A hippy anecdote goes ‘Goa is not a place, it’s a state of mind’. If you’re thinking of taking a holiday to Goa. then here are Goa’s Must-Visit Places, it’s safe to say the hippies are gone, but the place remains, beautiful as always, but also a little more spread out now.

No, the map hasn’t changed and neither has the lazy Union Territory vibe that Goa seems to embody. Instead, what’s taken tourists by surprise is that Goa still is true to its original roots of being a place of natural beauty, peace, religious platitude and for some, party.

Filling you in on the bounty that Goa’s Must-Visit Places has in just one article is difficult. However, keep reading for a definitive bible on where and what you should be experiencing in Goa (depending on your state of mind).

Should I go North or South?

Yes, there is such a thing as North Goa and Southern Goa, and any bag packer will tell you the two are poles apart. What’s the difference? Let me tell you.

North Goa is more commercial. It’s a great place for a Goa Holiday: shopping, eating scrumptious seafood, dancing, singing, exploring, and partying through the night. North Goa, consisting of Calangute, Anjuna, Bambolim, Baga and more has a lot of options for adventure sports, tourism and more.

South Goa, otherwise is different. There’s not a lot in terms of commercial tourism here, but the beauty is soul-trenching. You feel surrounded by lush beauty, villages, long sandy beaches, spas, resorts and lots of nightlife.

Depending on what you’re in the mood to experience in Goa’s Must-Visit Places, you’ll find it either in the North or the South of the Union Territory. Besides these obvious Tourist attractions, there are also numerous towns (like Panjim) and villages to explore. Goa’s Must-Visit Places also has a rich history of Portuguese Colonial rule since the 1500s, which is evident in the churches, monasteries, and basilicas of Old Goa district.

Explore North Goa

North Goa is famed for being a holiday paradise with tropical beaches (some sandy and some rocky), a lot of sunbathing, cheap beers and lots of beach shacks. North Goa is not too expensive compared to other tourist states like Kerala or Madhya Pradesh, however, North Goa has a lot to offer in terms of – food, language, adventure, yoga and more.

Grande Island, North Goa

Grande Island is a picturesque island just a few kilometres off the coast of Goa, letting you experience the lush tropical beauty of Goa to the fullest. Many services offer to pick up and drop off via ferry from beaches like Calangute/ Baga/ Arpora/ Candolim/Sequim. The island offers lots of things to do including dolphin spotting, snorkelling, swimming, power boating and more.

Water Sports at Mobor Beach

Looking for adrenaline and adventure in North Goa? Then look no further than Mobor Beach which offers some of the best adventure sports activities in the Haven. Banana Boats, parasailing, jet skis, Ringo rides kayaking and more await you at Mobor Beach.

Kayaking at Aguada

Aguada Fort and its surrounding areas are part of beautiful backwaters that adjoin the Aguada River in North Goa. At Aguada (in the backwaters) you can enjoy a leisurely kayaking adventure as you make your way under the Nerul bridge to beautiful mangroves that are home to rare Indian wildlife.

Party at Baga Beach

Just after you’ve spent the day exploring the various water sports options in North Goa it is time for a delicious dinner, party and nightcap. Where better to go than the famous Baga Beach with its many beach restaurants, night markets, and hotels? Baga Beach has options for stay and leisure for every traveller, and though crowded, has a lot of charm as the party centre of North Goa. Book a room here (which you will find is quite affordable) and settle down for a nightcap.

How to get to South Goa from Panjim

Panjim is a beautiful city located in central Goa’s Must-Visit Places that resonates with the rich Portuguese heritage here. Panjim has a number of local markets and shopping complexes. There are also a number of local restaurants to experience the taste of Goan heritage.

Panjim is a good starting point for your travel to North Goa or South Goa. The Panjim Bus Stop is a busy location with buses that ply the length and breadth of Goa.

Make Your Way to South Goa

There’s no definite way to describe South Goa. The beauty is immense and so is the geography with a hill range and thick tropical forests. The air of south Goa is unspoiled and tourists here can truly experience the culture and beauty of the place, undisturbed. South Goa is located about 3 3-hour drive from North Goa.

Canacaona town is the best starting point for your exploration of South Goa’s Must-Visit Place. The beautiful tourist destination has a number of white sand beaches like Patnem Beach, Palolem Beach, Colomb Beach and Rajbag Beach.

Go Kayaking Off Cola Beach

Cola Beach is a beautiful beach with an adjoining lagoon and river having clear blue water and peaceful scenery. Kayaking is a popular activity at Cola Beach.

Visit Cabo De Rama Fort

Cabo De Rama Fort has an excellent view of the sea. A blue sky makes it a picturesque location, but the climate is very humid so don’t forget your shades, hat, and lots of water. At Cabo De Rama you can experience the charm of the old Portuguese architecture.

Relax on Palolem Beach

Palolem Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in South Goa. It has a number of pubs and shacks that operate through the night. Palolem is also known for its comfortable beach resorts and yoga retreats.

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