Goa blends India’s laid-back coastal life with centuries of Indo-Portuguese heritage. Once the capital of the Portuguese Estado da Índia, it still wears its history in whitewashed churches, azulejo tiles, Latin street names, and the rhythm of susegad—the Goan art of taking life slow.

Beyond the postcard beaches, Goa is a paradise for food lovers. Think flaky poi bread, coconut-rich xacuti, tangy cafreal, spicy vindaloo, and ocean-fresh fish thalis. Wash it down with feni (a local spirit made from cashew fruit or coconut) or modern craft beers from Goa’s up-and-coming brewers.

Practical notes: October–March offers the best beach weather; June–September brings lush monsoon greens (and frequent showers). Carry cash (INR) for markets and shacks. Scooters are common (ride with helmets, avoid night riding), and taxis/app cabs are easy for longer hops. Swim where flags allow, and always hydrate in the tropical sun.

Panaji (Panjim)

Base yourself in Panjim, Goa’s riverside capital, to be central to both serene South Goa beaches and the boho sands of the north. Wander the UNESCO-listed environs of Old Goa nearby, then drift through Fontainhas—the Latin Quarter—where pastel villas and hanging bougainvillea feel like a slice of Lisbon.

• Why stay here: Calm riverfront promenades, culture on your doorstep, great dining, and quick access to Miramar Beach, Dona Paula, and both coastal belts.
• Top sights: Fontainhas, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, Mandovi River promenade, Old Goa’s Basilica of Bom Jesus and Sé Cathedral.
• For foodies: Fish thalis at Ritz Classic or Kokni Kanteen; petiscos and cocktails at Miguel’s; nostalgic tavern vibes at Joseph Bar.
• For breweries & drinks: Try Goa Brewing Co pours at taprooms and bars around Sangolda/Assagao; feni cocktails in Panjim.
• Beach days: Mandrem/Ashwem (relaxing north), Cavelossim/Betul and Agonda/Palolem (restful south).

Where to stay (curated picks across budgets):

• Browse apartments & villas: VRBO Panaji
• Hotels, easy filters: Hotels.com Panaji
• Old Quarter (budget, social): The Old Quarter Hostel — right in Fontainhas.
• North Goa (budget, beachy): The Funky Monkey Hostel (Anjuna).
• Comfort resort (Candolim): Novotel Goa Resort & Spa — family-friendly, good pool.
• South Goa (mid-range): Holiday Inn Resort Goa — steps from Cavelossim Beach.
• Splurge, serene: Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa (Benaulim) or The Leela Goa (Cavelossim).

How to get to Panjim: Fly into Manohar International Airport (GOX, North Goa) or Dabolim (GOI). Search fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstops: Mumbai–Goa ~1–1.5 hrs; Delhi–Goa ~2.5–3 hrs. From GOX to Panjim is ~45–60 min by taxi (roughly ₹1,500–2,200). From GOI it’s ~45 min (about ₹800–1,200). App cabs (Goa Miles) are available.

Day 1: Arrive in Panjim, Fontainhas, and Goan Home Cooking

Afternoon: Check in and shake off the flight with a gentle stroll along the Mandovi promenade. Grab an iced cold brew and bebinca slice at Caravela Café & Bistro, then wander to Miramar Beach for soft sands and sea breeze—perfect for a first, relaxing toe-dip into Goa.

Evening: Join the Fontainhas Heritage Walk by Make It Happen to hear how this “small chunk of Portugal” evolved, from azulejo-tiled homes to local bakeries.

Dinner ideas nearby: Kokni Kanteen (rustic Goan classics—kingfish rawa fry, prawn curry-rice) or Ritz Classic (the iconic fish thali with dry prawn kismur). Nightcap at Joseph Bar (tiny tavern; ask for a cashew feni cocktail like a limon-chill splash) before turning in early.

Day 2: North Goa Beach Time, Anjuna Cooking Class, and Craft Beers

Morning: Head north to Ashwem or Mandrem for a restful beach session. These sands are gentler and less crowded—great for a book, a swim (watch flags), and easy brunch. Options: The Rice Mill (Morjim) for eggs on poi and pour-over coffee, or Artjuna Garden Café (Anjuna) for smoothies, shakshuka, and fresh bakes.

Afternoon: Dive deeper into Goan flavors with the Traditional Indian Cooking Class in Goa, Anjuna [vegetarian]—you’ll learn spice tempering, grind fresh masalas, and cook a homestyle spread you’ll eat together.

Evening: Catch sunset from Chapora Fort, where the laterite walls glow with the sky. For a brewer’s touch, sample flights at the Goa Brewing Co beer garden in the Sangolda/Saligao area (try Eight Finger Eddie or People’s Lager), then dinner in Assagao: Gunpowder (Kerala-leaning plates—pandi curry, meen pollichathu) or Mahé (coastal Indian with refined plating). Night owls can stop by Soro – The Village Pub for live music.

Day 3: Backwaters Kayak and South Goa’s Gentle Shores

Morning: Drive south (about 1–1.5 hrs) for Goa Kayaking Sal Backwaters – Mangroves Magic. Flat, calm waters and mangrove tunnels make this a soothing paddle with birdlife for company; guides share ecology notes and help beginners.

Afternoon: Laze on Cavelossim or Betul Beach—wide, mellow shores ideal for swimming and doing nothing at all. Lunch at The Fisherman’s Wharf (Cavelossim): recheado crab, rawa-fried calamari, and Susegado brews; or try a classic Goan fish curry with kokum tang.

Evening: Return to Panjim. Book dinner at The Black Sheep Bistro (seasonal, ingredient-forward—pork ribs with Goan spices; local prawn risotto; inventive cocktails). For a quiet nightcap, stroll Campal’s riverfront as casinos glitter across the Mandovi—watch the lights from shore if you prefer a calm finish.

Day 4: Old Goa, Feni & Tapas, and a Last Beach Sunset

Morning: Explore Old Goa’s monumental churches: the Basilica of Bom Jesus (St. Francis Xavier’s relics) and the Sé Cathedral’s grand naves. Pause for excellent coffee and eggs at Café Bodega in the Sunaparanta art center back in Panjim, or Black Vanilla for pastries.

Afternoon: Celebrate Goan flavors with the Feni and Tapas – Food Trail with Tastings & Drinks by Make It Happen. You’ll sip cashew and coconut feni in balanced cocktails and taste iconic bites across beloved Panjim spots while learning the drink’s heritage.

Evening: For one last sunset, choose Dona Paula viewpoint or quiet Vainguinim sands. Farewell dinner: Viva Panjim in a 150-year-old house (balchão, cafreal, serradura for dessert) or another round of fish thali at Ritz Classic. If you prefer a contemporary sendoff, Miguel’s crafts stellar gin cocktails paired with petiscos like choriz pav.

Getting around & practical tips: Scooters ~₹400–800/day (inspect brakes, helmet essential). Private taxis between Panjim and North Goa beaches run roughly ₹800–1,500 each way depending on distance and season; to South Goa’s Cavelossim/Betul ~₹1,800–2,800. Beach shacks often rent sunbeds for the price of a drink. Respect red flags, reapply reef-safe sunscreen, and carry small cash for local bakeries and markets.

Optional add-ons if you extend: Old Goa Heritage Walk, Divar Island e-biking, or a day at Dudhsagar Falls plus a spice plantation tour. Cultural deep-dives are available through Viator, like the Cultural & Historic Day Tour: Churches, Temples & Spice Plantation for a broad overview.

With a Panjim base, you’ll sample Goa’s greatest hits at an unhurried tempo: heritage lanes, quiet sands, local kitchens, and a glass (or two) of feni or craft beer. Expect to leave refreshed, sun-warmed, and a little in love with the susegad way of life.