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  • 01Aguada,Goa

    Aguada

    Fort Aguada is unquestionably one of India’s most well maintained heritage structures. This seventeenth century fort built by the Portuguese to protect its then territory against the Dutch colonialists and the Marathas, attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists.

    What’s better, Fort Aguada and its lighthouse offering a breath taking view of the Arabian sea are flanked by a pristine beach, called the Aguada beach and a 5 star resort called the Taj Vivanta. For the tourist willing to spend that extra buck, putting up at the Taj Vivanta, contrary to what’s believed of 5 stars and its contemporary adulteration of an Indian holiday, is a wonderfully local experience, right from the view to the food to the accessibility.

    Fort Aguada and Agudad beach are also just a stone throw away from the famous Candolim beach. Come evening, and the streets and by lanes around Fort Aguada transform into flea markets offering cheap and ethnic accessories and garments.

    Fort Aguada is very accessible to the rest of Goa, both the party and heritage places and it's well worth putting up here for the duration of your stay. One can get to Aguada via a hired car or taxi from the airport or the railway station. If you’re driving, ample boards and signs guide you to Aguada.

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  • 02Anjuna Beach,Goa

    Anjuna Beach

    Anjuna Beach - Rejuvenation At its Best!

    Anjuna beach can be accessed by road and is around 3 kilometers by road from the popular Candolim beach area. Anjuna boasts of some upmarket hotels, so in the event you’re put up in and around the place, you’re in for a treat! This beach is by far one of the most pristine and many tourists have found the mood at this place significantly different, the pace slower and the commercialization virtually non-existant.

    A visit to Anjuna is incomplete without spending an afternoon at Curlies. Curlies is one of Goa’s most popular beach shacks. Ideal for an afternoon of kicking back on the beach and enjoying some signature cocktails and the beautiful Anjuna waves, this beach also makes for a reader’s paradise. Need to check on some e-mail or catch up with work while on holiday, Curlies is the place to be, and it guarantees to not take away from the holiday feel, even while you’re working.

    Curlies has 2 decks, the upper deck offers a beautiful view of the Anjuna beach. A very special feature of Anjuna is that it’s much deeper than other beaches because of a steep shelf. While lifeguards are stationed there throughout the day, one can enjoy a swim in the beach between meals, drinks or even work.

    The Anjuna flea market is a another treat not far from Curlies. Generally an on season market over the weekends, one can manage quite a deal on accessories, bags, footwear and other fashionable good with a Goa streak. Anjuna beach is like an acquired taste, if slow and easy is your style, you’re bound to love the place!Anjuna beach is just a stone throw away from Baga or Calangute beach.

    All you need to do is head north, but the winding roads can get a little confusing. Hailing a cab from Calangute or Baga is easy; if you’re mobile, ask for directions every 5 minutes.

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  • 03Arambol Beach,Goa

    Arambol Beach

    Arambol Beach - Secluded Haven!

    The Arambol beach is located in the north of Goa further up from Baga and Calangute. Unlike these beaches, Arambrol is completely alien to commercialization. This beach is all about the simplicity and has a unique freshwater lake adjoining it. The Arambol beach area doesn’t have too many hotels and restaurants around it owing to local policy but there are some shacks where one can enjoy this pristine beach and the clean air and clear water.

    Arambol beach is proximate to Anjuna and Mapusa, both of which are short drives away. Close to the beach within the vegetation is a famous sculpture called the Money Stone which has become very popular among tourists off late.Arambol beach is not your average bustling Goa beach. Its more for the nature lover, allows for peaceful walks and a calm afternoon experience.Arambol is easy to access by bus on the way to Mapusa from Panjim. Cabs and autos (rickshaws) will also drive you there, beware of how much you get charged.

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  • 04Arossim Beach,Goa

    Arossim Beach

    This little beach is located on the Colva stretch parallel to Colva road in South Goa and is flanked with 5 and 4 star hotel properties and a whole lot of slow afternoon activities. The beach features ample water sport opportunities, training included. One must not really venture too deep into the water here and at neighbouring beaches due to the lack of lifeguard activity. It’s a little hard to find a decent shack around Arossim beach in Goa although the few that can be found serve decent Goan food.

    During the season the water at this beach is just right for an afternoon swim, especially when the water sport instructors are around the place.

    Getting to Arossim is easy enough, it’s around 22 kilometres from the airport and around 35 kilometres from Panjim. Cabs are readily available, and the beach is served by several neighbouring railway stations. Rickshaws can be hired from the city side, though it’s advisable that one rents a bike and rides down.

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  • 05Arvalem Caves,Sinquerim

    The town of Saquelim in Goa has often been visited by tourists from all over, but a little detour off the approach road and you might find yourself in the midst of the majestic Arvalem Caves also known as the Pandava Caves as they are known to have housed the Pandavas (characters from Hindu Mythology) during their 12 year exile.

    There’s not much to speak of in terms of architecture and sculpture at these caves are considerably small. Their origins can be traced back to as early as the 6th century and credit for building is still undecided.

    Some believe the caves owe their origins to Buddhism, but the presence of Lingas on the walls is confusing. Laterite stone and some architecture resembling Buddhist architecture also lead us to believe that the Arvalem caves, are probably Buddhist.

    Archaeologists have also been exploring some Sanskrit inscriptions found from the 7th century in the caves. Arvalem caves are often visited by Hindu tourists to marvel at their mythological importance, but apart from that these red bricked caves are awe inspiring even for the average tourist.

    An ideal picnic spot, one might want to set aside an afternoon for a picnic at these caves and enjoy nature at its best. The best time to visit the Arvalem caves is in the monsoons. Getting to the Arvalem caves is a little bit of a hike. They’re located close to the town of Sanquelim inland, towards the east, from places like Vasco, Margao and Panjim.

    Its best to ride down to the caves on a hired two wheeler or your own vehicle, although cabs are available from the city side and north Goa. Beware of the costs though, they might not charge you by the metre.

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  • 06Baga Beach,Goa

    Baga Beach

    Baga is where all the action is. From the best of beach shacks to the best of restaurants, best hotels and accommodation and even an authentic German Bakery, Baga has it all. Baga beach is grand, both in terms of size and the experience it offers. When you get there, one can’t help but notice a whole lot of touts trying to get you to buy adventure sport tickets off them. Metaphorical tickets of course, since all they do is hook you up with the people actually involved, and make a cut of the deal. Nevertheless, they manage to get you a good deal, most of the times. Baga beach is famous for Parasailing, Water Bike rides, Banana Rides and Boating.

    Right at the entrance to the beach is the famous Café Brittos with its amazing alcohol and cocktail offering and sea food to die for. One might want to give the Goan Fish Cutty Rice a try which is a hot favourite among tourists.

    Brittos is very well priced and the view of Baga it offers is unparalleled. Come evening, and the high tide brings the water within inches of the Brittos frontage, making for a beautiful dinner experience.You do not want to miss this little bakery right outside Brittos. If you manage to find it, and it isn’t all that difficult, its decorated with a lovely façade, that reminds you of a little European street joing with tables on the sidewalk.

    Tourists must make it a point to ask them for their Chocolate wafer biscuits which are quite a steal and really yummy!Karaoke nights are common at Baga beach with most of the shacks offering Karaoke setups in the evenings. Practically all the shacks offer hukahs in tonnes of different flavours. There are frequent buses from different parts of Goa that serve Baga Beach and the cabbies all know where it is. The beach is very close to ample pay and park zones which makes it convenient to explore over an entire afternoon. Shopping for clothes and accessories is commonplace, and a good bargain is not uncommon.

    Club Mambos is walking distance from Baga Beach and is one of Goa’s most popular night places.Baga is best explored on foot, and getting there is easy enough from Candolim, Panjim or any other neighbouring beaches. A cab or auto rickshaw is the best way to get there. Once you’re at Panjim, boards direct you right to Baga beach, so you can’t miss it.

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  • 07Basilica of Bom Jesus,Old Goa

    Home to the Saint Francis Xavier, the priest responsible of bringing Christianity to the region, this church in Goa attracts thousands of tourists and pilgrims from all over the world, both Catholic and non-Catholic alike, to experience what can only be termed as divine intervention itself. It is said that the great Saint Francis Xavier had immense powers of healing which is still reflected in the remains of his mortal self.

    Testimony to this claim is a public viewing of the Saint’s body that happens once a decade. It last took place in 2004. Bom Jesus translates to Good Jesus or Infant Jesus to whom it is essentially dedicated.

    The History

    Having been inaugurated in 1605 by Father Aleixo De Menezes, the Basilica of Bom Jesus is over 400 years old and is open to tourists and pilgrims every day. Inside the church, pilgrims can worship and browse through the intricate artwork that speak volumes about the life and time of Saint Francis Xavier. The remains of Saint Francis are kept in a well-clad casket. Most of the mausoleum has been designed by Giovanni Battista Foggini, a 17th century sculptor. The entire church has been built on the principles of Jesuit architecture.

    There has been talk that the Basilica of Bom Jesus Church is soon on its way to going green with a galvanised roof for a better experience for Church inhabitants, pilgrims and tourists. The galvanised roof will replace the current asbestos roof. This is a first of a kind move in India to preserve a 400-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    The Widely Opposed Professed House

    The Professed house is a separate structure within the church compound and predates the church itself by around twenty years, having been built in 1585. Jesuit missionaries made this place their base for activities pertaining to the far east since back then. The Jesuits faced tough opposition from the Senate for which they were not permitted to build the church.

    One night, against the opposition, the Jesuits threw open a small church on the doors of which was inscribed the work Jesus and invited the commons in to celebrate mass. Ever since the Senate was helpless but to let them go about with their activities. The Professed house, a separate building is still on the campus and a hot favourite amongst tourists.

    How To Get There?

    The Basilica of Bom Jesus is just a stone throw away from the capital of Goa, Panjim. One can easily hail a cab in the city or get on from Vasco da Gama city or Margao city. For pilgrims who are put up in North Goa, namely Baga, Calangute and Candolim, cabs are available, although if you’re doing a day-long tour, visiting various churches in Panjim and the south, it is best to be mobile with your own vehicle or a self-driven hired one.

     

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  • 08Betul Beach,Goa

    Betul Beach

    Betul Beach - True Goan Essence!

    Like many others in the South Goa region, Betul is one of the slower paced beaches. It’s located a walk down from Colva to the south. Betul beach is flanked with some classy 5 star properties namely the Leela, Taj and Holiday Inn. It’s famous for some of the best sea food catch in Goa, and one can often see fishermen with their dhows and trawlers ringing in fresh catch.

    Around the place, one can find scarce adventure sport activity unless you walk towards Colva, but the restaurants in the locality are to die for. The authenticity of Goan food is probably at its best in this locality and the areas surrounding it.

    Betul beach is clean, and the water is ideal for a swim. Relaxed lifeguard activity makes it a little dangerous off season, but nevertheless, you don’t want to miss the water here.

    Getting to Betul is easy enough. Get to any one of the 5 star properties around Colva, which cab drivers won’t have an issue finding. From there, its walking distance to Betul Beach. One can also hire a vehicle at the city or bike it down from the hotel. Betul beach is also served by Majorda and Margao railway stations, Margao being closer.

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  • 09Bogmalo Beach,Goa

    Bogmalo Beach

    Bogmalo Beach - Of Sunset and Wine!

    Bang in the centre of Goa’s coastline and very proximate to the bustling town of Vasco da Gama is Bogmalo beach, with a view to die for, a well-rounded cosmopolitan crowd and loads of fun activities and water sports.

    What’s striking about Bodmalo beach is the proximity it shares with Vasco and the airport. One can enjoy a morning and half the afternoon at the beach and still manage to squeeze a trip to the Naval Aviation museum, visit some of the other beaches around the place, take a ferry or boat ride to Dona Paula or just head over to the Bogmalo Beach Resort, enjoy the sunset over some Goan food and wine. Bogmalo also has several shacks one can visit and the street shopping around the beach is crazy!

    One of the first diving and scuba centres has opened close to Bogmalo, and many tourists are now venturing into this relatively new sport in Goa. For the experienced diver,this offers a chance to go scuba diving at one of India’s first centres on the west coast.

    The Naval aviation museum is just a stone throw away and offers a beautiful narration of the history of Indian Naval Aviation and its evolution over the years. This beach is clean enough to go swimming in during the season and lifeguards are posted on the beach all day.

    Getting to Bogmalo is a breeze. Being just around 5 kilometres from the airport, hailing a cab is not an issue and one can choose to ride down from the hotel on a rented bike. Feeling adventurous, experience Vasco da Gama on foot and you’ll eventually get to Bogmalo. Bogmalo beach is also served by Vasco Da Gama and Dabolim railway stations.

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  • 10Cabo De Rama Fort,Canacona

    Cabo De Rama Fort

    Legend has it that the Lord Rama and his wife Sita, when exiled from the holy city Ayodhya, spent 14 years taking shelter in this fort. Some believe it to be important from the mythological standpoint, for a tourist it’s an ideal place for an afternoon out with a couple of beers, friends, good conversation and a view to die for!

    Many Indian tourists often mistake this fort for one seen in a popular Hindi movie Dil Chahta Hai, for those of you living in the haze that’s fort Aguada, although Cabo De Rama with its non-Portuguese, non-traditional name has nothing less to offer in terms of tourist value.

    Overlooking the Canacona and Colva beaches, which are just a walk away, this fort is very strategically located with tourists often making their way to these beaches for a short dip, especially on a day-long picnic at the fort. These beaches also have several shacks offering good Goan food with very affordable alcohol! The best time to visit the Cabo De Rama Fort is in the summer.

    The fort offers a breathtaking view of the majestic Arabian coastline. The Cabo De Rama Fort has changed various flags having been under the Marathas, Portuguese and the Muslims at various times in history. At one point, the fort was clad with 21 guns by the Portuguese, clues of which can still be found in the remains of a damaged turret. The Portuguese also erected a chapel at the fort.

    Cabo De Rama is located at the south end of the Colva Beach bay. A bike or a cab from any of the south Goan localities or towns, like Panjim, Vasco or Margao, is an easy way to get there. Tourists based in North Goa, Candolim, Baga and Calangute, including Vagator and Mapusa, get ready for a relatively long ride and make sure the cab fare is accurate.

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  • 11Calangute Beach,Goa

    Calangute Beach

    Calangute Beach - Spakling Sea and White Sand

    Calangute beach is bang in the centre of all the action. Nestled between Candolim and Baga, two of the most famous beaches of North Goa, its proximity and the places around it make it a tourist’s paradise.A huge parking lot serves Calangute dedicatedly which means ample pay and park and a hassle free afternoon. Get a bike or drive down in your own car, the parking lot is lined with shops selling affordable garments, accessories, footwear and Goa souvenirs.

    Also, Calangute is famous for its dry fruit shops and vendors, make sure you pick up a pack of their famous cashew nuts which are served plain, roasted and salted.Calangute beach is also famous for its water sports. The moment you enter the beach, you can’t help but notice many touts and agents marketing banana rides, water bike rides, parasailing and boating. Parasailing is every bit worth the buck at Calangute. Once you’re airborne, you can see as far as Candolim in the south and Anjuna in the north

    Souza Lobo is a joint on the beach which deserves special mention. Tourists from the world over swear by this place and the crab and lobster preparations are to die for. If you’re in the mood for a walk down the beach, one can choose to dine at Brittos, a huge shack on Baga beach which is around 20 minutes on foot from Calangute beach.If you’re at Calangute, don’t miss out on visiting the Taj Vivanta property called the Village, close to Fort Aguada.

    If one can afford putting up there, there’s nothing like it, but the resort offers an amazing view of all the beaches in the Calangute, Candolim, Baga stretch. Calangute beach is very centrally located and furthermore, very close to the bus depot. Getting a bus or a cab from Panjim and other popular tourist places is not an issue. One can also choose to drive down and ample boards prompt you right to the beach!

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  • 12Candolim Beach,Goa

    Candolim Beach

    Candolim Beach - Fun in the Sun!

    Candolim beach is often referred to for its ‘in-between’ character. It’s very proximate to all the action, is very conveniently located and still maintains a certain calm that can’t be found in the neighbouring Calagute and Baga beaches.

    The first thing one notices about Candolim beach is the fact that it has no defined beach centre. There are very few shacks and rather few restaurants close to the beach. This in no way is to mislead you, since Candolim offers an unparalleled experience in terms of the sheer size of the beach, cleanliness and water sports.A little inland from the shore and one can find a host of budget restaurants and hotels and its one of the best places to put up while in Goa.

    Candolim beach has also been home to the stranded ship, the River Princess for the last 12 years. Out of sheer inactivity and the absence of shacks and other commercial activity on the beach, Candolim has a beautiful pattern of dunes which is immediately visible the moment you step onto the beach.Candolim is very proximate to the bus stand at Bardez. One can also manage a cab from Panjim, its 15 kilometres from the city centre.

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  • 13Chopdem,Goa

    Chopdem

    This picturesque settlement is strategically situated north of the banks of the Charpora River. Chopdem offers a different side of Goa, a religious one, as against the party hard culture of the place in general. Religious travellers and tourists with a flair for history in general will appreciate the various temples like Bhumika, Vetal, Garudi and Rampurush, and how well preserved they are.

    Finding a place to put up around Chopdem may be a bit of a challenge since guesthouses and lodges have monopolized the place as against hotels. Then again, one can always find a good deal and the services are pretty good. Travel a little outside Chopdem and some resorts and hotels may be at your disposal.

    Chopdem is accessible via a Ferry at Siolim which is the most adventurous way to travel. Road accessibility is good via the highway but may take long. Tourists driving down from Mumbai or Pune cities to Goa will come across Chopdem first, before entering the heart of North Goa.

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  • 14Church Of St. Jerome,Mapusa

    Church Of St. Jerome

    At the foot of the fort is the church dedicated to the Saint Jerome and the fort is famous for hosting the annual 'Festa dos Reis Magos' which translates to the Feast of the Three Wise Souls on the 6th of every January.

    The best time to visit the Reis Magos Fort is in summer. Getting to Reis Magos Fort is easy and being relatively small, sightseeing doesn’t take long. From Panjim, Margao and Vasco, tours can be arranged, and it takes just under an hour to get there.

    From Panjim, of course, the travel time is a lot lesser. If you’re based in north Goa, Candolim, Baga and Calangute, respectively, a cab ride is often the best way to get there or one can decide to ride down on a hired bike.

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  • 15Colva Beach,Goa

    Colva Beach

    Colva Beach - A Photographer's Delight!

    The famous Colva beach is located in the South Goa district. Unlike the beaches of North Goa, Colva is relatively quiet and is a photographer’s playground given its pristine white sand. Measuring in at 24 kilometres, Colva is also one of the longest beaches in the world.

    Where South Goa loses out on parties and night culture, it makes up for in premium restaurants and hotels. Colva is proximate to some leading hotel chains and properties.Post October, tourists flock to this part of Goa to visit the famous Colva Church.

    A lot of locals participate in the festivities and this is by far the best time to visit Colva beach. From Colva, tourists also frequent the Cabo De Rama fort which interestingly so is a pre-Portuguese era fort and one of the oldest in Goa.

    Colva beach can be accessed by cab or a hired bike or car. It is around 40 kilometres from the city centre and cab drivers are well aware of its whereabouts. Colva beach is also proximate to the Margaon railway station.

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