North Goa is home to everything that makes Goa an adored destination among backpackers and vacationers. Hippies and beachgoers gather at idyllic spots strung out along the Arabian Sea coastline. Artisans from across the country offer their wares at markets and revelers dance the night away at trance parties. Among the coastal delights of North Goa are yoga retreats and reminders of Indian’s colonial past.
Discover the different vibes of the region’s coastal towns on a beach-hopping tour. Mingle with bohemian types in Arambol and join yoga and meditation classes in Mandrem. Vagator is famous for its red cliffs and trance parties and Anjuna hosts the emblematic Anjuna Flea Market. Find solitude at Ashvem Beach and Morjim Beach and a family-friendly atmosphere in Calangute.
Panaji, Goa’s state capital, sits on the banks of the Mandovi River. In this city chic boutiques, cafés and guesthouses occupy pastel-hued houses built by Portuguese colonists in the Fontainhas district. Watch the world go by from the steps of the baroque-style Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. Miramar Beach and Caranzalem Beach are nearby coastal getaways.
Journey back to the period of Portuguese India in Velha Goa. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to glorious churches that date back to the 1500s and 1600s. Visit the Se Cathedral, Convent of St. Francis Assisi, Church of Our Lady of the Rosary and Church of St. Cajetan. The Basilica of Bom Jesus stores the relics of St. Francis Xavier.
Travel amid lush tropical countryside and paddy fields to the holy village of Priol. Followers of the Hindu faith flock here to visit the 450-year-old Mangueshi Temple. Admire Arvalem Waterfalls and the 6th-century rock-cut Pandava Caves in Sanquelim.
Reach North Goa by flying to Dabolim Airport and then get around via public buses, taxis or rented car and scooter. Arrive between October and February for balmy sun-drenched days and wild Christmas and New Year parties. Come in the quieter June to September monsoon season to see the verdant interior landscapes flourish.
