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Goa Visiting Places
Goa Visiting Places
Located about 15 km from the capital city Panjim, this is the longest beach in North
Goa, and extends all the way from Candolim to Baga. The popularity of the beach is
such that it has been dubbed the “Queen of Beaches” in Goa and tourists flock here
from all over the world. The beach also remains busy because of the vast number of
adventure activities organized here like parasailing, jet skiing, banana boat ride and
water surfing.
The beach side is also dotted with unique eateries known as shacks where you can
enjoy sumptuous seafood as well as some cool beer and cocktails. Nightlife on
Calangute beach is an altogether unique experience filled with great music and
beach fun.
Location: North Goa
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Home to the kind of psychedelic nightlife that Goa is so famous for, Baga Beach also
hosts some of the signature places of Goa like Britto’s, Tito’s and Mambo’s around it.
It is one of the most visited beaches of North Goa with an entire range of exciting
water sports activities on offer.
Named after the ‘Baga creek’ that winds its way into the Arabian Sea, Baga lies
around 30 km from Panjim. With arcades of littles shops for some exciting street
shopping as well as designer stores along with tattoo parlors, palmistry and tarot
shops, sundecks, spas and some of the best shacks, Baga Beach is a serene place that
represents the essence of Goa within it.
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As you head towards North Goa from the capital city Panjim, you will come across
Candolim Beach just about 15 kms out. It is a part of the three party beaches in Goa,
Calangute, Baga and Candolim, but is less crowded in comparison. It draws a lot of
overseas tourists who visit here to soak in the sun, enjoy the vast variety of thrilling
water sports on offer here and revel in its pulsating nightlife.
A unique feature about Candolim that draws visitors here is the presence of scrub
dunes on the shore as well as the Ship River Princess which has been here for over
two decades after getting grounded on the shore.
Location: North Goa
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Located inside the Mollem National Park, this is one of the tallest waterfalls in the
country. The 310m high waterfall on the Mandovi River is segregated into 4 tiers and
cascades down the hillside like thick frothy milk. The literal meaning of Dudhsagar
is ‘sea of milk’ and the view that the falls present of pristine white rushing water,
completely lives up to that.
The waterfalls lie a little inland, on the Goa-Karnataka border, nearly 60 km from
Panaji. You can either reach here by jeep, hired cars or even by train on the famous
Dudhsagar Railway trek. The best time to visit Dudhsagar Falls is during the
monsoons when the falls are in full glory.
Location: Sonaulim, Goa
Timing: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
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Shri Mangueshi Temple or Mangeshi Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one
of the largest as well as most visited temples in Goa. The ancient temple built around
500 years ago draws devotees from all across the country and is known for its
stunning architecture, huge domes as well as a unique water tank. It was built in
honor of Bhagwan Manguesh, the Kuldevata of Gaud Saraswat Brahmins. The
temple also houses idols of Lord Shiva’s consort Goddess Parvati as well as Lord
Ganesha among others. Lord Shiva is represented here in the form of the Shiva
Linga.
Location: Dinanath Mangeshkar Rd, Mangeshi Village, Mardol, Goa
Timing: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
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Located on the banks of the River Bardez across Panjim, Reis Margos is the oldest
fort in the state. Built in the 15th century by the Portuguese as a defense structure,
the fort was later converted into a jail and then a hospital. After years of neglect, the
fort was overhauled from its ruinous state and restored to its present state.
Today it stands tall, a majestic edifice with red walls and visible all the way from
Panjim. It got enlisted under the Goa Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites
and Remains Act and was opened to the public in 2012. There are regular
exhibitions, fairs, performances, festivals and displays organized here to further the
local culture and tradition.
Location: Nerul - Reis Margos Rd, beside Three Kings Church, Bardez, Verem, Goa
Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, one of Goa's most prominent places to visit in
Goa with family, is located on a hilltop near Panaji. The white gleaming church is
known for its architecture and zigzagging flight of stairs to the top.
Tucked within the southern crevices of Palolem, this cozy little beach is also known
as Honeymoon Beach owing to its picturesque setting amid dense trees. The beach is
accessible mostly by ferry or boat ride from other beaches in the vicinity. It is one of
the lesser known beaches of Goa lying in a secluded corner, which in fact, adds to its
charm.
Getting to this beach by land is a challenge as you will need to hike through dense
forests, but if you are up to the adventurous trek through the forest, it makes for a
great experience. The butterfly shaped beach is enclosed by thick forest on one side
and miles of open sea on the other and is one of the only places in Goa to spot
playful dolphins.
This is one of the coolest water parks in the state as well as among the best places to
visit in Goa with family. Complete with the most exciting water activities and sports,
five different sized pools, a plethora of rides and flumes, the Splashdown Water Park
is famous for fun-filled outings especially during the hot summer days. The park
also houses a plush resort within its premises that ensures you have a luxurious and
comfortable holiday here.
Located a mere 10 minutes away from the capital Panjim as well as from Mapusa,
Splashdown is one of the most renowned, albeit offbeat destinations in Goa. It also
lies very close to the popular North Goa beach, Calangute.
One of the top coastal forts in Goa, Mormugao is a great place to visit in Goa with
family. A few kilometers from Vasco de Gama, it is located at Mormugao Fort and
has become a much liked destination among tourists for its deep history and the rich
landscape it provides of the amazing Arabian Sea.
Although most of the fort is in serious disrepair, it still holds its own by the presence
of its bulwarks and bastions that secures the area. An important feature of the fort,
that is also a reason it draws a large number of visitors, is the presence of two
stunning fountains, which according to legend, have originated from gold and
sulphur mines- the Fonte de Malabar and the Fonte Santo Ignacio.
Chapora Beach
Very close to the famous Chapora fort, lies one of the interesting places to visit in
Goa with family, the Chapora Beach. Although it is one of the lesser known beaches
in the state, it is an absolute gem because of the amazing views of the surrounding
landscape that it offers. Imbibe in the stunning serenity and peace that you will feel
here from the combination of cool turquoise waters, soft white sands, black lava
rocks and acres of palm trees.
There are several avenues of water activities you can enjoy here like paragliding,
surfing, fishing and jet skiing. By the beach side, there are umpteen eateries in quaint
beach shacks as well as some great pubs and nightclubs.
Location: North Goa
Located between Cavelossim and Agonda Beach, this 17th century Portuguese
structure is among the best places to visit in Goa with family. The fort is also
legendary because of its association with Lord Rama from the Hindu mythology
according to which the trio who were banished to 14 years of exile, Lord Rama,
Goddess Sita and Lord Laxmana, spent some time in this fort during their
wanderings.
Most parts of the ancient edifice lie in ruins today, but the views from here are
simply stunning. It was originally built in the 1760s by the Hindu Soonda rulers but
was later captured by the Portuguese who made a military base out of it and later
used it as a prison.
Timing: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Arambol Beach
Known for its beauty and serenity, Arambol is not only one of the best beaches in
North Goa but its unique Bohemian feel makes it one of the best places to visit in
Goa with family. It is still one of the lesser known beaches of Goa which in fact,
enhances its untapped and unspoiled beauty many fold.
Lying in the northernmost edges of Goa, Arambol shares its borders with Keri or
Querim Beach on one end and Morjim on the other. The terrain of the beach, which
is a combination of both rocky and sandy as well as jungles on one side and open sea
on the other, makes it a rather spectacular place. From yoga classes on the beach to
paragliding from the edge of the cliff and watching down the vibrant markets, there
is something for everyone here.
Location: North Goa
Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary
Get a chance to waddle in the richness of nature, wildlife, flora and fauna at Bondla
Wildlife Sanctuary which makes it one of the best places to visit in Goa with family.
Although it is primarily a zoo, the layout is such that it makes Bondla a typical
reserve forest. Compared to the other wildlife sanctuaries in Goa, this is one of the
smallest, albeit the most popular.
There are a number of rides, activities, trails and adventures that you can engage in
here which makes this a great place to visit in Goa with family. You can go for an
elephant ride here or just stand by and soak in the lush forest hills that form a
picture perfect backdrop to it. If you want to unwind and spend the night amid the
wilderness, take an eco-cottage on rent and rest awhile.
Timing: 9:00 AM TO 5:00 PM
Situated very close to Vasco de Gama, Bogmalo is a calm and peaceful beach known
for its cleanliness and leisurely activities. This also makes it one of the finest places to
visit in Goa with family where you can spend carefree evenings relaxing and
indulging in sumptuous fares in one of the knick knack stalls and beach shacks. You
can also get a picnic basket and sit amid swaying palm trees overlooking tranquil
turquoise waters of the sea, with your family and near ones.
Even during peak tourist seasons, the beach does not see a lot of visitors making it
an ideal place to visit in Goa with family if you are looking at spending a quiet and
quality time.
Timing: 10.00 AM to 10.00 PM
Shantadurga Temple
Dedicated to Goddess Durga, this is one of the largest temple complexes in Goa and
among the best places to visit in Goa with family. Apart from the main Shantadurga
deity, who mediates between Vishnu and Shiva, the main attraction of the temple is
also its golden palanquin which serves as the deity’s vehicle around the temple
during the Mahapanchami festival.
Constructed around 1715 AD, the temple comprises one main building and three
smaller ones with pyramidal roofs, a dome and pillars and floors made in Kashmiri
stone. After the Portuguese invasion here, the temple was shifted from Koloshi and
redone in beautiful Indo-Portuguese style that is a treat to the eyes.
Timing: 6:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Arvalem Falls
Located near the Sanquelim Beach in North Goa, this is one of the most beautiful
places to visit in Goa with family. It is also locally known as the Arvalem Falls and
has a unique feature about it. It collects into a huge pool of water near its base, one
that is almost as big as a lake. This draws tourists from far and wide as well as
picnickers who wish to spend a quiet afternoon by the water’s edge.
During the monsoon, the sight of the falls is one to behold, majestic and powerful.
However, after that it merely reduces to a trickle.
Timing: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Morjim Beach
One of the most peaceful beaches in the northern part of Goa, Morjim Beach lies near
Ashwem Beach. A key feature of this beach, which makes it one of the best places to
visit in Goa with family, is that it serves as a nesting habitat for Olive Ridley turtles.
For this reason, the Morjim Beach is also known as the Turtle Beach. It stretches
almost 3 km and is great for peaceful walks by the gently breaking waves and a
gorgeous sunset in the backdrop.
Morjim Beach is lined by quaint palm fronds, shacks and sun beds that let you spend
a lazy afternoon in this ‘Little Russia’, a moniker it earned because of the large
number of Russian travelers who visit here.
Location: North Goa
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