India · City Guide
Goa
Goa is India's most beloved beach destination, a former Portuguese colony of extraordinary cultural hybrid identity combining beautiful palm-fringed beaches, magnificent Baroque churches, outstanding seafood, vibrant party culture and a way of life that is entirely distinct from the rest of India. From the UNESCO World Heritage baroque churches of Old Goa and the beautiful beaches of the north and south to the Dudhsagar waterfalls and the spice plantations of the interior, Goa rewards both party-seekers and cultural explorers.
Explore Goa →Elect's take
"Goa has a character and a cultural identity that I find genuinely captivating. The Portuguese colonial legacy, the syncretic Hindu-Catholic culture, the extraordinary food and the beautiful beaches create something that feels more Caribbean than Indian in the best possible sense."
The baroque churches of Old Goa, particularly the Basilica of Bom Jesus housing the remains of St Francis Xavier and the Sé Cathedral, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site of extraordinary quality and the finest example of Baroque religious architecture in Asia. The beaches of North Goa — Baga, Calangute, Anjuna and Vagator — provide vibrant beach life and outstanding sunset bars, while the South Goa beaches of Palolem and Agonda are more secluded and peaceful. Goan seafood cuisine — fish curry rice, prawn balchão, vindaloo and bebinca dessert — is one of India's finest and most distinctive regional cuisines. The Dudhsagar waterfalls in the interior are spectacular.
Best time to visit
How to get there
What to expect
Old Goa Churches
A UNESCO World Heritage Site of extraordinary baroque religious architecture in Asia.
Goa Beaches
Beautiful palm-fringed beaches ranging from vibrant North Goa to peaceful South Goa.
Goan Cuisine
A unique Portuguese-Indian culinary tradition of fish curry, vindaloo and bebinca.
Dudhsagar Falls
One of India's tallest and most spectacular waterfalls in the Bhagwan Mahaveer wildlife sanctuary.
Portuguese Heritage
A unique Indo-Portuguese cultural identity expressed through architecture, food and festivals.
Goa Party Culture
India's most celebrated beach party scene from sunset bars to electronic music events.