Goa - best destination in India
Recently we visited Goa for 3 nights & 4 days on 24th to 27th Jan 2018. It was a sudden plan and due to long weekends flight tickets cost were high and most of the resorts and beach hotels were gone sold out.
We decided to continue with our Goa plan and booked through railways, which takes overnight (14 -15 hrs ) journey from Yashwantpur railway station, Bangalore. The train stopped at Mudgaon and Vasco station.
Our hotel La Paz Garden was centrally located in Vasco town at a walkable distance from the Vasco Da Gama station. We reached in the morning at 8 am. Hotel considered us for the early check In.
By the time we took rest and freshen up, it became lunch time.
We hired a taxi and Shorted out goa sightseeing for the next 3 days.
We hired a taxi and Shorted out goa sightseeing for the next 3 days.
Local Travel Tips in Goa :
1. Rent a Bike or scooter: for 24 hrs one can rent a bike for 300/- INR, which can be hiked up 500/- and above in travel season.
2. Rent a car: One can rent a car which can cost up to 2500/-to 2800/- INR for a day, fuel charges are extra.
3. Hire a taxi with a driver who we make sure you will cover maximum point: Hiring a taxi can be the most effective way when you are in rush and cover goa in limited time.
4. Hop on buses: Hop on buses are available for north and south Goa local sightseeing. These are A/c buses with an open top. The charges are 300 INR for per person. Timings are 10 am to 6pm.
Our Goa Itinerary -
Day 1 South Goa Half Day trip (Started from 2.30 pm )
1.Baina Beach
Baina Beach was the 4-5km distance from our hotel in Vasco Da Gama. It is a peaceful and very clean beach in South Goa. There is sitting space which makes you comfortable. On the right side, there is a hill view which makes the place picturesque.
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| Baina Beach - Goa |
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| Baina Beach - Goa |
2.Japaniese Garden
On the entrance of the Japanese Garden, there is a children park, which looks like any other normal Indian park. Once you cross the park you get a beautiful view of a silent Iceland. There are around 100 steps and small entrance built with stone to reach the beach. The small entrance is called “Grandmother's hole” and many local stories are behind it. After crossing the entrance there is a ShivaTemple.
The beach is famous among locals as a picnic spot but a number of tourists were very less. The Beach is not favorable for swimming or water activities. There is a beautiful black rock formation which makes place picture perfect. If you love to see sunset then you can consider the Japanese Garden. We loved it.
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| Japanese garden-Goa-best tourist places in India |
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| sunset at Japanese garden-Goa beaches-south Goa |
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| beautiful rock patch in the Japanese garden -Goa-tourist places in India |
3.Pilot Point
Pilot Point is also Known as MPT (Muramgoan Port Trust) and situated at 3 km from Vasco Da Gama railway station. Muramgaon Port is a premier iron ore exporting port on the west coast of India. It handles the largest quantum of ore export among all the Indian Ports.
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| Muramgoan Port Trust-Goa-places to see |
4.Bagmelo Beach
Bagmelo Beach is one of the known and famous beaches in South Goa. Nearby many Hotels and resorts are available with the small local market set up. Tourist can enjoy the water activities on the clear sand and water. On the beach few restaurants and eateries are available. On one side the Coconut trees from the resorts give the beach a good view. It is tourist friendly beach, which is 8 km from Vasco Da Gama railway station and around 4km from the airport.
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| Eating Point -Bagmelo Bech-Goa-Places to visit |
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| the coconut trees at Bagmelo-Goa-Tourist friendly beach |
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| Bagmelo Beach -goa-tourist friendly place |
5.ABYSS Marine Aquarium:
ABYSS the underworld is India’s first non Governmental financed sea water aquarium project. The Aquarium is situated on NH-17 at Verna crossing. The distance from Vasco Da Gama railway station is around 14km.
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| ABYSS-Goa-Marine Aquarium-Places to see-Kids friendly |
6 .Naval Aviation Museum:
If you love to visit museum, the Indian Naval Museum is the place for you in Goa. One of the main tourist destinations in South Goa. The Naval Museum will give the sense of pride and convey the Great history of Indian Navy. Many Navy's aircraft and fighter planes are kept outside as well as their other achievements are showcased inside the building. They have listed the name of the braves, who lost their lives for Nation. It is a good place to bring kids if they are interested in the Indian Forces.
The entry fee is nominal with extra charges for cameras. The washroom facility, as well as a small eatery point, is also available. There is enough parking space in front of the museum.
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| Naval Aviation Museum in Goa |
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| Collection of Aircraft in Naval Museum-Goa |
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| best places to visit in goa |
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| places to explore in goa -the naval museum |
7.River Cruise in cartolium
River Cruise in Cartolium will complete your experience in South Goa. The evening cruise by 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm will take you inside the Zuari river with entertainment like DJ, DANCE and evening snacks. In the cold breeze, the colorful lighting and fun environment make the trip memorable. All age group can enjoy the boat. The separate restroom facility one can get on the cruise.
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| best things in Goa |
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| cruise ride at cartolium |
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| Goa -best travel destinations in India |
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| Beautiful sunset on Mandovi river -Goa |
Day 2 North Goa(Starting Timings – 10.30 am)
North goa is full of life. One can see the mixed crowd from India and abroad. It may be the few of the loved places of international tourists. The beaches, shakes, hotels, food, market, shopping, activities and what not which is not available. There are many hotels, resorts, houses, penthouses, sharing accommodations, lodges.
1.Sinquerim Beach : Scenic Sinquerim is the first beach in the series of North Goa’s beaches starting from Fort Aguada. It is 16kms from Panaji and was among the first places in Goa to be singled out for upmarket tourism and is Known for the Taj Group’s Fort Aguada Resorts. It also has facilities for water sports.
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| On the way to dolphin watch at Sinquerim Beach |
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| Beautiful Boats on the work at beach in the goa |
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| Color coordinated boats on the rest |
2.Dolphin watch : Dolphin watch is the most popular activity among tourist in Sinquerim, Candolim . Once you take the ticket at the counter, the boat will take you inside the sea and chase the dolphin. More than seeing the dolphin whole chasing activity is fun and entertaining. During the ride, you can see Aguada fort, Central Jail, and Millionaire’s Palace.
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| Dolphin watch in Goa beaches |
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| View of Old central jail from the boat |
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| Millionaire's Palace at Sinquerim |
3 Candolim beach
The peaceful beach in just north of Sinquerim. The Sinquerim –Candolim beach stretch is dotted with excellent accommodation facilities. The beach is long and straight-backed by scrub-covered dunes. It also has numerous beach café’s providing excellent and water skiing facility, besides other sports, are available here.
Candolim is around 15km from Panaji and approx. 35 km from Vasco Da Gama.
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| Candolim beach Shacks |
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| peaceful Candolim beach |
4.Aguada Fort & lamp; Light House: It is built by Portuguese between 1604-1612 to defend against the Dutch invasion. The water from the natural spring on the headland was used to meet the needs of ships cruising in and out of the Mandovi river. Agua in Portuguese means water, hence the name Aguada fort. The storage capacity in said the fort was 23,76000 gallons. The lighthouse inside the fort was abandoned in 1976.
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| light house -Aguada Fort-Goa |
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| Aguada Fort - Goa |
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| Aguada Fort -Goa |
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| Aguada Fort,Goa |
5.Calangute beach: It is 16 km s From Panaji and one of the most popular beaches of North Goa.Calangute is also known as the “Queen of Goan Beaches “. It is Goa’s most commercial and busy beaches. The water activities, life on the beach, Shacks on the beach makes it full of fun and entertaining. Beach is crowded but retains its charm. There is Changing room available on the beach as well as a crowded market for local shopping is just outside the beach.
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| The colorful sitting arrangement on Calangute beach - Goa |
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| friendly beach for all water type of water activity in Goa |
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| beautiful sunset at Calangute beach -Goa |
6.Baga : Beautiful Baga is a continuation of Calangute beach towards the north, the two beaches are so much a part of each other that their segregation is not possible. Baga is quieter and located in a picturesque setting as compared to Calangute. The beach is bounded by a wooded escarpment in the north and a fresh rivulet also named as Baga , merges into the sea here, making the location quite scenic and interesting.
Day 3 South Goa (Start Timing 10.30 am)
1.Dona Paula
Dona Paula is located on the scenic headland between the Zuari and Mandovi estuaries. It is about 9 km from Panaji. The way of reaching to Beach itself is peaceful and bring another side of Goa. It is named after Dona Paula de Menezes, whose tombstone can be seen at the Chapel in Cabo. Many Bollywood movie has been shoot on this beach one of them is Singham acted by Ajay Devgan.
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| Dona Paula -Goa |
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| Dona Paula-Goa |
2.Miramar Beach
One of the beautiful beaches in South Goa with golden sand. It has a small forest of pine trees. But it is not suitable for swimming. We saw few sea creatures on the beach as well as sandy walkway little deep in the sea . Miramar beach is one of the most visited beaches by the tourist.
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| Miramar beach-Goa |
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| Miramar Beach - Goa |
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| Miramar Beach - Goa |
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| Miramar Beach -Goa |
3.Panaji Church (Our lady of the Immaculate Conception Church)
In the heart of the Panaji city, you can see this beautiful white church. It was built in 1540, but was rebuilt from the foundation in 1619. It is modeled on the church of Reis Magos and has tall twin towers in Portuguese baroque style. The main alter is dedicated to “Nossa Senhora da Inmaculada Conceico. They have made chairs on the divider of the road, to sit and enjoy watching this beautiful history.
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| Panaji city - Goa |
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| Panaji city -Goa |
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| Panaji city -Goa |
4.Basilica of Bom Jesus,Old Goa
The beautiful and old architect will easily drag you in the past. The history lying on every brick of the Basilica.
Old Goa, the former capital and the principal city of the Portuguese eastern empire was known as the ‘Roam of the East ‘ and the ‘Pearl of the Orient’.Old Goa is studded with majestic cathedrals and monuments, reflecting the rich history and glory of the bygone area. The impressive monuments of old Goa are considered to be the finest examples of Renaissance architecture in the world.
There is a wash room facility inside it as well the place is wheelchair friendly. Out side the monument there is a local market to buy some memories from Goa.
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| Basilica of Bom Jesus -Old Goa |
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| Basilica of Bom Jesu - Old Goa |
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| Basilica of Bom Jesus -Old Goa |
I loved this place. The remain of magnificent St.Augustine Church gives the true feeling of a huge church and history behind it.
This lofty tower is the only remnant of the once magnificent Church of St.Augustin, which was built by the Augustinian friars, who arrived in Goa in 1972. The four-storeyed church had eight chapels, four altars and a convent with the number of cells. There was a 46m, tall tower, which was meant as a belfry and formed part of the façade.
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| Church and monastery of St Augustin, -Goa |
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| Church and monastery of St Augustin - Goa |
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| Church and monastery of St Augustin -Goa |
6. BalaJi Temple
Gomantak Tirupati Balaji Padmavati Temple is situated in Ponda, in Kundaim village on NH 4A. The place is peaceful and surrounded by greenery. The temple has a beautiful garden in front of it . The place has Lord Ganesha, Balaji and Padmavati temples.
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| Balaji Temple- Goa |
7Mangeshi Temple:
Mangeshi Temple is one of the beautiful and different than other Hindu temples. Mangeshi Temple for Lord Shiva. It is situated in Ponda not far away from Balaji temple.
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| Mangeshi Temple - Goa |
8.Colva Beach:
The Beaches of South Goa is more silent and peaceful compared to North Goa beaches, which are more crowded consist full of life, shacks, water sports activity, local market, tourists from across the world, beach resorts, nightlife, Pubs, bars, restaurants.
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| Colva Beach - Goa |
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| Colva Beach- Goa |
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| Colva Beach- Goa |
The different character of the beaches caters to all ages, groups of people who visit Goa with a lot of expectations.
The old monuments, churches, Putagese colonies, temples and houses reflect the past. The rich history is lying everywhere in Goa.
The Landscapes, Beaches, greenery, waterfalls complete goa and make it a must go destination for a tourist.
1.Querim Beach
2.Arambol or Harmal Beach
3. Mandem Beach
4.Morjim Beach
5.Chapora Beach
6.Vagator Beach
7.Anjuna Beach
8.Baga Beach
9.Calangute beach
10.Candolim Beach
11.Sinquerim Beach
12.Miramar Beach
13.Dona Paula Beach
14.Cansaulim Beach
15.Majorda Beach
16.Betalbatim Beach
17.Colva Beach
18.Benaulim Beach
19.Varca & Cavelossim Beaches
20.Mobor Beach
21.Betul Beach
22.Agonda Beach
23.Palolem Beach
24.Galigibaga Beach
25.Polem Beach
Forts of Goa:
Aguada Forts & Light House
Reis Magos Fort
Churches Of Goa :
1.Panaji Church
2.Old Goa
3.St.Augustine Tower
4.Mae De Deus Church, Saligao
5.Church Of Our Lady Of Mercy
Temples of Goa:
1.Shri Mangueshi Temple
2.Shri Shantadurga Temple
3.Tambdi Surla Temple
4.Shri Navdurga Temple
5.Shri Ramnath Temple
6.Shri Balaji Temple
Sanctuaries of Goa :
1.Bondla Sanctuary:
2.Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary
3.Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary, Molem
4.Dr.Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
Waterfall,Lakes & Springs in Goa:
1.Harvalem WaterFall
2.Dudhsagar WaterFall
3.Maylem Lake
4.Kesarval Springs
Flea Market of Goa :
Baga Flea Market - Baga is famous for saturday flea market .It is 18 km from Panaji and 10 kms from west of Mapusa.Local artists perform stage shows and play melodious music in the fair.
Anjuna Flea Market: Anjuna is famous for its flea market on Wednesday afternoon during tourist season. One can enjoy bargaining and get the best price.
Caves in Goa: The 6th-century caves are the main attraction here.
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