Goa, India Attractions and Things To Do

Restaurants and Shopping in North Goa

Diverse and delectable meals can be found at our Goa, India resort hotel's two onsite restaurants and at a sumptuous selection of nearby dining establishments. 

• Restaurant:        Citrus Cafe
  Cuisine:              Multi-cuisine
  Phone:                0832 3988188
• Restaurant:        Republic of Noodles
  Cuisine:              Pan Asian
  Phone:               0832 3988188
• Restaurant:        Mum's Kitchen
  Cuisine:              Goan
  Phone:                9822175559
• Restaurant:        Delhi Darbar
  Cuisine:              Mughlai
  Phone:                0832 2222544
• Restaurant:        A Reverie
  Cuisine:              Fine Dining
  Phone:                9823174927 (October to May)
• Restaurant:        Goenchin
  Cuisine:              East Asian
  Phone:                0832 2434877
• Restaurant:        Britto's
  Cuisine:              Beach Side Shack
  Phone:                0832 2276291
• Bar & Nightclub:  Mambo's
  Phone:                0832-2275028
• Bar & Nightclub:  Loungefly
  Phone:                9373787778

Shopping   Acron Arcade. Candolim

Fabindia, Miramar

The Bombay Store, Panjim

Goa as a Destination. Goa offers a variety of historical and natural sightseeing spots.
Neighboring North Goa, are the Dudhsagar waterfalls, among the highest waterfalls in India. They drop 2000 feet in a tropical jungle that boasts of crisscrossing streams. An incredible view awaits you from the top of the falls while the light at dawn makes these magical waterfalls look even more magical.

Built in 1605, the Basilica of Bom Jesus contains the body of St. Francis Xavier; the Jesuit missionary to India and Japan. India's first Minor Basilica, Basilica of Bom Jesus is considered to be an excellent example of India's baroque architecture.

Attractions in Goa

• Fort Aguada -- 3 kms
• Goa Palolem Beach -- 95 kms
• Dudhsagar Waterfalls -- 96 kms
•  Agonda Beach -- 90 kms
• Goa Basilica of Bom Jesus, Church -- 30 kms
• Goa Anjuna Beach -- 10 kms
• Se Cathedral Church -- 26 kms
• Goa Varca & Goa Cavelossim Beach -- 60 kms
• Saraswat Hindu Temples -- 38 kms
• Goa Vagator Beach --16  kms

Nearby Cities

• Karwar - 100 kms
• Hubballi - 220 kms
• Belagavi -170  kms

Attractions and Things To Do
Visitors to Goa will have a field day of fun things to do. Explore ancient forts, tour historic churches and soak up the sun on a bevy of breathtaking beaches. Encounter all that and more when you go to Goa!

Fort Aguada. A 17th century Portuguese fort located on Sinquerim beach and overlooking the Arabian Sea, Fort Aguada was build in 1612 to guard against the Dutch and the Marathas. In addition, it was used as a reference point by vessels coming from Europe. [ Top ]

Saraswat Temples In Goa. However, the Saraswat Hindu Temples in Goa, India, managed to survive the Portugal regime. Among the oldest Saraswat Temples in Goa are the Mangeshi temple of Priol, the Shanta Durga Temple at Kavele, the Ganapati temple at Khandole, the Maha Laxmi temple at Bandewade and the Sri Nagesh Maharudra Temple at Bandora. Of these, unlike all other ancient deities of Goa, the Sri Nagesh Maharudra did not move from Bandora (Bandiwade) even during the period of the Portuguese inquisition.

Atrunja Taluka in Goa is now called 'Ponda'. It is a land of valleys and mountains. An ideal abode for the Gods amidst coconut and arecanut groves, Ponda is full of Hindu temples, the Sri Ganapati temple at Khandole village being one of the most prominent and oldest of them here. [ Top ]

Basilica Of Bom Jesus. The Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa which was built in 1605. The history of this Goan church is as interesting as the beautiful architecture that this church in Goa, India, is proud of. Basilica of Bom Jesus has now been declared a World Heritage Monument. The sacred relics of St.Francis Xavier are kept in this church. St.Francis Xavier, patron saint of Goa, died while on a sea voyage to China on December 2, 1552. As per his wishes, the following year, while transferring his remains to Goa, it was found that the saint's body was as fresh as the day it was buried. This miraculous phenomenon continues to attract the devout from all lands, and an Exposition or public viewing of his body every ten years attracts lakh of pilgrims. [ Top ]

Se Cathedral. The Se Cathedral, a famous Goan tourist attraction, is dedicated to St. Catherine. It was on her feast day, 25th November 1510, that Alphonso de Albuquerque conquered Goa. The Cross of Miracles, placed in the cathedral, attracts lot of people. It seems the Goans had a vision of Christ on this cross and the rock on which it was found was said to spout water. Today, the cross is slowly growing. Earlier, it was at Se Cathedral that the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier were shown to the public.[ Top ]

The Church of St. Francis of Assisi, part of the archaeological museum at Goa in India, exhibits prehistoric items from a distant tribal past and also reminds of Goa Dourada or Golden Goa. The Church of St. Cajatan, built by an Italian architect in 1651, was modeled in miniature on St. Peter's Basilica in Rome [ Top ]

The Reis Magos Church or Church of the Three Magi Kings, built in 1555, was once a mission center of the Franciscan Order of Monks. Also in Bardez Taluka, at Saligao, amongst picturesque surroundings, stands the Church of Mae de Dens or Mother of God. The statue after whom this church was named once occupied a convent, now no longer extant, and was known for its miraculous powers. This church is a fine instance of Gothic architecture. [ Top ]

The Church of St. Alex at Curtorim, too, dates from the 16th century. The Church of St. Anne, at Talaulin Iltias, affectionately called Santana by the people, is dedicated to the Mother of Mary. It is situated on the right bank of the Siridao River. The Rachol Seminary in South Goa has a chequered past. Originally a Muslim fortress, it was first converted by the Portuguese into a church and later into a prison.[ Top ]

Beaches of Goa. Beaches in Goa rank among the top beaches in the world. And why shouldn't it? With over 40 lovely beaches to its credit, one can just get lost in the mesmerizing beauty of these beaches in India's Goa. Some of the beaches in Goa are often visited by the tourists, but if you try hard, you will certainly find some virgin beaches in Goa, which have hardly been tampered by human civilization, sporting its untouched beauty.

These beaches in Goa are lined with small shacks offering mouth-watering Goan delicacies. Some of the most visited beaches in Goa are the Calangute beach, the Baga beach and the Anjuna beach.

The north Goa beaches in Pernem subdivision are delightfully primitive and untouched: Keri beach (with Tiracol and an ancient Portuguese fort on the other bank). Arambol (also known as Harmal); Mandrem (a toddy tappers' and palm distillers' hamlet with two little beaches: Lemos and Asvem) and Morji. The local people are friendly and un-interfering, the markets fairly well stocked and the public transportation system reasonably efficient. By way of accommodation there are somewhat Spartan cottages and thatched huts.

Other beaches in Goa are Caranzalem beach, Marvel beach, Dona Paula beach, Bambolim beach and Siridao beach, all in close proximity to Mormugao harbour. The Mormugao subdivision has a string of excellent beaches, like Bogmalo beach, Issorcim beach, Colva beach (a rich spawning ground for fish and crustaceans).
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Wild Life Of Goa. There is this little Bondla Sanctuary at Goa in India with its unique wild life rehabilitation centre which is a major tourist attraction. Here the animals which have been orphaned or injured, wander into inhabited areas where they get tender loving care. And this way they, thrive. There has been a population explosion of porcupines who now rustle around with their usual, bad-tempered bustle. However, Bondla's greatest attraction is its profusion of birds. In twenty minutes you can spot 11 different species including a Grey Hornbill. [ Top ]

Forests In Goa. Thirty per cent of Goa, India, is covered with dense forests and though tigers and elephants do wander into the 240 sq. km of the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary in Goa, they don't stay for long: possibly because there isn't enough of their favourite food available or perhaps because centuries of hunting by the Portuguese had built in an instinctive fear for these forests among the larger animals. However, if lucky, you can spot Indian bison, the Gaur, in the forests of Molem in Goa, a part of this large sanctuary.[ Top ]

Waterfalls In Goa. Once out of the dense forests of the sanctuary in Goa, India, you can emerge into the dramatic Goan valley of Dudhsagar. A tributary of the Mandovi river cascade down for 600 metres. Its water gushes under a railway bridge and foams white towards the spectators.[ Top ]

Goa Carnival Tour. In February, join the carnival because and get drawn towards this Goa festival.

In the month of February, a tourist will find all the people of Goa in India in high spirits. One of the most popular festivals of India, the Goa carnival is a three-day fest which started during the era of King Momo. Goa carnival begins just before the Lent season (Lent is the period of fasting and penance in the Christian calendar and corresponding somewhat to the Mohammedan fast before Ramzan Id). This Indian festival in Goa usually starts off on Sabado Gordo (Fat Saturday) and concludes on Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday)-the eve of Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of the season of Lent.

Carnival is a time for gallivanting. Singing, dancing and masked people mark the uproarious and flamboyant Goan celebration. Dressed in the most colourful costumes, their headgear surpasses those worn by any primitive tribe in Asia or Africa.

The streets are crowded for three days and it is nothing but a huge party that transport the tourists in Goa to an entirely different world. [ Top ]

Apart from the above main attractions, Goa also has various activities such as:
Beach Sports
Bull Fights
Casinos
Rave Parties
River Cruises
Shopping in Goa
Water Sports [ Top ]