Things to do in

Goa

A scenic clifftop fort in Canacona, South Goa offering panoramic Arabian Sea views, historical ruins, a small chapel, old cannons, and access to quiet beaches. Popular for sunset photography, short coastal walks, and soaking up Goa's laid-back coastal ambience.

Dona Paula Viewpoint is a popular coastal lookout in the Dona Paula neighborhood just east of Panaji (Panjim), Goa. Perched on a rocky promontory where the Mandovi River meets the Arabian Sea, the site combines panoramic sea views, a small memorial/stone statue, local food stalls and a romantic local legend about Dona Paula. It’s a short, accessible visit ideal for photography, sunset watching and a quick seaside walk.

A relaxed evening stroll along the sandy Miramar Beach in Panaji (Panjim), Goa. The walk offers wide coastal views where the Mandovi River meets the Arabian Sea, framed by distant sights of Dona Paula and the Panaji skyline. It’s a popular local pastime—families, couples and joggers enjoy the cooling sea breeze, vendors sell snacks and local handicrafts, and the sunset paints the sky vibrant colors.

Moderate beach-and-lake hike exploring Arambol's bohemian coastline and the freshwater Sweet Water Lake — a lovely combination of sandy beach stretches, a freshwater spring-lake tucked behind dunes, and a short climb to a nearby viewpoint for panoramic views of North Goa.

Experience the thrill of tandem paragliding over Arambol Beach — a short, scenic flight that gives you panoramic views of the North Goa coastline, the Arambol sweet water lake, and the village below. Flights are flown by certified tandem pilots and are suitable for first-timers. The activity is weather dependent and best enjoyed during the dry season.

Scenic sunrise/sunset hot air balloon flights launched from Assolda Ground in South Goa. Float over coastal plains, paddy fields and the Western Ghats for panoramic views and great photo opportunities. This is a seasonal, weather-dependent attraction best done in the cooler, dry months.

A relaxed-to-moderate guided kayaking trip through Goa's quiet backwaters: mangrove creeks, estuarine channels and rivers around Nerul (Sal/Nerul rivers) in North/Central Goa or the Betul / Assolna backwaters in South Goa. Ideal for nature lovers, birdwatchers and those who want a gentle adventure away from busy beaches. No prior kayaking experience required for the standard routes.

A guided or self-led birdwatching experience in the mangrove habitats of Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary on Chorao Island, North Goa. The sanctuary is a haven for resident and migratory waterbirds, kingfishers, herons, egrets, and many migratory passerines. Ideal for nature lovers, photographers and birders of all levels.

A gentle, scenic cycling loop across Divar Island offering a mix of riverside views, Portuguese-era architecture, quiet village lanes, paddy fields and coconut groves. The trail is low to moderate difficulty and ideal for half-day exploration from Panaji (nearby).

A lively, bohemian open-air market held in Anjuna village, North Goa. Famous for its eclectic mix of clothes, jewellery, handicrafts, antiques, souvenirs, and street food, the market draws both locals and tourists. It’s a colourful, bustling place with live music, bargaining culture and a relaxed beach-town vibe.

Arpora Saturday Night Market is Goa's most famous weekly night market — a vibrant open-air flea market that combines shopping, street food, live music and nightlife. Located in Arpora near Baga, it attracts locals and tourists with colourful stalls selling handicrafts, clothing, jewellery, souvenirs and international cuisine. Expect a lively, carnival-like atmosphere with DJs, bands, street performers and a chance to sample authentic Goan food.

Mapusa Friday Market is a bustling weekly market held every Friday in the town of Mapusa in North Goa. It is one of Goa's most famous traditional markets, attracting locals and tourists for fresh produce, spices, seafood, textiles, handicrafts, antiques, and a wide range of Goan snacks and street food. The market spreads through the main streets and lanes near Mapusa Municipal Garden and the surrounding bazaar area and offers an authentic, colorful slice of Goan life.

Hands-on Goan cooking class combined with a local food & market tour. Learn to cook authentic Goan dishes—seafood and vegetarian—using local spices and techniques. The experience typically includes a guided visit to a morning market (or spice garden), a hands-on cooking session with an experienced local cook/chef, tasting of the prepared meal, recipe cards to take home, and optional local drinks (feni/toddy) or street-food stops.

Seafood beach shack hopping along Goa's famous beaches is a relaxed culinary experience combining fresh coastal flavours, chilled drinks and sunset views. Visit a selection of beach shacks in Benaulim (South Goa), Calangute (North Goa) and Vagator (North Goa) to sample local Goan fish preparations, shellfish, grilled catch and coastal snacks — all served with sea-breeze ambiance.

A culturally rich half-day to full-day experience visiting small, family-run cashew orchards and traditional feni distilleries in southern Goa. Participants learn how cashew apples are harvested and processed, watch toddy tapping and distillation, and enjoy guided tastings of cashew feni (and sometimes coconut feni), paired with roasted cashew nuts and local Goan snacks. Tours are village-based (Cansaulim, Colva, Betalbatim) and can be combined with a seaside lunch or a short beach visit.

Authentic Ayurvedic treatments and wellness packages delivered in serene beachside settings of Mandrem and Ashvem (North Goa) and at certified centres across Goa. Services range from single-session relaxation oils and head therapies to full Panchakarma detox and residential Ayurvedic retreats. Emphasis is on individualized diagnosis (prakriti/vikriti), classical procedures (Abhyanga, Shirodhara, Vamana, Virechana, etc.), and integration with yoga, pranayama and a sattvic diet.

Gentle sunrise yoga on the soft sands of Ashvem / Mandrem in North Goa. A relaxed, all-levels beach yoga session held around dawn with guided asana, pranayama and short guided meditation — accompanied by sea breeze and the sound of waves. Perfect for beginners, travellers and regular practitioners who want a mindful start to the day in a scenic, open-air setting.

Museum of Christian Art in Old Goa houses a rich collection of liturgical objects, paintings, sculptures and vestments from the 16th to the 20th century. Housed in a restored colonial building near the Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se Cathedral, the museum offers a compact but highly informative overview of Goa's Christian artistic heritage and the Portuguese-era church culture. Ideal for history and art lovers, it complements a walking tour of Old Goa's UNESCO‑recognised churches.

Houses of Goa Museum in Porvorim is a cultural house-museum that recreates traditional Goan domestic architecture and lifestyle. The museum displays carefully restored interiors, period furniture, artefacts, photographs and audiovisual exhibits to give visitors an immersive sense of Goan home life across the colonial and post‑colonial eras. It's compact, easy to walk through, and ideal for travellers interested in architecture, social history and everyday objects of Goa.

Tambdi Surla Mahadev Temple is a compact, 12th-century Shiva shrine set deep in the forest of South Goa. Built in dark basalt stone in an early Kadamba-era architectural idiom, the temple is notable for its carved pillars, ornate lintel work and a simple sanctum housing a Shiva linga. Surrounded by the greenery of the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and a small stream, it offers a peaceful, off-the-beaten-track cultural experience — a mix of history, nature and local faith.