Goa is know for its magnificent natural beauty, serene beaches and a happening night life. It is popular tourist destination as Goa has a lot to offer from beautiful beaches to the mouth-watering Goan cuisine.

Goa is a perfect location for travelers seeking a blend of laid back vacation, culture, many off beat spots. Goa has something to offer for every type of traveler. In this blog let’s dive into what this coastal paradise has to offer.

 

Best Places to visit in Goa 2023

1. Mandrem Beach

This beach is know for its tranquil ambience and pristine surroundings. It is perfect for travelers seeking for a quiet and secluded experience as compared to the other popular and busy beaches of Goa like Baga or Calangute.

Mandrem Beach is an excellent spot for taking a dip in the ocean. There are many shacks on the beach where you can grab a bite to eat. Mandrem beach is know for being a nesting site for Olive Ridley Turtles.

Mandrem is also in close proximity to other popular beaches in North Goa like Ashwem Beach, Arambol Beach and also to the markets of Mapusa and Anjuna.

 

2. Old Goa :Take a step back in time…..

The Basilica of Bom Jesus is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of Goa’s most popular locations. Old Goa was the Capital during the Portuguese rule in Goa.

Take time to explore the architectural brilliance of the Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se Cathedral. The construction of Basilica of Bom Jesus was completed in 1605.

The Basilica is famous for housing the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier, a Spanish Jesuit missionary who played a crucial role in spreading Christianity in Asia. St. Francis Xavier is considered the one of the  patron Saints of Goa and every year on the 3rd of December a Grand Feast is held in his honor attracting thousands of devotees and visitors.

 

3. Chapora Fort

Located on a hill, overlooking the Arabian Sea , Chapora Fort offers beautiful views of the ocean along with nearby Vagator beach.

Chapora Fort was built by Adil Shah in 17th Century and served a as strategic location for various rulers throughout history including the Marathas and the Portuguese. The Fort was used as a defensive outpost against rivals and pirate attacks along the coastlines.

Chapora Fort has bee showcased in the popular Bollywood movie ‘Dil Chahta Hai’. The best time to visit this marvelous location is during sunset making it the perfect spot for photography and relaxation.

Chapora Fort is just 30 minutes away from Mapusa market. There is short hike leading to the Fort which is absolutely worth it once you make it up the hill.

 

4. Baga Beach

Located in North Goa, Baga Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Goa. It offers a perfect blend of leisure, watersports, nightlife and good food. Baga beach has a plethora of exquisite Clubs and is heaven for Party lovers.

There are quite a lot of water activities at  reasonable prices you can indulge in, like jetski, parasailing and many more. The shores of Baga has a huge array of Restaurants and Shacks offering mouth watering Seafood.

Baga Beach is located around 25 minutes from Mapusa Market.

 

5. Aguada Fort

Aguada Fort was built by the Portuguese in the 17th century between 1609 to 1612. The forts is located in a strategic site on the Mandovi river’s estuary.

The lighthouse situated in within the complex of the Fort was constructed in 19th century and is still operational guiding ships along the coast. Aguada Fort is popular amongst tourist as its delivers picturesque views of the Arabian Sea and Mandovi River.

The best time to visit this breath-taking location is during the sunset as you can enjoy the beautiful coastline whist taking a ton of pictures.

Agiada Fort is situated around 18 km away from Panaji, the capital city of Goa.

 

6. Shri Mangueshi Temple

Shri Mangueshi Temple is situated in Ponda, Goa dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Mangesh. The temple dates back to the 17th century when it was originally built in Cortalim but was later relocated to Ponda due to the threat of destruction by the Portuguese.

One of the highlights of the temple is that of the ‘Palkhi’ Procession during which devotees offer their prayers and seek blessing from the deity.

Mangueshi temple is located 30 minutes away from Panaji city and is easily accessible by road.

 

7. Butterfly Beach

The last but not the least best spot to visit while in Goa is the Butterfly beach located in South Goa. The beach is bound by lush greenery and its soft golden sand making it the perfect location to take a step back from the hustle-bustle of the city life and relax in the tranquility of nature.

The beach is visited by a wide variety of butterflies which inspired the name of the beach. The beach is a relatively untouched and hence it is recommended to carry water, snacks and other essentials.

Butterfly beach is accessible by boat from Palolem or by hiking through the forests on well formed trails. It is around 20 minutes drive, away from Palolem.

Note: It is a request to all the tourists visiting Goa to help maintain the natural beauty of Goa and to avoid littering in all the spots mentioned above.