Goa Travelers Recommend

While most people associate the tiny coastal state of Goa with all-night beach parties, it’s also chock-full of glorious old colonial structures. The Portuguese influence over Goa—the last European colony in India—remains to this day, in the architecture, food, language, and traditions. Here’s where to experience Portuguese influence in Goa.   Sao Tome The Portuguese transferred their capital to the city of Panaji in 1759, which led to ample construction. While the city grew considerably in the centuries that followed, some of the older parts of town retain a distinct Portuguese flavor today. The atmospheric Sao Tome district is one such neighborhood: beautiful old houses with colorful exteriors and contrasting white trim mingle with celebrated public buildings such as the post office, formerly a tobacco trading house.

Fontainhas Also in Panaji, Fontainhas is another quintessentially Portuguese neighborhood that was reclaimed in the 18th century (many of the buildings here are from the early to mid-19th century). Highlights of this atmospheric area include the Chapel of Saint Sebastian, which houses a crucifix that once hung inside the Palace of the Inquisition in Old Goa (Velha Goa).

Basilica of Bom Jesus Before Panaji earned capital-city status, the capital of Portuguese India was situated in what’s now called Old Goa, originally built in the 1400s and later abandoned during a plague outbreak. Today it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its historic churches. The most famous of these is the Basilica of Bom Jesus, created at the turn of the 17th century by Florentine sculptor Giovanni Battista Foggini. This massive red church is among India’s oldest and holds the remains of St. Francis Xavier, Goa’s patron saint.

St. Catherine’s Cathedral (Sé Cathedral) The other main church in Old Goa, and certainly the most important in contemporary times, is St. Catherine’s Cathedral (Sé Cathedral), which was built at the end of the 16th century to commemorate Portugal’s military victory over Goa. It's full of old relics and religious art, and is the official seat of the archdiocese of Goa and Daman.   Fort Aguada For those with an interest in military history, Fort Aguada is worth a visit. It was built in 1612 and looks out over the Arabian Sea, just south of Sinquerim Beach. Prominent features include a long moat and a 4-story lighthouse—the largest of its kind in Asia—dating back to 1864.

Goa is a multifaceted state, with everything from beaches and parties to gorgeous interior jungles and waterfalls, not to mention Portuguese colonial architecture. With three days in the state, here’s what you can see and do.

Day 1: Portuguese Goa

Goa was a Portuguese colony until 1961, and the state retains much of its Portuguese heritage to this day. The two best places to see Goa’s Portuguese architectural legacy are Old Goa (Velha Goa), which was the capital of Goa until the bubonic plague caused the population to flee to Panaji (Panjim) to set up a new capital, and Panaji itself. Old Goa is best-known for its churches, notably the Basilica of Bom Jesus, where the patron saint of Goa, Francis Xavier, is interred. Nearby, St. Catherine’s Cathedral (Sé Cathedral) attracts visitors with centuries of art and religious artifacts. Not far from Old Goa, the capital city of Panaji has two noteworthy Portuguese neighborhoods: Fontainhas and Sao Tome, adjacent districts full of colorful old houses and public buildings.

Day 2: Quintessential Goa: Beaches and Nightlife

Beach time is on the itineraries of most visitors to Goa, and no wonder—this coastal state features mile upon mile of beautiful shoreline, from red sandy beaches up north to beaches that take on a whiter hue, such as Palolem, down south. Popular options include Anjuna, Morjim, and Arambol, all of which have more of a hippie vibe, while Candolim and Sinquerim are quiet and close to Calangute, the busy hub of touristy north Goa. When you’re ready for some activity, get out on the water with a cruise. Options include dolphin-spotting adventures, kayak river trips, and sunset river cruises complete with live music and dance performances. In the evening, to experience Goa’s famous nightlife, head to the popular nightclub Tito’s on Baga Beach for Bollywood sounds or clubs in the northern villages of Anjuna and Vagator for homegrown trance music.

Day 3: Day Trip to Dudhsagar Falls and a Spice Plantation

On your final day in Goa, experience the natural beauty of the state’s interior. First, head inland to Dudhsagar Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in the country at 1,017 feet (310 meters). Its name means "sea of milk," appropriate given the opaque white hue of its waters, and many visitors opt to hike to the top for great views. Just remember to pack a swimsuit: The pool at the base of the falls is the perfect spot for cooling off. Most travelers visit the falls as part of a group tour, some of which also stop at a local spice plantation in the village of Ponda for lunch and spice shopping. Take a guided walk around the plantation to learn about the history of spices in India and see what kitchen favorites such as cardamom, nutmeg, black pepper, and cinnamon actually look like when they're growing. Return to Panaji and end your trip with a traditional Goan or Portuguese dinner of fresh seafood at the local restaurant of your choice.

With two days in Goa, you’ll be able to get a good feel for the northern part of the state’s rich Portuguese history and still have plenty of time for outdoor activities, beach lounging, and partying. Here’s how to plan 48 hours in Goa. 

Day 1: Old Goa, Panaji, and Goan Nightlife

**Morning:**Start your stay in Old Goa, the historic Portuguese capital of the area and home to some of Goa’s finest churches: art-filled St. Catherine’s Cathedral (aka Sé Cathedral) and the Basilica of Bom Jesus, where the remains of Goa’s patron saint, Francis Xavier, are interred.

**Afternoon:**In the afternoon, head to the Goan capital of Panaji (Panjim) and grab lunch before continuing your exploration of Portuguese architecture. Two neighborhoods are particularly worth visiting: Fontainhas, with its 19th-century homes and the Chapel of Saint Sebastian, and Sao Tome, full of colorful old public buildings.

**Night:**In the evening, check out some of Goa’s famous nightlife. Electronic-music fans are best off heading north to Anjuna and Vagator, where the state’s homegrown Goa trance music dominates the scene. For commercial and Bollywood sounds, the famous Tito’s on Baga Beach is your best bet.

Day 2: Beaches and Waterways

**Morning:**Devote your second day in Goa to the outdoors. Start with a morning kayaking tour out to the rivers and backwaters of North Goa, where you'll get to paddle through mangroves among river otters and birds.

**Afternoon:**In the afternoon, give yourself a little beach time. Choices range from busy Baga Beach to quieter, more Bohemian options in the northern parts of North Goa, such as Morjim and Arambol. Candolim and Sinquerim are also good options—at their southern end stands 17th-century Fort Aguada, with great ocean views.

**Night:**Top off your Goa stay with a sunset or evening cruise on the Mandovi River, followed by dinner at a local restaurant. Consider booking a tour package that combines dinner with an evening cruise, many of which provide extras such as live music or DJs, for a hassle-free end to your trip.

If you only have one day in Goa, you may just want to spend your time on the beach; after all, that's what this coastal Indian state is best known for. However, if you're more of an active traveler, then it’s worth checking out Goa's beautiful temples and historic Portuguese churches and homes. Here's how to do it all in one day.

Morning: Portuguese Panjim

Start your day off in the city of Panaji (Panjim), which has been Goa's capital city since 1759, when a bubonic plague outbreak forced the government to move the capital from what is now known as Old Goa. Panaji is full of lovely Portuguese architecture and home to some of the most authentic, charming neighborhoods in the state. Start in Fontainhas, home of mid-19th-century houses and the Chapel of St. Sebastian. Then make way your north to Sao Tome, the other major Portuguese neighborhood, known for colorful Portuguese architecture and a variety of old public buildings, including a tobacco trading house turned post office.

Afternoon: Old Goa and Shantadurga Temple

In the afternoon, head to Old Goa (Velha Goa), the former colonial capital of Goa. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to several significant churches, including the Basilica of Bom Jesus and St. Catherine’s Cathedral (aka Sé Cathedral). The basilica is among the oldest churches in India and holds the remains of Goa's patron saint, Francis Xavier, while the cathedral is celebrated for its relics and religious artwork. After visiting Old Goa, make your way south to Shantadurga Temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess of peace. Its architecture blends Indian and Portuguese influences, with the red walls and white trim seen throughout Portuguese Goa.

Night: Beach Sunset and Nightlife

As the afternoon winds down, make your way north to Sinquerim Beach for sunset. The best vantage point is the 17th-century Aguada Fort, which offers views of the Arabian Sea. From here, head north along the coast, perhaps stopping in busy Calangute for dinner, before checking out some of Goa’s many nightlife options. If you’re more into commercial and Bollywood music, your best bet is Tito’s on Baga Beach. If electronic music is more your jam, go farther north to Anjuna Beach (where regular electronic dance parties take place) or head up to Hilltop, an outdoor nightclub specializing in Goa’s homegrown Goa trance music.

While you can get pretty much any type of cuisine in Goa—from Japanese udon to vegan tacos— it's worth seeking out some of the state's seafood-dominant regional cuisine, which blends native and Portuguese flavors and ingredients. Here are a few ways to experience Goa’s culinary offerings.

Must-Try Dishes

Perhaps the best-known Goan dish outside of the state is vindaloo, a super-spicy curry prepared with vinegar-marinated pork. Many Goan dishes are also served with pao (bread rolls), another Portuguese influence; one such dish is sorpotel, an meaty offal stew. A good vegetarian alternative is pao bhaji, buns served with a potato curry. Though technically from Mumbai, this popular snack is found across Goa, especially in urban hubs. And don’t leave Goa without trying some feni, a local spirit made from cashews (in North Goa) or palm toddy (in the south).

Must-Do Experiences

• Go on a crab fishing tour in the Goan backwaters and then cook up your catch.
• Learn to cook traditional Goan food during a cooking class at a local home.
• Sit down for some freshly caught seafood at one of Goa’s beachfront shacks.
• Fill up on local fare on a street food tour in the Goan capital city of Panaji.
• Head out for some bar-hopping and try some Goan feni while you’re at it

Long before flower children stormed the white-sand beaches of Goa, explorer Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route to India, kicking off the Portuguese era of colonization lasting from 1505 to 1961. From Portuguese churches to Mediterranean villas, here are the colonial sites you shouldn’t miss in this Indian state.

What to See

• Fort Aguada — a 17th-century fort and lighthouse once used to protect the colony against invaders

• Basilica of Bom Jesus — home to the tomb and mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier, a founder of the Jesuit order

• Sé Cathedral — built during the 16th century and one of the largest churches in Asia

• Fontainhas — Panaji’s Latin Quarter, where narrow streets brim with colorful Mediterranean architecture

• Museum of Christian Art — a collection of Indo-Portuguese art from Goa, the only museum of its kind in Asia

How to Visit

• Take a step back in time during a sightseeing tour of Old Goa, with its numerous churches, monuments, and museums.

• Take a heritage walk through the streets of Panaji, the new capital of Goa, with an archaeologist guide.

• Spend a day exploring the museums of South Goa to dig deeper into its colonial history.

• Ride the Goa hop-on hop-off bus from one historic attraction to the next.