When it comes to planning a vacation in Goa, one of India’s most popular tourist destinations, choosing the right location to stay is crucial. The region is divided into North Goa and South Goa, each offering a distinct experience. North Goa is renowned for its vibrant nightlife, commercialised beaches with shacks, and thrilling water sports. On the other hand, South Goa is known for its pristine and peaceful beaches. If it is your first visit to Goa, I recommend exploring North Goa.
Where to Stay:
If you’re interested in exploring the lively atmosphere of North Goa, I recommend staying near Anjuna or Vagator beach. These locations serve as the epicenter of North Goa, providing easy access to popular attractions and vibrant nightlife. For those seeking a more tranquil experience, consider booking your stay near the serene Agonda or Palolem beach in South Goa.
Where I Stayed:
During my trip, we stayed at Shivers Garden Restaurant, located near Candolim beach. Situated in a prime location, this establishment offers a vibrant lane filled with cafes and shops. Shivers Bar and Restaurant, housed within the property, has a beautiful ambience and serves delectable food and drinks.
Shivers restaurant – 4/5 (Food & Ambience – 4.5/5)
Scooty Rental:
To conveniently explore Goa, renting a scooty is a popular choice. The standard rental prices range from 300 INR per day for older scooters to 500 INR per day for newer models. Since the airport is quite far from the city, I recommend taking a bus from the airport to your accommodation.
In my case, I opted for the Manohar International Airport, Mopa as the flight tickets were more affordable compared to the Dabolim Airport. From the airport, we took a bus to the Calangute bus stop where we also rented a scooty for our adventures.
Day 1: Candolim/Calangute Beach
Sunset at Calangute Beach – One of the most famous beaches in North Goa, welcomed us with its bustling atmosphere. While it can be crowded, it still offers a fantastic spot to relax and witness a breathtaking sunset. It also has options for various water sports like speedboat rides, banana boat rides, bumper rides, boat rides & parasailing.
Nightlife at Candolim beach – Later, we headed to Candolim Beach, where the shoreline is adorned with candlelit tables. Although the setup and food options are similar across the various shacks, we chose Boat Shack as it was playing the best music. The ambience was enchanting, with candlelit tables, the sound of waves crashing, a gentle sea breeze, and lively music playing in the background. Don’t expect quality food here. We headed to Shivers Restaurant and Bar for dinner and drinks.
Tip: Other good eat out options in Candolim are Uptown Sports Bar, Tomatoes Garden Kitchen and Bar, Fisherman’s cove.
Day 2: Anjuna/Arambol Beach
Eva cafe at Anjuna Beach – We drove to Anjuna beach to experience the much-hyped “Insta-worthy” Eva cafe for brunch. Despite the off-season, the cafe had a long waiting time, but it was worth it. The delicious food, stunning view, and cozy vibe made for an amazing start to the day. Keep in mind that Eva cafe is relatively small with limited seating and service can be slow. Nevertheless, it’s a must-visit spot.
Arambol Beach and Sweet Water Lake – After brunch, we headed to Arambol Beach, one of the quiet beaches left in North Goa, favored by tourists for its clean water and sand. There are a couple of shacks here. we rented beachside beds and enjoyed the serene surroundings. Then we took a 1-kilometer walk from the beach seeking the Arambol sweet water lake but ended up reaching a more secluded patch of Arambol beach instead. We stpped there to take a dip and witness the beautiful sunset.
Day 3: Vagator Beach/ Baga Creek
Vagator Beach – To kickstart our day, we visited Candolim cafe, a charming eatery perfect for breakfast. Energised, we then made our way to Vagator Beach, where we spent time relaxing by the shoreline and savouring beer and snacks. Vagator Beach offers a more serene and less crowded atmosphere compared to its neighbouring counterparts, Calangute and Baga beaches. For adventure enthusiasts, it is an excellent location for thrilling water sports.
Chapora Fort – It is around 1.3 km from Vagator beach, and is famous for in the Bollywood movie “Dil Chahta Hai.” Although the view from the fort was mesmerizing, it was too crowded and noisy. It is worth a one time visit.
Purple Martini at Anjuna Beach – Lastly, we dropped by Purple Martini, which is a renowned cliff bar in Anjuna famous for its picturesque sunset view. The sea facing tables had a cover charge of 5k, so we opted for a regular table. While the food was satisfactory, the ambiance was marred by excessively loud music, making it difficult to carry on a conversation. Considering its high prices and overhyped reputation, Purple Martini can be easily skipped.
Kayaking at Baga Creek – While driving back to our stay, we stopped for Kayaking in the Baga creek. The cost was 99 INR for one person for 15 mins. It was a thrilling experience and the 15 mins were enough to leave us exhausted.
Overall, my trip to Goa was a remarkable experience filled with beautiful beaches, delectable cuisine, and memorable moments. Whether you prefer the vibrant energy of North Goa or the serene charm of South Goa, this coastal paradise has something to offer every traveller.