A new beginning
Things To Do
HERITAGE (Churches) of Old Goa
1) Basilica of Bom Jesus - Roman Catholic church in the abandoned city of Old Goa, Goa state, India. Built between 1594 and 1605. The basilica is also known for housing the remains of the missionary St. Francis Xavier, who was based in Goa in 1541–49. 2) Se Cathedral - The Se Cathedral was built to commemorate the victory of the Portuguese under Afonso de Albuquerque over a Muslim army, leading to the capture of the city of Goa in 1510. Since the day of the victory happened to be on the feast of St Catherine, the cathedral was dedicated to her. 3) St. Cajetan Church – Modeled on St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Old Goa was the original capital of the former Portuguese colony of Goa and once rivaled Lisbon in size and splendor. It was the first Jesuit colony in the Indian subcontinent and in 1565 could boast a population of 200,000. However, malaria and cholera epidemics ravaged the city in the seventeenth century and it was then largely abandoned.
BEACHES and Lakes OF GOA!
Goa - sea, sun and sand! I strongly recommend the beaches of South Goa as they will be less populated. Kakolem has a bit of a downhill hike to get there but it's a private scenic crescent beach enclosed by mountains and hence recommended. Other famous ones : Butterfly, Patnem + Palolem Beaches – Laid-back South Goa beaches - recommended! Baga Beach – Lively, with water sports, shacks, and nightlife. Calangute Beach – “Queen of Beaches,” great for first-timers. Anjuna Beach – Famous for flea markets and bohemian vibe. Morjim & Ashwem Beaches – Peaceful, less crowded, often called “Little Russia.” Lakes : 1) Arambol Sweet Water Lake : fresh-water lake behind the beach, lovely for sunbathing and a peaceful dip. 2) Sarzora Lake - Close to my mums maiden home! 3) Heart-Lake - A secluded coastal lagoon that when viewed from above or cliffside, resembles a heart. Dual experiences: one path leads to the upper hill with a panoramic STUNNING view, another leads downward to the lagoon edge.
Heritage (Houses) and Day Experiences
1) Menezes Braganza House (Chandor, South Goa) – Ancestral Indo-Portuguese mansion with antique furniture, Belgian mirrors, and a grand ballroom. 2) Big Foot Museum, Loutolim — a quirky village museum depicting rural Goanese life in miniature form. 3) Feni Tasting & Traditional Distilleries — visit family-run places like Fazenda Cazulo and taste this iconic cashew spirit. 4) Palácio do Deão (Quepem) – 18th-century palatial home with lush gardens. 5) Fontainhas Latin Quarter (Panaji) – Colourful Portuguese-style lanes, heritage cafés, and art galleries. 6) Braganza Pereira House (Chandor) – Another grand Indo-Portuguese mansion with a fascinating history. 7) Goa Chitra Museum (Benaulim) – Showcasing Goan agricultural and cultural artifacts. 8) Casa Araujo Alvares (Loutolim) – A heritage home with an interactive sound-and-light tour. 9) Trip to the Islands of Goa - Divar Island is a good one and it is ferry away from Old Goa!
Trekking and Hiking!!
Dudhsagar Falls Trek– Jungle trek to Goa’s most famous waterfall (location tagged and recommended!!) Tambdi Surla Waterfall Trek– Scenic hike near the 12th-century Mahadev Temple (recommended!) Cabo de Rama Fort Hike (South Goa)– Coastal fort ruins with dramatic cliffs and secluded beach views (recommended!!) Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary– Trails through dense forests with bubbling lake and waterfalls. Todo Waterfall Hike(Neturlim)– Remote, offbeat, and adventurous. Chorla Ghats– Forested hills w/ Wilderness resort*** and short treks Sunset Trek to Chapora Fort – Easy hike with spectacular Arabian Sea views. Rivona Caves(South Goa) – Rock-cut caves dating back to the 6-7th century, believed to have been used by Buddhist monks; features laterite rock formations and a meditation chamber. Sada Waterfall(Chorla Ghats)– Border trek with lush views and a rewarding dip at the base. Charavane Waterfalls(Valpoi)– Scenic hike with multiple cascades, near Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary.
Nightlife
Bebdo (Panjim) - Good live bands and owned by a friend of mine. A major vibe. Cohiba (SinQ, Candolim) – Live bands + DJ nights with great cocktails. Cantare (Saligao) - Good Jazz nights and Jam sessions. Southside (Benaulim) / Southern Deck (Benaulim) - In the south, good music usually and by the beach! Tito’s Lane (Baga) – Iconic party strip with clubs, bars, and late-night eats Club Cubana (Arpora) – “Nightclub in the Sky,” open-air party spot on a hilltop. Mambo’s (Baga) – Popular for DJs and dancing. LPK Waterfront (Candolim) – Unique carved-stone décor, riverside setting. Silent Noise Parties (Palolem) – Headphone discos on the beach — quirky and unforgettable.
Night Markets and late (late!) night experiences
Arpora Saturday Night Market – A vibrant mix of food, fashion, bars, and live music, open till late! (I used to love this place). Raves in North Goa. Curlies (Anjuna) - a shack on the beach open till as late as 3am.
