Attractions in Goa

Renowned the world over for their charm, the beaches are the most striking attractions of this rocking destination of India. An interesting feature of these beaches is that they change their looks and go for a makeover every season, which adds more charm to them. Tourists from across the globe come here for rejuvenating holidays, high-on-entertainment water sports, nightlife and exotic cuisine. Goa offers different categories of beaches such as Crowded Beaches, Adventure Beaches, Party Beaches and Isolated Beaches. View Details

Goa is a dream destination for those inclined towards adventure sports. Tourists can plunge into sports like sailing, para-sailing, wind surfing, scuba-diving, cursing, jet-skiing, water skiing, snorkeling, trekking, hiking and golfing. View Details

Goa is also the place where you can find amazing monuments like churches, temples and museums. The main attraction of the churches is their sophisticated architecture. The churched reflect a perfect amalgamation of Catholic and Portuguese architecture. Some of the churches are recognized as the World Heritage Site. View Details

Celebrated with great fervor and joy, Goa Carnival is a big celebration attracting tourists in great numbers. It is celebrated for three days in the month of February every year. Feasts, fun, entertainment, dance and musical parades are the highlights of the carnival. View Details

It is a popular destination for both tourists and schoolchildren. A wide variety of animal life can be encountered. Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Northeastern Goa, India in the Ponda taluka of the Goa state. View Details

Panaji (aka Panjim) is the capital city of Goa. A melting pot of cultures from around India and the world, you won't find any shortage of entertainment in this city. The Fontainhas Festival brings Panjim to life at the start of every New Year. Musicians, singers, artists and dancers from all over the country gather in Panjim to participate. As for the rest of the year, you always have the yacht casinos, ferry rides, and pork rolls you can't say no to. View Details

Margao (pronounced 'mud-ga-o') is the cultural and commercial capital of Goa. It lies somewhat in the middle of a long white-sand beach which spans almost 30 kilometres. Margao is located close to the South Goan, white sand beaches of Palolem (38 kilometers), Colva and Benaulim (about 6-8 kilometers). Margao is known for its huge Indo-Portuguese style mansions. View Details

Old Goa Few tourists look beyond Goa's sun kissed beaches, but with some good planning and a resourceful tour manager, you will be able to discover a side of the 'sun-kissed state' that you wouldn't see otherwise. Visit Old Goa if you're in the mood to go back in time and wander through quaint Christian and Portuguese villages nestled among lush paddy fields and magnificent cathedrals and churches bursting at the seams with history. View Details

Calangute and Baga (pronounced 'Cull-ung-goot' and 'Bah-Gah') in North Goa are the two most popular beach destinations in Goa. Busy and forever bustling with people, the beaches are dotted with vendors hawking everything from water sports to henna tattoos. The shacks on these two adjacent beaches are very popular and serve lip-smacking food. Simply unwind here and watch the world go by! View Details

Fort Aguada and Candolim Beach are not very crowded and better if you're looking for a romantic stroll or some quiet sunbathing time. They are popular with tourists who choose to live on the more expensive, quieter part of North Goa. Don't miss the historic 4-story lighthouse at the Fort...it's the largest of its kind in Asia! View Details

Dona Paula There is no documented lover's tragedy behind the statue of Dona Paula but the legend is enough to bring scores of visitors to this place every year. Dona Paula is a fun beach, popular for its water sports facilities like windsurfing, parasailing, water-skiing, harpoon fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, and yachting. A colorful water sports festival is hosted on the beach in November every year. View Details

Palolem Beach is largely virgin and is inhabited by fishermen and tourists who live in shacks along the shore or in the main village itself. It is a mile long, crescent-shaped beach and you can view the whole beach from either end. There are a significant number of rocks here making this more of a sun-tan beach than a sandcastle building experience. The sea shelf is gradual and the currents gentle, making it safe for swimming. Incidentally, this was the beach where the Indian segment of The Bourne Supremacy with Matt Damon was shot. View Details

West of Se Cathedral, the Church of St Francis of Assisi is one of the most interesting buildings in Old Goa. Created in the year 1517 by the famous eight Franciscan friars this Convent started off the block as a small chapel constructed few houses belonging to Thanedar Joao Machado were offered by the Governor to the friars. Modified in 1521 as a church it was later consecrated on 2nd Aug 1602 to the Holy Spirit. The Convent plays host to a museum of Archeological survey of India and boast of some of the best collections of artifacts, sculptures and paintings. The scenes from the Bible are displayed on the wall frescoes inside the convent and the original nine altars and six chapels have been reduced to only three. Like many other churches in Old Goa, this church has the tombstones of many of the Portuguese gentry laid into the floor. The font situated just besides the door, is made partly from a fragment of an old pillar from a Hindu temple. View Details