On the west coast of India is the smallest and most delightful state of this country, which has long been chosen by tourists from all over the world.
Everything here is very comfortable and well-groomed, here exoticism is combined with a decent European level of service, here you can have a good quality rest and get the expected range of services for a certain amount.
But Goa is not at all a typical state for India, it is a territory where the industry of recreation and tourism is highly developed. And it is fundamentally different from another, real India, more colorful, original and no less interesting for an inquisitive tourist.
For your reference: if you want to fully realize what a real undisguised India is – go to the ancient city of Hampi, visit Jaipur and Mumbai, and do not forget to immerse yourself in the versatile atmosphere of Delhi – the capital of this amazing country, which you will remember with unprecedented contrasts
No one has ever said better about India than Mark Twain, who visited this country at the end of the 19th century –
“The land of dreams and romance, unheard of wealth and unprecedented poverty, luxury and poverty, palaces and shacks, hunger and plague, spirits and giants, lamps Aladdin, tigers and elephants, cobras and jungle; a country of hundreds of peoples and languages, thousands of religions and two million gods. “
However, let's return to Goa to get to know better this amazing place of real relaxation.
After landing at Dabolim airport, you transfer to a comfortable bus or private car that will take you to a pre-selected vacation spot – North Goa or South Goa.
South Goa
This is a priority recreation area for respectable wealthy tourists of venerable age. Silence, comfort, luxury, exotic surroundings – and that says it all.
North Goa
A more democratic territory of Goa, where less whimsical tourists prefer to stay – lovers of incendiary parties and dizzying nightlife. Also in this part of Goa you can find a large number of informals of various orientations.
Goa is a small state, very popular with tourists. Travelers from all over the world, of all kinds of nationalities, families with children, fans of parties and bronze tanning who dream of spiritual enlightenment come here.
A short tour of the sights of Goa worth seeing
Panaji is the capital of the state of Goa
Quite a cozy port town, where Indian flavor and European Mediterranean motives are bizarrely combined – houses with tiled roofs, chapels, etc.
A bit of history
Panaji used to be a haven for Portuguese colonists. But in 1961 Indian troops entered Goa and, after occupying it, drove out the Portuguese. However, Portugal itself recognized India's sovereignty over Goa only after the 1974 revolution.
And in 1971, the state of Goa was already separated from the union territory.
It is characteristic that after the domination of the Portuguese in Goa, Catholicism remained the most widespread religion. There are more churches here than Hindu temples.
What to see:
• Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary.
• Hidalgo Palace – originally it was the Sultan's palace, which was later rebuilt by the colonialists into a European tiled building.
• Chapel of St. Sebastian.
• Venite restaurant with a distinctive interior – quite expensive by the standards of India, but very colorful. Excellent cuisine is presented in three directions – local Indian, Mediterranean, Italian.
Note to fans of gambling!
Gambling is prohibited throughout India with the exception of Goa.
The Panaji maritime port area is home to modern cruise ships with many casinos on board. According to the law of the state of Goa, casinos cannot be located on the coast, only on ships that are in the roadstead at sea.
This is another reason for the large influx of gambling holidaymakers to this piece of paradise.
Old goa
The geographical location of Old Goa is the mouth of the Mandovi River. This part of the state has a lot to see for history and architecture lovers.
Basilica of Bom Jesus (Basilica of Bom Jesus)
A very interesting building, erected by the Jesuits. In Goa, this is perhaps the only building whose façade is not decorated with stucco molding.
The interior of the basilica is decorated with an altar covered with gold and an openwork carved wooden pulpit.
Tourists must be shown the tomb of St. Francis Xavier, a missionary who arrived in Goa in the 16th century to establish Catholicism. And he succeeded – more than 30,000 inhabitants of Goa began to profess this religion.
Se Cathedral A
majestic building celebrating Catholicism that took over eighty years to complete. This is the largest cathedral in the Asian region – a magnificent bell tower, a font, fifteen altars, eight chapels. Very monumental.
Walking around Old Goa, every tourist will discover many places worthy of his attention – and these are not only beautiful temple buildings and majestic cathedrals, but also distinctive nature reserves and national parks.
Goa attractions are also an architectural heritage that was formed during the period of Portuguese development. A must-see is Old Goa, an archaeological reserve with impressive temples. Spice plantations are the main highlight of the state of Goa, certain types have gained popularity, and therefore there is another place that all tourists want to visit. Sahakari, a plantation located in the Ponda region, enjoys high interest among travelers. You can get to the famous flea markets in any locality. A million items, from shell products, inexpensive jewelry, copper utensils, souvenirs and bamboos to quality natural clothing and jewelry, can be bought at the Indian bazaar. The flea market in the local village of Anjun is the most popular shopping destination.
While traveling to heavenly places, listen to your inner desires, in Goa they have a peculiarity to come true.
North Goa Attractions
Among the most picturesque sights of northern Goa, which nature has presented, is the Dudhsagar Falls. Having reached it by a difficult road, you can see buffaloes and bison. You can admire the colonial architecture in the city of Panaji, which is the capital of Goa; it is also worth looking into the old quarter of Fontaines and visiting the stately temples.
For three centuries there has been an impregnable fortress of Aguada, the largest fort that has survived to this day since the time of the Portuguese, all the arches and 79 cannons have been preserved.
It is possible to organize a route to places with a medieval history, in the neighboring state of Karnataka. The Hampi complex of monuments, which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is an architectural masterpiece. On the territory you can visit the working Virupaksha temple.
A short tour of the beaches of Goa
The beaches are the main scenic attraction of Goa, amazing sunsets and gentle sea are included in the program of every tourist. However, the active rest does not end there.
If you want to relax outside the box, with a colorful twist – go to Goa – a popular Indian resort that will pamper you with the warm sea and the peculiar charm of local beaches.
Tourists with any preferences in recreation and various levels of financial capabilities will find here a place to their liking and wallet.
The coast of Goa is divided into South and North.
South Goa is a delicate dimension and absolutely calm rest.
North Goa is an incendiary atmosphere of complete liberation, fun and unique energy.
Where to go and which region of Goa to give preference, everyone decides for himself, depending on his tastes, habits and desires.
Well, our task is to tell you about the most popular beaches of North and South Goa.
Goa is located on the Arabian Sea, which is constantly stormy and with its high waves pleases, perhaps, only surfers and fans of extreme entertainment on the waves. But there are not many of them.
Most tourists still prefer the gentle calm sea, which allows you to get a real thrill from swimming.
Conclusion: in North Goa, a calm sea is not expected. In South Goa – only on selected beaches located along the shores of the lagoons.
Palalam Beach
This is the southernmost point of Goa. A fabulous lagoon, calm sea, absolute privacy – in general, paradise and nothing else.
Arambol beach
Northern part of Goa. There are stunning natural landscapes here. The visiting card of Arambol beach is a very picturesque rock, protruding into the sea and completely overgrown with tropical jungle plants.
Previously, tourists from Israel, who come to rest with their whole families, were very fond of here. Therefore, there are many signs in Hebrew and even establishments that still serve Jewish cuisine.
There are also enough restaurants and cafes with national and European cuisine.
As for accommodation, you will not find expensive hotels here. The average bill for living in a bungalow or in a standard guesthouse room is $ 10-20 per day.
But the shopping here is excellent. You will be amazed by the length of the shopping street that bends around the entire beach and even the cliff that serves as the northern border of the beach.
Wild beaches of Kalacha and Kerim
There is absolutely nothing here, except for a couple of restaurants – only the sea and wild nature. You can get to these beaches from the Arambol beach if you go around the cliff.
Solitude is sometimes also necessary on vacation, in order to completely merge with nature and feel the serenity of real relaxation.
Beaches Morgmi, Ashvem and Mandrem
All of them are located a little to the south and have won the recognition of Russian tourists. Although this place is not shunned by Hollywood stars, who rent high-class villas here, located in a protected area.
Housing for more mundane than Oscar-winning people, tourists are somewhat more expensive here than in Arambol. A room in a good hotel or villa will cost $ 40-50. A room in a guest house or bungalow is cheaper.
On a note!
Those who like to spend the winter in warm regions choose housing within the radius of these three beaches. Renting an apartment with a kitchen for a long period (1-2 months) is quite affordable.
By the way, especially for Russian tourists there are restaurants offering decent Slavic cuisine. After the peculiarly spicy and spicy enough Indian food – this is what you need.
For example, in Ashvem there is a popular Sky Bar among our compatriots, which serves quite a decent borscht, worthy Kiev cutlets and dear Olivier.
Vagator Beach
If you drive along the coast in a southerly direction, passing the Chapora River, you will find yourself on Vagator Beach, where you can hardly meet compatriots or foreign holiday-makers. This beach, as they say, was “staked out” for themselves by the locals, who love to spend their free time here with their families.
Anjuna Beach
This beach is located in northern Goa, at its most southern point, in the eponymous village of Anjuna.
This is the domain of party-goers and fans of diving into a trance after a good dose of marijuana. By the way, special devices for smoking marijuana can be bought here in the stalls.
Specific Hindu music is constantly played here, under which yogis meditate and inveterate smokers float away into oblivion.
Here you can fill a cool “tattoo” and have fun with all the heart.
In addition to local party-goers, there are many young people from England in Anjuna.
It would seem, where is prim England, and where is the wild life of Anjuna, in which life is in full swing in all its manifestations…
But, nevertheless, this is so, and there are a lot of Englishmen who decided to taste all the delights of life here.
A more respectable public comes here exclusively for shopping, because it is in this area that the most colorful Goa markets are located. One of them works during the day, the other only at night.
Shopping in North Goa
Shopping in this Indian state can be done in two ways. The first option is to go after them – to large stores or shopping centers. There you can buy quality goods, albeit at fairly high prices. But it is much more profitable to shop at one of the many local bazaars, where not only prices are more affordable, but, often, there is a greater variety of things.
In the photo: Arpora, Night Market.
What interesting shopping in North Goa can offer
tourists Markets in the villages of Arambol, Anjua, Calangute and in the city of Panaji are widely known among tourists. In Anjua, there is a “Day Market” every Wednesday, where you can buy inexpensive things that will please you and your money. Arpora is home to the “Night Market”, which opens here on Saturdays. All night you can not only shop, but also listen to music, as well as have a snack in a cafe and watch various shows and performances organized here. However, each local settlement has its own small markets.
Shopping in North Goa attracts those tourists who want something exotic. Still, India is not at all like most other countries, and therefore the goods that are sold here are considered by many to be very unusual. Among the colorful shopping to do in North Goa, souvenirs made by local artisans are popular. As a souvenir of your trip, you can buy, for example, crafts made of bone, shells and bamboo, as well as unique jewelry or wood and stone carvings. They bring tea, spices, silk, cashmere, woolen scarves, drums and even carpets from here. Indian ethnic clothing is also in demand.
The prices for things are reasonable here. For example, you can buy a good T-shirt for 50-70 hryvnia or a set of carved elephants for 200-400 hryvnia. An excellent quality wallet or drum can be bought for UAH 100-150.
A short tour of the Goa markets
Day market
What day does it work:
Wednesdays.
Who Trades:
All sellers are local Indians only.
What area does it occupy:
several hectares.
How long does it take to shop:
at least 3 hours
What you can buy:
luxurious oriental-style jewelry, wristwatches (inexpensive imitations of famous brands), national clothes, original souvenirs, exquisite Indian spices.
Is it possible to bargain:
not only is it possible, but also necessary, since the price can be brought down by fifty percent of the original.
Night market
Where is:
in the village of Arpora, neighbors from Anjuna.
What day does it work:
Saturdays.
Who sells:
European sellers have chosen this market because there is a high attendance – vacationers may not give up their daytime beach holiday in the name of shopping, and by the night, when the heat has subsided, they will be happy to go shopping.
What area does it occupy: a
huge territory, conditionally divided into three shopping zones, with a large number of shops, shops, restaurants and bars.
How long will it take for shopping: on a
cool night, in a comfortable environment and an atmosphere of festive bazaar fun, time flies by.
What you can buy:
European sellers bring here limited editions of branded clothing and footwear, exclusive European jewelry and home decor items.
Is it possible to bargain:
Bargaining is possible, but the likelihood that prices will be reduced is very small, even considering that they are already much higher than in the local day market.
Tourists buy not only long-term storage items, but also local exotic products – spicy pork sausages, pickles or local liqueur with a fruity or coconut flavor.
The variety of shopping opportunities is amazing. So you have a great opportunity to enjoy shopping, spending a relatively small amount, and bring a piece of this wonderful place home with you as a souvenir.
Enjoy your acquaintance with Goa!