Goa, a tiny emerald land on the west coast of India, the 25th state of the Union states of India, was liberated from Portuguese rule in 1961. It was a part of Union Territory of Goa, Daman & Diu till 30th May 1987 when it was carved out of form a separate state. Goa covers an area of 3702 square kilometers and comprises two Revenue districts viz North Goa and South Goa. Boundaries of Goa State are defined in the North Terekhol river which separates it from Maharashtra, in the East and South by Karnataka State and West by the Arabian Sea. Goa lies in the Western Coast of India and is 594 Km (by road) away from Mumbai city. Goa is visited by large numbers of international and domestic tourists each year for its white-sand beaches, nightlife, places of worship and World Heritage-listed architecture. It has rich flora and fauna, owing to its location on the Western Ghats range, a biodiversity hotspot. Here’s a list of the Best Places to Visit in Goa.
Fort Aguada
Fort Aguada is a well-preserved seventeenth-century Portuguese fort, along with a lighthouse standing in Goa, India, on Sinquerim Beach, overlooking the Arabian Sea. It once defended the Portuguese stronghold against Dutch and Maratha invaders.
Calangute Beach
Calangute is a town in North Goa, famous for its beach. The beach is the largest in North Goa and visited by thousands of domestic and international tourists alike. The peak tourist season is during Christmas and New Year, and during the summer in May. During the monsoon season, from June through September, the sea can be rough and swimming is prohibited. The beach offers water sport activities like parasailing and water skiing, among others.
Baga Beach
Baga Beach is a popular beach and tourist destination in North Goa. Baga is located at the north end of the contiguous beach stretch that starts from Sinquerim, Candolim, leads to Calangute, and then to Baga. Dolphins can be located at around 1–2 km from the shoreline. The beach contains rows of shacks and fishing boats, and at high tide the beach is narrow. The beach is named after the Baga Creek, which empties into the Arabian Sea at the north end of the beach. Baga Beach is also famous for water sports, such as parasailing and banana rides, and dolphin cruises.
Chapora Fort
Chapora Fort located in Bardez, Goa, The fort overlooks the Chapora river and hence its name. The present structure was built in 1717. Many rulers have held this fort for varied periods of time but the main enmity was seen between Marathas and Portuguese to gain control over it.
BASILICA OF BOM JESUS
The Basilica of Bom Jesus or Borea Jezuchi Bajilika is located in Goa, India, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Being a 400-year-old church, the church is among the oldest churches in Goa. The basilica holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier, whose body was brought from China to the church after two years of his death. It was discovered that the saint’s body remained intact as the day it was buried.
Dona Paula
Dona Paula is a former village, and tourist destination, in the suburbs of Panaji, Goa. The name of the beach has been kept after the then Viceroy’s daughter Dona Paula de Menezes who was believed to be madly in love with a fisherman. Her insane love for the fisherman drove her to jump off the cliff when the Viceroy refused to strike a marriage alliance between the two. So, the beach is popular with the name of Dona Paula. It’s a lover’s paradise that offers a splendid view of the Mormugao harbor.
The Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception
The Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church is located in Panjim, Goa, India. In 1609 the small chapel was replaced by the present-day large church to minister to the residents and sailors. The Church conducts mass every day in English, Konkani, and Portuguese.
Anjuna flea market
Started by hippies in the 1960s, the Anjuna flea market is a landmark in Goa. It is at the southern end of the Anjuna beach. The Anjuna flea market is open on Wednesdays between 9 AM and 6 PM. There are more than 500 stalls selling handicrafts, handmade jewelry, Kashmiri and Tibetan goods, bags, clothing, tribal artifacts, and more. There are food stalls, bands playing jazz and rock music.
Anjuna Beach
Anjuna Beach is a beach in Goa, which is located 18 kilometers away from Panaji and 8 kilometers to the west of Mapusa, North Goa. It is situated in Anjuna village of Bardez taluka in North Goa. The beach is the part of a 30 kilometers extended beach coastline along the west coast of Goa by the Arabian sea. Attractions close to Anjuna Beach include Anjuna’s flea market and Chapora Fort.
Naval Aviation Museum
The Naval Aviation Museum is a military museum located in Bogmalo, 6 km from Vasco da Gama, Goa, India. This museum contains exhibits that showcase the evolution of the Indian Naval Air Arm over the decades. The museum is divided into two main parts, an outdoor exhibit, and a two-story indoor gallery. The museum was inaugurated in October 1998. The Museum initially had a small collection of 6 aircraft of World War II vintage – Sealand, Alize, Dove, Vampire, Sea Hawk, and Hughes Helicopter. Today there are 15 types of aircraft at the museum and wide-ranging exhibits including a scaled model of the aircraft carrier INS Viraat, complete with a ski-jump runway, and Sea Harrier jump jets on its deck.
