Old Goa Churches
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Old Goa's churches - including the Basilica of Bom Jesus, home to the remains of St. Francis Xavier - offer a striking reminder of Goa's 450 years under Portuguese rule.
Goa
Goa offers India’s most laid-back side – a former Portuguese colony where whitewashed churches, spice-scented markets, and some of the country’s best beaches combine into a genuinely different, easygoing atmosphere compared to India’s bigger cities.
Things to do
Beach Hopping
From the lively energy of Baga and Calangute in the north to the quieter, low-key charm of Palolem in the south, Goa's coastline offers something for every mood - worth building a full day around simply exploring a few.
Spice Plantation Tour
A guided walk through a working spice plantation - cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg - offers a fragrant, genuinely interesting look at the agriculture behind Goan and Indian cuisine, often paired with a traditional lunch.
Dudhsagar Falls
One of India's tallest waterfalls, cascading dramatically through the jungle on the Goa-Karnataka border - a proper day trip, best visited just after monsoon season when the falls are at their most powerful.
Anjuna Flea Market
Running every Wednesday, Anjuna's famous flea market is a colourful mix of clothing, jewellery, and souvenirs, with a genuinely bohemian atmosphere that's been part of Goa's identity since the hippie trail days of the 1960s.
FAQs Goa
Do UK travellers need a visa for India?
Yes — an e-Visa arranged online in advance is the simplest route. We're happy to guide you through this as part of booking.
What's the best time to visit Goa?
November to February offers the most comfortable, driest weather - firmly peak season. March-May brings increasing heat, and the monsoon (June-September) sees many beach shacks close entirely.
Is Goa good for families as well as couples?
Yes - alongside its livelier party beaches in the north, Goa has plenty of calmer, family-friendly stretches further south, along with resorts well set up for children.
How do I get to Goa?
Goa has its own international airport (Dabolim, with a newer airport at Mopa also now serving the region), with connections via major Indian hubs or the Gulf.
Can I combine Goa with Kerala?
Very easily - the two sit along the same southwestern coastline, and combining beach time in Goa with the backwaters of Kerala is a genuinely popular and rewarding route.
Where to stay
From established beachfront scale to design-led village-inspired calm, here are three of Goa's finest addresses.
Where to Stay
Taj Exotica Goa
Set across 56 acres of landscaped gardens along Benaulim Beach, Taj Exotica pairs genuine scale with excellent dining and a strong spa - a dependable, well-established luxury choice.
W Goa
A bold, design-forward beachfront property in South Goa, W Goa brings a livelier, more contemporary energy than Goa's more traditional resorts - a strong pick for a younger or more design-conscious crowd.
Alila Diwa Goa
Inspired by traditional Goan village architecture, Alila Diwa offers a genuinely tranquil, design-led retreat set among paddy fields, a short distance from the beach.