Goa, a paradise on earth, is a true melting pot of cultures. With attractions of all kinds, Goa is an important destination in every tourist’s itinerary.
The magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural splendors of its temples, churches and old houses have made Goa a firm favourite with travelers around the world.
Here are 8 absolutely must do things in Goa, in no particular order…
1. Old Goa Tour
Goa has a rich cultural heritage and old Goa has a lot of churches, museums, and art galleries that take you back to the Indo-Portugese times. Some of the must-visit places in old Goa are Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se de Santa Catarina.
2. Get high on Fenny
The Goa Cashew Feni, which is also spelled as ‘fenny’ is the local alcoholic drink of Goa. It derives its name from a Sanskrit word meaning ‘broth. ‘You can take a trip to the spice farm and taste various spices in the form of traditional beverages like kokum. In these farms, you can see how fenny is prepared from cashew apples and taste it in its pure and unadulterated form.
3. Explore Goa on bike/Scooter
Goa has a quaint countryside atmosphere and a lot of beautiful paths that run through paddy fields and small cottages. Driving through these beautiful roads is an experience in itself. You can rent 2 Wheeler’s for as cheap as 200 Rs/day.
4. Stay in a Homestay
Homestays are the best way to experience local culture, and in a place like Goa, which thrives on tourism, there are so many options for homestays.
Most homestays are old Portuguese houses with beautiful surroundings. These homestays keep the essence and culture of Goa alive.
You can taste the authentic Konkani dishes and explore the countryside with the help of locals.
5. Go on a Sunset cruise
The goan experience is incomplete without experiencing the music and dance of Goa. The evening river cruise to Mandovi is an amazing experience as you get to see the music and dance performances by the locals.
6. Adventure activities
There are so many adventure activities you can try in Goa like quad-biking, scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and dolphin and crocodile spotting trips.
7. Party like there’s no tomorrow
There’s a reason why Goa is called the party capital of India. It has everything from jazz concerts to Bollywood, cocktails in simple beach shacks to nightclubs. There is something for every kind of party goer. Tito’s at Baga beach is the most famous and happening place in Goa for partying.
8. Get a tattoo
There are so many tattoo parlors in Goa and many artists in markets and on beaches. You can get a temporary tattoo which washes off in a couple of weeks.
You can also get your hair braided with colorful embroidery threads and beads by the tribal women who sit on the beach and in markets.
