Planning a trip to Goa, but confused about what to do in Goa? Don’t worry, here is a collected list of the 30 best things to do in Goa to sort it out for you!
Goa- A fantastic combination of beach visits, nightlife, seafood, flea markets, magical forts, Churches, and the list goes on. It is one of the most famous and ultimate travel destinations in India. The place has comfortable weather conditions all over the year that makes it the most perfect travel place. After all, Goa is one of the best monsoon destinations in India.
As this travel option has so much to offer, the question of ‘what to do in Goa’ is pretty normal. Hence, your confusion ends here. The list given here consists of the 30 best things to do in Goa. You can choose as per your travel time and plan.
Also, check – Best Travel Apps for iPhone and Android
Excited to know!
Let’s jump on the list to choose smartly!
Table of Contents
Best Things to Do in Goa to make the most out of your trip
Explore the Beach Fun
Visiting Goa means visiting India’s most loved beaches!
Nobody can miss the exploring of the beach fun in this beach destination. This is one of the most desirable things to do in Goa. These seasides offer so much to try like water sports, sunbathing, parties, and much more.
No matter whether you are visiting North or South Goa, beaches are everywhere around. Here you can check the list of famous beaches in the respective directions of the State.
Popular Beaches in North Goa
Anjuna beach, Baga beach, Vagator beach, Calangute beach, Arambol beach, Candolim beach
Popular Beaches in South Goa
Agonda beach, Palolem beach, Colva beach, Butterfly beach, and Benaulim beach.
We have provided so many options to visit beaches as some of the popular ones are always crowded with tourists. So, if you want to enjoy some serene beaches, you can choose as per your wish. You can plan a romantic beach date with some astounding summer date ideas if you are traveling with your partner.
Visit the Striking Forts
Striking forts…that too in Goa…confused?
You read it right, there are so many majestic fort options to explore in Goa. These places are simple magnificos and brilliant in architecture. Apart from this, the most important part about the beauty of these forts is their surroundings with breathtaking views.
Again, no matter whether you are in North Goa or South Goa, you have a list to choose from.
Forts in North Goa
- Chapora Fort
- Aguada Fort
- Corjuem Fort
- Reis Magos Fort
Forts in South Goa
- Mormugao Fort
- Cabo de Rama Fort
Before visiting these suggested locations, you are advised to check the fort timings and the nearby famous places. Visiting and exploring forts is one of the best things to do in Goa.
Take a Casino Experience
If you want to hit the tables with your luck, then Goa’s casinos are a must-try. This is a personally missed thing when I visited Goa, but I regret it every time I heard about it. So, don’t repeat this mistake, and try your luck by taking a good casino experience.
Most of them are floating casinos that offer a world full of fun and entertainment. Some of the popular casinos in Goa are
- Casino Pride
- Deltin Royale
- Casino Palms
- Majestic Pride
They also provide delicious cuisines with lots of gaming options. Before opting for this unique thing to do in Goa, you should check the prices and entry fee structure
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Romantic Sunset Cruise in Mandovi River
The unblemished Mandovi river is one of the best places to visit in Goa. And experiencing a romantic sunset cruise experience there is the cherry on the cake. This is one of the must-have things to do in Goa for couples. If you want to enjoy a premium dinner date, this is the best option for you.
You can see adorable lush green tropical trees all around the coastline of the Mandovi river. This awesome cruise experience offers dance, musical performances, games, and many activities to do apart from the best cuisines. You can get an awesome Goan experience while dining on this sunset cruise. This is one of the best things to do on valentine’s day with your loved ones.
Explore Islands
Going to a beach destination for holiday, but missing out to explore some island experiences is not a good thing. Goa has some good island options to visit as they all offer natural and historic things to explore. And the three best of all are
- Chorao Island
- Divar Island
- Sao Jacinto Island
Whenever you visit any of the islands there, maybe you don’t get to see the fantastic churches and architectural buildings there. But being at a little distance from the crowded Goa places, they are one of the good things to do in Goa. You can actually connect yourself with the essence of Goa with such places.
Don’t forget to check this – The 10+ Best Islands to Visit
Take Sunbathe Experience
Sunbathing is something that everybody may not like, but trust me, it is the best experience you can take there. This is so simple and soothes your mind and body. You just have to rent a shack on the beach to take sunbathe with some delicious summer cocktail drinks.
You can go to any of the less crowded beaches if you want to enjoy it in calmness. You can come with your kids in the afternoon and enjoy it to calm your mind from the hustles of life. And your kids can enjoy themselves on the beach and play with the sand. You can choose the cleanest and best places in north Goa to do this. And after taking a sunbath in the afternoon, you can enjoy the sunset views on the beach.
Scuba Diving Experience
The next option on the things to do in the Goa list is experiencing scuba diving. You can consider any cleanest beach option for this. Two islands that are very popular for this are Pigeon island and Bat island.
No matter if you are a beginner or an expert, you will enjoy the scuba diving experience. Just book for it and go to the depth of the sea to enjoy some water beauties that exist underwater.
Visit Dudhasagar Falls
Visiting Dudhasagar falls is one of the best things to do in South Goa. You will mesmerize by this waterfall beauty at a height of 1017 feet. The awesome greenery around this four-tiered waterfall is a must to see the place.
It seems like a sea of milk is flowing down and that makes it a breathtaking sight to behold. If you want, you can also trek the trails surrounding the waterfall. It is located at the border of Goa and Karnataka on the Mandovi river.
Hot Air Ballon Ride
Yes, you can try a hot air balloon ride in India too if you are visiting Goa. The place offers so many hot air balloon ride options at various locations. This experience will take around 1.5-2 hours of yours.
Most of the balloons can accommodate up to 10 people. But if you want to try it in private, you can book a personal one and enjoy the beach beauty from above the ground.
Some of the places in Goa that provides Hot air balloon ride:
- Assolda ground
- Chandor
Book this exciting ride and enjoy the serene beauty from 2500 feet above the ground. Taking a hot air balloon ride is one of the unique things to do in Goa.
Enjoy at Night Clubs
Planning to visit Goa, don’t forget to enjoy the nightlife experience. Goa is a very well-known place to enjoy nightclubs. This will definitely bring your fun side out. Nightclubs near the beaches offer you a night full of fun, dance, music, and awesome food.
Night clubs offer awesome DJ lighting with an electrifying music experience to make you dance for the full night. Some of the luxurious nightclubs offer rooftop restaurants and bars to give you an awesome party vibe of Goa.
If you want to enjoy the whole night, but don’t want to spend much on clubs, you can try beachside shacks at Calangute or Baga beach.
Bungee Jumping Experience
Want to try bungee jumping in India, then Goa is one of the best places to do it. The place offers quite a good list of options to experience bungee jumping. This is one of the desirable things to do in Goa that you can add to your bucket list.
This awesome and challenging activity is very nice for adventure enthusiasts. Its free-falling and rebound experience will definitely give you a chilling experience.
Mayem Lake is one of the best places that offer this chilling experience in Goa. While experiencing this, when you will look down, you will see outstanding forest greenery. You will fall in love with this experience as the fresh air hits your face and make you feel awesome.
Don’t forget to check this – Top Adventure Activities in Kochi
Paragliding
Anjuna, a coastal village in North Goa offers a very nice experience of Paragliding. This exhilarating experience will give you an awesome view of the breathtaking landscapes.
Seems to be difficult…Right! But don’t worry, a professional assistant will handle this motorist fly for you. So, you can get a seamless experience without any tension.
Paragliding gives you an opportunity to get a 3D view of the scenic beauty of Goa from 1000 feet above. If you are in this beach State, try this once for sure and vanish your fear with this adventurous ride.
Pay a Visit to Spice Plantations
If you want to do something new and refreshing in Goa, you should pay a visit to Spice Plantations. The place has so many spice farms that give you an amazing insight into the growth of the spice. These fragrant spices will definitely give you a sensory experience.
You can walk through the plantations of cardamom, black pepper, cloves, and many others. This activity is a must-try, especially for nature lovers. Some of the spice plantations options that you can consider there are:
- Pascoal spice farms
- Savoi spice plantations
- Sahakari spice farms
- Tropical spice plantations
Apart from taking aroma with the magical visit to these farms, some allow you to take fresh stock with you. Spice farms are one of the unique things to do in Goa.
Explore Churches
Goa is not only famous for beaches and party lovers, but it also has equal importance for churches and archaeological sites. You will love the architecture of the churches and the calm environment there. Churches are one of the most visited places in Goa.
One of the famous churches of Goa ‘The Basilica of Bom Jesus’ is also recognized by the UNESCO world heritage organization. Some other popular churches of Goa are:
- Saint Catherine’s Chapel
- Church of St. Francis of Assisi
- Church of Our Lady of the Rosary
- Church of Saint Cajetan
- Church of Saint Augustine
One of the major things that you should take care of before visiting any Church is to dress appropriately and modestly. Exploring Churches is one of the best things to do in Goa.
Explore Flea Market
The next one of the best things to do in Goa is Explore the flea market. You can find flea markets outside all the famous tourist places in Goa. The flea markets are great to buy beach clothes, handicrafts, hats, artificial and stone jewelry, bags, and many more things. You can find it:
- Near all the famous beaches
- Outside the Chapora fort
- At the entrance of the old Goa Church
But it’s not always possible to visit every market, so you can consider two of them: the Flea market at the entrance of Anjuna beach every Wednesday, and the Friday night market at Vagator.
Do Snorkeling
The next option is snorkeling which is one of the best things to do in Goa for adults. You can find this water activity in many places, but three of them are the most famous:
- Grand Island
- Bat Island
- Navy Island
The clear water of all these islands gives you a scenic view of the marine culture. Beautiful dolphins all around in their natural habitat make this experience even more magical. All the places offer this activity at competitive prices, so choose the activity at the budgeted price
Enjoy Kayaking
Kayaking is also one of the most adventurous water activities that you can try during your visit to Goa. It is also one of the hot things to do in Goa for couples. Kayaking is done on a canoe-like boat to enjoy the ride session. During this activity, you are provided with a life-jacket, and all the safety equipment to avoid any incident.
Even authorities provide you with refreshments during your session that is included with the package. You can even spot some aquatic animals with breathtaking sea views during this water activity. Vasco Da Gama, Sal Backwaters, and Baga Creek are great places for such water activities.
Try Windsurfing
Surfing+Sailing= Windsurfing…..Interesting…Right!
Windsurfing is also known as boardsailing. This water activity requires physical strength and good agility as you know water sport is a little tricky. If you are an adventurous person and really want to know what to do in Goa, this is an outstanding option. Some of the destinations in Goa that offers windsurfing:
- Bambolim Town
- Vagator
- Calangute
- Colva Beach
Before going to any of these places, surely confirm the sport’s timings and price of the ride as it is not so budget-friendly.
Attend a Silent Party
Silent parties are the main attraction of this beach destination for party lovers. If you have a love for trance music and want to groove in Goa, then surely attend a silent party. You can get your own gadgets to some of these party places.
It is called a silent party because you have to wear your own headphones while grooving at the DJ’s tunes. A big dance floor and energetic music vibe are all about the complete enjoyment package. It normally starts at 9 pm and goes on till morning. This unique way of partying is a lifetime experience to enjoy.
You can also enjoy different kinds of local cuisines there. Glitz and glamour all around make it a perfect thing to do for couples or bachelors.
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Take a Bike Tour
When you are visiting the tourist hub of India, how can you miss the scenic beauty all around? Yes, you have the option to take a tour on a bike in Goa.
Goa is popular for its unique activities and one of them is getting a bike on rent to take a city tour. You can stroll on the streets without any hassle for the whole day. As the world is going environmental, you also have the option to get an e-bike.
Just remember to take your water bottle, sunglasses, and comfortable footwear, and you are ready to stroll Goa’s streets.
Enjoy Dolphin Tour
Candolim- one of the best places to visit in north goa is very popular for a dolphin tour. The tour is about one hour long and is a must-to-do and the best activity to do in Goa with family. You can witness beautiful dolphins playing around you while riding on a boat.
To take this dolphin tour, you have to go on a cruise ride. And this will take you to the place where you can witness dolphins. People of any age group can visit there. It’s advisable to take this tour in the evening as you can see the beautiful sunset view.
Visit Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary
Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary is a good place located in the western ghats in Sanguem Taluk. It is situated near the town of Molem. Before 1969, this wildlife sanctuary was known as Mollem Game sanctuary.
You can take an open jeep safari to see various animals like deer, Indian Bison, Elephants, and a huge variety of bird species. You can go up to Devi’s Canyon to get a wide view of the park. And if you are lucky enough, you can get an unmatched glimpse of animals from above. You must check the timings before visiting this peaceful sanctuary.
Definitely Give it a Try to Local Cuisines
If you are a seafood lover, you must try the local Goan cuisines there. The huge variety of their local menu has so many dishes for vegetarians also.
Goa has a variety of restaurants almost at every corner with its local delicacies. You can experience a good Goa vibe at every food corner. You can also try their regional alcoholic drink- Feni and some tasty wines.
You should interact with locals to know more about food options. Some of the famous Goan dishes include Fish curry, Vindaloo, Fish Recheado, etc. If you are traveling to Goa in December, you can experience amazing food with awesome festive vibes.
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Do Oceanic Yoga
Whenever anybody plans to visit any destination, they surely want to get a leave from their daily routine. And what can be more interesting than healing your mind with some Yoga near the ocean?
Nothing…Right! Yoga on a sandy beach can give more strength to your muscles as per many studies. This is good to get a nice body posture. There are many yoga centers in Goa that can offer you this facility. But most of them require you to stay there for over 3 days. If you have enough time, experiencing yoga there is one of the most interesting things to do in Goa.
Don’t forget to check this – Best Yoga Poses for Beginners Everyone Should Practice
Take a Banana Boat Ride
Banana ride is another one of the best options for water activity in Goa. You can easily take this ride on so many beach options. Some of them which offer this water sport are:
- Anjuna
- Candolim
- Miramar
- Vagator
- Agonda Beach
A Banana ride is basically a ride consisting of an inflatable boat that is of banana shape. This boat is linked to a speed boat. And 4 to 6 people can sit together on one banana boat. As the boat race across the sea, it throws off the passengers to enjoy it to the fullest. This is one of the best things to do in Goa with friends.
Go to Mangueshi Temple
Mangueshi Temple is one of the largest and most magnificent temples of Goa which is dedicated to the God Mangesh. The God Mangesh is considered to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva.
This 500-year-old temple is the place of various ancient artifacts. The place has some interesting views that make it an amazing point of history:
- The assembly hall
- Water tank
- Lamp tower
Just make sure to check the local dress code before you make a visit to the temple. Many of the tourists who visit Goa, don’t know about this temple. But if you have enough time, this is one of the best places to visit in Goa.
Spend Sometime on Houseboat
The home of leisure houseboats is Chapora river which gives you an amazing cruise experience of 5 hours or more. What could be more comfortable than spending a day on the water with scenic beauty all around? Trust me, this is not only comfortable for your eyes but also soothing to your mind.
You can watch the local fisherman while catching fish. The scenes all around you will be spectacular. One of the most amazing things to do in Goa is to catch a glimpse of the sunset while being on the river. You can make your taste buds happy with the Malvani food served there. No matter whether you belong to any age group, you can have this amazing experience hassle-freely.
Take a Trek to Butterfly Beach
Butterfly beach is one of the amazing beach places to visit in South Goa. You just have to trek for around two hours from Palolem beach to reach the destination. You can witness hundreds of butterflies there.
If you are short on time but still want to visit the beach, you can take a short boat ride instead of trekking. The beach has very less crowded that’s why it is the best place to visit in Goa for couples.
Some other interesting activities that you can do there are Rock climbing, dolphin watching, canoeing, etc.
Visit Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
You must have heard about many wildlife sanctuaries, but bird sanctuaries are not everywhere. But Goa offers you an amazing bird sanctuary to visit named Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. If you have a love for birds and you adore them, you should definitely visit this place. The place is at Mandovi river and is like an eye-treat for bird watchers.
This is named after an expert Dr. Salim Ali who was a true bird lover. The place offers you around 470 species of birds to watch like Treewifts, Cuckoos, Ducks, Geese, and many more.
You have to walk through amazing mangroves over bridges and an ample ecosystem. But remember to visit this place during the low-tide season.
Trekking to Lamgau Caves
Lamgau caves are Buddhist-origin caves located in Lamgau village, Bicholim. The place is around 35 km from the capital of Goa. Not everybody travels to this destination, but if you are planning a long trip to Goa, you should definitely go there.
The trekking path along with the cave is fantastic and thrilling. The structure of the caves is so mesmerizing as it is carved out on laterite. During trekking to the caves, you can interact with the locals and know about the culture.
Parting Words
So, this is all about the best things to do in Goa you don’t want to miss definitely! Now the question is ‘Is 3 days sufficient for Goa’?
Actually, the answer depends upon your wish. If you just want to visit popular beaches and churches, you can say 3 days are enough. But if you want to explore each and every destination of the State, you need a long break.
Book your tickets in advance to get them at the budgeted price. And remember, December and January are pretty crowded in Goa. So, plan your trip accordingly.
Also, the place has hotels for every class to have an awesome stay there. You can choose as per the budget. Remember if you are going to Goa in the festive season, book your hotels in advance. This way you can make your stay peaceful and enjoy the best things to do in Goa to the fullest.
No matter whether you want to plan a trip with family, friends, or as a couple, this amazing place has to offer many things for all.
