Goa’s story is one of sea breezes and spice routes. The Portuguese arrived in 1510, leaving a legacy of baroque basilicas, azulejo tiles, and pastel bungalows that sit alongside centuries-old Hindu temples and tropical forests. Today, the state marries heritage with hedonism: baroque altars in the morning, prawn balchão at lunch, and a sunset swim by evening.

Base yourself in Panaji (Panjim), the riverside capital on the Mandovi. From here, it’s easy to wander the Latin Quarter of Fontainhas, hop to Old Goa’s UNESCO churches, ferry to island villages, and zip south or east for waterfalls and spice plantations. Beaches like Miramar, Dona Paula, and Candolim are within easy striking distance for golden-hour strolls.

Practical notes: The best weather is November–February. Summer is hot; monsoon brings lush landscapes (and sometimes rough seas) June–September. Public drinking on beaches is fined, so keep the feni in bars. Ride-hail apps (GoaMiles), pre-paid taxis, and scooters are common; seat belts and helmets are enforced. Cash is handy at local shacks, though cards/UPI are widely accepted.

Panaji (Panjim)

Panaji is Goa’s cultural nerve center—breezy promenades, theater and galleries, Indo-Portuguese homes, and the state’s most interesting dining. It’s compact and walkable, with ferries to Chorao and Divar islands and quick drives to Old Goa, Reis Magos Fort, and Candolim’s sands.

• Top sights: Fontainhas’ color-washed lanes, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, Old Goa’s Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se Cathedral, Reis Magos Fort, Miramar Beach, Dona Paula viewpoint.
• Eat & drink: Fish thalis at Ritz Classic; crab xec xec and prawn recheado at Kokni Kanteen; modern Goan plates at Black Sheep Bistro; feni-based cocktails at Joseph Bar; pao and bebinca from old-school bakeries.
• Fun facts: Fontainhas is Asia’s only Latin Quarter; Goa’s cashew-based spirit, feni, has Geographical Indication (GI) status; the Mandovi River lights up nightly with floating casinos.

Getting in and around (book transport):

• Flights: Fly into GOX (Mopa, North Goa) or GOI (Dabolim, South Goa). Typical domestic fares are ~$40–120 one way. Search and book on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.
• Trains: Karmali (near Old Goa) and Madgaon (Margao) are the main stations. Mumbai–Karmali ~9–11 hours; Bengaluru–Madgaon ~10–12 hours. See schedules on Trip.com Trains.
• Airport to Panaji: GOX–Panaji ~50–70 min; GOI–Panaji ~45–60 min by taxi. Expect INR 1,200–2,200 depending on time and vehicle.

Where to stay (handpicked + search):

• Splurge (South Goa beach escapes): Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa (Benaulim; manicured lawns, stellar service); The Leela Goa (Cavelossim; river-meets-sea setting, serene private beach); Holiday Inn Resort Goa (Cavelossim; good value for families).
• North Goa resort vibe: Novotel Goa Resort & Spa (Candolim; pool, spa, shuttle to beach).
• Budget/social: The Funky Monkey Hostel (Anjuna; lively, close to cafes); The Old Quarter Hostel (Panaji; prime Fontainhas location).
• Search by city: Browse rentals on VRBO Panaji or hotels via Hotels.com Panaji.

Day 1: Arrive, Fontainhas & Riverfront Panaji

Morning: Travel to Goa. If you arrive early, ease in with breakfast in Panaji: order puri bhaji or patal bhaji at Café Tato (a Goan institution), or grab specialty coffee and crumbly Goan cookies at Caravela Café & Bistro. If you’re feeling arty, step into Sunaparanta Goa Centre for the Arts in Altinho and its leafy courtyard café, Cafe Bodega.

Afternoon: Check in, freshen up, then wander to the Immaculate Conception Church for a panoramic view of Panaji’s red-tiled rooftops. Meander downhill to Fontainhas’ azulejo house signs, bougainvillea, and bakeries. Consider the guided Fontainhas Heritage Walk by Make It Happen for local stories on Goan-Portuguese life (small groups, engaging storytellers).

For lunch, choose Ritz Classic for a superb fish thali (silver platters of fried fish, curry, kokum-sol kadi) or Viva Panjim for home-style vindaloo and cafreal in a 150-year-old house.

Evening: Stroll the Campal promenade along the Mandovi at sunset. Cross the bridge to Reis Magos Fort for glowing river views (time your ride to reach before closing), or stay riverside and dine at Black Sheep Bistro—think local chouriço sliders, recheado-spiced prawns, and seasonal plates with Goan ingredients. Nightcap at Joseph Bar in Fontainhas; try a lime-kokum feni or a urak (seasonal cashew spirit) mixed with Limca.

Day 2: Dudhsagar Waterfalls, Spice Aromas & Feni After Dark

Morning: Early start to the eastern Ghats for a forest-and-falls adventure. Book the Dudhsagar Waterfalls, Jeep Safari & Spice Plantation private tour (hotel pickup available).

You’ll rumble by jeep through Mollem National Park, then walk to the milky, four-tiered Dudhsagar cascade. Wear good shoes; bring a dry bag for cameras.

Afternoon: After a rinse and change at the base, head to a spice plantation for guided walks among pepper vines, nutmeg, cloves, and betel palms. Many plantations include a Goan buffet—look for local rice, chicken xacuti, and vegetarian bhaji with fresh coconut. Expect the full excursion to run 7–9 hours door to door, depending on traffic and season.

Evening: Back in Panaji, keep dinner light before a flavorful guided tasting on the Feni and Tapas – Food Trail with Tastings & Drinks by Make It Happen.

You’ll learn how cashews become feni, sample creative cocktails, and pair them with classics like rawa-fried fish and sorpotel canapés. Prefer a quiet night? Try Kokni Kanteen—order tisrya (clams) sukka and mutton xacuti with sannas (fermented rice cakes).

Day 3: Old Goa’s UNESCO Churches, Lunch on a Plantation, and Departure

Morning: Check out and store your bags. Dive into Old Goa for soaring baroque naves and gilded altars on the Old Goa Churches, Temples & Spice Plantation With \"Goan\" Lunch.

You’ll see the Basilica of Bom Jesus (housing the relics of St. Francis Xavier), Se Cathedral, and nearby temples that predate Portuguese rule—an eye-opening contrast of styles.

Afternoon: The tour includes a plantation lunch; if you’re skipping the tour, grab an early thali at Ritz Classic or a leisurely plate of prawn balchão at Viva Panjim before your transfer. Aim to be en route to the airport or station 3 hours before departure from Panaji in daytime traffic (add time for GOX in North Goa).

Evening: Departure day is assumed for the afternoon; if you’ve got extra time, relax with a beach stroll at Miramar or a quick hop to Dona Paula for a final sea breeze and souvenir cashews from a reputable shop. Save Fontainhas’ bakeries for last-minute bebinca and dodol to take home.

Optional add-ons if you extend: Crocodile-spotting and mangrove birding on the Cumbarjua Canal with a plantation walk via Crocodile spotting with walking tour of local plantation in Goa

or pedal the river islands on the Island Hopping: Day E-Bike Exploration to meet village life up close.

Beach and snack detours (near Panaji): Spend an hour at Miramar Beach for sunset; add Dona Paula for a cliffy viewpoint. If you venture north, try Calamari Bathe & Binge (Candolim) for butter-garlic calamari or Pousada by the Beach (Calangute) for recheado pomfret under swaying palms. Coffee people: Bombay Coffee Roasters in Panaji pulls reliable flat whites and cold brew.

In just three days, you’ll have tasted Goa’s layered history, its spice-scented hinterland, and the easy rhythm of riverside Panaji. Keep this itinerary handy for your next visit—North and South Goa beaches, island ferries, and backcountry trails are ready when you are.