Things To Do In Goa

Kesarval Falls

Also known as Kesarval Springs, Kesarval Falls is renowned for its medicinal properties. Attracting a large number of visitors from around the world, it is situated near the village of Cortalim, about 22 km from the city of Panaji. The best time to visit Kesarval Falls is during monsoon when you can see the cascading water flow into the lake below. The word 'kesarval' comes from the Indian word for eagles. It was so named as the cliff near the waterfall was home to hundreds of eagles. Before the 1950s, the falls could only be reached through a stony zigzag trail but after the Government of Goa declared it a tourist stopover, steps were constructed for easy accessibility.

Mayem Lake

Calling the Bicholim Taluka in North Goa its home, Mayem Lake is a popular picnic spot nestled amidst the scenic vistas of a sleepy Goan hamlet. Surrounded by hills carpeted by thick forests, it hosts a line of vendors along the banks, selling delectable snacks, refreshing coconut water and trinkets. The placid waters of Mayem Lake are ideal for boating and the Goa Tourism Development Corporation runs the Mayem Lake Resort, which offers inexpensive accommodation in dormitories and self-contained cottages.

Popular attraction nearby include the Corjuem Fort, Rudreshwar Temple, the residence and the chapel of the erstwhile Count of Mayem etc. En route to this place is a small water fountain that was constructed in 1927 and as indicated by the plaque, supplied water to the residents.

Goa State Museum

The Goa State Museum, located in the Old Secretariat, Panaji, was set up with an aim to preserve the arts and antiquities of the state, along with objects of cultural significance. The extensive collection at the museum includes exhibits related to the state's natural heritage, contemporary art, cultural anthropology, environment and development, sculpture and geology, among other things.

Also known as the State Archaeology Museum, the Goa State Museum was established in 1977 and has over 8,000 artefacts on display that include bronze items, paintings, stone sculptures, manuscripts, rare coins and anthropological and wooden objects. The museum has 14 galleries - Sculpture Gallery, Christian Art Gallery, Printing History Gallery, Banerji Art Gallery, Religious Expression Gallery, Cultural Anthropology, Contemporary Art Gallery, Numismatics Gallery, Goa's Freedom Struggle Gallery, Menezes Braganza Gallery, Furniture Gallery, Natural Heritage of Goa Gallery, Environment & Development Gallery, and Geology Gallery. The museum, open from Monday to Friday, has no entry fee. Photography is only allowed for students and scholars except on prior request.

Spice Plantation

Goa’s terrain, along with its perfect weather, offers ample opportunities for spice plantations to thrive. Using organic methods, these farms produce some of India's major spices, including black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, cashew and betel nut palm. Some of the most famous spice plantations in Goa include Savoi Plantations, Tropical Spice Plantation, Sahakar Spice Farm and Pascoal Spice Village, where visitors can learn about everyday spices and sample some of them.

Shopping

Goa offers a bounty of shopping havens. In Panaji, you can pick up Goa’s famed cashews, Portuguese handicrafts and spices at the main market, along with lots of sweet treats like bebinca and dodol. The Mario Miranda galleries in Panaji and Calangute are great places to pick up memorabilia that sport cartoons. Clay products, textiles and knick-knacks can be picked up at Calangute Market Square. The Mapusa Friday Market is a great site to shop for local pickles and Goan pottery. Famous for its trinkets and clothing at haggle-worthy prices, the Anjuna Flea Market is popular with young people who want to buy hip accessories at throwaway prices. The Saturday Night Market in Arpora is a souvenir haven and houses many food stalls. Mackie’s Night Bazaar is a seasonal market that offers lip-smacking local fare and eco-friendly products and handicrafts.