Trek Zone

8 February 2021

Travels

26 Most Famous Beaches in Goa

This smallest state of India is visited annually by about 3.5 million people (including less than 3 million Indians and about 500 thousand foreigners). Tourists are attracted by exotic nature and over thirty sandy beaches.

The Goa, once a Portuguese colony, today a place that combines traditional European architecture and Indian climate. Picturesque views and beaches stretching along the 62 mi long coastline are the main tourist attraction.

Its diversity enables everyone to find the right place for themselves. Those looking for entertainment and fun should choose seaside towns in the northern and central part of the state, while those avoiding the hustle and bustle will feel good in the southern part of the coast.

Below are the 26 of Goa's most popular beaches, sorted geographically from North to South.

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Querim

Jo Kent / CC BY 2.0 / Flickr

It is located in the northern part of Goa, about 22 mi from Mapusa. A small sandy beach with tall palms and pines growing along the coastline. One of the less crowded, offering a quiet and peaceful environment. Nearby is the 17th century Portuguese Fort Tiracol.

Arambol

Domena publiczna

Traditional fishing village in the northern part of Goa. Once a hippie habitat, the atmosphere of this place has been partially preserved until today. It is a paradise for tourists who like to stay here for longer. There is a relaxed, intimate atmosphere. It has no noisy bars, expensive resorts and tall concrete buildings, but a lot of climatic bars and stores. The wide sandy beach stretches for several kilometers, sometimes surrounded by steep cliffs. It offers favorable conditions for water sports (including surfing) and paragliding. It is a place where you can explore various alternative therapies: meditation, yoga, tai-chi, reiki. An additional attraction is the evening handicraft fair. It is also worthwhile to see the freshwater lake in the area or go on a boat trip, during which you can admire dolphins.

Mandrem

Haakon Wibe / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

A seaside town in the northern part of Goa, about 13 mi from Panaji. The beach here is very wide and flat, with warm and crystal clear water. It is a less crowded, intimate place, very quiet and safe. Ideal for families with children and those who like silence. There are numerous hotels and guest houses to choose from, as well as traditional ethnic cottages to rent.

Morjim

User:Agyar / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

It is a very quiet, peaceful and environmentally friendly place. Home to many species of birds, and the beach is famous for being a breeding ground for the endangered species of olive ridley sea turtle. Very popular among tourists from Russia, due to the large number of immigrants from this country living in Morjim.

Vagator

It is located about 10.6 mi from Panaji, 6.2 mi from Mapusa, close to Chapora. In a charming bay, sheltered from both sides by rocky cliffs, there are two beaches: in the northern part of Big Vagator and in the southern part of Little Vagator (very popular among English and Israeli tourists). The beaches are surrounded by hills and coconut trees. It can be considered quiet and not too crowded. Its attraction is the soft, white sand and blue water. Nearby there are numerous guest houses, restaurants and souvenir stalls. It is worth visiting the nearby Chapora Fort – the ruins of several hundred years old defensive fortifications.

Anjuna

Jason Rogers / CC BY 2.0 / Flickr

Located in the northern part of Goa, about 5 mi from Mapusa and 11.2 mi from Panaji. It is a charming place on a small bay surrounded by palm trees. It attracts mainly budget tourists. Despite the attractive beaches, Anjuna is not as noisy and crowded as neighboring Baga and Calangute. Here you can find both loud and very quiet places. The beach is famous for its soft sand and unusual rock formations (steep orange cliffs). In the 70’s it was a Mecca for hippies, today popular events are held here to the rhythm of trance music. Along the shore there are climatic pubs and restaurants. A local attraction is the flea market held every Wednesday. Many vendors from different states of India come here to trade everything from fruit, souvenirs, clothes to jewelry and electronic devices.

Baga

ashwin kumar / CC BY 2.0 / Flickr

Located about 9.9 mi from Panaji. Slightly more peaceful than neighboring Calangute. It offers beautiful scenery, sandy beach and intense nightlife. Bars and clubs, headed by the famous Café Mambo and Club Tito, encourage to enjoy the events offered. The place is crowded with Indians, Russians and British people. Especially recommended for people who like loud and good fun. The Baga is also famous for its Saturday Night Ingo’s Bazaar, where you can shop at the numerous stalls. There is also a possibility to practice water sports (windsurfing, kitesurfing, parasailing). It is here that the National Wind Surfing Championship takes place every year around September-November.

Calangute

Uspn / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

This is another very noisy and partying area of the Goa coast, a place for people who like to have fun at night. Calangute has been completely adapted to the expectations of western tourists, offering all modern facilities. The beach, although wide, is very crowded and commercialized. There are many resorts, guest houses, restaurants, bars and nightclubs around. Many concerts, fetishes, parties and outdoor discos are also organized there. The village is popular among Russians and Indians, who often come here in groups.

Candolim

Sandy beach located about 8.7 mi from Panaji. Although it offers numerous guest houses, restaurants, bars, discos, it is very quiet and peaceful. Recommended for water sports and fishing enthusiasts. The atmosphere provides an ideal environment for yoga and meditation.

Sinquerim

Nanasur / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Located 8.1 mi from Panaji. It has very good facilities for high-level water sports. There are many attractions such as water skiing, parasailing, fishing, diving and windsurfing, all under the supervision of specialized instructors. It is also a safe place for swimming and sunbathing. The long, calm, sandy beach stretches all the way to the walls of the 17th century Aguada Fort and the lighthouse.

Miramar

Nikhilb239 / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

This sandy beach, about 1.2 mi long, is commercialized and quite easily accessible as it is close to the center of Panaji. It has very good hotel and restaurant facilities. It is a bit crowded, because not only tourists, but also the inhabitants of this city come here with their families for morning and evening walks.

Dona Paula

This quiet bay overlooking the port of Mormugao lies about 4.3 mi from Panaji. It is a good place for sunbathing and water sports (sailing, windsurfing, water skiing, kayaking). Dona Paula Marina is famous throughout India. Many tourists from all over the country come here to see the place where many scenes of Bollywood movie hits were shot. It is worth seeing the National Institute of Oceanography located in the area.

Siridao

abcdz2000 / CC BY 2.0 / Flickr

Small, quiet, clean and less crowded beach, located near Panaji. It is partly rocky and sandy. It is famous for several caves and the chapel of Jesus of Nazareth located on a hill, just off the beach. Siridao is a paradise for shell and oyster collectors.

Bogmalo

It is located about 2.5 mi from the Goa Airport and about 5 mi north-west of Vasco Da Gama. Once a small fishing village, today it has transformed into a tourist village. Surrounded by hills, the sandy beach is quiet, natural and ideal for families with children. It is clean and not crowded. It provides a safe haven for lovers of swimming and water sports. There are very good facilities for windsurfing and diving (schools, courses, certificates). In the area you should visit the Naval Aviation Museum.

Majorda

meetthepotatoes / CC BY 2.0 / Flickr

A village in the southern part of Goa, with luxurious hotels and a wide, sandy beach, surrounded by palm trees. A good place for sunbathing, safe swimming and water sports. Very well developed tourist facilities: stores, cafes, restaurants. Attractions include numerous 17th and 19th century chapels and traditional bakeries (former residents of Majorda were the first to start baking bread).

Colva

Portugal Editor Exploration / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

It is located about 3.7 mi west of Margao. The Colva is the oldest and largest resort in southern Goa. It has a well-developed tourist infrastructure, equipped with all modern facilities: numerous hotels, restaurants, bars, stores. Wide, sandy beach, sheltered by coconut palms stretches for miles. On weekends, it is willingly visited by Indians, coming here with whole families. It is crowded, noisy and dirty. Among the beaches of the southern coast of Goa, it is here that night life is most vibrant. For tourists there are boat rides and facilities for water sports.

Benaulim

KlausNahr / CC BY 2.0 / Flickr

Located 1.2 mi south of Colva, it is a small climatic fishing village with guest houses, traditional huts and local food. An ideal place of rest for those looking for peace and quiet. Very clean, wide, sandy beach encourages walking and swimming. On the nearby stalls you can buy traditional Indian handicrafts.

Varca

Andy Mitchell / CC BY 2.0 / Flickr

Varca, like Benaulim, is very calm, quiet and safe. The non-commercial beach is famous for its exotic views: white sand, crystal clear water, around coconut palms and numerous colorful boats of local fishermen. The place is ideal for those who want to take a break from the hustle and bustle and for families with children. You can do water sports, rent a boat and spend time watching dolphins, or take a boat trip on the Sal River.

Cavelossim

Charan kumar kuppala / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

The village is located about 12.4 mi from Margao. Its landscape is varied with rice fields and groves of coconut palms. The coast covered with soft, white sand contrasts with the surrounding black, volcanic rocks. In addition, there is a lot of greenery and clear water. The beach is safe, guarded by lifeguards. Very clean, not crowded, peaceful place. Well-developed tourist infrastructure, numerous luxurious resorts, hotels, guest houses, restaurants, bars. Developed facilities for water sports (motorboats, jet skis, diving). Along the beach, local vendors offer traditional handicrafts and souvenirs.

Mobor

Kumaravel / CC BY 2.0 / Flickr

Located about 11.2 mi from Margao. Small, extremely charming, public, sandy beach, surrounded by rocky hills on one side and crystal clear water on the other. In the area there are luxurious hotels, cheaper guest houses and numerous restaurants and cafes. Ideal starting point for sea and river cruises. There are opportunities to practice almost all kinds of water sports: scooter rides, motorboat, water skiing, windsurfing, sailing, parasailing and diving.

Cabo de Rama

Karl Francisco Fernandes / CC BY 2.0 / Flickr

The cape is located 17.4 mi from Margao. It is not easy to get here. Individual transportation is required. It is a quiet place, away from hotels, restaurants and street bustle. The charming sandy beach, surrounded by coconut palms and blue water is practically deserted. Only a few tourists arrive here, just on weekends you can meet locals, mostly couples. Worth seeing are the ruins of the Portuguese fortress Cabo de Rama, located in the area. Although there is not much left of the fort, the view of surrounding area from the defensive walls and the nearby hill is really beautiful.

Khola

Nadya Mercado / CC BY 2.0 / Flickr

A few kilometers north of Agonda there is a pristine beach, which is an ideal place for those seeking peace and relaxation. It is one of the less crowded and less commercialized beaches on the southern coast of Goa. Extremely charming and exotic, it presents the natural, untouched beauty of tropical nature. It is surrounded by white sand, clean water and basalt rocks. Although there are small resorts located by the beach, even in high season, there is no problem for everyone to find a place just for themselves. Luxury tents are also offered as accommodation. It is possible to enjoy water sports or rent a boat from local fishermen and go on a short cruise.

Agonda

Domena publiczna / Wikimedia Commons

Agonda is a small, isolated fishing village, surrounded by about 120 hectares (297 acres) of forest. It has a 1.9 mi sandy beach. Those who want to escape from the hustle and bustle should choose this place. The wide beach with white squeak, surrounded by palm trees and pine trees is a real oasis of peace. It is clean, not crowded and has a serene, idyllic character. Numerous guest houses, hotels and huts for rent are waiting for tourists. It is possible to take part in classes of yoga, meditation. The surrounding resorts have good facilities for water sports (diving, surfing).

Palolem

Palolem, located about 22 mi from Margao, is quite a touristic place, thus it can be a bit crowded and noisy here, but definitely one of the more charming corners of Goa. Exotic, long beach delights with soft, white sand and azure water. It is overgrown with coconut palms and lush tropical vegetation, all among rocky cliffs and hills. Once an untouched piece of coastline, today it’s a very well-developed tourist base with lots of resorts, hotels, guest houses and coastal bamboo huts (of various standards). Dozens of restaurants serve fresh fish and seafood. During the season night life is bustling here. The surrounding bars and discos play live music, where the fun lasts until the morning. You can take advantage of a whole range of services, such as cruise courses, meditation, yoga or going on a morning boat trip to watch the dolphins. Palolem is also a good place for water sports (diving, kayaking, water skiing). On the beach, local people sell fruit, drinks, snacks and souvenirs in small stalls.

Patnem

Christian Haugen / CC BY 2.0 / Flickr

Charming bay located a few kilometers south of Palolem. The place is quiet, less crowded, with well-developed hotel and catering facilities. You can find here a large selection of restaurants and tourist resorts, ranging from very simple local cottages, to luxurious villas on the hill. The beach here is wide with white sand, clear water and coconut palms. Ideal for those looking for an intimate place to relax and for families with children. You can take advantage of organized yoga classes, meditation, reiki, healing massages and natural, alternative healing methods. There is a small market square in the area, where you can buy souvenirs and necessary things on stalls.

Polem

Goaforholidays / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

It is located on the very south coast of Goa, about 31 mi from Margao. This 2297 ft long, sandy and isolated beach impresses with its yellow-orange sand and tall palms growing along the entire coastline. Ideal for those seeking solitude and respite from the hustle and bustle. Due to the small number of tourists visiting this place, the tourist facilities are a bit limited, although you can easily find accommodation and dining in the coastal huts. It is also possible to go for a boat ride to the surrounding archipelago of deserted islands.

Written by: Tim Smith Tags: Asia, Beach, Goa, India