Grand Goa: every coast in ten nights
11 days, 10 nights: Morjim, Mandrem & Arambol (2N), Anjuna & Vagator (2N), Panjim (Panaji) (2N), Colva, Benaulim & Varca (2N), Palolem & Agonda (2N) + Old Goa day trip. Best time to go: Nov–Feb.
Day 1: Arrive in Morjim, Mandrem & Arambol
Morjim, Mandrem & Arambol
- Arambol beach and Sweet Water Lake · 3 h. Walk north over the rocks to the freshwater lake behind the beach; the path is easy at low tide.
Local tip: Walk north over the rocks to the freshwater lake behind the beach; the path is easy at low tide.
Day 2: Explore Morjim, Mandrem & Arambol
Morjim, Mandrem & Arambol
- Arambol sunset drum circle · 1.5 h. Drummers gather on the sand most evenings in season, busiest on Sundays.
- Tiracol Fort via the Querim ferry · 3 h. Goa's northernmost fort sits across the Tiracol river; the small car ferry from Querim takes a few minutes. Visit Keri (Querim) beach on the way back.
- Tandem paragliding at Arambol · 1.5 h. Flights launch from the cliffs near Sweet Water Lake in the afternoon sea breeze, Nov–Apr only; ask about the pilot's licence and insurance.
- Yoga or meditation class at Mandrem · 2 h. Mandrem and Ashwem have many shalas running daily drop-ins and week-long courses in season.
Local tip: Drummers gather on the sand most evenings in season, busiest on Sundays.
Day 3: Morjim, Mandrem & Arambol → Anjuna & Vagator
Anjuna & Vagator · Morjim, Mandrem & Arambol to Anjuna & Vagator, Taxi ~30 min
- Anjuna Wednesday Flea Market · 3 h. Every Wednesday in season (roughly Nov–Apr) on the bluff above the beach; bargain politely and carry cash.
- Chapora Fort sunset · 1.5 h. A short steep walk to the ruined ramparts above Vagator; sunset is crowded but worth it. Wear proper shoes.
Local tip: Every Wednesday in season (roughly Nov–Apr) on the bluff above the beach; bargain politely and carry cash.
Day 4: Explore Anjuna & Vagator
Anjuna & Vagator
- Vagator and Ozran beaches · 3 h. Ozran (Little Vagator) has the carved Shiva face on the rocks; walk down the steps and watch the tide.
- Assagao and Anjuna café trail · 3 h. Assagao's old Portuguese houses now hold bakeries and brunch places; a scooter or taxi links them.
- Chapora river kayaking · 2 h. Guided paddles through mangroves near Siolim; go early for birds and calm water.
Local tip: Ozran (Little Vagator) has the carved Shiva face on the rocks; walk down the steps and watch the tide.
Day 5: Anjuna & Vagator → Panjim (Panaji)
Panjim (Panaji) · Anjuna & Vagator to Panjim (Panaji), Taxi ~40 min
- Fontainhas Latin Quarter walk · 2 h. Painted Portuguese-era houses, azulejo tiles and the Chapel of St Sebastian; go early before the heat. Ask before photographing people on their balconies.
- Mandovi River sunset cruise · 1 h. Hour-long boats leave from the Santa Monica jetty with Goan folk dances on deck; book the sunset sailing.
- Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church · 0.5 h. The white zig-zag staircase church in the centre of town; dress modestly if you go inside.
- Reis Magos Fort · 1 h. A restored fort facing Panjim across the Mandovi, with small exhibits; check opening days before you go.
Local tip: Painted Portuguese-era houses, azulejo tiles and the Chapel of St Sebastian; go early before the heat. Ask before photographing people on their balconies.
Day 6: Old Goa churches: Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral and St Francis of Assisi
Panjim (Panaji)
- Old Goa churches: Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral and St Francis of Assisi · 4 h. The Basilica of Bom Jesus holds the relics of St Francis Xavier; the churches are free to enter, with modest dress expected. Mornings are cooler and quieter.
Local tip: The Basilica of Bom Jesus holds the relics of St Francis Xavier; the churches are free to enter, with modest dress expected. Mornings are cooler and quieter.
Day 7: Panjim (Panaji) → Colva, Benaulim & Varca
Colva, Benaulim & Varca · Panjim (Panaji) to Colva, Benaulim & Varca, Taxi ~50 min
- Colva and Benaulim beach day · 4 h. Long, flat sand that is good for walking; swim between the lifeguard flags in season.
Local tip: Long, flat sand that is good for walking; swim between the lifeguard flags in season.
Day 8: Explore Colva, Benaulim & Varca
Colva, Benaulim & Varca
- Sal river and dolphin boat trip at Mobor · 2 h. Boats from Cavelossim and Mobor run along the Sal river mangroves and out to sea for dolphins in calm weather.
- Braganza House at Chandor · 1.5 h. A 17th-century mansion split into two family-run wings, each shown separately for a donation; arrive in the morning.
- Goa Chitra ethnographic museum · 1.5 h. Thousands of everyday farm, kitchen and church objects from rural Goa, shown on guided visits at Benaulim.
- Margao municipal market · 1.5 h
Local tip: Boats from Cavelossim and Mobor run along the Sal river mangroves and out to sea for dolphins in calm weather.
Day 9: Colva, Benaulim & Varca → Palolem & Agonda
Palolem & Agonda · Colva, Benaulim & Varca to Palolem & Agonda, Taxi ~1h (Konkan Railway Madgaon–Canacona ~40 min)
- Kayaking around Palolem bay · 1.5 h. Rent a sit-on kayak by the hour and paddle to the rocky island at the north end; mornings are calmest.
- Boat to Butterfly and Honeymoon beaches · 3 h. Fishermen run shared boats from Palolem, often with a dolphin detour; agree the pick-up time before they leave you on the beach.
Local tip: Rent a sit-on kayak by the hour and paddle to the rocky island at the north end; mornings are calmest.
Day 10: Explore Palolem & Agonda
Palolem & Agonda
- Cabo de Rama fort · 2 h. Clifftop fort ruins with a small chapel, about 45 min north of Palolem; stay for sunset over the sea.
- Agonda beach afternoon · 3 h. A quieter, longer bay 20 min north with turtle nesting areas fenced off in season.
- Cola beach lagoon · 3 h. A small cove with a freshwater lagoon behind the sand; the last stretch of road is rough, so go by taxi or ride carefully.
Local tip: Clifftop fort ruins with a small chapel, about 45 min north of Palolem; stay for sunset over the sea.
Day 11: Depart from Palolem & Agonda
Palolem & Agonda
- Sunrise yoga at Patnem · 1.5 h
Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.
Where to stay
- Morjim, Mandrem & Arambol (2 nights): Ashwem and Mandrem cottages. Wooden cottages and small hotels on quiet beaches, near yoga shalas.
- Anjuna & Vagator (2 nights): Assagao and Anjuna boutique villas. Restored Portuguese homes with pools in green lanes, 10 min from the beaches.
- Panjim (Panaji) (2 nights): Panjim city centre and Miramar hotels. Central for the casinos, cruises and Old Goa; good monsoon base.
- Colva, Benaulim & Varca (2 nights): Benaulim and Majorda beach hotels. Quieter sand and pools, close to Madgaon station and the airport.
- Palolem & Agonda (2 nights): Agonda and Palolem cottages. Better huts and small hotels with private bathrooms and sea views.