Located in South Goa, Varca Beach is one of the untouched and beautiful beaches providing a picturesque model of a covered beach destination. This sandy beach covers an area of about 2 kilometers and is surrounded by palm trees and the Arabian Sea. As a leisure destination, the places to visit near Varca Beach offer tourists an opportunity to relax by the shore or engage in various activities and sightseeing. Being in close proximity to Margao- one of the most culturally significant cities in South Goa, Varca also gives access to several tourist attractions that capture the cultural and natural identity of Goa.
10 Interesting Places To Visit Near Varca Beach
One of the most famous and secluded locations for tourists to visit in South Goa is Varca Beach, a picturesque spot which has fine sand, blue water and is not too crowded. Here are the list of places to visit near Varca Beach which tourists might find interesting.
1. Benaulim Beach
Photo: Ray Swi-hymn / Wikimedia Commons
About 4km north of Varca, Benaulim beach is a much more laid back affair with scenic beauty all around. This beach is among the most popular tourist attractions for both leisure and adventure enthusiasts, as well as the local population. The beach offers varied water activities like parasailing, jet skiing, and windsurfing, or even sunbathing on the fine sand. There are also numerous shacks selling some mouthwatering Goan dishes and since it’s at the beach, the view of the ocean makes it even more enticing to take a bite.
Location: Benaulim, South Goa
Best Time To Visit: October to May
Distance From Varca Beach: 4 km
Suggested Read: Explore The Best Places To Visit Near Candolim For An Unforgettable Experience
2. Colva Beach
Photo: Rupeshsarkar / Wikimedia Commons
Colva beach is one of the most popular beaches in South Goa and is situated around 7 km away from Varca beach. It is particularly known for its nightlife, with numerous bars, clubs, and shacks that are usually active at night. Throughout the day, there are a myriad of things to do here apart from swimming that include; water sports such as jet-skiing, parasailing as well as group activities like beach volley-balling as well as solar bathing. Colva also has Dolphin Watching Trips with boat programs which offers the tourists an excellent chance to witness dolphins in their natural environment.
Location: Colva, South Goa
Best Time To Visit: October to May
Distance From Varca Beach: 7 km
3. Cavelossim Beach
Photo: vita50501 / Wikimedia Commons
Approximately 6 kilometers south of Varca lies the picturesque Cavelossim Beach with its white sandy shores and black rocks. Compared to the other beaches, this beach is less crowded and not so tourist-oriented which is perfect to those seeking serenity in South Goa. The beach is excellent for taking long walks, where one can marvel at the view of the Arabian Sea. The opportunities for water activities include jet skiing, windsurfing, and sailing, however, for those willing to relax they can sunbathe on the beach or take a trip to one of the luxurious resorts nearby.
Location: Cavelossim, South Goa
Best Time To Visit: October to May
Distance From Varca Beach: 6 km
Suggested Read: Top Beaches In Goa For A Fun-Filled And Sunny Vacation
4. Gloria Church
Photo: अशोक सोयंके / Wikimedia Commons
The Our lady of Gloria Church is an architectural masterpiece which is a historic site located in Varca village. This church is among the oldest in the region and stands testimony to the Catholic influence that has remained ingrained as a part of cultures of Goa. Located in the coastal state of Goa, the church has Indo Portuguese style architecture still retains the old Goan stylistic structure and is famous for its wooden carved work, frescoes and stained glass works. Due to the calm environment of the church it is a perfect place for everybody to pray and meditate.
Location: Varca, South Goa
Best Time To Visit: October to May
Distance From Varca Beach: Within Varca village
5. Betalbatim Beach
Photo: Tanya Dedyukhina / Wikimedia Commons
Betalbatim Beach is about 10 kilometers from Varca and is also known as the “Sunset Beach” because of the beautiful sunsets that can be viewed from the beach. This is one of the most pristine beaches in South Goa and is relatively less crowded as compared to many other beaches in this part of Goa. The beach has clean soft golden sand and shallow water thus best suitable for swimming and sunbathing. The beach features palm trees all around, and the natural calmness of the place is ideal for one to relax..
Location: Betalbatim, South Goa
Best Time To Visit: October to May
Distance From Varca Beach: 10 km
Suggested Read: Uncover The Top Places To Visit Near Colva Beach For A Memorable Getaway
6. Chandor Village
Photo: Michael Barera / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Chandor Village – 75 minutes drive from Varca – is a historical village that will transport you into another era. Chandor was once the capital of the ancient Kadamba dynasty which ruled the area from around the 4th century, making it a worthwhile visit for anyone looking to experience the culture of Goa today. The main attraction of Chandor is the Menezes Braganza House, a marvelous house built in the seventeenth century. The building is split into two wings and is managed by different branches of the Braganza family; the interior is decorated with antiques, carved wood, and stunning artistic and archaeological pieces and paintings.
Location: Chandor, South Goa
Best Time To Visit: October to May
Distance From Varca Beach: 18 km
7. Mobor Beach
Photo: bistaastha / Wikimedia Commons
Mobor beach which is 10 kilometers away from Varca is another beautiful and comparatively less crowded beach that has all the facilities of a modern world coupled with the natural beauty. It boasts of soft sandy beaches, clean blue waters, and green vegetation cover around the beach area. Other water activities that tourists enjoy in Mobor include water skiing, windsurfing, and parasailing. For the more laid back type of individuals, the beach may just be one of the best places for sunbathing or for a simple and relaxing walk along the shore.
Location: Mobor, South Goa
Best Time To Visit: October to May
Distance From Varca Beach: 10 km
Suggested Read: Discover The Best Places To Visit Near Anjuna Beach For An Unforgettable Experience
8. Cabo de Rama Fort
Photo: Aleksandr Zykov / Wikimedia Commons
The Cabo de Rama Fort, at a distance of approximately 15 miles from Varca, is one of the top historical and aesthetic sites in Goa. This historic fortress is located near the sea, on a plateau overlooking the Arabian Sea, and can be traced back to the pre-Portuguese period. The fort was named Ramnagar after the great epic Ramayana because it was said that lord Rama and Sita once lived here in their exile. Cabo de Rama has seen many battles and has been under different rulers including Hindus, the Portuguese and the British over hundreds of years.
Location: Canacona, South Goa
Best Time To Visit: October to May
Distance From Varca Beach: 25 km
9. Goa Chitra Museum
Photo: JosephAssisFernandes / Wikimedia Commons
Close to Varca, 15 Klms away is the Goa Chitra Museum, which provides an insight of Goan culture. This kind of museum is an ethnographic one and it has more than 4,000 exhibits in which the Goan peasant’s lifestyle is represented. This museum has been established by Victor Hugo Gomes, who himself has taken a lot of effort in collecting objects, utensils, farming related items, pottery items, musical instruments and other household items which were essential for Goan people in the past. The museum is located in a specially reconstructed Goan village with houses and gardens that add appeal to the tour.
Location: Benaulim, South Goa
Best Time To Visit: October to May
Distance from Varca Beach: 15 km
Suggested Read: Explore The Top Places To Visit Near Goa For An Unforgettable Adventure
10. Palolem Beach
Photo: Pixabay / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Palolem beach, which is about 35 km from Varca, is one of the most scenic and tourist frequented beaches in South Goa. This beach has turquoise waters, coconut trees, and it is popular for its young atmosphere with various activities happening in it. Palolem is a beach visited by both tourists and those living in Goa, where tourists can rent a kayak, take a dolphin-watching boat, and participate in yoga classes. There are also colorful structures along the beach that include restaurants and juice stands where you can taste the delicious seafood, global cuisines or just drink your favorite cocktails accompanied with the stunning view of the sea.
Location: Palolem, South Goa
Best Time to Visit: October to May
Distance from Varca Beach: 35 km
Varca Beach is not just a place to sun and sand; it is actually the doorway to a cultural and natural exploration of South Goa. Whether you are interested in history, nature or just want to spend time on the shore, there are many places to visit near Varca Beach which make your experience pleasant. Book your next trip with TripXL for both informative and fun voyage to Goa.
Cover Photo: Andy Mitchell / Wikimedia Commons