Top 5 Must See Tourist Places in Goa, India

Goa is the ideal place for holidaymakers who want to spend quality time with their family members and loved ones. Goa is replete with plush beaches, gorgeous waterfalls, verdant forests, spice farms, dense coconut groves, salubrious gardens and some of the most romantic natural landscapes that make many wonder whether they have come to a different planet. As somebody appropriately described - Goa is the perfect combination of sun, sand, sea and surf and most tourists who come here overstay – not having the heart to leave the place. Goa shares its borders with Karnataka and Maharashtra.

The capital of Goa is a heritage location where, on the left bank of the Mandovi River, one can see numerous churches and other architectural marvels constructed in quaint Gothic style. The prominent structures are the church dedicated to our Lady of Immaculate Conception and the Chapel of St. Sebastian. The Goa State Museum, the Secretariat building, the statue of Abbe Faria are not-to-be-missed places on the itinerary of any tourist.

It is often said that Goa allows you to get mesmerized in the unique charm of its sun-bathed beaches. Calangute Beach is obviously the best known and the most sought-after of all Goa's beaches and this wonder beach is a stretch of 7 kilometers of golden sand. Curving across the coastline of North Goa, Calangute beach is an idyllic beach where one can lose touch with the outside world.

Dona Paula, also called Lovers Paradise, is yet another popular beach that has a peculiar history. It owes its name to the daughter of a viceroy who committed suicide when she was forbidden to marry the man she loved. This beach is home to various water sports activities including water-scooter rides motorboat rides, windsurfing, parasailing, water-skiing, sports fishing, snorkeling, harpoon fishing, kayaking, and yachting.

Anjuna Beach is more meant for young revelers and is the site of trance parties, on moonlit nights. Colva and Benaulim Beaches are two enchanting beaches that are comparatively quieter beaches and for those who prefer calmness and solitude. Goa is most famous for its exotic beaches that are vibrant and pulsating with nightlife. Tourists come here to mostly enjoy leisure and rediscover themselves in the peaceful and serene beach sands.

Goa has a plethora of Hindu temples that have historical significance. Among the temples of Goa, the Saraswat temple holds much significance amongst the local people. Besides, the Shanta Durga temple, the Ganapati temple, the Maha lakshmi temple, the Shri Nagesh Maharudra temple are prominent places devotees regularly visit.

Goa is a land of awesome churches. During the early days of the Portuguese rule in India, church building was the prime occupation in Goa. This presumably was because of religious zealots who to spread Christianity and convert as many people as possible.

The most famous churches in Goa which attract large number of visitors are Goa Basilica of Bom Jesus which has been declared a world heritage monument and the imposing Goa Se Cathedral is dedicated to St. Catherine. The other important Churches are the Church of St Francis of Assini, Church of Lady of Rosary and Church of St Cajatan.

The gorgeous Dudhsagar waterfalls, located in the Sanguem district of Goa are a tourist delight. Goa is a state that has been blessed with vast sea and Goa thus provides tourists with water sports galore including scuba diving, snorkeling, jet-skiing, water-skiing and even parasailing.

Goa is also an alluring place for boat trips and many pleasure cruises, where you are often able to view dolphins swimming and jumping. The holy Basilica of Bom Jesus is a great landmark that houses the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier kept in a silver casket. It also displays extraordinary murals from the saint's life.

Some of the exotic places that you should not miss while in Goa include the Aravelem Waterfalls, Kesarval Springs, Solar Dos Colacos Mansion, Braganza House, Heritage Houses, the majestic Sahyadri Ghats and Mayem Lake. The three major localities where Goa's best sandy coastlines are concentrated are Mapusa, Panaji and Margao. Make it a point to visit Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Bhagvan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary and Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary.

Set between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, Goa is an extraordinarily attractive area for tourists and visitors come here from the far-flung corners of India and the world. The entire State of Goa bears testimony to Portuguese rule and their love for architecture. The state's spectacular sandy beaches have long been amongst the main tourist attractions in Goa.

Goa is witness to two different cultures - Portuguese and Indian, which can be seen and felt by every visitor. Long stretches of golden beaches, magnificent cathedrals, quaint forts, lush tropical landscapes - can enrapture the minds of every traveler to the State.