Heavily influenced by the Portuguese colonisation period in the 1500s, Goa has a lot of wonderfully preserved architecture which reflects this era. A number of forts, churches and old neighbourhoods are what give Goa its cultural depth. The beach and sea, of course, provide the natural attractions, and when put together, this town provides a rare blend of culture and outdoor recreation.

Church of Saint Francis of Assisi
More a piece of art than a church, this 17^th century masterpiece is one of Old Goa’s real gems. The octagonal tabernacle has richly ornate interior decorations, with gilded woodwork, ancient murals showing the life and events surrounding Saint Francis, and even a whole floor made from old gravestones.

Fort Cabo da Rama
Right on the coast of Goa, this important fort was built up by successive rulers until the Portuguese finally took control of it in 1763. Although the fort itself has fallen into decay of sorts, the hilltop complex offers some of the very best views of Goa and the headland in the entire area, making a trip here worthwhile.

Mary Immaculate Conception Church
Located in Panjim, the real beauty of this church emerges after dark, when the entire structure is lit up with electric lights that turn the church into a surreal glowing spectre. It is said that this church’s bell is the second largest in the world.

Old Goa
About 9kms east of Panjim is the historic centre of the city and UNESCO World Heritage site, known as Old Goa. This charming, traditional part of town is a great place to explore the many cathedrals and churches that the Portuguese built during their reign. A few of the truly classic old buildings have been converted into cultural and historic museums that are run by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Panjim (Panaji)
Besides being the capital of Goa, Panjim itself is a lovely little town along the banks of the Mandovi river. The town has done an excellent job preserving its Portuguese heritage, and visitors can wander the narrow winding lanes and admire the old houses with their overhanging balconies. A number of pleasant cafés and bars can be found in this district, where the signs still have Portuguese language written on the shop signs. Check out Azad Maidan square and 18th June road for some the town’s best scenes.

Ponda (Antruz Mahal)
A number of important Hindu temples are located in this district of Goa, along with the Safa Masjid mosque from 1560. This is a special part of Goa if you are interested in seeing the unique Hindu and Islamic temples of the region, because this is the only part of Goa where the original ancient temples weren’t destroyed by the Portuguese when they arrived.

Vasco Da Gama
To see the modern, cosmopolitan side of Goa, head over to Vasco, a chic city on the tip of the Mormugao peninsula along the mouth of the Zuari river. Offering a distinctly different feel from districts like Old Goa, this is the place to come to see another side to the popular tourist haunt of Goa.

Explore the waters of Mandovi river by boat. Choose from a hovercraft for a high intensity experience, or rent a pedal boat to keep things chilled and leisurely. There are even funky aqua bikes at the Dona Paula jetty if you want something really different. On the stylish side, take a leisurely river cruise on board the Santa Monica, a yacht that provides a cultural performance of Goan folk songs and dances. There are several cruising options for visitors with this company, from 1-hour jaunts to a 5-hour excursion.

Get on the lookout for the wild natives of Goa. Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary is located in Molem about 60kms from Panaji. It is Goa’s largest wildlife preserve and lies in the foothills of the Western Ghat mountains. Known as a paradise for birdwatchers, this park is one of the best places to look for animals. There are several highlights like Devil’s Canyon gorge and the Dudhsagar waterfalls.

Treat your body with traditional Ayuvedic therapies. One of the best places to experience this ancient art of healing and therapy is at Goa’s Keri Village. Meditation, yoga, diet and detoxification are all major parts of a complete Ayurvedic programme, and will help set your mind straight for the rest of your visit to Goa.

Scuba diving off the coast of Goa. The visibility in Goa’s tranquil bays and lagoons can hit 10 metres, providing some decent diving conditions. The coral is okay, and the marine life abundant, but there are also some fascinating Portuguese shipwrecks which just beckon to be explored in the shallow waters offshore. The diving options around Goa are abundant, and most of the resorts can arrange a dive trip or even instruction for you.

Make some new friends on the Dolphin Cruise. If crocodiles aren’t your thing, then consider a half-day cruise along the Mandovi river searching for happy little dolphins. A luxury yacht will take you around the river and out to the estuary in the hopes of spotting a few of these playful intelligent creatures.

Marvel at the Hindu temples of Goa. These serve as good reminders that you’re still in a predominantly Hindu country. Although the Portuguese levelled as many of the Hindu and Islamic temples as they could when they arrived, a few were spared and offer a wonderful glimpse at the religious heritage of this country. If you only have time to see one, then don’t miss the 500-year-old Shri Bhagavati Temple, about 26kms from the city centre.

Pay homage to the body of a saint. The Basilica of Bom Jesus is one of Old Goa’s finest religious structures and the final resting place of Saint Francis Xavier, who was the first Catholic missionary to attempt to convert to locals to Christianity. The beautiful displays of gold, granite, stone and wooden architectural features are also worth the visit; however, the highlight is the silver casket that contains the remains of the saint.

Relive the glory days at one of Goa’s many forts. One of the nicer legacies the Portuguese left behind are a number of forts that were built to defend Goa against invaders. Fort Aguada is the nicest of the forts and is well worth some exploration; however, the views from the top of Cabe de Rama Fort are simply stunning. Forts are one of the main characteristics of Goa, so you should definitely go and check them out.

Search for crocodiles in the backwaters of Goa. This is a great family excursion if you have an interest in these massive beasts. It’s more a river cruise than dangerous adventure, as you meander along the waters around Goa you can look for diverse wildlife, including dozens of bird species and the occasional croc. It’s also fun to watch the daily routines of the locals who live along the river as they go about their business.