Goa

Whether you like to travel or not, as an Indian, you must have wanted to go to Goa. There are many places to go in Goa. If you Google the top 10 places to visit in Goa, you will easily come up with a hundred results. But there is a Goa beyond where all the tourists go. There is a more local side to this state, a more laid-back and cultural side that people do not know about.  Like everyone, I had first chosen to spend my time on one of the most famous (also infamous) beaches of Goa, the Baga Beach! Of course, I was a tourist then, and since we found cheap accommodation near the beach, we decided to stay there to witness the best of both worlds – partying as well as relaxing on the beach. However, my trip turned around when I met two Goans. They offered to take me to places that travellers like us hardly know about.  Below, I am listing down 12 offbeat places in Goa which we explored, with a map towards the end of it, to help you see Goa beyond just the beaches. I assure you that with this, your Goa trip will be twice as good. This church was first built in 1519 by Afonso de Albuquerque. It has been destroyed twice in earthquakes and, henceforth, rebuilt in 1818. Next to it, the winding roads and wooden pathways led me to watch the most beautiful sunset of my life! The place is very quiet with absolutely no tourists. The church goes unnoticed as it lies on a wooden hilltop, having a sealed road around it. In fact, while walking towards the Old Church, you will be surrounded by beautiful pine trees. But once you reach the steps that lead towards the Church, you will be able to see the beautiful town of Old Goa along with the Mandovi River, right in front of you.  Because of the perfect sunset, this place absolutely tops our list of offbeat places in Goa to be visited. This beach is one of the most colourful ones with European vibes that I got to witness in Goa! It is near Panjim, from where you take a detour and drive down the highway for 10 minutes. Google Maps will guide you to a resort, but there is a winding road right next to the resort which will lead you to this beautiful and secluded beach.  With clear blue waters and white sand, you will mostly find foreign tourists and locals here. This definitely is one of the best places to visit in Goa.  In fact, more than the beach, I liked the pathway that leads to the beach. A narrow lane connects to this tranquil beach, and within a minute,e you will be transported to a quaint Portuguese village. It is amazing how much of a hidden gem a place can be that we may know nothing about. Although this is not among the Goa tourist places, this will take you beyond the cliché beaches and show you what a Goa trip can feel like.   To enter into the land of the forgotten, to walk on a small island of the beach capital of India, to be secluded, to drive your car on a single-lane road which is surrounded by marshy water – oh, what a way to live! To reach Divar Island, you must take a ferry to this island, barring which, there are no other options.  We took our car inside the ferry itself (so cool!). The place is so sleepy yet so picturesque. It is completely different from the rest of Goa. Here, you will be able to find temples that were built before the Portuguese invaded the island. The famous site that can also be seen from the “Church of Our Lady of Mount” is called the Church of Our Lady of Compassion. There is also a small cemetery right next to the church.   Lying in the capital city of Goa – Panjim, it is colourful and lively with a Portuguese touch due to the Portuguese influence in its architecture. The winding roads have painted balconies with yellow, green, red, and blue roofs. The walk here is famously known as the “Heritage Walk.” Fontainhas dates back to the late eighteenth century and was established by Antonio João de Sequeira. In fact, it is the only area in Goa where Portuguese is still the main spoken language. Have you ever found a cute hidden joint away from the prying eyes of the tourists flocking into a city, where the locals frequent after a tiring day to drink a pint of beer and catch up with their friends? Oh, what a joy it is to watch life unfold in its most joyous forms! I grabbed a cute wooden table and sat down on the stool to flip the pages of my old book, observing the by-lanes of Fontainhas and the Portugal vibe still residing quietly in the broken ceilings of its colourful walls. Joseph Bar is a super cute bar in Fontainhas. I am highlighting it especially because this place deserves all the glory. It is one of those bars which is away from tourists and really quaint with vintage vibes. The local Goans visit this bar for fresh beer and other local drinks. This tiny joint is so lively that Goans usually occupy the entire street to themselves. While travelling to Panjim from Baga Beach, you will cross the usually unnoticed village, Reis Magos, another one of those offbeat gems that no one talks about. Thank the heavens that this is not a tourist place in Goa, for it is one of the best places to visit in Goa.  This place is famous for its fort and church. The fort offers spectacular, surreal views of the sea during sunsets. The fort has been used to accommodate viceroys in earlier times and later as a fortress. Post this, it has also been