best places to visit in north goa

26 Must-See Attractions in North Goa

April 04, 2024 • 4207 views

According to data from the Department of Tourism, more than 38 lakh people visited Goa in 2023, making it one of the most visited tourist places in India. While South Goa has its own cham, North Goa is famous for its lively, buzzing atmosphere, and numerous beaches. 

This blog lists out 26 best places to visit in North Goa for you to have a great time. Let’s explore!

Top 26 Places to Visit in North Goa

1. Baga Beach

Baga beach is a favourite place for partygoers and beach lovers. During the day you can soak up in the sun and participate in water sports such jet skiing or parasailing.  You can also relax at the beach front bars. Post sun set, you can enjoy beach parties, live music, and bonfires.

  • Best Time to Visit: Post-monsoon season between October and January.
  • Places to Visit Nearby: Chapora Fort, Aguada Fort, Our Lady of Piety, Dr.Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, and Casa de Retiros are some of the most essential places you must visit during your trip to Baga Beach.
  • Things to Do: Shopping at Arpora Saturday Night Flea Market, participating in water sports, experiencing the nightlife and amusement parks, and visiting the forts.  

2. Calangute Beach

Calangute Beach is one of the best places to visit in North Goa for couples. With its stunning golden sand, crystal-clear blue waters, and an array of water sports, the beach is a perfect spot for adventure seekers. The beach shacks serve scrumptious seafood and refreshing drinks, further adding to the charm of this place.

  • Best Time to Visit: Between late October and February.
  • Places to Visit Nearby: Kerkar Art Gallery, Baga Beach, Aguada Fort and St. Alex Church.  
  • Things to Do: Water sports, scuba diving, visit shacks, enjoy the nightlife and enjoy spa and wellness. 

3. Anjuna Beach

Anjuna Beach is a 2-kilometre stretch of golden sand on Goa's North Coast with a unique charm. This famous beach is one of the best destinations for partygoers in Goa. It has some of the most famous nightclubs, like Paradiso, and eateries like Curlies, Basilico and Cafe Lilliput.

  • Best Time to Visit: November to February.
  • Places to Visit Nearby: Anjuna Wednesday Flea Market, Chapora Fort and Vagator Beach.
  • Things to Do: Spend your time on the beach, play water sports, experience Goa's famous nightlife, enrol in a yoga retreat or wellness session, shop from the local stalls, and savour delicious seafood curries and fresh Goan cuisine.

4. Arambol Beach

Arambol Beach stands out as a tranquil haven with perfect blend of natural beauty, laid back charm and bohemian culture. There are lots of shops selling clothes, jewellery, handicrafts, and souvenirs. In addition, there are plenty of restaurants where you can relax by the sea, enjoy refreshing cocktails, and savour delicious Indian, Italian, and Goan dishes.

  • Best Time to Visit: Between November and March.
  • Places to Visit Nearby: Palolem Beach, Fort Aguada, Morjim Beach, and Chapora Fort.
  • Things to Do: Participate in activities such as yoga and meditation, water sports, dolphin watching, exploring the Flea market and culinary journey.

5. Candolim Beach

Candolim Beach remains a top choice for tourists throughout the year, thanks to its stunning white sand, crystal-clear waters, and exciting water sports. Wooden huts dotting the shoreline provide convenient access to sun loungers and parasols for rent, ensuring a comfortable day under the sun. Additionally, you can indulge in the flavours of local cuisine or unwind with a refreshing beer.

  • Best Time to Visit: November to February.
  • Places to Visit Nearby: Visit Fort Aguada, Calangute Beach, and Anjuna Flea Market. Explore Old Goa’s magnificent churches, charming Portuguese architecture, and historical landmarks.
  • Things to Do: Enjoy Water sports, experience shopping and nightlife.

6. Deltin Royale

Considered the best place to visit in North Goa at night, Deltin Royale is a luxurious 7-star casino ship situated in the beautiful city of Goa. It is the largest offshore gaming and entertainment centre in not just India but the whole of Asia. .

  • Best Time to Visit: Post-monsoon season, between November and February.
  • Things to Do: Play games such as roulette, blackjack, baccarat, poker, 7up 7down, and the money wheel, experience live music, dance, and magic performances, and have dinner and drinks.  

7. Basilica of Bom Jesus

The Basilica of Bom Jesus, a masterpiece in Goa, stands as a testament to the artistry of Baroque architecture. Its façade, crafted from imposing black granite, is a unique blend of five distinct architectural styles, namely, Roman, Ionic, Doric, Corinthian, and Composite. This harmonious fusion creates a visually stunning masterpiece.

  • Best Time to Visit: October to February.
  • Places to Visit Nearby: Sé Cathedral, the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, the Viceroy's Arch, the Archaeological Museum, St. Cajetan Church and Santa Monica Convent.
  • Things to Do: You can take a guided tour, explore Old Goa, attend a mass, and eat at local restaurants, coffee shops, and cafes.

8. Chapora Fort

Chapora Fort is surrounded by steep slopes and has a zigzag outer wall built for its defence. Sitting in a specific spot, the fort gives you great views all around.  You can hike along the Chapora River for breathtaking views of Vagator Beach and the deep blue ocean.

  • Best Time to Visit: Between November and February.
  • Places to Visit Nearby: Visit Vagator Beach, Anjuna Beach, Ozran Beach, Arpora Night Market, Acropolis Nightclub, and Shiva Valley when you visit Chapora Fort.
  • Things to Do: Uncover the fort's rich past, capture photos, watch birds, trek through the surrounding hills, visit Vagator Beach, and the Shiva statue.

9. Vagator Beach

Vagator Beach is a clean, quiet beach in Mapusa, Goa, India. It is one of the most beautiful beaches in North Goa, known for its striking red cliffs and black rock views. The beach is a haven for travellers seeking tranquillity and natural beauty. You can enjoy sunbathing, swimming, and strolls along the shore.

  • Best Time to Visit: Between November and February.
  • Places to Visit Nearby: Ozran Beach, Morjim Beach and Anjuna Market, Primrose Cafe and Nine Bar.
  • Things to Do: Take part in activities such as swimming, sunbathing, and stroll along the shore.

10. Casino Pride

Casino Pride, also called Majestic Pride, is a floating casino situated on the Mandovi River in Panjim, Goa. Operating round the clock, seven days a week, the casino provides a wide array of gaming options, along with delectable food, refreshing drinks, and entertainment.

  • Best Time to Visit: October to March.
  • Places to Visit Nearby: Panjim City, M.G. Road, and Mandovi River.
  • Things to Do: Try your luck at classic table games like Roulette, Blackjack, and Poker or test your fortune on thrilling slot machines.

11. Sinquerim Beach

Sinquerim Beach stretches to Baga in the north, making it perfect for going on a casual walk, enjoying the beautiful sunset views, and capturing the moment with your camera. The beach looks even more stunning during sunset, so going for a walk then is a truly special experience.

  • Best Time to Visit: November to February.
  • Places to Visit Nearby: Aguada Fort, Candolim Beach, and Calangute Beach and get a boat cruise on the Mandovi River.
  • Things to Do: Participate in activities such as sunbathing, swimming, water sports. You can also visit Aguada Fort Adventure, enjoy dolphin watching, beach shack feasts and fine dining.

12. Fort Aguada

Fort Aguada is built on the top of a hill overlooking the Arabian sea. It is a testament to Goa’s rich colonial history. You can explore its well-preserved ramparts, lighthouse, and underground tunnels along with the panoramic view of the coastline.

  • Best Time to Visit: Between November and February.
  • Places to Visit Nearby: Aguada Lighthouse, Calizz, Church of St Lawrence, Dolphin Point, Big Foot Museum, Devil Finger Caves, Parra Coconut Tree, and Old Lighthouse Tower.
  • Things to Do: Visit the nearby beaches and experience water sports such as banana boat rides, kayaking, jet skiing, and windsurfing.

13. Goa State Museum

Goa State Museum, otherwise known as the State Archaeology Museum, Panaji includes departments such as Geology, Arts and Crafts, and Archaeology and Ancient History. Currently, the museum is situated at Adil Shah’s Palace in Panaji and boasts more than 8,000 artefacts, including bronzes, wooden objects, carvings, paintings, manuscripts, stone sculptures, anthropological objects, rare coins, etc.

  • Best Time to Visit: Between October and March.
  • Places to Visit Nearby: Immaculate Conception Church, Big Daddy Casino, Deltin Royale, Reis Magos Fort, Basilica of Bom Jesus, etc.  
  • Things to Do: Walk around the premises of the Goa State Museum and understand the culture and history of Goa by going through the exhibits at the museum.

14. Reis Magos Fort

Reis Magos Fort is a Portuguese fort in Goa located on the northern bank of the Mandovi River. The Adil Shahi Sultanate of Bijapur originally built the fort in 1493 as a military outpost. It was expanded and re-erected in 1707. The fort was used as a jail from 1900 until it was abandoned in 1993.

  • Best Time to Visit: Between late October and February.
  • Places to Visit Nearby: Candolim Beach, Coco Beach, Goa State Museum, Sinquerim Beach, Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church, Sinquerim Fort, Fort Aguada, Miramar Beach and Dona Paula Beach.
  • Things to Do: Explore spas, gift and speciality shops, bars and clubs, boat tours, scuba and snorkelling.

15. Anjuna Flea Market

Anjuna Flea Market is a weekly flea market located on Anjuna Beach in Goa, India. The market is a massive bazaar that was formed in the 1960s when travellers bartered their goods in the square.  It has a variety of stores that sell a variety of items, including beach clothing and handicrafts. Some say the market has a good number of options with competitive rates.

  • Best Time to Visit: Between 9 AM and 4 PM.
  • Places to Visit Nearby: Anjuna Beach, Baga Beach, Candolim Beach, Ozran Beach, Curlies by C Lounge, and Nyex Beach Club.
  • Things to Do: Shop for psychedelic art, clothing, handicrafts, jewellery, colourful handicrafts, dreamcatchers and souvenirs.

16. Curlies Beach Shack

Curlies Beach Shack is a popular beach shack located on Anjuna Beach in North Goa. It is a party destination with a hippie vibe, psychedelic trance, and techno music. Visit this place for its trendy crowd, great vibes, and amazing ambience by the sea.  Curlies offers direct beach access, a view of the Arabian Sea, and a great choice of music from different genres.

  • Best Time to Visit: Between November to February.
  • Places to Visit Nearby: Morjim Beach, Coco Beach, Mandrem Beach, Rivona Caves, Club Cubana and Ancestral Goa (Big Foot Museum).
  • Things to Do: Enjoy boat rides, jet skiing, kayaking, fishing, dolphin spotting, banana boat rides, parasailing, and snorkelling.

17. Mangeshi Temple

Mangeshi Temple, also known as Manguesh Devasthan, is a 400-year-old temple in Goa dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a testament to Goa’s rich cultural heritage ad syncretic traditions. The temple offers a soul-stirring experience that transcends boundaries of time and space.

  • Best Time to Visit: Mid-November to mid-February.
  • Places to Visit Nearby: Basilica of Bom Jesus, Shri Mahalasa Narayani Temple, Se Cathedral, Shree Shantadurga Temple, Church of St. Francis of Assisi and the St. Augustine Tower.
  • Things to Do: Visit sacred and religious sites, go to spas, sunbathe at the beaches, and buy gifts from specialty shops.

18. Mahalakshmi Temple

Shri Mahalaxmi Temple is a temple in Bandora, Goa, dedicated to Goddess Mahalakshmi. It stands as beacon of spiritual enlighten.  Throughout the year, the temple hosts various festivals and celebrations. The highlight of the temple is the idol of the Goddess Mahalakshmi, which has a linga on her head. This is considered a Satvik (peaceful) form of the Devi.

  • Best Time to Visit: October to March.
  • Places to Visit Nearby: Shri Nageshi Temple, St. Roque Chapel, Casino Pride (Majestic Pride), Basilica of Bom Jesus, Church of The Immaculate Conception of The Virgin Mary, Casino Royale Goa, Fort Aguada, and Goa Archaeological Museum.
  • Things to Do: Take bike tours, take long cultural walks in Margao and view the beautiful houses of Goa.

19. The Church of Mae De Deu

Located in Saligao, Goa, the Church of Mae De Deus, otherwise known as the Mother of God Church, is an example of Neo-Gothic architecture. Its spires each have a cross on top. The church was built in 1873 and is surrounded by the typical picturesque Goan countryside.

  • Best Time to Visit: Between November and March.
  • Places to Visit Nearby: St. Alex Church, Candolim Beach, Baga Beach, Sinquerim Beach, Fort Aguada and Big Daddy Casino are some of the most essential places you must visit if you are going to the Church of Mae De Deu.
  • Things to Do: Visit Baga Beach Goa and Candolim Beach and participate in water sports, explore eateries, witness the beautiful sunset, parasail, spend your time in the shacks, and enjoy the night life.

20. The Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception

The Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception is a magnificent example of Baroque architecture. Despite the simplicity of its interior design, the church boasts a stunning main altar dedicated to Mary Immaculate. Daily masses are held in English, Konkani, and Portuguese, making them accessible to a diverse set of worshippers. Whether you are a local or a visitor, a visit to this church is sure to be a memorable and spiritual experience.

  • Best Time to Visit: Between November and March.
  • Places to Visit Nearby: Se Cathedral, Reis Magos Fort, Shri Mahalaxmi Temple and Miramar Beach.
  • Things to Do: Visit the special service, walk or bike around the beautiful area or visit Goa's Latin Quarter.

21. Chapel of St. Catherine

The Chapel of St. Catherine of Alexandria is a small and elegant Baroque chapel in Old Goa, India. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is significant to Portuguese history in India.

  • Best Time to Visit: Between October and March.
  • Places to Visit Nearby: Church of St. Francis of Assisi, the Se Cathedral, and the Basilica of Bom Jesus.
  • Things to Do: You can roam around the campus, attend the mass and visit other places in North Goa.

22. Temple of Bodgeshwar

The Bodgeshwar Temple is devoted to Kanakeshwar Baba, who is also known as Bodgeshwar or Bongini. It is located amidst a lush green environment, surrounded by paddy fields. Every year, the temple hosts a five-day festival on Paush Shukla Chaturdashi, which falls on the fourteenth day of the waxing phase of the moon. This festival usually takes place in January or December.

  • Best Time to Visit: Between November and February.
  • Places to Visit Nearby: Anjuna Beach, Miramar Beach, Calangute Beach, Corjuem Fort, Fort Aguada, Goa State Museum, Shri Dev Bodgeshwar Sansthan, Dona Paula Beach and Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary.
  • Things to Do: Pray and give offerings to the shrines, visit famous places such as Fontainhas Heritage Walk, The Nature Trail at Chorao Island, BLive Electric Bike Tours and a Private Cultural Tour.

23. Houses of Goa Museum

The Houses of Goa Museum is a triangular multi-level building designed and built by Gerard da Cunha in 1997. The museum features photographs, drawings, historical objects, furniture, home decor items, door and window frames, railings, and ceramic tiles. The museum puts into context the architectural heritage of Goa and its mixed influences from Portuguese and other cultures.

  • Best Time to Visit: Between November to February.
  • Places to Visit Nearby: Basilica of Bom Jesus, Baga Beach, and the Museum of Goa.
  • Things to Do: The Houses of Goa Museum has many stores and galleries nearby that sell arts, souvenirs, tiles and other handicrafts.

24. Museum of Christian Art

The Museum of Christian Art (MOCA) is a non-profit museum in Old Goa famous for housing various Christian arts. The museum's extensive collection includes a 19th-century ivory and gold baby Jesus in his silver crib. Some say the museum has an exquisite collection and a calming ambience.

  • Best Time to Visit: Between November to March.
  • Places to Visit Nearby: Morjim Beach, Coco Beach, Mandrem Beach, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church Goa, Rivona Caves, Sinquerim Beach, Ancestral Goa and the Japanese Garden.
  • Things to Do: Take part in a Latin Quarter Walk at Fontainhas, BLive Electric Bike Tours in Old Goa, Old Goa Heritage Walk by Make It Happen, and Fontainhas Heritage Walk by Make It Happen.

25. Mapusa Market

Mapusa Market is a popular tourist destination and one of the oldest shopping centres in Goa. The market is renowned for its vibrant atmosphere, immersive cultural experience, and extensive selection of products. The market offers a variety of goods, including fresh produce, spices, textiles, clothing, handicrafts, souvenirs, locally grown fresh fruits, pottery, sausages, and fenny stores.

  • Best Time to Visit: Fridays.
  • Places to Visit Nearby: Sinquerim Beach, Candolim Beach, Anjuna Beach, the Basilica of Bom Jesus, and Immaculate Conception Church.
  • Things to Do: Visit churches, beaches, and explore the market.

26 Arpora Night Market

The night market in Arpora is a highly sought-after destination for both Indian and European tourists. Its unique appeal lies in its attraction of many foreign tourists as well as those inclined towards hippie culture. The ambience of the market is distinctively cosmopolitan, with numerous stalls run by Europeans.

  • Best Time to Visit: November to April.
  • Places to Visit Nearby: Morjim Beach, Coco Beach, Mandrem Beach, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church Goa, Rivona Caves, and Sinquerim Beach.
  • Things to Do: Go for Go Karting, clubbing at Club Cubana, visit the Splashdown Waterpark Goa, explore water sports, and visit a spa and wellness centre.

As you plan your vacation, consider the convenience of a Personal Loan for travel, which can help you turn your dreams of exploring this enchanting region into reality.

Also Read - 9 Best Places for Solo Travel in India

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Also Read - Facts You Should Know About Travel Loan in India

To Conclude

North Goa offers a diverse range of experiences for travellers seeking everything from pristine beaches to vibrant markets and cultural landmarks. From the serene shores of Anjuna and Vagator to the lively streets of Calangute and Baga, there’s something for everyone in this vibrant region. If you find yourself dreaming of exploring these enchanting locales but need a financial boost, a Personal Loan for travel could be the key to turning your wanderlust into reality.

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Disclaimer

We take utmost care to provide information based on internal data and reliable sources. However, this article and associated web pages provide generic information for reference purposes only. Readers must make an informed decision by reviewing the products offered and the terms and conditions. Personal Loan disbursal is at the sole discretion of Poonawalla Fincorp.
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