The Perfect 3-Day Goa Itinerary for Slow Travel

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

Much later, I returned to expertise sluggish journey 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 numerous remark and introspection. It was for the primary time that I learnt that that is what travelling is absolutely about. Not a guidelines of locations to tick off, however an opportunity to expertise a world completely different from the one we’re acquainted with.

I’ve returned to Goa just about yearly since, typically for a number of months, and typically for a couple of days. Each time, I’m reminded that sluggish journey isn’t about how a lot time we’ve however how we select to spend it.

Thanks to this ever-growing reference to Goa, I’ve suggested so many pals on methods to profit from their Goa journeys. This day-to-day itinerary contains a few of my favourite adventures and spots, and takes you away from the overwhelmed path to a slower, extra intimate expertise of the Goa I really like.

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

Goa Trip Plan for 3 Days

With that in thoughts, my advisable Goa itinerary is one that enables sufficient time and thoughts house to reside and breathe its sluggish, susegad life – even it’s simply over 3 days.

These North and South Goa itineraries intention to take you away from the well-trodden vacationer path, and problem the thought of Goa you’re most likely acquainted with. They are stuffed with significant outside, culinary and cultural adventures that always get buried underneath the sun-sand-party scene of Goa. These experiences additionally help small native companies, and defend Goa’s dwelling tradition and pure ecosystems – making certain that your 3-day journey isn’t solely enjoyable and memorable, but additionally positively impacts Goa.

Also learn: Offbeat Goa: 12 Mind-Blowing Experiences

3 Day Goa Itinerary at a Glance

North Goa Itinerary for 3 Days

Where to remain in North Goa

There is one thing for each price range in Goa, however in all honesty, numerous it’s sh*t. Since the surge of distant staff and revenge journey in the previous couple of years, lodging costs in Goa have been hovering. Sadly, many ‘homestays’ have become business companies, and also you typically find yourself paying so much for not very hospitable experiences.

Here are two locations I extremely suggest:

Cancio’s House, Aldona

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

The Secret Garden, 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 dwelling to its personal meals forest. On supply are heartwarming conversations, sourdough pancakes (YES!), and swimming underneath the celebs.

Also learn: My Alternative Travel Guide to Goa

Where to eat in North Goa

Goan thali and native Saraswat delicacies

Even in any case these years of visiting and dwelling in Goa, I’m stunned to find out about Goan meals I haven’t tried earlier than. While 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 effective 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.

Best 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.

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

How to Spend 3 Days in North Goa – Day 1

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

Get to know your Goan neighborhood

Whether you’re staying in Aldona, Saligao or elsewhere in North Goa, take the morning to acquaint your self with the sluggish Goan life. Go on a protracted stroll to the native church, alongside the rice paddies, and previous previous Goan properties (noticing what number of of them are in a state of disrepair). Stop by to choose up poi on the native bakery, go to the morning market the place native farmers promote their produce, and intention to have a chat with atleast one native. Getting your self into the tempo of Goa is a good way to set your self as much as sluggish 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 after was – full of untamed mangroves, infinite paddy fields, and wonderful previous homes with a balcao. Sign up for a guided biking or e-biking experience with Cycling Zens or B:Live, exploring the quiet fantastic thing about the island on two wheels – among the finest locations to see in goa in 3 days. Remember to hold your personal reusable water bottle to remain hydrated!

Find pre-loved delights in Vagator

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

Shop for natural, honest commerce garments at No Nasties

Ditch the wasteful quick trend manufacturers taking on Goa and different components of the world, to buy at No Nasties – a homegrown, natural, honest 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 type of sluggish, ‘I can wear this forever’ trend, is a guilt-free reply to the overconsumption plaguing our planet.

Also learn: Goa is a State of Mind

How to Spend 3 Days in North Goa – Day 2

Hike to a secret waterfall or swimming gap

Wake up early morning for a Goan journey far off the overwhelmed 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 talents. Swim in a secret waterfall, or bounce right into a forested swimming gap (just like the cenotes in Mexico!). Wrap up the outside expertise with a conventional Goan meal cooked by an area 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. Expect to spend the whole day on their journeys, together with a protracted drive to a hidden location, brief or lengthy hike, loads of chill time within the open air, and do-it-yourself lunch with an area household.

Also learn: Wake Me Up When September Ends (in Goa)

How to Spend 3 Days in North Goa – Day 3

Take a browsing lesson with Salty Soul

Of course 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 of stand up on a surfboard sometime. But the waves in Goa are light – 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 any case. 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 occur to be in North Goa on:

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

A full moon night time: 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 Space – a vegan, neighborhood market bringing collectively native and resident entrepreneurs who specialise in all issues pure and eco-friendly. The venue is in the identical house because the Good Karma thrift retailer.

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

South Goa Itinerary for 3 Days

While numerous 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.

Where 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. While shut sufficient to the seashores of Palolem and Patnem, I beloved Turiya Villa‘s sluggish journey vibe, with hammocks within the previous 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 previous 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 gorgeous pinewood and thatched roofed huts are constructed to go away no hint. On supply are gorgeous sundown hikes, progressive plant-based meals, and considerate eco-friendly touches. One of my favourite eco-lodges in India!

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

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

Where 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 artistic 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 suggest the Mexican Bhel in addition to the hearty Mexican and Japanese Buddha bowls. So good.

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

How to Spend 3 Days in South Goa – Day 1

Explore your Goan neighborhood

Whether you keep in Canacona or elsewhere in South Goa, take the morning to look at and circulation with the sluggish lifetime of Goa. Find out about all church buildings in your yard, cease for a chat with Goans on their morning stroll, and choose up poi on the native bakery.

Learn about spices and cashews at Tanshikar Organic Farm

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

Have a quiet night at Patnem seaside

While 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.

Also learn: Ideas of Love and Life From the Tribes of Chattisgarh

How to Spend 3 Days in South Goa – Day 2

Go on a mountaineering 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! An simple one, good for many ages and talents.

Visit Cabo de Rama Fort

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

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

How to Spend 3 Days in South Goa – Day 3

Take a surf lesson on Agonda Beach

I’m but to log on in South Goa, however surfer pals suggest catching the waves at Agonda Beach for all newcomers. Aloha Surf is a well-liked surf college within the space.

Learn 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 previous mansion that’s Palacio De Deao. A mix of Portuguese and Saraswat architectural kinds, it’s the right place to find out about historic Goan tradition and its Portuguese historical past, over a luxurious conventional Goan meal. Advance bookings solely.

Also see: In Photos: Hiking from Darjeeling to Sikkim

How to Plan a Trip to Goa

Best time to go to Goa

Goa is completely different each season – each when it comes to 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.

How to succeed in Goa

Train

Take the scenic Vista Dome prepare from Mumbai to Goa, or the Vande Bharat from Bangalore to Karwat. Other locations throughout India are additionally linked with lengthy prepare 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 technique to get to Goa is to take a flight to Dabolim (GOA) or MOPA (GOX) airport.

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 organize a scooter or taxi! Taxis may be costly, with brief routes costing as a lot as ₹600-1000. Scooter leases often value ₹300-400 per day, relying on the size of keep. Ask for a more moderen bike and mannequin. My favourite is an Activa 5G. Alternatively, hire a bicycle or e-bike from Cycling Zens. Cost is dependent upon the period of rental.

Estimated Cost of a 3 Day Trip in Goa

The value of a visit to Goa can differ wildly, relying on the price range and luxury stage you’re after. Besides 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 is feasible to do a Goa price range journey for 3 days when you get rid of any paid mountaineering, browsing and purchasing.

What to not do in Goa

• Plan a visit to Goa for 3 days solely 😉 The actual essence of Goa is in slowing down and spending longer. But if life doesn’t enable that proper now, I hope among the experiences I’ve advisable above will can help you decelerate mentally anyway.
• Try to cowl all ‘must see places in Goa’ in 3 days. Instead of working from one place to the subsequent to attempt to do every little thing, choose a couple of issues that actually curiosity you and luxuriate in them deeply. It’s at all times good to have a purpose or three to return again.
• Stay in lodging which have minimize down Goa’s inexperienced cowl. Sadly, numerous the flowery villas in Goa fall on this class. I’ve seen it occur earlier than my eyes – they minimize down gorgeous previous timber, put in luxurious villas and flats, and raid the native wells for water (delivered by a tanker). Avoid them, please.
• Photograph individuals and their properties with out permission, particularly in Panjim. Fontainhas, Panjim’s charming Latin quarters, has grow to be overrun by rude vacationers climbing into individuals’s yards, going uninvited into their properties, peeping in via their home windows, and photographing them with out permission. It’s unhappy to see indicators throughout prohibiting images, 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, always disrupting the circulation of site visitors.
• Leave with out making an attempt Goan meals. I’ve met so many individuals who’ve been to Goa however don’t know what Goan meals is. Sadly genuine Goan meals isn’t as simple out there appropriately, however take the time to strive it at a restaurant like Mum’s Kitchen or Kokni Kanteen. Ideally choose 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 House, 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 try this over a brief time period.

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

What do you like most about Goa, or what are you most trying ahead to?