Goa Holidays



Goa Holidays

The laid-back state of Goa is a perfect holiday destination for all boasting tranquil beaches, lush landscapes and fascinating fusion of culture. The exotic 105km stretch of Arabian Sea coastline has something for everyone whether you seek sun, sand and luxury or a hippy-chic adventure packed with spiritual enlightenment and spice.

Why Holiday in Goa

Named the ‘Pearl of the Orient’, Goa is a captivating place with endless beaches, a relaxed way of life, delicious food and vibrant heritage. The state was subject to colonial Portuguese rule until 1961, it is now a blend of Indo-European culture and architecture with whitewashed churches, catholic cathedrals of old Goa, Hindu temples and fortresses lining the coastline.

The white sandy beaches have a relaxed holiday vibe, but for a change of scenery head inland to the paddy fields and coconut groves. Tourists can also explore Goa’s lush jungle on a daring trek, visiting waterfalls, pools and canyons.

Beach Holidays in Goa

The beaches at Goa are stretch the length of the state and each has a unique identity and vibe from the backpacking community of Arambol, the lively party spot of Calangute, the hippy-chic flea market at Anjuna and the almost untouched Varca beach.

Goa offers numerous water sports from banana-boating, jet-skiing and windsurfing at the world-renowned Dona Paula Bay. The gentle waves are great for beginners and there are lessons available along the coast.

Food and Drink in Goa

Taste the Indo-European blend of Goa, taking traditional flavours of coconut, fish and spice from the Konkan Coast combined with a Portuguese influences such as pork and garlic. Goa’s classic meals include fish curry rice (a mackerel dish) and the fiery vindalho. There are many restaurants serving Goan, Indian and international dishes as well as beach shacks offering tasty fresh seafood such as mussels and lobsters.

Cooking classes are very popular for tourists, as well as visits to organic spice farms and plantations. Visit Vivanta by Taj and immerse yourself in Mapusa’s market (bazaar) before cooking up your own creation.

Nightlife

When it comes to drinking alcohol, Goa is known to be more liberal than other parts of India and low tax rates also keep the price down. Beer is the most common drink of choice amongst Goans with Kingfisher being the most common brand.

North of the capital Panaji has a buzzing nightlife scene, during the busier season in the Calangute and Baga resorts you can catch plenty of live bands and DJs both local and international.

Activities in Goa

Winter in Goa, mid-November to early April, brings Spiritual exploration with plenty of activities and classes available from beach Yoga sessions, meditation and reiki healing courses. Many hotels and resorts will offer spiritual classes or you can visit a Yoga retreat such as Himalaya Yoga Valley in Mandrem.

Day trips and tours are popular in Goa from boat trips to Canopy Ecotours. Get personal with Goas marine life and witness parrotfish, turtles and even sharks on a snorkel or scuba diving trip.

Useful Info for Holidays to Goa

The languages spoken are Hindi and English, meaning English-speaking tourists should be able to easily navigate and communicate without issue.

The local currency is the Indian Rupee. As always we advise visitors to shop around for the best exchange rate and change money before flying to ensure a fair price.

The average flight time is around 12 hours from the UK, varying slightly depending on which airport you fly from.

If eating with a local family remember to remove your shoes and wash your hands, as is custom with locals in Goa.
Trustpilot
ATOL Protected
£1 Hotel deposits
£30pp Holiday deposits
  • Inspire Me!
  • Compare Selected

Search the sunshine.co.uk website:

×