“Goa…Paradise in a wheelie bin”
Goa, popularly known as the pearl of the orient and tourist paradise. Located in India’s coastal belt on the western called the Konkan coast. Sparkling with sea, sand, and sunshine, North Goa welcomes you to a picturesque land of natural beauty. The architectural, Goan Temples, Churches and old houses have brought distinction to Goa.
But this region is not only about golden beaches and turquoise water. Dotted with magnificent forts, ancient temples, gorgeous churches, electrifying party hotspots, famous shacks, buzzing flea markets, lavish casinos, and a host of other attractions, the place is truly a traveller’s delight.
In this section, we would be discussing some incredible places to visit in North Goa, and till the time you are not doing that, you would not be doing justice to your visit to Goa.
Let’s check out some of the most captivating places to visit in North Goa.
Vagator Beach
The Vagator beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Goa that is enclosed with soft white sand and speckled by huge black rocks, coconut & palm trees. It is famous due to its dynamic cliffs and its secluded nature. This beach is divided into two beaches named Big Vagator and Small Vagator. Facing towards the right side of the sea, there is North Vagator Beach (Big Vagator) while on the left is Ozran Beach (Little Vagator). Watching sunset through rocks is a treat.
Anjuna Beach
Anjuna is just the right place for lazing holidaymakers. Besides the calm waters of the Arabian Sea lapping softly on the Indian shore, Anjuna comes live with its ever-famous full-moon parties and the Wednesday flea market to take one on to a trance trip. Anjuna is a small village in north Goa, on the shores of the Arabian Sea. It claimed popularity for its Trance Parties and the Hippies who tried to synthesize the spiritual traditions of the East and the art.
Baga Beach
Baga beach is the most visited destination in North Goa and the most commercial one too. Named after the Baga creek that makes its way to the Arabian Sea, Baga is the perfect place to enjoy a thrilling day and party late into the night by visiting the hangouts located right on the beach. From indulging in water sports to getting a tattoo done to street shopping, you can do it all here. With signature restaurants and cafes like Tito’s, Britto’s, and Mambos lining the beach, Baga definitely counts among the best party destinations in Goa.
Calangute Beach
Calangute is often referred to as the Queen of beaches in Goa. Stretching from Baga to Candolim, this place can easily be defined as one of the most happening hubs in North Goa. The beach here is a picturesque sight, which explains why it is almost always crowded. Be it beach fun during the day or jazzing parties during the night, Calangute ticks the boxes for everything.
Candolim Beach
The tranquil ambience, thrilling water sports, and an enchanting nightlife make Candolim one of the most appealing beaches to explore in the north. There is not much commercial activity around this place, but the spellbinding beauty of the beach more than makes up for it. Adventure water sports is a must to try in this place.
Sinquerim Beach
The gorgeous Sinquerim Beach beckons you to a scenic sandy shoreline. More often than not, nightlife on this beach is marked with music festivals.
Arambol Beach
A spectacular beach with a distinct Bohemian vibe, Arambol exemplifies the perfect blend of scenic beauty and serenity. This rocky-cum-sandy beach is counted among the less-crowded beaches in Goa, which makes it ideal for you to spend some quiet moments engulfed in your own thoughts.
Morjim Beach
The unique ecosystem of this North Goa beach makes it a perfect habitat for Olive Ridley sea turtles that come to the beach late in the evening to lay their eggs. The villages beside the beach have a huge settlement of Russian immigrant population. This place is also called ‘Little Russia’.
Mandrem Beach
Mandrem Beach is famous for fine Goan feni and master stone carvers. Mandrem Beach is a white-sand shoreline with clear water. The shoreline of Mandrem lies between the twin shorelines of Ashwem and Arambol. This shoreline is a tranquil and serene shoreline and is great for the ones who is looking for some peace and tranquil surroundings.
Ashwem beach
This beach is a mixture of sandy shores and rocky outfits. An uninterrupted white sandy bed beside the vast ocean entices you with its quaint charms. Amongst the less crowded beaches of North Goa, this is a prized destination in the world of quiet comfort.
Ozran beach
Ozran Beach is an extension of the Vagator Beach the same way Calangute Beach is an extension of Baga. The geography of Ozran Beach is interspersed with rocky terrains that are sponge-like in appearance. You can see the seawater plunge out of the pores of these rocks like lava erupting out of volcanoes. The seashore is flanked with palm trees that serve as popular picnic spots for families and tourists alike.
Dona Paula Beach
This beach was named after the Portuguese Viceroy’s little girl Dona Paula de Menezes. Dona Paula beach is known for the fashionable residence of the rich and famous of Panjim. Initially a fishing town Dona Paula pulls in a lot of tourist from far and wide. When you are in Dona Paula, you should visit the remains of the Cabo Fort, raised in 1540.
Querim Beach
Querim Beach also called Keri shoreline is a sunny haven of sand, ocean and tranquillity in the northern piece of Goa. The segregated shoreline is hidden away from the eyes of the onlookers. After a refreshing splash in the rolling waves, find a tranquil setting for sunbathing. What’s more at the nightfall just witness the distant night-sea as the warm water touches your feet. This beach is a must-visit in North Goa.
Bambolim Beach
This serene little shoreline is a haven for the individuals who love to spend some time with sand and surf without the group that pepper the vast majority of alternate shorelines in North Goa. The shoreline is a secluded beach with sands and lined on the landward side with swathes of swaying coconut palms. The Bambolim shoreline is an extraordinary place to have a beach picnic and appreciate the calm and isolation of one of the less frequented shorelines in Goa.
Kalacha Beach
Located in the south of Querim Beach, Kalacha is a small, secluded beach where you can enjoy a swim in its sweet water lagoon. Kalacha bach must be visited for its pristine natural beauty and the Paragliding opportunities it offers. You have to walk through a rocky patch to get to the sandy beachfront. You can enjoy the breathtaking sunsets and sunrises at the place. This is one of the most peaceful and scenic amongst all the beaches in North Goa.
Miramar Beach
Miramar Beach, also known by the name of Gasper Dias’ is one of the most popular beaches in North Goa. Miramar is a Portuguese word which translates into ‘viewing the sea.’ Visitors spend hours on end at the beach, trying to soak in the serenity and the beautiful views of the ocean and the beach itself. Miramar is known for its silvery-white sand which stretches along the coastline for about two kilometers.
Siridao Beach
Siridao Beach is a coarse sand beach in Panjim which is also known as the beach for the shell collectors. If you are walking on the beach, you will come across a plethora of oysters and pearl shells on the beach. The beach is also home to the ‘Chapel of Jesus of Nazareth’ which is situated on top of a hill on the beach.
Shiroda Beach
Away from the hustle-bustle of city life resides a Shiroda beach occupied with a soothing atmosphere, an array of fun activities and lots of water-sports activities, perfect for a weekend getaway trip. Water sports at the beach especially jet skiing, paragliding, having a refreshing bath in the ocean and parasailing are very much relished by the tourists.
If you are in North Goa, and not sure where to start from, this article would give you a head-start.
For more information, visit our website www.visit-goa.com
