Neatly tucked into the Western coast of India, Goa is the state associated most with touristy beaches, a happening nightlife and over 300-year old Portuguese architecture.
Referred to as the city of churches by many, the culture of Goa has the lingering effect of being a Portugal colony. Visibly different from the rest of the country, Goa has characteristic colourful houses, lush green fields and a soothing languidness in the atmosphere. The charming villages of Goa are ideal for a laidback morning walk or an aimless evening stroll.
North and South regions of the place are strikingly different – the former is a cultural hub with traditional eateries and markets, while the latter makes for an idyllic vacation with its 5-star hotels, private beaches and a mix of white sand and clean blue water. Under the star-laden skies, each festivity becomes more alive. Goa greens and wildlife makes for a nature lover’s ideal hotspot. If you are a food adventurer, you may want to visit the gorgeous spice gardens and try a glassful of cashew feni. Goa provides a respite, not just for the tourists on an appointment with nature, it is also the place for crazy parties and a vivacious night-life. The ultimate tourist destination of India, Goa promises to be something special for all types of travellers.
Morjim Beach
Dona Paula
Arambol Beach
Anjuna Beach
Agonda Beach
Tarkarli
Malvan
Gokarna
Devgadh
Amboli
Goa has good and many places to stay for all categories of travellers. Whether you’re on a shoestring budget and want a cheap shack or you’re on the splurging spree and want to have the luxurious 5 star stay, you will find options.
North Goa has a lot of options to stay around Baga, Calangute and Anjuna beaches. For someone looking to enjoy nightlife, water sports and don’t mind the crowd, this is a good area to stay. South Goa is good if you are looking to roam around more serene options.
Goa is home to everything refreshing, zesty, exotic and colourful. And this includes Goan food. The food here is a blend of Konkani, Hindu, Portuguese and Catholic cuisines, providing wide and vibrant choices. Seafood, coconut milk, rice and local spices are the main elements of Goan cuisine and fish, curry and rice form the staple food.
Seafood like prawns, lobsters, crabs, pomfret fish, clams, ladyfish, mussels, and oysters is used to make a variety of curries, fries, soups and pickles. Fish curry, fried fish, fish cutlets are just some of the items that you must savour in Goa.
Goa also offers a variety of options to vegetarians, however, don’t expect a lot from it.
Waves Restaurant
Seafood, Italian
11 AM to 3 PM & 7 PM to 2 AM
INR 1200
One of the best resorts in Goa, the super luxury tents are very comfortable and the service is excellent. Perfect for a romantic date with your partner.
782, Gawdewada, Morjim-Ashvem Road, Arambol, Goa, India
Casa Vaz Tea Shop
Snacks
9AM-9PM
INR 50
Run by a really nice and friendly local, what’s so special about this place is its caramelized bhaji pau, which is served at a meagre amount of Rest. 12.
Abade Faria Road, Old Market, Near Holy Pharmacy, Margao, Goa – 403601, India
Street-Food Stalls
Snacks
From 5PM
INR 100
Walking along this beach, one’ll come across several food stalls from which one can try whatever they want to.
Colva Beach Road, Colva, Goa, India
Cinnabar
Multi-cuisine
11AM-3PM & 7PM-11PM
INR 1000-2000
Located in the Acron Arcade shopping Centre, this joint offers an easy menu from which one can order pastas, soups and salads and end the meal with desserts like black forest ice cream or hot coffee.
Fort Aguada Road, Candolim, Goa, India
Tourist Inn
Snacks, Bar
INR 100-300
The view of Saint Francis of Assisi from this place and the prices on the menu card is unmatchable! This place has great food at a pocket friendly price. It also serves chilled beer.
Old Goa Road, Goa, India
Zeebop by the Sea
Seafood, Goan, North-Indian
11 AM to 4 PM, 6 PM to 11 PM
INR 800
Regarded by many as one of the best shacks of South Goa, it offers excellent starters and main course dishes along with some equally good drinks. The great ambience and music of the place add on to the overall experience here.
Opposite Kenilworth Beach Resort, Utorda Beach, Majorda, Goa, India
Casa Penguim de Gelados
Snacks
8.30 AM – 8 PM, Mon-Sat
INR 150
Though primarily an ice cream point, one can also get teas and an array of vegetarian South Indian thalis and idlis at this place.
Abade Faria Road, Margao, Goa – 403601, India
Cafe de Ria
Cafe
INR 80
A pure vegetarian eatery, this place dishes out some really fine vegetarian South Indian food.
Rau De Ourem, Panaji, Goa – 403001
Home
European
8.30 AM – 9.30 PM
INR 160-260
Run by a very friendly British couple, this place offers one of the finest dining experiences in Patnem. Choose from a selection of fresh salads, creamy risottos and yummy bowls of pastas. If nothing else, just stop by for a steaming mug of coffee and a chocolate brownie. You’ll leave this charming little place with a content smile on your face.
Patnem Beach, Goa, India
Welcome Restaurant
Indian
7 AM – 10 PM
INR 300
This is a highly recommended place by the residents of Vasco, who’ve given it the tag of the best restaurant in Vasco. You get the softest idlis and paper thin dosas for breakfast and proper thalis at lunch. Dinnertime is when a large variety of Indian dishes are available to order. A must visit place for people who love Indian food.
Swatantra Path, Near Municipal Garden, Vaddem, New Vaddem, Vasco da Gama, Goa – 403802
Veg Baba
Indian
INR 80
This restaurant has exemplified good veg food so much so that even non vegetarians are bound to try it out – especially the vegetarian thalis.
Vagle Vision Bldg, Panaji, India
Smugglers Inn
British
INR 800
Be it in terms of the food, or the activities such as weekly night quizzes or watching football, one gets the feel of a very English atmosphere at Smugglers.
Palolem, Canacona, Goa – 403702, India
Mamoos Place
Indian
INR 200-500
The new location of Mamoos manages to create the exact same kind of food as the older outlet did, serving their usual aloo Gobi and tandoori paneer. The huts, set back from the road in a lush, green garden, make a great change from the beach parade.
Opposite Sabai Sabi, Patnem Beach, Patnem, Canacona, Goa 403702, India
Simply Fish
Seafood
INR 1500
The name of the restaurant says it all. A paradise for seafood lovers, one can find almost every kind of simple and exotic seafood preparations at this place.
Marriot Resort, Goa
Delhi Chaat
Snacks
10 AM to 9 PM
INR 150
During tourist season, one will find an increase in the popularity of this chaat joint. It offers a variety of chaats, spicy and full of flavor.
Shop No.6, Gurudatta Apartments, MG Road, Panjim, North Goa Majorda, Goa, India
Martha’s Breakfast Home
Cafe
7:30AM-1:30PM
INR 100-300
As the name of the restaurant suggests, it’s a breakfast joint which serves everything ranging from pancakes, porridge and fresh juices to piping-hot plates of waffles, loaded with maple syrup.
907 Monterio Vaddo, Anjuna, Bardez, Goa 403509, India
Sea Horse
Multi-cuisine
10 AM to 10:30 PM
INR 1000
Sea Horse has an extensive all-day menu which numerous seafood options. But things start to get fun towards the evening with some amazing cocktails and a movie screening.
Near Milagris Church, Morjim, Arambol, Goa, India
Shimon
Middle-Eastern
9 AM to 11 PM
INR 120-400
Understandably popular among the Israeli tourists, this is a decent place to try out some yummy falafel and other middle eastern dishes. For the ones with a sweet tooth, the Jachrun is served on Saturdays. Do try it!
Arambol (Harmal), Goa, India
Kamaxi Hotel
Goan
9AM-9PM
INR 400
Stop by this place if you want to have good seafood, along with a bottle of chilled beer.
Polem Beach, Goa – 403728, India
Surya’s Beach Cafe
Cafe
9 AM – 10 PM
INR 100-500
Surya’s Beach Caf is renowned for it’s rich and savory seafood options, which includes fish, crabs, oysters and mussels.
Galigibag (Turtle) Beach, Canacona, Goa, India
Temptations Bakery
Chinese, North-Indian
12 Noon to 3 PM, 7 PM to 12 Midnight
INR 350
Temptations Bakery is a hangout spot for people of all age groups. The place has some amazing cakes and breads on offer.
Magnum Residency, Miramar, Panaji, Goa, India
O Coquerio
Goan
11 AM to 11 PM
INR 1500
O Coquerio is famous for its authentic Goan Portuguese cuisine. Must try dish is the Pomfret Recheiado (fish stuffed with red masala).
NH – 17, Alto Porvorim, Penha de Fran?a, Goa 403521
Cafe Chocolatti
European
9AM-7PM
INR 800
If you’ve got a sweet tooth and want to try out some finger-licking sweets and chocolates, then this is the place for you. Run by a native Londoner living in Goa for over 15 years, this bakery has all its products freshly baked at home.
409A, Fort Aguada Road, Candolim, Goa, India
Souza Lobo Bar and Restaurant
North-Indian, Continental, Goan
11:30 AM to 11:30 PM
INR 1300
If you are looking for some amazing sea food, Souza Lobo is not a place to be missed. The food is great and the view from the restaurant adds to it. One thing to look out for is that the place is generally crowded.
Calangute Beach, Calangute, Goa, India
Cafe Orange Boom
Cafe
8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
INR 200
Known to be the backpackers’ paradise, this cozy cafe is located on Flea Market road in Anjuna. Orange Boom offers homemade pizzas, fresh juices and a variety of breakfast menu.
Pequem Peddem, Anjuna, Goa, India
Bean Me Up Soya Station
American
8 AM to 4 PM, 7 PM to 11 PM
INR 800
For the diet conscious and the hardcore vegetarians, Bean Me Up is the perfect place. Most of the dishes here are prepared from Soya, which is also treated as replacement of meat for a lot of them. There is also a bunch of salads and juices on the menu for the health conscious.
1639/2, Deulvaddo, Anjuna- Vagator, Near Anjuna Petrol Pump, Anjuna, Goa, India
A Reverie
Continental
7 PM to 11 PM
INR 2000
This place makes news not only for its food but for its culmination of decor. The restaurant serves various International and local cuisines in the garden, open-air or under a tiled roof ambiance based on your liking
Holiday Street, Gaura Waddo, Calangute, Goa, India
Florentine’s
Seafood
11:30 AM to 3 PM, 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM
INR 800
Florentine’s is about nothing fancy, but just good food. The signature dish is Chicken Cafrael. Also try the Kaju Feni and Limca for drinks.
Chogm Road, Saligao, Penha de Franca, Goa, India
Beaches in Goa are far apart and it stretches more than 100 km from north to south. Bus connectivity is good for popular areas of Goa and fares are low and still gives you a great view of the city. But buses are not a great option if you are looking for beach hopping or going to hang around til late night. You could rent a motorcycle or a scooter if you have a valid license. The rent starts from 250 per day per bike like Honda Activa or around 400 per day for Royal Enfield bikes. This excludes petrol costs. Riding on bikes is the most popular way of commuting in Goa for young tourists, including foreigners. You can also hire a cab, with or without a chauffeur to roam around. It starts from Rs.1000 per day for a simple hatchback. However, finding parking spots close to all beaches could be a problem whereas bikes give you the flexibility of going pretty close to the beach to park.
Directions by road from the nearest airport
Weather forecast
Jan 15, 2025
30°C
Airlines at airports closest to Goa
Goa
Resort location: Colva
Airline
Frequency
Frequent flights from Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai.
Frequent flights from Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai.
Getting there
Closest By Air
Dabolim-Goa
30 kms 1 hour
Closest By Rail
Madgaon
7 Kms 15 mins
Closest By Road
Madgaon
10 Kms 15 mins
Mumbai
593 Kms 12 hours
Pune
338 Kms 9 hours