West Coast India · India
Goa
"India's Sun-Soaked Paradise"
About Goa
Goa, India's smallest state, is also its most liberating. A Portuguese colony for 450 years (1510–1961), it carries a distinctly Latin flavour — whitewashed baroque churches, terracotta-roofed houses, feni (cashew spirit), and a relaxed pace of life utterly unlike the rest of India. Its beaches range from the famously busy Baga and Calangute in the north to the quieter, more bohemian stretches of Palolem and Agonda in the south. Goa is equally beloved by UK and European backpackers seeking ₹500 beach shacks, families checking into five-star resorts, and everyone in between. Daily budgets run from $30–50 USD (₹2,500–4,000) on a shoestring to $150–400 (₹12,500–33,000) at luxury resorts.
Top Attractions
6 must-visit sights in Goa
TempleBasilica of Bom Jesus
A UNESCO World Heritage baroque church (1605) housing the preserved remains of St Francis Xavier. One of the best-preserved Portuguese churches in Asia. Free entry.
OtherPalolem Beach
South Goa's most beautiful beach — a crescent of white sand flanked by jungle headlands, with calm waters safe for swimming. Free.
MarketAnjuna Flea Market
Goa's legendary Wednesday market — Kashmiri handicrafts, spices, clothing, antiques, and jewellery spread across a beachside field. Free entry.
FortFort Aguada
A 17th-century Portuguese sea fort with a lighthouse — commanding views over the Arabian Sea and Mandovi River estuary. Entry ₹25 (~$0.30).
OtherDudhsagar Waterfalls
A four-tiered, 310-metre waterfall on the Goa–Karnataka border — one of India's tallest. Accessible by jeep safari through jungle. Entry ₹300 (~$3.60).
TempleOld Goa — Se Cathedral
The largest church in Asia (1619) — a soaring Portuguese baroque cathedral dedicated to St Catherine. UNESCO listed. Free entry.
How to Reach Goa
Goa International Airport (GOI) has direct charter flights from UK (London Gatwick, Manchester) seasonally, and year-round connections via Dubai. Domestic flights from Delhi take ~2 hours ($25–70 USD / ₹2,000–6,000). Mumbai is a 1-hour flight.
Compare Flights to GoaAffiliate link · SkyscannerThe scenic Konkan Railway runs along the coast — the Mandovi Express and Goa Express cover Mumbai to Margao (Madgaon) in 9–11 hours. Sleeper berths from $5–25 USD (₹400–2,100).
NH66 via the Konkan coast — 600km, 10–12 hours by private car. Scenic but tiring. Buses also available from Mumbai ($8–20 USD / ₹700–1,700).
Suggested Itineraries
Pre-planned routes that include this destination
