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Goa is a state in western India with coastlines stretching along the Arabian Sea. Its long history as a Portuguese colony prior to 1961 is evident in its preserved 17th-century churches and the area’s tropical spice plantations. Places to see in North Goa other than beaches include Fort Aguada, Chapora Fort, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary and many more. Goa on the west coast of India is known to many as the hippie Mecca. But the beautiful beaches are no longer reserved for dropouts and old hippies but are also becoming increasingly popular for package tourism.
Places To Visit In North Goa Other Than Beaches
Here is a quick review of famous places to visit in North Goa other than beaches
to enjoy the amazing state of Goa.
1. Fort Aguada
Photo: Rupeshsarkar / Wikimedia Commons
Fort Aguada is a well-preserved seventeenth-century Portuguese-era fort, along with a lighthouse, standing in Goa, India, on Sinquerim Beach, overlooking the Arabian Sea. Fort Aguada was the most prized and crucial fort of the Portuguese. Built on the mouth of the Mandovi River, it was strategically located and was the chief defence of the Portuguese against the Dutch. Popular Movies like “Dil Chahta Hai”, ” Dhoom”, “Golmaal” and many more iconic hits were shot here. It makes a perfect location for photography as the fort faces the vast, boundless Arabian Sea.
Location: Sinquerim Beach, Candolim, North Goa
Timings: 9:30 AM – 6 PM (Daily)
Entry Fees: Free
Nearest Airport: Goa International Airport (Dabolim), 39 km
Nearest Railway Station: Thivim Railway Station, 21 km
2. Chapora Fort
Photo: Nikhilb239 / Wikimedia Commons
Chapora Fort located in Bardez, Goa, rises high above the Chapora River. The site is the location of a fort built by Adil Shahi dynasty ruler Adil Shah and called Shahpoora, whose name was altered to Shapira (chapora) by Malvankar at the request of the Portuguese. It has now become a popular tourist spot and offers a view north across the Chapora River to Morjim. Inside the fort, the church, once dedicated to St. Anthony, has disappeared and inside only a few signs exist of the barracks and housing that once filled this vast area.
Location: Near Vagator Beach, North Goa
Timings: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM (Daily)
Entry Fees: Free
Nearest Airport: Goa International Airport (Dabolim), 44 km
Nearest Railway Station: Thivim Railway Station, 19 km
3. Basilica Of Bom Jesus
Photo: iMahesh / Wikimedia Commons
The Basilica of Bom Jesus is a Catholic basilica located in Goa, in the Konkan region of India. The iconic church is a pilgrimage centre and is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. This Jesuit church is India’s first minor basilica and is considered to be one of the best examples of baroque architecture and Portuguese colonial architecture in India. Pope Pius XII raised this sanctuary to the status of basilica via the Pontifical decree “Priscam Goae” on 20 March 1946. The decree was signed and notarised by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Montini.
Location: Old Goa, North Goa
Timings: 9 AM – 6:30 PM (Monday-Saturday), 10:30 AM – 6:30 PM (Sunday)
Entry Fees: Free
Nearest Airport: Goa International Airport (Dabolim), 26 km
Nearest Railway Station: Karmali Railway Station, 10 km
4. The Sé Catedral
Photo: John Samuel / Wikimedia Commons
The Sé Catedral de Santa Catarina, known as Se Cathedral, is the cathedral of the Latin Church Archdiocese of Goa and Daman and the seat of the Patriarch of the East Indies. It is part of the World Heritage Site, Churches and convents of Goa located in Old Goa, India. It is the Cathedral of the Archbishop of Goa. Se Cathedral is also known to be one of the oldest and most revered religious places in Goa. It has been recognised by UNESCO as a heritage site as well.
Location: Old Goa, Near the Basilica of Bom Jesus
Timings: 7:30 AM – 6 PM (Monday-Saturday), 7:30 AM – 10 AM (Sunday)
Entry Fees: Free
Nearest Airport: Goa International Airport (Dabolim), 26 km
Nearest Railway Station: Karmali Railway Station, 9 km
5. Our Lady Of The Immaculate Conception Church
Photo: Aruna / Wikimedia Commons
The Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church is located in Panjim, Goa, India. The Church conducts Mass every day in English, Konkani, and Portuguese. The colonial Portuguese Baroque-style church was first built in 1541 as a chapel on a hillside overlooking the city of Panjim. The Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception was built at the time when the area was occupied by the Portuguese settlements and there existed only small Portuguese villages. The chapel was built in 1541 to cater to the religious needs of the Portuguese sailors.
Location: Panaji, North Goa
Timings: 7:30 AM – 7 PM (Daily)
Entry Fees: Free
Nearest Airport: Goa International Airport (Dabolim), 27 km
Nearest Railway Station: Karmali Railway Station, 12 km
6. Mapusa Market
Photo: Aaron C / Wikimedia Commons
Mapusa Municipal Market is a traditional market in Mapusa, North Goa and a major tourist attraction. It was built in 1960, the first planned market in Goa. The market has three blocks with 164 shops, some of which have been subdivided, bringing the total to 173. The market is held every Friday. One can find just about anything at Mapusa Market, with items ranging from antiques and Goan pottery to handicrafts, textiles, clothing, spices, fruits, vegetables, meats, and jewellery. Bargaining is advised and is a good place to test your haggling skills.
Location: Mapusa, North Goa
Timings: 9 AM – 6 PM (Closed on Sunday)
Entry Fees: Free
Nearest Airport: Goa International Airport (Dabolim), 37 km
Nearest Railway Station: Thivim Railway Station, 8 km
7. Goa State Museum
Photo: 100rab.bhardwaj / Wikimedia Commons
Goa State Museum, also known as the State Archaeology Museum, Panaji, is a museum in Goa, India. Established in 1977, it contains departments including Ancient History and Archaeology, Art and Craft, and Geology. The museum was earlier located at the EDC Complex in Patto, Panaji; before that, it was housed at St. Inez, Panaji. The Goa State Museum has fourteen galleries, arranged thematically, which are the: Sculpture Gallery, Christian Art Gallery, Printing History Gallery, Banerji Art Gallery, Religious Expression Gallery, Cultural Anthropology, Contemporary Art Gallery, Numismatics Gallery, Goa’s Freedom Struggle Gallery, Menezes Braganza Gallery, Furniture Gallery, Natural Heritage of Goa Gallery, Environment & Development Gallery, and Geology Gallery.
Location: Panaji, North Goa
Timings: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM (Monday-Saturday), Closed on Sunday
Entry Fees: Free
Nearest Airport: Goa International Airport (Dabolim), 28 km
Nearest Railway Station: Karmali Railway Station, 13 km
8. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
Photo: Ganesh Mohan T / Wikimedia Commons
Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is an estuarine mangrove habitat, which is declared as a bird sanctuary, and located on the western tip of the Island of Chorão along the Mandovi River, Goa, in India. The park boasts a rich array of flora and fauna, including the endangered Hangul deer, making it a vital habitat for preserving the unique ecosystems of the Himalayan region. The sanctuary and island are accessed by a ferry service running between Ribander and Chorão. The sanctuary has a paved walk that runs between mangroves of Rhizophora mucronata, Avicennia officinalis and other species.
Location: Chorao Island, North Goa
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM (Daily)
Entry Fees: ₹10 for adults, ₹5 for children
Nearest Airport: Goa International Airport (Dabolim), 29 km
Nearest Railway Station: Karmali Railway Station, 12 km
9. Tambdi Surla Temple And Waterfalls
Photo: Josephdesousa / Wikimedia Commons
Mahadeva Temple, Tambdi Surla is a 13th-century Shaivite temple in the Kadamba style dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the main deities in Hinduism, and is an active place of Hindu worship. It is an ASI-protected Monument of National Importance in Goa. On reaching your final destination, which is the Tambdi Surla Falls, you will find your trek worth such an adventure. Water flowing from a height of 50 meters in a zigzag manner looks majestic and breathtaking. The lovely Tambdi Surla Waterfall flows inside Bhagwan Mahavir National Park on the Goa-Karnataka border. For those looking for an offbeat experience in Goa, the trek is a must!
Location: Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, Sanguem, South Goa
Timings: 8 AM – 5 PM (Daily)
Entry Fees: Free
Nearest Airport: Goa International Airport (Dabolim), 65 km
Nearest Railway Station: Kulem Railway Station, 21 km
10. Mangueshi Temple
Photo: Aruna / Wikimedia Commons
A major pilgrimage destination in the beach state, Mangeshi temple has an interesting story to tell. It is said that the Hindu god Shiva came to Goa after he lost his wife Parvati in a game of dice. Parvati came searching for Shiva, who took the form of a tiger and came to her. The annual festivals include Rama Navami, Akshaya Tritiya, Anant Vritotsava, Navaratri, Dussehra, Diwali, Magha Poornima Festival (Jatrotsav) and Mahashivratri. Magha Poornima Festival begins on Magha Shukla Saptami and ends on Magha Poornima.
Location: Mangueshi Village, Priol, North Goa
Timings: 6 AM – 10 PM (Daily)
Entry Fees: Free
Nearest Airport: Goa International Airport (Dabolim), 26 km
Nearest Railway Station: Karmali Railway Station, 12 km
There are so many places to visit in north Goa other than beaches. Visit historic Fort Aguada, scenic Chapora Fort, and serene St. Alex Church. Experience the lively Arpora Saturday Night Market and explore the bustling Mapusa Market. Each place is unique in itself and promises a diverse experience, promising an exciting and memorable time. Don’t miss the charming Latin Quarter of Fontainhas in Panaji for a taste of Goa’s colonial past. Plan your adventure with TripXL and make the most of your trip by visiting these places.
Cover Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons
