Top 15 Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in Goa

Goa stands in contrast with the other bustling urban areas of India with its golden sand beaches, tangled palm trees reaching the sky, and laid-back atmosphere. This seaside haven feels like a vacation within a holiday, even for a brief visit. Goa's natural beauty and tranquility will revive you, and its full calendar of events and activities will keep you busy while you're not there.

Two well-known coastal locations that draw tourists to Goa from all over the world are Colva Beach and Palolem Beach. But Goa is among the most well-liked travel destinations in India for reasons other than only its beaches. There are intriguing spice farms, historic churches and temples, vibrant wildlife, and regional cuisine with Portuguese influences.

Popular Beaches

Beaches are important among Goa's attractions, making it one of the top travel destinations in India.

A day is typically spent at Palolem Beach in south Goa, a crescent-shaped length of white sand that views out onto the Arabian Sea. Palolem Beach offers a variety of things to keep you occupied while yet being a fantastic place to relax and take in the view. You can go swimming, kayaking, practicing yoga, or going on trips to see dolphins. Palolem's charming coco huts, which are built at the beginning of the busy season, provide an additional choice for a place to sleep.

Colva Beach is another of Goa's most well-known beaches, especially among visitors from India. There are swaying palms and a long stretch of bronze sand there, where tourists occasionally come across herds of cows lazing in the sun. You may hire Jet Skis, embark on an exhilarating banana boat trip, and go parasailing to get a bird's eye perspective of the beach.

Beaches off the Beaten 

While the renowned beaches in Goa are famed for their breathtaking landscape, they may get crowded during the high season, which makes some visitors long for a more sedate natural haven. Goa, fortunately, is teeming with lesser-known beach attractions and activities that let you escape the crowds of tourists while still enjoying the splendour of the sand and waves.

Butterfly Beach is one of Goa's best-kept secrets. It has a sloping sand area bordered by stones that forms a picture-perfect cove teeming with butterflies and flowers. It's a terrific place to observe dolphins swimming in the distance.

To get to Butterfly Beach, you'll need to take a boat from Palolem Beach or Agonda Beach or go on a strenuous forest hike. However, the challenges in getting there tend to thin out the crowds. You might even be alone in the space.

Despite being more developed than Butterfly Beach, Utorda Beach is nevertheless a lovely getaway from the more crowded beaches in the Goa region. It has fine sand, clear, blue sea, and a few modest beach shacks. As you wade into the water, keep an eye out for any little starfish.

Tanshikar's Working Spice Farm

Cloves, cardamom, and black pepper are just a few of the numerous spices that are famously farmed in South India. These natural flavorings were a major draw when Portuguese traders landed in Goa hundreds of years ago.

By visiting Tanshikar's Working Spice Farm & Ecological Rest House, visitors can learn more about the local spice scene. Seven different spices are grown at this agritourism destination utilizing only organic farming practices: pepper, vanilla, nutmeg, turmeric, cardamom, and chile.

You may learn more about these flavor-packed crops and have a chance to examine some of the other goods, like betelnut, coffee beans, pineapple, and banana, that are cultivated on the farm during tours of the facility, which are frequently led by the owner. Additionally, Tanshikar raises bees and makes its natural honey.

Portuguese-Indian Restaurants

Goa's cuisine is a top draw. This region of India is distinguished from the rest of India by its unique cuisine, which combines Goan and Portuguese cuisines. The food will likely have hot flavors, recently caught seafood and lots of coconuts.

Vindaloo, a fiery beef curry cooked with palm vinegar and dried red chili peppers, is considered to be the national food of Goa and must be tried before leaving. Tourists are wowed by the delectable vindaloo at Hospedaria Venite in Goa's capital, Panaji. Another go-to place for vindaloo is Dominick, a fixture at Benaulim Beach, which also has prime viewing areas for spectacular sunsets.

Xacuti, a thick curry with poppy seeds, chile, and coconut, is another Goan specialty. Try it at the popular Fat Fish restaurant in Baga or the seaside Souza Lobo in Calangute.

Goa offers an abundance of fresh seafood options for tourists. On Utorda Beach, Zeebop serves mouthwatering fish curries, prawn stew, and mackerel covered in a fiery red sauce.

Basilica de Bom Jesus

While many visitors come to Goa to enjoy the beaches, a large number of others go there as part of a pilgrimage to revered religious sites like the Basilica de Bom Jesus.

The bones of St. Francis Xavier are housed at this Old Goa landmark, which dates to the late 16th century. Together with his friend St. Ignatius Loyola, the "Apostle of the Indies" established the Society of Jesus religious order and led a significant mission in India. Since 1999, the basilica has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Doric, Corinthian, and Baroque styles are combined with elaborate carvings to create the understated yet imposing edifice. It's interesting to note that the church is the only one in Goa without plaster because the building's lime plaster was removed in the middle of the 20th century.

You can take a self-guided tour of the church or pay a nominal charge to use one of the private guides who are stationed near the entrance. The body of the local saint is housed inside a former precious stone-covered casket, together with enormous ornate screens. It is a captivating location that will take you back in time.

Every year in late November and early December, the Feast of St. Francis Xavier draws a sizable crowd to this church.

Dudhsagar Falls

In Goa, aquatic adventures extend beyond the beach. The state is also home to the magnificent Dudhsagar Falls, a four-tiered waterfall that soars 310 meters above the surface of the planet. It is one of India's tallest waterfalls and a frequently visited spot for day trips in Goa and Karnataka.

To go to the falls, you'll need to take a taxi or the railway to the community of Colem. You could occasionally be able to see Dudhsagar Falls depending on the railway route you select. Then, when you ride in a shared car through the jungle and past Devil's Canyon, you will.

Anjana Market

There are many marketplaces in Goa, but none have the energy or variety of goods as Anjuna Market does. Every Wednesday for about 50 years, hundreds of sellers set up shop on Anjuna Beach to entice free-spirited tourists with handicrafts and trinkets inspired by the hippy movement.

You can find anything you need here, including elaborate fabrics, woven bikinis, God sculptures, dreamcatchers, hammocks, magnets, t-shirts with snarky slogans, beaded jewelry, and toys.

Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception

Visit the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, one of Goa's medieval churches, by traveling to the laid-back city of Panaji.

In the early 17th century, the spotless white chapel is perched atop a winding staircase that looks like the tiers of a wedding cake. Awe-inspiring Portuguese Baroque architecture may be seen throughout. The church appears magical at night thanks to the twinkling lights.

Braganza House

Visit Braganza House, a historic home that flanks the Chandor village square, to see what residences in Goa looked like in the 17th century. It has an east and a west wing, both of which visitors are welcome to explore at their leisure.

The Pereira-Braganza family resides in the east wing. It has a large ballroom with a magnificent marble floor and a modest chapel with a fingernail belonging to St. Francis Xavier. The worldwide objects and antiques that fill this area of Braganza House are abundant.

Mahadev Temple

Mahadev Temple, which is about 12 kilometers north of Molem, offers visitors a chance to witness a building that dates back to the 12th century. It was able to endure centuries of Muslim and Portuguese colonial conquests thanks to its distant position. According to legend, there is a resident king cobra at the black basalt temple, which was constructed to worship Lord Shiva. Enter to view the intricate carvings made by artisan carvers, such as the lotus blossom on the ceiling.

Palácio do Deão

When you visit Palácio do Deo, you won't believe how delighted you were about Braganza House. The more than 200-year-old palace in Quepem has been brought back to its former splendour. Its building is a fusion of Portuguese and Indian styles. The historic home's game room and library, both loaded with priceless books, are open to visitors.

Additionally, the property has expansive tropical gardens, which are a nice spot to spend an afternoon. For afternoon tea on the patio, think about making reservations ahead of time.

Mangeshi Temple

At Mangeshi Temple, a stunning spiritual destination that has been in existence for around 450 years, Goa's distinctive culture and heritage are prominently displayed. The seven-story tower in the pastel blue, gold, and white temple is dedicated to Manguesh, one of the numerous manifestations of the Hindu god Shiva. The most ancient portion of this religious site is supposed to be a hallowed pool of water surrounded by temple buildings.

At the temple, you can observe worship ceremonies called pujas every day. On Mondays, if you're there, you can see the Manguesh idol being carried in a musical procession in the late afternoon or early evening.

Fontainhas 

Put on your coziest pair of walking shoes and head to Panjim to see one of Asia's only Latin neighborhoods, Fontainhas. Colonial homes and cottages with pastel and neon-colored façades can be found in the UNESCO-recognized Heritage Zone in Goa, which was once the administrative center for the Portuguese government. Every year, following the monsoon season, each house receives a fresh coat of paint to keep it looking colorful for guests. The Fountain of Phoenix, which gave the area its name, is a must-see.

You can go exploring on your own or sign up for a walking tour to get a deeper understanding of this intriguing neighborhood's history.

Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary

Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary should be the first stop on any wildlife enthusiast's itinerary when visiting Goa. The Malabar giant squirrel, wild boar, black leopard, Bengal tiger, Molem National Park, the state bird of Goa, slender loris, Indian rock python, and ruby-throated yellow bulbul all call the state's largest protected wildlife area, which covers 240 square kilometers, home.

You'll have a better chance of seeing these animals if you hire a guide through a travel agency and go to the refuge early in the day or late at night. The natural wonders of Dudhsagar Falls and Devil's Canyon are visible during the day.

Reis Magos Fort

Reis Magos Fort, which dates to 1493, was formerly a fortification built as a line of defense to guard the region's former capital, Goa Velha. The fort is now a popular destination in Goa for travelers wishing to escape the beaches and explore the state's interesting history.

The location has a colorful background that includes serving as a hospital, a jail, and a military station. Visitors can take in the stunning views of the Mandovi River, cannons, and a small museum exhibit on the history of the fort.

After your visit, visit Reis Magos Church, the town's second well-known landmark. Only a small number of churches in Goa hold processions and reenactments for the Feast of the Three Kings, one of which is the immaculate white church (Epiphany).