Top 10 Tourist Places in Goa
No matter how many times you visited Goa, it isn’t easier to explain about Goa famous tourist spots and spectacular attractions in words. Goa is blended with unmatchable natural gorgeousness of beaches, sea-side Palm trees, forts, pubs, clubs, parties, Churches, climate, and huge gathering of foreigners makes Goa the best tourist place in India. This uniqueness, magnetism, and popularity of Goa (smallest state of India) make it one of the best honeymoon and holiday destinations in the world.
So today, I am going to share the best 10 of top
tourist places of Goa and things to do with their latest detail information. However, there is lots of information available online about Goa and its popular beaches & holiday spots with specific blog post, but here I’ll try to cover set of all unbeaten Goa attractions in this single travel guide, and will try to stumble upon why you should must visit Goa at least once in life Let’s check it-
Goa Tourist Attractions: Best Places to Visit
- Palolem BeachNone can deny Palolem beach is the one of the top visited, most beautiful, best picturesque, and the most prominent tourist attractions to visit in Goa. Located in Chaudi town South Goa, the specialty of this tourist place is to deliver the large white sand coast, beautiful palm tree surrounding, less crowd (because too far from Panaji), clean & clear water which is safe for swimming, awesome beach side night experience, amazing food joints, and the perfect honeymoon spot for couples for photography as well as drink & listen the blue ocean waves. What more you can expect from Palolem Beach Goa as a tourist? It has all to offer what a foreigner as well as local tourist may expect from Goa.But still if you don’t believe, you can assume about the popularity & beauty of this place as it has been featured in many popular Hollywood movies and TV shows. So if you’re planning a trip to Goa, I suggest don’t miss Palolem Beach. It is paradise for fun, calm, and beaches lovers.
- Anjuna Beach
Again a well-known, bit different, most visiting and the best late night beaches Party Places of Gao, which is famous for its spectacular natural attractiveness, beautiful coastline, water sports, sea foods, bars, trance parties, and the most famous Wednesday flea market. Anjuna is landmark of hippies as well as abroad visitors. It’s easier to find party place at Anjuna beach because of its popularity, but if you’re visiting there during Charismas week to New Year, it become too much crowed in this season as the huge numbers of tourist from all over the world comes to Goa for enjoy the Anjuna beach colorful parties.
However, it is also the best time to visit and enjoy at Anjuna beach. So, Anjuna is definitely a top recommendation from my end, doesn’t matter you’re a couple, honeymooner, or a group of youngsters; Anjuna beach can’t be neglect if you’re in Goa for tourism or vacation.
- Dona Paula
It may not any overstatement if I say Dona Paula is the paradise among Goa travelers. And why not, the meets of two beautiful rivers ‘Mandovi’ & ‘Zuari’, and the evidence of Portuguese historical monuments make it the most visiting and all time best idyllic tourist attraction of Goa. However, whitewashed statue is the main attraction of Dona Paula, but tourist mostly visit Dona Paula for its renowned beautiful rocky beaches and water sports activities like swimming, yachting, boating, water scooters, wind surfing, para-sailing and fishing.
There are also some nearby places in Dona Paula which you shouldn’t discard, and one of them is Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. This place is heaven for bird lovers, but avoid walk in forest as you may lose the thrilling experience and the beauty of this trip. Take river ride, and go inside the jungle to catch the spectacular sight of migratory birds and crocodiles.
- Dudhsagar Waterfalls
I’m sure every Indian (traveler) is well-aware about Goa’s most attractive, prominent, and ideal picnic spot Dudhsagar Waterfalls. Situated in Bhagwan Mahavir wildlife sanctuary, 60 km. from Panaji on Karnataka-Goa border, Dudhsagar is a must-stop tourist place in Goa where beautiful white water slips down like a drunken snake over 300 meters high spread rocker hills, and becomes more fast and furious during monsoon season in Goa Western Ghats. Lush green forest surroundings, black rocks unrivalled attractiveness, and its wonderful panorama with full of amazing charms may crazy to anyone for a while.
You can also plan a forest trip in the Sanctuary to meet with some Indian species as migratory Birds, Deer, Sambar, Panther, Langur, Tigers(occasionally, but I’m not sure), and very famous King cobras.
However, there are many ways to reach Dudhsagar Waterfalls, but I suggest you experience the breathtaking Railway trekking to reach there. And one more thing, the forest department will charge around 50 INR to enter & visit near/around waterfall.
5. Casino Royale Cruise Goa
Casino Royale, an ultimate and must go tourist spot in Goa for bachelors, youngers, elders, casino lovers and liquor hunters. Casino Royale is the cruise’s of Goa which provide the unbeaten experience to travelers that any tourist place can’t deliver anyway in entire Goa; even can’t compete with the popularity and amusement of Casino Royale.
As the name seems, Casino Royale offers Goa’s best places to play Casino games e.g. Indian Flush, Baccarat, Texas Hold’em Poker, Blackjack, Roulette, & Money Wheel, and the best thing about this thrilling place is that you will get free unlimited drink, snacks, and buffet. It will cost you around 1500 INR (per person, weekdays) and 2000 INR (per person, weekend) to enter in Casino Royale Cruise. In this amount you will have to spend token of 1000 INR (minimum) for games, and rest is Casino fee. Apart from this, you don’t need to pay a single penny for drinks and snacks; all are free until you are alive
So if you want some thrilling or casino activities/
things to do in Goa, Casino Royale is a
must visit place in Goa for fun.
6. Bom Jesus Basilica/ St Francis Xavier Church
Located in Old Goa, St Francis Xavier Church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and oldest church in India, which is famous of its divinity and finest paradigm of Baroque architecture.
Bom Jesus is one of the most famous and top visited Church in the world which must be visited by every Goa traveler to feel the spirituality, calmness, trustiness, and experience the architectural art of this master piece. What more I can say about this religious paradigm only this, it is the center of Goa religious attraction and can never be unseen.
However, I’m not going to discuss the history, value, faith and spirituality of this holy place as it would go beyond the scope of this Goa travel blog post. Better to check here to know all about this ancient Church and its heritage history.
7. Fort Aguada
The evidence of Goa’s Portuguese history and the art of magnificent architectural, Fort Aguada is the largest and one of the oldest forts of Goa, built in 1609-1612 to protect Goa from hidden enemies attack and supplying clean water to the ships passing through the great Arabian Ocean. But now, Fort Aguada is the main landmark of Goa tourism and the top visiting historical site by every Goa traveler. It is always exciting and incredible experience to watch the deep-ocean’s waves and natural panorama from a historical site. A thirteen meter (42.5 feet) high lighthouse and the beautiful view of bastions with the fabulous sea surrounding is the unique attraction of Fort Aguada.
However, one thing I will have to say here about Fort Aguada is that Fort is not well maintained as per its importance, magnificence and history. But still it is some of the best
place in Goa for photography and energetic charm.
- Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception
Well known as Panjim Church, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church is the main entrance of the capital city of Goa, Panaji. And without doubt, it is the most beautiful Church and one of the greatest Goa tourism destinations, which is visited by almost every traveler to glimpse the entire street view of the beautiful Panaji city from the high point of this wonderful church. The gorgeous exterior & simple yet wonderful interior is the center of attraction of this holy site, and this awesomeness and attractiveness attracts Bollywood too! that’s why lots of superhit hindi movies have been shot here. So, it is highly recommended to take a break to old Goa and experience the importance of this religious and picturesque location.
.9. Mangeshi Temple
Located in Mangeshi/Mangueshim village (21 kilometer away from Panaji City), Mangeshi Temple is the most important
place to visit in Goa. However, this temple is only 400 years old (refurbishment), but the mythology of eras make it the most famous and top visiting religious place in Goa.
Truly dedicated to the very different structure of Lord Shiva (as Mangueshi), this spiritual place is the most elegant temple in Goa which consist 7 storied deepastambha (lamppost), a huge courtyard, and an outstanding water tank which is supposed as the oldest part of this holy place. Click
here to know more about the history, deities, and rituals of this beautiful temple.
One more thing, I heard from someone (of-course, one of local citizens) that entry has been prohibited for foreigners into the temple for their vulgar and objectionable costumes as it is not a place for fun, but for concentration, prayer, peace, spirituality, and devotion!
10 .
Three Kings Church
Millions of people visit to Goa every year, but very limited numbers of traveler know about this famous haunted place. Located 2 kilometer (few minutes of drive) from Velsao beach South Goa, Three Kings Church is one of the most haunted places in Goa. However this is a truly scenic place too before the sunset, from where you can watch the blue ocean waves with the border of palm trees, and the spectacular 360° views of beautiful Goa. But, it is mostly closed from early of the evening due to some scary stories and horror experience of the huge numbers of local citizens and travelers. But you can see travel there around & near church for beautiful evening view and peace.
However I shall not recommend this place after sunset, but during the day you can’t miss that historical church.
That’s it. The list of the Goa’s most popular tourist places and things to do has been done here. So if you find this blog informative and helpful, kindly share with others.
If you have any relevant query or feedback, use comment box. I’ll glad to hear from you.
