Goa is also blessed with wide and wonderful rivers numbering seven in all. It is here that you realize how much more there is to Goa than its beaches and sea. The waters of the rivers are emerald green and ferry up any one of them will take you past fishermen with their nets spread out. On the sides are palm trees with green fields behind them. As you go past Old Catholic churches, you might just come across small white-sanded banks that are popularly called Coco or Sunny beaches. If not for anything else, stop to collect an awesome, colorful and varied of shells which can be found just lying around.
Places to see in Goa: Panaji:
Panaji is the official capital of Goa. It was called Panjim during the times of the Portuguese and was one of the three principal Portuguese cities along with Velha Goa (Old Goa) and Margao. Though it began as a suburb of Velha Goa it ended up becoming the capital of Goa in 1843 when the Portuguese Old Goa. It is also one of India's smallest and most charming state capitals. More about places to see in Goa…
Places to see in Goa: Vasco-da-Gama :
The town of Vasco-da-Gama was originally called Sambhaji. This spick and span, and geometrically planned well laid out coastal town popularly known as Vasco is also the oldest railway terminus for passenger service. More about places to see in Goa.
Places to see in Goa: Margao :
Margao is Goa's second largest city and commercial metropolis of Salcete taluka in South Goa. It still retains semblance of Goa's Portuguese colonial past, and is connected to the rest of the Indian sub-continent by rail. Margao is the headquarters of South Goa District and is considered the main commercial city of Goa. It is famous for its ancient cultural heritage and traditional customs of the people of Goa. More about places to see in Goa.
Places to visit in Goa: Mapusa :
Mapusa's main claim to fame is its famous Friday market where people from all over Goa come to buy and sell their wares. It is otherwise a small town forming the hub of north Goa. More about places to visit in Goa.
Places to visit in Goa: Velha Goa :
Velha Goa or Old Goa rose as the second capital of the Bijapur Kingdom though all that remains of that era today are pieces of the Gateway, part of the wall that surrounded the Sultan's palace. The Portuguese colonization of Goa with Alfonso de Albuquerque's victory over the Sultan's forces also began here. It then served as the Portuguese capital of Goa until 1843 and from the mid 16th century onwards, the Christian Doctrine began to be spread from here by St. Francis Xavier. More about places to visit in Goa.
Places to visit in Goa: Beaches :
Goa's best-known feature is its lovely languorous golden beaches that stretch across the 60 miles (100 kms) long coastline. While, some of them are well prepared for tourists and appointed with every facility, be it hotels and resorts, beach shacks and small restaurants serving delicious but affordable food, or beach bazaars with colorful balloons, the others are sandy and isolated retreats perfect for unwinding and relaxing. The various beaches in Goa are its must visit places. More about these places to visit in Goa.
Places to visit in Goa: Churches :
The churches in the beach capital of India attract pilgrims from far and away. Amongst the most popular churches of Goa are Se Cathedral, Convent & Church of St. Francis of Assisi and Church & Convent of St. Monica. More about these places to visit in Goa.
Goa sightseeing: Ponda :
The town of Ponda can easily be considered the heart of Hinduism in Goa. For when the Hindus abandoned their coastal settlements and moved inland during the Inquisition, a majority of them settled in Ponda. Ponda is now a transportation hub and some of the best temples in Goa are located here. More about sightseeing in Goa.
