Places to visit in Goa

• North Goa: Head north straight from the airport and get to any of the several shacks on Baga beach. If you love adventure, make a beeline for the sea, where you can go parasailing, jet-skiing or on a regular boat ride. Party the night away at Titos on Baga beach or Club Cabana on Anjuna beach.
• Goa churches: Goa also boasts some lovely Portuguese-era churches that deserve a visit. We’d pick the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Panjim for its impressive white exterior and eye-catching ornamented altars. There’s also the Basilica of Bom Jesus in old Goa, somewhat in ruins but still standing proof of brilliant Jesuit architecture. For the devout, it houses a silver casket that holds the sacred relics of St Francis Xavier, the patron saint of Goa. This is also where Goa’s biggest and most important festival takes place - the Feast of St Xavier, which happens during the first week of December, and is a time for prayer and processions. Panjim also has the gorgeous Latin Quarter of Fontainhas.
• Fort Aguada: Not far is the historic Fort Aguada and its lighthouse, where the cellular jail is now thrown open to tourists. It is a 17th century well-preserved Portuguese Fort standing on Sinquerim beach overlooking the beautiful Arabian Sea. Aguada Fort, erected in 1612, encircling the entire peninsula at the south-western extremity of the Bardez Taluka in North Goa, is known for its first lighthouse in Asia.
• Chapora Fort: Yes, you guessed it right! This is the place where the iconic shot from the movie ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ was shot and thus a popular tourist destination. The fort which is now in ruins overlooks the scenic Chapora river. The evening is the best time to visit this place to experience spectacular views of the sunset.
• South Goa: Don’t just stick to the north, though—south Goa has Palolem beach, one of the safest stretches of sea in the region. Goa is also one of the few states in India where gambling is legal. So, you can try your luck at casinos such as the Deltin Royale, with India’s only dedicated poker room, and Casino Pride, which also has a kids’ zone with computer games.
• Old Goa: Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding group of churches and convents, Old Goa or Velha Goa was once the prosperous capital of the Bahmani Sultan Adil Shah. When the Portuguese conquered the city in 1510, Old Goa went on to become a glorious, flourishing city that attracted traders and travellers from all over Europe. Traders came from China, Arabia, Zanzibar etc. to trade in silk, cotton, spices, and perfumed oils, etc. At its zenith, the city was bigger than even Lisbon, and was called “the Rome of the East”.

Today, Old Goa offers glimpses of a grand old era, bringing to life its marvellous heritage by way of its gorgeous churches and convents.

• Dona Paula: Dona Paula is a village named after Dona Paula de Menezes, the wife of a noble man, offers water sports such as boating, fishing, etc. at the Donna Paula Bay. The platform on the highest point also gives pleasant views out to the Arabian Sea and across the Port of Mormugao.
• Panjim: With its cobbled lanes, old taverns, churches, brightly painted houses, mansions, restaurants, bakeries, promenades, and jetties, Panjim in Central Goa has the lovely ambience of a little Mediterranean town on the riverfront. Showcasing grand Portuguese architecture, Panjim contains heritage areas that co-exist with bustling parts of the city. The elegant city built on the banks of the Mandovi River, is a walker’s pardise!
• Calangute Beach: It is adored by both domestic and international tourists, and is the world's loveliest and the most sought after the beach.
• Se Cathedral: Dedicated to St. Catherine, Se Catheral is the most imposing of all churches in Old Goa. It has fifteen altars and houses the famous 'Golden Bell'. Situated across the road from the Basilica, the Se Cathedral was completed in 1652. It was built to represent the wealth, fame, power, and glory of the 16th century Portuguese rulers. The Se Cathedral is the largest church in Asia. On top of its facade hangs the Golden Bell – also Asia’s largest – whose mellow sound, it is said, could be heard all over Goa. Inside the Cathedral are eight chapels and six side altars, apart from the main altar that is dedicated to Saint Catherine.
• Shri Manguesh: surrounded by rolling green hills and dedicated to Lord Shiva, is the most important of all temples in Goa and is located at Priol in Ponda Taluka. 
• Ancestral Goa: A village model in Loutolim, this place is designed to illustrate Goa's traditional past where one is given a guided tour illustrating interesting details of day-to-day village life.
• Miramar Beach: An urban beach where the Mandovi River meets the Arabian Sea, is just 2 km from Panaji City and is the towns people rendezvous point that offers the best location to watch enchanting sunsets.

High-end shopping/luxury shopping/shopping malls in Goa

• Caculo Mall: Known as one of the best malls in Goa, this is the one stop place for all your shopping needs. The mall brings a range of international brand options for visitors to shop from. It comprises not just the most extravagant apparel and accessories brands, but also a number of restaurants to satiate your hunger pangs while shopping here.
• Mall De Goa: With more than 82 outlets to shop from, this mall brings a range of shopping options for visitors. The mall boasts being Goa’s most popular

Street/local shopping in Goa

• Flea markets: There are a number of flea and local markets in Goa. There are several of these scattered across the strip. While Anjuna’s Wednesday market has cool tops, dresses and flashy footwear, Baga’s Saturday-night markets are the spots for bags, hats and handicrafts.
• Mapusa: If touristy isn’t your thing, head to Mapusa for its Friday market. You may not find your knick-knacks here, but the colour and flavour are unmissable. Bring your best bargaining game to the table.
• Malini Ramani: If boutiques are more your scene, try Malini Ramani’s at Calangute for a gorgeous collection of jewellery and handbags. Janota, in Bardez, offers some funky, unusual custom-made footwear.
• Wendell Rodricks Design Space: At the Wendell Rodricks Design Space in Panjim, you can buy some new resort wear in cotton and satin, available in pop and neutral colours. Not far from here is Sacha’s Shop, run by former writer/stylist of GQ India, Sacha Mendes. Head here for cross-stitch towels, deconstructed Savio Jon blouses, and 11:11 shirts.
• Jade Jagger: For some swag, try Jade Jagger on Ashwem beach. This glamorous outlet by Mick Jagger’s daughter stocks a brilliant range of statement jewellery. After all, a beach holiday is all about style.

Nightlife in Goa

• LPK Waterfront: The party never stops in Goa, provided you know where to go. LPK Waterfront in Nerul channels a bohemian vibe, with terracotta statues and fairy lights.
• Club Cabana: Club Cabana on Arpora Hill is where you go for an exciting night of trance.
• Chronicle: Chronicle at Vagator is everything you expect from a beach club—a five-level, open-to-sky dance floor, great music and good food.
• YEX: Not far is NYEX at Anjuna beach, an excellent option for sundowners with its infinity pool, sundecks and thumping music.
•  At the other end of the strip, in Palolem, South Goa is Silent Noise, where you dance on the sands with music pulsing through Bluetooth headsets.
• Silent Noise: But if you like it loud and crazy, Leopard Valley in Canacona is where you go. The open-air club brings in international DJs to set the mood. With large stage and pyrotechnics, this is where you can pull an all-nighter.
• The Gonsalves Mansion: The Gonsalves Mansion in Campal is where you go for a romantic night of jazz. A family-run establishment, this old Portuguese bungalow pulls in the best local acts from across the state. This is as Goa as Goa gets.

Hot air balloon ride

If you’re seeking thrills away from the ground, jump into a hot-air balloon from which the views of the lush Goan countryside will make it a ride to remember.

Dudhsagar Waterfall

Located approximately 60km away from Panjim, Dudhsagar Waterfall is among the most spectacular waterfalls in India. The site of a multi-tiered waterfall cascading like milky white water from a height of 310 metres is a site pleasure to witness. You can even enjoy rock climbing or swimming here.

What do you do when you’ve sorted out your tan, gambled away that bonus and karaoke till sunrise? Goa still has plenty of surprises. If you’ve had your fill of water sports at the beach, try a round of kayaking on Goa’s quaint rivers. Take a trip with Goa Kayaking, which runs year-round services on waterways Mandovi, Nerul, Sal and Zuari, and explores the mangrove forests and ecosystems. And while the whole world is partying hard and gambling the night away, you can detox with a yo-cation.

Yoga hubs

Popular yoga hubs include Palolem, Agonda and Patnem in the south and Arambol, Mandrem and Anjuna in the north. Stay at a chic yoga retreat such as Banyan Tree Yoga in Ashvem, which combines a yoga experience with home-cooked farm-fresh meals (open from November to April).

The spice plantations

The spice plantations of Goa are scattered around the interior of Goa's beautiful rural landscape. Traditional Goan methods of organic farming are done here. Coconuts, betel nuts, pineapples, different kinds of spices etc. are grown here. At the Plantation, enjoy a delicious Goan buffet lunch that will be specially laid out for you; serve yourself on a banana leaf and eat the traditional Goan way!

Goa Carnival

Over the year, Goa easily finds many reasons to celebrate. In February, it’s the Goa Carnival, with floats, parades, song and dance. It is a festival full of colour, extravagant dances, music performances and a lot more. This one of a kind festival portrays the beautiful Goan culture which a mix of Portuguese heritage. Goa Carnival attracts a large number of visitors every year.

Shigmahotsav

In March, it’s Shigmahotsav, the state’s version of Holi. The festival is characterised by music, dance and fervour and is also known as Shigmo. It is a culturally vibrant and colourful festival marking the end of winter and welcoming spring. During this festival, the streets of Goa are abuzz with music, dance and more.

Sao Joao

Sao Joao is one of the most prominent festivals of the Catholic community. It is celebrated with great pomp and show in the villages of North Goa.