More About Goa
City often dubbed as a Tourist Paradise, is a charming state in southern India, filled with picturesque beaches and rocky headlands. With its 105 km coastline facing the vast Arabia Sea to the west, it is also bordered by Maharashtra towards the north and Karnataka towards the east. While there is no dearth of natural beauty here, its well-preserved Colonial heritage, diversity in cuisine, pulsating nightlife and laidback atmosphere are reasons that make it unique.
There are a number of luxurious hotels, as well as, ones within everyone’s budget across North Goa and South Goa. While some may be located close to the beach, others are in the towns that are easily accessible from the airport and railway station. If Goa is on your next holiday list, you can conveniently book hotels through MakeMyTrip. Not only would you find hotels across a wide range of budgets and offers, but also in the best locations.
Best time to visit with your Friend and Family
Although Goa is a year round destination, the summers and monsoons can be a bit rough due to its tropical climate. Summers begin from March and end in May with the average temperature ranging from 30°C to 40°C. During this time, the hotel rates are low and tourists are less. However, Holi is celebrated with great vigour among locals during this time, especially in the southern part of the state. Not only would you find luxurious hotels but also budget hotels with fantastic amenities here. During Holi, you can also opt to stay at hotels in Panjim, as there is a massive parade here.
Monsoons in the state start from June and stay until the end of October, with the average temperature ranging from 29°C to 25°C. During this time, its weather is pleasant but quite humid and the beaches get wet, which is not ideal for lazing around or swimming. Apart from cheap hotel accommodations and a fewer crowd, you can explore its verdant landscape and even indulge in trekking. Moreover, during monsoon, there are quite a few festivals to enjoy.
The Sao Joao Feast of Saint John the Baptist is celebrated during the month of June , where locals wear colourful costumes and wear coronets made of fruits, flowers and leaves. As this festival is majorly celebrated in North Goa, you will find good hotels in this part of the state. Another popular festival during the monsoon season is World Goa Day, celebrated annually on 20th August. It mainly celebrates the state’s language, traditions, cuisine and music.
Winter season starts from November and ends in February with the average temperature ranging from 26°C to 30°C. This is the peak season in Goa when tourists are around in large numbers. During this time, hotel prices increase no matter which part of Goa you will stay. As the weather remains pleasant and dry, you can sunbathe on the sandy beaches and even indulge in various water sport activities. The winter season is also a time when many festivals are celebrated in the state. 3rd December of every year marks the Feast of St. Francis Xavier. Celebrating the death anniversary of this saint, thousands of tourists around the world are present on this day. You should look for hotels around Panjim during this time. Christmas in Goa is an important event. All the churches here celebrate the Midnight Mass and it is a spectacle to see. There are remarkable firework shows on most of the beaches and it is when you can enjoy a complete Christmas dinner at the beachside shacks. Following the Christmas spirit, the annual Sunburn Festival is celebrated for three days. This annual music extravaganza is one of Asia’s biggest and it welcomes a lot of tourists and renowned artists from around the globe. This is followed by the extravagant New Year celebration with fireworks. To enjoy this lively spirit, it is best to stay at hotels in North Goa near Anjuna, Calangute and Baga beaches . Another popular celebration during winter season is the Grape Escapade Festival. Rejoicing every year during the month of January, this 4-day festival welcomes all wine connoisseurs. If you are here during this time, you can enjoy savour the best wines along with great live music. You can easily book a hotel near Panjim for this fantastic festival.
Things to do in Goa
- Visit the beaches : In North Goa, you will find some of the best beaches and hotels in the entire state. At these beaches, you also have the opportunity to partake in several water sport adventures. Calangute Beach, located about a 40-minute drive away from Goa’s capital, remains one of the most visited among tourists and is referred to as the ‘Queen of Beaches’. Stretching across 7 km of golden sand along the shores of the glimmering Arabian Sea and dotted by sky-high palm trees, this beach offers a range of exciting activities on the water. Try parasailing behind a fast-moving waterboat and enjoy the spectacular view of the ocean below. You can also take a thrilling banana ride with your loved ones here. Near this popular beach, you can opt to stay at famous 5-star hotels that are about 2-3 km away. Moreover, you will also find a number of fantastic budget hotels that are quite close to this beach.
Another popular beach in North Goa where tourists throng to for surfing is Baga Beach. Scenic as it is with tall palm trees and small hillocks in the backdrop, this beach is also popular for jet skiing. If you are planning for a lavish stay in Goa, there are excellent luxury hotels near this beach.
No visit to North Goa is complete without visiting the popular Anjuna Beach, and there are a number of luxurious hotels as well as budget hotels within proximity. Spread across 2 km of soft sand, it remains quiet during early mornings and most of the week, but transforms into a bustling area during Wednesday evenings when the flea market is held. Do shop for rare souvenirs when you are around this time of the week.
South Goa , on the other hand, mostly has secluded beaches but there is no dearth of hotels. You will find MMT assured hotels here. One of the top beaches to enjoy the sun is Colva Beach, located about a half-hour drive away from Dabolim airport. Although a little crowded, this golden sand beach is not only popular for the stunning sunset view, but also for water sport adventures including snorkelling and motor boat rides. Near this beach, you will find a many couple-friendly hotels within your budget too. If you just want to enjoy some quiet time with loved ones, Majorda Beach is one of the most scenic beaches in the southern part of the state. Situated just about 6 km from Colva Beach, and surrounded by the lush greenery of palm groves, you can enjoy a picnic during afternoons here.
Palolem Beach is a picturesque one that is mostly visited by locals and tourists due to its natural crescent shape. This white sand beach is popular for swimming and there are plenty of lifeguards around who can tell you the best swimming spots. If you are planning to explore more beaches in South Goa, you can take a ferry ride from this beach to the serene Butterfly Beach. As the name suggests, here you can spot a number of butterflies. You can also spot dolphins around this picturesque beach. When you are planning for a short weekend holiday in South Goa, you must visit this beach and nearby, you will find plenty of affordable hotels with good amenities.
Enjoy its nightlife
: Nightlife in Goa can be best enjoyed in its northern part. Some of the top nightclubs here are next to the famed Baga Beach.
Club Tito’s, located at Tito’s Lane, is a legendary nightclub with stunning music and an energetic crowd. This club is especially dynamic on Saturdays. Just next to it is
Café Mambo, playing house and pop music all night. It is also famous for hosting several international and renowned
Indian DJs. This popular lane is also close to several luxurious and reasonably priced hotels.
However, if you want to explore the cultural side of Goa at night, you can stay at Arpora. It is just about 3.5 km away from Baga Beach and has a fantastic mix of plush and low-priced hotels. Visit its famed Saturday Night Market. There are three parts in this night market – lower field, where you can buy clothes and spices sold by Indian sellers, central field, where food stalls are available and upper field, where international designers put up some kiosks.
Another exciting nightclub in North Goa is Club Cabana, along Calangute – Arpora Road. You will also find some good budget hotels as well as couple-friendly hotels along this road. Due to its hilltop location, it is also referred to as the ‘Nightclub in the sky’. On Wednesdays, Ladies Night is celebrated with free entry and drinks for women here. Partygoers visit this nightclub mostly due to its wide range of energetic music, including R&B, hip-hop and techno. North Goa is also popular for Shiva Valley, next to Anjuna Beach. This club hosts a large number of international DJs playing old-school psy-trance music and is open every Tuesday night.
South Goa also offers a stunning nightlife. If you happen to stay at any hotel here during your holidays, head to Leopard Valley. Located about 5 km from Palolem Beach in a jungle quarry, this open-air nightclub can accommodate up to 3000 people at once. It is popular for 3D laser light and pyrotechnics shows. Friday is the best time to visit here, where the DJ starts spinning the records from 8.00 pm until the next morning.
If you want to experience a unique night, you must head to Palolem Beach. It is popular for its silent discos as well as for its luxurious hotels closeby. The Neptune Point Beach Resort is an excellent hotel hosting silent disco with proper EDM music every Saturday. It is about 2 minutes away from the beach. Another renowned silent disco is the Alpha Bar that is open on every Thursday.
Explore the local food
: If you want to enjoy Goa’s authentic cuisine, there are several options, ranging from notable beachside shacks to authentic Goan restaurants. You can enjoy the traditional Goa fish
thali at Starlight Restaurant in Arpora. This authentic
thali is served with rice, freshly caught fried fish, fish curry, dal and pickle.
Another popular dish to try out while in Goa is Rawa fried prawn. One of the best places to try it out in the state is Anand Seafood Restaurant & Bar. If you stay at a hotel near Anjuna Beach, you can easily find this fantastic restaurant. Do enjoy the taste of freshly caught prawns that are deep-fried with semolina here. If you want to enjoy all the local street food of Goa, you must head to Panjim. Not only will you find the best food, but also many luxurious and reasonable hotels here. Ravi Ras Omelette is a renowned street food stall near Panjim Church Square. It serves the famed Ros Omelette with chicken xacuti curry and freshly baked Goan pao. This stall is open during the evenings and is open until late night.
If you want to try out some cheap snacks that both locals and tourists love to enjoy, head to Dom Pedros in Madgaon. This bakery is popular for the savoury Prawn Rissois, a snack that has been relished since the Colonial Portuguese era. If you are staying at a hotel close to Colva Beach, this shop would be easily accessible.
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Explore its historic sites
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Goa is historically rich with age-old forts and churches, and most of these incredible attractions are located towards Old Goa, along the Mandovi River. This area is easily accessible from Panjim and it will be best if you stay at a hotel here. One such is Basilica of Bom Jesus that built under the Portuguese Colonial rule during the late 16 th century. Not only is it known for its remarkable Baroque architecture, but also for being a well-preserved UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourists around the globe visit this church, as it houses the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier, who was mainly responsible for establishing Christianity in India. Inside, you can see some paintings portraying his life. The columns here are magnificently adorned with marbles and stones.
Another historic attraction in Old Goa is Se Cathedral, built in the memory of celebrating the triumph of Afonso Albuquerque during the feast of St. Catherine of Alexandria. Standing at a staggering height of 76 metres, it is mostly noted for its massive Golden Bell. Inside, you will see the main altar that has gold-plated reredos portraying scenes from the life of St. Catherine. You cannot miss the Corinthian columns and the massive 18th century organ when you are inside.
If you are only planning to explore more historical attractions in Old Goa you can also look for hotels in North Goa, which is about 11 km away. Visit Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, located close to the imposing Se Cathdral. Built in the early 16th century, this church’s architecture is a blend of various styles including, Tuscan order, Baroque and Corinthian. While it houses statues of Saint Francis of Assisi and Jesus, its interiors have been adorned with frescoes and paintings. It also houses a museum under Archaeological Survey of India displaying various historical artefacts.
Apart from its celebrated churches, Goa is also known for its famed Aguada Fort. Perched atop a hill along the banks of Mandovi River, this impressive fort was built in the 17th century by the Portuguese Colonial rulers to protect themselves from the Dutch and Marathi armies. Apart from the old four-storeyed lighthouse, there is also a new one. You can climb up and enjoy the sweeping views of the horizon. You will find several plush hotels near this fort as well as hotels that are reasonably priced.
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