Top 12 activities to experience in Goa

If leisure had a mascot, it would surely be Goa.

Nestled on India's western coast, one of its smallest states is bordered by the Arabian Sea and is renowned for catering to every type of traveler. Seeking a tranquil getaway? Check. Want to boost your mental well-being? Check. Craving delicious food? Check. Ready to party until dawn? Check. Eager to dive into local culture? Check. Looking to connect with nature? Check. Goa ticks every box on your wish list.

With four centuries of colonial influence shaping its character, Goa has evolved dramatically over the years. Yet, a new generation of Goans is dedicated to showcasing and preserving its rich traditions, benefiting both locals and visitors.

Great things come in compact forms, and Goa presents the perfect travel experience all bundled into one enchanting package.

1. Savor the local spirits

When in Goa, be sure to drink local. The state's signature drink is feni, a strong spirit crafted from the juice of cashew apples or the sap of coconut palms. Cashew feni undergoes double distillation, with the first round producing a refreshing beverage called urrak—a summer favorite. These unique spirits are exclusive to Goa and are deeply woven into its cultural fabric. Start with the milder urrak or coconut feni, or explore a feni cocktail at the nearest bar.

To dive deeper into this beverage, visit Fazenda Cazulo for a feni tasting led by Hansel Vaz, the founder of Cazulo Premium Feni. For a decade, he has worked to elevate the spirit's status and popularity. At the farm, you’ll learn about the production process, observe the tools used, taste various expressions, and discover how feni complements different dishes.

Local tip: Goa is also witnessing a vibrant craft spirits scene, with distilleries like Paul John, Tamras, Maka di, and Goa Brewing Co offering tours.

2. Immerse yourself in an intimate evening of Goan-Portuguese culture

Goans are fervently passionate about two things: football and music. To dive deeper into the latter, visit a 200-year-old Goan home in Panaji. This house, overlooking the river, features a section transformed into the Centre for Indo-Portuguese Arts (CIPA).

One highlight is Madra Goa, an enchanting room adorned with oyster shell panels, tiled awnings, and umbrellas hanging from the ceiling. Inside, you’ll find the traditional Goan ghumott (a percussion instrument) alongside a Portuguese guitar. One wall is artistically painted to resemble a street in Lisbon. Here, the acclaimed Goan fadista (fado singer) Sonia Shirsat performs intimate concerts, often joined by fellow musicians or fadistas. Shirsat introduces each fado and mando, encouraging audience participation. During intermissions, delightful Indo-Portuguese snacks like bacalhau (salted cod fritters), pork empadinhas (pies), pastéis de nata (egg tarts), and choris (Goa sausages) served with pao are shared around.

Detour: Heritage Home Experiences also hosts cultural concerts featuring the band Entre Nous, who perform various Goan musical styles, including mandos, dulpods, dekhni, and fado.

The Basilica of Bom Jesus, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed Catholic church, located in Old Goa. Greg Elms for Dinogo Planet

3. Visit the preserved remains of a centuries-old saint in Old Goa

Old Goa is an essential stop for anyone exploring the region. Once the capital of Portuguese India, it boasts numerous stunning churches, chapels, and heritage sites, many recognized by UNESCO. The main attraction is the Basilica of Bom Jesus, an impressive granite edifice housing the body of St. Francis Xavier, encased in a silver casket. The saint passed away in 1552, and his body has remarkably remained well-preserved. Every decade, it is displayed for pilgrims to honor, and this year’s exposition will take place from November 21st to January 5th, filled with festivities.

If you’re visiting during the Exposition, be sure to try roasted gram, choris pao (sausage bread), and khaje (a sweet fried treat made of chickpeas and jaggery).

Detour: The 17th-century Convent of Santa Monica in Old Goa features the Museum of Christian Art (MoCA), a welcoming space showcasing Indo-Portuguese artworks from churches and private collections.

4. Join in the celebration of a monsoon festival during the off-season

The monsoon season from June to September is generally considered off-peak, yet it brings a variety of festivals that celebrate not only religious traditions but also honor the environment.

The festivities kick off with São João in June, where locals honor St. John the Baptist by plunging into water bodies. Sangodd pays tribute to Goa’s fishing community alongside the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, featuring a vibrant parade. Chikal Kalo involves male villagers from Marcel engaging in playful mud games reminiscent of those played by the Hindu deity Krishna in his youth. In August, Divar Island hosts the Bonderam festival, a lively event filled with flag parades, songs, dances, and mock battles as participants try to topple each other's flags.

Local tip: The Goan tour group Soul Travelling offers immersive tours that provide a deeper understanding of these festivals.

Surf schools have popped up along Goa's coast, offering gentle waves perfect for beginners. Getty Images

5. Master surfing on Goa’s beginner-friendly waves

Surfing is gradually gaining traction in Goa, with numerous surf schools located in Morjim, Ashvem, and Mandrem in the North, along with Agonda in the South, offering both single sessions and training programs. The long coastline, abundant surf schools, reliable lifeguard services, and gentle seas—known as 'beginner’s waves' by instructors—make Goa an ideal surfing destination. Lessons are available year-round, excluding the monsoon season. Notable surf schools include Vaayu Surf and SUP, Banana Surf School, On Da Wave, Octopus Surf School, Surf Wala, Swell Cats Surf Club, and Mumu Surf School.

Planning tip: Surf schools like Surfwala, Vaayu Kula, and Banana Surf School provide accommodation and dining options.

6. Enjoy vinyl records at the state’s exclusive vinyl bar

Picture smooth jazz, a tasty cocktail, and a dog at your feet—if this sounds appealing, then For The Record-Vinyl Bar (FTR) in Panaji should be on your itinerary. Founded by vinyl enthusiast and architect Buland Shukla, FTR is a cozy venue dedicated to music—exclusively on vinyl—alongside a drink menu featuring Indian craft spirits like mahua and feni, plus food that showcases his fermentation experiments. FTR often hosts listening sessions and small concerts, and if you visit in the afternoon, you might meet his friendly dog, Django.

Detour: Adjacent to this spot is the workshop, gallery, and shop of Thomas Louis, known fondly as Thomas the Potter. His unique pottery pieces make wonderful gifts, and he frequently offers pottery classes.

The mugger crocodile (Crocodilus palustris) can reach weights of up to 200 kgs. Getty Images

7. Spot a crocodile in its natural habitat

While dolphin watching is a popular pastime in Goa, a more thrilling adventure awaits those who venture out to spot crocodiles in local waterways. Revered as guardian spirits, crocodiles are common in Goa, particularly the freshwater mugger found in the Cumbharjua Canal. A typical ride through this area reveals the beautiful backwaters, vibrant mangrove ecosystems, and diverse marine life, including various birds, crabs, and, of course, crocodiles. These reptiles often bask on the banks, blending seamlessly with their muddy surroundings. Despite their intimidating appearance, they are quite accustomed to human visitors.

Planning tip: John’s Boat Tours offers a Crocodile Dundee experience—a 4 to 5-hour tour that includes birdwatching and light snacks.

8. Experience forest bathing in Mollem

Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary is the largest protected wildlife area in the state and encompasses Mollem National Park. This forest is part of the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot teeming with diverse flora and fauna. Here, you can seek out Goa’s state symbols: the flame-throated bulbul (state bird), the gaur (state animal), and the crocodile bark tree (state tree). As you explore deeper into the forest, you’ll discover Goa’s oldest temple, the basalt Tambdi Surla. There are both seasonal and year-round waterfalls, easily accessible via a short hike, with Dudhsagar being the most popular.

Planning tip: For an immersive night in the forest away from distractions, consider Jungle Trails Homestay. This women-led homestay offers basic amenities (no Wi-Fi or TV) and vegetarian meals, with options for bird-watching tours and folk dance performances.

Discover the amazing spices found in the markets of Goa during a farm tour. Shutterstock

9. Expand your spice knowledge at a spice plantation

While visiting a spice plantation is a classic tourist experience in Goa, it can be anything but dull. The tour kicks off with an introduction to the spices beloved by Goans, including tirphal (related to Sichuan pepper), alongside various herbs and medicinal plants. Typically, this tour concludes with a traditional Goan lunch. Many farms offer unique experiences as well; at Tanshikar Spice Farm, you can explore an old Goan mud house with a cow dung floor, learning about historical living conditions. Nandanvan Spice Farm features pools, water slides, and even a zip line, while NV Eco Farm provides wooden cottages and adventure activities like rock climbing and zip lining.

Detour: Just outside Kushavati Organic Farm, you’ll find one of Goa’s oldest historic sites: the Usgalimal petroglyphs, dating back to the Stone Age.

10. Explore a Goan village that emerges once a year

Among the villages of Goa, Curdi is unique as it stays submerged throughout the year, only reemerging in the summer. Once a thriving agricultural community, Curdi was submerged when the nearby Selaulim Dam was constructed. Though the villagers were relocated, the remnants of the village still exist. Each summer, when Curdi reappears, former residents return to celebrate their heritage. Visitors can explore the remains of this once-prosperous village, including a chapel, a temple, and some houses.

Detour: A few kilometers away is the Selaulim Dam, famous for its distinctive duckbill spillway.

Indulge in Goan fish thali at a seaside eatery in Goa. Getty Images

11. Relish some fish, curry, and rice

When in Goa, dine like a local. The quintessential meal here is fish, curry, and rice—a simple yet flavorful combination that highlights Goa’s rich culinary offerings, featuring the freshest seafood, local rice, and fish curries infused with coconut, tirphal, local chilies, and kokum. You can find these dishes in many restaurants and shacks, but they shine brightest in thali restaurants, which are unpretentious spots serving freshly prepared fish. A traditional Goan thali includes rice, curry, fried fish, vegetables, a salad, kismur (dried shrimp salad), and solkadi (a refreshing drink made with kokum). It’s a hearty meal best enjoyed with your hands.

Detour: For a delightful meal paired with a dash of history, visit Shubhra Shankwalker of Aai’s. This home chef hosts sit-down lunches at her farm, offering a rich array of seasonal Goan Saraswat dishes.

12. Browse for food souvenirs at the local markets

Every seasoned traveler knows that the heart of a place can often be found in its markets. Goa’s markets are vibrant spectacles of color, sound, and aroma. While most villages feature small marketplaces, the municipal markets in the cities are also worth exploring. The markets in Mapusa, Panaji, and Margao are organized into sections for fish, fruits and vegetables, or flowers. These markets are perfect for finding food souvenirs; in addition to fresh produce, you can pick up affordable yet high-quality items like cashew nuts, feni, Goan sausages, local bread, and traditional sweets and snacks.

On Fridays, don’t miss the bustling Mapusa market, where vendors from all over Goa gather to showcase their goods.

Local tip: In May, many markets, such as the one at Banastarim, start stocking up for purumenth—a tradition of preparing for the monsoons—with items like dried fish, dried mango, jackfruit seeds, chilies, rice, pickles, and more. During the Chaturthi season, you can also find markets brimming with fruits, vegetables, and herbs for the matoli, a wooden structure hung over the idol, adorned with fresh produce.