Goa Neighbourhoods, Locations and Districts

(Goa, India)

India's relatively compact state of Goa can be split into three main districts, North, Central and South. Each of these contain a number of 'talukas' (towns or villages) and tourist hotspots, which are further divided into neighbourhoods and resorts.

A selection of beaches can be found along the western coastline, where you can also find a number of shack-style restaurants and beachfront accommodation. Panaji is the state capital and located in North Goa, often being overlooked by tourists heading to the beaches. Here are Goa's main towns, villages, districts, neighbourhoods and other prominent locations.

North Goa District

North Goa is divided into the following locations:

• Anjuna - known all over Goa for its Wednesday flea market, which always attracts large crowds. Anjuna is a fairly rural village, where paragliding is available on the southern side of the beach
• Arambol (Harmal) - a charming village where Goa tourists can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, boat trips, fishing and dolphin spotting
• Baga and Calangute - two extremely popular tourist hotspots, with long stretches of sand filled with deck chairs, sun beds and sunbathers. A large number of hotels can be found here, suiting all budgets
• Candolim and Fort Aguada - both Sinquerim and Candolim beaches lie directly below Fort Aguada. This tends to be a fairly relaxed and upmarket part of Goa, where the tanker 'River Princess' grounded famously itself in June 2000
• Chapora and Vagator - a particularly appealing part of Goa's coastline, with a famous open-air party scene and a spreading canopy of large coconut palms
• Mapusa - featuring one of the largest populations in northern Goa and best visited on Friday, when its bustling market takes place
• Old Goa - located around 9 km / 6 miles east of Panaji and a true highlight of any visit to Goa, containing some of the largest churches and cathedrals in the whole of Asia
• Panaji (Panjim) - the state capital, located at the very mouth of the Mandovi River and home to the Goa State Museum, the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, the Secretariat Building and the Public Observatory. Miramar Beach is also nearby
• Terekhol (Tiracol) - located on alongside the Terekhol River and home to a small Portuguese fort. Querim Beach is worth searching out, since it is often almost deserted
• Torda - a small, but charming village 5 km / 3 miles north of Panaji and home to the Houses of Goa Museum

South Goa District

South Goa is divided into the following locations:

• Arossim and Bogmalo - with a pleasant sandy cove and a range of water sports. The Goa Diving School is situated here and offers instruction and guided dives
• Benaulin and Colva - especially popular with many Indian tourists visiting Goa, who come here to enjoy the tranquil atmosphere, uncrowded beaches, jet-skiing and cycling
• Chandor - a village where you can experience a glimpse at a particularly opulent lifestyle and spot several enormous Colonial-style mansions
• Loutolim - a pretty village surrounded by lush Goa countryside and home to a number of grand mansions, including the Casa Arajao Alvarez, which is actually open to the public
• Margao (Madgaon) - the capital of the Salcete province and South Goa's most populated town. Attractions include an exceptional covered market, a further market selling freshly caught fish and local produce, and the imposing Church of the Holy Spirit. Both Benaulim and Colva beaches are around 10 km / 6 miles from Margao
• Palolem - Goa's most southern beach resort and probably the most appealing, with fine white sand, rocky coves and a good base for day trips to the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary. Dolphin-spotting boat trips are available, along with mountain biking and bamboo hut accommodation
• Vasco da Gama - the largest town of Goa, with a population of more than 100,000 and superb views across the port. Baina Beach is close by, along with Bogmalo Beach

Central Goa District

Central Goa is based around the bustling town of Ponda, which is sited some 29 km / 18 miles to the south-east of Panaji. Although this part of Goa offers little in the way of tourist attractions, there are a number of spice plantations that can be explored at your leisure. Also worth noting is a selection of surrounding Hindu temples, with the Shri Shantadurga Temple standing out.