Places to visit in Goa

Places to visit in Goa

Goa is known for its beaches. Besides the beaches there are many other places to visit in Goa. The following are the major tourist attraction places to visit in Goa.

11)      Beaches in Goa

22)      Temples in Goa

33)      Wildlife Sanctuaries in Goa

44)      Spice Plantations in Goa

55)      Waterfalls in Goa

66)      Forts in Goa

77)      Churches in Goa

88)      Flea Markets in Goa

99)      Goa State Museum

1)      Beaches in Goa

Beaches in North Goa

It is convenient to stay in Panjim or Mapusa if you plan to visit beaches in Goa in North Goa. Distance between beaches in Goa and nearest city is provided below. Distance between the city of Panjim and city of Mapusa is 13 km.

Arambol Beach is located in the Pernem Taluka and is 22 km from Mapusa city and 36 km from Panjim city.

Morjim Beach is located in the Pernem Taluka and is 15 km from Mapusa city and 29 km from Panjim city.

Vagator Beach is located in the Bardez Taluka and is 10 km from Mapusa city and 22 km from Panjim city.

Anjuna Beach is located in the Bardez Taluka and is 9 km from Mapusa city and 21 km from Panjim city.

Baga Beach is located in the Bardez Taluka and is 9 km from Mapusa city and 18.7 km from Panjim city.

Calangute Beach is located in the Bardez Taluka and is 9 km from Mapusa city and 15.8 km from Panjim city.

Sinquerim Beach is located in the Bardez Taluka and is 13 km from Mapusa city and 14.3 km from Panjim city.

Candolim Beach is located in the Bardez Taluka and is 11 km from Mapusa city and 14.1 km from Panjim city.

Siridao Beach is located in the Tiswadi Taluka and is 19 km from Mapusa city and 10 km from Panjim city.

Beaches in South Goa :

It is convenient to stay in Margao if you plan to visit beaches in Goa in South Goa.

Distance between beaches in Goa and nearest city is provided below.

Velsao Beach is located in the Salcete Taluka and is 15 km from Margao city.

Utorda Beach is located in the Salcete Taluka and is 10 km from Margao city.

Majorda Beach is located in the Salcete Taluka and is 9.4 km from Margao city.

Colva Beach is located in the Salcete Taluka and is 7 km from Margao city.

Sernabatim Beach is located in the Salcete Taluka and is 7.7 km from Margao city.

Benaulim Beach is located in the Salcete Taluka and is 6.4 km from Margao city.

Varca Beach is located in the Salcete Taluka and is 9.2 km from Margao city.

Mobor Beach is located in the Salcete Taluka and is 17 km from Margao city.

Agonda Beach is located in the Canacona Taluka and is 37.5 km from Margao city.

Palolem Beach is located in the Canacona Taluka and is 37 km from Margao city.

2)      Temples in Goa

Places to visit in Goa should also include the temples. Most of the Temples in Goa are located in South Goa and it is convenient to stay in Margao city.

Major tourist attraction Temples in Goa are the following;

Shantadurga Temple located in Kavlem, Ponda

Ramnath Temple located in Ramnathi, Ponda

Manguesh Temple located in Mangueshi, Ponda

Wamaneshwar Temple located in Dhavlim, Ponda

Mahalaxmi Temple located in Bandora, Ponda

Mahalsa Temple located in Mardol, Ponda

Shantadurga Fatorpekarin Temple located in Fatorpa, Quepem

Shantadurga Cuncolikarin Temple located in Fatorpa, Quepem

Shantadurga Balikarin Temple located in Bali, Quepem

Shantadurga Temple located in Paroda, Salcete Taluka

Damodar Temple located in Zambaulim, Sanguem Taluka

Tambdi Surla Temple located in Sanguem Taluka

Mallikarjun Temple located in Canacona Taluka

Datta Temple located in Sanquelim, Bicholim Taluka. This Temple is not in South Goa.

Brahma Temple located in Sattari Taluka. This Temple is not in South Goa.

3)      Wildlife Sanctuaries in Goa

Places to visit in Goa should also include the Wildlife Sanctuaries.

Mollem National Park and Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary

The Mollem National Park and Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Mollem, Sanguem Taluka. Ponda city is 29 Km away. The Sanctuary is a protected 240 sq.km area along the western ghats. The Sanctuary offers a plethora of wildlife and nature.

Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary

The Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is located 20 km east of Ponda and 38 km from Margao city. Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary has an area of 8 sq.km.

Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary

The Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Canacona Taluka and 10 km from Chaudi town. Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary has an area of 86 sq.km and has a dense forest of tall trees.

Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

The 1.8 sq.km Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is located on an island in the Mandovi river, on the western tip of Chorao Island and is 5 km from Panjim city. One has to take a ferry from Ribandar which is 4 km from Panjim city. The Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary has a thick layer of mangrove forest and is flocked with local and migratory birds.

Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary

The 208 sq.km Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Sanguem Taluka near the village of Valpoi and is approximately 52 km from Panjim city.

Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary

The Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over 211 sq.km and is located in Sanguem Taluka and lies between Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary to its north and Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary to its south. The Margao city is 45 km away and Panjim city is 75 km away. The Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary is very popular with nature enthusiasts.

4)      Spice Plantations in Goa

Places to visit in Goa should also include the Spice Plantations as these are located in scenic locations.

Sahakari Spice Farm

The Sahakari Spice Farm is located in the village of Curti in Ponda Taluka. The Sahakari Spice Farm is 2 km from Ponda and occupies 130 acres of land and cultivates fruits and spices.

Savoi Plantations

The Savoi Plantations is located in the village of Savoi, 25 km from Panjim city and 30 km from Margao city. Bird watching can also be done at the Savoi Plantations.

Pascoal Organic Spice Village

Pascoal Organic Spice Village is located in the village of Khandepar in Ponda Taluka and is 25 km from Margao city and 45 km from Panjim city. The Pascoal Organic Spice Village covers 20 hectares of land and is surrounded by forest, bird watching is also done here.

5)      Waterfalls in Goa

Places to visit in Goa include the waterfalls also.

Dudhsagar waterfalls

Dudhsagar waterfall is a spectacular waterfall and is located in Sanguem Taluka. A number of private operators offer special trips to the Dudhsagar waterfalls. There are trains to take you to the Dudhsagar waterfalls from Margao city and Vasco city. The Dudhsagar waterfall is a must see.

Arvalem Waterfalls

Arvalem waterfalls is located in the village of Sanquelim in Bicholim Taluka. The Arvalem waterfalls are worth a visit immediately after the monsoons in the month of October.

6)      Forts in Goa

Places to visit in Goa include the Forts. These Forts may not be comparable to the size of Forts in Maharashtra.

Aguada Fort

Aguada Fort is a 1612 built fort of the Portuguese and 18 km from Panjim city.

Terekhol Fort

Terekhol Fort is located in the Pernem Taluka and is 42 km from Panjim city.

Chapora Fort

Chapora Fort is 10 km from Mapusa city located on a hilltop overlooking Vagator Beach.

Cabo De Rama

Cabo De Rama Fort is located in the Canacona Taluka and is 30 km from Margao city.

Reis Magos Fort

Reis Magos Fort is located in the Bardez Taluka and is 10 km from Panjim city.

Rachol Fort

Rachol Fort is located in the Salcete Taluka and is 4 km from Margao city.

7)      Churches in Goa

Places to visit in Goa must include the churches. All of the churches have a fantastic architecture. There are many churches in Goa. The following churches are of tourist attraction;

Basilica of Bom Jesus

Basilica of Bom Jesus is located in Old Goa, 10 km from Panjim city. The Basilica of Bom Jesus holds the mortal remains of Saint Francis Xavier.

Se Cathedral

Se Cathedral Church is located in old Goa. It is the most celebrated and one of the oldest churches in Goa.

Church of Saint Francis D’Assissi

The Church of Saint Francis D’Assissi is located adjacent to the Se Cathedral

Church of Saint Cajetan

This large and beautiful church of Saint Cajetan is located half a kilometer from Se Cathedral.

8)      Flea Markets in Goa

Places to visit in Goa include the Flea Markets.

Anjuna Flea Market

Anjuna Flea Market is held every Wednesday. The Anjuna Flea Market was initially started by foreign tourists who wanted to sell off their belongings such as cameras, watches, perfumes, sunglasses, clothes. Located near the Anjuna Beach, the Anjuna Flea Market has gained popularity over a period of time.

Arpora Saturday Night Bazar

Arpora Saturday Night Bazar is held every Saturday. The Arpora Saturday Night Bazar is very close to Calangute Beach. The Arpora Saturday Night Bazar is very popular with the tourist.

9)      Goa State Museum

Places to visit in Goa includes the Goa State Museum

Goa State Museum is located in Panjim city in the EDC complex. Some of the Museum collections include religious expression, history of printing in Goa, furniture, sculpture, Goa’s freedom struggle, lottery machines etc.

The picture is of a Golden Oriole seen in Goan villages.