The truth about holidays in Goa from a former guide
Hi all. My name is Vasily, I am 23 years old. I spent six months in Goa, working as a guide for tourists from Russia. The purpose of my post is to bring to you the necessary and important information about how to have an interesting and fun time in Goa, while saving a lot of money.
In general about Goa.
Goa is the oldest and largest Portuguese colony. For more than 5 centuries, the Portuguese managed to forever change the consciousness, culture and even genetics of the local population. In other words, Goans are not Hindus in the classical sense, but Indo-Portuguese. They are much more familiar with European moral and cultural values than others, which is a rarity in India. Therefore, Goa has become an ideal springboard for the development of tourism business and infrastructure.
But there is also a downside to the coin: often Indians who arrive at the resort to earn money are literally blown away by the abundance of scantily clad white people, hence the inflated prices and inappropriate actions; besides, tourists are simply fed up with local residents.
From all this we can conclude: there is no need to provoke the Goans. Namely: do not behave like a pig, do not overdo it with alcohol and do not expose yourself.
As for cultural leisure in Goa, I’ll immediately clarify that you won’t see authentic India here - the Inquisition literally cut out Hinduism from these places, so you won’t find any striking monuments of culture and history here (however, you just have to leave the state and go to neighboring ones, in particular , visit the village of Gokarna or the ancient city of Hampi in Karnataka, your understanding of the region will change dramatically, but that's another story).
So, leisure in the state of Goa is beach and bar, as well as gastronomic.
Arrival.
Depending on the chosen mode of transport from Dabolim airport to the destination in the state, tourists' actions vary somewhat, but you have two routes - north or south Goa.
If you arrive at the resort by bus, it will most likely go to the state capital of Panaji (Panjim) or to the town of Mapsa (Mapusa), which is the largest bus hub in the state of Goa. So, if you suddenly find yourself in Panaji, then you need to find a bus station there, get from there to Mapsa, and then go wherever you need to.
If you arrive in Goa by train, it will most likely stop in the port town of Vasco da Gama, from where you will need to take one or more buses to Mapsa.
If you arrive in Goa by plane, then getting out of the airport by bus will be quite difficult, and in this case, your best option is a rickshaw or taxi to the city of Panaji, and from there it’s a journey by bus. By the way, if you search hard enough, you can find a one-way ticket to Goa for only $100-150.
Geography and housing.
Geographically, tourists divide the state of Goa into north and south, but I, dividing the state along cultural lines, add to this the central region. Here is a comprehensive description of the regions of Goa:
North. This is the most favorable accommodation option for young people. Find accommodation near the beach Arambol- the most chic, because this is the most fun place to party.
North Goa is a concentration of bars and cafes, all kinds of shops, old and not so hippies, as well as a venue for concerts and performances. In addition, to the north of the beach there is a magnificent sweet lake, Sweet Lake, and even further in the thickets is the famous tree of the legendary Beatle John Lennon; his favorite is the banyan tree. Tourists also like the beaches. Mandrem And Morjim- they are located in close proximity to Arambol, but at the same time much quieter and calmer; interesting and Chapora- a small village on the banks of the river of the same name. However, it does not have a beach, so housing here is relatively inexpensive. Chapora is famous for its Chapora Juice Center.
Vagator- a good beach, but it is located much further from Arambol. This is the closest beach to Chapora.
Center. Beaches Candolim, Calangut, Baga And Anjuna. The area is famous for the fact that it is here that tourists most often come on tour packages. Hence the huge number of tourists on the beach, high prices and the atmosphere in the spirit of “Tagiiil”.
South. South Goa starts below Panaji. There are expensive hotels here, and the public is mainly in the 40+ category. However, there are also cheap offers, even 2* hotels like Colonia Jose Menino, which has an empty and clean beach. In general, this is a place for romantics, lovers and family tourists.
Palolem. A beach in the very south of Goa, which is among the top ten best beaches in the world according to Forbes magazine. You can get to it by train from another transport hub in the state - Margao or on local basses. You can also find inexpensive accommodation here (there are many guesthouses, prices starting from 400 rupees per night).
Movement.
Most often, tourists use rented mopeds and motorcycles to get around Goa. Motorcycles are very easy to find at the resort, almost at every step; in extreme cases, you can always ask the locals in English. There is nothing required to rent a scooter, so under no circumstances make any deposits! In rare cases, you may be asked to show your license or provide a copy of it to rent a motorcycle.
Personally, I am very skeptical about renting motorcycles in Goa. The only rational reason to rent a motorcycle instead of a scooter is that the scooter may not be able to climb a steep hill if you suddenly go to conquer the jungle J. But in Goa, in general, there are not so many such places. In addition, motorcycles are somewhat more difficult and rougher to drive than scooters, and this choice can be fatal for inexperienced tourists. By the way, do not forget that traffic in India is, it must be said, at rather high speeds.
Control of a driver’s condition on the road in the state is purely visual and quite loyal, so no one here will fine you for drinking a couple of bottles of beer; for not wearing a helmet, you can only be fined in the capital - Panaji, but you should still get a license with you, since this is the most popular article of fine in Goa, although it is always theoretically possible to blurt out or pay off.
The price for renting a scooter depends on the length of the rental period, it starts from 100-120 rupees per day when renting for more than one month and ends at 200-250 rupees per day if you rent the vehicle for several days.
The most budget-friendly travel option is local public buses or local buses. They go to all the main settlements of Goa, so the entire state can be covered by four to five buses, but most often tourists will need no more than two. They also visit small towns.
The cost of a bus ride reaches a maximum of 10-15 rupees; you must pay at the entrance with the driver. Travel is marred by the need to understand the rather confusing local geography, the slowness of buses and the inevitable evening crowd. By the way, purely theoretically in India, buses are divided into female and male halves, but it cannot be said that this convention is strictly observed in Goa.
For lazy people, as well as those who like to “take it to heart” or those who like at least relative comfort, Goa has motorized rickshaws and ordinary taxis. Rickshaws are smaller and much cheaper, taxis are correspondingly larger, much more comfortable and at the same time more expensive.
Taxis in Goa are most often small, uncomfortable Maruti-Suzuki Omni minibuses or quite comfortable Toyota Innova hatchbacks for 7 people. Taxis can also be rented for the whole day, as well as for several days. This is convenient if you are going on a trip within or outside the state.
By the way, in Goa you can “catch” a car on the road, just like here in Russia, but be prepared for the fact that you will have to bargain hard. However, you will have to bargain in any case if you have already arrived in India!
Places and entertainment.
In Goa, one standard excursion program has been developed, according to which almost all tourists are taken. This program is sometimes broken down into separate points in order to get more money from tourists, but most often all 3 points are covered in one day.
This Goa tour usually costs about $50-60 per person. The program includes a visit Dudhsagar waterfall And spice plantations, and also, if desired, riding elephants and feeding and bathing them.
All kinds of excursions to Palolem or night market in Arpora- pure profanity and a scam for money, because any sane person who has at least a little orientation in space is able to get there himself without spending a lot of money. By the way, I don’t recommend going to the night market in Arpora to buy anything - the prices there are 100 times higher, and the goods are the same as in the regular city market in Margao, for example. But for the surroundings and some rarities (for true connoisseurs) - perhaps, yes, it’s worth coming.
Portuguese forts (Teracol, Chapora, Aguada etc.) are not of particular interest. Offers of excursions with observations of animals such as crocodiles and dolphins are also especially popular, but usually none of the tourists manage to see them. Also offered are excursions to Panaji, but this is also nonsense: firstly, the city itself is not particularly interesting, the program includes a visit to one temple - you understand, it is not worth the money paid.
There is also excursion to the Bhagwan Mahaveer reserve and Dudhsagar waterfall. You should leave no later than 8 a.m., because the journey takes 3-4 hours, and everything is complicated by long traffic jams caused by rows of trucks transporting red sand. The spectacle itself is colorful, but after an hour or two it gets boring. It is also undesirable to go there on a scooter - it is far and unsafe, because trucks occupy both sides of the road, and the road itself winds and runs through the jungle. It is best to take a taxi, and at the entrance to the reserve change into a jeep. So, you have another half hour of shaking through the real jungle, and be prepared for the fact that at one fine moment you will simply be flooded with water - you will pass a mountain river. The guides will laugh! The entire walk takes an hour. A place in a jeep costs about 350 rupees, there are a lot of jeeps, they leave as the group grows. Crowds of Indians scurry around the entrance to the reserve, offering to buy bananas: if you want to hand-feed practically domesticated monkeys, buy them. True, they are not always hungry - there are generally more tourists here than local residents.
The waterfall itself is beautiful, there is also a mountain lake, you can and should swim (refresh yourself!), the water is cold but clean. For extreme sports enthusiasts, there is a board of drowned people, you can take a look. As a rule, the locals themselves drown here, since the lake itself is shallow and nothing so terrible threatens an experienced Russian tourist!
Spice plantation. It is better to combine a trip there with a visit to the reserve, since the drive to the plantation is only 30-40 minutes. The excursion is organized quite interestingly: you can join a Russian group, they will tell you in detail about each tree, and the plantations themselves are an improved version of our Botanical Garden - it’s interesting to walk around, there are rope bridges, waterfalls, and houses on the water everywhere.
And the most interesting thing is the general buffet at the end, and everything is included in the price of the entrance ticket. The highlights of the lunch are Fenya - local moonshine, take away, the first glass is free, the rest are for money, as well as very spicy chips and delicious fish. By the way, there is a vegan table and a small souvenir shop. And the music plays. And everyone sits at common long tables. Hipparian paradise, in general! I recommend Tropical Spicy Plantation to everyone. By the way, the taxi driver will wait patiently for you while you have some fun, without running up the meter! There is also a continuation of the excursion with bathing an elephant, but there you will have to pay an additional fee of about 1000 rupees.
Old Goa. Previously it was the capital of the Portuguese colony. Typical Portuguese Catholic churches are of interest. The main thing that is interesting to see is the Basilica of Little Jesus, which houses the relics of Francis Xavier, and the Cathedral of St. Catherine.
Juice center. The attraction of the village of Chapora is a cafe where the menu mostly includes juices, shakes and lassi, the quality of which is excellent. The regulars here are mostly hashish-smoked hippies.
Concerts and performances. Everything interesting happens only in the north of the state, mainly in the Arambol region. Mainly - trance parties, drum concerts, which is no longer original, but there are also interesting performances such as the tightrope walker Joyti or a jazz festival.
Shopping. Tourist goods are sold absolutely everywhere in Goa. Usually, the quieter the place, the lower the price of the product. In Panaji you can also find branded items in branded stores, good electronics, etc. Prices here will be much lower than in Russia. By the way, about tea: it is very rare in tourist shops, I mean good real tea. But good stores also offer tastings - this is a good thing.
Beyond Goa.
Of course, you can go wherever your eyes take you, but I will focus on the three closest destinations that are suitable for tours for 2 weeks.
Bombay (Mumbai), Maharashti state. This city is expensive to live in, but at the same time it is damn beautiful and interesting. So I recommend it to adventure seekers. You can also rush from Bombay to Ellora (pronounced “Ilora”). Trains run to Bombay, but it is more convenient to leave Mapsa by sleeper, the trip takes overnight.
Hampi, Karnataka. This is the best place nearby and maybe in all of India. The most convenient way to get from Goa to Hampi is by sleeper (trains run a little crookedly and are not always on time), travel time is 0 from 10 to 14 hours. Hampi is the ruins of the ancient city of Vijayanagara, now a village, with unique architectural monuments of Hinduism. Here is a functioning Virupaksha temple. Hampi was once the kingdom of the Vanaras - humanoid monkeys.
Gokarna, Karnataka. This village is very close to Goa - about 70-odd km, so if you wish, you can get there by scooter or bus from Margao.
The trip to Gokarna will take three to four hours. It is believed that Gokarna is the birthplace of Shiva, so Hindus and pilgrims also concentrated here. The atmosphere is noble and one might even say sacred.
There are several very ancient temples in Gokarna, a little away from the city - an interesting underground temple, and in general the town itself is very colorful. A few kilometers from Gokarna is the famous Om beach, so named for its resemblance to the mirrored Hindu sign "Om". By the way, here you can literally rent a house right on the shore for pennies - it will be a hut! But it will be remembered forever!
There are few shops and cozy cafes in Gokarna, and a few kilometers away there is another famous place - Murudeshvara, where the tallest statue of Shiva is located and a colorful diorama illustrating the myths about this great deity. A trip to Murudeshwara will take you 1 day; there is no point in spending the night there. 
Bottom line.
Of course, during all the time I worked as a guide, my view became slightly blurred, and my attitude towards my surroundings became a little more cynical. But I still tried to write the truth.
And lastly: many find their home here for many months. And some remain forever...
Undoubtedly, with the increase in organized tourist flow, Goa is acquiring all the signs of a civilized beach resort, expensive all-inclusive hotels are appearing (in South Goa), local tourist shops are coming up with new tourist routes, prices are rising, etc. But not everything is so bad, because you just need to move a few steps away from the resort areas and you are already in the real India with its insanely colorful markets and crowded public transport. It is worth going deep into the state and you will find yourself in a real jungle and see real Indian life.
Goa can offer everyone an interesting way to spend time on vacation; will anyone like endless ones? the deserted beaches of South Goa, while others will choose the tourist crowd of Calangute. If you get bored with the sea and beach holidays, then go to Old Goa or Portuguese Panaji, where you will feel like you are not in India.
If you have already bought all the “fridge magnets” in the tourist area, then go to the brightest Goan market in Mapsa, where you will definitely have fun.
All Goan attractions can be divided in several ways, by territorial location (north, center, south of Goa) and by the degree of their origin (natural, historical, religious, cultural, etc.).
Sights of North Goa
The north of Goa concentrates the entire tourist life, it is in the north of Goa that the most fashionable clubs and discos are located, it is in the north of Goa that numerous hippies searched for the meaning of life in the 70s, it is in the north of Goa that tourist life is always in full swing.
Fort Aguada
The Aguada fortress consists of several parts, some of which are still used today for their intended purpose. So on the territory of Fort Aguada there is a real Goan prison, in which prisoners languish, many of whom are not Indians at all. The upper part of Fort Aguada is used as a museum and is open to the public, and in the lower part of Fort Aguada there is a five-star hotel from the Taj family (palace hotels).
The lower part of Fort Aguada is located on the edge of Candolim Beach, which can be reached by public transport.
Market in Anjuna
The famous flea market in Anjuna is an echo of the Goan past, it was here that numerous hippies of the 70s sold everything they had left to earn money for a return ticket home.
Banyan tree in Arambol and Sweet Lake
The famous Arambol Sweet Lake will captivate you with its views; it is from this lake that the path through the jungle to the Arambol banyan tree begins, under which various mysterious personalities live.
Hill in Arambol
Spice plantations
There are many spice plantations in Central Goa, most of which you can visit on your own (Sahakari spice plantation). Tours run from morning until late evening; on some plantations you can look at elephants, and the elephants will look at you.
Naval Aviation Museum
If you are a true patriot of Russia, then the Naval Aviation Museum in Goa should be a must on your trip to Goa.
Goa State Museum
This small archaeological museum in the capital of Goa was opened on June 18, 1996, the opening ceremony was attended by the President of India. Be sure to visit this cozy and completely free museum.
Goa State Library
There may be different associations with Goa, but you never expect to see in this small tropical state an ultra-modern five-story library building made of glass and concrete, with the most advanced technologies for storing books. I was surprised.
Old Goa
Old Goa was the capital from 1510 to 1847, around those times it was fashionable to build grandiose churches and cathedrals, of which there are every step of the way in Old Goa. You can explore all of Old Goa in a few hours, but take your time and give this place as much time as it deserves.
The capital of Goa is Panaji
After dark times and terrible epidemics, the Portuguese government of Goa moved to the city of Panaji, which still remains the capital of the state. If you want to see a piece of Portugal in India, then take a walk through the old districts of Panaji. You will definitely fall in love with these narrow, colorful streets, snow-white churches and tiny chapels.
Safa Masjid Mosque
Safa Masjid is the most beautiful mosque in Goa, it is located on the outskirts of the city of Ponda, you can visit it on the way to one of the must-see attractions of south Goa (Dudhsagar Falls, Bondla Nature Reserve, spice plantations).
Sights of South Goa
The most relaxing and romantic holiday awaits you in the very south of Goa, there are several five-star hotels with excellent all-inclusive service, and if you go even further south you will get to the most beautiful beach in Goa, Palolem Beach.
Arriving in Goa, you will, of course, run to the sea. Well, how could it be different? For the sake of long sandy beaches and a warm whispering sea, you rushed here, three to nine lands away... But Goa is not famous for the sea alone. The atmosphere is what attracts you here again and again. The soul rests here.
Although, there are definitely some people who did not like Goa, but, I believe, this is solely because no one was able to present it correctly - it was not possible to meet knowledgeable people, and on excursions you come across pioneers just like you.
And I also discovered this rule: the better the hotel you choose, the less likely you are to like Goa. This is due to the fact that at first Goa shocks tourists, and a good hotel only aggravates the condition. It’s as if he’s saying: “Look how good I am. Why do you need real life? And the tourist hides in the clean and cozy interior of the hotel, preferring this to something new and, for now, incomprehensible. From this point of view, tourists who come to middle-class hotels or even guesthouses are considered to be in an advantageous position. They don’t sit in their room or by the pool - they go in search of the unknown and adapt faster, and soon fall in love with the world around them and the local way of life.
So, in order to understand why Goa is so attractive, why people come back here again and again and not only on vacation, but even to live for a season, I recommend a list of must-sees (must-sees) of 15+ places. This is like a guarantee that your vacation will be incredibly amazing and educational, and when the time to leave comes, you will not want to leave here and will come up with 1001 reasons to stay. If that's what you want, these are the places.
- Arambol.
Arambol is already a cult place, so one time/day is not enough to see everything, but, nevertheless, here are the main places:
There are many places to go here:
a) a banyan tree in the jungle, where Hindu saints sit - sadhus surrounded by As old-timers like to say - under this tree the famous Beatles wrote their song “Yellow Submarine”.
b) sweet lake (fresh water lake) - from it to the sea there are only a couple of tens of meters! A pleasant place surrounded by tropical trees. 
c) Sunset Market is an event with a cool atmosphere that takes place every evening during the season. From about five in the evening until dark, dozens of foreign sellers of their handmade goods (handmade products) appear on the beach, as well as the exciting sounds of drums, guitars, hangpans and the mesmerizing voices of vocalists, yogis and yogini, jugglers and firemen practicing their skills for everyone. eyes... 
2. Chapora.
a) Juice center.
This is more history than juice. This small place is decades old, there is practically nowhere to park or sit, but the number of people who want to go is not decreasing. Although the juices are good, so what. And the prices are pleasant, especially after the beach ones. But people mainly come here to chat, find out news, smoke... The contingent here is so diverse and unusual that they brought the juice a long time ago, but you have no time for it;)) 
b) Fort at Chapora/Vagator.
It has a beautiful view of Vagators beach and the sea. This is an incredibly popular place among Indian youth, as the fort has appeared in several films. 
3. Night market in Arpora.
Every Saturday there is a huge event in Arpora. There is even a saying regarding this market: “If you have lost someone, you will certainly find them here.” Sellers from all over the world come here to offer their unique goods. And it’s even more difficult to say about the number of local sellers - tea, spices, saris, bedspreads, Indian jewelry, soap, silver jewelry, leather goods, hammocks, handmade dolls, masks... But besides the market itself, there is a stage where famous musicians and artists perform for free. You can go to the market completely hungry because there is everything from food here - sushi, pizza, burgers, salads, grilled chicken, cakes, ice cream. In addition, there are several dance floors.
4. Cafe Curlis on the beach. (Curlie's)
Goa is changing every year, becoming upset, becoming urbanized. But there are establishments that were, are and will be. Curlie’s is one of these establishments. A two-story restaurant on the seashore will provide not only delicious dishes and a chic view, but also the opportunity to plunge into the hippie era. Trance-style parties await you on Tuesdays. 
5. Hilltop Club in Vagator. (HillTop)
Parties here are always a massive event. People, music, surroundings will all remain in your memory for a long time.
6. German Bakery Cafe in Anjuna.
A very cozy cafe and a calm atmosphere combined with proper nutrition make this establishment the best of its kind.
Source: www.goaprism.com 7. Fort Reis Magos.
My favorite fort in Goa. The small fortress has recently been restored. It offers a magnificent view of Panaji and the Mandovi River. 
And also within the walls of the fort there is an excellent gallery of the famous artist Mario Miranda.
8. Portuguese district of Foentenhaz in Panaji.
The Latin Quarter will take you from an Asian town to colonial Europe in a matter of seconds. Bright large Portuguese houses, narrow streets, flowers in pots on the windowsill, Portuguese names, a chapel, a bridge and a well still retain their original appearance.
9. Old Goa.
The former capital of Goa - Old Goa still retains its majestic appearance. Churches, arches, squares are all so amazing that you begin to doubt whether I’m in India?! And besides, Old Goa is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. 
10. Palolem Beach.
The crescent shaped beach, a million palm trees along the sea and the cliffs will take your heart away. This beach occupies a leading place in the tourism industry of South Goa, so here you can find everything you want: boat trips to remote beaches, snorkeling, dolphins, kayaks, various excursions, guesthouses and restaurants for every taste and budget, Internet cafes, grocery stores, designer clothes and souvenirs.
11. Tito’s Line in Baga.
The main street of Baga, leading to the sea, is crammed with clubs and restaurants: Tito’s, Mambos’s, Capetown, Kamaki, etc. This is one of the most famous streets, famous for its nightlife, and the number of rich Indian tourists is off the charts. 
12. Banyan tree in Mandrem.
The Banyan tree is incredible, unusual, cosmic, mysterious, alien, endless, all-consuming... in general, you can choose a lot of epithets, but, as the proverb says, “It’s better to see once than to hear a hundred times.” Banyan trees can be seen in many places in Goa, but Mandrem has the largest one. 
13. Fort Redi.
An abandoned and destroyed fort on the seashore to this day attracts the attention of not only ordinary tourists, but also professional photographers, because life and death combine there... Grasses and trees full of life curl around the hard and cold stones.
photo: Sergey Puzankov 14. Paradise Beach.
Goa is the smallest of all Indian states. In terms of the number of attractions, it is difficult for it to compete with other, much larger regions of the country. However, there are plenty of remarkable places here that are worth paying attention to.
First of all, the attractions of India in Goa include natural sites and reserves, which are sufficient even in such a small area. And while most of them are common to Goa and neighboring states (particularly Karnataka), some of them are specific to Goa.
This is the largest reserve in the state, occupying 240 square meters. km of territory. It is located on the slopes of the Western Ghats mountains, which are natural border of the states of Goa and Karnaka. This territory received the status of a reserve in 1969, and a little later, in 1978, its central part, occupying almost half of the total area, became a National Park called Mollem.
Bhagwan Mahavir is interesting for his incredible diversity of vegetation and animals. We can thank the high average annual humidity for this. Frequent rains constantly replenish water sources, and they, in turn, make it possible to grow here a huge number of trees and shrubs. Moreover, their crowns are so tightly closed that grass cannot grow on the ground due to lack of light.
The fauna is also very widely represented. First of all, these are, of course, the kings of the local forests - leopards and bengal tigers. Of no less interest are the graceful Axis deer and a host of other smaller animals. An impressive number of varieties are presented and birds.
A jeep is the most optimal means of transportation around the territory. Only with this vehicle can you get to the architectural landmarks of the reserve - the temples of the Kadamba dynasty and no less remarkable natural sites - the Devil's Canyon, Tambdi Waterfall and Dudhsagar Waterfall.
One of the popular attractions in North Goa. The waterfall got its name from the color of its falling water, which appears white. Literally translated, its name sounds like this: “milk ocean.”
The total length of the waterfall, cascading down several rocky terraces, is 603 meters, and its height is 310 meters. Such impressive dimensions allowed it to be included in the hundred highest waterfalls in the world. Its water flows into a clean mountain lake where you can swim.
The best time to visit Dudhsagar is the winter months, when it is not so hot and there are no monsoon rains.
Watch the video “Dudhsagar Waterfall”
This place is considered the smallest in the state of Goa. Its area is only 8 square meters. km. Due to its size, the Bondla Nature Reserve resembles a garden rather than the jungle in which it is located. However, this area is the tourist center of the state. Adding to the beauty are two rivers - Madkhel and Rangao - flowing here.
It is most popular among families with children, since in the reserve you can look at various animals up close, some of which live in enclosures ( leopards, bison, bison and others), and some calmly stroll among the gawking tourists. Fans of even more exotic things can rent an elephant and ride it. True, it costs extra money.
In addition, the Bondla Nature Reserve is a paradise for ornithologists and bird lovers. There are a great variety of them here, including some unique ones, such as Indian peacock.
Another tourist site on the territory of the reserve was discovered during the construction of a zoo there. Builders stumbled upon something in the jungle Indian temple ruins, which contained stone slabs with Hindu deities carved on them. They were hidden in a temple lost in the jungle so that they would not be destroyed by the Portuguese inquisitors. Now the found slabs are kept in the Bondla Nature Reserve.
About 20 km from the administrative center of Goa - the city of Panaji - there is a small village of Priol. There is a very beautiful and most visited temple in the state - Mangesh. The Hindu god Mangeshi is one of the incarnations of the powerful god Shiva. The main shrine of the temple is considered to be Linga Mangeshi, which is a stone containing the divine essence, which was consecrated at one time by Brahma himself.
The temple building is a real work of art of Indian architects. It is difficult to name the main attraction of this religious building, because it is amazingly perfect everywhere. But still, its most beautiful buildings are considered to be the one standing at the gate seven-story white tower and graceful columns. In the main hall of the temple there are 19th century chandeliers of the finest workmanship, and the room itself can simultaneously accommodate 500 people. Near the main building is the oldest building of the complex - the temple pond.
The Mangesh Temple is active, in it special rituals - pujas - are held daily. Once a week, the main temple idol is carried through the streets of the village. Unfortunately, due to the inappropriate behavior of foreign tourists, they have recently stopped allowing visitors inside the temple. But even from the outside, looking at such a beautiful monument of Indian architecture is worth a lot.
On the northern bank at the mouth of the Tirakol River there is a military fortification - Fort Tirakol (in the local dialect Terekkhol). This is the northernmost part of the state of Goa. It was built by Maharaja Khem Sawant Bhonsla- Raja Sawantwadi in the 17th century. The northern bank of the river was chosen for the fort due to the fact that from there it had an excellent view of the waters of the Arabian Sea and the nearby coast.
Inside the fort there was a chapel and barracks for the military unit that was on duty there. The armament consisted of 12 fortress cannons. But in 1746, the Portuguese, led by the Viceroy of India Pedro Miguel de Almeida, started a war against the Raja Maharaja. After a series of battles, including naval ones, the Maharajah lost the war, and the fort passed into the hands of the Portuguese, who almost 20 years later it was completely rebuilt.
Due to the advantageous position of the fortification, there was a constant struggle for its possession, and at times very bloody. In those wars, along with the people, the fort itself suffered greatly. True, it was quickly restored later. The Portuguese ruled until 1961, when the fort finally came under Indian mandate. The chapel inside Tiracol was eventually rebuilt into a full-fledged church, now bearing the name of St. Anthony.
At this time, the fort has been rebuilt into a cozy hotel, next to which is the northernmost beach in Goa.
The main attraction of South Goa are.
Of course, the listed objects do not end the list of interesting places in the state of Goa. Temples from pre-colonial times, Portuguese churches from the colonial era, Anjuna market, beaches and nature reserves... To list them all, you would have to write a whole book. But this is just the smallest Indian state. I would like to note that excursions are organized to all the sights of Goa, so getting there to see and remember for a lifetime is not difficult. All it takes is desire.
Sights of Goa photo
Below are some photos of the sights. Let's look and admire!
Where to go in Goa on your own- a popular question among vacationers in a cult place. This rating will not include forts, churches and museums; we are considering only establishments, bars and clubs where young people and others can go in Goa.
For lovers of nightlife there is. To keep up to date with the latest parties, we recommend taking flyers; they are handed out on the street and in some establishments, such as the juice center. There are a lot of establishments and parties in Goa, so you can get confused where to go first in Goa. I want to do everything at once and not miss anything. Let’s start with the juice center, the Relish bar, the Xavier’s bar, the Curlies and Cubana clubs.
Juice Center in Chapora
- Address: Chapora Main St, Chapora, Dmello Vaddo, Anjuna, Goa 403509, India,
Opening hours: 9-23
Juice center “Jai Ganesh Fruit Juice Center” and “Scarlet Fresh Juice Centre”, also known as the juice center, also known as “juice” - a cult place where you should first visit in Goa. People visit this place mainly when passing through, because – a rather small and not at all tourist village. But if you are traveling to from Arambol, Ashwem or Morjim, then this place is just on the way, worth a stop. Tourists from all over the world come here to drink the freshest delicious juices at low prices. For example, papaya juice is 40 rupees, mango juice is 80 rupees. There are also lassi and milkshakes. The choice is impressive - figs, pineapple, coconut, guava, passion fruit, strawberries, orange, pomegranate, carrots, watermelon, sweet lime, lemon, avocado, kiwi, and much, much more. He immediately drank and ate. In fact, there are juice centers with similar prices in other places, but these are considered the best.
The juice center itself does not look very attractive, an ordinary roadside eatery, but from the number of visitors it is clear that this place is very popular among locals and visitors, where it is worth visiting during your trip to Goa.
Rats have been spotted here, but this is India, where aren't they? Nearby is a colorful place where they fry spicy corn. But the most interesting thing is not that it is fried, but that there is no trash can nearby. For what? After all, there is a cow that stands and waits for you to finish eating and for her to get a delicious cob. In general, the juice center in Chapora is in first place in the ranking of what to visit in North Goa on your own.
Relish Unique Dining & Bar (Calangute)
- Address: Calangute-Baga Rd, Fahrenheit Lane, Khobra Waddo, Baga, Goa 403516, India
Where to go in Goa in Calangute? A great restaurant on the way to the beach that serves seafood and traditional Indian dishes at reasonable prices, as well as vegetarian, Chinese and European options. Compared to Sheki on the beach - 2 times cheaper. Here you can order a frying pan with mixed seafood for 550 rupees (Mix seafood slizzer). For comparison, on the beach the price of such a dish is 1200 rupees.
You can also try seafood salad for 220 rupees, house wine for 115 rupees and much, much more. The service is fast and unobtrusive. Menu in Russian. The establishment has two dogs who carry a folder with a bill. Yes, yes, the dog brings the bill! This is India, baby! With any order you receive a compliment from the establishment - crispy flatbreads and sauce.
Relish is the second place to go in North Goa on your own with friends or a couple.
Xavier’s beach cafe (Calangute-Baga)
- Address: Titos Ln, Below Sea View Cottage, Saunta Vaddo, Calangute, Baga, Goa, 403516, India
If you are interested in India Goa, where to go and what to visit in Goa, then a great shek for , good service, a large selection of menus, massage services (600 rupees) and so on - this is “Xavier’s”.
During the day, the establishment operates as a beach cafe, where everyone relaxes under a sun lounger.
And when the sun sets, they set up tables on the beach, turn on the lights and music, the atmosphere is simply fantastic. Prices are high, but the sea view is worth it.
A great place to hang out both day and night in India in North Goa, one minute from Titos Lane, you can leave the club and cool off at this cafe. True, it gets cold at night. “Xavier’s beach cafe” ranks third on what to visit in Goa on your own.
Curlies Beach Shack in Anjuna
- Address: Near Flea Market, Grande Peddem, Anjuna, Goa 403509, India
One of the most famous sheks and clubs in , close to the Lilliput Club and the day market, where a trip to North Goa on your own is highly recommended. It was Anjuna that was the center of the hippie movement and it was here that the Goan trance music movement was born. It was here that hippies and Rastafarians first settled. And even the market next to Curlis, Anjuna Flea Market, was formed thanks to the hippies who, many years ago, started selling their things here to raise money for tickets. Now there are no more hippies at the market, only Indians who came to this location many years ago sell.
Young people and others flock to Kerlis to attend a party right on the beach. Mostly Goan trance plays here, there are also techno parties. DJs come from Russia and other countries. The audience is varied, but there are quite a lot of Russians. The cafe on the second floor has an excellent chill-out area, where guests take off their shoes and sit on mattresses and pillows, and some just lie down. After walking a few steps, you can attend a trance party. The Kerlis shack closes at 4 am, while the disco continues until dawn. Good parties mainly on Mondays and Thursdays. But it’s better to take friars and look at the schedule. “Curlies” is the fourth place to visit in Goa, India for nightlife lovers.
“Cubana night club” (Arpora)
- Address: Arpora Hill, North Goa, Goa, 403507, India
“Cubana” is one of the most famous nightclubs in Goa and one of the most fashionable, aimed also at Europeans, since there is a so-called “white zone” - Deep point, where only white people, or very rich Indians, are allowed . This is another place in Goa that is worth visiting on your own with friends or alone.
The club is located on Mount Arpora with fantastic views. The music here is more aimed at European tourists and there is no trance. Mainly Eurodance and pop. On Wednesdays there is a party with unlimited alcohol, free entry for girls, 1300 rupees for couples. The club itself accommodates about 1,500 guests, there is a swimming pool, a main dance floor (for Indians), a Deep point area (for whites) and a VIP area. Who gets into which zone of the club is decided by the one who puts the stamps. He puts one stamp on Indians, two on white people and three on VIPs. I don’t know how many seals you will receive, but at least two if you are a white person. In general, the system is a little racist, but it attracts white people who like their special status in this establishment. According to the club's owners, Deep Point is open to all nationalities, but they choose the most fashionable. In fact, I didn’t see any Indians there. Club Cubana in Goa, where you can ride a bike from anywhere, is also recommended for visiting.
Now you know, where to go in Goa on your own. India is an interesting and alluring country. And Goa is the most tourist part of this country, which attracts thousands of tourists every year. It’s not surprising, because in Goa, places worth visiting are located literally at every step. To experience the atmosphere of real Goa, I advise you to take a bike, also known as a scooter, this will make your logistics easier and will help you be independent and self-reliant. Visit Calangute in Goa, Relish Cafe, Beach , where you can go by bike in 5-10 minutes. Here, next to Titos Lane, you can relax in the Xaviers Shek, which is a must-visit in North Goa, because here you can sunbathe, watch the sunset and spend the evening on the beach. And of course, bookmark the site.
