Goa

Overview

Covering just 3,702 square kilometres, Goa is one of India's smallest states, yet a Goa tour can feel like several trips in one. The state sits on the Konkan stretch of the west coast, with the Arabian Sea along its western edge and the Western Ghats rising to the east, so surf and forest are separated by little more than a morning's drive.

Most visitors picture the coast first, and it varies more than expected. Some beaches have shacks, music and water sports; others are quiet strips where the day is measured by tides. North and south Goa each keep their own pace, so the easiest way to enjoy both is to base yourself in one area and make day trips to the other.

History matters here as much as sand. Portuguese rule lasted roughly 450 years and ended in December 1961, leaving its mark on the state's churches, its Catholic feast days and its architecture. Old Goa holds a group of churches and convents built between the 16th and 18th centuries, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Saint Francis Xavier is buried in its Basilica of Bom Jesus. Konkani, the official language, is spoken by most residents.

Inland, the wooded eastern edge belongs to a region recognised as a biodiversity hotspot. Wildlife sanctuaries protect forest habitat, and the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary on Chorao island draws birdwatchers, so there is good reason to spend a day away from the beach.

The calendar adds colour. Carnival fills towns with floats and costumes just before Lent, and Shigmo, the spring festival, sends parades through many centres. Heavy rain falls from June to September, so most travellers plan around the drier months. Two airports serve the state, Dabolim in the south and Mopa in the north, and the railway junction at Madgaon links Goa to the rest of South India and beyond.

Known for

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