MUMBAI to KANYAKUMARI – This beautiful Coastal Drive will make you go for a Road Trip right now.
Mumbai >> Ratnagiri >> Panaji >> Murudeshwar >> Mangalore >> Kannur >> Kozhikode >> Alappuzha >> Kanyakumari
Approximately 1644 km
MUMBAI TO RATNAGIRI
Best places to visit on the way to Ratnagiri from Mumbai
Kolad, nestled in the Sahyadri Hills is a small village in the Raigad district of Maharashtra. This place is famous for adventure water sports like River Rafting and in monsoons you can enjoy the natural beauty. The majestic valleys and scenic environment make Kolad a treat to the eyes. You have to experience the fourteen kilometer stretch White River Rafting in the river Kundalika River.
Mahad is considered as the Land of freedom fighters and this town lies on the banks of river Savitri. The most popular tourist attraction in this place is the holy shrine of Shri Varad Vinayak Temple. This shrine is one of the ‘Ashta Vinayak’ shrines in the state of Maharashtra. This place is a stop-over for tourists travelling to Konkan and Mahabaleshwar.
Chiplun is famous for Malvani Cuisine. The top sightseeing places in Chiplun are Vashishti River, Marleshwar Temple, Guhagar Beach, Sawatsada Waterfalls, Lord Parashurama Temple and Koyna Dam.
Malvani Cuisine, Image Credits – Curly Tales
Ratnagiri is a beautiful port town in Maharashtra surrounded by gorgeous hills of the Sahyadri ranges. This place has a diverse range of tourist attractions in the form of temples, beaches and monuments.
Ratnagiri is famous for Haapus Aam (Alphonso Mango). You can also buy Cashews, Aam Panna, Kokum Sharbhat, Sandan and Amboli.
These are some popular traditional foods from Konkan, the range includes seafood and meat too.
Khaproli – A thick pancake made from rice, lentils, and spices eaten dipped in sweetened coconut milk.
Kismoor – A Goan side dish made with toasted dried prawns, onion, grated coconut and spices.
Ras Shirwale – Freshly made rice noodles dipped in coconut milk that has been sweetened with jaggery.
Kaakdichi Tausoli – A sweet cake made with cucumber, grated coconut and broken rice.
Ratambi Che Sarbat – Pulp of ripe fruit is used for making sharbat, and dried rind of fruit is used as a substitute for tamarind.
Ukdya Tandlachi Pej – Tandalachi Pej is a healthy rice porridge where rice grains are cooked in water with some salt.
Patoli – A rice cake filled with grated coconut and jaggery before being steamed in a turmeric leaf.
Olya Kajuchi Usal – Tender cashew nuts in a spicy curry (Vegetarian).
Kombdi Vade – A Konkani dish made of Chicken & Rice Dumplings.
Kombdi Vade, Image Credits – Anita Mokashi
The top attractions to visit in Ratnagiri are Ratnadurga Fort or Bhagawati Fort, Ganapatipule Beach, Jay Vinayak Temple Jaigad, Kunkeshwar Beach, Swayambhu Ganpati Temple, etc.
RATNAGIRI TO PANAJI
The driving distance between Ratnagiri and Panaji is 236 km. The main places covered during the journey from Ratnagiri are Rajapur and Oros.
Ambolgad Beach, Image Credits – Ratnagiri Tourism
Best places to visit on the way to Panaji from Ratnagiri
Rajapur town situated on the banks of river Arjuna. There are many interesting places in Rajapur such as Aryadurga Temple, Ambolgad Beach, Bakale & Madban Beach, Godwane Beach etc.
Oros lies on the NH-17 in the Malvan / Sindhudurg area of Konkan region few kilometers ahead of Kasal. The most popular tourist destinations are Sindhudurg and Tarkarli Beach. Tarkali Beach is one the most beautiful beach in India and this beach has finest white sand.
Panaji, also known as Panjim, is the state capital of Goa, located in the banks of Mandovi River. Places to visit in Panjim are Basilica of Bom Jesus, Fort Aguada, Casino Royale, Goa Archaeological Museum, Se Cathedral, Reis Magos Fort etc.
BEST BEACHES IN GOA
Calangute Beach – Calangute is a town in North Goa, famous for its beach. Normally it’s a little crowded but try and explore the shack and beach located away from the main beach.
You can have a lot of fun as there are good water activities and food joints.
Palolem Beach is situated in Canacona in southern Goa. Palolem is well known for its famous “silent” discos, which are held directly on the beach or in some bars.
Agonda Beach – The long and isolated stretch of Agonda Beach is perfect for those wanting to relax and do nothing. There are restaurants and beach shacks around for drinks & snacks; the sand & water is good too.
Butterfly Beach – After Palolem Beach or Agonda Beach get a boat ride to Butterfly Beach. If you wish, you can trek through the thick forest, when the sun is up, along with a guide from the Agonda side of the island. Otherwise, boat rides are the only option to reach Butterfly Beach.
Baga Beach – Baga a seaside town in Bardez, Goa. Baga has become the most happening beach on North Goa. One can have a drink at the beach shacks or can just simply sit at the beach and enjoy the drink.
Anjuna Beach is in North Goa, 22.2 kilometers from Panaji. It is a beautiful stretch of coastline and the site of a noted flea market. Bars and other eating hubs were available to have a party.
WHAT TO EAT IN GOA?
Ros Omelet is a snack and street food in Goan cuisine. In Konkani, Ros mean “gravy” and this gravy is based on chicken, chickpeas, or coconut milk.
Fish Thali – Fish is a staple in Goa and Fish Thali is one of the favorite dishes of every Goan.
Goan Fish Thali, Image Credits – Foodies in Mog
Fish Recheado is prepared by giving slits to the fish and stuffing a special traditional masala in it. Then the fish is coated with semolina and then shallow fried in hot oil.
Pork Curry – The traditional Goan coconut-based curry flavored with salted pork.
Prawns Balchao is a fiery dish from Goa that is almost like a pickle.
Chicken Xacuti is a curry prepared in Goa, with complex spicing, including white poppy seeds, sliced or grated coconut and large dried red chilies.
Bebinca is a type of pudding and a traditional Indo-Portuguese dessert with layers of cake made with plain flour, sugar, ghee (clarified butter), egg yolk, and coconut milk.
Fish Recheado, Image Credits – What_To_COOK
WHICH IS THE BEST DRINK IN GOA?
Feni is a favorite local drink in Goa and has been a part of Goan food tradition. This drink is made either from cashew or coconut palm sap, which is then fermented and distilled.
King’s Pilsneer Beer – King’s beer has 0.5% less alcohol content than normal beers and has no after taste as all other beers have.
Urak is a popular name in goa during summer season. Urak is the first distillation obtained from the fermented cashew apple juice.
Goan Feni, Image Credits – Go Goa Now
Kokum Juice or Sherbat is not only delicious but it also has several health benefits.
Port Wine also known as Vinho do Porto, was first brought to Goa by the Portuguese in the 16th century AD. This is typically the sweet, red wine, and is often served as a dessert wine.
Armada is One of Goa’s first spiced liqueurs. This is prepared by using Brazilian sugar, Indian spices and Portuguese fruit, made without any artificial flavor or color it has 30% alcohol.
Sol Kadi is a famous and evergreen Goan drink. Freshly prepared from Kokum or Aamsol and Coconut Milk.
PANAJI TO MURUDESHWAR
The driving distance between Panaji and Murudeshwar is 220 km. The main places covered during the journey from Panaji are Gokarna and Honnavar.
Best places to visit on the way to Murudeshwar from Panaji
Gokarna is a favorite among travelers who seek a peaceful vacation and this place is more laid back and less commercialized than Goa.
The beautiful weather, adventurous trekking experience, plenty of rocks and sparkling clean sand at beaches etc. makes Gokarna Special for the tourists. Om Beach, Kudle Beach, Half Moon Beach, Paradise Beach, Namaste Café, Mahabaleshwar Temple, Mirjan Fort, Koti Tirtha, Nirvana Beach, Bhadrakali Temple etc. are the most popular places to visit in Gokarna.
Honnavar is a port town in Coastal Karnataka. Apsarkonda Waterfalls, Eco Beach, Hanging Bridge, Kodlamane Shree Vishnumurthy Temple, Apsarakonda Beach etc are the top attractions in Honnavar.
Murudeshwar is a town in Bhatkal Taluk of Uttara Kannada district in the state of Karnataka. Murudeshwar is one of the most famous tourist places to visit in Karnataka, for its pilgrimage importance apart from the beach. Murudeshwar is famous for the world’s second-tallest Shiva statue (123 ft) & tallest temple tower (249 ft) of Murudeshwar Temple.
The sea on three sides surrounds the temple towering on the small hill called Kanduka Giri. This is a great place to watch the sunset.
Murudeshwar Shiva Temple, Karnataka
MURUDESHWAR TO MANGALORE
The driving distance between Murudeshwar and Mangalore is 155 km. Udupi is one of the popular destinations that comes on the way to Mangalore from Murudeshwar.
Best places to visit on the way to Mangalore from Murudeshwar
Udupi is famous for Krishna Temple and also popular for Udupi cuisine. Kosambari (dal salad), Koddelu (sambar), Avalakki Upkaari (red chilli poha), Holiges (sweet pancake) and the master piece Masala Dosa are the famous cuisines everyone must try in Udupi.
Udupi Sri Krishna Temple,
Image Credits – Rohan Hiremath
Kaup Beach & Malpe Beach are the must place to visit when you are in Udupi.
St. Mary’s Islands, Four small islands together form the St. Mary’s Islands. Each of these islands is interconnected and have their specialty. Coconut Island, North Island, Darya Bahadurgarh Island and South Island are the four islands that comprise St. Mary’s Islands. Tourists can reach St. Mary’s Islands only through the ferries from Malpe.
WHAT & WHERE TO EAT IN MANGALORE?
Mangalore is famous for its cuisine. You must and must try Anjal Tawa Fry (King Fish), Korri Roti (Chicken), Bangude Rava Fry, Fish Curry & Rice, Prawn Ghee Roast, Chicken Ghee Roast, Kane Fry and of course try the boiled Rice & Ganji.
Fish Thali & Seafood @ Machali Resturant
Seafood & Mangalorean delicacies @ Pallkhi Restaurant
Lunch @ Girimanja’s
Seafood & Chinese @ Kudla Family Restaurant
Classic Coastal Cuisine & Biryanis @ Shetty Lunch Home
Machali Resturant, Image Credits – Shirin
MANGALORE TO KANNUR
The driving distance between Mangalore and Kannur is 144 km. Bekal is one of the popular destinations that comes on the way to Kannur from Mangalore.
Best places to visit on the way to Kannur from Mangalore
The main places covered during the journey from Mangalore are Bekal and Chirakkal.
Bekal, a small town in Kerala which is renowned for its beaches, backwaters, and forts. Bekal Fort & Beach, Kappil Beach, Valiyaparamba Backwaters, Nityanandashram Caves etc. are the popular places to visit.
TOP SIGHTS IN KANNUR
Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach – Muzhappilangad is considered to be the longest drive-in beach in Asia. It is a wonderful experience driving through the white sanded beach which is 5 km long.
Rajarajeswara Temple, where women are allowed to enter only at night, is a Shiva Temple located in Taliparamba in Kannur district of Kerala.
The temple is one amongst the 108 Shiva Kshethrams to be built by Parashurama and is considered a Shaktipeetham. It’s believed to be the place where the head of Goddess Sati fell off.
Muzhappilangad Beach, Rajarajeswara & Parassinikkadavu Temple; Credits – Kerala Tourism
Parassinikkadavu Temple located on the banks of the Valapattanam River. Visitors offer alcohol to Lord Muthappan. This temple allows entry of people from all caste and religion that makes it unique. Even dogs are allowed to enter this temple, as this temple is the only temple of Kerala with the entrance gate having embellishment of dog’s statues on both the sides.
Palakkayam Thattu is the one of the hill station in Kannur and this is the best choice for people who are interested in adventure activities.
Peralassery Sri Subramanya Temple – The principal deity of this temple is Sri Subramanya. The massive temple pond is world-famous.
Payyambalam Beach is one among the five beaches that is collectively known as Kannur Beach. They are Payyambalam Beach, Meenkunnu Beach, Adikadalayi Beach, Baby Beach and Thayyil Beach.
Kottiyoor Mahadeva Temple is a prominent Shiva temple in Kerala, located on the banks of Bavali River. This temple is also known as Dakshina Kasi and the Vaishaka Festival at Akkare Kottiyoor is world famous. This Temple is open only for 27 days for Vysaka Festival (which comes approximately from 15th may to 15th June).
Image Credits – Kerala Tourism
FAMOUS CUISINES YOU MUST TRY IN KANNUR (BASED ON THE REVIEWS)
Fish, Prawns & Shellfish @ Hotel Odhens
Seafood & Non-Veg Thalis @ Kaippunyam
Fish Fry, Fish Gravy & Crab @ Randhal
Vegetarian & Non-Vegetarian dishes @ Indian Coffee House
Vegetarian dishes @ Bharath Restaurant
Biriyani @ Ajwa Biryani Restaurant
Thalassery Biriyani @ Rara Avis
KANNUR TO KOZHIKODE
The driving distance between Kannur and Kozhikode is 91 km. Vatakara and Koyilandy are the popular destinations that comes on the way to Kozhikode from Kannur.
Best places to visit on the way to Kozhikode from Kannur
Lokanarkavu Temple, Image Credits – agesh
