7 Goa Tourist Places Other Than the Beach
Looking to visit some unique Goa tourist places? Aside from having fun on the beach, there are so many things to do and see! I’ve put together a list of my favorite Goa tourist places that will make your vacation one to remember.
Of course, Goa is famous for its beaches. But there are many other Goa tourist places that will make your vacation memorable!
Among wildlife sanctuaries, waterfalls, temples, forts, and museums, there is a lot to keep a traveler busy. It’s worth taking a day or two to visit some of these Goa tourist places that are off the beaten path.
While I am a total beach girl, I decided to leave my bikini behind and check out some of these lesser known gems. It is totally worth it! These are the 7 top Goa tourist places I would recommend for travelers looking for something other than the beach.
This post is all about Goa tourist places other than the beach.
Goa Tourist Places
#1 Dudhsagar Falls
Dudhsagar Falls is one of the top Goa tourist places I would recommend! I spontaneously decided to go there and fell in love with the area. It’s a beautiful view surrounded by the nature of Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and is a great place for a dip in the water.
Located on the Mandovi River, it’s a stunning sight, especially during the monsoon season when the water flows in full force. It’s a 2.5 hour drive from Panjim.
You can go for a day trip, but we stayed at a nearby hotel to give ourselves some time to explore. You can either drive there or hire a taxi.
This is one of the best Goa tourist places for a swim that isn’t on the beach! Although as a tip, the area is a little more conservative than the typical beach vibe. There may be some stares if you come in your bikini, but nonetheless it’s a beautiful atmosphere and I’d highly recommend it.
What makes this place especially unique are the train tracks that run over the top of the waterfall. When the trains occasionally pass by, it’s super beautiful and makes for a stunning photo!
#2 Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary
This is one of the best Goa tourist places for nature and wildlife enthusiasts! The Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary offers the chance to see a variety of flora and fauna, including some rare species.
It’s located in South Goa, right near the border of Karnataka. About an hour’s drive from Palolem beach, it makes a great day trip if you’re staying there. From Panjim, the capital city, it’s a 2-3 hour drive south.
As with most of these Goa tourist places, I would recommend renting a scooty (moped) to get there. You can also hire a private taxi.
The Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary is open from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM, but you may want to double check the timings before you go in case there’s any change. It costs 10 INR for children and 20 INR for adults.
Of all the Goa tourist places, this sanctuary is known for its lush greenery and dense forests. It’s home to a variety of wildlife, including gaur (Indian bison), sloth bears, leopards, various species of deer, monkeys, and numerous bird species. While the animals generally stay hidden in the forest, you may catch a lucky sneak peek!
There are trails for you to walk around and immerse yourself in nature. Some are well-marked, but you can also hire a local guide to take you through. I decided not to go with a guide, but if you are interested in learning more about the plants and species in the sanctuary I would recommend it. The land is also home to the ancient Velip and Kunbil tribes.
One of the best things to visit in the park is the observation deck situated in a 25 meter tall tree. From the deck, you can see the watering hole. I’d recommend visiting at dawn or dusk if you want a chance at seeing animals.
Be sure to wear walking shoes and prepare yourself for the weather depending on when you are visiting. It’s beautiful during Monsoon because the rains make everything full of life!
#3 Dudhsagar Spice Plantation
If you’re making the trip to the Dudhsagar Falls, it’s worth visiting another of Goa tourist places nearby, the Dudhsagar Plantation.
There are a lot of things to do if you stay at the farm stay which is tucked away in nature. There are nature trails and they offer excursions to see a Portuguese Era Heritage Mansion or a prehistoric rock carving site nearby.
I found the spice tour to be really interesting and learnt so much about various spices and medicinal plants. They also emphasize using sustainable farming practices and really take pride in what they produce. I’d recommend trying some locally-made Fenny, a liquor made from cashews that’s popular in Goa!
They’ve got some high quality products and spices you can buy while you’re there. And you HAVE to try the food! They make some delicious, home-made Goan dishes. If you’re doing the tour, there is a meal included. Otherwise you can enjoy the food if you decide to stay there.
If you are planning to do a spice tour, you’ll have to book it at least a day in advance. It’s 600 INR for adults and 400 INR for kids, but they have group discounts if you’re traveling with more than 5 people.
#4 Arvalem Caves and Waterfall
One of the only Goa tourist places to experience nature, swimming, and history all at the same time are the Arvalem Caves and Waterfall. Located in North Goa, it’s a 1 hour drive inland from Panjim.
Also known as the Pandava Caves, the ancient rock-cut caves are believed to be carved by Buddhist monks and date back to the 6th century.
The waterfalls are about 1.5km from the caves and offer a beautiful view! There is also a pool you can swim in below. Overall, between the caves and waterfall it’s a great area to embrace nature and relax.
Right next to the waterfall is Rudreshwar Temple. While it’s been newly built, it stands on an ancient site and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. If you have a little extra time while visiting the caves and waterfall and are interested in seeing a temple, it’s a quick stop to add in.
#5 Tambdi Surla Temple
Tambdi Surla Temple is a beautiful ancient temple in the dense forests of the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary. It’s another of Goa tourist places near Dudhsagar Falls. It’s about an hour drive north from the waterfall, or 2 hours inland from Panjim.
What makes this temple special is that it’s one of the oldest surviving temples in Goa! Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the space is worth visiting for spiritual seekers and the architecture is beautiful.
The Tambdi Sulra Temple dates back to the 12th century and was built during the reign of the Kadamba dynasty, a prominent dynasty that ruled Goa during that era. After being abandoned, it was rediscovered by the British during their colonial rule.
As this is a temple, be prepared to dress and act accordingly. Not that it’s anything too strict, it would be respectful to cover up a bit and be sure to remove your shoes before going near.
#6 Big Foot Goa
The Big Foot Goa is one of the lesser-known Goa tourist places that you won’t forget! It’s about 45 minutes away from Panjim in South Goa, in a small village called Loutolim.
An open-air museum also known as the Ancestral Museum, it’s a great place to learn about traditional Goan life.
You can enjoy exhibits about village life, the jobs people did, festivals and rituals. Depending when you visit you can also see folk dances, traditional Goan music performances and shop for local crafts.
Big Foot Goa is open daily from 9:00am – 6:00pm, but I always advise to call and double check before planning to visit. You can get tickets for 100 INR for adults and 50 INR for kids.
I’d recommend Big Foot Goa to learn about the traditions and culture of Goa! It’s definitely a stop off the beaten path and you’ll learn a lot.
#7 Chapora Fort
Many Goa tourist places have a rich history, and Chapora Fort is no exception. Built by the Portuguese in the 1600’s, it changed hands between the Portuguese and Marathas multiple times before falling into ruin.
Chapora Fort is located in North Goa. It’s about a 1 hour drive from Panjim, and about a 15 minute walk from Vagator beach. I visited Chapora Fort when I was staying in Anjuna for a few months as it was close by.
On the coast, Chapora Fort is one of the best Goa tourist places for a good view of the sea. From the top, you can see the coastline that surrounds the small peninsula. It’s got an especially beautiful sunset! While it’s nothing too strenuous, be prepared for a walk up to the top.
The exact date of the construction of Chapora Fort is not well-documented, but it’s believed to have been originally built by the Adil Shah of Bijapur in the 17th century to protect the area from potential invasions by the Marathas.
The Portuguese gained control of the fort during their conquest of Goa, but it was captured several times by the Marathas as they fought to gain control. After going back and forth between the groups, it was eventually abandoned in the 1800s.
A word of caution before you go there, beware for monkeys! We didn’t have any bad experiences with them, but we did see a few and you never know what they will do.
If you enjoy visiting forts and learning more about the history, some other similar Goa tourist places include Fort Aguada near Candolim beach, and Reis Magos Fort outside Panjim.
This post was all about Goa tourist places other than the beach.
If you’re traveling to Goa, it’s worth taking a break from the beach to see these gems! If you have visited any before or could recommend any other unique things to see, I’d love to hear from you! Trying to get a mix of inland activities and beach? Check out the best Goa beaches to visit during your trip!
