Tourists Guide to Goa
Formerly a Portuguese colony, Goa attracts hordes of tourists to its laidback beaches on the Arabian ocean, 300 plus year old churches, a cosmopolitan relaxed culture. We cover top destinations in Goa for you.
Goa might be India’s smallest state but its whopping 80 miles of coastline along which some of the most famous and stunning beaches in India are to be found makes it a huge tourist attraction. Foreign tourists can especially see a marked contrast between Goa and the rest of India as it is one of the states that are noticeably more liberal and friendly to Western tourists, which is why international tourists flock to Goa for a fun vacation. A state with a history of Portuguese colonialism that didn’t come under Indian rule till the 1960s, Goa has become a kind of hippie paradise with a thrilling life and people often visit it for a holiday full of both relaxing at the beaches and partying till morning. Here is a complete guide to for tourists visiting India for an enjoyable vacation.
We have covered Goa as a destination for you, which requires you to apply for Indian Visa Online for Tourist purposes. The Indian Visa Application Form is now online which can be completed in 2-3 minutes.
Beaches in Goa
Goa’s beaches are definitely its number one attraction and most tourists visit Goa precisely for its beaches. Thousands of travelers visit its numerous beaches all of which are beautiful but while some beaches are more frequented by Indian tourists others are more likely to be visited by foreign travelers. Calungate Beach, the longest beach in Goa, and one of Goa’s busiest and commercial beaches, and Baga Beach, known for its nightlife, are two of the most popular beaches in Goa but they are more frequented by Indians and thus very crowded. You might want to consider instead going to Anjuna Beach, whose rocky shores might not be made for swimming but where you’ll find plenty of music and water sports, and Arambol Beach, which is a more solitary and serene beach in Goa and where you can partake in Yoga classes, go to beachside markets, or visit its famous sweet water lagoon at the end of the beach.
Explore Goa’s Heritage
Goa’s Portuguese heritage makes it one of the most interesting cities to go sightseeing in India. The colonial era has left behind some of the most beautiful works of architecture in the city including stunning churches and ancient bungalows. There are a few places that you absolutely must visit when in Goa, such as the Basilica of Bom Jesus, which with its baroque architecture is one of the oldest churches in India and whose building marked the beginning of Christianity in India; Fort Aguada, a 17th century fort and lighthouse built by the Portuguese for protection from the Dutch and the Marathas; the Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, which is also one of the oldest chapels in Goa and also built in baroque style of architecture and houses the second largest church bells in Goa; Chapora Fort, which is one of the most famous forts of Goa and has a Portuguese and Maratha history as well as being featured in a famous Bollywood film, Dil Chahta Hai.
Water Activities in Goa
Goa’s calm waters are perfect for water sports and adventure sports that Indian Visa holders and tourists can partake in to have a fun time during their holiday in Goa. You can go for scuba diving, discover the rich and vibrant marine life of Goa’s waters, as well as the various remains of shipwrecks to be found; jet skiing, which you can do with a trainer or with friends; parasailing, where one end of the parasail is tied to the flyer and the other to a motorboat. You can also go for kayaking, water skiing, speed boating, wind surfing, etc. Other than water sports when visiting Goa you can also go on cruises, whether simple cruises to sightsee from the waters, or romantic dinner cruises, backward cruises, or even casino cruises. The options are endless.
Nightlife in Goa
Goa is one of the most vibrant cities in India with a very lively nightlife. You don’t come back from Goa without partying at least a little and it’s got some of the most spectacular places for a night of partying. Club Cubana in Calangute, also known as the Nightclub in the Sky, is one Goa’s most popular and commercial clubs, which is open all week long. Mambos is also a popular club in Goa. Maharajah Casino, also known as Big Daddy, and Deltin Royale Casino are some of Goa’s most famous casinos that float on the waters. Brittos in Baga Beach is one of the most popular beach shacks in Goa and your Goa experience won’t be complete without going there.
Food and Shopping in Goa
Goa is known for its amazing seafood which is a perfect combination of Konkani and Portuguese cuisines. Apart from seafood, Goan food is also made up of coconut milk, curry, rice, all made better with local spices. In order to enjoy Goan food to its fullest you must visit famous beach shacks such as Thalassa, which faces the Arabian Sea and is famous for its Greek cuisine, and Brittos. Such restaurants as Waves and Zeebop are also must go places. While enjoying food, don’t forget to shop in Goa, which is full of vibrant flea markets, such as the Anjuna Flea Market, where you’ll find everything from handicrafts, trinkets and souvenirs, Keralan spices, and even second hand bikes and phones!
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