Goa; 'the queen of beaches', is known for its Gothic churches, palm-fringed beaches, coconut groves, Gin and Feni; and the Great Carnival. With its 131-km-long coastline, Goa represents the perfect trio of sun, sand and sea. Goa is a state blessed with fabulous weather, fantastic beaches, cooperative people, good food, hilltop forts making Goa tour one of the most wanted tours in India. If the tourists coincide their Goa tour with the most happening month of February, then the great Goa Carnival awaits them in full flair of colour and music. The most attractive part of the Goa Carnival is the mask dance, rhythmic music and thirst quenching Feni. For the travelers fond of village life; the ancestral Loutolim village takes them away from the flamboyant celebration of Goa carnival in the main city area. The tourists can also visit the tranquil and snow white beaches of Goa, churches, temples, markets and enjoy the water sports as well. The nightlife of Goa also becomes vibrant with the onset of the late evenings. The discotheques, bars and nightclubs in the hotels provide enough scope for the entertainment.

History of Goa

People relate the Goan history only with Portuguese but the seldom known fact is that it was also a part of the Mauryan Empire, around third century BC. The Satvahanas of Kolhapur, and the Chalukyas of Badami, took over the governance later. Other dynasties followed until the entry of Vijayanagar Empire for almost a century. This Mughal era ended with the reign of Sultans of Gulbarga, from whom the rule passed on to Adil Shah of Bijapur. In the tussle of power between the Dutch, English, French and Portuguese; in 1510, the Portuguese conquered Goa. Having ruled for around four hundred years, in 1961, the Portuguese left Goa making it an independent state.

Tourist Places in Goa

Goa Beaches

A tour to Goa is a gateway to a fascinating experience on the Goa Beaches, which are over forty in numbers. The Goa beaches are silver white with soft sand and are among the best beaches in the world. The most famous beaches in Goa are Anjuna, Baga, Calungute, Colva, Cavelossim, Benualim, Majorda, Dona Paula etc.

Arjuna Beach

Goa Anjuna beach is one of the most popular beaches in Goa. The beauty of the white waves rushing to embrace the pale golden sand on the beach can be witnessed in full form at the Goa Anjuna beach.
Goa Anjuna beach is a perfect haven for the hippies and you will come across some of them who have been staying on this beach for a couple of months. It is in the late 1950s to mid-1960s that Anjuna beach was "discovered" by the hippies. From then on began the trend of moonlit parties which is one occasion the hippies and now the tourists look forward to.

Arambol Beach

Goa Arambol beach is special in many ways. Apart from offering peace and tranquillity, the villages around Arambol also have a hand in enhancing the beauty of Arambol beach in Goa. The villagers at this Goan beach are friendly and go out of their way to make you feel at home. Here, you can get the feel of the Goan culture from close quarters. After the other crowded beaches in Goa which chug out commercial air, Arambol comes as a welcome change. There are miles and miles of long uninterrupted beaches with well-made tracks running around. The second beach is even more secluded and little used. There are sulphur pits and freshwater lakes that tourists can use for swimming during their vacations in Goa.

Agonda beach

Goa Agonda beach is special because you will find absolutely no tourists, no souvenir stalls, no restaurants, nothing. Just the trees, the beach, the big beautiful ocean and you. It also makes for a great day trip from Colva and Cavelossim. For real adventure, hire a tent and camp for the night, listening to the crashing of the sea waves.

Aguada beach

Goa Aguada beach is made special by the Fort Aguada. The Fort of Aguada was built by the Portuguese to control the entry of the enemy into River Mandovi and to protect old Goa from attacks. The fortification skirts the seashore. From the ramparts of Fort Aguada, you can get a fantastic view of the golden beaches running right up to the borders of the Indian state Maharashtra. At the center of the fort is a circular lighthouse tower which was built in 1864. If you can manage to reach the top of the lighthouse, then you can catch some excellent view of the Cabo Raj Niwas. The Fort presently houses the central jail.

Bogmalo beach

Bogmalo beach in Goa is beautiful in itself and many may disagree but it has been made special by the Oberois who manage a property here built by Trade Wings. This building is right on the sea. As the waves lash the parapets of the open-air restaurant, the drone of the restless Arabian Sea lulls to sleep even the most insomniac. This is one attraction which all the tourists eagerly look forward to submit to, though some feel the Oberois have stolen the natural beauty of the beach. Beyond the building are mysterious little islands, shipwrecks in the silt and, around the hotel, plenty of pleasant eateries-each one of them claiming to be Osibisa's favorite. This pardonable selling trick began about 10 years ago when the Oberoi hosted the group.

Baga beach

The Baga beach is more of a fishing beach with the tourists from across the world trying to get that big catch.

The Baga River flows down from one side offering a pleasant diversion for children and those who love the water but can't risk the rip currents that swirl round the mouth. Where the river and the sea meet, and on the far right bank, tourists at Baga beach will see a group of black rocks against which the sea crashes.

Calangute Beach

Goa Calangute beach is a haven for the hippies. It was the hippies who discovered this beach in the late 60s. The exquisite beauty of the Calangute beach in India's Goa soon spread around, bringing hordes of European tourists. And this trend has still been continuing…tourists come down to this small Indian state of Goa searching for this lovely beach. Once you reach Calangute beach in Goa, then you can spend your vacation soaked in the serenity of the sea, sun and sand. Goa Calangute beach is often crowded with people, children making sand castles, colorful crowds surging towards the sea, hippies busy remembering the good old times and the young and old alike lazing on the golden sands. This picture of a perfect tourist haven is completed with shacks and stalls under the shade of palm trees selling everything from fried prawns and beer to trinkets made of seashells.

Colva beach

Many choose to go to the Goa Colva beach to experience a change from the crowded Anjuna or Calangute beaches. Colva beach in Goa is one beach which is usually less crowded. There are many shacks lined up along the Colva beach which offers you delicious Goan cuisine to be washed down by innovative cock-tails. Sit in one of those shack, savour the mouth-watering food while looking at the vast sea in front of you.

Dona paula Beach

The beauty of Goa Dona Paula beach has been enhanced by a spooky past which has the tourists thronging to this place. History goes that the beach is named after Dona Paula de Menzes, daughter of a viceroy (in colonial India), who threw herself off the cliff, when refused permission to marry a local fisherman, Gaspar Dias. The myth says that Dona Paula is entombed in the Cabo Chapel of the Raj Bhawan and is supposed to be seen emerging from the moonlit waves wearing only a pearl necklace. This story attracts many tourists and they come here just to feel the sweet pain of love. This beach has also been the location for many Indian movies. Given this dual attraction, Dona Paula Beach has become a popular tourist spots.

Majorda beach

Goa Majorda beach is very famous for delicious breads. Majorda beach in Goa has a very interesting history behind it. Majorda is the village where the Jesuits, fond as they were of the good things of life, discovered the best Goan toddy (sap from the coconut palm), which they used to leaven the bread. Naturally, then, Majorda in Goa is the place where the Goans were first trained in the delicate art of baking European breads.
The Majordans are still Goa's best bakers. The delights of the beach, however, were discovered much earlier, in the mythic times when the gods above went through a lot of turmoil. There is a Goan version of Ramayana and therein Lord Rama was kidnapped as a child and brought up at Majorda. Later, in pursuit of Sita, he camped at Cabo de Rama-a headland further south-where the stretch of developed beaches ends.

Palolem Beach

One of the most popular beaches in India's Goa, Palolem is a beach of white sand facing a blue bay between two headlands. The little wooded islands on the northern headland look interesting and if you're keen, you can persuade one of the fishermen to ferry you across. One can also venture out to the sea to spot dolphins at this beautiful beach in Goa. Since tourists discovered Palolem, few shacks have mushroomed which sells seafood, snacks, souvenirs and clothes.

Vagator beach

At Vagator beach, you can also witness the seawater changing colors from aquamarine to emerald, tiny cottages with gardens garlanded by colors of lemon, purple and fuchsia. Goa Vagator beach is also made special by the fishermen community residing along its shores. So while you are in Goa's Vagator beach, you will come across the fishermen in their traditional attire getting ready to venture into the sea or coming back with their day's catch.

Benavali Beach

Goa Benavali beach is a tiny, relaxed resort situated few miles South of Goa. Goa's Benavali beach has a handful of budget hotels and excellent seafood restaurants.

Siridao Beach

Situated near the Zuari estuary, Goa Siridao Beach is a shell collector's haven with its assortment of oyster and pearl shells.

Miramar beach

Goa Miramar beach runs up to 3 Km. A lovely golden beach of soft sand griddled with palm trees facing the blue Arabian Sea, Goa's Miramar beach is very near to Panaji, the state capital of Goa.

Sinquerim beach

Goa Sinquerim beach is located some 13 km away from Panaji. The Taj Hotel group has set up the Heritage Complex here which dominates the headland around the historic Fort of Aguada. There is uninterrupted beach, starting from here all the way to north to Baga and if you want a long walk on the beach, there cannot be a better place to start from than here.

Mobor beach

Goa Mobor beach is situated in the north of Goa. Mobor beach in Goa is very beautiful, very clean and, in spite of warning notices put up by a luxury beach hotel, it is a public beach. All beaches in India are public beaches. Private enterprise has, however, responded well to the needs of visitors: there are beach umbrellas and chairs and tourists happily broil themselves in the Goan sun.

Goa Forts

A number of old Forts in Goa narrate their own story dating back to a bygone era. After the fun and frolic at Goa carnival, these Goa forts and monuments refresh your perception of beauty and elegance. The famous forts in Goa include Fort of Aguada, Cabo Raj Niwas, Cabo De Rama, Chapora Fort and Tiracol Fort. These forts elevate the French and Portuguese art and architecture dominant in those times. When you visit the forts in Goa, the concoction of different cultures-namely Portuguese, Hindu and Muslim- strikes you at the first instance.

Goa Temples

Some old temples of Goa that have survived the ravages of time have remarkable natural beauty and unique architecture. As in the days of yore, betel nut trees, coconut groves and lakes with crystal clear water surround them. Among the oldest, Saraswat Temples in Goa are the Mangeshi temple of Priol, the Shanta Durga Temple at Kavele, the Ganapati temple at Khandole, the Maha Laxmi temple at Bandewade and the Sri Nagesh Maharudra Temple at Bandora. These temples project the Hindu roots in Goa where even now the converted Christians of the state perform pujas and donate money for their Hindu brethren.

Goa Churches

The architecture and intricate designs on the churches in Goa make them worth watching. Most of the churches in Goa display a tiered frontispiece and are framed with columns and pilasters. Built in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, most important churches in Goa are: Basilica of Bom Jesus and Goa Se Cathedral.

Water Sports Goa

The water sports and the related activities are quite developed in Goa. The water sports in Goa give you the adventurous thrill and flexibility to your fatigued muscles. The various alternatives available in Goa for the water sport lovers are: Windsurfing, Dinghy Sailing, Scuba Diving, Speed Boats, Parasailing and Swimming.

Shopping in Goa

Shopping in Goa, India, can be an enchanting experience as you get not only Goan memorabilia here but also souvenirs from various corners of India. Goa is one place in India where you have customary shops as well as the beach shops. The beach side shops offer exclusive souvenirs reminding you of the colonial history of Goa. The famous Goan market is the Goa Flea Market at the Anjuna beach. The exclusive Goan craft items at the Government of Goa Emporia and the Handicrafts Emporium in Panjim are just right for the art lovers.

How To Reach Goa

Goa's international airport is Dabolim, 29 kms away from Panaji, on the coast near Vasco Da Gama. The air network in Goa connects various places of India through domestic airlines. A number of international airlines are also available.

Goa's two main stations are at Margao and Vasco Da Gama. Reaching Goa by train is easy from Mumbai, Bangalore, and Delhi. The Frank Shipping operates a boat service between Mumbai and Panaji giving you an opportunity to enjoy a sea voyage. For the local transportation one can easily find bus, car and the native mode of transport in Goa - the motorcycle taxi. Several ferry services are also available.