What are the must do & must see things in Goa.

There are a few places in India you visit regularly and yet you never get enough of it. Goa is one such place. After the first visit it becomes an urge and after the second, a tradition! This Portuguese Shangri-la on Indian soil has so many charming worlds that even the most seasoned travellers can’t make the best of their Goan holiday. Living in a beach resort or a 5-star hotel in Goa, might be your ideal choice. But when in Goa, do as the Goans do. Take a trip to the other side to enjoy more. Here is a list of Must-do activities that will redefine your trip to Goa. 

Beach

It has to start with beaches! While beaches in North Goa steal the limelight, South Goa beaches are less crowded. We nominate Arossim Beach and Utorda Beach near the town of Majorda for the best South Goa beach award. For North, Baga, Calangute and Anjuna bag the ‘people’s choice award’! Water sports on these beaches include jet skiing, parasailing, scuba diving and falling from a banana boat. To make the best of your beach experience, book yourself a room in one of the best resorts in North Goa.

Sight-seeing

No, it's not what you thought really! I'm talking about visiting the Spice Plantation in the Ponda area called Sahakari spice plantation and your nostrils will remind you why Europeans came to India! This largest spice farm of the region lets you pluck and taste pepper, bite a Peri Peri (hottest chillies of the world), bathe through an ‘elephant shower’ and feast on a traditional Goan lunch cooked with spices. While not many visit spice gardens plantations in Goa, those who do, praise them no less than the beaches.

History

In Panjim, history comes alive. This is Old Goa, the state capital for the better part of three centuries and known as the ‘Rome of the East’. The cavalcades of churches, convents, museums, art galleries, government buildings, bungalows, and bakeries together make it tough to suggest what to not see in South Goa. Yet, Basilica of Bom Jesus (for its architectural magnificence) and Sé de Santa Catarina (largest church in Old Goa) are the most visited ones. Not to forget, Old Goa is currently a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Here are a few great hotels in South Goa where you can stay to make the most of your trip.

Wildlife

Yes, Goa has a wildlife that is much more exciting than its nightlife! The Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park have animals like the panther, sloth bear, mouse deer and even barking deer. It also has 200 species of birds including the Indian great black woodpecker, Malabar pied hornbill, paradise flycatcher, fairy bluebird, emerald dove and kingfisher. This peaceful sanctuary in the foothills of the Western Ghats (known as Sahyadri in Konkani) can be visited from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm on all days.

Mixed culture

Once upon, a not so long time ago, a German named Ingo set up this new market on a leased property. Fondly known as Ingo’s Saturday Night Bazaar, this market in Arpora is on for about six months of winter and presents a potpourri of junk jewellery, imported T-shirts, hippie merchandise, Indian and global cuisine from Rajasthan and Kashmir to Turkey, Spain and the rest of Europe! For non-shoppers, Daniel’s Bar often sees a DJ playing there, for the market. Even without this, music plays throughout the day and gets groovier by the night, say around 11 pm.

Museums

While ‘museum’ is a monotonous word for some, it has a new meaning in Goa. A congregation of Hindu artefacts in a Portuguese-cum-colonial setup with stories of two worlds makes these museums quite different than our usual perception. For instance, The Archaeological Museum of Old Goa has some Hindu relics and bronze statues of two famous Portuguese men set amidst the robust Portuguese architecture. There are many more museums worth visiting in Old Goa like The Naval Aviation Museum and Institute Menezes Braganza.

Food

Best Beach Restaurant in South Goa, Panjim restaurant is the capital of Goa, offers Portuguese and Goan cuisine in a finger-licking blend. The raw mussel fry is spicy and delicious. One good thing about Mum’s Kitchen is the variety of healthy vegetarian dishes on the menu. After a scrumptious meal, head to the downtown area to pick up souvenirs like cashews and footwear, and enjoy a good night’s sleep at one of these hotels in Panjim.