Free things to do · Goa · India
11 free things to do in Goa
Goa without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
You can fill at least 4 days in Goa without paying an entry fee: Basilica of Bom Jesus, Sé Cathedral, Fontainhas Latin Quarter and Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception are all free. Avoid the weeks around Christmas and New Year, when room prices can double or more.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 11
- Low-cost extras
- 7
- Cost level
- Affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- June–August
Free sights and experiences
Religious site · Old Goa
1.Basilica of Bom Jesus
Visit early in the morning before tour buses arrive, and dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Free
Religious site · Old Goa
2.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.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Free
- Rainy day
Neighbourhood · Panaji
3.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.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- History
Religious site · Panaji
4.Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception
Photograph the staircase from the square at dusk when the church is illuminated.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- After dark
Castle · Anjuna and Vagator
5.Chapora Fort
Climb at sunset, wear proper shoes for the rocky path and take water, as there is little shade.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Couples
Market · Anjuna and Vagator
6.Anjuna Flea Market
Go in the afternoon when it is in full swing, bargain firmly, and stay for sunset at a nearby beach bar.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
Market · Calangute and Baga
7.Arpora Saturday Night Market
Arrive after dark when the stalls and stages are in full swing, and take a taxi back late at night.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Food
- Shopping
Beach · Palolem and Agonda
8.Palolem Beach
Rent a kayak in the morning when the sea is flat, and take a boat to Butterfly Beach before it gets busy.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Couples
- Outdoors
Religious site · Ponda
9.Shri Mangueshi Temple
Remove shoes at the entrance, dress modestly and visit in the evening when the lamp tower may be lit for festivals.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
Island · Old Goa
10.Divar Island
Take the ferry from the Old Goa jetty and ride up to the church on the hill for views over the river.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Off the beaten path
- Outdoors
- History
Castle · Palolem and Agonda
11.Cabo de Rama Fort
Visit in the late afternoon for sunset over the sea, and wear sturdy shoes for the walls.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Off the beaten path
- History
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Old Goa | Basilica of Bom Jesus, Sé Cathedral and Divar Island | 45 minutes + 30 minutes + Half a day |
| Panaji | Fontainhas Latin Quarter and Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception | 1.5–2 hours + 30 minutes |
| Anjuna and Vagator | Chapora Fort and Anjuna Flea Market | 1 hour + 2–3 hours |
| Calangute and Baga | Arpora Saturday Night Market | 2–3 hours |
| Palolem and Agonda | Palolem Beach and Cabo de Rama Fort | Full day + 1–1.5 hours |
| Ponda | Shri Mangueshi Temple | 45 minutes |
Worth a small ticket
Museum · Old Goa
Church of St Francis of Assisi and Archaeological Museum
Allow time for the portrait gallery upstairs, which shows four centuries of Portuguese governors.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
Castle · Candolim and Sinquerim
Fort Aguada
Go in the late afternoon and stay for sunset from the walls.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Kids
Castle · Panaji
Reis Magos Fort
Combine it with the Reis Magos church at the foot of the fort and lunch in Candolim.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Off the beaten path
Experience · Ponda
Spice plantation tour
Combine a spice farm with the Mangueshi temple and Old Goa on a single inland day.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Food
- Nature
Nature · Panaji
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.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
- Outdoors
Museum · Colva and Benaulim
Goa Chitra Museum
Take the guided tour; the guides explain how each tool was used in paddy farming and toddy tapping.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Experience · Panaji
Mandovi River sunset cruise
Choose an early-evening departure to catch sunset over the river mouth.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- After dark
- Views
More ways to save
- Avoid the weeks around Christmas and New Year, when room prices can double or more.
- October, March and April offer good weather with much lower prices than December.
- Eat lunch at local fish-thali restaurants rather than tourist shacks.
- Rent a scooter for several days to cut taxi costs, if you are a confident rider.
- Bargain politely at flea and night markets; first prices are often high.
- Choose your arrival airport according to where you are staying to avoid long taxi rides.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Goa expensive to visit?
Goa is affordable for most visitors, but 11 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Goa?
Basilica of Bom Jesus: Visit early in the morning before tour buses arrive, and dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered.