Goa – A Senior Citizen’s Dream Vacation

About the Author:

Goa is a special place for Content Writer, Sheryl Gonsalves, with its picturesque beaches, gorgeous sunsets, rich heritage, and delicious food.

Age is just a number. So, satisfy your wanderlust by visiting one of India’s top holiday destinations. Here is a curated list of places to visit to make the most of your Goa vacation.

Shopping

A vacation won’t be complete if you haven’t done some shopping. Caculo Mall or Mall de Goa are really good shopping destinations for branded items. However, if you want a proper Goan shopping experience, visit local markets like the Mapusa Friday Market, Anjuna Flea Market (every Wednesday), and the Arpora Saturday Night market where you can get food, trinkets, and other goodies.

Beaches

Beaches are one of the top highlights of Goa. The quieter beaches are usually in South Goa like Galgibag, Cola, Palolem, and Betul. North Goa too has some beautiful beaches away from the crowds which are in Morjim, Ashvem, and Keri. Otherwise, if you are the type who loves more activities then visit beaches in Baga, Calangute, Vagator, Anjuna, Colva, etc. The frothy waves and cool breeze is sure to aid relaxation.

Restaurants

You can get a wide variety of cuisines in Goa, like Lebanese, Italian, Japanese and much more. However, if you want to try authentic Goan food there are plenty of places for that, including evening food trucks. Here are a few suggestions for Goan food:

North Goa

Coqueiro – This restaurant started in 1968. It also has an interesting story which you’ll discover when you visit the place.

Mum’s Kitchen– You’ll get a variety of famous Goan dishes here, be it sweet or savoury.

Florentine’s- Try out their chicken cafreal. It is one of the star dishes.

Britto’s – Here, you’ll get plenty of seafood to gorge on along with a sea view.

Souza Lobo – A beachside restaurant with Goan dishes and lip-smacking seafood.

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South Goa

The Fisherman’s Wharf (Cavelossim) – Waterfront view along with Goan fusion cuisine.

Martin’s Corner – Authentic Goan food and other cuisines.

Pentagon – Enjoy xacutti and vindaloo in this charming restaurant.

Pepper’s Gourmet Cuisine – They are known for their seafood, ribs, and serradurra.

Lauriana’s Family Restaurant – Variety of Goan starters and Goan style meat dishes.

Old Goa

Old Goa is one of the treasure troves of history in Goa. Jump into the past by visiting the ruins of St. Augustine church, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Archaeological museum, Museum of Christian Art, Se Cathedral, and more. You can also opt for booking heritage tours where someone will guide and regale you with all the local stories.

Museums/ Art galleries

There are other museums outside of Old Goa like Museum of Goa (MOG), Houses of Goa Museum, Ashvek Vintage World, Ancestral Goa- Big foot, etc. Visit places that celebrate art such as Studio Arpora, Sunaparanta, Art Chamber, and Gallery Gitanjali. You can get fun souvenirs from Mario Miranda galleries who was a famous Goan cartoonist.

Mandovi River Cruises

A laidback river cruise while watching the sunset – what’s not to love? These hour-long cruises at the Panjim Mandovi River are not too pricey and include games, folk dances, food, and music. Otherwise, try taking backwater cruises which are amazing too.

Just walk and explore

Goa is an amalgamation of history and natural beauty. Just going for a walk and taking in the sights is a splendid way to spend the day. There are operators available who offer guided walking tours as well.

There are too many places to mention, but here are some of the top ones:

At Divar Island explore historical sites, and feast your eyes on lush greenery and river views. The added bonus is a free ferry boat ride to reach there.

Spend a good chunk of your day at Assagao which is one of the much quieter places of Goa. The wide roads, trees, boutiques, and eateries, ensure that it is the best of both worlds – village life and city life.

Fontainhas, Panjim, is the old Latin quarter of Goa. Its narrow lanes, colourful buildings, quaint cafes, and peaceful atmosphere is so different from the rest of Panjim. (There are tours of secret food trails at Panjim too.)

Chandor is a place where you’ll learn a lot about Goan culture by sightseeing heritage mansions and religious monuments.

Wildlife sanctuaries

See the best of Goa’s nature at these popular wildlife sanctuaries like the Bondla wildlife sanctuary, Mhadei wildlife sanctuary, and Cotigao wildlife sanctuary. These places are amazing to see wild animals, birds, and different flora and fauna. The Butterfly Conservatory and Salim Ali bird sanctuary are beautiful places too.

Go early morning or at sunset to the Salim Ali bird sanctuary during the winter months to see a lot of birds visiting.

Spice Plantations

Get a close-up view of where spices come from, along with pleasant looking flora and fauna. During the monsoon, the beauty of the spice plantations is amplified. Some famous ones are the Pascaol Spice Village, Sahakari Spice Plantation, and Savoi Spice Plantation.

Dolphin/ Crocodile tours

Watch dolphins swim and jump or see mighty crocodiles in their natural habitats. These tours to thrill can even be booked online.

B.N. Melvani Senior Citizens Recreation Center

This place has its own members, but tourists are welcome to join their activities. They host games, dance classes, and health talks. There are books to read and physiotherapy equipment to use for muscle exercises.

Parks

If you are tired of touring, take a breather and go for a stroll in a park. Goa’s capital city, Panaji, has a couple of parks. A popular one is the Bhagwan Mahaveer Bal Vihar Park which has well-maintained lawns, tall trees, a view of the Mandovi River, a peaceful atmosphere, and plenty of sitting areas. A restaurant and food court are inside the park itself. Other pleasant nearby parks are Jogger’s Park, Campal Gardens, and Art Park.

Spas

Pamper yourself in the ultimate way, by visiting luxury spas in Goa. Get a massage, facial, manicure, and even a body scrub. Some of the lavish spas are the Shamana, Jiva, Sereno, and Quan spa. There are smaller spas that may not be as extravagant, but the services are quite good too.

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” ~ Saint Augustine

So travel more, explore, and have the time of your lives.