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Goa is a perfect destination for beach lovers. Though it is perceived to be full of people doing raging parties and thronging the buzzing beaches, the actual Goa is much more serene and laidback.
The place belonged to the Kadamba dynasty kingdom for over a thousand years, which was later overthrown by
Vijayanagars of Karnataka, Muslim Bahmanis and Bijapur’s Adil Shah. When Afonso de Albuquerque captured the Panjim fort in 1510, it marked the beginning of Portuguese occupation. Read on to know more about beach Goa tourism.
Goa has a diverse cultural mix and a range of Hindu and Christian festivals. There are hedonistic parties and events related to arts, especially during Christmas and New Year. Fewer tourists are seen outside this period. You will feel that Goa is not just beaches and parties after witnessing the authentic draws of Carnival and Narkasur Parades.
Some of the festivals celebrated here include:
It is a 4-day party conducted throughout the state with colourful parades of floats surrounded by masked revellers in Panjim. There is live music on the streets along with stalls.
It is celebrated in March and is the spring festival of the state. There are large dance troupes performing dances in the streets at night.
This is on the eve of Diwali when effigies of giant demons dance through the streets before they are burnt to mark the festival of lights. Margao, Mapusa, Vasco, Panjim, and Ponda are the main areas where these can be seen.
This is held in Panjim in late November and is a lively event of contemporary times.
This is celebrated from December 25th to January 1st, when many tourists can be seen in Goa from the country and outside. They party during these times, and the accommodation prices shoot up to double or triple the initial rates.
People speak Konkani, Marathi, Hindi & English here. However, Konkani is the official language of Goa.
The best time to visit Goa is from mid-November to mid-February when you can visit the beaches to relax and engage in various outdoor activities. Sunburn is the major festival in December, along with Christmas and New Year. You need to book tickets ahead of time as the peak season and prices are quite high.
If you want to avoid high prices, visit the area between March and May. Though the weather is hot and humid, the homestays and hotels are available at reasonable rates.
Monsoon lovers can visit the area between mid-June and October. During this time, you can see Goa’s lush green site.
Panjim is Goa’s capital, and the Dabolim airport is 29 km away, which connects the state to major states like Hyderabad, Chennai, Cochin, New Delhi and Bangalore.
Goa has multiple public and private bus operators to ensure inter-city conveyance. Some government undertakings operating from Panaji, Vasco Da Gama, and Madgaon are KTC, MSRTC, and KSRTC. This makes it easier to reach Panaji Goa tourist places.
Madgaon and Thivim are the major railheads in Goa which are connected by trains from all parts of the country.
Local tour operators offer taxi rentals or cabs that can take you to the railway station or airport on direct payment.
You can hire cars or motorcycles in Goa for self-driving
as this is an economical way of getting around the city. An ID proof has to be submitted to get a vehicle for self-drive.
15.2993° N and 74.1240° E are the coordinates of Goa.
This place has a lush terraced hillside and is at the mouth of River Mandovi. The town is ranked among the least congested capitals in India. IFFI festival is the spotlight that attracts Bollywood personalities and directors.
This is 45 minutes away from Panjim by bus. It has the busiest resort. There is a huge burden on the rudimentary infrastructure of the town by the increased number of Indian visitors. The southern end of Calangute is quite mellow and has fewer domestic lager louts.
It is Calangute’s extension, with a varied and picturesque scenery in the north. Since the boom of tourist packages, it has become a small-scale Spanish resort with Indian clientele. Besides the handing out in the rowdy bars, you can enjoy food at the excellent restaurants with a lively nightlife.
This predominantly Catholic village is located 10 km northwest of Chaudi market town. There are family-run guesthouses and upper-end hut camps with unsophisticated restaurants. You can spend a relaxing holiday in the calm local atmosphere here.
This beautiful beach is lined with swaying coconut palms, and the bay offers an amazing curve of golden sand. Currently, it is Goa’s popular resort for independent foreign travellers. The place is in full swing, and you may hate it or like it in the fight scene. Patnem beach is a better option for a short walk south around the headland when you dislike Palolem.
It is a spicy, non-vegetarian dish made using chicken, mutton, or prawn. Sugar and vinegar add a distinct flavour to the dish.
This is a Konkan dish made of crabs in thick tamarind gravy containing coconut and red chilies. It is a staple food of Goan households that goes well with boiled rice.
This is an east Indian, Goan, and Mangalorean pudding dessert made using seven or more layers of eggs, coconut milk, flour, sugar, and cardamom-nutmeg powder
In Goa, diving, jet-skiing, parasailing, windsurfing, diving, and catamaran sailing are the best sports to indulge in if you are an adventure lover.
Watching dolphins is a popular activity in Goa, in parts of the Mandovi River, and at Sinquerim beach beside Fort Aguada.
There are many casinos in Goa where you can put your stakes and try your luck. These feature games such as flush baccarat, roulette, poker, slots, and flush. There is live entertainment and sometimes unlimited food and drinks too.
You can enjoy a luxurious stay here with all facilities. It has premium and executive room options available.
This is a 4-star luxury hotel that has sea-facing rooms, suites, family rooms, and chalets. Rooms come with the best facilities for the comfort of the customers. The Dabolim station and Goa International Airport are close to it.
This accommodation offers private parking, a bar, garden, 24-hour front desk support, room service, and a currency exchange facility. The rooms have a balcony and garden view.
It is 4 km from the Anjuna beach and has amazing facilities like a yoga and meditation area, a guided walking tour, a pool, a gym, and two dining venues.
This is a 5-star hotel that is around 4 km from Calangute beach. It has rooms with all the amenities. You can find an outdoor pool, fitness centre, and spa tub for recreation here.
If visiting Konkan tourist places is on your bucket list, Goa must never be missed. It has amazing beaches and interesting culture. Knowing everything about the place and planning your trip ahead of time with Cleartrip can save you from the last moment hassle. Thus, you can get accommodation in the best hotels or homestays and enjoy your trip to the fullest.
The COVID-19 test, with negative results, is required before entering Goa.
This is held in June and is a fertility feast of Saint John the Baptist. During this festival, men jump into wells to fetch bottles of local alcohol named feni.
You need at least 5 days to spend in Goa if you can’t afford longer leaves. Avoid starting with beaches when you have a short vacation as you won’t be able to leave the place and enjoy other activities.
The food, beaches, nightlife, yoga and spirituality, festivals, vibe, and culture, are the specialties of Goa.
North Goa is better for people who love crowds and a convivial atmosphere, but if you need some quiet time on the beaches or streets, south Goa tourist places are a better option.
