{"id":1057,"date":"2019-11-01T10:52:16","date_gmt":"2019-11-01T10:52:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.in\/stories\/?p=1057"},"modified":"2022-07-23T00:20:28","modified_gmt":"2022-07-23T00:20:28","slug":"goa-beyond-the-beaches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.in\/stories\/activities\/goa-beyond-the-beaches\/","title":{"rendered":"Goa Beyond the Beaches"},"content":{"rendered":"
A\u00a0constant\u00a0travel bug, I decided to explore this paradisiacal land of gorgeous beaches and one-of-a-kind sightseeing attractions. Goa \u2014 declared as the \u2018fun capital of India\u2019 \u2014 sits high on many travellers\u00a0holiday bucket lists. Goa is\u00a0a beach destination that is a magnet for tourists from India and abroad. Contrary to popular belief though,\u00a0Goa is not just about the beaches and party. It is an experience, a real stress-buster, a guilty pleasure… But\u00a0for me especially,\u00a0it is like a world full of contradictions. Exploring Goa is my\u00a0distant love affair that deepens with time.<\/span><\/div>\n

On my last trip to Goa, we enjoyed our stay at <\/span>Baga Hideout Resort<\/strong> that offered a great Goan ambiance and vibe. The hotel\u00a0was strategically located near the tourist attractions and surrounded by many\u00a0food stalls. Having explored Goa beyond the beaches, here are some other wonderful things to do in Goa I can recommend from my own experience.<\/p>\n

Things To Do In Goa Beyond the Beaches<\/b><\/h2>\n

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Fort Aguada: \u2018Dil Chahta Hai Point\u2019<\/h2>\n

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Popularly known as the Dil Chahta Hai Point<\/strong>, this fort is also a four-storey lighthouse. We couldn\u2019t finish our trip to Goa without shooting up on its rugged stairs to get the view of the vast Sinquerim beach.<\/p>\n

Another intriguing\u00a0fact about the fort is the central jail in the basement, which is also the largest of Goa and was used mainly to imprison drug traffickers. The prison area is still off limits to the public. It’s indeed an amazing spot to hang out and to enjoy the superb view of Mandovi River and take tons of photos with your loved ones.<\/p>\n

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2. Crocodile Spotting\u00a0in Goa<\/h2>\n

When packing your bags for Goa’s ‘Treasure Island’, there\u2019s a heck of a lot of adventurous things on the cards. For us, one adventure we had to have\u00a0was\u00a0the crocodile spotting.<\/p>\n

It was\u00a0an impromptu fun boat ride from Cortalim Jetty to the Cumbharjua Canals, which are widely known as the home of the crocodiles. It’s recommended not to stand too close and avoid standing on the edge, as the crocodiles have a habit of popping up suddenly which could give you enough of a surprise to lose your footing!\u00a0But hey don’t let that scare you! Just follow that simple rule and you’ll be fine. Most of the time, the crocodiles swim slowly and just chill on the bay.<\/p>\n

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3. Basilica De Bom Jesus: The Church of Living Legend<\/h2>\n

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It was such a captivating visit to this Basilica De Bom Jesus<\/strong> built by the Portuguese in 1542. We were astounded\u00a0by the magnificent architecture \u2014 both the facade and interior \u2014 as well as the long history of the church. The main attraction of the church, however, is the remains of St. Francis Xavier. His body is enshrined in the mausoleum to the right, in a silver casket with several gilt stars and glass windows to look into the casket. It has been more than 400 years by now and yet, his body remains fresh, in a non-decomposing state.<\/p>\n

Every 10 years the church will exhibit the Saint’s preserved body and the body will be sacredly carried around the Old Goa before hundreds of pilgrims. The next time they will do this is in 2024, if you’re interested to plan your visit to coincide with this.<\/div>\n
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4. <\/b>Anjuna\u2019s Flea Market:\u00a0Shopping Sprees in Goa<\/b><\/h2>\n

And the world stops here! As much as I relish Anjuna Beach, the flea market here is a Goa attraction that gets me a little more excited. A rocking hide-out for those who love to eat and shop, this market is only open on Wednesdays \u2014 so don’t miss it!<\/p>\n

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The flea market is indeed a depiction of \u2018Hippie culture\u2019 with colourful apparels, guitars, jewelry, art, music, coffee, tea, spices and street food. For me, this place was an excellent one-stop centre that offered anything for anyone.<\/p>\n

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5. <\/b>Martin\u2019s Corner<\/b><\/h2>\n

Martin\u2019s is another spellbinding food hub which is also known as \u2018The Paradise of Goan Delicacy.’ We wouldn’t dream of missing this! This lovely place to visit in Goa\u00a0is ready to charm you with its colourful caricature, laid-back ambience, the excellent choices of food, live music and many more! Visitors will discover the lively and vibrant Goan culture through the play of colours, flavours, and music in the restaurant.<\/p>\n

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A post shared by Akriti Jain (@_foodazzle)<\/a> on