Top 10 Places to Visit in Goa with Your Friends or Family
Thinking of a Goan holiday? Looking at Goa for a family vacation or a road trip with friends? Look deeper, head inland….there is more to this “bite-sized” state than sun, sand, sea, beach, booze and bistros. This time around, along with the usual, try a different Goa as well and you are sure to come back with more selfie clicks and memoirs for your life. So read on, and plan to surprise yourself with a true Goan experience this time around. Check out these 10 best places to visit in Goa and things to do that won’t let you miss out on any of the Goan “fun”.
1. Calangute Beach- The “Queen of Beaches”
One of the most popular beaches in Goa and also the largest beach in North Goa, Calangute beach is among the most recommended tourist places in Goa and popular with both domestic and international tourists. It is also the busiest and commercialized beaches in Goa. It offers a long coastline with an amazing view of the sea and the beach front is dotted with shacks, restaurants, clubs and shopping outlets. One can also enjoy a plethora of water sports at Calangute beach.
2. Basilica of Bom Jesus
Churches in Goa are an important legacy of it being an erstwhile Portuguese colony. Built across centuries, these architectural wonders are more than just places of worship; they hold a place of historical or cultural significance as well. One of the popular churches in Goa is the Basilica of Bom Jesus. The mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier is preserved here in this Basilica and hence revered by many. It also is an UNESCO World Heritage site.
3. Dudhsagar Falls
Literally meaning a sea of milk, Dudhsagar Falls is a 4 tiered waterfall that is the 4th tallest waterfall in India. Located at a distance of 46km from Madgaon, the falls appear spectacular during monsoons after being fed by the rains. There is a railway bridge which passes right in front of the waterfall and passenger trains passing through the fall tend to slow down for passengers to view the fall up close. Unfortunately, there is no viewing platform or site for tourists to take in the full view of the enormous waterfall. Some people do get down at the Dudhsagar station and walk backwards on the railway tracks, but that is certainly not recommended.
4. Deltin Royale Casino
The Deltin Royale Casino boat is the largest casino boat in Panjim, Goa. It offers 24 hours of nonstop fun in an area spread over 40,000sq.ft of luxury live gaming on three levels with 850 gaming positions. Live entertainment is on the restaurant floor and during peak hours. You need to buy an entry and play package to gain access to the casino. You can also choose to buy a stay and play package which lets you stay at the Deltin hotel and access to the casino as well. For those travelling during national holidays, the casino is closed on all national holidays.
5. Mollem National Park
The Mollem National Park, located in the Western Ghats along Goa’s eastern border with Karnataka. Spread over 240 sq km, the national park is home to several species of wild cats, a wide variety of birds, several species of snakes and even a wide range of butterflies. Besides wildlife, the park is also home to “the Dhangar”; a community of nomadic buffalo herders. It is also known for some awesome trekking trails and the 12th century Tambdi Surla Mahadev temple dating back to the Kadamba Dynasty.
6. Tito’s Street
Goa has always being popular for its nightlife, and Tito’s is one of the best nightclubs in Goa. It is also one of the first discotheques of Goa. Located off the main road, towards Baga beach, Tito’s consists of 2 levels; dance floor on level 1 and level 2 is from where you can sit and watch over the action below. Saturday nights at Tito’s is all about pulsating dance floor, electrifying music, and throbbing lights. The food at Tito’s is also quite lip smacking.
7. Pandava Caves and Arvalem Waterfalls
About 9 kms to the south of Bicholim town in North Goa is located the 6th century Pandava cave complex and Arvalem waterfalls. The cave complex is divided into 5 compartments and the ‘linga’ enshrined in the middle compartment is held in great reverence by the local devotees. Another attraction close to the Pandava or Arvalem caves is the Arvalem waterfalls. The water cascading down from a height of 50 mts makes for an awesome view, and there is a park nearby from where you can view the waterfall as well as the lake at the bottom.
8. Fort Aguada
A well-preserved 17 century Portuguese fort, Fort Aguada is located on the Sinquerim Beach in North Goa. Built as the chief defence of Portuguese against the Dutch and Marathas, it was the most prized and crucial fort of the Portuguese. The fort is ringed by thick battlements and a deep dry moat. 2 things worth visiting inside the fort are the 13 metre high lighthouse built in 1864 and a vaulted cistern capable of storing ten million litres of fresh water. From here fresh water was supplied to the ships that stopped there. Some buildings of the fort are still in good shape having been converted into a jail and interestingly, it happens to be the largest jail in Goa. Fort Aguada is one of the top sightseeing places in Goa.
9. Chapora Fort
Popular as the place where the Bollywood flick “Dil Chahta Hai” was picturised, the Chapora fort stands at the mouth of the Chapora river as an old guard. Today this laterite fort is almost in ruins but does offer some sensational views of the coastline from the top of the fort. That itself is reason enough for any photo enthusiasts.
10. Colva Beach
This white sandy beach is outlined with coconut palm trees. It is a paradise for shell collectors, and for those romantic barefoot walks on the sand with your spouse! Trinket stalls and drink stands on the golden sands make a moonlit evening on the Colva Beach utterly romantic.There are many shacks lined up along the Colva beach which offer you delicious Goan cuisine and a variety of innovative cocktails.
Goa is a place that suits every person’s vacation requirements i.e., whether he wants to take his family for a vacation or go on a fun trip with friends or even a solo trip. It’s one of the most highly rated tourist places in India and has something to offer to everyone!
Looking for more tourist places to visit this summer? Get more information by logging into DreamStream, and plan your summer vacay today!
1. Calangute Beach- The “Queen of Beaches”
One of the most popular beaches in Goa and also the largest beach in North Goa, Calangute beach is among the most recommended tourist places in Goa and popular with both domestic and international tourists. It is also the busiest and commercialized beaches in Goa. It offers a long coastline with an amazing view of the sea and the beach front is dotted with shacks, restaurants, clubs and shopping outlets. One can also enjoy a plethora of water sports at Calangute beach.
2. Basilica of Bom Jesus
Churches in Goa are an important legacy of it being an erstwhile Portuguese colony. Built across centuries, these architectural wonders are more than just places of worship; they hold a place of historical or cultural significance as well. One of the popular churches in Goa is the Basilica of Bom Jesus. The mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier is preserved here in this Basilica and hence revered by many. It also is an UNESCO World Heritage site.
3. Dudhsagar Falls
Literally meaning a sea of milk, Dudhsagar Falls is a 4 tiered waterfall that is the 4th tallest waterfall in India. Located at a distance of 46km from Madgaon, the falls appear spectacular during monsoons after being fed by the rains. There is a railway bridge which passes right in front of the waterfall and passenger trains passing through the fall tend to slow down for passengers to view the fall up close. Unfortunately, there is no viewing platform or site for tourists to take in the full view of the enormous waterfall. Some people do get down at the Dudhsagar station and walk backwards on the railway tracks, but that is certainly not recommended.
4. Deltin Royale Casino
The Deltin Royale Casino boat is the largest casino boat in Panjim, Goa. It offers 24 hours of nonstop fun in an area spread over 40,000sq.ft of luxury live gaming on three levels with 850 gaming positions. Live entertainment is on the restaurant floor and during peak hours. You need to buy an entry and play package to gain access to the casino. You can also choose to buy a stay and play package which lets you stay at the Deltin hotel and access to the casino as well. For those travelling during national holidays, the casino is closed on all national holidays.
5. Mollem National Park
The Mollem National Park, located in the Western Ghats along Goa’s eastern border with Karnataka. Spread over 240 sq km, the national park is home to several species of wild cats, a wide variety of birds, several species of snakes and even a wide range of butterflies. Besides wildlife, the park is also home to “the Dhangar”; a community of nomadic buffalo herders. It is also known for some awesome trekking trails and the 12th century Tambdi Surla Mahadev temple dating back to the Kadamba Dynasty.
6. Tito’s Street
Goa has always being popular for its nightlife, and Tito’s is one of the best nightclubs in Goa. It is also one of the first discotheques of Goa. Located off the main road, towards Baga beach, Tito’s consists of 2 levels; dance floor on level 1 and level 2 is from where you can sit and watch over the action below. Saturday nights at Tito’s is all about pulsating dance floor, electrifying music, and throbbing lights. The food at Tito’s is also quite lip smacking.
7. Pandava Caves and Arvalem Waterfalls
About 9 kms to the south of Bicholim town in North Goa is located the 6th century Pandava cave complex and Arvalem waterfalls. The cave complex is divided into 5 compartments and the ‘linga’ enshrined in the middle compartment is held in great reverence by the local devotees. Another attraction close to the Pandava or Arvalem caves is the Arvalem waterfalls. The water cascading down from a height of 50 mts makes for an awesome view, and there is a park nearby from where you can view the waterfall as well as the lake at the bottom.
8. Fort Aguada
A well-preserved 17 century Portuguese fort, Fort Aguada is located on the Sinquerim Beach in North Goa. Built as the chief defence of Portuguese against the Dutch and Marathas, it was the most prized and crucial fort of the Portuguese. The fort is ringed by thick battlements and a deep dry moat. 2 things worth visiting inside the fort are the 13 metre high lighthouse built in 1864 and a vaulted cistern capable of storing ten million litres of fresh water. From here fresh water was supplied to the ships that stopped there. Some buildings of the fort are still in good shape having been converted into a jail and interestingly, it happens to be the largest jail in Goa. Fort Aguada is one of the top sightseeing places in Goa.
9. Chapora Fort
Popular as the place where the Bollywood flick “Dil Chahta Hai” was picturised, the Chapora fort stands at the mouth of the Chapora river as an old guard. Today this laterite fort is almost in ruins but does offer some sensational views of the coastline from the top of the fort. That itself is reason enough for any photo enthusiasts.
10. Colva Beach
This white sandy beach is outlined with coconut palm trees. It is a paradise for shell collectors, and for those romantic barefoot walks on the sand with your spouse! Trinket stalls and drink stands on the golden sands make a moonlit evening on the Colva Beach utterly romantic.There are many shacks lined up along the Colva beach which offer you delicious Goan cuisine and a variety of innovative cocktails.
Goa is a place that suits every person’s vacation requirements i.e., whether he wants to take his family for a vacation or go on a fun trip with friends or even a solo trip. It’s one of the most highly rated tourist places in India and has something to offer to everyone!
Looking for more tourist places to visit this summer? Get more information by logging into DreamStream, and plan your summer vacay today!
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