# The Best Things to Do in Goa > Discover what to do in Goa: rich history, gorgeous beaches and the varied cuisine of India's tropical paradise. Here's where to start your getaway. - URL: https://langandtrip.com.ua/en/article/naikrashchi-rozvahy-v-hoa/ - Language: en - Published: 2024-11-21 - Categories: Leisure, Beaches, Hotels, India, Food & Drinks, Relaxation --- Goa was indelibly shaped by 450 years of Portuguese rule, followed by an influx of hippies in the 1960s. Today it's India's smallest state, a tropical paradise just an hour's flight south of Mumbai, and it's often thought of as a party hub. While that's certainly true of some of its northern beaches, spots farther north, south and inland recall Goa's quieter past. Across the region you'll find beach shacks and five-star resorts, traditional Goan cooking alongside modern Burmese fare, Catholic churches and Hindu temples, undeveloped beaches and lively towns. Unlike much of the country, meat is common here, beef included. Keep in mind that high season runs from October through January, when temperatures are lower (though they can still climb to 30 degrees Celsius). The monsoon season from June to September brings heavy rains, so many hotels and restaurants close during this period. ## Food ![](/storage/image/prev/august-article-image-41-1-2024.jpg) Goan cuisine is a distinctive regional style, heavily influenced by the Portuguese, and it showcases both meat dishes and seafood. For truly authentic Goan food, the restaurant Mum's Kitchen sources its family recipes from local women. As a result, you can try fluffy rice cakes called sannas and tisreo sukem, clams cooked in a coconut and coriander blend. Meanwhile, Gunpowder is a great pick for sampling the finest regional dishes of South India, from egg appams (a kind of pancake) to Keralan mutton curry. Because Goa is also an international hub, global cuisines have joined the local scene. Bomra's, for example, is well known for its modern Burmese cooking. Look out for the pickled tea leaf salad, coconut noodle soup with egg, fish cakes and pumpkin fritters, plus snapper in a chili and lemongrass sauce. Then there's La Plage, a local favorite serving French dishes right on the beach (the sand is the floor). It can be tricky to find, but the reward is sesame-crusted tuna and beef carpaccio. We recommend you try the chocolate thali for dessert. Of course, no mention of Goan restaurants would be complete without Thalassa, a popular Greek taverna whose clifftop setting offers unobstructed views of the Arabian Sea. Time your meal for sunset and you can enjoy kebabs, souvlaki and gyros as you watch the sky turn pink and orange. It's currently closed for the monsoon season but is expected to reopen in October. ## Where to Stay ![](/storage/image/prev/august-article-image-41-2-2024.jpg) It feels a shame to share this little-known spot, but Dwarka is a haven for anyone who truly wants to escape the beaten tourist path. This wonderful eco-resort sits near the popular Cola Beach, yet you'd never find it unless you knew it was there. Once you arrive, you can settle into one of 10 thatched-roof cottages and soak up the lagoon and undeveloped beach. The all-inclusive meals feature local produce and freshly caught fish. There's a yoga instructor and a masseur on site, or you can simply splash about in the Arabian Sea by day and sit by the beach bonfire at night. The only drawback is that Dwarka is open only from November through April. Farther north in Morjim, Paros by Amarya is another off-the-beaten-track experience. You can choose one of the luxury tents on the beach, each set on a raised platform and fitted with air conditioning, a bathroom and Wi-Fi. If you're traveling with a group, Coco Shambhala offers four individually designed villas with open-plan layouts. The chefs prepare Goan cuisine, while a free-form pool and an Ayurvedic spa fill your downtime. Finally, more than 10 five-star, all-inclusive resorts are scattered across the state. Among them, The Leela Goa stands out, since its secluded location borders both the sea and a river. The recently renovated hotel offers a 12-hole golf course, a full-service spa, global dining options and private pools. The newly opened W Goa is also worth a look. It's conveniently set on Vagator Beach in North Goa and caters to a more fashionable crowd. Vivid artworks throughout the hotel were created by local artists, while the quirky decor reflects Goa's bohemian and colonial past. You can feast on Goan delicacies and Pan-Asian dishes at two restaurants, dance late into the night beside the beach, then recover in the 1,300-square-meter spa. ## Things to Do ![](/storage/image/prev/august-article-image-41-3-2024.jpg) If it's high season, chances are you've come for the beaches. The main scene centers on Calangute, Vagator, Candolim and Baga in the north, while Anjuna is the party beach. Farther north lie the more laid-back beaches of Ashwem, Mandrem and Morjim, home to much of the yoga community. Many five-star resorts line the central coast, where you'll find quiet, uncrowded stretches of soft sand. Farther south are the real gems, such as Agonda, Colva and Cavelossim, known for their undeveloped beauty and peaceful atmosphere. Palolem has grown increasingly popular but remains enjoyable. Leave the beach behind to explore some of Goa's favorite pastimes. The Anjuna Flea Market is a long-standing tradition that has evolved since the hippie heyday of the 70s. Held every Wednesday, come here to haggle over jewelry, saris, bags and much more. Equally popular, the Saturday Night Market takes place in nearby Arpora. As in Anjuna, this flea market also sells a wide range of clothing, spices, trinkets and so on. You'll also find food and drink vendors and live music at both markets. There's also the Mapusa Market, held six days a week in Mapusa, for a more local experience. It's well worth setting aside time to get to know Goa's religious diversity, from the Catholic Basilica of Bom Jesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where St. Francis Xavier is buried, to the 12th-century Mahadev Temple in Tambdi Surla, dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva. You can also spend a day in Panjim, also known as Panaji, to delve into the Portuguese history of the state capital. Other notable sights in the area include Dudhsagar Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in India, and the Sahakari Spice Farm, where you can learn about curry leaves, turmeric and more. The lunch buffet comes with a shot of cashew feni, which tastes a lot like pure medical alcohol. Skip the elephant attraction because of the questionable treatment of these gentle giants.