Goa

Beach:

Candolim Beach:

Located 14 kms north of Panaji in the state of Goa, the Candolim Beach is a part of a long extension of beach coastline along the Arabian Sea that begins at Fort Aguada and ends at Chapora Beach. 

This place is also famous as it is the birth place of Abba Faria, considered to be one of Goan freedom fighters and the Father of Hypnotism.

The white sandy Candolim beach naturally beautified by the scrub-covered dunes draws a lot of tourists these days. Candolim beach offers various water-sports activities-right from parasailing to water-skiing, wind surfing and so on. Fishing is an activity for those who love peaceful and quiet environment. Yoga & meditation has also gained popularity here because of the idyllic atmosphere.

Special beach excursions are also arranged in Candolim beach wherein a tourist is taken right to the core of the sea from where he can capture some memorable sunsets. Candolim's nightlife is very calm, giving a break from the chaos and commotion of other beaches.

Food
There are a lot of makeshift bars and restaurants made from wood and palm leaves on the beachside. Tourists can stop at a small taverna (bar) for a drink of feni - a locally brewed drink made from cashew or coconut.

Major Tourist Attraction
Aguada Fort is the greatest attraction of Candolim Beach .The fort was built by the Portuguese way back in 1912 for fortification against the Dutch and the Maratha invaders.

Along with the fort the church, lighthouse and the garrison of the Aguada Jail have also been a part of tourist attractions. The northern side of the fort has two beaches, one of them is Calangute and the other one is Condolim. It is one of the most visited spots in Goa. There are many resorts, villas and guest houses around this fort.

Accommodation
This beach has got a lot of inns with real good facilities. Candolim beach has also many hotels and resorts which offer extravagant stay. But it is better to stay in guest-houses since they are too expensive.

How to reach there:
There are a number of buses that help people reach Candolim from Mapusa and Calangute. The nearest interstate bus station is at Mapusa, which is the KTC bus station. Buses from Panjim stops frequently, at the bus stand opposite to the Casa Sea Shell.The Dabolim airport provide the connectivity through air.

Miramar Beach:

Miramar Beach is situated 1 kilometer ahead of the confluence of Mandovi River and the Arabian Sea. It is situated on the way towards Dona Paula, about 3 kilometers from Panjim, the capital city of Goa. Miramar Beach of Goa is also known as 'Gasper Dias'.

The Miramar Beach in Goa begins at the gulf and then culminates in the Emerald Coast Parkway. It is a golden beach fringed with palm trees. The soft sands of the beach makes it the best site for evening walks. Moreover, 'miramar' in Portuguese implies 'viewing the sea'. Tourists can get a glimpse of the majesty of the Arabian Sea from the Miramar Beach at Goa.

Furthermore, the Miramar Beach of Goa possesses a 2 kilometers long coast and silvery sand bed. The silver sand beds of the beach are said to sparkle in the moonlight. The beach also provides a kaleidoscopic view of the Aguada fort, which is known for its peaceful surroundings and solitude.

The best time to visit Miramar Beach is between the months of November and March. During this time, a large number of migratory birds come to the beach. One can see migratory birds such as gulls and plovers at the beach from November to March. The beach also provides a various options for accommodations. Tourists coming to Miramar Beach can put up at the hotels and resorts located at the beach. One can also come across many shopping and tourist destinations at a proximity to the hotel. Thus, Miramar Beach seems to be the perfect location for holidaying in Goa.

Colva Beach:

The Colva Beach lies about 6 Kms to the west of Margao and is the oldest, largest and the most spectacular beaches of South Goa. The beach consists of about 25kms of the fine powdered white sand and is bounded along its coast by coconut palms that stretch from Bogmalo in the north to Cabo de Rama in the south along south Goa's coastline. 

In the colonial days it used to be the resting area for Margao's high society, who would visit Colva for their "Mundanca" or change of air. Today the area that is reminiscent of the luxurious lifestyle of the aristrocratic class has the beautiful houses or villas that dot the village. While taking a stroll on the Colva Beach, silver carpets of bangdde (mackerels) can be viewed sparkling on the golden sands that are laid for drying by the fishermen.

Apart from the beach itself, the other main attraction for the tourists is the "Menino Jesus" statue at the local church of Igreja de Nossa Senhora de Piedade ( Our Lady of Mercy) founded in 1630. The church lies in the village square. The church in Colva is famous for its annual religious event-Fama of Menino Jesuse (Child Jesus)-since the 17th century. The predominantly Catholic community celebrates it on the third Monday of October every year. It is one of Goa's most popular feasts and a big fair is held on the occasion at Colva.

Although the Colva Beach has never been a hilarious destination for rave parties, Colva's nightlife is livelier and vibrant than anywhere else in south Goa. The two most happening nightspots are down in the dunes south of the beachfront area: splash boasts a big MTV satellite screen and music to match, and a late bar and disco energize and rock crowds around 10.00 pm. 

Anjuna Beach:

Located about 18kms from Panaji and situated in Bardez taluka, the Anjuna Beach is the part of a 30 km extended beach coastline along the west coast of Goa by the Arabian sea.

The Village of Anjuna, a five square mile area is nestled between the Arabian Sea and the Hill overlooking the beach. The beach is famous for its stunning natural beauty with swaying palms trees and soft powered white sands. The beach is marked by an unusual rocky formation overlying a cove of white sand and black rock that juts out into the Sea. This area was known as the Jewel of Anjuna and called "Ozran".

Anjuna beach is a favorite haunt of the hippies who used to organize the famous rave beach parties. It was in the late 1950s to mid-1960s that hippies started visiting Anjuna beach and since then popularized the wild rave parties with trance music which have now become the characteristic features of Goan beaches. Anjuna Beach is also an ideal place for full-moon parties held especially during Christmas and New Year. Tourists love enjoying the blissful atmosphere of the luminous full-moon casting a spell and the soft foamy waves kissing their feet.

The beach is adjacent to Chapora fort. The "Albuquerque mansion" located nearby is one of the sight-seeing highlights of this beach. At the north of the Anjuna, is its famous flea market, held on Wednesdays, where small cafes, bars and Kashmiri handicrafts stalls are lined. This area offers pleasurable shopping experience with quality products at reasonable prizes.

Bathing is generally safer at Anjuna than at most of the nearby resorts, especially at the more serene southern end of the beach where a rocky headland keeps the sea calm. At this place sun -starved European tourists laze around bathing in the pleasant sun. The exhilaration of Bungee Jumping from an 80-ft tower and water-sports facilities like paragliding and windsurfing boosts the fun at Anjuna.

Best time to visit
Best Time to visit Anjuna Beach is early November till March. During the X-mas and New Year rush, The the area is crowded with a large number of tourists from all over India and the world whocome in to enjoy the colrful beach parties.

Places to Stay
There are plenty of guesthouses around the Anjuna village, and even a couple of hotels and luxurious resorts that arrange tours for Goa sight-seeing. Some houses are also available on rent if one is planning to stay on the Goa Anjuna beach for a couple of months. But booking is a must during the high seasons and shold be done beforehand.

Places to Eat
There are a lot of places at Anjuna with good places to eat and drink. Most are simple semi open aired, palm leafed huts, which specializes in sea food. The German bakery,White Negro, Sea breeze cafe, Martha's breakfast home, Friends corner are some of them. All serve cold beer, invariably with great techno - trance music in the background .Most is simple semi open aired, palm leafed huts, which specializes in fish and western food. All serve cold beer, invariably with great techno - trance music in the background. On the beach, women selling fruits are also found.

How to reach there
Air : The nearest Airport is Dabolin, 29km away from Panaji and 47 km from Anjuna. 

Rail : The nearest Railhead is at Karmali, 11km from Panaji and 29 km from Anjuna. 

Road : There are buses every hour to Anjuna from Mapusa.

For tourists arriving from Mumbai, Mapusa is the get off point for the northern beaches. Bikes can also be hired that ranges from Rs 250 to Rs 400 per day.

Varca Beach Goa:

Varca Beach is one most popular tourist sites in Goa. It is one of the most beautiful and exotic beaches of Goa and is situated about 2 kilometers from Benaulim. The beach is marked by a number of wooden boats, belonging to the fishermen of the city. 

The Varca Beach in Goa is known to its soft white sands and its cleanliness. It is one of the cleanest beaches in Goa that allows the tourists to spend some time in solitude.

Varca Beach of Goa seems to be an ideal location for the tourists looking for tranquility and serenity. Moreover, the beach possesses a number of beach shacks, where the tourists can indulge in the typical Goan cuisine.

At these shacks, the tourists can enjoy the wide variety of delicacies, including sea food. Besides, the beach possesses a number of tourists sites at its vicinity. The tourists can spend their time watching dolphins or enjoying boat trips on the river Sal.

Furthermore, the beach possesses an excellent network of transportation. Tourists willing to reach Varca Beach at Goa through airways can reach Dabolim Airport and take a road transport thereafter.

Moreover, the nearest railway station to Varca is Margao. Margao is connected well connected with a number of buses and autos to reach the beach.If you are opting for a holiday package to Goa do try and include Varca Beach in your itinerary.

Sinquerim Beach:

The Sinquerim Beach of Goa is located some 13 km away from Panaji and is stunningly beautiful and quieter than the other beaches of Goa. This long, extended sandy terrain that runs incessantly along the coast is ideal for taking a walk. The feel of the glistening sands and the cool water caressing the feet gives you out of the feeling. The beach is one of a series of tranquil and spectacular stretch of sand and an ideal place for swimming. The tourists come down to this beach and prefer it for its pristine and serene setting.The lovely beach of Sinquerim is one of the oldest preserved beaches in Goa. The famous fort Aguada is located near the beach. Fort Aguada was built by the Portuguese in the early 17th century Portuguese fort that was built by the Portuguese to defend themselves against any foreign attack and to control the entry of the intruders through River Mandovi.

Vagator Beach:

The Vagator beach located near Mapusa Road, North Goa and 22 km far from the state capital Panaji is less crowded and isolated compared to other Goan beaches. It boasts of pure white sand, doted with black lava rocks and swaying coconut and palm trees and lies within the backdrop of the 500-year-old Portuguese Fort and takes the visitors down the memory lane depicting the Old Portuguese era. Vagator's broad white sandy beach - Big Vagator Beach also known as "Little Vagator" is undeniably beautiful and offers picturesque vista with the red ramparts of Chapora Fort.At the southern end of the beach, a row of makeshift cafes provides shade and sustenance for a predominantly Israeli crowd. Like Anjuna, Vagator is a relaxed, comparatively undeveloped resort that appeals, in the main, to budget travellers with time on their hands. Accommodation is limited.

Forts:

Goa’s Forts are a direct result of Goa’s chequered history. Goan forts are very small in size as compared to the other Indian Forts. Nevertheless, the forts in Goa are historic specimens of immense military, political and economic importance.

With a history that speaks of several rulers, the forts in Goa are witnesses and testimonials of the events of a bygone era.

The Aguada Fort:

The Aguada Fort is located on the northern side, overlooking the Aguada Bay strategically situated at the estuary of the river Mandovi. It provides a harbour for local shipping. The fort was constructed in 1612 as a guard against invasions from the Dutch and the Marathas.

This fort was perhaps the strongest fort to protect the Portuguese territory and it remains to the only fort that was not conquered by any invaders during the 450 yearlong rule of the Portuguese empire.

The Chapora Fort:

The Chapora Fort was built by the Adil Shah of Bijapur on the southern headland of the Chapora River.
This fort was also known as ‘Shahpur’ and is now mostly in ruins. To protect themselves from the risk from Muslim and Maratha rulers, the Portuguese built the Chapora fort in 1617. However, unlike the Aguada fort, this fort did not remain unconquered.
An awesome site with all sides having steep slopes. The fort stands above the whole upland area having irregular outer plan, outline of the higher slopes, uses the natural contours to add defensive height to the fullest advantage instead of dry ditches being dug.
At the top of the steep approach track on the main gate, which is small and unpretentious for so large fort, is deep and narrow. Depending on their position of the defense requirement, the bastions with their enormous embrasures for cannon are irregularly spaced, each having the cylindrical turret that gives a special character.

The Terekhol Fort:

The Terekhol Fort was conquered by the Portuguese in 18th century.

It was used to protect the Tiracol Estuary and the sea from the Sawantwadi Rajas in 1776. Situated on the Terekhol River, it lies on the northern tip of Goa, on the hillock overlooking the Arabian Sea. In its courtyard is the century old church of St. Anthony. The remains of the fort have now been converted into a hotel.

Reis Magos Fort:

The significant aspect of the little headland of Reis Magos jutting out at the north end of the sandbar was the defeat of a Muslim outpost by Albuquerque in 1510 during one of his battles wherein Bardez was added to the Portuguese territory and a fort built in 1551 which held a very important position.
It was later rebuilt in 1703 which was of obvious importance in 1739 when the Marathas took over the whole of Bardez with only the Aguada and Reis Magos Fort standing out on the northern bank of Mandovi.
The fort has intensive high sloping walls on its sides looking out towards the river Mandovi judging by its position on a steep slope wherein a walled corridor links the main fortress with the anchorage of the river. The water supply is provided from a fresh water spring within the fortress and it has many underground rooms and passages. The distinctive feature of the fort being the decorative bastions with cylindrical turrets looking out towards the river.

Cabo De Rama:

Cabo De Rama is situated 16 km north of Agonda beach in the coast road at the south end of Colva Bay. Also known as The Cape of Rama, it takes its name from the Hindu epic Ramayana hero, Lord Rama as according the Hindu belief Lord Rama during his exile from Ayodhya stayed here.
The cape is crowned by a fort which was originally a Hindu structure and rebuilt by the Portuguese in 1763 after acquiring it from the Maratha ruler of Sonda. It had 21 guns for its defense, a chapel, military barracks and quarters for the use of the commandant under the Portuguese.
Also a well was there within the fort and from one of the two springs that it had in its vicinity, cold and hot water used to emerge from two different spouts. It was used as a prison till 1955 after it was taken over by the British from 1792 to 1813. The main entrance has been restored and yellow washed but the fort now lies in ruins.

Palaces:

Since there were many kingdoms settled in Goa for centuries, it has left over its mark in form of beautiful palaces, The architecture is unique and its really a charm to visit them.

The Menezes Braganza Pereira:

The Menezes Braganza Pereira house is located at the Chandor Village in Goa. It is known to be more than 350 years old and is situated near the church square in Chandor. This mansion is the most exquisite heritage house in the countryside, the biggest in Goa and also has a Portuguese style facade. It is a museum of chandeliers, painting, porcelain, crystal, period furniture and other antique items.
The Portuguese style outer facade that gives entry to both wings of the mansion with 24 windows is the longest in Goa. The house made up of laterite has a garden with mosaic seats, tables and fountains. A nail of St. Francis Xavier is held by the Petite Chapel that is still used in the Braganza Periera House. Two chairs bearing the coat of arms gifted by the Portuguese king are there in the huge ballroom.

The Idalcao Palace:

It was built in 1500 by Yusuf Adil Shah and was primarily built as a riverside pleasure, but was fortified and later served as a strategic point of defense for the Portuguese who added it to their artillery strength and also as the first custom post, wherein the cargo from foreign ships was checked here.
It was the official place of residence for most of the Portuguese Viceroys in 1759 who would stay here before embarking on the return voyage to Portugal. A small chapel was built within the palace in 1760 when the Viceroy moved to Panjim from Old Goa.
The Adil Shah Palace has undergone quite a lot of modifications since its existence over 500 years. It was initially modified by the Portuguese in 1613 wherein the main entrance was through the arched doorway on the opposite side, away from the river. The crest of the viceroys above the main doorway was replaced by the national emblem, The Asoka Chakra or Buddhist Wheel of Law, which appears at the center of the national flag. The red tiled roof is quite distinctive, with the slope of each separate room varying in size and height producing an interesting effect.

These are the the best places in Goa to visit once in a life time.