Top Things to Do in the Goa | Must-See Attractions & Experiences

Plan Your Travel To Goa

Places To Visit In Goa

Thalassa

Perched atop rocky cliffs, Thalassa- The Greek Taverna is one of the most popular restaurants in Goa. Having moved out to the backwaters along with Siolim (from its prior location of Vagator hilltop), Thalassa is famous for its signature cocktails and sunsets. Reverberating with the cultural flavour of Greece, it serves authentic Greek Mediterranean cuisine. Ideated, owned and conceived by Mariketty (known to be the most hospitable hostess), the open-air restaurant boasts of comfortable cushioned chairs, rustic wooden decor, lively music and a gorgeous ambience. One of the main highlights of Thalassa is the live-fire show and dance performances like Sirtaki and Zorba.Boasting of delectable cuisines and a mouth-watering menu, the restaurant has been visited by big-shot celebrities like Robert de Niro and other Bollywood stars. Read More

The Convent and Church of St. John of God is an olden Portuguese days structure built in 1685 dedicated to Our Lady of Good Success. Situated in North Goa, next to the tower of St. Augustine, the building is very ordinary looking depicting the traditional designs of Portuguese architecture. It is believed that in 1685, eight Brothers from the Congregation of St. John of God constructed the building. They were sent to Goa by the Portuguese King Dom Pedro II to look after the sick in the hospital. When the suppression of religious orders was implemented in 1835, the convent was used as a hospital for the poor and the needy. In 1844, the convent was bought over by the nuns of St. Monica to be used as residence for their chaplains etc., and so the convent eventually lost its importance. And in 1850, the roof of the Church was removed. Finally in 1961, the convent was repaired and restored by the Portuguese Military Force. Later in 1964, it was taken over by the Sisters of the Congregation of the Portuguese Franciscan Hospitallers. As of now, the sisters occupy both the church and the convent and they also run an Old Age Home. Read More

The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) held in Goa is India's most distinguished film festival that showcases outstanding films made by acclaimed directors and debutant filmmakers alike. It provides a platform for stories to be told through the medium of world cinema as well as Indian films. Since its inception in 1952, the International Film Festival has been one of the biggest of its kind in India. Spanning eight days, IFFI is a celebration of the exquisite films from around the world that have been made throughout the year, and also of rich and diverse Indian heritage. The main aim of the festival is to give exposure to Indian cinema and introduce it to the global platform. Dates & Venue of International Film Festival of India 2023 The 54th annual edition of the IFFI will be held over eight days between 20-28th of November in 2023. The International Film Festival of India has burgeoned from a non-competitive festival that showcased under 150 films in total from 23 countries into a competitive one that has been graded 'A' by the Paris-based Federation International de Producers de Films. This gives the IFFI the prestige to be mentioned in the same breath as world-renowned festivals such as the Cannes and Berlin Film Festivals. International Film Festival of India (IFFI) - Tickets and Registration Welcome Sign at IFFiSource To attend the International Film Festival of India, one needs to register first with IFFI as a delegate and create a profile page. Registering as a delegate for the IFFI gives you access to Workshops and Masterclasses, Film Screenings, Free Wi-Fi, a Delegate Kit, and the option of Online Ticket Booking.Category Fees (subject to change)Delegate Registration: Early BirdRs. 14000*/-Delegate Registration : RegularRs. 16000*/-Delegate Registration : On-SpotRs. 18000*/-Student Registration: Online & On-SpotRs. 7000*/-The International Film Festival of India is a highly respected film festival in India that carries with it the prestige of Indian cinema and world cinema. It is an extravaganza of film that will arrest the interest of both the casual moviegoers and the ardent cinephiles. It is sure to be an eye-opening experience that opens up a worldly perspective and also makes us look at the shared experiences and realities of being an Indian. Venue of International Film Festival of India (IFFI) IFFI logoSource The 2018 edition of the festival was held across various cinemas and was screened at the following venues: - Inox Goa- Kala Academy- Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, Head Office SAG- Maquinez Palace Theater- Azad Maidan - Old GMC Palace Events and Categories at IFFI There were a total of 17 categories in the 49th edition of the IFFI in 2018, including the International Competition that selects amongst the best of the feature-length fiction films from around the world. The Centenary Award for the Best Debut Feature Film of a Director awards debutant directors and gives them a platform to showcase their tremendous talents. There are also non-competitive categories, such as the World Panorama- a section that showcases feature-length films by renowned filmmakers from around the globe. New additions to the list of categories include; the Sketch on Screen section, which provides a platform for 4 or 5 international animation feature-length films that have Indian collaborators. State Focus and Indian Panorama sections ensure that domestic films and films in local vernacular get the recognition that they deserve and also serve to celebrate the rich diversity of the nation. Where to stay? - Accommodations at IFFI The International Film Festival of India's official website has provided a comprehensive list of guesthouses and lodges, that cater to all budgets that film enthusiasts from across the globe can stay at, for the duration of the festival. A little about the Philosophy of the Fest 'Ayam nijam paroveti ganana laghuchetasam, Udaracharitanam tu vasudhaiva kutumbakam' This is for me and that is for other - is the thinking of a narrow-minded person. For those who are broad-minded, liberals, or noble people, the entire world is a one big family', is an extract from the Vedic scripture Maha Upanishad. This philosophy of inclusion, camaraderie, and togetherness encapsulates the values of the International Film Festival of India and stands as a testament to the festival's commitment to providing a platform for storytellers spanning the globe, through the medium of cinema. First held in 1952 in Mumbai, this was the first time that the Indian audience was exposed to such a gamut of international cinema and Indian movies. It is conducted jointly by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, The Directorate of Film Festivals, and the Government of Goa. The festival was held in Madras, Calcutta, Delhi, and Trivandrum for its subsequent editions before it was permanently moved to Goa, to boost tourism in the state. Ariel Shot of IFFI GoaSource How to get there? Getting to Goa is not problematic, with the Dabolim Airport just 29 kilometres from the state's capital, Panjim. It is well connected by daily flights from Mumbai, Chennai, New Delhi, Cochin, Hyderabad and Bangalore, as well. Numerous intra-city buses, public as well as private, run daily to Goa and most of them, stop at Panjim bus station. Read More

The World Famous Decades Bar is a great place to go when you are not really in the mood to dance, but just want to go to a bar and have a good time with friends. There is live music on Monday, Thursday and Friday. You can also play a game or two of pool at the pool table.

The Three Kings Church is believed to be one of the most haunted places of Goa, known for its mysterious surroundings. Located on the hilltop of the Cuelim hull, the church was built in 1599 by Fr Gonzalo Carvalho S.J. The enchanting location of the church draws many tourists to the Chapel to break away from the monotony of the beach and party life of Goa. The church is located in Cansaulim and can be reached after a relaxing ride through the lush green Ghats of South Goa. The surroundings of the church offer a sweeping view of the gorgeous vistas all around. The 360 Degree view of the sea, the cool breeze, and uninterrupted greenery make this a place worth visiting. The church is also famous for hosting the Feast of Three Kings Chapel, every year on the January 6th, which commemorates the day of the epiphany of the three kings. Read More

Across the Terekhol river from the Querim beach in North Goa lies the majestic Tiracol Fort. Also known as the Terekhol Fort, this magnificent structure was once a crucial part of the maritime defence of the Portuguese colonists. Today, it serves as the marvellous Fort Tiracol heritage hotel. It offers an unbeatable panoramic view of the Arabian Sea. The surrounding greenery amplifies the beauty of Fort Tiracol set atop the picturesque hillock of the Northern river. A charming church lies in the middle of the fort within the courtyard, built in the 18th century during the rule of the Portuguese. This church is not open to the public except for special occasions such as the annual feast that happens in May. The part of the fort is still open to visitors. If visiting Fort Tiracol, one can have a delicious luncheon at the Fort Tiracol Heritage Hotel. Read More

Tito's Nightclub

Titos nightclub is one of the top things to do in Goa for most tourists. Located in Calangute, Tito's is one of the most famous nightclubs in Goa. Founded in 1971 by Tito Henry de Souza, the pub is synonymous with Goa's nightlife. The entire lane in Baga, where the pub is located is popularly called Tito lane. Any particular night in Tito lane, you would come across huge queues outside the Tito Pub and restaurant, due to its great ambiance and a great selection of DJ's. With a great selection of Indian and international DJ's setting the dance stage on fire and great food and drinks on offer, Tito's has set in stone its position of being one of the landmark nightclubs in Goa. Located just 18 km from Goa's capital city Panaji, the nightclub is easily accessible by both public and private transport. Tito's in recent years has expanded from being just a nightclub to now running its own open-air restaurant called The Courtyard and a new cafe called Mambo Cafe. Tito's nightclub also offers the opportunity to host private parties on its first floor which is entirely devoted to private parties. Read More

Tropical Spice Plantation is one of the famous spice plantations in the state where one can get a guided tour of the area. The tour consists of traditional welcome with a delicious drink, an informative site tour and a delicious organic lunch made of the fresh farm produce. The guides are friendly and promptly share tips as they explain the ecosystem. One can purchase local spices too to end their fabulous trip with.

Utorda Beach is one of the quiet beaches of South Goa, located between Majorda and Arossim. Characterised by soft white sands and fantastic palm vegetation, this beach sees very few tourists, even during the peak season. Despite this, it offers a range of water sports, dolphin rides and fishing trips. There are a few shacks on Utorda beach that offer a delectable range of cuisine, with local Goan cuisine and seafood being their speciality. As the tides are not very strong in this area, this beach is perfect for swimming, even for novice swimmers. While it is not a remote beach, it is not as tourist-filled as the neighbouring Majorda beach making it a relatively cleaner and calmer beach to enjoy a nice seaside vacation. Read More

The northernmost beach of Bardez Taluka, the Vagator beach one of the most beautiful beaches in Goa. Located 21 kilometres from Panaji, it is famous for its soft white sands and imposing but beautiful rocky cliffs. The beach is divided into two major parts, namely Little Vagator, also known as Ozran Beach, and Big Vagator. Vagator Beach is popular for its sweeping panoramic views, beach shacks and trance parties. The Big Vagator Beach, located on the right side of the beach, is known as Vagator and is the one which is usually crowded with tourists. The Little Vagator or Ozran Beach is the one located on the left side of the sea. There are plenty of beach shacks and small restaurants peppered throughout Vagator which is also known for its thrilling nightlife. Water sports can also be enjoyed at Vagator. Read More