5 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

      Visit early in the morning before tour buses arrive, and dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered. (45 minutes, free).

   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. (30 minutes, free).

   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

      Allow time for the portrait gallery upstairs, which shows four centuries of Portuguese governors. (1 hour, low cost).

   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. (1.5–2 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Reis Magos Fort

      Combine it with the Reis Magos church at the foot of the fort and lunch in Candolim. (1 hour, low cost).

   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. (1.5–2 hours, low cost).

   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

      Go in the late afternoon and stay for sunset from the walls. (1 hour, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Chapora Fort

      Climb at sunset, wear proper shoes for the rocky path and take water, as there is little shade. (1 hour, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Chicken xacuti

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

   4. Afternoon

      Anjuna Flea Market

      Go in the afternoon when it is in full swing, bargain firmly, and stay for sunset at a nearby beach bar. (2–3 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Mandovi River sunset cruise

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

4. Day 4: Day trip to Dudhsagar Falls

   About 2 hours by road and jeep each way. Getting there: Car or tour to Kulem, then a forest-department jeep.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Dudhsagar Falls

      About 2 hours by road and jeep (Car or tour to Kulem, then a forest-department jeep); about 60 km.

   2. Day

      Dudhsagar Falls

      A four-tiered waterfall about 310 metres high on the Goa–Karnataka border, inside Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary. Best for families and first-timers.

   3. Evening

      Back in Goa

      Dinner: try Sorpotel and sannas.

5. Day 5: Spice plantation tour and Shri Mangueshi Temple

   Spice plantation tour, Shri Mangueshi Temple and Palolem Beach, then Baga and Tito's Lane in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Spice plantation tour

      Combine a spice farm with the Mangueshi temple and Old Goa on a single inland day. (2–3 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Shri Mangueshi Temple

      Remove shoes at the entrance, dress modestly and visit in the evening when the lamp tower may be lit for festivals. (45 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Sorpotel and sannas

      Goan restaurants and taverns, especially around Christmas and feast days.

   4. Afternoon

      Palolem Beach

      Rent a kayak in the morning when the sea is flat, and take a boat to Butterfly Beach before it gets busy. (Full day, free).

   5. Evening

      Baga and Tito's Lane

      Goa's densest strip of bars and clubs, packed with a domestic and international crowd in season.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 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 23–29 hours of visiting over 5 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
• 3 days in Goa

Questions travellers ask