Cabs
North Goa sightseeing by cab

Places to visit in North Goa in 2 days, in order

Two days covers North Goa's beaches and its history. Day one is the coast: Fort Aguada, Candolim, Calangute, Baga, Anjuna, Chapora Fort and Vagator, about 42 km. Day two is Old Goa's churches from 09:00, Panjim's Fontainhas quarter, Dona Paula, Miramar and Reis Magos Fort, about 67 km. Keep day two off a Monday, when Reis Magos is closed.

15 places109 km by cabtimed against opening hours
How long do you have?
Day 1

Fort Aguada and the beaches to Vagator

Fort Aguada when it opens at about 09:30, then Candolim, Calangute and Baga beaches, with lunch at a Baga beach shack at about 13:00. After lunch, Anjuna's rocky beach, Chapora Fort before it closes at 17:00, and Vagator Beach under the cliffs. About 42 km by cab, back in Calangute by about 17:10. If you want the sunset at Vagator (about 18:00 in winter, 19:00 in summer), tell the driver and stay on. Works on any day.

09:15 to 17:107 places42 km by cab
  1. 1Fort Aguada
  2. 2Candolim Beach
  3. 3Calangute Beach
  4. 4Baga Beach
  5. Lunch
  6. 5Anjuna Beach
  7. 6Chapora Fort
  8. 7Vagator Beach
  9. Back
  1. Leave Calangute
  2. 1

    Fort Aguada

    1 h here
    Fort Aguada
    Photo: Iramuthusamy, CC BY-SA 3.0

    A Portuguese fort from 1612 on the headland at the south end of the beaches. Ships once filled their water tanks from its spring. The old lighthouse from 1864 stands inside the walls, and you can see along the whole coast to Calangute.

    FortsAbout 09:30 to 17:00 every day (listings range from 09:00 to 18:00). The jail museum below costs about ₹200

    Tip: Go early: there is little shade on the walls. The old jail lower down is now a museum about Goa's freedom struggle (about ₹200), worth an extra hour if you like history. Sinquerim Beach is right below the fort.

  3. 2

    Candolim Beach

    30 min here
    Candolim Beach
    Photo: S1ranand, CC0

    A long, quieter beach between Sinquerim and Calangute, with soft sand and fewer crowds than its neighbours.

    BeachesOpen beach, free. Lifeguards watch from 07:00 to sunset; no swimming after sunset, or at all in the monsoon (June to September)

    Tip: A good beach for a swim inside the flags. Shacks here are calmer than at Baga, and there are beach beds to rent for the day.

  4. 3

    Calangute Beach

    45 min here
    Calangute Beach
    Photo: Uspn, CC BY-SA 3.0

    The biggest and busiest beach in North Goa, a long stretch of sand lined with shacks, hotels and water sports counters. It is the beach most visitors see first.

    BeachesOpen beach, free. Lifeguards watch from 07:00 to sunset; no swimming after sunset, or at all in the monsoon (June to September)

    Tip: Swim only between the red and yellow flags. Water sports (parasailing, jet skis, banana boats) are sold on the sand; agree the price and the time before you pay.

  5. 4

    Baga Beach

    45 min here
    Baga Beach
    Photo: Nikhilb239, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The north end of the Calangute strip, where the Baga creek meets the sea. It is lively all day, with shacks on the sand and Tito's Lane and its clubs a short walk inland.

    BeachesOpen beach, free. Lifeguards watch from 07:00 to sunset; no swimming after sunset, or at all in the monsoon (June to September)

    Tip: Lunch at a beach shack here is part of the day. Shacks open from about October or November to May; in the monsoon most are taken down.

  6. Lunch, about 1 h. Your driver will know a place nearby. The times after this include it.
  7. 5

    Anjuna Beach

    45 min here
    Anjuna Beach
    Photo: Nikhilb239, CC BY 3.0

    A rocky beach below red cliffs, known since the 1960s for its hippie history and its Wednesday flea market. The rocks at the south end make good photos at low tide.

    BeachesOpen beach, free. Lifeguards watch from 07:00 to sunset; no swimming after sunset, or at all in the monsoon (June to September). Anjuna has no swim zone: the beach is rocky

    Tip: This is a beach for walking and sitting, not swimming: there is no swim zone because of the rocks. The flea market is on Wednesdays in season (about November to March).

  8. 6

    Chapora Fort

    45 min here
    Chapora Fort
    Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0

    The ruined walls of a Portuguese fort from 1717 on a hill over the Chapora river. Little is left inside, but the views are wide: Vagator below, the river mouth and Morjim across the water. Many know it from the film Dil Chahta Hai.

    FortsAbout 09:30 or 10:00 to 17:00 or 17:30, every day. Free; parking about ₹40

    Tip: The climb from the parking is short but steep and rocky, so wear proper shoes. There is no shade at the top. Leave before dark.

  9. 7

    Vagator Beach

    1 h here
    Vagator Beach
    Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0

    Two beaches under red cliffs below Chapora Fort: Big Vagator to the north and Little Vagator (Ozran) to the south. The cliffs make it one of the best places in North Goa to watch the sun go down.

    BeachesOpen beach, free. Lifeguards watch from 07:00 to sunset; no swimming after sunset, or at all in the monsoon (June to September)

    Tip: Parking is at the top of the cliff, with steps down to the sand. Little Vagator has a stone face carved into a rock near the water. The sea has strong currents here, so swim only between the flags.

  10. Back at Calangute
Day 2

Old Goa churches, Panjim and Reis Magos

Old Goa first: the Basilica of Bom Jesus at 09:00, then Se Cathedral, the Church of St Francis of Assisi and the museum, and the St Augustine tower. Then Panjim: the Immaculate Conception church and a walk in Fontainhas, with lunch in Panjim at about 12:50. After lunch, Dona Paula, Miramar Beach and Reis Magos Fort across the river. About 67 km by cab, back in Calangute by about 16:45. Not on a Monday, when Reis Magos is closed. On a Sunday, Bom Jesus lets visitors in only from about 10:30, so see the cathedral first. The museum is closed on Fridays.

08:30 to 16:458 places67 km by cab
  1. 1Basilica of Bom Jesus
  2. 2Se Cathedral and St Francis of Assisi
  3. 3St Augustine Tower
  4. 4Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church
  5. 5Fontainhas
  6. Lunch
  7. 6Dona Paula
  8. 7Miramar Beach
  9. 8Reis Magos Fort
  10. Back
  1. Leave Calangute
  2. 1

    Basilica of Bom Jesus

    45 min here
    Basilica of Bom Jesus
    Photo: Sandeepsea, CC BY-SA 3.0

    The most famous church in Goa, finished in 1605, with a plain red stone front and a gilded altar inside. It holds the tomb of St Francis Xavier. It is part of the Old Goa churches World Heritage Site.

    ChurchesMonday to Saturday from 09:00; Sunday from about 10:30, after the morning Masses. Two listings say open to 18:30, Google says 17:00. Free. Closed to visitors in Holy Week

    Tip: Entry is free. Cover shoulders and knees, and keep quiet inside. On Sundays visitors are let in from 10:30, after Mass. The saint's body is shown up close only at the Exposition, about every 10 years.

  3. 2

    Se Cathedral and St Francis of Assisi

    1 h here
    Se Cathedral and St Francis of Assisi
    Photo: Sailko, CC BY 3.0

    Across the road from Bom Jesus, the huge white Se Cathedral is one of the largest churches in Asia, with a famous Golden Bell. Beside it are the Church of St Francis of Assisi, with painted walls, and the Archaeological Museum, with old portraits of the Portuguese governors.

    ChurchesSe Cathedral about 07:30 to 18:00; St Francis of Assisi about 09:00 to 17:00, may be shut to visitors on Sundays; the Archaeological Museum 09:00 to 17:00, closed Fridays (about ₹10). Churches free

    Tip: One stop for three sights a few steps apart. The museum is closed on Fridays. The Church of St Cajetan, with its dome, is a short walk east if you have time.

  4. 3

    St Augustine Tower

    30 min here
    St Augustine Tower
    Photo: Sailko, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The one tall tower left of the Church of St Augustine, built in 1602 and once one of the biggest churches in Goa. It stands on Holy Hill, a short drive from Bom Jesus, among the stone ruins of the old church.

    FortsOpen ruins, about 09:00 to 17:00. Free

    Tip: Entry is free. It is open ground with little shade. The nunnery of St Monica and the Museum of Christian Art are on the same hill.

  5. 4

    Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church

    30 min here
    Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church
    Photo: Josephdesousa, CC BY-SA 3.0

    The white church with zigzag stairs in the centre of Panjim, first built in 1541 and rebuilt in 1619. Its big bell came from the ruined church of St Augustine in Old Goa. It is Panjim's best-known picture.

    ChurchesInside about 09:30 to 12:30 and 15:00 to 17:30 (one listing says 09:00 to 19:30). Free; the steps outside are open all day?

    Tip: Most visitors see the outside and the stairs, which are open all day. Inside may close at midday. The church feast on 8 December lights it up at night.

  6. 5

    Fontainhas

    45 min here
    Fontainhas
    Photo: iMahesh, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Panjim's old Latin Quarter: narrow lanes of yellow, blue and red Portuguese-era houses with tiled roofs and balconies. It has small cafés, bakeries and art galleries, and the white Chapel of St Sebastian.

    Markets & old quartersAn open old quarter; go in daylight. Galleries keep their own hours (Sunaparanta 10:00 to 19:00, closed Sundays)

    Tip: Walk it: the lanes are too narrow for a cab. Ask the driver to wait near the church end. People live in these houses, so do not climb steps or go into porches for photos.

  7. Lunch, about 1 h. Your driver will know a place nearby. The times after this include it.
  8. 6

    Dona Paula

    45 min here
    Dona Paula
    Photo: SahilSahadevan, CC BY-SA 3.0

    A rocky headland south of Panjim where the Mandovi and Zuari rivers meet the sea. A jetty runs out to a viewpoint over the bay and Mormugao port, and there is a statue and a lot of small stalls.

    BeachesJetty and viewpoint about 06:00 to 22:00. About ₹50 for adult visitors (₹25 for ages 10 to 18)?

    Tip: The jetty reopened in 2023 after five years shut, and The Goan reported in July 2026 that it is to be redone again. If it is closed, the view from the road above is still good.

  9. 7

    Miramar Beach

    30 min here
    Miramar Beach
    Photo: Nikhilb239, CC BY 3.0

    Panjim's city beach, where the Mandovi river meets the sea. From the sand you look across the river mouth to Fort Aguada and Reis Magos. Locals come here for an evening walk.

    BeachesOpen beach, free. Lifeguards watch from 07:00 to sunset; no swimming after sunset, or at all in the monsoon (June to September)

    Tip: It is a walking beach more than a swimming one, as the river current is strong near the mouth. There is a promenade and snack stalls along the road.

  10. 8

    Reis Magos Fort

    45 min here
    Closed on Mondays
    Reis Magos Fort
    Photo: Rajib Ghosh, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A small, well restored Portuguese fort from 1551 on the north bank of the Mandovi, facing Panjim. Inside are exhibits on Goa's history and the fort's years as a jail, and the walls look across the river to the city.

    FortsAbout 09:30 to 17:00 (some say 17:30), closed Mondays. About ₹50 for adults, ₹25 for children; camera extra

    Tip: Closed on Mondays. The fort was restored and reopened in 2012, so ignore older pages that say it is shut. The Reis Magos church sits just below it.

  11. Back at Calangute

Drive times come from road routing without traffic. The roads between Calangute and Baga, and round the Panjim bridges, jam in the evenings and at weekends in the season (most of all from Christmas to New Year), so real drives take longer than shown. Beach parking is often paid. Opening hours marked ? are not yet confirmed, so check them before you go.

Book a cab for these 2 days

Call or message a local North Goa operator with this plan. Tell them your hotel and dates, and they send a price for the car and driver.

2 × full day, 8 h / 80 kmSedan, SUV or InnovaPrice from the operator

We are still listing North Goa operators. Write to [email protected] and we will put you in touch.

Opening times for this plan

The hours we planned around. Check before you go on a public holiday.

PlaceOpenBest timeVisit
Fort AguadaAbout 09:30 to 17:00 every day (listings range from 09:00 to 18:00). The jail museum below costs about ₹200First thing in the morning, before the heat.1 h
Candolim BeachOpen beach, free. Lifeguards watch from 07:00 to sunset; no swimming after sunset, or at all in the monsoon (June to September)Late morning.30 min
Calangute BeachOpen beach, free. Lifeguards watch from 07:00 to sunset; no swimming after sunset, or at all in the monsoon (June to September)Late morning, or after 16:00 when the sand cools.45 min
Baga BeachOpen beach, free. Lifeguards watch from 07:00 to sunset; no swimming after sunset, or at all in the monsoon (June to September)Around lunch, or in the evening for the shacks and clubs.45 min
Anjuna BeachOpen beach, free. Lifeguards watch from 07:00 to sunset; no swimming after sunset, or at all in the monsoon (June to September). Anjuna has no swim zone: the beach is rockyAfternoon. On a Wednesday in season, add the flea market.45 min
Chapora FortAbout 09:30 or 10:00 to 17:00 or 17:30, every day. Free; parking about ₹40Late afternoon, before it closes.45 min
Vagator BeachOpen beach, free. Lifeguards watch from 07:00 to sunset; no swimming after sunset, or at all in the monsoon (June to September)Sunset: about 18:00 in winter, about 19:00 in summer.1 h
Basilica of Bom JesusMonday to Saturday from 09:00; Sunday from about 10:30, after the morning Masses. Two listings say open to 18:30, Google says 17:00. Free. Closed to visitors in Holy WeekMorning, before the tour buses.45 min
Se Cathedral and St Francis of AssisiSe Cathedral about 07:30 to 18:00; St Francis of Assisi about 09:00 to 17:00, may be shut to visitors on Sundays; the Archaeological Museum 09:00 to 17:00, closed Fridays (about ₹10). Churches freeLate morning, after Bom Jesus.1 h
St Augustine TowerOpen ruins, about 09:00 to 17:00. FreeLate morning, after the cathedral.30 min
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception ChurchInside about 09:30 to 12:30 and 15:00 to 17:30 (one listing says 09:00 to 19:30). Free; the steps outside are open all day?Morning, or after 15:00.30 min
FontainhasAn open old quarter; go in daylight. Galleries keep their own hours (Sunaparanta 10:00 to 19:00, closed Sundays)Late morning, before the midday sun.45 min
Dona PaulaJetty and viewpoint about 06:00 to 22:00. About ₹50 for adult visitors (₹25 for ages 10 to 18)?Late afternoon.45 min
Miramar BeachOpen beach, free. Lifeguards watch from 07:00 to sunset; no swimming after sunset, or at all in the monsoon (June to September)Late afternoon, or at sunset.30 min
Reis Magos FortAbout 09:30 to 17:00 (some say 17:30), closed Mondays. About ₹50 for adults, ₹25 for children; camera extraAfternoon, on the way back from Panjim.45 min

More or less time in North Goa?

Questions people ask

Is 2 days enough for North Goa?

Yes, for the main sights. Add a third day for Mapusa market and the quiet beaches from Arambol to Morjim, or just for a slow day on the sand.

Which days should I avoid?

Only day two has closures: Reis Magos Fort shuts on Mondays and the Old Goa museum on Fridays. On Sundays, Bom Jesus lets visitors in only from about 10:30, after Mass. Day one works on any day, so swap the days if you need to.

Can I add a sunset river cruise?

Yes. Day two is back by about 16:45, and sunset cruises leave the Santa Monica jetty in Panjim at about 18:00. Book the cab for the evening, or take a taxi back to Panjim.