WATCHING SUNRISE ON THE BEACH OF GOA WILL MAKE YOU LOST IN HEAVEN
Goa is a state on the southwestern coast of India within the Konkan region, geographically separated from the Deccan highlands by the Western Ghats. It is surrounded by the Indian states of Maharashtra to the north and Karnataka to the east and south, with the Arabian Sea forming its western coast. It is India’s smallest state by area and its fourth-smallest by population.
Popular Places to Visit in Goa
Anjuna Beach
Goa is one of the most toured places in India. Anjuna, a small village on the North coast of Goa, is amongst those few Goas sightseeing places which receives a lot of tourists. The Anjuna Beach is arguably amongst the best beaches in India. The beach has the perfect picturesque background with hills.
The beach is blessed with beautiful red laterite rock. Hundreds of people visit the Anjuna Beach every day and enjoy themselves by relaxing on the beach. A flea market is held on every Wednesday in the Anjuna beach. People from all around the state come to this flea market as one can get amazing products at really cheap prices here.
Calangute Beach
The largest beach in Goa, Calangute Beach is also affectionately known as the “Queen of Beachesâ€. It is among the top ten beaches in the world, which means it is one of the tourist places in Goa that you should not miss. It is a big, serene beach with activities enough to fill your mind for the entirety of your trip. The beach alone is a great attraction for tourists. The beach is ideal for both the options, lying down in the sand without the fear of being run over or trying your hand at some water sports.
Water Sports: Calangute offers the best in water sports- enjoy kayaking, sailing, wind-surfing, water snorkelling, water-skiing, and fishing here. Parasailing is also a sport you can indulge in.
Dudhsagar Waterfalls
The Dudhsagar Waterfalls are situated on the Goa-Karnataka border and are one of India’s must-see sights. The four-tiered waterfall structure is one of the tallest in India and is located on the Mandovi River. The white-water cascades down from a height of nearly 1017 feet off a nearly steep mountain face. They form a part of the Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park, so the best way to reach them is by entering the national park and taking a van allocated by the park to the falls.
The Dudhsagar trek inside the park is closed to the public but you can still reach the waterfalls by trekking from Kulem and following the jeep trail. Another possible route is the trek from Castle Rock in Karnataka. Reaching the waterfalls will not be an easy task but it is one that is worth every ounce of effort put into it. They are best experienced during the monsoons as they lose their force during the dry season.
Fort Aguada
Another heritage from the Portuguese, Fort Aguada has been standing stern on the beach facing the Arabian Sea from 1612 when it was built in order to provide defence against the invading Dutch and the Marathas. It was a grand old fort in its time with the capacity to hold 79 cannons among other weapons of defense. It was one of the prized possessions of the Portuguese. Today, it stands as famous Goa sightseeing places dividing the Sinquerium Beach and Candolim Beach.
There is an old lighthouse standing within the fort which was built in 1864, the oldest lighthouse of its shape and size in India. Fort Aguada is a great place to explore when you are out visiting the Candolim or Sinquerium Beaches. The architecture gives a good insight into the building techniques of old Portuguese architects and it has some amazing views you should really see. The old fort provides a good view of the sea and the sunset is reckoned to be lovely.
Baga Beach
Baga Beach is the most famous of all Goa sightseeing places and as a tourist visiting Goa you really haven’t been to Goa if you haven’t been to Baga. Full to the brim with activities you can indulge in, Baga Beach and its surrounding areas will not give you time to get bored. There is always something exciting going on here. In the morning, the beach is a great place to lounge in, soak in the sun and interact with tourists from all over the world.
Night is the time when the beach virtually comes alive. Lots of great party options make Baga Beach an amazing beach to party the night away. Tito’s, Café Mambo, Kandy Club and many more clubs make Baga beach a party haven every night.
Water Sports: Baga Beach is best-known for its jet skiing, parasailing, banana ride and boating water- sports.
Club Cubana
Club Cubana calls itself the “Nightclub in the Skyâ€. It is an appropriate name for a club located in a remote location on top of the Arpora hill in North Goa and it is also top places to visit in Goa. But though remote, Club Cubana is a great attraction for partygoers. It has revolving flash lights which throw their colourful lights all over the neighbourhood all night long, thereby attracting customers. There is a spacious dance floor where you can groove to the beats and there is also a swimming pool with a lounge which adds to the feeling of luxuriousness that characterises Club Cubana.
If you are heading over to Goa with your girl gang, Wednesday is Ladies Night at Club Cubana. This means free entry and complimentary drinks for women. If a guy intends to accompany you, he will have to pay for entry. The dance floor, the lounge, and the bar are all located on different floors so you can easily pick and choose which activity to undertake first. But don’t expect great food here, you’ll only find the most basic food items to go with your drinks.
Roam at Tito’s Street
Goa is India’s favourite party place. Therefore, you simply have to visit one of the many clubs scattered around Goa on your visit there. Tito’s Street is one of the best clubs you can visit. Tito’s Street, named after the street it is located on, is a club that attracts a lot of crowds especially because of its prime location and its top-notch service. Baga beach, where the club is located, is a party hub so it is no wonder that loads of tourists find their way to Tito’s Street after sundown.
The club is known for its excellent services and this compensates amply for the slightly overpriced tags on drinks and food. The place is made up of two levels: the lower level is a dance floor with a separate dance space for couples; the upper level allows people to sit and watch the activity below while enjoying their food and drinks. The DJ is reckoned to be very good and you’re sure to get in some soul-pumping dancing on your visit.
The Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception
This is one of the most frequented places for sightseeing in Goa. The lovely church which stands tall in the capital city of Goa has had a long tryst with the past. It was first built as a chapel in 1541. Over this chapel, the larger building of the church was then constructed in 1619. It has since undergone many revisions, but the original building has remained. It draws devotees from all over the globe and has been a spiritual and geographical landmark for centuries.
Old Portuguese sailors who crossed the perilous seas safely and landed at Goa would pay their first thanks at this church. Today, this church is a gorgeous white landmark in Panaji with a lovely multicoloured interior that at once imparts peace and delight. It is at its best in December as the feast of Our lady of immaculate conception is celebrated on 8th of December followed by the Christmas and New year celebrations.
If you’re in Panaji even for a couple of hours at any time of the year, drop by this church.
Sinquerim Beach
This beach is connected to the Candolim Beach and Fort Aguada guards one end of its shore. As a result, the tourist attractions here are pretty much the same as those in Candolim. You can explore the Old Fort and the lighthouse that stands within the fort, enjoy the sunset from the fort or simply watch the waves crash on the seashore during high tide. One difference between the two beaches is that Sinquerium Beach can easily take home the prize for being the quieter and the cleaner between the two beaches.
FOOD:
Since Goa is located on the west coast of India, along the shore of the Arabian Sea, Goan cuisine is dominated by spices and flavours. The staple food of Goa is rice and fish curry. Most of the dishes incorporate coconuts, rice, fish, pork, meat and local spices like kokum. The cuisine of Goa is mostly dominated by seafood which includes shark, tuna, pomfret, and mackerel fish. Goa was a Portuguese colony prior to 1961, and hence, the Portuguese influenced most of their food.
- Goan Fish Curry
- Chicken Cafreal
- Goan Pork Vindaloo
- Chicken Xacuti
- Shark Ambot Tik
- Sorpotel
- Feijoada
- Sorak
Do visit with your family and your partner in such a heavenly environment and make a wonderful memory.
