- general information
- Top beaches in North Goa
- Best beaches in South Goa
Goa is the most famous resort region in India. Travelers travel to this state for the warm sea and enchanting eastern beaches. The beaches in the region have many unique features. Below are the 10 best beaches in Goa that will appeal to tourists of all tastes and needs.
general information
The entire coast of the state is divided into 2 parts: north and south. The best beaches in North Goa tend to be close to clubs and other entertainment venues. On the other hand, the coastal areas located in the south of the region are considered quiet and cozy. It is impossible to find an answer to the question: where are the best beaches in Goa: in the north or in the south? The choice of one of the places for recreation depends only on the wishes of tourists.
Top beaches in North Goa
Anjuna
The beach of Anjuna village is a unique place. The entrance to the sea near the village is strewn with stones, sand mixed with shells. Only people in rubber slippers can walk on it. But this corner of the coast is considered one of the most popular among tourists because hippies from all over the world come to it in winter.
On the seaside parties of the "full moon" and cheerful noisy discos are organized. During the day, snake charmers can be found on the shore. At the northern end of Anjuna, a free space is open, designed for young people to meet and listen to music of all styles known in the world. There is a go-kart track 100 meters from the shore. Beach cafes offer travelers a taste of Italian, French, Jewish and Indian cuisines. Near the beach, there is a famous flea market where you can buy everything from Indian medicines to ancient musical instruments.
Anjuna is located 8 km from Mapusa and 51 km from the Goa air gate.
Sinkerim
Sinkerim is one of the best white sand beaches in Goa. It is located 15 km from Panaji and 36 km from Vasco da Gama International Airport. The beach is surrounded by green palm groves. On the hill to the south of it rises the Aguada Fortress, in which several popular Bollywood films were filmed.
Many recreation facilities are open on Sikerim: hotels of all categories, guest houses with any conveniences. The main contingent of vacationers on this corner of the coast are wealthy Indians. For this reason, in addition to public shekas, there are several luxury restaurants on the beach.
On Sinkerim, rental offices for water sports equipment are open, and berths with yachts and boats that can be rented are welcome. Every year, from January 27 to 29, the beach hosts a tanning festival, which is one of the ten best entertainment events in the world.
Calangute
Calangute is a resting place, the name of which in translation from Indian means "land of fishermen". This beach is located in North Goa, 39 km from Vasco da Gama Airport. From other cities in the state, this corner of the coast is easily accessible by bus.
The beach is constantly crowded with many merchants walking along it. The main plus of Calangute is the abundance of very cheap bungalows, guest houses, sheks, eateries and other accommodation and catering establishments. The cost of rest in this corner of North Goa is available to everyone.
Near Calangute, the purest waters of the Arabian Sea are splashing. They wash over yellow fine-grained sand. An art gallery is open on the beach, where local painters exhibit their work. Indian music and dance evenings are held once a week at the cultural center.
Calangute is suitable for young people or people who are not afraid to be part of a colorful crowd.
Morjim
Morjim is a Russian village in India. Travelers from the CIS countries like to spend their holidays on this beach. To keep tourists from getting bored, the owners of local nightclubs invite animators and DJs from Russia. Chefs of numerous restaurants on the beach prepare real dishes of Russian and Ukrainian cuisine for a decent fee. Morjima cafes provide free loungers and umbrellas to vacationers, and the staff of some establishments includes routers with free access to the Internet.
The total length of the beach is more than 3 km, the width is 40-60 meters. The health and safety of tourists in Morjim is constantly guarded by lifeguards. In winter, olive sea turtles nest and lay eggs on the southern coast. The rest of animals is protected by the state in the person of vigilant gamekeepers and police officers.
You can discover Morjim on the northern bank of the Chapora River, 59 km from the Goa International Air Harbor.
Mandrem
Mandrem is one of the few quiet places in North Goa. For a warm, clean and gentle descent to the water, a calm sea in this corner of the coast, families with children love to relax. The beach is separated from the rest of the village by 2 rivers. In some places it is possible to wade them, and in some places it is necessary to use bamboo bridges.
The national and cultural composition of tourists in Mandrem is very diverse. Yogis, freaks, hippies, monks, tourists from Europe and America come to the seashore. To satisfy the appetite of tourists on the beach, several dozen sheks are open, serving Indian seafood dishes. In the evenings, candles are lit in catering establishments and the beach is plunged into darkness, romantically illuminated by small lights.
The distance from the beach to Goa airport is 54 km, to the villages of Penjim and Arambol, which have nightclubs and discos with Russian DJs, 3 km. Rest on Mandrem will appeal to people who like to stay in silence during the day and have a full night out.
Best beaches in South Goa
Benaulim
Benaulim is a great place for people who appreciate the best combination of price and quality of services for settlement and accommodation. It is located just 7 km from the city of Margao and 25 km from the Goa air gate. The length of the beach near the village is about 2 km, the width ranges from 30 to 70 meters.
The beach is covered with clean, fine-grained sand. Towels and sun loungers in Benaulim are provided to vacationers for the purchase of 1-2 dishes at local restaurants. Prices in catering establishments on the shores of the Arabian Sea are low, and seafood dishes always delight tourists with freshness.
There are not many people on the coast. Basically, by the sea you can meet individual tourists from Western Europe. There are marinas on the beach, where boats are available for rent to admire the games of dolphins or dive with fins and snorkel to explore the underwater world of the Indian Ocean.
Agonda
Agonda is a part of the coast, where comfortable conditions for rest are created. The beach has sun loungers, umbrellas and bungalows with a low cost of use. Traders rarely go to Agonda, there are no discos, markets and other noisy establishments. At any time of the day, only the sound of the surf is heard over the coast of the Arabian Sea. Tent rentals are available for savage travelers on the beach.
The length of the beach is over 3 km. The width is about 80 meters. The seaside shape of the beach resembles the letter "P". Waves splash near the northern end of the beach, and the sea is always calm on the southern side of the beach. Agonda is located 56 km south of Goa International Airport. You can get to the beach by bus or taxi with a meter.
Colva
The beach of the village of Colva is one of the most famous holiday destinations in Goa. This corner of the coast is 8 km away from the city of Margao and 20.5 km from the state international airport.
Colva is loved by fishermen and tourists. A large number of colonial-style huts and mansions have been built on the beach. The best hotels in Goa are located near the houses. The length of the beach is about 3 km. The entrance to the water on Kolva is gentle, convenient for swimming with babies. Waves never rise off the shores of the Arabian Sea. The entire beach is covered with soft, golden sand.
There are excellent discos and clubs at night near the village. They regularly host rave parties. The good food for the guests of Colva is provided by the chefs of the restaurants on stilts. Food (mainly seafood) in such establishments costs a lot, and the portions delight tourists with their size.
Betalbatim
Betalbatim or Sunset is the most serene beach in Goa. It is great for lovers of peace and quiet. The beach is only 1.5 km long and 50 meters wide. Betalbatim is located 18 km from Vasco da Gama International Airport and 9 km from the city of Margao. From the seashore, you can walk to Majora or Colva.
Betalbatim is known for its stunning sunsets. To meet the gastronomic needs of vacationers on the seashore, several cafes with affordable prices have been opened. There are several hotels and guest houses for the settlement of tourists. Near the beach is the small Catholic Church of Our Lady, which celebrates Christmas (December 25) and other Christian holidays. From entertainment on Betalbatim, cognitive boat and yacht trips for watching seabirds and dolphins are available.
Kansaulim
Kansaulim is a beach with the purest golden sand. You can reach it from Vasco da Gama Airport in just 10 minutes, and from the city of Margao in a quarter of an hour.
Kansaulim is considered one of the best places in Goa for water sports. On the beach, there are rental shops for fins and snorkels, scuba gear, surf and windsurf boards, parachutes and other equipment.
Other types of tourist infrastructure in this corner of the coast are also well developed: cafes, restaurants, hotels and guest houses are open by the sea. Several sheks of Kansaulim have Russian-speaking staff.
On Orthodox Christmas, the festival of the Three Magi is held on the beach. During this action, three boys from the nearest village are dressed in the outfits of magi. The adults give gifts to the children, which the boys take to the nearest church. After people enter the temple, an action opens, which consists of performances with fire, dances and music.
Holidays in Kansaulim will appeal to lovers of an active lifestyle during the day and tranquility at night.
