I built this for a gang of friends who want beaches, water sports, a boat day and a couple of big nights out. It's North Goa at full volume, with a slower Panjim morning before you fly home.
Sunset at Chapora FortA boat day to Grande IslandNights out on Tito's Lane and Club CubanaBest in Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
Today's prices
Ideas from around the world ·
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 Land, fort sunset and Baga nights
13:00Land at Mopa Airport, transfer to CalanguteBook a big car if there are more than four of you, luggage fills up fast.Mopa to Calangute · about 1 hr · 1,500 to 2,500 INR per car
14:30Check in and grab the scootersHave a quick lunch at the hotel or a beach shack and rest up for the evening.Calangute · about 2 hrs · FreeArrive at the hotel
17:00Sunset at Chapora FortThe Dil Chahta Hai fort. A short, steep walk up the hill to ruined walls over Vagator beach and the river mouth.Vagator · about 1.5 hrs · FreeScooter or taxi, 30 min
19:45Dinner at Britto'sA Baga institution right on the sand. Good vegetarian options and famous desserts.Baga Beach · about 1.5 hrs · 700 to 1,500 INR · Order: Goan fish curry rice, or vegetable xacuti with poi breadScooter or taxi, 30 min
21:30Night out on Tito's LaneThe famous strip with Tito's, Mambo's and a row of bars. Couples and groups with girls usually get in easier than all guy groups.Baga · about 3 hrs · 1,000 to 2,500 INR cover, often with drinksWalk, 5 min
Tip: Don't ride back after drinking. Use GoaMiles or ask the club to call a taxi.
Day 2 Water sports, forts and a club night
09:45Breakfast at InfantariaAn old favourite bakery cafe. Good vegetarian options, and the pastries go fast.Calangute Baga road · about 45 min · 300 to 700 INR · Order: Croissants, chorizo pao or a veg sandwich, with coffee
11:00Water sports at Baga BeachParasailing, jet ski and a banana boat ride. Bargain for a group package and only use operators with life jackets.Baga and Calangute beaches · about 2 hrs · 1,500 to 3,000 INR per person for a packageWalk or scooter, 10 min
13:30Lunch at Souza LoboRunning since 1932 right on the beach. Good vegetarian options, but the seafood is the star.Calangute Beach · about 1.5 hrs · 800 to 1,500 INR · Order: Tiger prawns, or paneer xacuti with riceWalk along the beach, 15 min
15:00SiestaGoa shuts down after lunch anyway. Nap or hit the hotel pool.Calangute · about 1.5 hrs · FreeWalk, 10 min
16:45Fort Aguada and lighthousePortuguese fort on the headland with sea on three sides. Stay for the sunset at Sinquerim beach below.Sinquerim · about 1.5 hrs · free to 50 INRScooter, 20 min
20:00Dinner at GunpowderSouth Indian and coastal food in an old Goan house garden. Good vegetarian options, book ahead.Assagao · about 1.5 hrs · 900 to 1,600 INR · Order: Appam with vegetable stew, or pork vindalooScooter or taxi, 25 min
22:30Club CubanaGoa's famous hilltop nightclub with a pool on the dance floor. Check which nights it's open before you go.Arpora hill · about 3 hrs · 1,500 to 3,000 INR entry, often includes drinksTaxi, 20 min
Tip: Carry cash for water sports and shacks, many small operators don't take cards.
Day 3 Boat day to Grande Island
08:45Grande Island boat tripA full day boat trip with dolphin spotting, snorkelling and a beach stop. Book through your hotel the day before.From Coco Beach jetty, Nerul · about 7 hrs · 1,500 to 3,000 INR per person
13:00Lunch on the boatUsually a simple buffet included in the trip. Tell the operator when booking if anyone needs vegetarian, there are good vegetarian options.Grande Island · about 1 hr · included · Order: Fish curry rice or veg pulao with dalOn board
17:00Rest and freshen upShower off the salt and have a lie down.Calangute · about 1 hr · FreeTaxi from the jetty, 25 min
18:00Sunset at Calangute BeachGrab a cold drink and a plate of chilli fries at any beach shack and watch the sky change.Calangute · about 1 hr · 300 to 700 INRWalk, 5 min
19:30Arpora Saturday Night MarketLive music, food stalls from around the world and stalls selling clothes and jewellery. Good vegetarian options at the stalls.Arpora · about 3 hrs · free entry, food 300 to 800 INRScooter or taxi, 15 min
Tip: On a Wednesday, swap the morning for the Anjuna Flea Market, it's at its best before noon.
Day 4 Old Goa, Panjim and fly home
09:30Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se CathedralCheck out first and keep the bags in the car. Two of Asia's grandest churches face each other across a lawn.Old Goa · about 1 hr · Free
11:00Walk the Fontainhas Latin QuarterYellow, blue and green Portuguese houses on narrow lanes. End at the white church steps above Church Square.Panjim · about 1.5 hrs · FreeTaxi, 20 min
12:45Lunch at Ritz ClassicFamous for its fish thali, always busy at lunch. Good vegetarian options with a veg thali too.18th June Road, Panjim · about 1 hr · 400 to 900 INR · Order: Fish thali or veg thaliWalk, 10 min
14:00Bebinca and cashews at Mr Baker 1922Pick up bebinca, the layered Goan sweet, and dodol to take home.Church Square, Panjim · about 30 min · 300 to 1,000 INRWalk, 5 min
15:00Transfer to the airportMopa is about 1 hour from Panjim, Dabolim about 40 minutes.Panjim to Mopa or Dabolim · about 1 hr · 1,200 to 2,000 INR per carFrom Church Square
Tip: If your flight is from Dabolim, you can push lunch later and still make it comfortably.
Where to stay
Goa, Calangute and Baga · nights 1 to 3Walk to the beach and the clubs, and close to everything in North Goa.
Taj Fort Aguada Resort and Spa luxury · about 18,000 to 35,000 INR a night Clifftop resort inside the old fort walls, for a splurge.
Hard Rock Hotel Goa mid · about 7,000 to 12,000 INR a night Lively pool and music, made for groups.
GTDC Calangute Residency budget · about 3,000 to 5,500 INR a night Government run, basic, but right on the sand.
Hotel prices are typical. Make it yours to see today's prices for your dates.
What to eat
Goan fish curry riceat Britto's, Baga Beach The everyday Goan meal, tangy with kokum and coconut.
Fish thali and veg thaliat Ritz Classic, Panjim The thali everyone in Panjim recommends, great value.
Tiger prawns and xacutiat Souza Lobo, Calangute Beach Classic beach dining since 1932.
Appam with vegetable stewat Gunpowder, Assagao Lovely garden setting and plenty for vegetarians.
Pastries and chorizo paoat Infantaria, Calangute The best breakfast before a beach day.
Bebincaat Mr Baker 1922, Panjim Goa's layered coconut sweet, the gift everyone back home wants.
North Goa is busy every night in season, Baga for clubs, Anjuna and Vagator for trance and sunset parties. Loud music at outdoor venues has to stop at 22:00, so the later action moves indoors.
Why it is planned this way
I put you in Calangute and Baga so nobody has to drive home from the clubs.
I kept water sports before noon, the sea is flatter and the queues are shorter.
I put the boat day after a big night, so you can sleep on deck if you need to.
I left Panjim for the last morning because it's on the way to both airports.