Goa heritage: Panjim, Old Goa and Chandor
5 days, 4 nights: Panjim (Panaji) (2N), Colva, Benaulim & Varca (2N) + Old Goa day trip. Best time to go: Oct–Mar (works in the monsoon too).
Day 1: Arrive in Panjim (Panaji)
Panjim (Panaji)
- 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.
- Reis Magos Fort · 1 h. A restored fort facing Panjim across the Mandovi, with small exhibits; check opening days before you go.
Local tip: Hour-long boats leave from the Santa Monica jetty with Goan folk dances on deck; book the sunset sailing.
Day 2: 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 3: Panjim (Panaji) → Colva, Benaulim & Varca
Colva, Benaulim & Varca · Panjim (Panaji) to Colva, Benaulim & Varca, Taxi ~50 min
- 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.
- Loutolim village and Casa Araujo Alvares · 2 h
Local tip: A 17th-century mansion split into two family-run wings, each shown separately for a donation; arrive in the morning.
Day 4: Explore Colva, Benaulim & Varca
Colva, Benaulim & Varca
- 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
- Colva and Benaulim beach day · 4 h. Long, flat sand that is good for walking; swim between the lifeguard flags in season.
Local tip: Thousands of everyday farm, kitchen and church objects from rural Goa, shown on guided visits at Benaulim.
Day 5: Depart from 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.
Local tip: Boats from Cavelossim and Mobor run along the Sal river mangroves and out to sea for dolphins in calm weather.
Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.
Where to stay
- 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.