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North Goa is an appealing combination of natural scenery, exclusive and bright culture and multiple historical values. From the flawless sandy beaches, and a vibrant living market, to scenes with a palette of rich greens and violets, places to visit in North Goa will not leave any traveller indifferent. Be it the lively nightlife, which may be what you are looking for, the rich heritage draped in its forts or the pristine settings of the Goan villages, North Goa is a place that gives a mosaic of the region’s great beauty. Explore North Goa with each place adding its piece of the puzzle to this colourful jigsaw.
9 Popular Places To Visit In North Goa
Below is the list of a few marvellous places to visit in North Goa on your trip, that would make your vacation the best one ever.
1. Mandrem Beach
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons
The beauty of Mandrem Beach is that it is the least crowded as most travellers prefer going to other overcrowded beaches in North Goa. The white sand beach measuring 790m in length is fringed with towering palm and casuarina trees interspersed with a few basic beach shacks. Being a lovely sunset destination with a serene environment, Mandrem Beach is best suited for couples, those seeking seclusion and international visitors. It is also ideal to see crabs, kingfishers, herons and turtles and it is also an ideal spot for practising yoga and meditation. But apart from the beautiful beach, there is an even better view during the high tide when seawater floods the Mandrem Creek.
Timings: 8:30 AM – 10 PM
2. Church Of Mae De Deus
Photo: Rupeshsarkar / Wikimedia Commons
The church is considered one of the best representations of the neo-gothic style of construction. It is located in the fantastic landscape of the ordinary Goan countryside which automatically provides it with the appearance of an ancient castle from a fairy tale. It has been attached to the famous Mae de Deus statue of Old Goa. The Mae de Deus Church has a magnificent aura of its own which attracts so many tourists from different corners of the world. Standing like a fairy tale palace with pointed arches and sparkling white walls, the church enchants all with its splendid domed construction as much as it captivates them with its engraved works.
Timings: 9 AM – 12.30 PM; 3 PM – 5 PM
3. Bodhgeshwar Temple
Photo: Aruna / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Bodgeshwar Temple near Mapusa is a beautiful example of religious importance and architectural value. Locally it is known as Bodgini, a sacred place with a temple for Lord Bodgeshwar who is believed to be the ‘protector’ of Mapusa city. Lord Bodgeshwar has the highly-favoured appellation of ‘Angavani’, the grantor of the wishes of the worshipers. There are a lot of people including tourists and worshippers thronging the aesthetically located Shri Bodgeshwar Temple. The annual festival for God Bodgeshwar is in December/ January on Paush Shukla Chaturdashi which attracts not only the people of the region but also the tourists to the temple.
Location: Calangute – Mapusa Rd, Mapusa, Goa, 403507
4. Anjuna Market
Photo: Svetlana Gumerova / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Anjuna Market offers a range of cheap products such as bags, footwear & junk jewellery, handicrafts, hippie clothes, souvenirs, and trinkets for tourists. Right from spices of Kerala to jewellery from Kashmir, Karnataka wooden toys to Jimi Hendrix T-shirts, the market is a must-visit. Apart from the souvenirs and ordinary novelties, Anjuna Market entertains with live music and performances from bands. Locals build small restaurants right from the shore and one can enjoy seafood and cold beer from these huts. This is one of the best places to visit in North Goa for shopping.
Timings: 8 AM – 6 PM
5. Bom Jesus Basilica
Photo: Sandeepsea / Wikimedia Commons
Located in Old Goa and having immense historical, architectural and religious significance, the Basilica of Bom Jesus has been conferred a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. There is triangular roofing in the front part of the church and its design is nicely chiselled with the letters ‘IHS’, an abbreviation for the Jesuit symbol that means ‘Jesus, Saviour of Men’ in Greek. It has an interior feature that includes a floor-to-ceiling screen where the picture of St. Ignatius Loyola holding an infant Jesus is portrayed. Bom Jesus Basilica is more than 408 years old and is available for visitors seven days a week.
Timings: 8:30 AM – 8 PM
6. Chorao Island
Photo: John Vid / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Goa consists of seventeen islands out of which the biggest one is Chorao Island. Characterised by old-world structures, dainty cottages and a network of narrow muddy walkways, the island appears to be a paradise stuck in time. The real sense of the island is very Portuguese in a way and it is reflected in its old architecture which includes white-washed ancient Churches, solitary graveyards, picturesque Portuguese villas and even decaying buildings. Chorao Island also had a successful vegetation of the mangrove forest and a rich and diverse species of plants and animals.
Timings: 24*7
7. Querim Beach
Photo: Borys Zaitsev / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
This beautiful white sand beach is located where the Terekhol River flows into the Arabian Sea. Since this beach is in a remote area, very few visitors from the public get to go to Querim Beach which makes it all the more appealing. This secluded beach is indeed a masterstroke for tourists who want to avoid going through the touristy side of Goa and enjoy the raw beauty of the area. This area is popular with fishing boats thus making the Querim village a major fishing village in the state of Goa. The beautiful Arambol Mountain is also visible in the background.
Timings: 24*7
8. Vainguinim Beach
Photo: I.Mahesh / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
This is a popular beach with palm trees looming on its mainland and clear crystal-like water on its surface. On one side Vainguinim Beach is bordered by the Sea green colour of the Arabian Sea and on the other side the cliffs of the western ghats. As a result, more than 500 kinds of birds have been observed to nest around the plantation close to the beach. To adventure lovers, Vainguinim Beach provides water sporting facilities as well. There are several restaurants on this beach which offer some of the delicious seafood and meat preparations.
Timings: 24*7
9. Reis Magos Fort
Photo: Rajib Ghosh / Wikimedia Commons
Reis Magos Fort is one of the oldest forts of Goa constructed on the bank of River Bardez across Panjim. The building is a 15-century fortified Portuguese structure which was used as a defence structure, then as a prison and subsequently as a hospital. Representing the peculiarities of Goan culture in the framework of its historical and social development, Reis Magos Fort often hosts exhibitions and displays, music and theatre performances, fairs, and themed festivals. The structures of Reis Magos Fort are a blend of Portuguese and Indian architectural designs. The elevation of the fort gives a beautiful view of any surrounding landscape.
Timings: 9:30 AM – 5 PM
The places to visit in North Goa offer a magical treasure with all sorts of amazing experiences from gorgeous beaches to ancient forts, offering tranquillity and thrilling adventures alike. So, what are you waiting for? Book your trip with TripXL to North Goa and start making memories that’ll stick with you forever. Now is the time to escape the daily grind and live your travel dreams.
Cover Photo: Vivek Vatsyayn / Unsplash
