Primely located along the western flank of India, Goa is renowned as a tropical paradise! The state has so much to offer the avid traveler – from kilometers of pristine beaches to rich cultural attractions!
Depending on your interests, there are loads of cool books to read as a guide to India and give tips on where to begin your Goa sightseeing adventures. But where to start?
While we’ve put together a fairly comprehensive Goa itinerary, you may want to mix and match your own experiences. With such a variety of culture, history, food and beach life to explore, here’s our top list of the best activities in the state to use as your Goa tour planner!
• The 21 Best Tours in Goa •
#1 – Churches and Spice Plantation Goa Tour
- $$$
- 6-hours
- Visit the famous old churches of Goa
- Indulge in a learning experience on a spice plantation
The perfect blend of adventure and history, this tour allows travelers the chance to admire the architecture of old churches before visiting the Spice Plantation. Here, guests will enjoy a traditional lunch while being surrounded by elephants – and maybe even catch a shower given by one of them!
This tour provides the ultimate experience for the whole family looking to embrace the traditions of Goa!
Not finding the right hostel? Goa has a selection of party hostels too!
#2 – Goa Water Sports Packages – With a Twist
- $$
- 5-hours
- Enjoy a variety of fun and exhilarating water sports in Goa
- Get festive on a party boat cruise with live music
What better way to experience Goa’s backwater islands than on a party boat cruise? Not only does this tour offer a groovy experience on the water, but also gives travelers the chance to partake in various water activities. These include dolphin sightseeing, kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, and fishing!
Don’t forget to pack your sunblock, sunglasses and a hat for this tour, and be sure to wear comfortable shoes so that you don’t slip on the deck!
TRAVEL TIP: Check out this Epic Guide on the Best Forts of Northern India
#3 – Discover Dudhsagar Falls
- $$
- 6-hours
- Marvel at the majesty of Dudhsagar Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in India!
- Enjoy a delectable lunch and walk through the Spice Plantation!
The private tour of Dudhsagar Falls takes guests right to the foot of the cascading landmark. The tour offers all of the luxuries including a private guide, lunch and hotel pick-up and drop-off.
A Jeep will take you right up to the four-tiered waterfall where you can enjoy a quick dip before heading to the Spice Plantation to stroll through the orchards. The entire experience is topped off with a delectable lunch.
#4 – Beautiful Beaches: North Goa Tour
- $$
- 7-hours
- Discover Goa’s various pristine and tranquil beaches
- Enjoy a full day out enjoying seafood and market goods
This is the ultimate tour for couples wanting to escape the crazy city and enjoy a relaxing day exploring Goa’s beautiful beaches. Starting off with a visit to Kerim Beach, travelers are tempted travelers to take a dip at the very start! Other beaches included en-route include Ashwem Beach and Arambol Beach.
This tour also offers a taste of Goa’s market life with a stop at Anjuna Flea Market where you can pick up a souvenir to remember the day!
#5 – Scuba Diving in Goa – Day Out In Malwan
- $$$
- 7-hours
- Experience includes training, diving suits, and a buffet lunch on board
- The chance to discover the underwater scenery of Malwan
Located a short two hours from Goa, the Malwan scuba diving experience is everything an underwater adventure could dream of! Starting off with a training session and introduction in shallow water, the experience also includes a 30-minute dive with a certified trainer.
Once in the water, the reefs and caverns of Malwan are yours to explore! The tour includes transfer to the diving site as well as a host of other water-sport activities.
#6 – Mormugao Tour of Old Goa and Panjim
- $$$$
- 6-hours
- Discover the Portuguese influence on Indian architecture and religion
- Get lost in Panjim, the capital of Goa
Starting and ending at Mormugao Port, this tour of Old Goa is the perfect experience for travelers interested in various historical influences that shaped Goa to the state it is today! Expect to see highlights such as the Basilica of Bom Jesus, St. Cathedral, St Cajetan Church, Mangueshi Temple and an old Latin quarter.
In addition to exploring the old churches and marveling at the exquisite architecture, the tour also includes a tasty lunch at the Tropical Spice Plantation and an elephant ride! The city of Panjim is often overlooked by tourists who stick to the beaches but it is a truly exquisite example of Portuguese Colonial architecture – understanding its history is best done by joining a heritage walk in Panjim.
#7 – Ultimate Goa Sightseeing Package
- $$$$
- 8-hours
- Spend a full day discovering all that Goa has to offer – including places of worship and architecture!
- The best experience for travelers who are only in Goa for a short amount of time
This full-day tour of Goa allows travelers to tick off all of the main features of the state in one day! The private tour takes travelers around in air-conditioned transportation to all the major sights, such as places of worship and heritage sites.
Be astounded by the beauty of the temples, indulge in your senses at Spice Plantation, and fill your mind with astounding facts about Goa. This Goa sightseeing tour promises a full day out, discovering the culture and history of Goa!
#8 – Overnight Village Camping Trip
- $
- 20-hours
- Discover Goa through a different angle as you cycle to your overnight camping spot
- Enjoy the perks of dinner, drinks, breakfast, and activities such as yoga and kayaking
If you looking for an adventure and an alternative experience in Goa, then this overnight village camping trip is perfect for your India itinerary! Not only is it super affordable, but all equipment is included – you just need to bring yourself!
Starting at Old Goa, you will cycle past incredible sceneries, taking frequent stops to absorb the beauty of the landscape and architecture, before arriving at your camping spot where you will have a host of activities to enjoy!
#9 – Chauffeured Tour of Goa’s Iconic Attractions
- $$
- 5-hours
- Discover Goa’s fascinating landmarks from the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle
- Experience the tranquil beauty of Bogmalo Beach!
A trip to India would not be complete without exploring the Old City. This tour allows travelers to do so conveniently, and in style! With a private chauffeur to take you around the city in an air-conditioned taxi, you can stay cool while exploring in the tropical climate.
Your English-speaking guide will show you all of the major attractions, such as various temples and Panjim city, as well as take you past the Spice Plantation and Bogmallo Beach to show you another side of Goa!
#10 – Snorkeling in Goa
- $$$$
- 6-hours
- Spot marine life on a day trip to Bat Island!
- Go on an underwater adventure with goggles and a mask!
Escape from the craziness of the city with a snorkeling and beach trip to Bat Island, an uninhabited island in the Arabian Sea. The tour offers complete flexibility to spend your time on the island however you wish – swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing.
All necessary snorkeling equipment is included in the tour for your enjoyment. Once you’ve finished discovering underwater marine life, you can feast on the traditional beach barbeque!
#11 – Hot Air Balloon Goa
- $$$$
- 1,5-hours
- Get an early morning bird’s eye view of Goa
- Enjoy a breathtaking hot air balloon experience with exquisite views!
Pack your camera and get an early night’s sleep in preparation for the most alluring views of Goa! Float up to 2,500 meters above the ground and catch sweeping views of Goa’s pristine beaches and mesmerizing landscapes as the sun comes up.
While this is truly an epic experience and offers a thrill for any daring traveler, unfortunately, there is no wheelchair accessibility and no children under the age of seven are allowed.
#12 – Deep Sea Fishing Trip
- $$$$
- 3 – 4 hours
- Experience 3-4 hours out at sea – fishing and relaxing on a covered canoe
- Accept the challenge of catching the likes of tuna, salmon and red snapper
There’s no better way to experience the deep sea of Goa than this deep sea fishing trip! With a choice of two departure times, travelers set off with an expert guide on a covered canoe with all that is needed for an awesome day out at sea.
Included in the trip is everything you need for a deep sea fishing experience, as well as snacks and drinks on board. If you are lucky enough to catch anything, you can also bring your fish home!
#13 – Explore Temples of Goa
- $
- 6-hours
- Get picked up from your hotel and discover the ancient temples of Goa
- Learn all about the deities integral to the history of the villages
India has many temples that play a key role in the history and heritage of the country. This tour gives travelers a chance to discover the various temples linked to the villages in Goa.
Go from Shantadurga Temple and Mangeshi Temple to Shree Mahalasa Temple and Shri Kamakshi Temple among others and learn about the gods and goddesses that had such an influence on the heritage of the area.
#14 – Jungle Adventure Tour
- $$$$
- 8-hours
- A guide-led full day private tour of a jungle camp!
- Experience both Dudhsagar Falls as well as the thrill of a zip line!
The Jungle Adventure tour is an action-packed experience that leads travelers from one epic moment to the next. Cool down in Dudhsagar Falls after a guided trek through the jungle, enjoy the rush of sliding along a zip line. Learn about local Indian cuisine with a cooking demonstration and indulge in a traditional Goan meal!
We definitely recommend that you pack sunblock and a hat for this tour as it is going to get heated!
#15 – Watch Crocodiles on Private Eco-Tour
- $$$
- 8-hours
- Catch glimpses of crocodiles while floating down Cumbarjua Canal
- Enjoy the traditional viewings of Old Goa and the Tropical Spice Plantation
Learn interesting environmental facts from your local guide as you cruise along the estuary – considered one of the few places in Goa where crocodiles peacefully coexist with the fishing community!
The tour also includes a walking tour of the churches in Old Goa and time at the Tropical Spice Plantation where you will enjoy a traditional lunch. As a private tour, your group will get all the golden nuggets of information you could wish for!
#16 – Dolphin Trip in Goa
- $$
- 3-hours
- Catch glimpses of the famous humpbacked dolphins in Goa
- Enjoy a boat ride in the Arabian sea accompanied by drinks onboard
This dolphin-spotting boat cruise is the perfect experience for the whole family as travelers journey out to see in anticipation to spot dolphins!
With an English-speaking guide, travelers will sail out on a local boat early in the morning, when the time is best to spot marine life! This really is a mesmerizing experience that will take your breath away!
#17 – Explore Sea Fort of Sindhudurg and Malvan Beach
- $$$
- 8-12 hours
- Discover the numerous pristine beaches along the coast of Konkan of Maharashtra
- Enjoy a full-day, jam-packed itinerary including Sindhudurg and Malvan Beach
Despite being an epic place of historic important, this is for some reason one of the more offbeat places in Goa and does not get all that many tourists. Get picked up from your hotel and explore incredible scenery and landmarks surrounding Goa. Stops include exploring the historic sea fort in Sindhudurg, taking the chance to scuba dive in Malvan and spot dolphins on a boat ride!
An overnight stay can also be organized at a basic hotel in Sindhudurg at an additional cost if you wish to stay longer!
India is amazing! And the best hostels in Goa will blow you away!
#18 – Tambdi Surla Falls and Bubble Springs
- $
- 6-hours
- Trek through the lush to Tambdi Surla waterfalls
- Visit a bubble spring and soak in the beauty of the surroundings
This is the perfect tour for travelers with both a wild side and the desire to soothe their senses! The perfect combination of a hike in the wilderness and the tranquility of the falls makes for the ultimate Goan experience.
This tour involves a fair amount of walking, so it’s not advisable for travelers with physical or medical conditions – including heart problems, back problems, and pregnant women.
#19 – Full Day Excursion to Palolem Beach
- $$$
- 8-hours
- Relax on one of the most beautiful beaches in South Goa
- A full-day to both unwind and take advantage of the many tasty goods on sale
Palolem Beach is one of the most beautiful and pristine beaches based in Canacona, in the south of Goa. It offers the perfect day out for travelers wanting to unwind and relax on the shore while taking in the beautiful scenery and local beach culture.
Make sure to snap a picture of the many colorful shacks dotted along the shore! They also sell really tasty food. The tour includes private pick-up from your hotel in an air-conditioned car to arrive at the iconic beach.
#20 – Kayak Tour of Sal Backwaters
- $$$
- 2,5-hours
- Observe wildlife as you meander through Goa’s waterways on a Kayak
- Receive enriching local knowledge about the natural surroundings
The kayak tour off Goa’s beautiful waterways is a great way to enjoy the diverse wildlife that the state has to offer. Cruise through lotus ponds and mango groves as your local guide points out iconic Indian birds and other interesting sights.
All equipment – including kayaks, paddles and life vests – are included in this tour. What better way to experience Goa’s breathtaking waterways than an action-packed day out on the open water?
#21 – Explore Goa and Beyond
- $$$$
- 3-days
- Travel throughout India’s Golden Triangle including Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur
- A whirlwind adventure showcasing the best of India without the stress of planning
Travel from Goa to India’s most iconic cities and discover world-famous landmarks such as the magnificent Taj Mahal and the majestic red-sandstone fort of Agra.
The expansive three-day tour includes two nights in four-star accommodation, all transfers, monument entrance fees, and a professional private tour guide – what more could you want? You may find that you fall in love with another city and extend your stay. If you do, make sure to have a look at our top accommodation choices in Delhi.
FAQs about Goa Tours
The main aim of booking a tour is to see as much of the area as you want, with the least amount of stress. Here are a few answers to common questions to make booking a tour even easier!
How do I book a Goa tour?
Whether you are looking for a few Goa sightseeing packages or simply a once-off experience, going through a tour guide operator is your best bet!
GetYourGuide is a comprehensive online platform that makes searching for, and booking tours super easy!
What should I pack for a tour in Goa?
Even in the winter, Goa is cooking! You can also expect to visit a fair amount of temples and attractions that require modesty and respect.
Along with your camera, sunglasses, and sunblock – it is best to pack light, linen garments that can keep you cool while protecting you from the sun and maintaining modesty.
How much money do tours in Goa typically cost?
While India is a fairly cheap country to visit, Goa is one of the more touristy locations – and therefore more costly. With that being said, booking a tour in Goa is a great way to make sure that you get the best value for money! On average, our suggested tours cost around USD $86.
How much time do tours in Goa last?
Depending on how much time you have, you can normally book a full day or a half day package. A full day will consist of 6-8 hours, while the half day will typically be 3-4 hours. Chances are that you’ll hardly notice the time because you’ll be having so much fun!
Closing Thoughts on Goa Tourism
Goa has got such an incredibly wide variety of things to see and places to go that tackling the state on your own can be very intimidating. Booking one of the above tours is the best way to be captivated by the city and its beaches without the fuss or stress of planning!
So all that’s left is to book your accommodation in Goa and choose the tours that best suit your interests and you are A for away! It’s time to enjoy the sunny skies and colorful culture of India!
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