//
State in Southwest India
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Goa (Konkani: गोंय / Gõy, Marathi: गोवा Govā), a state on India's west coast, is a former Portuguese colony with a rich history. Spread over 3,700 km² with a population of approximately 1.4 million, Goa is small by Indian standards. It has a unique mix of Indian and Portuguese cultures and architecture that attracts an estimated 2.5 million visitors each year (including about 400,000 foreign tourists). This has given the state a nickname, 'The Party State'.
The north is renowned for its vibrant nightlife, bustling markets, and energetic atmosphere. Popular beaches in the north, such as Baga, Calangute, and Anjuna, draw in crowds of party goers, adventurous travelers, and water sports enthusiasts. These bustling beaches are popular destination for water sport activities during the day, and as the sun sets, they become vibrant hubs of nightlife.
The south offers a more tranquil and peaceful atmosphere, and is a more ideal choice for travelers looking for a relaxed vacation away from the crowds. Beaches like Palolem, Agonda, and Neolem are known for their pristine white sands, crystal-clear waters, and picturesque surroundings. Here, visitors can unwind, soak up the sun, and enjoy the tranquility of the beach in a more laid-back environment.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
You can experience the real Goa while helping in projects in orphanages, nature centres, animal rescue and charity shops.
By plane
Two airports serve Goa, each one having approximately the same number of airlines and destinations.
By bus
There are bus routes from various cities, but most traffic is from Mumbai and Pune.
By train
Indian Railways connects Goa with direct train services from Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Mangalore, Kochi, Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad.
By car
By ferry
Occasional cruise services used to sail from Mumbai to Goa, but these were discontinued because of security concerns and unpredictable weather and are unlikely to resume.
By motorbike
There is a choice of manual and automatic gearbox motorbikes and scooters to be rented (typically without helmets). Those planning to stay long may consider buying one instead.
By bus
Travelling by bus in Goa is extremely convenient as the road network easily connects all the places in Goa with roads.
By car
There are many car hire companies available, both for self-driving and cars with driver, and online taxi bookings are also available throughout Goa.
By taxi
In Goa you will easily get taxi services outside of a hotel or can book online taxi booking.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Vasco da Gama · International · GOI
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Goa and India.
Travel tipsWhat a comfortable day really costs in Vietnam, northern Thailand, Nepal, Colombia and India, with private rooms, good food and local transport.
7 min read
InspirationThe premier first-time India travel guide covering Delhi monuments, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Jaipur royal forts, sacred Varanasi, and Kerala backwaters.
6 min read
Travel tipsRealistic 10-day India travel budget breakdown covering hotels, trains, private drivers, food, and monument tickets across budget and mid-range tiers.
6 min read
Travel tipsEssential guide to visiting the Taj Mahal in Agra, including sunrise entry advice, seasonal weather considerations, ticket queues, and photography spots.
6 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.