About Goa Tourism

The coastal paradise, Goa is not unknown to anyone. This tiny state in West India is famous for its plethora of beautiful beaches, great seafood, amazing nightlife, and thrilling watersports.

Goa along with being a popular beach destination in India is a perfect honeymoon destination, a great getaway with friends, and an amazing family holiday place, which means, the place is filled with activities and attractions to keep all its visitors engaged.

The state is majorly divided into two districts – North Goa and South Goa. North Goa is famous for its lively beaches like Calangute, Baga, Candolim, Anjuna; beach shacks, Fort Aguada; Church of Mae De Dues; Boghdeshwara Temple; and Chorao, Divar Island.

South Goa, on the other hand is known for its quieter beaches like Butterfly, Palolem, Polem, and Agonda; luxury resorts; Se Cathedral and St Xavier’s Church; and many sightseeing places like Dudhsagar Waterfalls where one can enjoy trekking as well.

Goa also offers its visitors the chance to enjoy river carnivals; Rajbhavan Darshan; e-bikes tour; white water river rafting; hot air ballooning; birding tours at Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary; Ayurveda massages; shopping; water activities like scuba diving and sea rafting; and other adventure activities like motorised paragliding, and bungee jumping.

In our Goa Travel Guide, we add the most authentic information ensuring you know everything about the state before planning a trip. Our authentic Goa travel guide includes information on places to visit, top things to do, and best hotels. With us, you also get the best Goa tour packages that ensure an amazing holiday experience at this top beach destination in India.

Best Time To Visit Goa

Goa has three seasons: summer, monsoon & winter. During the summers, it can get quite hot in Goa, while the monsoons bring a lot of rains in the entire state. The weather during the winters is pleasant and offers the perfect conditions for having a wonderful time by visiting its beaches or indulging in other activities.

Summer Season (March till May, Temperature 25°C to 40°C)

The summer season in Goa, like many other parts of the country, is hot and humid. The temperature from March to June ranges between 25°C to 40°C. There are two reasons why you should plan a trip to Goa during the summer season. One is that, because summer is an off-season time in Goa, you are likely to get accommodations in hotels & homestays at relatively cheaper prices. Second, you won’t come across many tourists during this time, and can spend your time in peace and quiet.

Monsoon Season (Mid-June to October, Temperature 25°C to 30°C)

The monsoon season in Goa starts from July and lasts till August, with the temperature ranging between 25°C to 30°C. The state receives medium to high rainfall, and while the beaches are closed for tourists, there are a lot of other activities that you can enjoy during this season. The extremely popular festivals of Sao Joao & the mud games of Chikalkala are held during this time.

Winter Season (Mid November to Mid-February, Temperature 21°C to 28°C)

The winter season in Goa starts from mid-November and lasts till mid-February, with the temperature ranging between 21°C to 28°C. A majority of the tourists prefer to visit Goa during the winters as the weather is pleasant & inviting and the conditions are perfect for relaxing on the beaches. Christmas & New Year festivals are also celebrated with the utmost enthusiasm, and are extremely popular among tourists.

About Top Things to do in Goa

The best part though, about the top things to do in Goa, is that each of them offer an experience different from the other, but without falling short of the fun & excitement. A hot balloon ride is thrilling, as is scuba diving. Exploring the streets of Goa on an e bike is fun, while going shopping in a flea market by the beach is a different experience altogether. Here, we have put together the most enjoyable things which you must do during your Goa vacation.

Popular Activities for Tourists in Goa

• Hop on Hop off :Hop on Hop Off is a city sightseeing bus tour which takes you to all the famous tourist destinations in South Central Goa (Green Line) & North Goa (called the Blue Line). South Central Goa Tour consists of 20 Tour Points which covers places like Se Cathedral Church, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Panjim Market, Miramar Beach & Casino Point. North Goa Tour lets you visit tourist attractions like Fort Aguada, Candolim Beach, Baga Beach, Vagator Beach & Chapora Fort. It is a special experience because you can either enjoy a ride on a Double Decker Bus or Hydeck Buses. It is a new way of exploring Goa & is especially convenient because you don’t have to worry about transport, how to reach a place etc.
• E Bikes Tour :Explore the streets of Goa, its rich heritage & other popular tourist places on an E Bike. Feel the enjoyment of riding a bicycle without all the strenuous efforts of peddling, as in a normal bike. See the cultural side of Panjim, pedal your way through monuments & buildings in Panjim, the capital city of Goa, visit the churches, chapels & get an insight into the ancient history of Old Goa or explore the rural side of Goa by escaping to Divar Island. (Those below 11 years cannot take this tour).
• Bungee Jumping :Get a rush of adrenaline with Bungee Jumping during your holidays in Goa. To enjoy this daring sport, make your way to Mayem Lake, located in the district of Bicholim. Here, with all the safety precautions and requirements, you can take a jump for an incredible height of 55 meters. You can enjoy this sport throughout the year, except monsoons (mid-June to mid-August).

• Scuba Diving : Explore the rich marine life of Goa by going Scuba Diving. The best place to enjoy this lovely water-based activity in Goa is Grande Island, whose waters are clear & shallow. Some of the good diving sites in Grande Island are Coral Garden, Suzy’s Wreck, Lobsters Avenue, Bounty Bay & Shelter Cove. You get to enjoy an open water dive of 20-40 minutes, while reaching a depth of almost 40 feet. Mid-October to April is the best time for enjoying scuba diving.
• Hot Air Balloon Safari : Did you know that you could enjoy a hot air balloon ride in Goa? Yes, riding in a heated balloon and getting an aerial view of the lovely landscape of Goa from an unbelievable height of 2,000 meters, it’s as adventurous as it gets! To enjoy the hot air balloon ride, go to Chandor in South Goa, located about 8.2 kilometers from Margao. Enjoy a 1hour approx. ride while gliding over the rice fields, beaches & hills & getting 360-degree views of the surroundings. Hot air balloon rides in Goa are available from October to May.
• Motorised Paragliding : Motorised paragliding is where the pilot wears a motor on his back which allows him to take off with enough thrust, and does not require any extra assistance. You can enjoy motorised paragliding in Goa at Ashwem Beach, Calangute Beach, Little Vagator Hill Top & Rajbagh Beach. Enjoy the aerial views of Goa from a height of almost 1,000 feet & glide over its beaches, fields, forts & the incredible landscape. Each joyride lasts for about 5-10 minutes. Motorised paragliding is available at the above-mentioned location from 8:00 AM till sunset.
• Ayurveda Therapy : Purify your mind & body and get rid of all toxins & impurities by undergoing a Panchkarna therapy. It comprises five basic types of advanced treatment for eliminating the Dosha (impurities) from the body. You can select from different types of herbal massages, steam, external & oil treatments. Ayurveda treatments can be enjoyed at several hotels and resorts across Goa.
• Shopping : Shopping can be a very exciting affair in Goa, what with its flea markets selling trinkets, antiques and other items eagerly sought after by tourists. Then there are the fish markets, where you can lay your hands on fresh fish & other types of seafood. Some of the famous markets in Goa are, Flea Market at Anjuna Beach, Night Market at Arpora, Tibetan Market on Baga Road, Mapusa Fish Market & Panjim Market & Mackie’s Night Bazaar.

Top Tourist Attractions in Goa

Goa has several top tourist attractions which offer ample opportunities for the best sightseeing, exploration, and some adventure activities. The major attractions of Goa tourism are its beaches, where you can chill, party or relax. Other best places to see in Goa tours like its churches, temples & museums, offer an insight into its rich heritage & culture. Lakes, waterfalls & wildlife sanctuaries are other tourist places in Goa where you can observe its natural beauty & rich flora & fauna.

• Beaches :The beaches in Goa are scattered across North & South Goa. The beaches in the north are famous for their nightlife, watersports activities & delicious seafood, while those in the south are great for those seeking a calm & rested vacation. Some of the famous beaches in North Goa are Calangute, Baga, Candolim & Anjuna. Some of the famous beaches in South Goa are Betalbatim, Cola, Arrossim, Palolem, Agonda & Benaulim.
• Lakes & Waterfalls :There are numerous lakes & waterfalls in Goa, many of which offer you opportunities for trekking. The famous waterfalls in Goa are Arvalem Falls, Dudhsagar Falls, Netravali Falls & Kesarval Falls, while the popular lakes are Mayem Lake & Carambolim Lake.
• Spice Plantations :Not many tourists know that Goa is dotted with several spice plantations, and going on a Spice Plantation Tour is a one of its kind experiences. You become acquainted with spice plants & the way they are grown, experience incredible hospitality, observe the eco friendly way of life and even take back natural spices, containers & other items grown at the spice plantations. Some of the spice plantations which you can check out in Goa are Savoi Plantations, Pascoal Spice Village & Sahakari Spice Farm.
• Churches :How can someone come to Goa and not miss its beautiful churches. They are an essential part of Goa’s rich heritage & culture as some of them date back to ancient times. One of these is the Basilica of Bom Jesus, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site & houses the relics of St. Francis Xavier. Other famous churches in Goa are Se Cathedral, The Church of St. Augustine, Church of Mae de Deus & Chapel of Our Lady of the Mount.
• emples :Some of the temples in Goa date back to medieval times,and as such, are rich in history, besides being an obvious place of worship. Some of the temples which you should try to visit during your sightseeing tour in Goa are Shantadurga Devi Mandir, Brahma Mandir, Bhagvati Devi Mandir, Mahadev Mandir & Lairai Devi Mandir.
• Museums :Although the museums in Goa are not as touristy as the beaches, that’s no reason to exclude them from your top things to see in Goa. After all, it is home to the Naval Aviation Museum, one of only two military museums in India & the only Naval aviation museum in all of Asia. Some of the other museums which you should check out are Archaeological Museum of Goa, Museum of Christian Art & Museum of Goa.

• Wildlife Sanctuaries :Goa is also home to a rich wildlife, unbeknownst to many. However, you can spot & explore its rich flora and fauna in these wildlife sanctuaries. The ones which you should visit are Bondla, Cotigao, Molem, Mhadei, Netravali & Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuaries. Bird lovers and those wanting to observe the avifauna can plan a trip to Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary.