Once a thriving outpost of the Portuguese empire (1510–1961), Goa blends Iberian façades and baroque churches with the cadence of coastal India. A week here reveals UNESCO-listed Old Goa, pastel Latin Quarter lanes, and river islands where time seems to slow. Add sunset forts, jungle waterfalls, and beach shacks serving today’s catch, and you have a coastal escape with stories in every cobblestone.

Goa is deliciously plural: North Goa thrums with markets, live music, and headline beaches like Anjuna and Candolim; South Goa whispers with powdery crescents—Palolem, Agonda, Varca—and old villages perfumed with jackfruit, cinnamon, and toddy bread. Between heritage walks and spice plantation tours, you’ll sip feni cocktails and discover how Portuguese technique met Konkan produce to birth an iconic cuisine.

Practical notes: The best weather runs November–March; June–September brings cinematic monsoon greens (and some choppy seas). Two airports serve the state—Manohar International (GOX, North Goa) and Dabolim (GOI). Cash and UPI are widely used; taxis and ride apps (including GoaMiles) are common. Respect beach flags, mind rip currents, and expect music curfews after 10 pm.

Panaji (Panjim) and North Goa

Base your first half in Panaji for easy hops to Old Goa’s basilicas, the colorful Fontainhas quarter, and beaches from Candolim to Vagator. You’ll pair flaky prawn rissois and fish thalis with sunset fort views and late-night live bands.

• Top sights: Fontainhas Latin Quarter, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, Fort Aguada and Sinquerim, Chapora Fort (sunset), Anjuna Flea Market (Wednesdays), Calangute–Baga water sports.
• Why stay here: Walkable heritage core, central riverfront setting, and quick coastal access for beach days and nightlife.
• Eat & drink highlights: Goan thalis at Ritz Classic and Kokni Kanteen; modern plates at Black Sheep Bistro; tavern vibes at Joseph Bar; seafood shacks like Pousada by the Beach and Souza Lobo.

Getting to Goa: Fly into GOX or GOI via Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights. Typical fares: Mumbai–Goa $40–120; Delhi–Goa $60–180. Trains to Madgaon/Thivim via the Konkan line can be scenic and affordable—check Trip.com Trains.

Airport transfers: GOX→Panaji ~45–60 min by taxi (INR 1,200–2,000). GOI→Panaji ~45 min (INR 1,000–1,800). Scooters rent for INR 500–800/day; helmets required.

Where to stay (North Goa)

• Browse stays in Panaji on Hotels.com or find apartments on VRBO.
• Beach resort vibe near Candolim: Novotel Goa Resort & Spa (palm-fringed pools, shuttle to Candolim).
• Social budget base in Anjuna: The Funky Monkey Hostel (walk to cafes and markets).
• Heritage-core hostel: The Old Quarter Hostel (in Panaji’s Latin Quarter).

Day 1: Arrive, settle in, and the Latin Quarter at golden hour

Afternoon: Land, taxi to Panaji, and check in. Shake off travel with a coffee at Café Bodega (Sunaparanta arts center) or a buttery poi and bhaji at Café Tato—classic Goan breakfast fare, any time of day.

Evening: Join the Fontainhas Heritage Walk by Make It Happen to decode azulejo tiles, Indo-Portuguese mansions, and tavern culture.

End with petiscos (Portuguese-style snacks) and a feni cocktail at Joseph Bar; then dinner at Black Sheep Bistro for local produce done modern (try the porc feijoada or choriz bao) or Kokni Kanteen for a stellar fish thali.

Night: Live music at Cohiba (Sinquerim) or Soro – The Village Pub (Assagao). Taxis back are easy; music usually winds down by curfew.

Day 2: Forts, wide beaches, and sunset dining

Morning: Breakfast at Mr. Baker 1922 (Panjim institution) or Artjuna (Anjuna; smoothie bowls and sourdough). Hit Candolim–Calangute for parasailing, jet skiing, or a swim (observe lifeguard flags). If you prefer quiet sands, head a touch north to Sinquerim.

Afternoon: Explore 17th‑century Fort Aguada—lighthouse views over the Arabian Sea and old ramparts perfect for photos. Lunch at Souza Lobo (since 1932) for recheado prawns and crab xec xec, or Pousada by the Beach (tucked, calm vibe, stellar sorpotel).

Evening: Sunset at Sinquerim bastions; then dinner at Gunpowder (Assagao)—coastal plates from Kerala, Andhra, and Goa—or Hosa (Siolim) for a creative South Indian tasting. Nightcap options: LPK Waterfront for dancing or a mellow gin at Felix (Assagao).

Day 3: Anjuna market, Chapora Fort, and a hands-on Goan kitchen

Morning: If it’s Wednesday, browse the Anjuna Flea Market (hand-printed cottons, vintage jewelry, spice blends). Otherwise, beach-hop from Anjuna to Vagator; coffee at Baba Au Rhum (French-Goan bakery in the paddy fields) or Eva Café for sea views.

Afternoon: Cook with locals at the Traditional Indian Cooking Class in Goa, Anjuna [vegetarian]—learn masala tempering, coconut-based gravies, and poi bread stories.

If time allows, climb Chapora Fort for a blazing sunset over Vagator’s red cliffs.

Evening: Dinner with a view at Antares (Vagator; grills and cocktails) or Titlie (progressive plates, DJ-led sunsets). Late gelato at Cream Choc (Anjuna) before turning in.

Day 4: Jungle day—Dudhsagar Falls and a spice plantation

Full-day adventure to Mollem National Park for the Dudhsagar waterfall wildlife & spice plantation Tour in Goa.

Jeep through forest tracks, swim where the “sea of milk” cascades, then walk a plantation to smell pepper vines, nutmeg, and cinnamon—often capped with a Goan buffet. Expect an early start and late afternoon return (bring sandals you don’t mind getting wet).

Travel to South Goa (for Days 5–7): Depart Panaji in the morning for Palolem/Cavelossim. Taxi: 2–2.5 hours (INR 2,000–3,500). Train: Panaji taxi to Karmali/Thivim → train to Canacona/Madgaon (2–2.5 hours), then a short rickshaw/taxi; check schedules and fares on Trip.com Trains.

Palolem and South Goa

South Goa trades bustle for palm-canopied lanes and long, quiet beaches where dolphins sometimes arc at dawn. Palolem’s gentle curve, Agonda’s boho calm, and the bluffs of Cabo de Rama make this a perfect wind-down after North Goa’s energy.

• Top sights: Palolem and Agonda beaches, Butterfly Beach by boat, Cabo de Rama Fort, the Sal River backwaters, Margao’s markets, Raia’s heritage homes.
• Why stay here: Slower pace, low-key nightlife, stellar seafood by moonlight, and nature-rich day trips.
• Eat & drink highlights: Martin’s Corner (Betalbatim), The Fisherman’s Wharf (Cavelossim), Zeebop by the Sea (Utorda), Firefly Goan Bistro Bar (Benaulim), Café Inn and Zest (Palolem), Jaali (Patnem).

Where to stay (South Goa)

• Luxury by the sands: Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa (Benaulim; manicured lawns, lagoon pool).
• River-meets-sea elegance: The Leela Goa (Cavelossim; Sal River frontage, private beach access).
• Great family value: Holiday Inn Resort Goa (Cavelossim; direct beach, big pool).
• Browse more in Palolem on Hotels.com or find cottages via VRBO.

Day 5: Transfer south, Palolem palms, and dinner under the stars

Morning: Travel to Palolem/Cavelossim and check in. Grab a late breakfast at Café Inn (espresso, shakshuka, homemade breads) or Zest (plant-forward bowls, fresh juices).

Afternoon: Swim the gentle arc of Palolem. Rent a kayak and paddle toward Monkey Island at low tide; or lounge in a beach hut with lime soda and rawa-fried prawns.

Evening: Sunset boat ride to spot dolphins (weather-dependent). Dinner at Jaali (Patnem; Sri Lankan curries and Goan specials) or The Fisherman’s Wharf (Cavelossim; live music nights, excellent crab butter pepper). Nightcap on the sand.

Day 6: Backwaters by paddle, cliff-top fort, and a seaside feast

Morning: Explore mangrove channels on the Goa Kayaking Sal Backwaters – Mangroves Magic! excursion (calm waters, birdlife, 2–2.5 hours).

Bring a hat and waterproof phone pouch.

Afternoon: Lunch at Martin’s Corner (Betalbatim; butter garlic calamari, kingfish curry rice). Then drive to Cabo de Rama Fort—sweeping headland views and quiet coves below. Coffee and sunset at Cape Goa perched above the cliffs.

Evening: Feast at Zeebop by the Sea (Utorda; tables in the sand, fresh pomfret, bebinca for dessert) or Firefly Goan Bistro Bar (Benaulim; jazz nights and choriz chilli fry). Easy taxi back.

Day 7: Old homes, market snacks, and farewell Goa

Morning: If you want one more cultural thread, head inland toward Loutolim and Raia to admire Indo-Portuguese homes; pick up bebinca and dodol at Jila Bakery. Alternatively, take a boat to Butterfly Beach from Palolem for a final swim.

Afternoon: Brunch in Margao at The Red Ginger (Asian plates) or a simple, satisfying Goan veg thali at Sarvodaya. Return to your hotel, pack, and transfer to GOI or GOX for your afternoon flight via Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights.

Evening: If you have extra time before departure, a South Goa add-on is a plantation lunch on a spice farm (look for estates near Ponda), or simply one last cashew feni by the sea.

Optional full-day swap in North Goa (if you prefer culture to dunes)

Trade Day 4 for a deep-dive in temples, Old Goa churches, and plantations with the Discover Goa: A Full-Day Private City Tour.

It bundles Panaji, Old Goa’s basilicas, a spice plantation, and village vistas into one efficient circuit.

Breakfast, coffee, and snack shortlist: Café Tato (patal bhaji–pao), Mr. Baker 1922 (pastries), Artjuna and Baba Au Rhum (Anjuna), Café Bodega (Panjim), Café Inn and Zest (Palolem), German Bakery (Palolem), Confetaria 31 de Janeiro (Fontainhas; bebinca and bolinhas).

Lunch & dinner hits: Ritz Classic (Panjim fish thali), Kokni Kanteen (Goan classics), Gunpowder (Assagao), Hosa (Siolim), Pousada by the Beach and Souza Lobo (Calangute), Antares/Titlie (Vagator sunsets), Martin’s Corner (Betalbatim), The Fisherman’s Wharf (Cavelossim), Zeebop (Utorda), Firefly (Benaulim), Nostalgia (Raia; heritage house, old recipes).

Logistics tip: For intercity sections, compare taxis with app-based options and trains on Trip.com Trains. For flights in and out of Goa, shop deals on Kiwi.com and Trip.com.

Over seven days, you’ll trace Goa from azulejo-patched alleyways to tide-polished coves, with spice-scented kitchens and mangrove backwaters in between. Pack curiosity and sandals that can get wet—Goa rewards wanderers who follow the scent of curry leaves and the sound of the surf.