Are you planning a trip to Goa and thinking how to spend 5 days in Goa? We have curated a perfect Goa itinerary for you to experience a fun-filled time in Goa.
Our Goa itinerary will show what to do in Goa, where to sleep, great beaches and how to make most of your holiday. After all Goa is all about making memories!
With a perfect blend of Indian and Portuguese culture, beach and water sports, relaxation and a nightlife, we bet, Goa will create an urge in you to return again and make some “more” memories!
Yes, we know it’s hard to be in Goa only for 5 days and making a short itinerary for Goa is unnerving, however, our perfect Goa itinerary will let you experience the place to the fullest!
How to spend 5 days in Goa – A perfect itinerary
About Goa
Goa is a perfect fusion of beaches, trance parties, lip-smacking food, history and Indo-Portuguese culture.
Central Goa is historic and home to capital Panjim. It has ancient glorious churches, bird sanctuaries, spice plantations and western ghats.
North Goa is the Goa that you all have heard so much about! It has busy beaches, night parties, Goan trance, hippie markets, scrumptious food options and yoga retreats. The famous beaches like Baga, Calangute, Anjuna, Vagator are in North Goa.
South Goa is the state’s tranquil region with whiter, cleaner and quieter beaches including some sightseeing attractions.
Places covered
This sample itinerary covers Old Goa, North Goa and South Goa.
Getting there
Air: Goa’s Debolim Airport is connected by several domestic flights and some international flights.
Train: Konkan Railway is the main train line connecting through the state.There are about 41 trains from Mumbai.
Bus: There are many private transit services that runs regularly to/from main hubs like Margao, Panaji or both.
Day-wise itinerary
Depending upon your interest and time, you can follow the sample itinerary below.
Day -1: Explore Old Goa
Se Cathedral Goa. Image Credit: Heritage Hotels of India
Sights
Considered as “Rome of East”, old Goa is a historical city in North Goa district.
1. Basilica of Bom Jesus (7:30 am to 6:30 pm): It holds the tomb and mortal remains of St Francis Xavier.
2. Se Cathedral (9am to 6pm): The largest Church in Asia.
3. Archeological Museum (9am to 5pm): It houses sculptures from some Hindu temple sites, sati stones.
4. Church of St Francis of Assisi (9am to 5pm): A beautiful roman catholic church sharing the (same) compound with Se Cathedral.
Day -2 & 3: Explore North Goa
Fort Aguada Goa. Image Credit- Goa Tourism
Sights and Activities
Explore the Candolim, Calangute, Baga, Morjim, Vagator beaches. Anjuna, Baga and Vagator are common choices for North Goa. If you are a water baby and adventurous, do not miss to visit Candolim and Sinquerim beaches to enjoy the following sights and activities:
1. Fort Aguada (Candolim Beach): Fort Aguada Overlooks Mandovi river and highly popular for watching sunset spot.
2. Reis Magos Fort: This 16th century restored fort offers river and sea views. Reis Maos Fort is owned by Goa government.
3. Sequerim Dolphin Trips: One hour dolphin-spotting and sightseeing tour near Fort Aguada. Check website.
4. Dive Goa: Diving Centre in Candolim. Check website.
5. Dudhsagar Falls: Perched in the high peaks, this place 65 Kms from Calangute and 60 Kms from Panaji.
Dolphin Tour. Image Credit: Aquasports
Tip:
1. If you are travelling as a couple or even smaller group, we recommend you to stay in Portuguese style villas, which will give you, local feel. You may check Shunya Noi Varo.
2. If you are in Goa on a Wednesday, you cannot miss “Anjuna Flea Market”.
3. Nightlife: North Goa has some of best of the nightclubs!
Accommodation
North Goa has several accommodation options ranging from budget to luxury!
Our favourites picks are: a family run guesthouse Bougainvillea , Sinquerim (INR 3000-6000 plus taxes); Portuguese architecture styled Siolim House Heritage Boutique Hotel (INR 9000 onwards plus taxes); luxury with ayurvedic regime Pousada Tauma, Calangute ($ 350 – $ 500 plus taxes); the heritage hotel Casa Anjuna, Anjuna (INR 7000- 14000 plus taxes); one of the most popular backpacker’s hotels, Jungle Hostel, Vagator (INR 500 – 1500 plus taxes);lovely beach resort Montego Bay Beach Village, Morjim (INR 6000- 9000 plus taxes).
Day 4 – Explore unusual side of Goa
Mhadei-Wildlife-Sanctuary. Image credit- Goa leisure
Sights and Activities
1. Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary: Evergreen forest and wide range of wildlife makes this Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary a paradise for wildlife lovers. Located in the North Goa district, this wildlife sanctuary is a protected area in Goa. If you are a bird lover, you can also visit Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Goa’s only bird sanctuary.
2. Crocodile watching tour: One of the off beat things to do in Goa, jump on to the boat and go crocodile watching in Camburjua. The Camburjua canal connects 2 main rivers of Goa- Mandovi and Zuari.
3. Go Kayaking and Cruising: Go kayaking in Goa and explore the off beaten and non-touristy Goan backwaters. Check Adventure Breaks.
Cost: INR 1000 onwards per person; duration: 2 hours.
Where: Bambolin Beach.
Go cruising! What’s the point of visiting Goa if you have not seen its beautiful sunrises and sunsets? Soak yourself into stunning views and go cruising with Konkan Explorers. Konkan Explorers combines cursing and maritime sports for a distinctive experience.
Cost:INR 3000 per person; duration 3 hours.
Where: Morjim beach.
4. Spice Plantations: Get close to nature and breathe aroma of fresh spices! While there are many plantation farms, our favorite pick is Sahakari Spice Farms, one of the most popular attractions and a unique place wherein they offer the guests a bathing with elephants!
Cost: INR 400 adults and INR 200 for kids below 8 years.
Where: Ponda Belgaum Highway, Curti, Ponda, Goa. About 17 kms from North Goa.
5. Divar Island: Isolated from the main island, surrounded by Mandovi river, this place is connected by a ferry boat from Old Goa. Marshy waters, narrow lanes and non-touristy, this island is a choice if you are looking for serenity in Goa. While we agree that there’s nothing much to do here, nevertheless, we strongly recommend this place if you want to taste the flavour of rural Goa, watch different species of birds that you have probably never seen before and stay in typical Portuguese villas!
Where: Old Goa. Near Chorao island. 10 Kms from Panjim; 22 Kms from Mapusa.
Getting there: Can be reached by ferry only. You can pick for one of the three ferry options available, which is free of cost.
Divar Island Goa. Image Credit- Itsgoa
Tip:
If you wish to reach south side of Divar island, take ferry that runs from Old Goa (near Viceroy’s arch); While east side of Divar island is connected to Naroa, Bicholim district, there is another ferry, which operates, from Ribandar from south west of Divar from 7:00 am to 8 pm everyday.
Day 5 – Explore South Goa beaches and some watersport activities
Scuba Diving Goa- Image Credit Aquasports
Sights and Activities
South Goa has stunning range of beaches, luxury resorts and good shacks!
1. Varca beach: One of the most popular beaches in South Goa.
2. Palolem beach (palm groves and shacks): This is the most attractive and lively beach of South Goa. Stay in cool huts under the palm tress and enjoy the nightlife.
3. Betalbatim: Beautiful stretches of golden sand. Do not miss to visit Martin’s Corner for some amazing Goan delicacy and live music.
4. Agonda: A very picturesque beach, between Palolem and Cola beach.
5. Sernabatim: Known for its tranquil and azure water, Sernabatim is a beautiful, less crowded beach of South Goa. This is an extension of Cola beach.
6. Scuba diving: Check Shanti Divers.
Where: Palolem Beach.
Cost: INR 4000 (For beginners).
When: October to May.
7. Sailing/Kayaking/Standup Paddle boarding: Check Sahasea.
Where: Hollant beach.
Cost: Depending upon the service provider (and the season) INR 800 onwards.
8. Moonlight Kayaking: Enjoy this adventurous kayaking experience when the sun goes down with only moonlight to guide you! Each boat has a flicker light to locate it in the dark.
Where: Bambolim beach.
Cost: Depending upon the service provider (and the season), INR 2,100 onwards; 2 Hours.
When: For 8 days in every month, depending upon the waxing phase (or lunar cycle) of the Moon.
Moonlight-Kayaking
Tip:
If you are looking for some secluded beach options, visit butterfly beach (concealed beach of Goa), Cola beach (enjoy safari tents) and Polem beach (clear water and fit for a swim).
Accommodation
We have shortlisted some of the unique, budget friendly / luxury places to stay in South Goa.
Our favourite picks are: Ciarans, Palolem beach (INR 3000 onwards); a boutique style 13 room hotel Banyan Tree Courtyard (INR 2400 onwards); Beleza By the Beach Resort, Betalbatim beach (INR 6500 onwards); an exclusive tented resort Cola Beach Resort, Cola beach (INR 6000 onwards); Dwarka Eco Beach Resort, Cola beach (INR 12000 onwards); an exclusive sea facing cottages with a private beach The Cape Goa , Canaguinim (INR 14000 onwards); with sweeping views of paddy fields Alila Diwa, Majorda (INR 20,000 onwards).
When to Go?
November to February: Pleasant weather to relax on the beach.
March to May: Carnival and Easter festivals (Till April) are in full swing. All major beach shacks and restaurants are open. Most importantly, if you do not mind Goan heat temperature raising to 32°- 34°C, you will have lots of fun!
June to September: This is a typical monsoon season and Goa is beautiful during monsoon with green patchwork all over it! The place does not close completely but it’s a lot quieter. Therefore, if you wish to enjoy the more local side of Goa, then this is the time.
Getting Around 
Rent a bike or a car, depending upon your budget and number of people. Alternatively, you may ask your hotel for hiring a cab driver.
Tip: Renting a bike in Goa is quite cheap. The per day cost of Honda Activa is around INR 300-350, Vespa INR 350, Yamaha Motorbikes around INR 600-700, Harley Davidson Street 750 about INR 3000. On weekends (Fri-Sunday), the price increases to about INR 100-200 per day depending upon the type of bike.
Read our blog on the best nightclubs, shacks and restaurants that you must visit when in Goa.
We hope this is useful for you. If you any questions or suggestions then feel free to connect with us. Go Goa Gone! 🙂
Amazing ! We love that you have put out even timings ,these sights are open for visitors. So detailed and planned… Now just waiting to land , this time a new kind of Goa visit !!!
We are so glad you found this useful! Happy Goa! 🙂