater exploration by taking part in scuba diving or snorkeling at Grand Island. If you are lucky you can even spot Dolphins twirling in their natural habitat. Apart from this, you can marvel at the sight of the amazing scenery, do fishing or enjoy swimming.

• Dudhsagar Waterfall

Dudhsagar Waterfall ranks among the top waterfalls in India and is a must visit placeon your Goa trip. It offers a wonderful scenic view making it an ideal location for a picnic. The water plunges down 2000 feet into the rugged valley amidst forests of the Western Ghats. One can swim in the clear and refreshing watersat the bottom of the falls or go a step further and trek through the waterfalls to get the mind-blowing view.

• Basilica of Bom Jesus Church

Situated in Old Goa, it is a famous UNESCO listed Portuguese churches of Goa. This Jesuit church was built in 1605 and displays fine baroquearchitecture of 16th century.It contains the remains and tomb of St. Francis Xavier.

• Lady of Immaculate Conception Church

The next destination as per our ultimate travel guide for Goa is Lady of Immaculate Conception Church. It is quite a famous location for picturing a lot of Bollywood movie scenes. You can drop by this church and simply revel in the silence within its walls.

• AguadaFort

This is another heritage monument from the Portuguesestanding tall since 1613. The fort was constructed to defend against the invasions of Dutch and Marathas. It offers excellent sightseeing to its visitors who can enjoy the panoramic ocean vista with endless blue waters in front of the fort and witness the confluence of River Mandovi and the Arabian Sea. Also, check outAguada lighthouse and Aguada Jail housed inside the fort.

Experiences Not to Miss in Goa

• Enjoya Casino Cruise in Goa. You can stay on board for up to 12 hours and enjoy the ambiance of the cruise along with trying your luck at playing a game or two.
• From beachside parties to crazy discotheques, exciting nightlife, brimming pubs and nightclubs, Goa is a treat for party lovers. Party hard while you are in Goa!
• Goa’s sun-kissed beaches are the perfectsite for adventure sports. You can indulge in various exhilarating water sports activities such as water-skiing, diving, snorkeling, parasailing, swimming, scuba diving, angling and
• Savour delicious Goan cuisine specially its popular seafood.
• After exploring the coastal beauty of Goa, embark on Hot Air Ballooning adventure in South Goa.
• Canyoning is another extreme thing to do in Goa for the adventure junkies.

We hope that this Goa tour guide helps you to plan your next trip to Goa. For more information, get in touch with Travel Bug India.

Check out our Goa tour packages here!