Goa

Goa Travel Guide

The name Goa is derived from the Konkani word ‘Goyan’, which means a patch of tall grass. Goa a small state on the western coast of India got its name from the Hindu epic “Mahabharata. It was founded in 1543 and remained in Portuguese hands until 1961. Therefore we witness lots of Portuguese influences in Goa monuments, food and culture. This state has two official languages – Konkani and Marathi!

Good to know

Language

Hindi and English

Currency

Indian Rupee (₹)

Time Zone

UTC (+05:30)

Country Code

+91

Monuments in Goa

Beaches

Goa’s long stretch of sandy coastline is renowned for its multitude of beaches, from luxury resorts to makeshift huts and trance parties to tranquility.

Spice plantation

Another highpoint of a trip to Goa is the spice plantations in the dense jungle around Ponda. Goa’s lush tropical climate makes it an ideal place to grow spices. The spice farms are open to visitors.

Old Goa

The remains of Old Goa are a handful of imposing churches and cathedrals. They are among the largest in Asia, though. Some of the buildings have now become archaeological museums, and provide a fascinating display of Goa's history.
One of the most fascinating buildings in Old Goa is the Convent and Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, built in 1521. Just opposite is the Basilica of Bom Jesus, which contains the preserved remains of the body of Saint Frances Xavier, a revered missionary and the patron saint of Goa. The body is shown to the public every 10 years (the last exhibition happened in early 2015).

Wildlife Sanctuaries

Goa India isn't just all about beaches and churches. The state's location along the mountainous Western Ghats is home to an array of birds and animals. Around 20% of Goa consists of wildlife sanctuaries. They're open all year round, although October to March are the best months to visit.
The two main sanctuaries are Bhagwan Mahvir (of which Mollem National Park is a part) and Cotigao. On the fringe of the Mollem National Park, you'll find the imposing Dudhsagar Falls, where the water rages down from a huge height during and just after the monsoon season.

Shopping in Goa

Delhi has very popular and lively market, which you will definitely find very interesting:

Every Wednesday, Anjuna hosts the most popular flea market in Goa. Here you will find everything from clothes and home décor to a range of Indian spices and even musical instruments. There is also a lot of food and entertainment on offer, too. A great place for shopping in Goa.

This bustling night markets sees a lot of tourists every weekend. It’s filled with a number of food stalls, clothes and knickknack vendors, and entertainment options from across the world. Here you can find everything from helmets.

If you’re looking for summery clothes, this stretch of road will not disappoint. Here you can pick up everything: shorts, dresses, jewelry, swimwear and even furniture.

This is a shopper’s paradise and a great place to visit here you will get Goa’s famous cashew nuts, port wine, spices and curry pastes.

If you’re looking for a thoroughly fun shopping experience, then visit this super central night bazaar. Here you can find over 100 stalls selling everything from clothes to home décor and souvenirs. There are also many restaurants and places to party nearby.

Yes, you also get high fashion in Goa and this burst of color on Ashwem beach belongs to none other than British Designer Jade Jagger, daughter of the Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger. Here you will find flowy dresses and jewelry.

Le Souk by Amarya is the place to head to if you’re looking for high-end items in Goa. This open-air bazaar has tented stores where you can find some of the best national and international designers. Nappa Dori, Shades of India and Jonas G are worth checking out.

Here all the jewelry is inspired by nature. The pieces are made of bone, coconuts and horn (ethically approved: they use these parts from already dead animals).

Goa Cuisine

The cuisine of Goa originated from its Hindu roots, and was influenced by the 451 years of Portuguese colonialization and the century of Muslim rule that preceded the Portuguese. The area is located in a tropical climate, which means that spices and flavors are intense. Use of kokum is another distinct feature.

This is essentially fish curry served with steamed rice. The fish used in this curry varies from mackerels, shark fish, pomfret etc. It’s an absolutely delicacy!

Prawn Balchao looks a lot like prawn pickle. Like the Goan Vindaloo, this delectable dish has a unique taste and flavor, and can be stored for over a month. “Balchao” refers to a pickle-like blend of ingredients combined with “feni” (a spirit produced exclusively in Goa).

“The spices used in preparing this dish are similar to those used in Punjabi curry powder and Garam Masala (hot spices), with the addition of star anise and poppy seeds. Recheado” means stuffed in Portuguese. Here fish, Pomfret stuffed with a spicy recheado paste and fried with onions till it assumes a golden brown color and feels quite crisp.

Chicken Xacuti, or “Shakuti”, as it’s often called, is one of the most famous recipes of Goan food. This delicious dish is infused with generous amounts of various spices, and is one of the most famous chicken recipes of the region.

This wonderful dish is usually prepared with chicken leg pieces. However, what makes it utterly enticing and delectable is the vibrant green spicy paste, along with a wonderful blend of aromatic spices.

Shark Ambot Tik is a sour and spicy curry which is quite common in every household in Goa.

This dish, inspired by Portuguese traditions, finds its presence in every Catholic household in Goa during Christmas. It’s said that sorpotel tastes the best on the third or fourth day, after it has been warmed once a day till the day it is served.

Mussel Rawa Fry is the all-time favorite snacks Deep fried in rawa batter

Caldeirada is another dish which has its roots in the Portuguese cuisine. Essentially, it’s a fish stew which consists of several varieties of fish in it.

This traditional Goan pork dish is both spicy and tangible, thus making it a favorite of food lovers. This delectable dish has its origins in the Portuguese settlers of the early 18th century.

Interesting Facts of Goa

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