Goa
Goa, a tiny emerald land on the west coast of India, the 25th State in the Union of States of India, was liberated from Portuguese rule in 1961. It was part of Union territory of Goa, Daman & Diu till 30 May 1987 when it was carved out to form a separate State. Goa, for the purpose of revenue administration is divided into district viz. North and South Goa with headquarters at Panaji and Margao respectively. The entire State comprises 11 talukas. For the purpose of implementation of development programmes the State is divided into 12 community development blocks. As per 2001 census, the population of the State is 13,42,998.[Read more]
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Administratively the State is organised into two districts North Goa comprising six talukas with a total area of 1736 sq. kms. and South Goa comprising five talukas with an area of 1966 sq. kilometers. In all there are 383 villages of which 233 are in North Goa district and in South Goa district. As per the 2001 census, there are 44 towns of which 14 are Municipalities and remaining are census towns.
Goa is a spot where travelers from various countries come to spent their time leisurely with their loved ones. Most of them opt the place a honeymoon spot. As the place is filled with numerous natural scenic beauty definitely this will be great place to hang around with your loved ones!!!
The state is the smallest state in India and has very low population.Panaji being the capital and Vasco-da-gama the largest city of Goa.
In this post i would like to cover the beaches of the state. Lets start our journey!!
Anjuna Beach
Location
About 8 kms away from Mapusa, between Baga beach and Vagator beach.Anjuna is known for its parties and hippie background. Anjuna was the favorite haunt of the party revelers in the 1960’s. There were a lot of hippies frequenting this beach in Goa. It’s believed that the Goa trance scene originated here. Anjuna is famous for its full moon parties or rave parties full of dance and trance music that extends until early morning. Anjuna is one of the liveliest beaches in Goa.
Things to See
Near the beach is the famous and wonderful Albuquerque Mansion that was built in 1920. Other buildings worth visiting are the Chapora Fort and the Mascarenhas Mansion. The Flea Market every Wednesday is a MUST SEE! From about 11 o’clock in the morning, tourists from all over the place start flocking to Anjuna. There are a lot of things up for sale from rugs and carpets to clothes, handicraft etc. You can buy the Goa Trance music CD’s and cassettes here. Ride an elephant, meet a snake charmer and much more.
Reaching Anjuna
- Mapusa is the nearest town about 8 kms from Anjuna.
- Buses are available after every few minutes from Panaji and Mapusa. Or you can take a taxi or hire a motorbike to Anjuna.
Accommodation
Budget hotels, guest houses etc are available in plenty. The Tamarind Lodge and The Anjuna Beach Resort are some of the good places to stay.
Baga Beach
Location
Baga Beach lies 10 kms to the south west of Mapusa between Anjuna and Calangute beach.Baga Beach is a nice place for those who want to escape the crowd of the other beaches in Goa. You can enjoy the fresh seafood and music being played at the nearby shacks. Baga is also famous with the tourist for fishing. The sand at Baga Beach is brown in color which makes it different from the other Goa Beaches.
Things to See
Near the beach is the Baga River which joins the sea at the Baga Beach. The river is a good option for people who are not too comfortable swimming in the sea. Baga has one of the best nightlife in Goa. Tito’s is very good place to let your hair down. There’s some good music being played and the crowd is awesome. One can go for dolphin and crocodile watching near the Mandovi River.
Reaching Baga
- Catch a bus from Mapusa just about half an hour away from Baga Beach.
- There are a lot of buses available every few minutes.
- Taxis, auto rickshaws and motorbikes can also be easily hired.
Accommodation
Hotel Linda Goa, Ronil Beach Resort, Resort LaGoa Azul, Nilaya Hermitage etc are some of the good hotels in and around Baga Beach. Besides these, there are a number of hotels like Zinho’s, The Sunshine Beach Resort and Riverside etc that offer budget accommodation.
Calangute Beach
Location
Calangute beach is about 15 kms to the north-west of Panaji near Baga Beach.Calangute is one of the most famous beaches of Goa. There are a lot of things one can do at Calangute. The beach will enthrall you with its smooth sand and scenic beauty. One can just walk around on the beach enjoying the view or hire a shack and get some nice tan or massage.There are also a number of activities like water skiing, Para-sailing, wind surfing etc that one can take up. The beach is lively with the music and usually crowded with a lot of tourists. There are a lot of restaurants and hotels that serve delicious snacks along the beach.
Things to See
Nearby the Calangute beach are a number or other attractions like The St. Alex Church, the Kerkar Art Complex etc. The church looks really beautiful with its two towers and a wonderful dome. The Kerkar Art Complex showcases the finest art work from the local people. There are concerts of Classical Indian music held every Thursday and Friday at the complex. Calangute has a lot of shops selling everything from clothes to decorative articles, jewellery etc.
Reaching Calangute
- Calangute is easily accessible and reaching there is very easy.
- Calangute is just about 10 minutes drive from Mapusa.
- You can catch a bus from either Panaji or Mapusa for Calangute.
- It takes about 30 minutes from Panaji to Calangute. Bikes, taxis or auto rickshaws can also be hired.
Accommodation
Hotels, guest houses, resorts and five star hotels, you can find everything at Calangute. Hotel Goan Heritage, The Villa Goesa Beach Resort, Falcon Resorts etc offer a good stay. So depending on your budget, make your pick.
Colva Beach
Location
Colva is just about 6 Kms to the west of Margao near the Benaulim Beach.Colva beach was one of the less frequented beaches in Goa. The beach has gained a lot of popularity amongst the tourists in recent times. There are a lot of new budget hotels that offer cheap accommodation around Colva. There are a lot of local fishermen living in the nearby areas. The people here are very friendly and helpful.
Things to See
Colva is one of the beaches in Goa where you’ll find a lot of people at one end and vast empty spaces at the other end. You can savor the spicy snacks that are available along the beachside. The authentic sea food available in nearby beach shacks is a must try. Restaurants like Sea Pearl, Pirates, Conchita, Kentuckee etc also offer some good stuff.
Reaching Colva
- Margao is the nearest major city.
- There are buses at regular intervals from Margao to Colva Beach. Besides, you can hire a taxi or motorbike from your hotel to the beach.
Accommodation
Colva has a lot of cheap hotels and guest houses offering budget accommodation. You can try The Camilson Beach Resort, The Colva Beach Resort and JYMI’s Cottages.
Vegator Beach
Location
Vagator Beach is located about 25 Kms from Panaji. It is to the north of Anjuna Beach.Vagator beach is one of the less crowded Goa Beach. Vagator is amongst the many beautiful beaches Goa is famous for. It’s not much frequented by tourists like the Miramar or Calangute beach. The beach is quiet and calm. You can spend time walking on the soft and white sand beneath your feet and enjoy the old world charm of this beach.
Things to See
Vagator is the place to enjoy nature. There are vast stretches of coconut trees along the beachside. There are a few villages nearby in Chapora where you can get a feel of the rural Goa. The fishing community is very friendly and helpful. Vagator is also known for its night beach parties like the ones at the Anjuna Beach. One can even visit the Chapora Fort nearby. The Fort gives an amazing view of the Goan Coastline and the Arabian Sea. The sunset from the fort is an unforgettable sight.
Reaching Vegator
- To reach Vagator, you can catch a bus from Panaji or Margao.
- Motorbikes, auto rickshaws and taxis can also be hired.
- Vagator is about an hours drive from Panaji.
Accommodation
Accommodation at Vagator Beach is limited. The Sterling Vagator Beach Resort, The Royal Resort, Green Peace and Palm Grove etc. offer good accommodation. The guest houses and restaurants are usually booked for long periods. A better idea would be to find accommodation somewhere else and visit Vagator.
Arambol Beach
Location
About 12 Kms from Chopdem, to the north-west of Mapusa. Its one of the beaches on the northern side of Goa.The Arambol beach is known for its scenic beauty and landscapes. There is a green stretch of coconut and cashew trees near the beach. The beach was famous for the hippies that used to frequent here and for the wildest of parties hosted. The beach is also good for swimming. It is less crowded with tourists and hence one can see and interact with the local folks and know more about their culture. The sand is lovely and clean and looks relatively untouched. If you are someone who likes to be alone with the nature, Arambol is perfect for you!
Things to See
There are various facilities available for the adventurous like dolphin watching, boat riding and parachute-gliding etc. You can even try out some fishing with the local folk. And if you like starfish, you’ll find plenty of them in the water at Arambol. You can even check out the freshwater lake and hot springs nearby.
Reaching Arambol
- The easiest way to reach Arambol beach is to take a bus from Mapusa or Chopdem.
- Buses are available at regular intervals all day long.
- From Chopdem it takes around forty minutes to reach Arambol.
- For traveling within the area, motorbikes or taxis can be hired.
Accommodation
Accommodation at Arambol is not as good as other places in Goa. There are a few guest houses near the beach which you can rent out if you wish to stay there. A better idea would be to check in somewhere else and just visit Arambol.
Bogmalo Beach
Location
Bogmalo Beach is about 18 kms away from the Dabolim International Airport. It is located 8 kms to the north-west of Vasco da Gama.If you love scuba diving, then Bogmalo is the perfect place for you. This beach in Goa is famous with diving enthusiasts. There’s the famous Oberoi Hotel nearby which is known for its luxury and great facilities. There are some good beach shacks and restaurants nearby where you can just chill out and enjoy the sea.
Things to See
Nearby the beach is the Naval Aviation Museum. The museum showcases some old aircrafts of the Indian Navy. There’s also a Jet flight simulator which attracts a lot of visitors. For the novice divers there’s a new dive school that offers short term diving courses. Also at Joet’s Guesthouse a British firm provides guided dive tours of the nearby shipwrecks and coral reefs to amateurs.
Reaching Bogmalo
- Bogmalo is easily reachable by bus from Vasco da Gama, Panaji and Margao.
- Taxis, auto rickshaws and motorbikes are also easily available.
Accommodation
It can be difficult to just check into any hotel or guesthouse in Bogmalo without prior booking. Hence it is better to make arrangements beforehand. The Bogmalo Beach Park Plaza, Coconut Tree, Tulip Star Bogmalo Beach Resort are some good places to stay. There are also a few other hotels and guesthouses offering cheap accommodation.
Benaulim Beach
Location
To the south of Colva Beach, around 8 Kms away from Margao.Benaulim is one of the quietest beaches in Goa. It’s relatively undiscovered by tourists and hence not very crowded. The beach is quiet famous for fishing. Hindu mythology describes Benaulim as the place where Lord Parsurama’s arrow landed when he created Goa.
Things to See
Benaulim is the perfect place if you just want to relax and do nothing at all. You can just laze around lying on the soft and clean sand doing nothing. There are also some food joints nearby that serve snacks and drinks. So there isn’t really any need to go the restaurant to order anything. Just catch hold of the waiters that are roaming all over the beach and place your order and you’ll get your food right there! There’s also Our Lady of Mercies Church which you can visit.
Reaching Benaulim
- Get on a bus from Margao.
- It’s less than half an hour’s drive from Margao.
- Hire a bike or car to move around in the nearby areas.
Accommodation
There are plenty of budget hotels and guesthouses that you can check in to near Benaulim. Besides, the L’Amour Beach Resort, Rosario’s Inn and the Camilson Beach Resort are also a good choice.
Palolem Beach
Location
Palolem is about 5 Kms to the north-west of Chauri and 3 kms from the Canacona Railway Station on the Konkan Railway.Palolem is full of white sand on its crescent bay. There’s also a small island nearby the beach. If you want to get there you can try asking the local fishermen to ferry you there. If you are lucky enough, you might even get to go there for free! If asked, the fishermen even take you a bit deeper in to the sea and show you the dolphins.
Things to See
Palolem has some good shacks and restaurants serving tasty snacks and sea food. There are also some shops nearby where you can buy the unique Goan clothes that come in all kinds of bright colors.
Reaching Palolem
- Reaching Palolem is easy.
- It’s about 3 kms from the Canacona Railway Station on the Konkan Railway.
- Buses are available from Margao to Palolem at regular intervals.
- You can even hire a taxi or an auto rickshaw from Margao about 40 kms from Palolem.
Accommodation
The Palolem Beach Resort, The Gaitonde’s Tent Resort and The Hi-Tide Beach Huts are a good choice. There are also a few guest houses and cheaper hotels nearby where you can lodge holidays on palolem beaches
Miramar Beach
Location
Miramar Beach is the nearest from Panaji. Located just about 3 kms away from the capital, Miramar is one of the most famous Goa beaches."Miramar" in Portuguese means to view the sea. Miramar is definitely the most crowded beach in Goa. Due to its proximity to the capital of Goa – Panaji, this Goa beach gets the maximum number of tourists and even local visitors. You can have a wonderful view of the Fort Aguada from Miramar Beach. The beach was earlier known as Gasper Dias beach. The Raj Bhavan is all lit up in the evening and looks amazing from the beach.
Things to See
Miramar Beach is just about 1 Km away from Dona Paula. You can just hire a taxi or auto rickshaw or even walk all the way to Dona Paula. You can enjoy the spectacular view of the Mandovi River merging into the Arabian Sea. Miramar beach is full of shops, stalls and restaurants in and around it. You can go about experimenting the spicy Indian delicacies or shop for some jewellery, handicrafts, clothes and artwork. You can even go for some fishing and hire a kayak etc.
Reaching Miramar
- Miramar beach is well connected to all the places in Goa.
- It is just about 3 kms away from Panaji, so buses, taxis, auto rickshaws and motorbikes all are available in plenty.
Accommodation
The Miramar Beach Resort, El Paso, Blue Bay, Hotel Goa International etc are some of the good hotels in Goa Miramar Beach. There are numerous other budget hotels and guesthouses in Goa Miramar beach that offer cheap accommodation.
Sinquerim Beach
Location
About 13 Kms to the north-west of Panaji is the Sinquerim beach.It has a vast stretch of firm white sand that extends till the Baga beach in the north. So if you enjoy taking long walks on a beach full of clean white sand, Sinquerim beach is as good as it can get. The sea here is also relatively calmer. No wonder you’ll find a lot of swimmers here. You can swim here in the clean and clear water to your hearts content. The view around the beach will definitely catch your attention.
Things to See
Nearby the Sinquerim beach is the historic Aguada Fort which was built by the Portuguese in the early 17th century. The Taj Heritage Complex is a 5 star hotel located around the Fort Aguada. It is adjacent to the Aguada beach so you can just walk your way up to the Aguada beach.
Reaching Sinquerim
- If you are traveling alone, motorbikes are the best bet.
- There are also a number of buses and taxis available from Panaji.
- It should take you around half an hour from Panaji to reach there.
Accommodation
If you can’t live without luxury and can pay for it, then The Taj Aguada Heritage Hotel and the Taj Holiday village is the right choice.
Cavelossim Varca Beach
Location
Cavelossim is 18 kms away from Margao. Goa Varca is about 5 kms to the south of Benaulim Beach.Cavelossim and Varca are the less frequented beaches of Goa. The beaches are extremely clean with soft and white sand all around. There are also a few lava rocks on the beach that make it easily distinguishable from the other beaches in Goa. You can find a lot of beach shacks around that offer good service. One can relax; get a tan under the bright sun and clear sky. There’s also some good sea food being served at the nearby restaurants.
Things to See
The Goa Varca and Cavelossim beaches are famous for the Dolphins. One can get on a boat trip for some dolphin watching. Prior bookings and reservations can be done for the same. This makes the Goa Varca and Cavelossim beaches amongst the famous tourist places in Goa. You can even hire a catamaran or kayak and enjoy the sea. Varkala Beach
Reaching Cavelossim Varca
- Take a bus ride from Margao or hire a taxi or auto rickshaw from Margao.
- Motorbikes are another option.
Accommodation
Beach resorts like the Four Seasons Resort, The Leela Palace, Dona Sylvia and the Holiday Inn Resort. Besides these, there are a few good cheaper hotels and resorts that offer budget accommodation. goa beach tour.
Agonda Beach
Location
Agonda is around 12 Kms to the south of Cabo de Rama.There is absolute calmness at Agonda beach. There are a few or no tourists at all at Agonda. One of the reasons for the beach being less crowded is that it’s not easily accessible by road or other transport. It is slightly away from the main road and hence no buses operate on this route. There are no fancy hotels, shacks and restaurants nearby the beach. If you are looking for an escape from the mundane world, Agonda beach gives just that.
Things to See
There’s nothing much to do at Agonda. There are little or no facilities available. You can just take a nice walk and hear the sea breeze. It is the ideal place to be when you want a long walk with your loved ones. Swimming is also not advisable. You can hire a tent and have a camp fire at night.
Reaching Agonda
- Reaching Agonda is not easy.
- There are no transport facilities available for Agonda.
- The best way is to hire a taxi, auto rickshaw or a motorbike from Cabo de Rama, Chauri or Margao to get there.
Accommodation
The best idea would be to hire a guesthouse nearby. If you plan to stay just for the night then hiring a tent would be a nice idea.
Dona Paula Beach
Location
Dona Paula Beach is located about 7 kms away from Panaji.Dona Paula Beach was named after Dona Paula de Menezes who was the daughter of then Viceroy of Goa. The story goes that Dona Paula jumped from the cliff when she was not allowed to marry Gasper Dias, a local fisherman. Dona Paula Beach is also known as the Lover’s Paradise. The place has a beautiful statue of Dona Paula which is a very famous tourist attraction.
Things to See
Dona Paula is the best place to be if you like water sports. The Dona Paula Sports Club offers excellent facilities like motorboats, water scooters and cycle boats etc. You can even go for water-skiing, ski-biscuit, yachting, skibob and para-sailing. You can even visit the Governor’s house known as the Cabo Raj Niwas, The National Oceanography Institute and the Marine Biology Museum.
Reaching Dona Paula
- Buses are available every 15 minutes from Panaji.
- It takes just about 20 minutes from Panaji to reach Dona Paula.
- Taxis, motorbikes and auto rickshaws are all easily available.
Accommodation
The Goa Highridge Leisure, Mirabel Resort, Dona Paula Beach Resort and Prainha Cottages are some of the good places to stay. Guest houses and villas are also available for hire nearby the beach.
