I made this for couples who want the calm side of Goa: wide empty beaches, old Portuguese houses and long candlelit dinners. You stay in quiet South Goa and still see the best of Panjim and Palolem.
Clifftop views at Cabo de RamaA boat to Butterfly Beach from PalolemDinner by the sea at Zeebop, UtordaBest in Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
Today's prices
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Hotels, 3 nightsShown for your dates when you make it yours
Prices are checked when you open the plan, a month ahead. They are never saved in it.
Day 1 Arrive and unwind by the sea
13:00Land at Dabolim Airport, transfer to BenaulimA short, easy drive through villages and paddy fields.Dabolim to Benaulim · about 40 min · 1,000 to 1,500 INR per car
14:00Check in, lunch and a lazy afternoonEat at the resort and settle by the pool. Nothing else to do today.Benaulim · about 3 hrs · FreeArrive at the hotel
17:15Sunset walk on Benaulim BeachLong, flat and quiet, with fishing boats pulled up on the sand. Walk south toward Varca for fewer people.Benaulim · about 1.5 hrs · FreeWalk, 5 min
19:45Dinner at Martin's CornerA much loved family run Goan restaurant with live music most nights. Good vegetarian options.Betalbatim · about 1.5 hrs · 1,000 to 2,000 INR · Order: Prawn curry rice, or mushroom xacuti with poiTaxi, 20 min
Tip: Ask your hotel to book Martin's Corner for you, it's busy on weekends.
Day 2 Coves and cliffs of Canacona
10:00Cabo de Rama FortOld fort walls on a cliff with a little white church. Walk to the far edge for the sea views.Canacona · about 1 hr · Free
11:30Swim at Agonda BeachA long, calm bay with turtle nesting areas, one of the quietest beaches in Goa.Agonda · about 1 hr · FreeCar, 30 min
13:00Lunch at DropadiTables on the sand looking at the curve of Palolem. Good vegetarian options, from tandoori to Goan.Palolem Beach · about 1.5 hrs · 800 to 1,600 INR · Order: Kingfish recheado, or paneer tikka with butter naanCar, 20 min
15:00Boat to Butterfly BeachSmall fishing boats take you past rocky coves to a tiny hidden beach, often with dolphins on the way.From Palolem Beach · about 2 hrs · 1,500 to 2,500 INR per boatWalk to the boats, 5 min
17:30Sunset at Palolem BeachFind a shack chair at the north end near the little island and watch the sun drop.Palolem · about 1 hr · drinks 200 to 500 INRBoat back, 20 min
20:00Riverside dinner at Fisherman's WharfTables by the Sal river with live music. Good vegetarian options and a long Goan menu.Cavelossim · about 1.5 hrs · 1,200 to 2,200 INR · Order: Goan fish thali, or vegetable caldin with riceCar, 1 hr
Tip: Leave Benaulim by 09:00 so you reach Cabo de Rama before the midday heat.
Day 3 Old Goa, Panjim and a seaside dinner
10:00Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se CathedralGrand old churches across a lawn from each other. Dress modestly, shoulders covered.Old Goa · about 1 hr · Free
11:30Walk the Fontainhas Latin QuarterPainted Portuguese houses, tiled name plates and tiny chapels. Best explored slowly, hand in hand.Panjim · about 1.5 hrs · FreeCar, 20 min
13:00Lunch at Viva PanjimA small, homely Goan restaurant in an old house in the Latin Quarter. Good vegetarian options.Fontainhas, Panjim · about 1 hr · 600 to 1,200 INR · Order: Prawn balchao, or vegetable xacuti with riceWalk, 3 min
15:30Spa time at the resortBook a couples massage for the afternoon, then nap or swim.Benaulim · about 2 hrs · 4,000 to 9,000 INR per person for a massageCar, 1 hr
18:00Sunset at Utorda BeachWide, clean and peaceful, a lovely place to walk before dinner.Utorda · about 1 hr · FreeTaxi, 25 min
19:30Dinner at Zeebop by the SeaCandlelit tables on the sand, one of South Goa's favourite date spots. Good vegetarian options.Utorda Beach · about 2 hrs · 1,500 to 3,000 INR · Order: Crab xec xec, or paneer cafrealWalk on the beach, 5 min
Tip: Ask for a table nearest the water when you book Zeebop.
Day 4 A Portuguese mansion and fly home
10:30Menezes Braganza HouseCheck out first. A huge 17th century family mansion with a ballroom, chandeliers and old china, shown by the family.Chandor · about 1 hr · donation of 300 to 500 INR per person
12:00Margao marketA covered local market for cashews, spices, kokum and Goan sausages.Margao · about 45 min · variesCar, 25 min
13:00Lunch at LonguinhosAn old fashioned Goan restaurant running for decades. Good vegetarian options and great desserts.Margao · about 1 hr 15 min · 700 to 1,400 INR · Order: Fish recheado or vegetable caldin, then bebincaWalk, 5 min
14:45Transfer to Dabolim AirportKeep 2 hours at the airport. If you fly from Mopa, leave by 13:30 instead.Margao to Dabolim · about 40 min · 900 to 1,400 INR per carFrom Margao
Tip: Keep the morning slow, have breakfast by the pool and pack before 10.
Where to stay
South Goa, Benaulim and Majorda · nights 1 to 3Quiet beaches, good resorts and 40 minutes from Dabolim.
Taj Exotica Resort and Spa luxury · about 22,000 to 40,000 INR a night Huge gardens straight onto a quiet beach, made for couples.
Alila Diwa Goa mid · about 12,000 to 20,000 INR a night Calm, stylish resort among the paddy fields, 10 min to the sea.
Palm Grove Cottages budget · about 3,500 to 6,000 INR a night Cottages in a shady garden, a short walk to the beach.
Hotel prices are typical. Make it yours to see today's prices for your dates.
What to eat
Goan prawn curry riceat Martin's Corner, Betalbatim South Goa's best known family restaurant, warm and lively.
Vegetable or chicken xacutiat Viva Panjim, Fontainhas Rich roasted coconut curry, home style in an old house.
Crab xec xecat Zeebop by the Sea, Utorda A romantic beach table and a classic Goan crab dish.
Kingfish recheadoat Dropadi, Palolem Beach Fish stuffed with red masala, eaten looking at Goa's prettiest bay.
Goan fish thaliat Fisherman's Wharf, Cavelossim Big riverside setting with live music in the evenings.
Bebincaat Longuinhos, Margao The layered Goan dessert, best after a long lunch.
South Goa evenings are slow and romantic, long dinners with live music, not clubs. If you want a party night, North Goa is about an hour away.
Why it is planned this way
I picked Benaulim over North Goa so you get quiet beaches and a short airport run.
I put Cabo de Rama first on day 2 before the sun gets strong, then saved Palolem for sunset.
I booked your nicest dinner, Zeebop, for the last night so you end on a high.
I put the Braganza House on the final morning since it's 40 minutes from the airport.