Islands in Goa

Goa is not only blessed with beaches and nature, but also with several islands in and around the state. The islands in Goa have scored the most from the fact that there has been always some mystery attached with them. You must certainly visit the islands in and around Goa on your trip to the state. The islands in and around Goa never run short of options, be it nature walking or water sports.

Islands in Goa
Chorao Island
The Tiswadi island of Chorao is located 5 km from Panaji. Some ten families of Goud Saraswat Brahmins were the earliest settlers of the island. Today, the people of these islands are known as Chodankars. The Chorao Island is a pretty place that has some old villas and a whitewashed church. You can reach this island by taking a ferry from Ribandar, which is on the road to Old Goa around 3 km from Panaji.

Divar Island
This beautiful island is situated on the north side of Old Goa and can be reached through a ferry. It is connected by ferry to four places which are Narve, Ribandar, Old Goa, and Panaji. Karmali is the nearest railway station to the island. The government has maintained the island well with elegant Portuguese Villas dotted at the countryside. There's a church on this island which is the main attraction and is located in a small and typical Goan village.

Grand Island
This island is off the coast of Vasco da Gama and offers a grand experience to adventure lovers. This island has several excellent scuba diving sites. It would bring you delight that none of the Goa beaches would give you. A trip to this island is recommended for having a good snorkeling experience.
When you plan your Goa travel, ensure that you visit these islands for the best adventures.

Forts in Goa

The forts in Goa are mostly an inheritance from the Portuguese, which signify their presence on this land several years ago. The conquerors led by Albuquerque looked for expanding their territory for which they built huge forts at planned locations for warding off hostile attacks. These forts built by the Portuguese proved to be quite successful as they would stand hugely in front of the enemy troops.

These forts were eventually reduced to a state of disrepair and ruins when the Portuguese domination diminished. In recent years, these forts have been refurbished as heritage hotel properties to bring back Goa's rich legacy. Some of the important forts in Goa are:

The Aguada Fort: This fort is situated on the northern side and it overlooks the Aguada Bay that's situated at the banks of the river Mandovi. This fort was built in 1612 as a protector against attacks from the Marathas and the Dutch. The fort is believed to be the strongest fort and it remains the only fort not to be conquered by any attackers.

Terekhol Fort: This fort lies on the northern tip of Goa at the mouth of Terekhol River and was captured by Portuguese to protect their coastline. This fort was originally built by Maharaja Khem Sawant Bhonsle in the 17^th century and was revamped extensively in 1764.

Chapora Fort: Adil Shah of Bijapur had built this fort on the southern peninsula of the Chapora River. This fort was mainly known by the name Shahpur and now it's mostly in wreck. This fort unlike the Aguada fort didn't remain unconquered.

These forts reveal the history of Goa that was under the Portuguese rule for several years. Some Goa hotels have also take responsibility of refurbishing some forts as a part of advertisement and attracting the people to their hotels.  

Vacation in Goa

Goa, the smallest state of India, is one of the sought after holiday destinations not only in the country, but all over the world. Globally, it's appreciated as well as admired for its gorgeous beaches wonderfully decorated by swaying coconut trees, exotic beach resorts, flea markets, and perfect ambience. This makes the place a favorite among all tourist destinations in the country.

If you're planning for a short vacation, then there's no better place than Goa. There are some spectacular hotels in Goa that cater to all the needs of their customers. So accommodation is not at all a problem, but you need to book in advance, especially if you're going during the peak season, which generally starts from November.

While in Goa, you've an excellent opportunity to see and explore the brilliance of the amazing beaches, some of which are the finest in the world. The beaches here are quite popular worldwide and so are the iconic attraction of the state's tourism that attracts millions of visitors from different parts of the country and the world.

If you're a party animal, then you can opt for North Goa beaches that are extremely popular for beach parties, carnival, etc. If you love adventure, then you have an opportunity to enjoy water sports and other adventurous activities on the beaches. Besides beaches, Goa is also famous for its night parties. There are many Goa bars and pubs that are open till late night and at times till wee hours in the morning.

Here you can enjoy all kinds of drinks with delicious Goan cuisine. The night activities in Goa are also something that is looked forward too. People dance, sing, and party the whole night, either on the beaches or in pubs and bars. You can plan your vacation to Goa during the carnival, as the whole state comes to life due to the multi color essence.