Earlier this year we visited Goa, the smallest but richest state in India, during a port call on a Seabourn cruise from Singapore to Mumbai.
We enjoyed our brief visit to Goa immensely, so we are excited to share more about Goa’s most popular attractions today from guest blogger Amelie Jones.
Bogmalo Beach, Goa, India. Photo by Janis Jones.
Getting to Know Goa’s 3 Best Tourist Attractions
Goa, a beautiful green land enveloped by blue waters on the magnificent West Coast of India, together with its natural heart-melting beauty, well-known architectural temples, pompous festivals, spectacular beaches, Anglo-Indian heritage and grand parties offers something for all tourists.
The beaches of Goa that are filled with hordes of tourists each year who flock to this nature’s paradise to bathe in the soothing sun and azure waters of the sea.
All major airlines provide direct and non-stop flights to Goa. Go online and compare the prices of different airlines to get the best deal and save big.
Visit Goa to gorge on the mouth-watering and finger-licking Goanese and Konkan cuisine such as xacuti (an Goan curry made with chicken or lamb and complex spices including white poppy seeds, coconut and large dried red chilies), and rechado (a deep red colored spicy-sweet-tangy masala sauce used with fish and seafood).
Enjoy rocking night parties by the fire-light sea beaches of Goa. The vast assortment of diverse rocky, silver or golden sand beaches spellbinds the tourists with their breathtaking scenic beauty.
After a survey of tourists and locals to this paradise on earth, here are the tourist attractions voted Goa’s best (in no specific order).
Candolim Beach
Candolim Beach, Goa, India
Situated 14-kms north of Panaji in Goa, the spectacular Candolim Beach is primarily a part of extensive extension of beach coastline along the magnificent Arabian Sea that starts at Fort Aguada and finishes at Chapora Beach.
The beach is also popular as it is the birth place of Abba Faria, known as the Father of Hypnotism and one of Goan freedom fighters. The pristine and sun-kissed Candolim beach naturally adorned by the scrub-covered dunes allures a large number of tourists. The beach offers numerous water-sports activities right from wind surfing, para-sailing and water-skiing, etc.
Additionally, people who desire serene and peaceful atmosphere can indulge into swimming. Meditation and yoga has gained a lot of popularity here because of the idyllic environment.
Special beach excursions are organized in the Candolim Beach, wherein tourists are taken right to the core of the sizzling sea, wherein they can capture some breath-taking sunsets. The nightlife at the beach is extremely peaceful, providing a break from the commotion and chaos of other beaches.
Aguada Fort is the major attraction of the Candolim beach. The fort was constructed by the Portuguese in 1912 for fortification against the Maratha and Dutch invaders.
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, Goa, India.
The next tourist attraction voted Goa’s Best is Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, the first Church to be constructed in Goa in 1541. The early Church was entirely re-built from its rudiments in the year 1619. Taking into account of the negligible population in the province at this time, and the size of the new Church, provides a remarkable commentary on the religious weather of the time and the total wealth available to the churches.
While the interiors are relatively simple and plain by the standards of the time, the backdrop to the key altar, devoted to Mary Immaculate, is very impressive. You will love the two cupid statutes hanging out from the ceiling.
However, it is the two flanking altars that catch the visitors’ eyes: on the left dedicated to Jesus Crucified, and on the right to the Lady of the Rosary.
Felling tempted to visit the exotic Goa? The good thing about getting to Goa is that it is very easy to come to the beautiful city, as many airlines provide direct and non-stop flights to Goa at reasonable rates. You just have to contact a reputable travel agency whose agents will get a great deal for you that will help you save on your traveling expenses.
Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary In Goa, India. Photo by Frederick Noronha.
Planning holiday in Goa? Do not forget to set foot in the incredible Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary for an up-close tryst with your favorite animals. The smallest yet most famous sanctuary in Goa, it is situated in Ponda Taluka in the northeastern area of the city.
Spanning in a very small area of only 8-km, the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is enveloped with moist deciduous forest and vegetation patches. The small sanctuary houses a Deer Safari Park, Nature Education Centre, Eco-Tourism Cottages, Rose Garden and Botanical Gardens.
The Sanctuary is a delightful location with amazing landscape and lush greenery all around. The sanctuary renders habitat to a large number of animals and bird species. Some of the occupants in the Sanctuary are crocodiles, wild cats, Asiatic Lions, panthers and snakes. Additionally, there are birds like Hornbills, Woodpeckers, Kingfishers and Yellow Bulbul etc.
These are the three tourist attraction voted Goa’s Best by the tourists and locals.
Goa offers a unique blend of Portuguese and Indian culture.
With its idyllic beaches, colonial white-washed churches and green paddy fields, laid back Goa is perfect for laid back, “white sand between your feet” leisure vacation.
Have you visited Goa? What was your favorite attraction? Please share in comments below.
This guest post was written by Amelie Jones, an avid reader and writer based in London. She loves to travel and write her experiences for the benefits of her readers. She recently traveled to Goa, a popular vacation destination in India. In this article, she shared insights from her trip, from how she booked flights to Goa to her nine-day stay in Panaji and other cities of the state, imbibing everything that this erstwhile Portuguese colony has to offer.
Other posts on the Traveling With the Jones India and Asia adventures that you may want to check out:
- Exploring the Sights of Cochin, India
- Experiencing the Life and Lore of Colombo, Sri Lanka
- A Look Inside the JW Marriott Hotel Mumbai, India
- Touring Goa, India by Taxi
- Experiencing Lufthansa First Class Mumbai to Frankfurt
- 21 Fun Facts About Mormugao, Goa, India
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