The state of Goa is located on the western coast of India in the coastal belt known as Konkan. The magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural splendours of its temples, churches and old houses have made Goa a firm favourite with travellers around the world. Besides the natural beauty, white sand beaches, nightlife, places of worship and World Heritage-listed architecture are the key attractions. Since the arrival of the Hippies in the sixties, Goa has been a major destination on the itinerary of international and domestic tourists.
Palolem Beach, a gentle curve of palm-fringed white sand on a bay in Goa where the river runs into the sea. An enjoyable cruising out to sea, spotting the dolphins in the bay and calm waters makes it a paradise. Nightlife with "silent discos" under a blanket of twinkling stars are amazing. Lined with palm trees and colorful wooden shacks, it is absolutely enjoyable. It is 70kms away from Panaji, the state capital.
the Candolim Beach is located at a distance of about 15 km from Panjim, the state capital. The beach is beautiful,
nice and clean while calmness prevails in this paradise of sun, sand and the sea. An even bigger charm to the beauty of this place are the scrub-covered dunes
at the back of the beach.
We can spend days in the silence of the place with nothing but the sound of the sea and the views of the beach in company. This beach is known for its serene and tranquil
environment, also home to a lot of water activities for the visitors including jet skiing, catamaran sailing, banana rides, surfing, bump rides, parasailing and paragliding,
in between try some of the best seafood in Goa. It is a popular tourist destination especially for honeymooners.
Calangute Beach, 16kms from the state capital of Panaji is encircled by palm and coconut trees with a spectacular beauty and charm with all the frantic nightlife of an ocean paradise. This beach is known as the 'Queen of Beaches' due to it’s incredible beauty and serenity and a perfect destination for nature freaks and beach bums.
Located at Old Goa, 10 kilometres east of Panaji, the Bom Jesus Basilica completed on 15 May 1605 is a World Heritage Monument. This is the only church in Old Goa, which is not plastered on the outside, the lime plaster having been stripped off by a zealous Portuguese conservationist in 1950. The church is called "Bom Jesus" meaning 'good Jesus' or 'infant Jesus' to whom it is dedicated. The façade has on it, at the top, the letters, "HIS" which are the first three letters of Jesus in Greek. On the southern side in the transept is a chapel with gilded twisted columns and floral decorations of wood, where the sacred relics of the body of St. Francis Xavier are kept.
Originally started off by hippies as a means of earning money by bartering or selling their stuff, today it is very much a part of any tourist’s Goan itinerary. Arpora night market is held every Saturday from evening till late night. This is a place where you can find all sorts of local goods from different herbs and spices, crafts, bags, accessories, jewellery, vintage items, rugs, and much more.
The Hilltop Nightclub in North Goa is between Ozran Beach and Anjuna on the top of a hill. This is one of the best places in Goa for trance music and rave parties. The outside is lit up with pretty lights. Thousands attend rave parties during weekends in the peak season and DJs are from England, Sweden, Italy, France, Russia, Germany, Israel, and India.