Goa Holidays

East meets west in Goa. More than 400 years as a Portuguese colony has given this western part of India a distinctly European flavour, with crumbling churches and a unique local cuisine. And the 66-mile stretch of coast, which looks out over the Arabian Sea, is home to some of the finest scoops of sand in the country.

North Goa is a hive of activity. In towns like Baga, you’ll find everything from vibrant markets to fine-dining restaurants and neon nightclubs. There’s also a broad sandy beach, which has an energetic feel thanks to a watersports scene that lets you try things like wakeboarding and parasailing.

Amble through this UNESCO-listed city in North Goa and you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re in the Mediterranean. It was the colonial capital during the 16th century, and the streets are dripping with Portuguese churches like the Basilica of Bom Jesus and the Church and Convent of St. Francis of Assisi.

Life slows right down in South Goa. Here, you’ll find a Caribbean-style mix of spotless white sand, coconut groves, and luxurious hotels. It’s still unmistakably Indian, though. Benaulim Beach is just moments from pea-green paddy fields, and you can smell curry spices wafting from the snack shacks on the sand.