The Excellent 3-Day Goa Itinerary for Gradual Journey

On my first journey to Goa as an grownup, my accomplice and I stayed at an “offbeat” seaside that had already been invaded by overtourism. That have, crammed with characterless seaside shacks, multicuisine meals and hordes of vacationers, turned me off Goa.

A lot later, I returned to expertise slow travel for the primary time.

I’m grateful that the universe conspired to have us keep at Cancio’s House, a 500-year-old conventional Goan homestay in Aldona, with its personal nicely for ingesting water, jackfruit timber for shade, and a courtyard round which three generations of the Amaral household have grown up. It was right here that I first learnt concerning the susegad Goan life – aka the artwork of slowness and contentment.

The weeks we spent right here have been stuffed rain-filled walks, destination-less scooter rides, heat conversations with our hosts, visits to the native bakery, and quite a lot of remark and introspection. It was for the primary time that I learnt that that is what travelling is actually about. Not a guidelines of locations to tick off, however an opportunity to expertise a world completely different from the one we’re aware of.

I’ve returned to Goa just about yearly since, generally for a number of months, and generally for just a few days. Every time, I’m reminded that gradual journey isn’t about how a lot time we have now however how we select to spend it.

Because of this ever-growing reference to Goa, I’ve suggested so many mates on find out how to benefit from their Goa journeys. At the present time-to-day itinerary contains a few of my favourite adventures and spots, and takes you away from the crushed path to a slower, extra intimate expertise of the Goa I really like.

Additionally learn: Responsible Travel Tips for Meaningful Experiences on the Road

Goa Journey Plan for 3 Days

With that in thoughts, my really helpful Goa itinerary is one that permits sufficient time and thoughts house to dwell and breathe its gradual, susegad life – even it’s simply over 3 days.

These North and South Goa itineraries purpose to take you away from the well-trodden vacationer path, and problem the thought of Goa you’re in all probability aware of. They’re crammed with significant outside, culinary and cultural adventures that always get buried underneath the sun-sand-party scene of Goa. These experiences additionally assist small native companies, and shield Goa’s residing tradition and pure ecosystems – making certain that your 3-day journey isn’t solely enjoyable and memorable, but in addition positively impacts Goa.

Additionally learn: Offbeat Goa: 12 Mind-Blowing Experiences

3 Day Goa Itinerary at a Look

North Goa Itinerary for 3 Days

The place to remain in North Goa

There’s something for each price range in Goa, however in all honesty, quite a lot of it’s sh*t. For the reason that surge of distant employees and revenge journey in the previous couple of years, lodging costs in Goa have been hovering. Sadly, many ‘homestays’ have became industrial companies, and also you typically find yourself paying quite a bit for not very hospitable experiences.

Listed below are two locations I extremely advocate:

Cancio’s Home, Aldona

Keep within the outhouse cottage of a 500-year-old conventional Goan house at Cancio’s House, hosted by three generations of the Amaral household! I’ve stayed right here a number of occasions through the years, and every time, I’m amazed by the heat, wealth of tales, and Goan recipes I get to attempt (whilst a vegan). The village of Aldona could have modified fairly a bit through the years, nevertheless it nonetheless retains its Goan appeal – a sixteenth century church, lush rice paddies, outdated Goan homes, and their quirky homeowners, all the time a delight to talk with.

The Secret Backyard, Saligao

I wrote components of my first ebook at The Secret Garden – a conventional Goan home painstakingly refurbished by a Goan-British couple, and now house to its personal meals forest. On supply are heartwarming conversations, sourdough pancakes (YES!), and swimming underneath the celebs.

Additionally learn: My Alternative Travel Guide to Goa

The place to eat in North Goa

Goan thali and native Saraswat delicacies

Even in spite of everything these years of visiting and residing in Goa, I’m stunned to study Goan meals I haven’t tried earlier than. Whereas household kitchens (like Raquel’s kitchen in Cancio’s home) are the true treasure trove of Goan dishes, the true blue Goan thali at Kokni Kanteen is an efficient start line. My favourite Goan restaurant is Mum’s Kitchen in Panjim (keep away from the Assagao department), the place I really like the uddamethi and tamdi bhaji with sanna. A breakfast spot I really like is The Local Table, for a depraved patal bhaji.

Greatest cafes and eating places in North Goa

North Goa can spoil anybody for selection, however as somebody who appears for vegan-friendly, ideally natural and nourishing meals, a few of my favourite locations embrace Bloom & Brew in Assagao, The Rice Mill in Morjim, Bean Me Up in Vagator, and Moka in Siolim.

Additionally learn: Insider’s Guide: 27 Best Vegan Restaurants in Goa

Learn how to Spend 3 Days in North Goa – Day 1

My Goa journey plan for 3 days could be combined and matched, relying in your temper and the climate:

Get to know your Goan neighborhood

Whether or not you’re staying in Aldona, Saligao or elsewhere in North Goa, take the morning to acquaint your self with the gradual Goan life. Go on an extended stroll to the native church, alongside the rice paddies, and previous outdated Goan houses (noticing what number of of them are in a state of disrepair). Cease by to select up poi on the native bakery, go to the morning market the place native farmers promote their produce, and purpose to have a chat with atleast one native. Getting your self into the tempo of Goa is an effective way to set your self as much as gradual exploration over the remainder of the journey.

Cycle or e-bike on the sleepy Chorao island

Away from the crowds of Calangute and Baga, escape to the island of Chorao for a glimpse of Goa that when was – full of untamed mangroves, limitless paddy fields, and wonderful outdated homes with a balcao. Join a guided biking or e-biking trip with Cycling Zens or B:Live, exploring the quiet great thing about the island on two wheels – among the finest locations to see in goa in 3 days. Keep in mind to hold your individual reusable water bottle to remain hydrated!

Discover pre-loved delights in Vagator

It’s so thrilling that Goa lastly has its personal thrift retailer – Good Karma, in Vagator. That includes pre-loved garments, equipment, footwear and books, this isn’t only a method to purchase second hand, but in addition purchase stuff embedded with the tales of strangers. When you’ve got garments and books in good situation, you can too donate them to the shop. A part of the income are channeled in direction of native non-profits like WAG (Welfare for Animals in Goa).

Store for natural, truthful commerce garments at No Nasties

Ditch the wasteful quick style manufacturers taking up Goa and different components of the world, to buy at No Nasties – a homegrown, natural, truthful commerce retailer in Assagao. I purchased my first t-shirt from No Nasties over eight years in the past, and it’s nonetheless serving me nicely! This sort of gradual, ‘I can put on this eternally’ style, is a guilt-free reply to the overconsumption plaguing our planet.

Additionally learn: Goa is a State of Mind

Learn how to Spend 3 Days in North Goa – Day 2

Hike to a secret waterfall or swimming gap

Get up early morning for a Goan journey far off the crushed path. Head to the far reaches of the Western Ghats, to go on a forest hike for a short time or half a day, relying in your curiosity and skills. Swim in a secret waterfall, or leap right into a forested swimming gap (just like the cenotes in Mexico!). Wrap up the outside expertise with a conventional Goan meal cooked by a neighborhood household. In these wild pockets lies the belief that there’s a lot extra to Goa than the cocktails-and-sunsets lengthy promoted as its cowl picture.

Two of my favourite journey journey firms run by native Goans who genuinely care about defending these wild areas and their geo-locations are Beatroute Explorers and The Local Beat. Anticipate to spend your entire day on their journeys, together with an extended drive to a hidden location, brief or lengthy hike, loads of chill time within the open air, and home made lunch with a neighborhood household.

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Learn how to Spend 3 Days in North Goa – Day 3

Take a browsing lesson with Salty Soul

In fact you’re in Goa and also you wish to spend a while by the ocean! Take your playfulness within the waves a notch up by signing up for a surf lesson. As somebody who used to look at surfers with awe, I by no means imagined I’d be capable to rise up on a surfboard sometime. However the waves in Goa are mild – and among the finest locations to study, or atleast experiment. There’s nothing just like the adrenalin of catching a wave! My go to surf spot is Salty Soul, run by two Goan surfers in Mandrem.

Have a lazy seaside day

Have your solar, sand and sundown night in Goa in spite of everything. Laze on the seashores of Morjim or Ashwem, or enterprise additional ashore to Keri. After sundown, keep for a quiet seaside stroll underneath the sundown sky, as the celebs shimmer out one after the other.

If you happen to occur to be in North Goa on:

A Sunday: Try MOG Sundays for soulful talks curated by the Museum of Goa, that includes native authors, entrepreneurs, environmentalists, historians and extra. An awesome coming collectively of Goans and the Goa-curious.

A full moon evening: Catch a Hindustani classical music efficiency, alongside some unimaginable sushi, at Tien in Vagator.

An alternate Sunday: Go for the New Earth Gathering on the Offbeat Goa Area – a vegan, group market bringing collectively native and resident entrepreneurs who focus on all issues pure and eco-friendly. The venue is in the identical house because the Good Karma thrift retailer.

Additionally learn: 10 Local Restaurants in Goa for Authentic Goan Food

South Goa Itinerary for 3 Days

Whereas quite a lot of eating places and occasions are clustered round North Goa, I like to recommend staying in South Goa for a quieter, slower, nearer to nature vacation.

The place to remain in South Goa

Turiya Villa

A tastefully restored Goan home, constructed over a 100 years in the past within the village of Canacona, and restored by the Goan architect Sandesh Prabhu. Whereas shut sufficient to the seashores of Palolem and Patnem, I liked Turiya Villa‘s gradual journey vibe, with hammocks within the outdated courtyard that simply made me wish to learn and whereas time away.

Mangaal Farmstay

In a protected space of South Goa, Mangaal Farmstay is a working natural farm that has all of the Bali feels. Lush forests, farmlands and outdated Goan villages the place time appears to have stopped. Oh, it even has its personal non-public waterfall, a 1.5 hour trek away!

Cabo Serai

Hidden away on a hill close to the Cabo de Rama Fort, Cabo Serai is an expertise unto itself. Accessible solely by a brief hike, the beautiful pinewood and thatched roofed huts are constructed to depart no hint. On supply are beautiful sundown hikes, progressive plant-based meals, and considerate eco-friendly touches. One in all my favourite eco-lodges in India!

*Word that Mangaal Farmstay and Cabo Serai are experiences unto themselves, and situated fairly far out from the opposite actions of South Goa.

Additionally learn: 10 Incredible Eco-Lodges Around the World: Indulge Yourself and Spare the Planet

The place to eat in South Goa

Cantine Indienne

Cantine Indienne is a country, farm-to-table eatery in Palolem, run by a French-Tamil couple. They flip the natural oyster mushrooms grown of their yard into crunchy ‘wings,’ and supply different inventive delights like pesserattu (inexperienced mung dosa), beetroot curry, oyster mushroom pickles, and wild spinach and horsegram stir fry. Yum!

Bibhitaki

Go to Bibhitaki for wholesome consolation meals impressed by Ayurveda. I really like (learn drool over) their luxurious smoothie bowls, and advocate the Mexican Bhel in addition to the hearty Mexican and Japanese Buddha bowls. So good.

Additionally learn: How to Travel as a Vegan and Find Delicious Food Wherever You Go

Learn how to Spend 3 Days in South Goa – Day 1

Discover your Goan neighborhood

Whether or not you keep in Canacona or elsewhere in South Goa, take the morning to watch and stream with the gradual lifetime of Goa. Discover out about all church buildings in your yard, cease for a chat with Goans on their morning stroll, and decide up poi on the native bakery.

Find out about spices and cashews at Tanshikar Natural Farm

South Goa is the land of spices and cashews, and Tanshikar Organic Farm is without doubt one of the greatest locations to go to in Goa in 3 days. Spices like black pepper and cardamom are grown organically right here, on 25 beautiful acres. Keep for a lip-smacking Goan lunch, a lot of it cooked with natural elements!

Have a quiet night at Patnem seaside

Whereas away the night on the comparatively quiet Patnem seaside. Swim within the waves, catch the sundown, and stroll underneath the celebs with the Arabian Sea buzzing in your ears.

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Learn how to Spend 3 Days in South Goa – Day 2

Go on a mountain climbing journey

Hike to a sea cave or go on a moonlit forest stroll within the wilderness of South Goa. We did the guided sea cave tour with Adventure Breaks – which concerned a brief ocean hike and scrambling over some rocks to succeed in the west coast’s largest sea cave! A straightforward one, good for many ages and skills.

Go to Cabo de Rama Fort

There are many locations to go to in Goa in 3 days, however if you happen to decide just one within the south, decide this. Constructed within the medieval occasions and final restored throughout the Portuguese period, the Cabo de Rama Fort is stuffed with historical past and panoramic views over the Arabian Sea. If you happen to’re up for an additional stroll, a path winds across the fort, providing panoramas in all instructions. If you happen to’re drained, decide your spot for a surprising sundown over the ocean!

Additionally learn: Offbeat, Incredible and Sustainable: These Companies are Changing the Way We Experience India

Learn how to Spend 3 Days in South Goa – Day 3

Take a surf lesson on Agonda Seashore

I’m but to log on in South Goa, however surfer mates advocate catching the waves at Agonda Seashore for all inexperienced persons. Aloha Surf is a well-liked surf college within the space.

Find out about Goan tradition and delicacies at Palacio Do Deao

On the shores of the Kushavati River, journey again to a unique period on the 200+ 12 months outdated mansion that’s Palacio De Deao. A mix of Portuguese and Saraswat architectural types, it’s the proper place to study historic Goan tradition and its Portuguese historical past, over a luxurious conventional Goan meal. Advance bookings solely.

Additionally see: In Photos: Hiking from Darjeeling to Sikkim

Learn how to Plan a Journey to Goa

Greatest time to go to Goa

Goa is completely different each season – each by way of landscapes and crowds. My favourite time is monsoon in Goa (July to September), when the paddies are lush inexperienced, it’s not as busy as the remainder of the 12 months, and the waterfalls and swimming holes are essentially the most inviting. For browsing and seaside life nevertheless, the winter months from October to January are best.

Learn how to attain Goa

Prepare

Take the scenic Vista Dome practice from Mumbai to Goa, or the Vande Bharat from Bangalore to Karwat. Different locations throughout India are additionally linked with lengthy practice journeys to Margao in South Goa or Thivim in North Goa.

Bus

The in a single day buses from Mumbai or Bangalore to Goa are handy for brief journeys.

Flight

The quickest strategy to get to Goa is to take a flight to Dabolim (GOA) or MOPA (GOX) airport.

Learn how to get round in Goa

There’s a standing joke that just about each store or home in Goa (particularly near the seashores) can prepare a scooter or taxi! Taxis could be costly, with brief routes costing as a lot as ₹600-1000. Scooter leases normally value ₹300-400 per day, relying on the size of keep. Ask for a more recent bike and mannequin. My favourite is an Activa 5G. Alternatively, hire a bicycle or e-bike from Biking Zens. Value is dependent upon the period of rental.

Estimated Value of a 3 Day Journey in Goa

The price of a visit to Goa can range wildly, relying on the price range and luxury stage you’re after. Moreover lodging prices, I like to recommend budgeting atleast ₹5000 per day, together with a scooter rental, a mixture of cafe and thali meals, and a few actions. It’s attainable to do a Goa price range journey for 3 days if you happen to get rid of any paid mountain climbing, browsing and buying.

What to not do in Goa

• Plan a visit to Goa for 3 days solely 😉 The true essence of Goa is in slowing down and spending longer. But when life doesn’t permit that proper now, I hope among the experiences I’ve really helpful above will help you decelerate mentally anyway.
• Attempt to cowl all ‘should see locations in Goa’ in 3 days. As an alternative of working from one place to the subsequent to attempt to do all the things, decide just a few issues that basically curiosity you and revel in them deeply. It’s all the time good to have a cause or three to return again.
• Keep in lodging which have lower down Goa’s inexperienced cowl. Sadly, quite a lot of the flamboyant villas in Goa fall on this class. I’ve seen it occur earlier than my eyes – they lower down beautiful outdated timber, put in luxurious villas and flats, and raid the native wells for water (delivered by a tanker). Keep away from them, please.
• {Photograph} folks and their houses with out permission, particularly in Panjim. Fontainhas, Panjim’s charming Latin quarters, has grow to be overrun by rude vacationers climbing into folks’s yards, going uninvited into their houses, peeping in by way of their home windows, and photographing them with out permission. It’s unhappy to see indicators throughout prohibiting pictures, and listening to concerning the animosity native residents now really feel in direction of vacationers.
• Block the street to take the identical photographs as everybody else. Goa has loads of fairly, palm-lined by-lanes, however a stretch of street in Parra – popularized by a Bollywood movie – has grow to be filled with wannabe influencers and selfie-takers, continuously disrupting the stream of site visitors.
• Depart with out making an attempt Goan meals. I’ve met so many individuals who’ve been to Goa however do not know what Goan meals is. Sadly genuine Goan meals isn’t as straightforward obtainable correctly, however take some time to attempt it at a restaurant like Mum’s Kitchen or Kokni Kanteen. Ideally decide a vegan choice, that’s kinder to animals, the planet and our personal well being.
• Ignore the locals and their quirks. I really like that Goans have a powerful collective identification, together with quirks that may solely be understood when you get to know atleast a handful of them. Staying with a Goan household at Cancio’s Home, attending a Goan-centric gathering on the Museum of Goa, or having a meal with native hosts at Palacio Do Deao are some methods to do this over a brief time frame.

I used to swear I might by no means create itineraries on this weblog, however a number of mates have satisfied me in any other case. That is my first try at making a significant 3 day itinerary for Goa, and thru it, I hope you too will be capable to expertise the artwork of slowness and contentment in a spot I really like a lot.

What do you’re keen on most about Goa, or what are you most trying ahead to?