[Updated] Goa Itinerary: 20 Places To Visit in Goa in 2024

This blog has been updated in 2024 to update all the recommendations in this all time favorite Goa itinerary. This blog post is being updated since 2013!

I stayed in Goa for 2 years for my master’s degree and have been able to explore most of the places to visit in Goa. Based on my experiences and explorations, I have crafted this Goa itinerary. This itinerary would help you to plan your Goa trip well. I have covered the best places to visit in Goa along with some recommendations for stay, restaurants and nightlife. So, when you plan your next trip, keep this Goa itinerary handy! The best part of Goa tourism can be summarized in this post.

There are many entry points in Goa. The two railway stations are located in Thivim & Madgao. If you are reaching Goa by bus, you can drop at Mapusa, Panaji as well as Madgao. While by Air, you will land at the Vasco Airport which is closer to South Goa.

This itinerary of 4 days and 3 nights covers both, North Goa & South Goa. This Goa itinerary will help you cover the best places to visit in Goa.

I have suggested 1 night stay in South Goa and 2 night stay in North Goa. Your stay in South Goa will help you cover pristine, white sand beaches and North Goa stay will let you witness some of the famous landmarks in Goa along with the awesome party places!

Just a heads up. This itinerary may seem a bit hectic. So feel free to space it out over couple of more days. You can also cut down Day 1 and skip going to Old Goa / Panjim if you are looking to follow this itinerary more leisurely.

Here’s your 4 day itinerary for Goa.

Goa itinerary – DAY 1: Candolim – Old Goa – Panajim – Dona Paula – Panjim – Candolim

For the first two nights, consider accommodation in Candolim, Goa. It will help you cover some of the North Goa attractions. I have stayed at Maggie’s Resort & Shalom Resort in past. I would recommend both of them if you are an easygoing traveler like me. Both are budget hotels with swimming pools. However, Shalom resort has a much smaller pool than Maggie’s Resort.

Once you have checked in your hotel, freshen up and proceed for breakfast. I would recommend Chocolatti in Candolim. Here, you can order English breakfast along with fresh juice or a cup of coffee. The ambiance is really nice and you will have a pleasant time. However, do check if it’s open when you are planning to visit as it keeps shut during off season.

Chocolatti, Goa  – (Places to visit in Goa)

After having a delicious breakfast, head towards Old Goa. You can rent a car or a bike to reach here. The distance to Old Goa from Candolim is around 20 KMs. In Old Goa, you can witness the grandeur of historical monuments.

Old Goa (Places to visit in Goa)

Once you have admired the beautiful structures of Old Goa, visit Panjim to savor delicious lunch. My personal favorite is Gene. Located next to the calm river Mandovi, this place offers you amazing food. Cheese Garlic naan is my favorite dish here. If you want to try some authentic seafood, Ritz is the perfect place for you.

After having sumptuous lunch, head towards Dona Paula to witness the beautiful setting sun. Dona Paula is a jetty which will offer you spectacular view of the pristine Arabian sea. As you witness the sun hiding behind the waves, you will gradually be in awe of the panoramic view.

Sunset at Dona Paula (Places to visit in Goa)

Leave Dona Paula soon after sunset as Goa roads become busy and Dona Paula after Sunset may not be the safest place for families. Based on personal experience.

Come back to the main city of Panjim.   To end your 1st day in Goa perfectly, I suggest you two activities: Dancing & Gambling. You can head towards DTR (Down The Road) or a Casino. DTR is a small pub located in Panjim. It can offer you good music and affordable drinks. However, if you want to try out some gambling, head towards any of the Casinos floating on Mandovi River. I had visited Deltin Royale and had an amazing night. Frankly a time so amazing that I don’t really remember some of it 🙂

Casinos are open throughout the night and are the best places to visit in Goa. So,  you can combine both these suggested activities. This experience is unique to Goa, so would surely recommend trying.

Down The Road, Panajim – Places to visit in Goa

In case you just want to have a peaceful dinner, visit Waterfront Terrace & Bar, a riverside restaurant located in Goa Marriot resorts & spa. If you are in the exploratory mode, visit Fidalgo and check out various restaurants here. There is also a food street located right opposite Fidalgo. You will find a wide variety of food items here.

Once you have enjoyed to your fullest, call it a night and return back to Candolim. Day 2 is going to be even more fun by covering many places to visit in Goa!

Goa itinerary – DAY 2: Candolim – Arambol – Ashwem – Fort Chapora – Vagator – Candolim

 On Day 2, start with breakfast at Tuscany Gardens restaurant. Order some delicious eggs or savor the lip-smacking pancakes.

Next, head towards Arambol beach. Located at a distance of 26 KM from Candolim, Arambol is considered to be one of the best beaches in North Goa. Spend some time shopping. Later, grab a beer and relax at a shack as the clean sea waves reflect the gradually soaring sun. You can also try paragliding here. Don’t try paragliding after having that beer though.

Arambol Beach – (Places to visit in Goa)

For lunch, head towards Lamuella Boutique for some exquisite cuisine. If you are in the mood to try an authentic North Indian food, Pajis is the place for you.

Once you have relished some delicious food, head towards Ashwem beach. This pristine beach with fine sand is perfect to laze around. It is located at a distance of 6-7 KM from  Arambol, towards Candolim. Spend some afternoon time here at a shack. Order a  cocktail and relax.

Next stop, Fort Chapora. This would easily be one of my top 5 places to visit in Goa. Located near Vagator beach, this fort is the famous “Dil Chahta Hai” fort. The fort offers you the best views of the sunset. To reach the sunset viewpoint, you might have to hike a little. Hence, make it a point to reach in time. Reach the view-point and wait for the sun to set. If you are facing west, on the right-hand side you will notice Morjim Beach and on the left, Vagator beach. From the top, you will see the Arabian sea create stunning patterns. Enjoy the amazing sunset as the boats return from their fishing trips.

Sunset at Chapora Fort (Places to visit in Goa)

Once you have trekked down, head towards the nearby Vagator beach. As the evening colors change, take a peaceful stroll on the beach. Join the locals playing football or just dip your feet in the ocean.

Head back to Candolim to indulge in some lip-smacking dinner with exquisite cocktails & live music. If it’s Saturday, check out Arpora Saturday Night Market before dinner. Arpora night market can top all the places to visit in Goa if you are looking for unique experiences.

In case you want to party hard, Club Cabana is the place to be! The tagline, “Night Club in the sky” is almost literal. Club Cabana is located in Arpora which is around 6 km from Candolim. This club is not open in the off-season. So, it is recommended to check the status before visiting. Other recommended nightlife spots are SinQ in Candolim or Cafe Capetown in Baga. In case you want to sing your way along, St Anthony’s, Baga will be your best bet!

If you would like to have peaceful dinner, I would suggest L’Orange. You can choose from a wide variety of cocktails here along with tasty food. Also, you can enjoy live music here. Over the flames is another recommended restaurant in Calangute, near Candolim. It serves delicious food and is good value for money.

Wrap up your night by visiting Lower Aguada Fort, behind Taj Vivanta, at Sinquerim beach. Don’t confuse it with Aguada fort which is way too commercial. Lower Aguada Fort will provide you a pristine view of the ocean and if the tide is high, you will be able to enjoy the Arabian sea splashes. If you wish, you can grab a hot chocolate in Taj, resulting to an epic end of Day 2.

Lower Aguada (Places to visit in Goa)

Goa Itinerary – Day 3: Candolim – Colva – Benaulim/Sernabatim/Varca – Betalbatim – Palolem

On Day 3, you can explore South Goa. South Goa has all the best places to visit in Goa! Well, not entirely true. North Goa is also pretty awesome. But my personal favorite region in Goa is South.

Check out from your Candolim Hotel and head towards South. Before getting on the road, you can relish delicious breakfast at Mango Groove. It is located on the main Candolim road and serves decent food. Post breakfast, your next stop will be Margao. This 2nd largest city of Goa is located at a distance of 44 KM from Candolim. After reaching Margao, head towards Colva beach to enjoy delicious lunch along with some chilled beer. Mickey’s Restaurant would be a recommended choice here.

Post lunch, you can explore the nearby South Goa beaches. You can visit Benaulim, Sernabatim  & Varca beach to witness the calm & pristine Arabian sea waters. Enjoy some leisure time at these clean Goa beaches. You can find some shacks at Benaulim which can serve you a chilled beer or a warm cup of coffee. All these 3 beaches offer you spectacular sunset view. Just let the evening pass by and relax. That’s what South Goa beaches are known for. Sernabatim beach is my personal favorite. It is less crowded as there is only one shack. Perfect for a peaceful time.  Also, these beaches are very clean. Hence, you can consider taking a dip in the ocean as it changes hues along with the setting sun.

Sun-kissed beach, Sernabatim (Places to visit in Goa)

After spending 4-5 hours at the beaches, get ready to have the time of your life! Think no more and head towards Betalbatim beach. Here, you can find the best restaurant in South Goa, Martin’s  Corner.

I highly recommend this restaurant for mainly 3 reasons. A wide variety of cuisine, lip-smacking food & live music. The music is simply amazing as the singer takes you through a joy ride. I have never seen such a varied collection of compositions being played in a restaurant. Price maybe slightly towards the higher side. But, it is totally worth it.

Post dinner and some fun to remember, head towards Palolem beach, located at a distance of 43 KM from Martin’s Corner. In Palolem, there are plenty of accommodation options available. You can take a cottage close to the beach and wake up next morning to the music of ocean. Also, Palolem has some of the best restaurants in Goa for breakfast. Hence, I would recommend staying your last night at Palolem.

Reach Palolem, check in your cottage and take a stroll at the beach. If you are tired, just relax as the sound of waves put you to sleep.

Goa Itinerary – Day 4: Palolem

It’s your last day in Goa. Relax. Spend the day peacefully at Palolem, one of the best places to visit in Goa! It is also my favorite place!

You can consider staying at the Art Resort. Right on the ocean, lovely vibe and a chilled out cafe.

The morning waves of the Arabian sea crashing on Palolem beach will start your morning perfectly. I recommend to get up early and take a dip in the calm ocean till the sun starts shining. Once you are refreshed with the morning swim in the ocean, head for breakfast. I would recommend Ciaran’s for great coffee and English breakfast. This beach shack is located right on the beach. It gives you an amazing view of the Arabian sea. Another recommended restaurants for breakfast would be Cafe Inn or Little world. Both of these restaurants serve amazing breakfast and will leave you completely satisfied.

Post relishing breakfast, opt for a boat ride to Butterfly Beach or Honeymoon beach. For reaching butterfly beach, you will have to take the boat. However, in order to reach  Honeymoon beach, kayaking would be ideal. You can hire a Kayak at Rs 150-200 per hour and paddle your way in the relatively calm & deep waters. It’s an exciting adventure when you realize that if your kayak topples, you might plunge 100 meters into the ocean.  However, you will be wearing the life jacket which will prevent you from drowning. In case your return journey from Goa does not start until late night, you can keep boating & kayaking in evening.

Palolem Beach – View from the boat (Places to visit in Goa)

Palolem is the best beach in South Goa as it offers amazing restaurants, water sports like kayaking, breath-taking view and clean white sand. I would recommend spending the whole day here lazing around and admiring the surrounding beauty. End the day by relaxing at Cocktails & Dreams or Papilon’s Restaurant while sipping your favorite cocktail. The sunset at Palolem is simply spectacular. You would feel like you have entered a different universe.

Cocktails & Dreams, Palolem (Places to visit in Goa)

After Sunset, if you want to party, there are comparatively fewer places. But you can go to the Leopard Valley, a club that apparently amazing on weekends but full desi on weekdays.

Palolem will help you end your Goa trip perfectly. Start your return journey from Goa, reminiscing the awesome memories you just made.

How To Choose Places to See in Goa in 2024?

Choosing places in Goa to see can be both exciting and overwhelming, given the myriad of options this coastal paradise offers. From pristine beaches to historical landmarks, vibrant markets to serene temples, Goa has something to offer for every traveller’s taste and preference. Here’s a guide to help you navigate through the diverse attractions and create a memorable itinerary tailored to your interests:

1. Beaches

Goa is renowned for its stunning beaches, each with its distinct character and charm. Whether you seek bustling nightlife, water sports, or peaceful relaxation, Goa’s coastline has it all. If you love beaches, you can choose one of the following spots in Goa to visit:

• Baga Beach:

It is popular for its enchanting nightlife, beach shacks, and sports like parasailing and jet-skiing.

• Calangute Beach:

Goa’s largest and most popular beach is known for its bustling atmosphere, water sports, and shopping opportunities.

• Palolem Beach:

This is the most-attractive beach in South Goa popular for its crescent shape. It is ideal for swimming, kayaking, and dolphin-spotting boat trips.

• Anjuna Beach:

Known for its laid-back vibe, flea markets, and iconic beach parties, particularly the Wednesday Anjuna Flea Market.

• Arambol Beach:

A bohemian paradise offering a relaxed atmosphere, live music, yoga retreats, and stunning sunset views.

2. Historical and Cultural Sites

Goa’s rich history is reflected in its numerous forts, churches, and temples, offering glimpses into its colonial past and cultural heritage. If you are looking for a historical location to visit in Goa, you can choose one of the following:

• Basilica of Bom Jesus:

A UNESCO World Heritage Site housing the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier, renowned for its Baroque architecture and exquisite interiors.

• Dudhsagar Waterfalls:

Located in the lush Western Ghats, this magnificent waterfall is a sight to behold, especially during the monsoon season when it’s in full flow.

• Fort Aguada:

A 17th-century Portuguese fort offering panoramic views of the Arabian Sea, now converted into a jail and a lighthouse.

• Old Goa:

Explore the quaint streets of Old Goa, home to numerous historical landmarks such as Se Cathedral, the Church of St. Cajetan, and the Archaeological Museum.

• Shri Manguesh Temple:

A beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, showcasing traditional Goan architecture and intricate carvings.

3. Nature and Wildlife

Goa’s lush landscapes and diverse ecosystems provide ample opportunities for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts to explore and unwind. People with this interest can find nice places to visit in Goa like those mentioned below:

• Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary:

Home to a variety of flora and fauna, including Indian bison, langurs, and giant squirrels, offering guided trekking and birdwatching experiences.

• Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary:

Explore dense forests, waterfalls, and ancient temples while spotting wildlife such as leopards, deer, and various bird species.

• Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary:

A paradise for birdwatchers, boasting over 400 species of birds, including kingfishers, egrets, and herons, nestled within mangrove forests along the Mandovi River.

4. Culinary Delights

Goa’s cuisine is a delightful fusion of Portuguese, Indian, and Konkani flavours, offering a gastronomic journey that tantalizes the taste buds. If you are a foodie, here are a few places at Goa to visit:

• Beach Shacks:

Indulge in fresh seafood delicacies such as prawn curry, fish fry, and crab masala at one of the many beach shacks lining the coastline.

• Local Markets:

Explore vibrant markets like Mapusa Market and Anjuna Flea Market, where you can sample local snacks, spices, and homemade preserves.

• Traditional Goan Dishes:

Try authentic Goan dishes such as vindaloo, xacuti, bebinca, and poi bread, showcasing the region’s culinary diversity and heritage.

5. Adventure and Water Sports

For adrenaline junkies and water sports enthusiasts, Goa offers a plethora of activities to get your heart racing. Here are a few places in Goa to see for adventure seekers:

• Scuba Diving:

Explore vibrant coral reefs, shipwrecks, and marine life while scuba diving in the clear waters of the Arabian Sea.

• Water Sports:

Try thrilling activities like parasailing, jet skiing, banana boat rides, and windsurfing at popular beaches like Calangute, Baga, and Candolim.

• Trekking and Hiking:

Embark on scenic treks through lush forests, waterfalls, and hills, such as the Dudhsagar Falls trek or the trails in Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary.

By considering your interests, preferences, and the duration of your stay, you can create a personalized itinerary that allows you to make the most of your time in Goa. Every interest can be met by spots in Goa to visit. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, adventure, culture, or culinary delights, you can find a location to visit in Goa. Don’t forget to leave some room for spontaneity and exploration, as Goa has a way of surprising and enchanting visitors at every turn. You can find nice places to visit in Goa. So, please choose the best places at Goa to visit with my Goa itinerary.

I hope you liked the itinerary. What do you think about it? let me know in the comments. In case you have recommendations for restaurants or hotels, I would love to know about them. In case you would like to know about things to do in Goa apart from visiting beaches, do give my previous post a read.

Cheers!

Also Read:

8-Day Goa Itinerary

20 Best Hotels in Goa

How to Reach Goa

Top Restaurants in Goa

Places to visit near Goa