Places to Visit in North Goa

Baga Beach in Goa looks as though it has come straight out of a work of art. Lofty white waves hurrying to wipe out the prints of feet left by you on the white sand while the breeze keeps on playing with the palm trees is a sight to behold at this majestic beach in Goa.

It is a decent place to appreciate some moments and abide in a serene consideration with oneself. It is counted as one of the best beaches in Goa where you can see wonderful sunsets and at the same time appreciate the cool morning breeze. The shacks become animated in the late night with music impacting and astounding client service at the party places in Baga Beach. It is also a center point to experience daring water sports and famed for drawing in a huge number of sightseers every year.

• Water Sports: Banana Ride, Dolphin Trip, Water scooter, windsurfing, Jet skiing, Motor boat ride, scuba diving etc.

• Nightlife: Club Tito’s, Cavala, Britto’s, Zanzibar etc

• Location: Baga Beach, North Goa

• Distance from Panaji: From Panaji the Baga Beach is located 19 kilometers away.

• How to reach from Panaji: The Baga beach is just half an hour drive away from Panaji and 15 minutes from Mapusa. There are frequent buses available to Baga from Mapusa and Panaji throughout the day and the journey takes about half an hour from Panaji.

Deserving every reason to be called the ‘Queen of Beaches’ in Goa, Calangute Beach is a paradise for nature lovers holding the spectacular beauty and charm. The beach reflects the unique Goan culture with a glorious view of the landscape serving as a perfect retreat for visitors. Here you can find the effervescent markets selling everything from beer, trinkets to pawns. It is also the biggest beach of North Goa and ideal for witnessing the beauty of palm and coconut trees against the locale of the magnificent Arabian Sea.

This beach is often crowded with people swelling towards the sea, lazing around, taking sunbath and children making sand castles. Another spectacular features of Calangute Beach is its sunsets and sunrise.

• Water Sports: Parasailing, Speed Boat Rides, Water Skiing, Water Scooter, Jet Skiing, Banana Ride, Wind surfing etc.

• Nightlife: Cantare, Revolution Pub, Club Antoos

• Location: Calangute Beach, North Goa

• Distance from Panaji: The Calangute Beach is 16 kilometers away from the city of Panaji.

• How to reach from Panaji:  There is a regular bus service which runs from Panaji to the Calangute Beach. If one is driving then it takes half an hour to forty minutes to cover the distance.

This beach has won the hearts of tourists for its tranquil ambience, adventure sports and other amusement options. The enchanting Candolim Beach is particularly famous for its nightlife which ensures fun and some crazy moments to remember for a lifetime. Interesting adventure sports, spellbinding scenery and a unique festivity makes Candolim Beach one of the best beaches in Goa. The Sunburn Festival is held here for three days every year attracting hordes of tourists. Also, the water activities at Candolim Beach are must try to get the adrenaline rush with adventure.

This beach is the perfect place for all the individuals who search for restoration, fun and quietness. Its peaceful and serene air enchants numerous voyagers. On the highest point of it, when you come to realize that it's a home to a lot of water sports and different exercises, at that point you'll wish to never go back home.

• Water Sports: Banana Ride, Dolphin Sighting Trip, Jet Skiing, Speed Boat Rides, Water Scooter etc.

• Nightlife: Club LPK-Love Passion and Karma, SinQ, Drift Bar, Pharaos etc.

• Location: Candolim Beach, Bardez Taluka, North Goa

• Distance from Panaji: This beach is located at a distance of 14 kilometers from Panaji.

• How to reach from Panaji: The best way to reach Candolim Beach from Panaji is via a bus or your private car. There is no air or rail connectivity between Candolim Beach and Panaji.

Situated on the west coast of Goa by the Arabian Sea, Anjuna Beach is one of the best beaches in Goa. The hippies were the first people to come here in the 1950s and since then Anjuna Beach is a hotspot in Goa for local and international tourists. Anjuna Beach grows on you as you take a stroll along the glowing white sands and enjoy the sight of gently swaying palms in front of you. This beach is also famous for its Wednesday Flea Markets where you can shop for souvenirs, sarongs, traditional handicrafts etc.

• Water Sports: Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Paragliding, Windsurfing, Bungee Jumping, Banana Ride, Dolphin sighting trip, Go karting, Water scooter, Water skiing etc.

• Nightlife: Curlies, Purple Martini, Café Lilliput, Shiva Valley and UV Bar are popular spots for enjoying nightlife at Anjuna Beach.

• Location : Anjuna Beach, North Goa

• Distance from Panaji: Anjuna Beach is at a distance of 21.5 kilometers from Panaji.

If you ever ask anyone the best party place in Goa, no wonder he will shout out the name ‘Titos'. This place is also known as the one where you can party like crazy, enjoy some drinks and dance the floor till the breath lasts.

Having more than 1 branch in Goa, Titos is rushing the minds with Bollywood disco, original classic style, cool lounging place and delicious food one just imagines. Tito’s clubs get a good number of guests and hence it remains full almost all the time of the year. So pick up the scooter and ride towards the party place, dance the floor hard and make your nightlife rocking.

Entry Fees: It only wants you to pay for the food and drinks you consume here! No entry fees required.

Location: Titos original at Baga Calangute, Titos Bollywood at Santa Vaddo and Titos club at Calangute.

Vagator resort offers a lot of shacks and restaurants where you can take a snack and try the wonderful appetizing dishes of local cuisine. The local art, music and nightlife defines the aura of this amazing beach. The coastline is stacked up with several stalls who sell books, apparels, handicrafts, trinkets, and other food items like soft drinks, snacks, sea food, etc.

• Water Sports: Parasailing, Jet Skiing, Dolphin Sighting

• Nightlife: Mezcal, Mango Tree, Disco Valley, Tin Tin Bar, The Alcove

• Location : Vagator Beach, Bardez Taluka, North Goa

• Distance from Panaji:  The distance between Vagator Beach and Panaji is about 20 kilometers.

• How to reach from Panaji: Vagator Beach is connected to Panaji through Mapusa and Calangute. You can easily catch a bus or drive by yourself to reach the Vagator Beach.

The scintillating Sinquerim Beach is an excellent shoreline that has a fabulous extend of sand and it is also one of the best North Goa places to visit. It is situated at the north of the well known shorelines like Baga, Calangute and Candolim. It is a perfect place for swimming and one ought not to miss going to this shoreline when vacationing in Goa to enjoy the beach activities.

The beach is mostly popular among up market tourists and you will find some of the most amazing nightclubs in Goa here. Many music festivals are also hosted here. Apart from a number of restaurants that satiate your hunger with food, Sinquerim Beach is also known to satiate your appetite for adventure with a number of water sports.

• Water Sports: Windsurfing, Jet skiing, Water Skiing ,Dolphin sighting, Paragliding and scuba diving 

• Nightlife: Sinq , Love Passion Karma

• Location : Sinquerim Beach, North Goa

• Distance from Panaji: It is located at a distance of 14.1 km from Panaji. 

• How to reach from Panaji: There are frequent buses available from Panaji. Private transport such as cabs, auto rickshaws are also available as a mode of transportation.

If you are wishing to spend some moments in solitude appreciating the exquisiteness of a pristine coastline, then Arambol Beach is the perfect place to be in Goa. It is relatively unexploited by tourists and perfect spot for going to enjoy a day in sun with your folks. Also known as Harmal Beach, the place is a heaven for those searching for some quietness and solitude. The shoreline has  a long sandy extend with soft white sands. The beach is considered most favorite for some long-staying budget travelers and also has some of the best resorts of Goa.

One of the popular activities here is dolphin sighting organized by local fishermen. Along the coast, tourists can find a few shops sell clothes, junk jewelry and handicrafts from Goa and other parts of the country.

• Water Sports: Paragliding and Dolphin Watching

• Nightlife: Cockstown, Friend’s Pub, Blue Diamond etc

• Location : Arambol Beach, North Goa

• Distance from Panaji: The distance between Arambol Beach and Panaji is 35 kilometers.
  

• How to reach from Panaji: There are buses available from between Panaji to Arambol every thirty minutes until noon, and every ninety minutes thereafter and between Mapusa and Arambol which takes three hours. The nearest bus stand is a 2km walk away from the beach.

Nestled in the midst of lush green surroundings, Morjim Beach is a delight that will leave you refreshed with its calm and serene ambience. If one is a fan of bird watching, Morjim Beach is one of the best beaches in Goa to spot several species like the Sand Plover, Bay-backed Shrike, Quill, Turnstones, Cuckoo, Kingfisher and Sandpipers can be seen in natural surroundings. Dolphin Sighting is another activity which you can indulge in at the Morjim Beach.

This place is also famous for being a nestling place of Olive Ridley Turtles. Lately, Morjim Beach has earned the label as ‘Little Russia’ due to the large population of Russians here.  A lot of private beach sun beds, coco palms, Russian sports bar and beach touching restaurants can be found here.

• Water Sports: Dolphin Watching, Swimming. There is not much of adventure sports here due to habitation of water animals.

• Nightlife: Club Fresh, Bora Bora, Marbela Beach Resort

• Location: Morjim Beach, Pernem, North Goa

• Distance from Panaji: Approximate driving distance between Morjim Beach and Panjim is 27 kilometers.

• How to reach from Panaji: There is a daily bus service available from Panaji to the Morjim Beach. You can also opt to drive by yourself via your own vehicle.

• Other Stays: Check out some other resorts in north Goa.

Comparatively a lesser known beach among tourists, Ashwem Beach is ideal for tourists wishing to spend some alone time at a beautiful location. Ashvem has a lovely landscape known for its stones surrounding the beach carved by the shellfish. The view that the shoreline gives is a standout amongst the most wonderful sights at any point seen. Ashwem Beach is best known for the Olive Ridley Turtles and government has devoted to a Turtle Beach here for conserving this endangered species.

The beach is ideal for swimming as the currents aren’t too strong. Here you can also find unique shacks made of coconut palms and bamboo which are known for their excellent and fresh seafood as well as their delicious Goan delicacies. If you wish to pamper yourself then go for the Ayurvedic Massages here for a relaxing experience. Ashwem Beach is popular for its party life after the sun sets down.

• Water Sports: Speed Boat Ride. Ashwem Beach isn’t very popular for water sports in Goa.

• Nightlife: La Plage Restaurant, Shanti Lounge, Bardo, Blue Sunset Beach Party etc.

• Location: Ashwem Beach, North Goa

• Distance from Panaji: Approximate driving distance between Panjim and Ashvem Beach is 29 kms

• How to reach from Panaji: You can either drive or hire a cab to reach Ashwem Beach from Panaji.

Those who love art, history, and culture shall not miss Goa State museum and observe a different set of antiques and an impressive collection of artefacts. Of all museums of Goa, this one exhibits items pertaining to religious expression, history of printing in the state, lottery printing, cultural anthropology, contemporary and Christian art, furniture, sculptures and information on Goa’s struggle for freedom.

Gallery display is not the only thing you will find but also screenings for students on prior intimation. These screenings display short videos of various cultural, heritage and anthropological facts about Goa.

Location: Mahatma Gandhi Road, Panaji

Timings: Monday to Saturday, from 10.00 AM to 6.00 PM

Entry Fees: To your surprise, it's none!

A world heritage monument and a UNESCO recognized the site, the facade of the church is quite dull and rusty in its first look giving a very different impression at first. Despite its rustic look, the church is famous as the relics of Saint Xavier was enshrined here long back. Moreover, its art, architecture and historical touch make it unique in another manner.

The contrasting interiors is a worth to look at, having the marbled floor, precious stones, gorgeous silver statue, carved and gilded columns and old paintings which will all make one go awestruck. This place is undoubtedly topmost places to visit in North Goa and a place that ought not to be missed at any cost.

Location: 10 km east of Panaji at Bainguinim

Timings: 10.30 AM to 6.30 AM, every day

Entry Fees: free of cost.

The wonderful Chapora beach in North Goa is an ideal spot for the leisure lovers and peace searchers. Catching the fishes with an astounding perspective of the lovely nightfall ahead is truly an alleviating background which you can witness at the Chapora Beach. One of the most important landmarks of Portuguese era, the Chapora Fort is located on the stretch of this beach.

It remains one of the most crowded beaches of Goa flocked with tourists looking for a calm stroll on the sand, sunbathing or enjoy the warm currents at the shore. Hungry tourists can find a number of restaurants and beach cafes near the Chapora beach that serve some flavorsome seafood and drinks.

•  Water Sports: Fishing, jet skiing, wind surfing, para gliding, ringo rides, para sailing, crocodile spotting at certain pre- defined locations and dolphin watching

• Nightlife: Sunita Bar, The 9 Bar, Camlin Bar And Restaurant, Sunset Bar And Restaurant, Big Chill Goa, Ferns Bar And Restaurant, Mango Tree Bar And Restaurant, Siddheshwar Darbar Bar And Restaurant, Green Bar And Restaurant, Nyan Bar, Disco Valley, 9 Bar, Helinda Bar And Restaurant

• Location : Chapora Beach, North Goa

• Distance from Panaji: It is located at a distance of 21.1 km from Panaji. 

• How to reach from Panaji: The nearest railway station is at Karmali, just 11 km away from Panaji. From Panaji you can hire car or taxi to reach Chapora.

This disconnected beach draws in less guests, and in this manner less hawkers than most Goa shorelines. On the off chance that you long for a void shoreline with pleasant scene, this is the place for you. Dotted with historical structures, this beach is found quite recently north of Arambol beach which is popular among the hippies and Russians.

It is one of the most tranquil beaches and ideal for unwinding as it is still obscure to the world and is separated without any vacationers. This beach is also the spot where Terekhol River joins the ocean. Barely any rough outcrops and columns of pine trees finish the scene of this place. You can spend your day under a shady tree watching the waves slamming on the shore and drinking coconut water at Querim Beach on your vacation.

• Water Sports: Paragliding is a popular water sport here. Swimming is not advisable at Querim Beach.

• Nightlife: Here you can find some entertainment at night on the beach shacks.

• Location : Querim Beach, North Goa

• Distance from Panaji: Querim Beach is located at a distance of 50 kilometers from Panaji.

• How to reach from Panaji: Querim Beach is well connected via bus from Panaji. You can drive by yourself to reach the Querim Beach by your own vehicle.

Ozran shoreline is a standout amongst the most picturesque Goan Beaches. This beach is particularly a hotspot for foreign sightseers and boasts of a postcard perfect view of the coastline. Because of its confined area, frequently voyagers come here to make an escape from the whole murmur drum around them and go back revived and upbeat.

This secluded beach is an extension of the famous Vagator Beach. The rocky beach is an ideal spot for picnics where you can enjoy the scenic beauty under the shade of palm trees. Here you can enjoy the sunsets as the sky turns golden from the sundecks outside the beach shacks. Tourists also engage in sports like volleyball and football at the beach. One of the attractions on this beach is the rock sculpture which people popularly call the Shiva Face which was carved by one of the tourists.

• Water Sports:  Water scooters, Banana boat rides, Swimming, Fishing

• Nightlife: Mezcal, Mango Tree, Disco Valley, Tin Tin Bar, The Alcove

• Location : Ozran Beach, Bardez, North Goa

• Distance from Panaji: It is located at a distance of 20 km from Panaji. 

• How to reach from Panaji: Ozran Beach which is more or less a part of Vagator Beach is connected to Panaji through Mapusa and Calangute. You can easily catch a bus or drive by yourself to reach the Vagator Beach and then visit the Ozran Beach.

Kalacha is a standout amongst the most picturesque beaches in North Goa. This shoreline IS situated toward the south of Querim beach and is known for its sweet water lagoon. Kalacha is renowned for its pleasant new water tidal pond and casual, bohemian vibe. Music sessions frequently happen around an open air fire and it becomes an extraordinary place to meet different voyagers. This is an untouched haven, far from the bother of merchants and expansive vacationer’s gatherings.

The untainted beach is encompassed by a background of overgrown, green slopes toward the end of the shoreline. You may be lucky to spot some entrancing natural life, for example, exotic birds and monkeys amidst the tropical foliage around the lake.

• Water Sports: Paragliding, Hang Gliding

• Nightlife: Most often beach parties and live music sessions are spontaneously arranged by backpackers.

• Location : Kalacha Beach, Pernem, North Goa

• Distance from Panaji: Panaji is 42 kilometers away from Kalacha Beach.

• How to reach from Panaji: Kalacha Beach is connected to Panaji via Mapusa to Arambol beach. From Arambol Beach, one can easily take a bus or walk along the northern part to reach Kalacha. Buses leave for Arambol from Mapusa every hour from 6 AM till 7 PM. The beach is then accessible only via foot.