North Goa with its famous beaches and exotic range of cafes with just the right ambiance provides a haven for all the beach-lovers. The tropical weather, the sound of the waves crashing against the seashore, and the smell of seafood and sunsets on the beach is exactly the vibe we crave on a perfect day in Goa. But it would be wrong to limit it to just beaches because there is much more to experience and have a fun time exploring north goa. There is a place for everyone here be it food bloggers, tourists, shopaholics, historophiles, art lovers, bohemian lovers, and of course, all party people.
So, if you are looking to spend a chill day along the beach, I have just the right list for you. You will have fun exploring these captivating places with their picturesque views.
Temples & Churches in North Goa
Starting the day on a pious note is never a bad idea. North Goa has several religious places that are not to be missed.
- The Mangeshi Temple: A temple devoted to Lord Mangesh, it is famous for its Goan architecture and a seven-story lamp tower.
- The Mahalakshmi Temple: A 15th-century temple adorned with beautiful pillars and doorways houses an idol of Goddess Lakshmi
- The Church of Mae De Deus: A straight-out-of-a-fairytale church with its white-walled structure provides an exemplary example of Gothic architecture.
- The Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception: Overlooking the city of Panaji, it has a spectacular view and houses an ancient bell which is the second largest bell of its kind in Goa.
Famous Beaches in North Goa
Vagator beach, Anjuna beach, Calangute beach, and Baga beach are some of the famous beaches here with palm shades, beautiful shores, and amazing views. These are perfect for a morning swim or even a walk along the beach. The water sports are a bonus point, when in North Goa. It is a wholesome feeling to take it all in the beach, the never-ending waves, the sunset meeting the horizon, and who does not love building mud castles and digging holes in the mud?
Sight-seeing Historical Places in North Goa
Goa is known for its rich historical heritage and culture. Some of the world heritage monuments such as the Se Cathedral and the Basilica of Bom Jesus, built during the Portuguese rule in the 16th-17th centuries, are worth seeing. Fort Aguada, which offers stunning views of the Arabian sea is a great place to learn about the history of Goa.
The Terekhol fort is another 17th-century-built fort that was a part of Sawantwadi rule. These sites provide us with a sense of understanding of the Goan culture as these were built centuries ago.
Local Markets in North Goa- Perfect for Shopaholics
Visiting the vibrant markets of North Goa has to be on your itinerary to have a fun shopping experience. In these local markets, you will find everything you need right beneath the sun. I am sure the tan is worth it because what is not to love? You get clothes, footwear, exotic spices, handlooms, jewelry, ceramics, and whatnot. To top it all off there is also street food to savor as you shop. Some of the famous markets are:
- The Saturday Night Market– A paradise for all the boho-lovers with its live music, bonfires by the beach, vintage artifacts, and splendid night-out vibes
- Anjuna Flea Market– It is the right place for you to find macrame jewelry, scenic beach wear, Tibetan artifacts, funky clothes, and much more.
- Mapusa Friday Bazaar– A hub for fashion enthusiasts, it has all things trendy from clothes and pottery to exotic spices and precious stones
- Panjim Market– With a mix of modern and exotic products it is famous for its low-priced footwear, handbags, clothes, Goan sweets, and spices.
Adventure Water Sports
While at the beach, one cannot miss the amusing, fun-filled water sports like parasailing, banana boat riding, bumper riding, snorkeling, flyboarding, and bungee jumping. These sure are a thrilling experience of a lifetime and are as fun as they sound. Snorkeling gives you a view of the aquatic life where you see fishes, turtles, live corals, and the underwater world.
Must-visit Cafes in North Goa
Nothing can beat the combination of coastal vibes and delicious food along with some refreshing drinks. No matter where we go, we all crave a soul-soothing meal to end the perfect day. So, food plays quite a part in making our trip memorable. To enjoy the ambiance and beach-facing views you can head to cafes like
- The Royal Enfield Garage Cafe: For all bike lovers, it has bike accessories store just behind the cafe.
- Artjuna: A Portuguese-style cafe venue with Mediterranean cuisine.
- Black Vanilla, Assagao: It has a rustic ambiance with delicious food.
- German bakery, Candolim: It is known for its bohemian vibe and healthy yet yummy delicacies.
- Cafe Bodega: Perfect for art lovers as it has an art gallery along with the cafe in a renovated house.
The Nightlife of North Goa
Some of the fantastic places to enjoy the nightlife are Tito’s Bar and Club, Cafe Mambos, and Curlies among others. The nightlife in this part of Goa is to die for. The vibes are totally giving a Bollywood movie feel with you as the main character. Also, you can always go to trance parties in goa to have a different experience altogether. Head straight to these if you want to enjoy beach parties and have a great time with your loved ones.
The flavorsome local cuisine
When in North goa, one must try out the culinary specialties of the region such as the Goan Fish curry, Samarchi Kodi, Chicken Cafreal, and Goan Pork Vindaloo. You can head to the local goan restaurants or even try some street food. Regional cuisine can never disappoint you because it has such a different taste which you won’t find anywhere else.
Experience Goa Beyond The Beaches
It would be delusional to think that Goa is limited to just beaches. There is always more than what meets the eye. The Fontainhas, Gitanjali Art Gallery, and the Goa State Museum are some places worth your time. These are some gems of Goa that you must visit if you have a special corner for less-discovered places. Take some time off of the crowded beach to explore these lanes to know what Goa is actually about.
Cool Casinos To Visit!
To enjoy a games night, you can always head to casinos like the Winn Grand 7, Deltin Jaqk, and Deltin Royale – also known as the “gamer’s paradise” which is said to have an all-Las Vegas experience for gamers. You can count on these places to try out your luck while playing dice games, domino games, and even slot machine games.
Famous for its shacks and old cafes, North Goa is just the place for a chill getaway with friends and family. It checks off most of the boxes on one’s bucket list be it the food, shopping, adventurous activities, beach time, and whatnot. Definitely try out the mentioned places to have a blast while you are in North Goa!
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