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Goa indeed is a picturesque destination to visit. Prominently visited for relaxation amidst the bustling shores of the city, Goa promises peace. Along with picturesque destinations in the region, there are also many pleasant places to visit near Goa. To those wanting to explore beyond Goa’s shores, then these captivating places just promise you fun. The places offer a diverse range of experiences and cater to every individual’s needs and preferences. The destinations range from pretty coastal towns to many ancient sites. They await explorers from borders and beyond to spend a memorable time around Goa.
10 Best Places To Visit Near Goa
Each place near Goa has a unique charm which makes your trip to Goa, one with a plural experience. They add a compliment and await visitors to explore the captivating destinations.
1. Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary
Photo: Dinesh Valke / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Being one of the best places to visit near Goa for nature lover, Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary is a huge sanctuary located in Karnataka and is just a two-hour drive from the city. It is spread over an area of 190 square kilometres. This wildlife sanctuary is known for the Barapede Caves which is home to a few of the endangered bat species. It is believed that these caves are the only place where the breeding of Wroughton’s Free-tailed Bat is happening. Besides this endangered species, the sanctuary is home to tigers, leopards, bears, deer and other animals. Historical ruins of the Bhimgad Fort are also found in the sanctuary.
Location: Bhimgad, Khanapur Taluk, Belagavi District, Karnataka,
Distance From Goa: 79 km
Suggested Read: Discover The Best Places To Visit Near Anjuna Beach For An Unforgettable Experience
2. Amboli Waterfalls
Photo: Archishilp / Wikimedia Commons
Located at a bit of distance from Goa, this place is easily accessible and can be reached within two to three hours. Amboli Waterfalls is a famous waterfall and is a part of the Western Ghats. Visitors often visit this place during monsoons as the cascading water looks beautiful amidst the lush green hills. There are multiple places to visit around Amboli Waterfalls including Amboli itself and Amboli Sunset Points.
Location:Amboli, Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra
Distance From Goa: 115 km
3. Dandeli
Photo: sarangib / Wikimedia Commons
Dandeli offers both peace and adventure. This place is primarily known for its natural beauty and environment. Lying at a distance of 98 kilometres, it can be easily reached from Goa and is a perfect weekend spot. Being a part of the Western Ghats, this place is full of trails and greenery. It is a chosen spot for performing trekking and other adventurous activities. Dandeli also has several historical places including Ulavi temple and ancient caves of Kavla which are a must to witness. There are multiple hills and mountains in Dandeli which are home to numerous wildlife and avian species.
Location:Dandeli, Uttara Kannada District, Karnataka
Distance From Goa: 98 km
Suggested Read: Discover Best Places To Visit Near Vasco Da Gama For An Enriching Experience
4. Tarkarli
Photo: Sanjaybhagwat / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Tarkarli is a beautiful place in Maharashtra. It is renowned for its natural beauty and offers an array of activities to perform. There are many beaches in this region which have clear waters and sandy shores. It is recommended to witness the stunning sunsets at the beaches. Plan a weekend or a trip to this place for a day or two to relax by the shores. Lesser-known, this place doesn’t see more tourists and visitors and is a peaceful place to live. If lucky enough, tourists shall spot dolphins too.
Location:Tarkarli, Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra
Distance From Goa: 98 km
5. Dudhsagar Waterfalls
Photo: Ankit Shah / Wikimedia Commons
Dudhsagar Waterfalls are renowned for their cascading waters. Regarded as one of the tallest waterfalls of India, Dudhsagar Waterfalls when translated to Konkani means the ‘Sea of Milk’. It is named after the milky-white appearance of the water as it falls down. There is a wildlife sanctuary called the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary. Visitors can trek through this sanctuary as well. This waterfall is visible from the train route which lies on the Konkan Railway. The train passes through many tunnels to offer a view of this pretty fall.
Location:Dudhsagar, Sanguem Taluka, Goa
Distance From Goa: 29.1 km
Suggested Read: Uncover The Top Places To Visit Near Colva Beach For A Memorable Getaway
6. Gokarna
Photo: Photos Worldwide / Wikimedia Commons
Gokarna is a beautiful destination as it has the best of the beaches in the state of Karnataka. It takes about three hours to reach this place. This place is renowned for beaches like Om Beach, Half Moon Beach, Kudle Beach and more. The place provides an escape not only from Goa’s bustling area but also from Karnataka’s city shores. Gokarna has numerous tourist places including multiple pilgrimage sites. One of the very famous temples in the region is the Mahabaleshwar Temple. The place is ideal for a two-day weekend or a trip. The beaches also offer an array of watersports like the banana boat rides.
Location:Gokarna, Karnataka, India
Distance From Goa: 133 km
7. Malvan
Photo: Ankur Panchbudhe / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
This place is renowned for the Sindhudurg Fort as it lies in the Sindhudurg District of Maharashtra. Located at a bit of distance from Goa, Malvan is a chosen spot for visitors to spend an ideal weekend. It can be reached within two to three hours and is easily accessible via road. The region offers the best Malvani Seafood dishes. The beaches of this region are clean with clear waters. The place has minimal human penetration and is one of the lesser-known areas near Goa. It is recommended to visit the Sindhudurg Fort, Rock Garden and a few of the Hindu pilgrimage temples in Malvan.
Location:Malvan, Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra
Distance From Goa: 140 km
Suggested Read: Explore The Top Places To Visit Near Varca Beach For A Perfect Getaway
8. Karwar
Photo: OmWiki101 / Wikimedia Commons
Karwar lies in close proximity to Goa and is a must-visit destination. The place is a coastal city and promises a relaxed experience. The place has many coastal attractions and is a popular weekend destination. Multiple tourist spots in Karwar include Sadashivgad Fort, Karwar Beach, Kurumgad Island, DevBagh Beach, Majhali Beach and Guddali Peak. There are numerous beach resorts near Devbagh Beach. Kurumgad Island is easily accessible from Karwar and can be reached via a ferry or boat. The beaches offer many water sports activities to perform like banana boat rides or ferry rides for a peaceful experience.
Location:Karwar, Uttara Kannada District, Karnataka
Distance From Goa: 76.9 km
9. Mollem National Park
Photo: JosephAssisFernandes / Wikimedia Commons
Mollem National Park is a beautiful place to witness. The place lies very near to Goa and is just 30 kilometres from the state and shares borders with Karnataka too. This national park has many temples which date back to the Kadamba Dynasty. The area of the sanctuary is 107 square kilometres and has a variety of reptile species like King Cobra, Hump-nosed pit viper, Indian Rock Python and Malabar Pit Viper. Numerous bird species like the great Indian hornbill, fairy bluebird, three-toed kingfisher, drongo and golden oriole are found. Jungle Safaris are made available to visitors too.
Location: Mollem, Sanguem Taluka, Goa
Distance From Goa: 29 km
Suggested Read: Discover The Best Places To Visit Near Dabolim Airport On Your Goa Excursion
10. Sawantwadi
Photo: Vish350 / Wikimedia Commons
Sawantwadi is a beautiful place located in Maharashtra. The place is exclusively prominent for shopping and other ideal deals. The place also holds immense historical significance. Sawantwadi is known for its cultural heritage which is reflected in a few of its ideal tourist attractions. This town is renowned for its wooden carvings, artefacts and crafts. Scenic landscapes can be witnessed from this place. The town also has many key attractions like the Sawantwadi Palace.
Location:Sawantwadi, Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra
Distance From Goa: 98 km
Exploring the areas around Goa promises a bucket full of experiences. The places range from ancient historic sites to pretty coastal towns which have the most precious beaches. Each destination has its own uniqueness. For a relaxed time being and away from the city’s shore, these places to visit near Goa are ideal to explore. Book your trip with TripXL now and explore scenic places in Goa.
Cover Photo: Nkodikal / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
