People often wonder about some unique things to do in Goa. And, because they are a tad clueless, they end up doing the same old stuff -- including going to the beach, enjoying the nightlife or chilling at the local bar.
There is so much more that this tiny, tropical paradise has to offer, which most people may not be aware of. We can fill you in on these, so that your experience in Goa is different from the usual ones. Here are some of the most unique things to do in Goa.
1. Stay in an Indo-Portuguese home
This is one-of-its-kind experience, where you will get to stay in a heritage home, which is over 100-years-old. Goa has a lot of heritage homes, which have been converted into homestays. These houses are filled with history, artefacts and interesting architectural elements, that will make you love Goa even more. The colonial home stay is one of the most unique things to do in Goa, as this experience is one-of-a-kind, where you are not only experiencing the beauty of the houses in Goa, but getting a closer look at the lifestyle of the people in the distant past.
WHERE: Siolim House, Figueiredo Mansion, Casa Menezes
2. Shop for Azulejo art
There are many things that Goa is famous for, and among them, art is one of the most popular features of Goa. In the state of Goa, you can find several colonial period houses, with name plates, that are decorated with azulejos artwork. It is typically blue and white in colour, and consist of various intricate patterns such as flowers, flourishes and other designs. If you want to take home some souvenirs, then you might want to pick up one of these, as it is one of the things that Goa is famous for.
WHERE: Velha Goa, Azulejos de Goa
3. Go on a heritage walk or food trail
Aren’t you bored of doing the same old stuff in Goa? Why not explore the place -- its heritage and history. Goa will likely surprise you, when it comes to history, lore and culture. There is much to know and learn from Goa. You could join one of many heritage walks, that take you around the place, and give you interesting insights about the locale, while a food trail will definitely take you on a culinary journey of the state.
WHERE: Soul Travelling, Make It Happen, Exclamation Goa
4. Listen to music
Pause for a bit, and appreciate the music that Goa has to offer. Goa is famous for trance music, which is a well-known fact. But, you can also experience Portuguese-influenced music like ‘fado’ or ‘mando’ in Goa. At the same time, many Konkani tunes will easily get you dancing!
5. Take on a ferry ride
Among some new things to do in Goa, one could go on a ferry ride. This is one of the unique things to do in Goa. Ferry ride is the best mode that can take you to reach from one side of the river to the other. And, the coolest part is you can take your vehicles too in the ferry. Introduced by the Portuguese, these are floating bridges that could take people from one side to the other. It has large capacity. People can enjoy the cool breeze and the scenic beauty of Goa while riding on the ferry. One can find ferry at various places like Panaji, Divar, Chorao, Madkai, Shiroda, Tiracol, etc.
WHERE: Divar and Chorao island, Panaji-Betim ferry, etc.
Price: Rs 10 for cars and no charges for bikes and cycles.