Goa and its pleasant coastline make a great destination for family holidays. Most establishments are kid-friendly and have a generally welcoming attitude. Water-related activities such as snorkelling and swimming in the warm sea waters, and boat trips that explore the habitat of local creatures like crocodiles and dolphins are big favourites; while traditional song and dance performances will give them a taste of the local culture.

Boat trips
Boat trips come in all shapes and sizes in Goa, providing a special experience for the children. There are hovercraft adventures along the Mandovi river and relaxing pedal boats for hire at Panaji’s Dona Paula jetty. The boat cruises each have a particular focus, ranging from onboard cultural performances to wildlife spotting. It is fairly common to see kingfishers, eagles, dolphins and crocodiles living along the Mandovi river. Fishing can also be incorporated into these boat cruises, and every resort and hotel can organise one for you.

Bowling
If you need some entertainment that isn’t based around the beach and the water then take the kids down to the 10-pin alleys at the Ace Jam family centre. Virtual game arcades add to the fun, and it’s all indoors in air-conditioned comfort.

Go-carting
Goa’s Holiday Inn and the Go A Karting Racing Track are two good places to get the kids behind the wheel of these fun and fast little go-carts. This is a really popular activity in India, so you’ll find lots of local kids getting into the spirit as well.

Sand castle building 
If you happen to be lucky enough to be visiting the beaches during one of the frequent sand castle building contests put on by the local resorts, your kids will be in for a real treat.

Goa has been generally split into two different districts, but both areas have lots of cultural attractions worth checking out. North Goa has Panaji as its capital, while South Goa is the home of villages such as Margao and Vasco de Gama. With its central location along India’s western coast, Goa is a great base for exploring the highlights around the region.

Basilica of Bom Jesus
This beautiful example of architecture is located inside Old Goa and is considered one of the most famous churches in the Catholic world. Simple in design, but intricate in appearance, this atmospheric church is the final resting place of Saint Francis Xavier, and murals on the walls depict the many events of his life as a missionary.

Church of Rachol
Located in the town of Margao, this small but impressive church is dedicated to Saint Ignatius of Loyola. The church itself is nice, but the small museum in the back at Rachol Seminary is the highlight. Its collection of beautiful, rare pieces of religious art from the earliest colonial days is definitely worth a look.

Dancing
Goa is well known for its rich tradition of cultural folk dances, which are a fascinating glimpse at the fun and creative side of local Indian traditions. Among the more famous of Goa’s regional dances are: the Bhandad and Corredinho, both of which are Portuguese in origin; the Beauty Dance called Dekhni; and other fascinating displays of talent like the Fugdi and Dhalo, Dashavatar and Lamp Dance. Many resorts and cultural venues have cultural performances scheduled that will give visitors a taste of this rich heritage, often mixed with music.

Fort Aguada
Set along the Mandovi river’s estuary, this imposing fort was built in 1612 by the Portuguese as a defence against the Dutch and the Marathas. Throughout its 450-year history, Fort Aguada is the only fortress that was never once conquered, perhaps thanks to its massively thick and high walls. One of its highlights is a 13-metre lighthouse that once used an oil lamp to guide seafarers.

Mapusa
This small village at the foot of Mount Alto is the centre of life in North Goa. With its nice mixture of residential and commercial establishments, the main attraction here is its Friday market. During this popular weekly event, locals come from all over the city to buy and sell a wide variety of items. From food and local liquor to jewellery and textiles, the market adds a nice dimension to a visit to this quaint little town.

Margao
South Goa’s main hub is the capital city Salcete. Portuguese reminders of this town’s past can be seen in the architecture of the old Margao church; while the covered market is among the most entertaining anywhere around Goa. Around Margao there are lots of things to see and do, from even smaller traditional farming villages like Raia to Hindu temples and colonial monuments scattered around the region. Exploring this interesting area is one of the better daytrips around Goa.

Music
One of the more pleasant traditions in Goa is to sing songs at the end of a day’s work together with your family. Many of the tunes are classic ragas from ancient times, and these fascinating musical performances can often be watched at the local hotels, resorts and other venues when they put on cultural shows. Even more special, you may be able to catch the sounds of singing wafting out of a household in the evening as you stroll around town.

Safa Shahouri Masjid
Built in 1560, this mosque is the most famous and largest in all of Ponda Taluka, the Muslim district of Goa. It’s a beautiful religious structure, and if you are visiting during the major Islamic holidays of Id UI-Fitr or Ud-Duha you can witness some impressive pomp at the mosque. Any other time, it’s interesting to this religion’s presence in the mixed bag that is Goa.

The cuisine in Goa is your typical South Indian blend of seafood, fish, rice, coconut milk and various spices mixed with a touch of Portuguese influence. Seafood features prominently in nearly every dish, with lobsters, crabs, prawns, and jumbo pomfrets being turned into all kinds of tasty soups, salads, curries, stir-fries and pickles.

At the heart of most dishes is coconut milk, prepared fresh by grating the flesh of the coconut and then soaking it in warm water to extract the cream. The sour, red fruit called kokum is also heavily used in Goan cooking, as are those famously hot red chillies and tamarind. Also characteristic of a meal in Goa are the dozens of spicy, tangy chutneys served up alongside the dishes.

Nearly all Goan dishes are non-vegetarian, despite the dominance of Hinduism in the country. This is somewhat unusual for South India, but results in the main course typically having some kind of meat or seafood in it (but rarely beef). Spices such as cumin, turmeric, coriander and chilli are liberally used to bring all the ingredients together.

The Portuguese influence can be seen in Goan dishes such as racheiado, cabidela and caldeirada. Pork is typically used in these dishes, and is a must whenever there’s a festive occasion. This reaches its zenith in the famous vindaloos of Goa, where wine, garlic, viande, potato and meat come together in a variety of forms to whet the appetite of locals and visitors alike. Sarpotel is another pork speciality similar to the thick curries but with an extra ingredient of pig’s blood to give it its special flavour.

For dessert, check out the tasty waffles called rose-a-coque or the famous Goan layered sweetmeat called bebinca. You will often get some live background music while you dine, especially if you eat at one of the nicer restaurants or hotels.

Shopping is another favourite activity in Goa. The local markets are as colourful and bustling as you’ll find anywhere and offer up a massive selection of exotic goods, fresh foods, and traditional crafts. Cosmopolitan shopping malls and designer boutiques balance off the timeless bazaars and outdoor markets, making Goa one of the better shopping destinations in India.

For local markets, check out the Mapusa Friday Market, the fascinating Anjuna Flea Market, and the city’s newest offering at Margao. The Anjuna Flea Market is definitely one of the best, with its roots going back to the days when hippies would sell their remaining possessions or make little pieces of jewellery to help fund their Indian adventures in Goa. Nowadays, it’s more of a souvenir bazaar, but the items are just as crafty, handmade and interesting.

The Mapusa Market happens every Friday, and is the best place to look for more traditional Goan crafts such as wood carvings, coir rugs, carved coconut masks, bamboo items, furnishings and other locally-made products. Mapusa is much more of a local Goan market than Anjuna, which is geared towards the tourists. Don’t miss out on spending some time in Goa’s markets, as they are definitely the shopping highlight of this city.

Goa is no stranger to tourism, and has developed a booming market of outdoor activities to keep its visitors entertained. Many of them revolve around the beach and the sea, but there is also a growing extreme sports niche that caters to the younger and more adventure-seeking types. Whether you simply lie on the beach and work on your tan, or hit the water for some fun, there are endless outdoor activities on offer in and around Goa.

Boating
If there’s one outdoor activity which should be near the top of every visitor’s list it is a boat ride on one of the many different bodies of water around Goa. From leisurely sea cruises to hovercraft skimming along the surface of Mandovi river, this is one of the best ways to see the natural side of Goa. Rent a pedal boat or funky aqua bike at Mayem lake, Ourem creek or the Dona Paula jetty to do some boating yourself, or let the luxury cruisers of Santa Monica Yachts take you on one of their river tours, which include a cultural performance to add another dimension to your excursion.

Bungee Jumping
If you want to experience what may well be the thrill of your life, try bungee jumping off a 25-metre crane at Gravity Zone. Located at Baga beach, this popular adrenaline activity is one of the best ways to test the limits of your fear.

Cycling
Renting a bike is a great way to cruise around Goa and get some exercise at the same time. You can rent bikes either from your hotel or one of the many rental outlets along the beaches and in the town.

Gambling 
It’s not exactly an outdoor activity, but your hands can get a little exercise at one of Goa’s top notch casinos, which are a pleasant mix of classy urban chic and typically friendly Goan hospitality. From the sprawling complex at Chances to the posh environment of Las Vegas, visitors can take try their luck at a number of gambling venues scattered around Goa.

Scuba Diving
Although Goa is not known as one of the world’s top dive sites, there is still plenty to see underwater if you feel the urge to go scuba diving. Most of the diving in Goa is near Grand Island, where divers can check out a handful of decent coral gardens filled with a healthy marine life population. Even more interesting, perhaps, are the numerous shipwrecks which litter the ocean floor off Goa’s coast. The Portuguese lost plenty of ships during their colonial days, and these fascinating sites are very accessible to divers. If you have more time, consider a day trip out to Angria bank, which really does qualify as a premier dive site with its excellent reef heads and colourful fish; a four-hour speedboat ride will take you there. A little closer to Goa is Pigeon Island, known for its good visibility, and the popular shallow dive sites between Vengurla and Malvan, about two hours from the city.

Water sports
If you can name it, you can probably do it in Goa. Baga beach is the best place to start if you want to get out into the water and have some fun. You can choose anything from a relaxing snorkel or sea kayak jaunt to more adventurous action like parasailing, jet-skiing, and water scooters. The Taj and Oberoi hotels are both good places to organise a parasailing flight, and they can also hook you up with water-skiing boats and equipment.

Wildlife cruises
One of the more amusing ways to explore the backwaters of Goa is to take an organised wildlife boat tour. The two most popular excursions involve searching for crocodiles and watching the dolphins jump around. Croc tours focus on the rivers, where it’s more likely you’ll see an abundance of birdlife and other creatures along with the elusive crocodiles that live in these murky waters. Dolphins also live in the Mandovi river, near the estuary, offering a rare opportunity for visitors to see a freshwater dolphin in its native habitat.

Windsurfing
Whether you’re new to the sport, or a seasoned veteran, Goa is a great place for windsurfing. Dona Paula bay is the hot spot around for this fun and challenging activity. With its light but steady winds, it’s the ideal environment for beginners to get their feet wet. Other good windsurfing spots include Calangute, Colva, Baga, Vagator and Miramar. Most hotels and rental shops can set you up with the training and gear that you need to get going.