Old Goa
Gorgeous Old Goa, with foliage creeping in around the ruins of old churches, served as the capital of the Portuguese colony until repeated outbreaks of cholera forced the government to move to Panaji in 1843. The shift out of Old Goa, however, had begun as early as 1695. It was a slow desertion—first the viceroy, then the nobility, then the customs. By the time the official declaration came, it was already a deserted, ruined city. There are several imposing and beautiful churches, convents, and monasteries that reveal its former glory. Most were begun at a time when European architectural styles were shifting toward the baroque. For anyone with an interest in religious architecture or Catholic history, Old Goa is a must-see destination
South Goa
Margao, about 7 km (4 miles) inland from the coast, is the main town in South Goa. There's a bustling market, and it's worth exploring for its shopping areas, but only if you happen to be passing through; there's no reason to stay here. If you want to check out the sights, make Colva or Benaulim your base, and get the benefit of the beach and the nightlife after your day out. Excursions include the villages of Loutolim and Chandor, which have beautiful ancestral homes, some of which date from the early 1600s. The beaches of the south are more relaxing than those of the north; people here are less prone to partying, although there is more shack life in the south now than there used to be. Some of the state's most luxurious and expensive resorts are in this area
Getting Around Old Goa
Hop into a taxi or auto-rickshaw in Panaji to reach Old Goa. The 20-minute ride will cost Rs. 250 by taxi or Rs. 150 by auto-rickshaw. It's a small area, and you can walk easily from one sight to another. It's worth hiring an English-speaking guide for a one-hour walking tour—they tend to find you around the entrance of the Basilica of Bom Jesus
North Goa
For plenty of fun in the sun and after-hours parties, head to the busy beaches at Calangute, Baga, and Anjuna, which were important stops on the hippie trails of the 1960s and 1970s. The coastal stretch is increasingly built up, but there are still some quiet areas around Mandrem beach (north of the Chapora River). Nearby, atop the hills, are a few beautiful old forts built of laterite, the local pitted red stone; they offer beautiful vistas of the curvaceous coastline. The villages that sit a few miles inland have charming bed-and-breakfasts and inns with rustic flavor
Gorgeous Old Goa, with foliage creeping in around the ruins of old churches, served as the capital of the Portuguese colony until repeated outbreaks of cholera forced the government to move to Panaji in 1843. The shift out of Old Goa, however, had begun as early as 1695. It was a slow desertion—first the viceroy, then the nobility, then the customs. By the time the official declaration came, it was already a deserted, ruined city. There are several imposing and beautiful churches, convents, and monasteries that reveal its former glory. Most were begun at a time when European architectural styles were shifting toward the baroque. For anyone with an interest in religious architecture or Catholic history, Old Goa is a must-see destination
South Goa
Margao, about 7 km (4 miles) inland from the coast, is the main town in South Goa. There's a bustling market, and it's worth exploring for its shopping areas, but only if you happen to be passing through; there's no reason to stay here. If you want to check out the sights, make Colva or Benaulim your base, and get the benefit of the beach and the nightlife after your day out. Excursions include the villages of Loutolim and Chandor, which have beautiful ancestral homes, some of which date from the early 1600s. The beaches of the south are more relaxing than those of the north; people here are less prone to partying, although there is more shack life in the south now than there used to be. Some of the state's most luxurious and expensive resorts are in this area
Getting Around Old Goa
Hop into a taxi or auto-rickshaw in Panaji to reach Old Goa. The 20-minute ride will cost Rs. 250 by taxi or Rs. 150 by auto-rickshaw. It's a small area, and you can walk easily from one sight to another. It's worth hiring an English-speaking guide for a one-hour walking tour—they tend to find you around the entrance of the Basilica of Bom Jesus
North Goa
For plenty of fun in the sun and after-hours parties, head to the busy beaches at Calangute, Baga, and Anjuna, which were important stops on the hippie trails of the 1960s and 1970s. The coastal stretch is increasingly built up, but there are still some quiet areas around Mandrem beach (north of the Chapora River). Nearby, atop the hills, are a few beautiful old forts built of laterite, the local pitted red stone; they offer beautiful vistas of the curvaceous coastline. The villages that sit a few miles inland have charming bed-and-breakfasts and inns with rustic flavor
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