Things to Do in Goa
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Goa, India, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Goa. Beaches and old Portuguese churches, unusual combination, works well, a completely different pace of life from Mumbai or Delhi and centuries of colonial history layered into a properly relaxed coastal state. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Goa: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are worth the scooter ride. Six main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
Goa's Portuguese Colonial History
Goa was a Portuguese colonial territory until annexed by India in the 1960s, much later than most of India's independence, which came in 1947, Goa remained under Portuguese rule for over a decade after the rest of the country gained independence, a properly distinctive historical footnote that shapes the region's architecture, cuisine, and culture noticeably differently from the rest of India.
Old Goa, once the colonial capital and a significant city in its day, now holds a cluster of churches and cathedrals reflecting this Portuguese heritage, worth a full morning to see properly.
Basilica of Bom Jesus
Goa's Basilica of Bom Jesus holds the remains of Saint Francis Xavier, his body is displayed periodically, drawing enormous crowds, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most significant Christian pilgrimage sites in Asia, properly striking Baroque architecture that stands out against the rest of India's more common religious architectural styles.
The exposition of the saint's remains happens roughly every decade, worth checking current schedules if the timing might align, otherwise the basilica itself is open daily and worth visiting regardless.
Hours Daily, roughly 9am–6.30pm, outside services
Address Old Goa
Goa's Beaches
Goa is known throughout India for its relaxed atmosphere and long stretches of beaches, a completely different pace of life from Mumbai or Delhi, and the state's coastline offers real variety, Baga and Calangute in the north are livelier, more developed, with beach shacks and nightlife, while Palolem and Agonda further south offer a calmer, quieter atmosphere.
Beach shacks, semi-permanent restaurant and bar setups right on the sand, are a genuine Goan institution, worth choosing one with a view and settling in rather than rushing between beaches.
Best time November through February for the most comfortable beach weather
Old Goa's Church Complex
Beyond the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa holds a cluster of other significant churches and cathedrals, the Se Cathedral, one of the largest churches in Asia, and the Church of St Francis of Assisi among them, together forming a UNESCO World Heritage Site, widely one of the best concentrations of Portuguese colonial religious architecture anywhere outside Portugal itself.
It's a good half-day, worth combining with a proper guide or at least background reading to appreciate the layered history behind the impressive facades.
Hours Daily, roughly 9am–6pm, outside services
Address Old Goa
Goan Food
Goan cuisine reflects this Portuguese-Indian fusion properly well, vindaloo (a dish that originated here before being adapted, and often oversimplified, abroad), fish curry rice, and bebinca, a distinctive layered dessert, all worth seeking out at a local restaurant rather than a tourist-facing beach shack alone.
Seafood is genuinely excellent given the coastal location, fresh catch prepared with Goan spices is worth prioritising over more generic Indian dishes available elsewhere.
Best time Lunch or dinner
Anjuna Flea Market
A famous weekly flea market, running since the hippie trail era of the 1960s and 70s, clothing, jewellery, crafts, and a genuinely lively, bohemian atmosphere that's become a proper Goan institution in its own right.
It's held Wednesdays specifically, worth planning your itinerary around that if it's a priority, bargaining is expected and part of the experience.
Hours Wednesdays, roughly 8am–sunset
Address Anjuna, North Goa
Best time to visit Goa
November through February is the dry season and widely the most comfortable window, cooler and drier, ideal for the beaches and church-hopping this list involves.
The monsoon (roughly June through September) brings heavy rain and rough seas, many beach shacks close entirely during this period, worth avoiding if beach time is your priority, though it's also considerably quieter and greener if you don't mind the rain.
Getting around Goa
Scooter rental is widely the most popular and practical way to get around Goa, cheap and flexible for reaching beaches and churches spread across the state. Taxis are the alternative if you'd rather not drive yourself.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Goa worth visiting?
- Yes, genuinely, a unique combination within India, Portuguese colonial churches and relaxed beach life together, and a pace of life distinctly different from India's larger, busier cities.
- How many days do you need in Goa?
- Five days gives a comfortable pace for both Old Goa's churches and proper beach time across the north and south.
- Is Goa expensive?
- Moderate by Indian standards, more expensive than much of the rest of the country given its tourism-driven economy, though still genuinely affordable compared to international beach destinations.
- What is Goa famous for?
- Its Portuguese colonial history and UNESCO-listed churches, including the Basilica of Bom Jesus, and its relaxed beaches, a distinctly different pace from the rest of India.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
