Caranzalem is a seaside village and suburb of Panaji. Home to great beaches, waterfront restaurants and an educational science museum, it’s a great destination for a daytrip from Goa’s state capital. Enjoy varied watersports for all ages and shop for typical Indian handicrafts. Dine on Goan cuisine and watch the sun drift behind the horizon.
Make your way to the curving strand of Caranzalem Beach when the sun shines bright. Rarely crowded, it offers a refreshing alternative to Goa’s popular beach spots. The crystalline waters of the Arabian Sea are calm and largely free of undercurrents, making a safe swimming environment. Watch local fishermen launch into the sea in colorful wooden boats and snap photos of sunbathing cows.
North along the seashore the atmosphere changes from laid-back to lively at Miramar Beach. Rent wave runners and arrange boating, fly boarding and parasailing excursions at watersports centers. Roadside stands sell crafts, jewelry and street food in the shade of swaying palms. Join the crowds that gather in the evening to observe spectacular sunsets.
Another interesting coastal area to visit is the Dona Paula View Point. Views reach across a bay to the Mormugao Peninsula and city of Vasco da Gama. Look for German sculptor Yrsa von Leistner’s Images of India Statue, set on a rocky outcrop. It depicts a couple gazing in opposite directions the man into the past and the woman into the future.
Curious minds will find educational entertainment at the Goa Science Centre. Explore scientific theories with hands-on activities and watch your body change shape via distorting mirrors. Find exhibits about local marine life and flora. Screenings of short science movies take place inside a planetarium.
Caranzalem is 10-minute drive south from Panaji. Get here by catching auto rickshaws and taxis from the city center. Alternatively walk for an hour or travel by rented bicycle along the beach road.
