Whether you are a backpacker like me who travels on a budget and still love to have fun and experiment with new things while traveling or you are a traveler itching to go off the beaten path (which includes me again) or a tourist on a short vacation, you should check this offbeat Goa travel guide. This guide is for everyone who wants a different experience of Goa.

Before I begin do note that I’m skipping all the main tourist attractions, including the crowded, mainstream beaches. I have tried as much as possible to bring to you offbeat Goa.

I have classified this offbeat Goa travel guide into 3 categories:

>>Beaches

>>Historic Destinations

>>Nature

1. Beaches – Offbeat Goa Travel Guide

Barring the central part of coastal Goa, the beaches of Goa are still clean, wonderful and away from the tourist crowds. I explored the beaches on the extreme north and extreme south and these are the beaches worth checking out:

North Goa

Moving from central Goa upward, check these beaches that are spread along.

Why You must Visit North Goa?

Each beach has something unique to offer – If it’s the unusual things to shop on one beach, it’s the fun-loving hippie crowd on the other beach.

Vagator: A beach perfect for a quiet walk and some fun with the waves.

Morjim: A beach ideal for playing with the waves, because the shore is shallow for longer than usual and you feel like you are in some lake! Also, if you want to view the sunset from a beach albeit the crowd, head to Morjim

Ashwem: This beach has a delta where river Chapora meets the Arabian sea. A perfect place to chill on the shacks. Also, keep your eyes open for several view points as you pass through the bridge.

Editor’s note: 175 Beautiful Beach Quotes to Inspire Your Beach Vacation

Mandrem: A quiet, laid back beach with a hill. Climb this for a gorgeous view of the deep blue ocean! A perfect place by the beach side to grab your favourite book and beer.

Arambol: My favourite of all the north beaches in Goa. Go for the unique crowd – a mix of expats, hippies, travelers and locals. Main attractions are the drum circle and the hippie’s flea market on the shore. A perfect place to enjoy despite the crowd that gathers as the evening progresses.

Read here to know more about the drum circle: Arambol Drum Circle & The Hippie’s Market

Offbeat Goa is much beautiful and less crowded!

Kalacha: One of those beaches that can only be accessed by walk. Known widely for the sweet lake that’s just opposite to the shore. You can also try paragliding from the cliff behind the lake.

Querim/Keri: The northernmost and the most secluded beach of Goa. Perfect getaway for a long drive.

Where to stay in North Goa?

There are plenty of hotels in North Goa, many near Morjim, Ashwem, Mandrem and Arambol beaches. Whether you are looking for a cheap hostel or homestays or luxurious resorts, you have many options.

Here are some of the best accommodation options that I would suggest. Check out their awesome reviews and prices.

South Goa

Here are some of the offbeat beaches that you must visit listed from central coastal Goa moving downward.

Benaulim: One of the gentle, less crowded beaches with not many shacks around – meaning far less commercialised. It’s not very far from Margao, hence a great place for a drive as well.

Varca: To the south of Benaulim lies Varca along with the other two beaches very close to each other – Cavelossim and Mabor. Surprisingly, I found many luxurious resorts right across the beach, which makes these beaches places for vacation. Visit these on an evenong when the weather gets perfect.

Agonda: Agonda is one the beaches that are drawing traveler’s attention, especially the backpacking types, thanks to the cafes, shacks, sizeable crowd and clean, white sand shore. This is also one of the beaches for a good sunset.

Butterfly Beach: This small beach stretch is becoming quite popular among the southern beaches because it’s wonderful and devoid of litter. Visit it before it’s too late!

Palolem: One of those beaches where I had almost the whole of it for myself! A pristine beach for lazing around.

Canacona region

If you reach further ahead of Palolem, you would enter Canacona, close to the border of Karnataka. Don’t be surprised if you happen to be the only traveler/ tourist. Beaches in these regions are almost visited by locals, and as such you get to closely watch the locals fishing, and their villages amidst these serene beaches.

Beaches: Rajbag, Talpona, Galgibag, Mashem and Xandrem.

Check this post for more details on these beaches here: Backpacker Beaches in Goa – A Complete Guide to Offbeat Beaches

Where to stay in South Goa?

Surprisingly, not many people know that there are many wonderful places to stay in South Goa ranging from budget guesthouses to lavish resorts.

Here are some of my recommendations if you are planning to base in South Goa.

2. Historic Places – Offbeat Goa Travel Guide

This section includes the not so known places that are worth visiting and are historic attractions.

Mangeshi Temple: Mangeshi temple, located about 60 km from Panaji, is one of the ancient temples of Goa. The temple is located amidst a dense forest, and the decor in the temple is very beautiful. If you are not the one interested in the temple, you should still include as a day trip because the drive up to the temple is splendid, as it passes through old Goa, crosses river beds, goes past the old Portuguese churches and homes.

Tambdi Surla: Tambdi Surla is the oldest temple of Goa known for its wonderful architecture. Built in the 12th century, this small temple is definitely worth your time if you intend to move away from the beaches.

Check my guide to Tambdi Surla here: Tambdi Surla – Forget Beaches, Heard of the Oldest Temple of Goa?

Tiracol Fort: Fort Tiracol, located close to the border of Maharashtra is the northern most point of Goa. It is separated from the mainland of Goa by Tiracol river. It’s a fun experience if you take the short ferry ride to reach on the other side. Visit this fort for gorgeous views and to experience the ancient fort’s beauty, now a heritage hotel.

Read my guide to Tiracol here: Tiracol Fort – When I drove to the northernmost point of Goa

Carjeum Fort: Carjeum is a fort located in Aldona, known for its legend about the woman Ursula, a Portuguese lady who dressed up as a manto travel the world back then. I did not have the chance to explore this yet, but I have heard that Carjeum looks wonderful around monsoon. Of course, it’s on my list on my next visit to Goa!

Cabo de Rama Fort: Cabo de Rama is another fort about which I heard from the taxi driver that I befriended. Located in the Canacona region, this fort is interestingly linked with Hindu epic Ramayana, and the legend has it that Ram and Sita stayed here during their exile. Another place on my list for now.

This fort and the beaches around Canacona can be planned together once you head south in Goa.

3. Nature – Offbeat Goa Travel Guide

Arvalem/ Harvalem Waterfalls: Away from Panaji is Harvalem waterfalls, located amidst the reserve area is Harvalem Waterfalls. Again, it’s far away from the Goa that we know as travelers, and it took about an hour or so when I visited from Panaji. It is located near Mapusa. You can reach from Panaji or Mapusa.The Waterfalls brims around monsoon and it’s a small yet beautiful, secluded place. I had visited

The Waterfalls brims around monsoon and it’s a small yet beautiful, secluded place. I had visited Harvalem in February, just before the onset of summer, and was lucky to see the waterfall in full flow.

The best way to plan for this is to do along with Mangeshi temple.

Arvalem Caves: Just about a 20-minutes away from the waterfalls is Arvalem caves, popularly known as Pandava caves, due to its association with Mahabharat. It’s a small cave that belongs to the 6th century, and you can find sculptures belonging to Hindu deities and a Linga as well. I had to wait for some time as the caves were closed when I drove from the waterfalls. The cave is open for public from 9 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 5 PM.

How many of these have you explored? I’m sure that there are some more destinations off the beaten track in Goa.

If you have any place that’s not there in this guide, please let me know in your comments below. Would add them to this and give you the credits.

Offbeat Goa stays

You can stay in Old Goa if you want to get away from the main touristy places. Olaulim Backyards and Dudhsagar Spice plantation were two unique stay experiences, which you can try too.

Here are my suggestions if you want a different stay experience in Goa – like spice plantations, heritage hotels and eco-resorts.

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