North Goa

North Goa covers the northern half of the state of Goa in India. Goa has two districts, North Goa and South Goa.

Regions

North Goa is divided into a number of "talukas" (sub-districts, in Konkani). These are:

The talukas of Bicholim, Pernem, Ponda and Sattari were part of the Novas Conquistas (New Conquests) i.e. they became part of Portuguese controlled Goa late in the 18th century. Thus, compared to talukas of Bardez and South Goa, there are less large Portuguese edifices. Coming into Goa from Maharashtra, it is quite difficult to differentiate the character of the villages and the people around. What gives away the fact that you are in Goa is the ubiquitous feni (typical Goan spiritious liquor) which is sold in every grocery store.

Cities
  • 🌍 Mapusa — a town that is a main commercial center in North Goa after Panaji
  • 🌍 Old Goa — rich in history, this is the former colonial capital of Goa
  • 🌍 Panaji (Panjim) — capital city of the tiny state of Goa
  • 🌍 Pernem — Pernem is famous for Dussehra (a religious festival)
  • 🌍 Valpoi (Valpoy) — a small and beautiful town. It has Masjid, Churches and temple situated in town

Other destinations
  • 🌍 Anjuna — a town in Goa with Anjuna Beach and location of famous St. Michael's Church
  • 🌍 Arambol — a village and beach that attracts many international tourists
  • 🌍 Calangute — a town on the northern coast of Goa with a popular beach
  • 🌍 Candolim — a village in North Goa with Candolim Beach attraction
  • 🌍 Dona Paula — a city in India, where two of Goa's famous rivers meet the Arabian sea. Located nearby is Dona Paula Beach
  • 🌍 Mandrem — a village with a beach and nearby small Portuguese fort
  • 🌍 Morjim — is a village situated in North Goa with nearby Morjim Beach. The area is home to a variety of birds and to the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle.
  • 🌍 Sinquerim — Sinquerim is one of the oldest preserved beaches in Goa. The famous Fort Aguada is located here.
  • 🌍 Siridao — a village with rocky and sandy Siridao Beach. Jesus of Nazareth chapel can be found here
  • 🌍 Vagator — a small town the famous Anjuna beach adjoins the Vagator Beach with its high red cliffs

Get in

By plane

Manohar Parrikar International Airport (GOX IATA) is set to begin flights by early 2023.

Another option is Dabolim Airport (GOI IATA) at Vasco da Gama.

By train

The Konkan Railway runs through North Goa. There are two main stations - Pernem and Tivim. Pernem is the first station as the train enters the state from Maharashtra. It is just 40-50 minutes from the previous station Sawantwadi.

By bus

Mumbai - Goa buses use the NH17 and enter the state at the Banda border check post. The first dropping point is Pernem. The next dropping point is Mapusa.

Get around

Big Banyan Tree Goa : 2Km from Arombal Beach

Sweet Water Lake: 1Km from Arombal Beach

See

Beaches

From north to south

  • Querim Beach - the northernmost beach of Goa with tall pine trees lined up all along the beach
  • Arambol Beach - a quiet beach in North Goa near Pernem. Not too many facilities in terms of hotels or eating joints. The water is shallow and good for swimming. Sweet water lake, Big Banyan tree are the must see places near this beach.
  • Mandrem Beach - another beach in extreme north Goa's Pernem taluka
  • Asvem Beach - quieter beach in extreme north Goa's Pernem taluka
  • Morjim Beach - beautiful beach, inhabited by Russian tourists. Prices are high, many restaurants with Russian cuisine. Nightlife is vibrant here. This place is popular among kitesurfers due shallow depth of the sea and very wide beach.
  • Chapora Home of the Chapora fort. Bordering Vagator Beach.
  • Vagator Beach - a beach in Bardez, neighbouring Anjuna
  • Anjuna Beach
  • Baga Beach - a popular and crowded family-beach and charter tourist destination just outside Calangute.
  • Calangute Beach - a popular and crowded beach
  • Candolim Beach Beach in North Goa's Bardez taluka. Once humble fishing villages. Now the crowded concretised coast of North Goa. Goa's Benidorm. Or quickly getting to be as crowded.
  • Sinquerim Beach
  • Dona Paula Beach
  • Siridao Beach

Forts

There are a number of sea forts built by the Portuguese. They are, from south to north,

  • Sinquerim, on the mouth of the Mandovi river (fort Aguada)
  • Chapora, on the mouth of the Chapora river
  • Terekhol, on the mouth of the Terekhol river, which also is a natural border between Goa and Maharashtra

Interestingly, like other forts in the Konkan, these forts are located on the mouths of rivers. Going up to the fort, one gets a magnificent view of both inland waterbodies (rivers) and the Arabian Sea. For those interested in things pertaining to military, navies, etc., a visit to these forts is a useful way to understand the maritime history of the Indian west coast.

Eat
  • Wide-range of Goan food, both Catholic and Hindu variants.
  • Fish-curry rice, the daily standard meal for the local working class. Based on fish, and can be quite tasty too.
  • Wide variety of global food, from diverse corners of the globe, available specially along the coastal belt of North Goa.
  • Range of fruit, that is available specially in the summer (March-May months).

O Cuquero, right on the Porvorim junction on the NH17. Traditional Goan delicacies - vindaloo, sorpotel, goan sausage, prawn balchao, etc - and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic). This restaurant has a seated statue of the infamous fugitive Charles Sobhraj in handcuffs. In 1986, Sobhraj had escaped from Tihar jail and was moving around in Goa. He was having lunch at the restaurant when a Mumbai policeman Madhukar Zende spotted him and arrested him.

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