3 days in Goa

Day by day

1. Day 1: Basilica of Bom Jesus and Sé Cathedral

   Basilica of Bom Jesus, Sé Cathedral and Church of St Francis of Assisi and Archaeological Museum, then Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Basilica of Bom Jesus

      Completed in 1605, this Jesuit church holds the remains of St Francis Xavier in a silver casket above a marble tomb gifted by the Medici.

   2. Late morning

      Sé Cathedral

      Walk between the Sé, Bom Jesus and the Church of St Francis of Assisi; the main Old Goa sights are within a few minutes of each other.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Goan fish curry rice

      Local 'fish thali' restaurants in Panaji, Margao and Mapusa at lunchtime; beach shacks serve versions too.

   4. Afternoon

      Church of St Francis of Assisi and Archaeological Museum

      Behind the Sé, the Church of St Francis of Assisi has a painted, gilded interior, and its former convent houses the Archaeological Survey of India's museum with portraits of Portuguese viceroys, Hindu sculpture and hero stones from before colonial rule.

   5. Evening

      Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception

      Photograph the staircase from the square at dusk when the church is illuminated.

2. Day 2: Fontainhas Latin Quarter and Reis Magos Fort

   Fontainhas Latin Quarter, Reis Magos Fort and Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, then Arpora Saturday Night Market in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Fontainhas Latin Quarter

      Walk in the early morning or late afternoon for the best light on the facades, and respect residents' privacy when taking photos.

   2. Late morning

      Reis Magos Fort

      Across the Mandovi from Panaji, this compact fort was restored in 2012 and now houses exhibitions on Goan history and the work of cartoonist Mario Miranda.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Pork vindaloo

      Goan Catholic restaurants and family-run taverns, especially in Panaji and South Goa.

   4. Afternoon

      Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

      Go early in the morning at high tide, when canoes can enter the narrow channels and birds are most active.

   5. Evening

      Arpora Saturday Night Market

      Arrive after dark when the stalls and stages are in full swing, and take a taxi back late at night.

3. Day 3: Fort Aguada and Chapora Fort

   Fort Aguada, Chapora Fort and Anjuna Flea Market, then Mandovi River sunset cruise in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Fort Aguada

      Built by the Portuguese in 1612 to guard the mouth of the Mandovi, the fort had a freshwater spring that supplied passing ships.

   2. Late morning

      Chapora Fort

      Climb at sunset, wear proper shoes for the rocky path and take water, as there is little shade.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Chicken xacuti

      Goan restaurants throughout the state; eat it with poi bread or rice.

   4. Afternoon

      Anjuna Flea Market

      Held on Wednesdays during the tourist season on a field above Anjuna beach, this sprawling market began in the hippie era and now sells textiles, jewellery, spices, handicrafts from across India and clothing, with food and drink stalls.

   5. Evening

      Mandovi River sunset cruise

      Choose an early-evening departure to catch sunset over the river mouth.

If it rains

• Swap in Goa Chitra Museum (Colva and Benaulim): Take the guided tour; the guides explain how each tool was used in paddy farming and toddy tapping.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Calangute and Baga keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Candolim and Sinquerim ($$$) suits families, couples and first-timers. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 14–17 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11.2 hours in December to 13 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Goa
• 2 days in Goa
• 5 days in Goa

Questions travellers ask