Old Quarter Hostel

The view from The Panjim Inn

As you pull up to Old Quarter (you’ll have no trouble spotting it thanks to it’s unique design!) you’ll find yourself enjoying a charming combination of India’s history and its potential future. The best thing to do to begin your stay in Panjim is to walk through the streets of Fontainhas (the area surrounding the hostel) and get a little lost in it’s beauty, while enjoying the soothing atmosphere of this sleepy part of the city. You can rent a bicycle from the hostel and soak in the stunning buildings without having to worry about loud, hectic traffic jams, or many vehicles at all for that matter. After strolling through the streets head for a refreshment at The Panjim Inn, one of Panjim’s oldest restaurants which offers a varied menu with slightly higher prices than you may be used to, but the setting is worth paying a little extra for. You’ll soon find that Panjim is full of tasty places to eat, and you’ll easily find something to suit your budget and palate.

Kamat (opp the casino docks): This local veg restaurant is entirely unassuming and offers delicious local treats for next to nothing. You can enjoy dosas in the morning from around Rs50 and main meals from Rs100. The decor may not be up to much, but the food certainly is.

Inside Hotel Venite

Hotel Venite (Rua 31 de Janeiro):  Try and get a table next to one of the tiny balconies and enjoy watching the passersby as you tuck in to a delicious meal. The decor is a combination of the traditional Portuguese style with an unusual twist, and the menu is a selection of Goan and Portuguese cuisine. Meals start from around Rs250.

Black Sheep Bistro (Swami Vivekanand Road): If you’re looking to treat yourself during your stay in Panjim then head to the funky Black Sheep Bistro which serves up a wide range of dishes including a range of popular cocktails. Main meals start from around Rs350, but you can always opt for a few smaller dishes from their tapas menu.

Barrels and Bones (Mala): Serving up tasty gastro style American cuisine, Barrels and Bones is the perfect place to head to if you’re craving a decent steak. Although this is a little bit out of most backpackers preferred price range, it’s a great place to go for a treat.

Desbue (Fontainhas): This is the place to go if you are after delicious fresh salads and a wide range of healthy food bursting with flavour, the mezze platter is especially delicious . The food is reasonable priced, the staff are friendly and the location is lovely. If you’re a dessert fan then it wont be long before this place steals your heart, the chocolate lava cake, nutty chocolate dessert and the green tea pannacotta are all absolute musts.

Ritz Classic (18th June Road): If you want to eat like the locals do then check out Ritz Classic’s amazing fish thali, which will only set you back Rs180 and is ideal for a lazy lunch. The rest of the menu is equally is a appetizing, and the service is as fast and friendly.

Upstairs at Bombay Coffee Roasters

Bombay Coffee Roasters (Rua 31 de Janeiro) : Of course, this is by far my favourite place to eat, drink  and relax in the cool air-conditioned and peaceful atmosphere. The food available is healthy, reasonably priced and fresh, whilst the coffee is quite possibly the best in Goa.

After you’ve taken care of where you’re going to eat you can relax and enjoy the rest of the city. Panjim has a huge selection of shops, my personal favourite being Fab India (it’s a little out of the city so just jump in a tuk tuk) which is certainly more expensive than most shops in Goa, but it has a wonderful range of clothes and niknaks which make perfect presents. If you are trying to budget, then perhaps stay away, as temptation may soon get the better of you! There are a few cheaper clothes shops around the city, as well as a little market and a fruit and veg market which is well worth a look.

If you’re looking to party then Panjim is perhaps not the place to you as there is very little going on in the evening. The casinos are open 24hrs though and you can pay a set price and then drink and eat all night. Be sure to wear long trousers and look vaguely presentable and take your passport to gain entry. If you just fancy a few drinks then head to Down The Road, which does reasonably priced food and drinks, you might even be lucky enough to catch a karaoke night, which is always a good laugh. They also have a small club downstairs, and although you may find that you’re the only person on the dance floor, this is the place to head if you fancy a boogie.

There are plenty of cultural things to do in Panjim, such as checking out some of the city’s churches, especially Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception and exploring some of the heritage buildings. There is also a hindu temple just behind the hostel, which you will see lit up at night, you can head up here in the morning and receive a blessing to start your day off on the right track. You could spend an afternoon on a cruise of the Mandovi River, which is a great way to see some of the natural beauty of the surrounding area.

Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa

Once you’re done with exploring the city itself you can head out to Old Goa for the day, you can opt to go by bus (the bus stop is just a short walk from the hostel) or hire a tuk tuk for the afternoon. Old Goa was once the Portuguese Eastern Empire until it was deserted after a disease outbreak in 1835, the city’s dwellers took down most of the buildings and rebuilt their lives in Panjim, they did however leave the churches as they were. Today, the churches are in surprisingly good shape with many of them still functioning as places of worship. You can wander around the area and enjoy the Portuguese’s impressive legacies and learn about Goa’s extensive, and fascinating history.  Be sure to make your way up to Mount Mary Church which is by far one of the best spots in Old Goa, thanks to it’s incredible views across the surrounding countryside.

After a day of sightseeing you’re sure to be ready to relax and unwind, and what better place to do just that than in front of the big screen? The Inox Cinema shows a selection of the latest Hollywood blockbusters, which you can enjoy from the comfortable air conditioned theatre. Our wonderful barrista, Utpal organises a weekly cinema trip for the guests of Old Quarter so you can join him if you feel like it. Make sure that you try some of the snacks available, the cheesy popcorn is particularly good.

Panjim is the place to go if you’re looking to relax and regroup for a few days as it’s so seductively opposite from Goa’s party scene, whilst providing you with plenty of entertainment. Embrace the romance of the city, walk around with a smile on your face and you’ll soon be welcomed with open arms.

Anjuna Flea Market

It’s generally considered that North Goa is the place to head to let your hair down and people tend to find the right party vibe for them somewhere between Candolim and Arambol. One of the main party destinations is Anjuna which is renowned for its endless assortment of nightclubs, funky bars and lively cafes. The beachside town is infamous for its flea market each Wednesday afternoon, which attracts people from all over Goa looking for great bargains on colourful, handcrafted goods. It’s also a convenient place to crash if you fancy checking out Arpora’s Saturday Night Market, one of Goa’s must sees. If the party scene in Anjuna tires you out there are plenty of havens of tranquility in the form of the sandy beach, or relaxed cafes where you can tend to your hangover and boost your Vitamin D levels.

The Sweet Lake, Arambol

Arambol, which you’ll find further north of Anjuna, was the original hippie hang out of Goa. Now you’ll find colourful reminders of the hippies of the ‘70s mixed with today’s hippies adding their own touch of magic to this spiritual town. The main beach is sprinkled with cafes, restaurants and bars which extend along the road leading to the beach where they are joined by stalls selling a variety of clothes, jewellry and other glittering Indian goodies. If you head right along the beach you’ll find a path leading around the cliff face to another, smaller beach with a sweet lake behind it. The lake is popular for a refreshing dip and the streams leading up to it contain natural mud spas, so don’t be surprised to see people wandering around covered in mud, and by all means get involved, as it works wonders for your skin. Nightlife in Arambol consists largely of drum circles on the beach or silent discos in mesmerizing locations.

Deserted Mandrem Beach

Between Arambol and Anjuna you’ll find other beautiful beach towns which are all well worth seeing, Mandrem and Ashwem beach are both feats of nature with endless white sand and turquoise water. Here you’ll find unique and slightly pricier boutiques as well as stylish restaurants and chic beach huts, perfect if you’re looking to treat yourselves to a few days of luxury. These two beaches are also home to several Yoga schools and retreats which have chosen to utilise the soothing energy of the pristine beaches and relaxing atmosphere.

Vagator Beach

Head south from Morjim and you’ll find yourself in the peaceful Chapora, a chilled out sleepy village with a lovely relaxing beach, where you’ll find cheap accommodation and some tasty cafes. Neighbouring beach town Vagator is a little livelier than Chapora and has a range of restaurants and a few late night bars to enjoy. Vagator is the ideal place to stay if you are looking to enjoy the nightlife of Anjuna but don’t necessarily fancy staying in the heart of all of the fun, as it’s just a ten minute journey between the two.

Baga Beach

Further along from Anjuna you’ll find the stretch of beach which is home to Candolim, Calangute and Baga which are popular amongst cheap, package holidaymakers which unfortunately has encouraged them to lose their Indian charm and transform into a tacky seaside resort. Baga does have quite a lot going on in the evening and Candolim is home to some delicious cafes and restaurants as well as a decent stretch of beach, so you can easily find things to satisfy you if you find yourself heading in that direction.

Panjim

You may want to take some time out from life on the beach and head into Goa’s capital which is conveniently situated in the centre of Goa’s coastline. Panjim is the perfect place to head to if you are interested in learning a little more about Goa’s diverse and colourful history as each street will tell you a different story of Goa’s past. Las Fontainhas is the part of Panjim that will truly steal your heart as well as provoke daydreams of times gone by. You will feel as though you have stepped back in time as you wander through the picturesque streets lined with quaint houses decorated with well cared for plants and peeling paint. Just outside of Panjim you’ll find Old Goa, which was once a thriving capital city until it was evacuated after an outbreak of the plague. Now all that remains are breathtakingly large churches some of which are still being used today.

Palolem

After your colourful burst of culture you may well feel ready check out to the golden beaches of South Goa, which are considered to be the most beautiful beaches in the area. Head all the way down to the south and you’ll find the sleepy beach of Patnem which is home to several charming and reasonably priced huts which help you to make the most of the beach. If you feel the need to explore you can head south of Patnem and you’ll find endless stretches of deserted beaches which will allow you to live out your Robinson Crusoe fantasy with ease. The next beach along from Patnem is Palolem, a stunning beach with a slightly livelier atmosphere than Patnem, where you’ll find a range of delicious restaurants, welcoming bars and regular headphone parties. There are kayaks for rent along the beach enabling you to explore neighbouring butterfly island and to help you spot the cheeky dolphins which often pass by the beach.

Agonda Beach

As you head up the coast you’ll find Agonda, one of Goa’s most popular spots to watch the sunset from. This gorgeous stretch of beach knows exactly when to relax and when to start mixing the cocktails, an ideal place to spend a few weeks doing very little and simply enjoying the scenery, which is second to none. A little further up lies Benaulim, one of the larger beach resorts in the south which generally attracts a combination of retirees and backpackers wanting a little chill out time. There are guest houses a plenty, as well as beach restaurants and lively bars to explore.

Colva Beach

The next popular town along the coast is Colva, although it seems to be gradually losing its appeal as it turns into a more commercialised and significantly less hippy orientated resort. There is still plenty going on here though, and it’s lively atmosphere creates a great holiday feeling.

The main overall draw of South Goa is its stunning beaches and relaxing atmosphere, if you are looking for the perfect place to unwind and grab some sunshine then this is the place for you. As well as it being home to Goa’s best beaches, you’ll also find that the countryside is well worth exploring. Grab a scooter and explore the quiet lanes or head to Bhagwan Mahaveer National Park and check out it’s impressive waterfalls and collection of ancient temples.

Whichever part of Goa tickles your fancy, you’ll find yourself being blown away by it’s brilliant beaches, charmed by its colourful culture, soothed by its spiritual side and delighted by its dance floors.

Need to know…

Getting Here: Goa is easily accessible by both air and train. It’s airport is central and easy to reach from anywhere in the state, while the main train station, Margao has links to all over India.

Getting Around: The easiest, and most enjoyable way to explore Goa is by scooter, you can cheaply rent scooters per day from plenty of places around Goa. If you are nervous about braving the roads, then you can use the public buses or local taxi services.

Budget: You can easily do Goa on a budget and if you are willing to haggle and explore then you will find accommodation from around Rs500 per night. Alcohol is exceptionally cheap and if you are a fan of local cuisine then you’ll find plenty to eat without breaking the bank each meal time.

When to Go: The main tourist season runs from around November – mid March which is when the temperature is the most comfortable. You’ll find that most things tend to shut down after this period in preparation for the monsoon season, however you’ll always manage to find somewhere to stay, no matter what time of year it is.

Paperwork: Pretty much everyone is required to have a valid visa for their stay in Goa, applying for a visa used to be a frustrating process but recently it has become far easier and you can obtain a six month tourist visa without much hassle, giving you the perfect excuse to enjoy India for six months.