The smallest state in India is also one of the most visited thanks to its relaxed resorts and idyllic beaches. Offering everything from luxurious coastal hotels to bustling markets and colonial architecture, Goa is an exciting destination for any newcomer to India, as well as a hotspot for Indian holidaymakers who enjoy the lively beach atmosphere.

Nestled on the west coast of India, Goa is easily accessible from Mumbai, one of India’s main air gateways. The welcoming nature of Goans is evident on arrival and visitors should expect to be met with gleaming smiles, colourful saris and luscious shades of green tropical foliage.

Centuries of colonial rule have made Goa unique from other Indian states, and evidence of the Portuguese and British, and the resulting fusion of East and West, has created some wonderful examples of architecture and a dynamic culture that brims with artistic grandeur and lively festivals.

The Portuguese inspired churches, centuries-old fortifications and vast sandy coastline provide for abundant sightseeing opportunities; while spicy seafood cuisine and authentic handicrafts are available on every corner. This is also one of the few states in India where you can readily buy alcohol to help you cool down after a zesty biriyani.

The popularity of Goa as a travel destination among the alternative crowd dates back to the 1960s, when the coastal resorts became something of a hippy hangout on the Asia backpacker trail. While Goa is still a magnet for New Age travellers, its appeal now draws a much wider variety of tourists. Visitors will find everything from five-star accommodation and package holidays to laid-back lodgings and homely guesthouses offering rooms at rock-bottom prices for those on a shoestring budget.

Goa’s developed tourist infrastructure ensures visitors have a comfortable stay, and English is widely spoken. Those who want to avoid India’s downsides can largely do so here, with spotless eateries and a slow pace of life. The sheer vibrancy of Goa means there is always something interesting going on, whether it’s a street market or a trance party on the beach. Lap up the variety and take a step into a different and exotic world at Goa.

Goa has a long history of Christian occupation, with the first Christian rulers having been succeeded by Muslims in 1312. One hundred years of Arab rule saw Goa become a significant trading port used for the transportation of Arabian horses to nearby Hampi.

Power changed hands many times until the arrival of the Portuguese in India in 1498, after the India route was discovered by Vasco da Gama in an effort to wrestle control of the spice route from the Turks. The new trade route meant an increase in commercial traffic, and the port at Goa became of significance. The Portuguese brought with them their own language and culture, their variation of Christianity and Western ideals.

Alfonso de Albuquerque was the first Portuguese official to arrive in Goa in 1510, but was quickly followed by others such as St Francis Xavier in 1542. The newcomers’ efforts to spread Christianity helped to quickly expand their area of control, marking the beginning of Goa’s Golden Age.

During the 16^th century, Old Goa ranked as the largest city in the east and had a population of more than 40,000 as well as 300 churches. However, once it had become the vice regal seat of the Portuguese empire of the east, it was not long before stiff competition from the British, Dutch and French followed. This competition, along with Portugal’s inefficiency at successfully maintaining its distant empire, led to Goa’s decline.

The last of the Portuguese were expelled in the late 18^th century, after which the British briefly ruled up until independence. Nowadays, despite being under Indian control, Goa has retained a European flavour. It is perhaps this uniqueness that made it a hippy haven in the 1960s and ‘70s, setting the way for Goa to become a holiday hotspot in the 21^st century.

Goa makes a great year round destination due to its consistently balmy climate, but the most popular months to visit are September through December, when conditions turn quite idyllic. Temperatures drop down a little in December and January, reaching rather cool conditions after dark, and can be a downright cold 3˚C at night. April and May are probably the worst months for a visit since it’s so dry, hot and dusty, but even then the temperatures rarely usually exceed 40°C.

The monsoon arrives each year from June through September, bringing some seriously humid conditions and making daytime sightseeing a bit unpleasant. Although many visitors feel it’s best to avoid the rainy, sticky monsoon season, it’s actually one of the most beautiful times to see Goa in its full tropical splendour. When it’s not raining, and that’s not very often, the days tend to be cloudy and hazy.