Places to visit in South Goa

दक्षिण गोवा में घूमने के लिए सबसे अच्छी जगहें, Goa Holidays

Goa is a state on the southwestern coast of India within the Konkan region, geographically separated from the Deccan highlands by the Western Ghats. Goa is divided into two districts: North and South Goa. The capital of North Goa is the city of Panaji — the former capital of Old Goa, with its interesting churches and cathedrals and a string of beaches. Margao is the main town of South Goa. The city was a Portuguese colony is the past.

Goa attractions: Best things to do in South Goa

South Goa offers a blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and serene beaches. There are numerous water activities in south goa including skiing, parasailing, diving, kite surfing, jet skiing to water scooter ride, flyboarding, paddle boarding, surfboarding, and sport fishing. Most of the beaches would allow you to indulge in these activities.

1.Palolem Beach:

Palolem Beach is situated in Canacona in southern Goa, India. The beach attracts many international tourists, mainly during the winter season between November and March.

2.Cabo de Rama Fort:

Perched on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea, Cabo de Rama Fort offers panoramic views of the coastline. It’s a great spot for history enthusiasts and photographers.

3.Cabo de Rama Fort:

One of the oldest and largest beaches in South Goa, Colva Beach is known for its white sand and bustling atmosphere. You can try water sports activities here or simply soak in the sun.

4. Dudhsagar Waterfalls:

Located around 60 kilometres away from Goa, on the Goa and Karnataka border, Dudhsagar waterfall is amongst the five highest waterfalls in India. With a height of around 310m (1017ft) and about 100ft in width, Dudhsagar Waterfalls displays a tremendous power of nature, creating a sight worth capturing. The name “Dudhsagar” translates to “Sea of Milk” and the waterfall truly upholds its name, especially during the peak monsoon months.The Dudhsagar waterfall is situated in the Western Ghats close to Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary in Goa. 

5.Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary:

Seated in the Southern part of Goa, Netravali wildlife sanctuary is a tributary of the Zuari river. Nestled with dense forests which remain evergreen throughout the year, this sanctuary is renowned for varieties of animals like Gaur, Ratufa indica, Tetracerus quadricornis, and leopard. Its famous birds are Malayan night heron, Nilgiri wood pigeon, pied hornbill, grey-headed bulbul, white-bellied treepie and a rufous babbler. 

6.Chapel of St. Catherine: This historic chapel is known for its beautiful architecture and serene atmosphere. It offers a glimpse into South Goa’s colonial past.

7.Canacona: Explore the quaint town of Canacona, which serves as a gateway to many attractions in South Goa. You can visit local markets, interact with the friendly locals, and sample Goan cuisine.

      How to Reach

1. Air. The nearest airport to Margao is Dabolim Airport which is 23 km away from it.
2. Rail. Goa has two major railway stations — Margao and Vasco-da-Gama, both located in the southern area of the state.
3. Road. Goa is well connected by Road from major cities like Mumbai/Pune.        

Things to buy in South Goa:

Shoppers can buy Cashew Nuts, Spices, Feni & Cashew Feni, Wooden Furniture, Painted Tiles , Dried and Fresh Fish, Spices, Pickles, Goa’s famous ‘chouricos’ sausages, Antiques, Textiles, and Handicrafts.

Where to Stay

Many families visiting South Goa loved staying at INAS Guest House, Jerone’s Home Stay and James Guesthouse . Similarly, Perola Marinha, JJ Holiday Homes and Villa Agastya are also popular among family travellers.

Featuring heritage villages and the best beach resorts in South Goa, this is an ideal escape from the hustle and bustle. If you love seafood, you should visit Benaulim, a quaint beach village characterized by tall coconut and palm trees. This village is also famous for dolphin sightings.

South Goa Trip Budget

The budget of your trip depends upon many things, such as the number of days of your trip, the season, the choices hotels/resorts, food and transport.

You can follow some of budget travel tips for your Goa trip –

• Choose all-inclusive homestays for your stay. Stay longer and ask for discount.
• Stay in Airbnb homes of Goa – You can cook your own food .
• Stay at hotels that offer activities and sights at walkable distances.
• Choose hotels close to airports/ Railway station so that you can save taxi fare.
• Look for good hotel deals on websites like Booking.com and Agoda.