Goa is India’s beach-side state with a soul: centuries of Portuguese rule left behind baroque churches, azulejo-lined homes, and a distinctly coastal cuisine. Today it’s a heady mix—golden beaches, spice-scented hinterlands, emerald river islands, and villages where time still lingers over a teacup of chai. This 7-day Goa itinerary stitches North Goa’s energy to South Goa’s calm for a balanced, deeply flavorful week.

From Panaji’s Latin Quarter of Fontainhas to the basilicas of Old Goa and the cliffside forts guarding the Arabian Sea, history is writ large here. Day trips whisk you to Dudhsagar Falls, spice plantations, and island trails alive with kingfishers. Between excursions, claim a shack chair, sip a kokum cooler, and watch fisherboats stitch the horizon.

Practical notes: Peak season runs November–March; June–September brings lush monsoon rains and rougher seas. Dress modestly in churches and temples, carry cash for small vendors (UPI is widely accepted too), and use licensed taxis or the GoaMiles app. Taste Goa’s staples: fish curry-rice, recheado red masala, xacuti, and the local spirit, cashew feni.

Panaji (North Goa)

Make Panaji (Panjim) your North Goa base: you’re minutes from the pastel lanes of Fontainhas, a short hop to Old Goa’s UNESCO churches, and well-placed for beach runs to Miramar, Dona Paula, and the Baga–Calangute–Vagator belt. Evenings hum with taverns and live music; afternoons drift by over thalis and poi bread.

• Top sights: Fontainhas Latin Quarter, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, Old Goa’s Basilica of Bom Jesus and Sé Cathedral, Reis Magos Fort, Miramar Beach.
• Activities: Heritage walks, river-island e-biking, birding at Chorao, water sports and scuba to Grand Island.
• Eat & drink: Fish-curry-rice at Ritz Classic, chouriço pav and prawn rava fry at Kokni Kanteen, classic tavern vibes at Joseph Bar.
• Fun fact: Fontainhas is often dubbed “a small chunk of Portugal washed up on the Indian Ocean.”

Getting to Goa (for your first city, Panaji): Fly into Manohar International Airport (GOX, North Goa) or Dabolim Airport (GOI, Central Goa). Search fares on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights. Typical nonstop fares from Mumbai or Bengaluru run ~$40–120; taxis to Panaji are ~45–70 minutes from GOX/GOI, ~$12–25.

Where to stay (Panaji & North Goa):

• Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa – Destination-style beachfront luxury with stellar dining and a vast pool (Cavelossim; great if you prefer a resort base and day-trip north).
• Novotel Goa Resort & Spa – Family-friendly, near Candolim’s sands with a good spa and shuttle to the beach.
• The Funky Monkey Hostel (Anjuna) – Sociable backpacker base near flea markets and cafés.
• The Old Quarter Hostel (Panjim) – Budget-friendly in the heart of Fontainhas.
• Browse more stays: VRBO Panaji | Hotels.com Panaji

Day 1: Arrive, Settle into Panaji, and Taste Goan Classics

Afternoon: Arrive at GOX or GOI and transfer to Panaji (45–70 minutes). Check in and wander Fontainhas: admire azulejo nameplates, bougainvillea-draped balconies, and the stepped lanes leading toward Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church.

Evening: Dinner at Kokni Kanteen (Panjim) for Goan staples—fish thali, mackerel recheado, and sorpotel with poi bread. Nightcap at Joseph Bar, a tiny, beloved tavern pouring urak and feni; grab a chouriço chilli toast if peckish.

Day 2: Fontainhas + Old Goa Churches

Morning: Coffee and bhaji-pav at Café Tato or espresso and poee sandwiches at Caravela Café & Bistro. Then join the Fontainhas Heritage Walk by Make It Happen—a guided dive into Panaji’s Latin Quarter stories and architecture.

Book: Fontainhas Heritage Walk by Make It Happen

Afternoon: Head to Old Goa (20–30 minutes). Visit the Basilica of Bom Jesus (St. Francis Xavier’s relics) and the Sé Cathedral’s vast nave. Lunch back in Panaji at Ritz Classic—order the fish-curry-rice thali and rawa-fried prawns.

Evening: Drive to Reis Magos Fort for sunset views over the Mandovi River. Dinner at Fisherman’s Wharf (Campal, Panaji): cafreal chicken, crab butter pepper garlic, and bebinca for dessert.

Day 3: Grand Island Adventure and North Goa Sunset

Spend the day on the water with a boat trip and optional scuba/snorkeling off Ilha Grande (Grand Island). Watch for playful dolphins, then tuck into a barbecue lunch on a sandy cove.

Book: Grand Island Adventure: Diving and Water Sports Thrills

Return, refresh, and head to Vagator for a clifftop sunset. Dinner at Thalassa (Greek plates, sea breeze, live performances some nights) or Antares (Australian–Goan accents and cocktails). Late-night option: Soro – The Village Pub (Assagao) for live bands and retro sets.

Palolem (South Goa)

Shift gears to Palolem, a crescent of soft sand and calm waters. Days here are slower—kayak at dawn, read under a palm, slip into sleepy cafés, or explore cliffside forts and secret coves. It’s the South Goa many travelers dream of.

• Top sights: Palolem and Agonda beaches, Cabo de Rama Fort, Cola’s blue lagoon, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary (for the forest-inclined).
• Activities: Kayaking on the backwaters, yoga, cooking classes, spice plantation visits, waterfall day trips.
• Eat & drink: Café Inn for specialty coffee, Magic Italy for hand-rolled pasta, Dropadi for seafood with toes-in-sand tables, Zest for wholesome vegetarian plates and smoothies.
• Fun fact: The railway station that serves Palolem is Canacona (CNO); the beach is a short tuk-tuk ride away.

Getting from Panaji (North Goa) to Palolem (South Goa): Depart in the morning. The most convenient option is a prepaid taxi or app-based cab: ~2–2.5 hours, $30–45 (INR 2,500–3,500). Budget alternative: train from Karmali (KRMI) or Madgaon (MAO) to Canacona (CNO), ~1.5–2 hours, $1–3 (INR 50–200); check schedules on Trip.com Trains. Buses run too but can be slow with transfers.

Where to stay (Palolem & South Goa):

• Holiday Inn Resort Goa (Cavelossim) – Reliable beachfront comfort, sprawling pool, and easy dining.
• The Leela Goa (Cavelossim) – Lush riverside–seaside grandeur with a private beach feel and refined service.
• Palolem beach huts and apartments: VRBO Palolem | Hotels.com Palolem

Day 4: Mangroves, Mandovi, and Down to Palolem

Morning: Early nature fix on Chorao Island near Panaji—mangroves, mudskippers, and bird calls at the edge of Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary—on The Nature Trail At Chorao Island In Goa. It’s an easy, guided way to greet Goa’s wild side before heading south.

Book: The Nature Trail At Chorao Island In Goa

Afternoon: Drive to Palolem (about 2–2.5 hours). Check in and shake off the road with a dip. Late lunch at Café Inn (excellent flat whites, mezze plates, and breakfast-all-day).

Evening: Beach stroll at golden hour, then seafood dinner at Dropadi—kingfish peri-peri, tandoori squid, and garlic butter naan for the table. Nightcap under palms at Ciaran’s beachfront bar.

Day 5: Dudhsagar Falls and Spice Plantation (Full-Day Excursion)

One of Goa’s signature days out: a jeep ride through Mollem National Park to the milky cascade of Dudhsagar Falls, followed by a guided walk and traditional lunch at a spice plantation. Swim near the falls (conditions permitting), learn about pepper, nutmeg, and vanilla, and taste farm-fresh Goan dishes.

Book: Full-Day Tour Old Goa Dudhsagar Falls and Spice Plantation

Back in Palolem, keep dinner simple: Magic Italy (hand-rolled pasta, wood-fired pizzas, a reliable local favorite) or Little World (vegetarian, wholesome bowls and masala chai).

Day 6: South Goa Slow Day + Goan Cooking

Morning: Sunrise kayak on Palolem’s backwaters or a gentle yoga session on the sand. Breakfast at Zest (smoothie bowls, dosa specials, and strong coffee). Then scooter up to Agonda Beach (20 minutes) or Cola’s blue lagoon for a swim sheltered by palms.

Afternoon: Learn to cook the flavors you’ve been eating: xacuti, cafreal, prawn curry, and bebinca techniques at Authentic Indian Cooking Classes at Palolem Beach Road Goa. You’ll chop, stir, and feast.

Book: Authentic Indian Cooking Classes at Palolem Beach Road Goa

Evening: Drive to Cabo de Rama Fort (35–45 minutes) for one of Goa’s grandest sunsets—turquoise coves and rugged cliffs. Dinner nearby at The Cape Goa (cliffside tables, grilled seafood, and candlelit views), or return to Palolem for a late bite at Dropadi.

Day 7: Last Swim, Souvenirs, and Departure

Morning: A final swim on Palolem’s gentle arc. Breakfast at Café Inn or a leisurely poha/omelet pav at a local shack. Pick up souvenirs—azulejo tiles, handloom textiles, or spice blends—from small shops along the beach road.

Afternoon: Spa hour or hammock time, then transfer to the airport: ~1.5–2 hours to GOI (Dabolim), ~2.5–3 hours to GOX (Mopa). For onward India trains, Madgaon (MAO) is your hub—check routes and fares on Trip.com Trains. If you’re flying onward, compare fares on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights.

Optional Extras if You Have Wiggle Room

• Old Goa deep dive: Old Goa Heritage Walk by Make It Happen
  

  

• Divar Island e-bike: BLive Electric Bike Tours – Discovery of Divar Island
  

  

• Goan feni and tapas trail: Feni and Tapas – Food Trail with Tastings & Drinks
  

  

Dining Shortlist to Bookmark

• Panaji: Ritz Classic (fish-curry-rice), Kokni Kanteen (traditional Goan), Viva Panjim (heritage setting, recheado), Miguel’s (cocktail bar with Goan bites), Joseph Bar (tiny tavern).
• Assagao/Anjuna/Vagator: Gunpowder (Kerala–Goa fare), Vinayak Family Restaurant (fish thali), Baba Au Rhum (croissants, burgers), Thalassa/Antares (sunset dinners), Soro (live music).
• South Goa: Dropadi (seafood on the sand), Magic Italy (pasta, pizza), Zest (vegetarian/vegan café), Martin’s Corner (Betalbatim institution), Zeebop by the Sea (Utorda; beachside grills).

Trip Summary: In one compact week you’ve traced Goa’s timeline from Latin Quarter lanes to baroque basilicas, from island mangroves to Arabian Sea reefs, and from waterfall spray to spice-scented kitchens. With two smart bases—Panaji and Palolem—you’ve tasted, trekked, and tanned without rushing, leaving just enough unsolved mysteries to tempt a return.