Goa is a coastal mosaic where Indian and Portuguese legacies entwine. For centuries it was a gateway of spice, faith, and art; today it is a place to drift between whitewashed churches and palm-edged coves, ancient forts and slow-tide rivers. This 5-day itinerary balances North Goa’s heritage and nightlife with South Goa’s relaxed beaches and greenery.

Base the first half of your trip in Panjim (Panaji) to explore Fontainhas’ pastel lanes, Old Goa’s UNESCO-listed churches, and the islands of the Mandovi. Then slip down to Palolem for serene sands, a waterfall-and-spice day, and a hands-on cooking session. Expect excellent seafood thalis, cashew feni cocktails, and sunsets that turn fort ramparts gold.

Practical notes: Goa has two airports—Manohar International (GOX, North) and Dabolim (GOI, central-south). Peak season runs November–March; monsoon (June–September) is lush but seas can be rough. Helmets are mandatory on scooters; carry a valid license. Digital payments (UPI/cards) are widespread, but small notes help in markets and ferries.

Panjim (Panaji)

Goa’s small capital is a riverfront beauty: tiled mansions, azulejo nameplates, bakeries perfumed with poi bread, and leafy stairways climbing to quiet chapels. Fontainhas—often called “a small piece of Portugal washed up in India”—is a photographer’s dream and the best place to start tasting Goan history.

Top nearby sights include the Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se Cathedral in Old Goa, the hilltop ruins of the St. Augustine Tower, and the sunset-facing ramparts of Reis Magos and Aguada forts. Between walks, refuel at Caravela Café & Bistro (great Goan coffee and pastéis) or Café Tato (bhaji-pao breakfast classic).

• Where to stay (Panjim/North Goa): Budget charmer The Old Quarter Hostel (right in Fontainhas). Resort-style comfort at Novotel Goa Resort & Spa (Candolim, North Goa). Browse apartments and villas on VRBO Panjim or hotels on Hotels.com Panjim.
• Getting to Goa: Fly into GOX (North) or GOI (Dabolim). Compare fares on Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com (1–2.5 hours from Mumbai/Delhi; many fares $40–120 one-way). Trains via Thivim/Karmali/Madgaon are an atmospheric option; check Trip.com Trains.
• Eating & drinking: Kokni Kanteen (heritage Goan curries, fried mackerel), Ritz Classic (legendary fish thali at lunch), Viva Panjim (old-house setting), and Joseph Bar (tiny tavern for urak/feni cocktails).

Day 1: Arrival, Fontainhas at Golden Hour, and Goan Comforts

Morning: Fly into GOX or GOI. If landing at GOX, it’s ~45 minutes by taxi to Panjim; from GOI, about 50–60 minutes (prepaid taxis typically ₹1,300–2,200/$16–27). Check flight options on Trip.com Flights. Drop bags at your hotel and grab a light snack at Caravela Café & Bistro (prawn rissois and bebinca are local favorites).

Afternoon: Stroll Fontainhas: Rua 31 de Janeiro, the Chapel of St. Sebastian, and art studios around the Fountain of Phoenix. Pop into the Latin Quarter’s bakeries for poi and choriz bread. If you’d like a guided dive tomorrow, note timings for the heritage walk below.

Evening: Sunset along the Campal promenade or Miramar Beach. Dinner at Kokni Kanteen—order sorpotel, tisrya (clams), and poi. Nightcap at Joseph Bar; try a feni-based cocktail with kokum.

Day 2: Heritage Walk, Old Goa, and a Feni & Tapas Trail

Morning: Join the Fontainhas Heritage Walk by Make It Happen for stories of Goan Catholic culture, azulejos, and hidden chapels. Book here: Fontainhas Heritage Walk.

Refuel at Ritz Classic after your walk—its crisp rawa-fried fish and thalis sell out by late lunch.

Afternoon: Explore Old Goa’s UNESCO ensemble: Basilica of Bom Jesus (St. Francis Xavier), Se Cathedral, Church of St. Cajetan, and the haunting St. Augustine Tower. Prefer a guided circuit that also adds forts and Panjim highlights? Consider the Capital City, Churches & Forts Of Goa tour: Capital City, Churches & Forts Of Goa.

Evening: Taste Goa’s spirit on the Feni and Tapas – Food Trail with Tastings & Drinks in Panjim. You’ll sip local urak/feni and sample Goan plates in iconic spots with a genial host: Feni & Tapas Food Trail.

Day 3: Divar Island E‑Bikes, Forts, and North-Goa Nightlife

Morning: Cross by local ferry (Ribandar–Divar; ferries are frequent and cheap) for an easy, scenic ride on the BLive Electric Bike Tours – Discovery of Divar Island. Expect paddy vistas, sleepy villages, and Old Goa viewpoints. Book: BLive E‑Bike Divar Island.

Late breakfast or brunch back in town at Café Bodega (garden courtyard) or Bombay Coffee Roasters (excellent cold brew).

Afternoon: Head to Candolim/Aguada for the lighthouse and sea views, then continue to Anjuna/Vagator. Coffee and croissants at Baba Au Rhum (Anjuna’s long-time favorite). Beach time on Vagator or Ashwem if you prefer quieter sands.

Evening: Sunset from Chapora Fort’s basalt walls. Dinner at Gunpowder (Keralan and Goan plates in a leafy bungalow) or Bomras (Burmese flavors; book ahead). For music and drinks, try Soro – The Village Pub (live sets) or Cohiba (near Aguada) for retro nights.

Palolem (South Goa)

Palolem’s crescent bay curves gently beneath coconut palms; mornings are for kayak-gliding over glassy water, and nights for candlelit meals with toes in the sand. It’s a softer counterpoint to the north—great for yoga, Ayurvedic massages, and taking it slow.

From here, day trips reach Dudhsagar Falls and Ponda’s spice estates. Nearby eateries shine: Zest (bright vegetarian plates), Little World (all-day café), Dropadi (sea-view grills), and Fisherman’s Wharf (riverside seafood, Cavelossim).

• Where to stay (South Goa): Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa (Benaulim; sprawling lawns and a stellar spa), Holiday Inn Resort Goa (Cavelossim; family-friendly, direct beach access), and The Leela Goa (Cavelossim; lagoon-meets-sea grandeur). For apartments/bungalows, browse VRBO Palolem or Hotels.com Palolem.
• Getting from Panjim to Palolem: Morning taxi takes ~2 hours (₹2,500–3,500/$30–42). By train, Karmali/Thivim to Canacona is ~1–1.5 hours (₹100–300); check Trip.com Trains. Local buses are cheapest but slow and involve changes.

Day 4: Transfer South + Dudhsagar Falls & Spice Plantation (Full Day)

Depart Panjim after breakfast and check in near Palolem or along the South-Goa coast. Then join the Full-Day Tour Old Goa Dudhsagar Falls and Spice Plantation for 4x4 tracks through Mollem National Park, a cooling plunge at the milky cascades, and a fragrant spice-farm lunch (typically Goan home-style). Book here: Dudhsagar & Spice Plantation.

Return salty and happy; rinse off and dine at Fisherman’s Wharf (butter garlic calamari, rawa-fried prawns) or on Palolem Beach at Dropadi under lanterns.

Day 5: Slow Morning in Palolem + Hands-On Goan Cooking, Then Departure

Morning: Sunrise paddle on a rented kayak to Palolem’s rocky islets, or lazy laps followed by breakfast at Zest (smoothie bowls, eggs florentine) or Little World (masala omelette, pancakes). Pack, but keep a beach sarong handy for one last walk.

Afternoon (late morning–early afternoon): Roll up your sleeves at Authentic Indian Cooking Classes at Palolem Beach Road Goa, a friendly masterclass spanning Goan, South, and North Indian staples—you’ll learn spice layering and eat your creations. Book: Palolem Cooking Class.

Evening (departing afternoon/early evening): Head to Madgaon (Margao) station for trains north/south via Trip.com Trains, or to GOI/GOX for flights booked on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Typical taxi to GOI is ~1 hr 15 min from Palolem; to GOX allow ~2 hrs 15 min depending on traffic.

Optional swaps and extras:

• Water lovers can replace Day 3 afternoon with the Grand Island Adventure: Diving and Water Sports Thrills (snorkeling/scuba near Pequeno/Grand Island): Grand Island Adventure.

  

• Birders: try the Nature Trail at Chorao Island for mangrove serenity and avian life: Chorao Nature Trail.

  

Where else to sleep (by vibe & budget):

• Iconic luxury on the sand: Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa (Benaulim) or The Leela Goa (Cavelossim).
• Great-value beachfront: Holiday Inn Resort Goa (pool + direct beach access).
• Social hostels: The Funky Monkey Hostel (Anjuna, North) and The Old Quarter Hostel (Panjim, heritage core).
• DIY: explore whole-home stays on VRBO Goa or scan beach areas on Hotels.com Goa.

In five days you’ll taste the breadth of Goa: pastel alleys and basilicas, island fields and fort sunsets, jungle mists and spice-scented lunches, and the hush of a palm-fringed bay. It’s a compact trip with room to exhale—just enough to make you plan a longer return.