Goa holidays

Relaxing on beautiful beaches, trying a little yoga, and eating seafood curries are some of the top activities in Goa, but curious explorers will find much more on offer. Discover Se Cathedral and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Basilica de Bom Jesus. See the twinkling lights of Panaji’s Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. Visit the 12th-century Mahadev Temple, one of the few Hindu sites to survive the Portuguese conquests, or climb the seven-story tower of Mangeshi Temple.

Take afternoon tea by the landscaped gardens of the 200-year-old Palácio do Deão. Walk the 15th-century walls of Reis Magos Fort. Stroll the Latin Quarter of Fontainhas. Shop for treasures at Anjuna Market and Arpora Saturday Night Bazaar. Or take a guided drive through Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary to spot Bengal tigers, black leopards, and Indian rock pythons as you pass by Devil's Canyon and the dramatic Dudhsagar Falls.

From busy resort beaches packed with watersports to relaxed tree-lined sands beside cocktail huts and hidden coves accessed by guided hike, Goa has a beach to suit every mood. Enjoy jet-skiing, parasailing, and banana boat rides beside the powdery sand of Colva. Take a beach yoga class, canoe in gentle waves, or enjoy a beachside meal at Palolem. Rest in the shade of palms at the "Lovers' Paradise" of Dona Paula.

Discover rich birdlife and olive ridley sea turtles around the rustic bay of Morjim. Share a picnic or paddle in clear waters at the unspoilt hideaway of Galgibaga. Build sandcastles with the family or grab a bite from the child-friendly shacks of Benaulim. Go dolphin spotting or snorkelling before filling up at the seafood stalls of Calangute. Or get away from it all with a boat ride or jungle trek to the tucked-away crescent of Butterfly Beach.

Centuries of blending Portuguese and Indian cuisines have created distinctive dishes and flavours bringing foodies from all over the world on pilgrimages to the restaurants, cafés, beach shacks, and street food stalls of Goa. Sample the local specialities of fiery vindaloo, richly-spiced xacuti, and a wide array of seafood curries and stews. Dine in coastal restaurants at Panaji, Calangute, Benaulim, and Utorda. Try tempting bites from shoreline shacks across the state. 

Graze the sizzling stalls of night markets and bazaars in Anjuna, Arpora, and more. Get behind the recipes with a day at Tanshikar Spice Farm where you can see how the ingredients of Goa’s signature dishes are grown and harvested. When you return home, take the secrets of your favourite dishes with you after joining a cooking class hosted by Goa’s most experienced chefs.

Goa is a great destination to visit at any time of year. November to April sees almost no rain and average temperatures between 25°C and 28°C. As monsoon season approaches in May, temperatures soar over 30°C and rainfall rises sharply to a peak in June before gradually easing off between July and October.

Even during this period, many clear and sunny days can be expected while showers tend to be short and heavy before drying up quickly in the heat. Visitors to Goa can enjoy a variety of festivals throughout the year with highlights including the Feast of the Three Kings in January, Goa Carnival in February or March, and Goa International Jazz Live Festival in November.