Goa is a small coastal state on India's west coast, known for its beaches, its Portuguese colonial heritage and a relaxed pace of life. The north has lively beaches and nightlife, and the south is calmer, with quiet bays and palm-fringed sands.
Old churches, spice plantations and markets add culture to the beach days.
How many days: 6
Six days allows time for both the north and the south, with plenty of beach time. A long weekend suits one area.
Choose a base on the coast that matches your mood, and use taxis or scooters to explore.
What to do in Goa
- Relax on the beaches
- North Goa has busy beaches with shacks and music. South Goa has quieter, wider beaches.
- Explore Old Goa
- A cluster of Portuguese-era churches and a cathedral, many of them listed as World Heritage sites.
- Walk through Panjim's Latin Quarter
- Pastel-coloured houses, small chapels and cafes. A calm city to walk.
- Visit a spice plantation
- Guided tours explain how spices grow, and finish with a local lunch.
- Browse a flea or night market
- Stalls sell clothes, jewellery and crafts. Bargain politely.
- See a fort
- Old Portuguese forts sit on headlands, with sea views and sunsets.
- Take a river cruise
- Boats on the Mandovi river offer sunset trips with music.
- Try yoga or a wellness retreat
- Many places offer drop-in classes, particularly in the north.
- Take a dolphin or sunrise boat trip
- Small boats take visitors out at dawn, and dolphins are often seen close to shore.
- Visit a waterfall in the hills
- Dudhsagar is a tall waterfall inland, reached by jeep. Best after the monsoon.
- Visit a village market
- Weekly markets sell fruit, spices and handicrafts. Go early, and bring small notes.
- Cycle through the countryside
- Quiet lanes in the south link villages, paddy fields and beaches.
- Visit a Hindu temple in the hills
- Several temples sit among palm groves, with distinctive lamp towers. Dress modestly, and remove your shoes.
- Sit at a beach shack for sunset
- A cold drink and fresh seafood on the sand as the sun goes down is a Goan routine. Go early for a good table.
What to eat and drink
- Goan fish curry and rice
- A coconut and tamarind curry, the local staple.
- Vindaloo
- A spicy pork curry of Portuguese origin, far from the British takeaway version.
- Fresh seafood at a beach shack
- Grilled fish, prawns and calamari are served on the sand.
- Bebinca
- A layered, sweet pudding made with coconut milk and eggs.
- Feni
- A local spirit made from cashew or coconut. Try it with a mixer.
- Poi bread
- A local bread, eaten with curries or a filling.
- Prawn balchao
- Prawns in a tangy chilli pickle sauce, a Goan favourite.
- Coconut water
- Sold on beaches and roadsides, fresh and cold.
- Local bakery bread and cakes
- Portuguese influence shows in the bakeries, with soft rolls and layered cakes.
- Sorpotel
- A rich, tangy pork dish with spices and vinegar, served at festivals and family meals.
Getting around
Taxis are expensive and fixed by local unions. Ride-hailing is limited. Hiring a scooter is common, but only if you are experienced and wear a helmet.
Local buses are cheap but slow.
Motorbike taxis are common for short trips.
Good to know
- The best time is the dry season, and monsoon months are wet with rough seas.
- Swim only where lifeguards are on duty, as currents can be strong.
- Respect local dress customs away from the beach.
- Agree prices before taxi rides or purchases.
- Check visa rules and the current official travel advice before you go.
- Beach shacks are open in the dry season only, and many close during the monsoon.
- Keep valuables safe, and avoid walking on beaches alone late at night.
- Plan your base around the part of the coast you like, because travel between north and south takes time.
- Water sports are available on busy beaches. Choose operators with safety equipment, and check conditions.