North Goa
PartiesAnjuna, Vagator and Arambol.
Goa city guide
Things To Do In Goa
India's beach state: palm-lined sands, Portuguese churches and Latin-quarter lanes, spice plantations, and a party scene that runs from November to March.
92
Hostels in the city
8.3
Average, from 7,634 reviews
1961
The end of Portuguese rule
451 years
Of Portuguese rule
2
Airports
Beaches and Portuguese heritage
Goa was a Portuguese colony for four and a half centuries, until 1961, and it still feels different from the rest of India: whitewashed churches, colourful houses, Catholic festivals and a relaxed pace.
Its coast is lined with beaches, from the busy party beaches of the north to the quiet coves of the south.
Goa is the easiest landing in India, and a place to slow down. A week is right.
Where to stay
Stay in the north for parties, the south for quiet, or Panjim for the old town.
South Goa
QuietPalolem and Agonda.
Panjim
CultureThe capital and Fontainhas.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 7 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Goa
Goa, on India's west coast, was a Portuguese colony until 1961, and its mix of beaches, churches, whitewashed villages and laid-back life makes it unlike anywhere else in India.
North Goa has the busiest beaches and the party scene: Anjuna, with its Wednesday flea market, Vagator's cliffs, and Arambol, a bohemian beach with a drum circle at sunset. South Goa is quieter and more beautiful: Palolem, a crescent bay, Agonda, with nesting turtles, and Cola Beach, with a lagoon.
Old Goa, the former Portuguese capital, has grand churches and convents, a UNESCO site; the Basilica of Bom Jesus holds the remains of St Francis Xavier. In Panjim, the capital, the Latin Quarter of Fontainhas has colourful Portuguese houses and narrow lanes.
Inland, spice plantations offer tours and lunches, and Dudhsagar Falls, a four-tiered waterfall, is reached by jeep in the dry season. Saturday night markets at Arpora and the Wednesday Anjuna flea market sell everything.
The season runs from November to March; many beach shacks close in the monsoon.
More on things to do in Goa
Free things
Free things to do in Goa
The beaches are free, and so are sunsets with Arambol's drum circle and the churches of Old Goa. Fontainhas is free to wander.
The flea markets are free to browse.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Goa
Goan food mixes Indian and Portuguese: fish curry rice, prawn balchão, pork vindaloo, from the Portuguese 'vinha d'alhos', and xacuti, a coconut and spice curry. Bebinca, a layered coconut cake, is the classic dessert. Feni, a spirit distilled from cashew fruit or coconut, is the local drink.
Beach shacks serve fresh seafood. A meal is €2 to €8.
Nightlife
Going out in Goa
Goa has India's most famous party scene: beach clubs and bars in North Goa, around Baga, Anjuna and Vagator, and quieter beach bars in the south. The psytrance parties of the past have largely moved indoors, as loud outdoor music is restricted after 10pm.
Alcohol is cheap: a beer is €1.50 to €3.
Getting around
Getting around Goa
Goa has two airports: Dabolim, in the centre, and Manohar International at Mopa, in the north. Trains on the Konkan Railway reach Mumbai and Kerala.
Rent a scooter to get around; taxis are expensive and unionised, though app-based cabs operate in places. Buses link the main towns.
Costs
What Goa costs
Goa is cheap to mid-priced, and pricier in peak season around Christmas and New Year. Dorms start around €7 and a careful day is €20 to €35.
Scooter hire is €4 to €7 a day. Beer is cheap because of low taxes.
The currency is the rupee (INR), at roughly 95 to 100 rupees to the euro; prices here are euro equivalents. UPI phone payments are everywhere, and some apps now accept foreign cards; carry cash for small shops, autos and markets.
Safety
Staying safe in Goa
Goa is generally safe. The sea is rough and currents strong during the monsoon; swim between the flags in season. Do not drink and ride.
Drugs are illegal and police checks are frequent. Drinking alcohol in public places, such as on the street, is fined. Women travellers often face staring and comments, and sometimes groping in crowds; dress conservatively, use women's carriages on metros and trains, and book cabs through apps.
Most visitors need an Indian e-Visa, applied for online before travel. Since 1 April 2026, all foreign nationals flying in must also submit the free e-Arrival Card online within 72 hours before landing; screenshot or download the QR code, as it cannot be retrieved later.
Emergency number is 112.
Day trips from Goa
Waterfalls, spices and ruins.
Old Goa
Portuguese churches.
Dudhsagar Falls
A huge waterfall.
Hampi
The boulder ruins.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Goa's Carnival fills the streets in February.
February
Goa Carnival
Panjim and towns
Parades and music.
December
Christmas and New Year
Beaches
The busiest and priciest weeks.
March
Shigmo
Towns
Spring festival parades.
Hostels
Where to stay in Goa
The top-rated places to stay in Goa right now, live from Hostelworld.
Happy Panda Hostel Arambol
Dorms from €7 a night
See dates and book
House of Memories Candolim
Dorms from €4 a night
See dates and book
Jungle by sturmfrei Vagator
Dorms from €5 a night
See dates and book
The Bucket List Goa Vagator
Dorms from €1 a night
See dates and book
Dreams Hostel (Vagator)
Dorms from €4 a night
See dates and book
The Beachside Hostel Anjuna
Dorms from €13 a night
See dates and book
Pappi Chulo vagator
Dorms from €7 a night
See dates and book
When to go
November to March. Many beach businesses close in the monsoon.
Jan
Peak
Feb
Carnival
Mar
Shigmo
Apr
Hot
May
Hot
Jun
Monsoon
Jul
Monsoon
Aug
Monsoon
Sep
Monsoon ends
Oct
Season opens
Nov
Good
Dec
Peak
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Prices are in rupees locally; these are euro equivalents. Christmas and New Year run much higher.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Goa travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
North or South Goa?
North for parties and markets, South for quiet beaches.
When is the season?
November to March; many shacks close in the monsoon.
Do I need a scooter?
It is the easiest way around; ride sober with a helmet.
Which airport?
Dabolim for the centre and south, Mopa for the north.
How many days do you need?
Four or more.
When is the best time to visit?
November to February.
What should I eat?
Fish curry rice and bebinca.
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