The first decision travelers to Goa must make is whether to visit the northern or southern part of the popular beach state. Due to the large distances, poor public transport and generally narrow roads, it's not usually efficient to do both in one trip. Moreover, the two sides of the state cater to widely different audiences. North Goa is known for its crazy parties, casinos and temples while south Goa is known for luxurious hotels, isolated beaches and adventure activities like jungle treks, dolphin watching and rock climbing. If north Goa is more to your liking, here are 5 things you can do during your visit.
Beaches of North Goa
The popular: Baga, Calangute, Candolim, Anjuna The offbeat: Keri (Querim), Arambol, Ashwem, Morjim
Image Source: Pixabay
Beaches in this part of the state are known for their bustling nightlife and sea-side eateries catering to every budget. However, you can escape the madness by visiting the lesser known beaches if you crave some privacy.
Markets of North Goa
The popular: Anjuna Flea Market, Calangute Bazaar, Mackie's Night Market The offbeat: Arpora Saturday Night Market, Beachside Designers Village (Le Souk), Ashwem
Image Source: Flickr
Goa's night markets and flea markets offer trinkets and curios of every kind from local artisans and imported goods. A shopper's paradise - but only if you know how to bargain.
Water Sports in North Goa
The popular: Banana Boat, Water Scooter, Parasailing The offbeat: Deep Sea Diving, Snorkeling, Wakeboarding and Kneeboarding
Image Source: Free Images
With a coastline of over 100 km, it's no surprise that water sports are a favorite pastime. While most people try parasailing and the banana boat, deep sea diving and snorkeling are interesting options for the more adventurous traveler.
Churches of North Goa
The popular: Church of St Francis Xavier The offbeat: Convent of Santa Monica and the Chapel of the Weeping Cross, Our Lady of the Mount
Image Source: Pixabay
Over 350 years of Portuguese rule heavily influenced the architecture of Goa. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Catholic churches, the oldest of which were built in the Portuguese Baroque style of the 16 th and 17 th While we usually favor the offbeat, here we recommend visiting both the popular and the offbeat churches, for they have a charm and history of their own.
Forts of North Goa
The popular: Fort Aguada, Fort Sinquerim, Fort Chapora The offbeat: Fort Tiracol, Fort Corjuem
Image Source: Pixabay
Goa's coastline is littered with forts built by rulers of the Mughal, Maratha, and Portuguese empires. Today, the forts are in varying states of decay; some are well-preserved while others are little more than ruins. Some of these have gotten a second lease on life after being used as filming locations for Bollywood movies such as Dil Chahta Hai.
We hope this list inspires you to explore North Goa in more detail on your next time visit. If you are looking for accommodation, we recommend Golden Tulip Goa in Candolim.
This article was originally posted on 'Siddharth and Shruti'