Goa, located on the west coast of India, is divided into two districts: North Goa and South Goa. The two districts have unique characteristics and offer completely different types of experiences. If you are wondering which is better for you, North Goa or South Goa, you are in the right place. Read the article below to find out what are the major differences between North Goa and South Goa, and which is better for you based on the best activities to do in both districts.
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North Goa or South Goa: which is better?
Goa is one of India’s most popular tourist destinations. With its Portuguese cultural influences, Goa is a state that offers a variety of possibilities, from its golden sandy beaches to its spirituality accompanying yoga and meditation, hippie markets and vibrant nightlife.
How do you choose whether to head north or south? The experiences in North and South Goa are diametrically opposed, and choosing one destination over the other depends on the kind of experience you want to have.
If you are looking for fun, lots of people and a lively environment, North Goa is the place for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for peaceful moments on the beach, yoga or meditation, South Goa is more for you.
Read below about the best things to do in North Goa and South Goa to make the best choice for your destination.
North Goa
Vibrant beaches
If you are looking for relaxation, the beaches of North Goa are probably not the best choice. However, if you are looking for beach bars, music and water activities, you are in the right place! Especially the beaches of Vagator, Anjuna and Baga, offer countless entertainment options between bars and activities such as kitesurfing, kayaking or jet skiing. In addition, some of the most famous psytrance clubs, such as Shiva Valley, are located right on the beach.
However, if you are in the north and prefer to enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere, you can go to Arambol. The beach is less crowded than in the Vagator and Anjuna areas, and you can find peaceful havens such as the Sweet Lake.
Parties
Vagator and Anjuna are the playground of psytrance and techno music lovers. All the popular clubs like Hill Top are located in North Goa, where you can listen to top quality DJs and have an unforgettable night. In addition, many beach clubs offer music until the early hours of the morning, from where you can watch the sunrise and enjoy a truly magical atmosphere.
Hippie markets
North Goa boasts some of the best flea markets in all of Goa, such as the Anjuna market. At these markets, you can find a wide variety of things: colourful hippie clothes and traditional Indian garments; handmade jewellery such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings made from precious stones, silver and other materials; handicrafts such as wood carvings or fabric paintings; souvenirs such as magnets, mugs, or key rings; home accessories; musical instruments such as flutes or drums; spices, tea, incense, and essential oils.
Ideal for bargain prices
North Goa offers many low-cost accommodation options, especially for backpackers. Check out the hostels and hotels below! I stayed at Dreams Hostel, and I couldn’t recommend it more!
Hotels in Goa View all
South Goa
Quiet beaches
South Goa is characterised by quieter and more relaxed beaches compared to the hustle and bustle of the northern beaches. Beaches such as Palolem, Colva and Agonda are known for their peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. If you are looking for relaxation, this is the place to be!
South Goa is characterised by a more natural environment. This part of Goa is greener and less developed than the north, offering greater immersion in nature. The surrounding areas are dotted with palm trees, nature reserves and picturesque lagoons. One recommendation is to take a day for ‘beach hopping‘, i.e. renting a moped and setting off to explore the most beautiful beaches in the south.
In particular, don’t miss the vantage point of Cabo de Rama Beach, Pebbles Beach and Butterfly Beach!
Yoga and meditation
Although yoga and meditation centres can also be found in North Goa (particularly in the Arambol area), South Goa is the number one place to go if you want to undertake a course to become a yoga teacher, do a one-week or multi-week retreat, or simply take ‘drop-in’ classes, i.e. show up daily for yoga or meditation classes. Some of the most renowned yoga centres in the south, depending on the area you are in, are:
- Kranti Yoga School Patnem
- Sampoorna Yoga Goa Agonda
- Anand Yoga Village Palolem
- Sola Luna Yoga StudioBenaulim
Creativity
In South Goa, there are several creative and cultural activities that visitors can enjoy during their relaxing stay. In particular, in Palolem Beach you will find art and craft classes, where you can learn traditional techniques such as cloth painting, woodworking, sculpture, weaving and more. A great place to go is theArt Resort Goa, which offers art classes, live music and occasional flea markets.
For dance lovers, in South Goa you will also find many workshops and classes in traditional Indian music and dances such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak and Odissi.
Ideal for luxury
Both South and North Goa offer cheap places to sleep. See some options for backpackers below.
However, in terms of luxury holidays, South Goa includes some of the best hotels and resorts in all of Goa. You can easily relax and spend a few quiet days in one of these villas, away from the crowds.
Hotels in Goa View all
Dudhsagar Waterfalls: an excursion not to be missed whether you are in North or South Goa
The Dudhsagar Waterfalls, at about 310 metres high, is one of the most spectacular and tallest waterfalls in India. The waterfall is located in the Bhagwan Mahavir National Park in eastern Goa, close to the Karnataka border. The name ‘Dudhsagar’ means ‘milk waterfall’ in Hindi, and the waterfall gets its name from its appearance during the rainy season, when the water cascading down the waterfall looks like a river of milk.
As the waterfall is located about 60-70 kilometres east of Panaji, the capital of Goa (about a 4-hour drive from North Goa and 3.5 hours from South Goa), the most convenient way to visit this spectacular waterfall in a day is via an organised tour.
Check out this tour if you are in North Goa: From North Goa
Check out this tour if you are inSouth Go a: From the airport area
When to go to Goa
✅ The best season to visit Goa is the dry season, which runs from November to March. The climate is drier and sunnier than most of the year, rainfall is low and the weather is predictable, with average daily temperatures ranging between 20°C and 30°C.
❌ Between April and October , however, the weather in Goa is not optimal for visiting. Between April and June comes summer, the hot season. This is not a good time to explore the region, as the heat becomes stifling and humid, with heat peaks and temperatures exceeding 35°C. Between July and October, on the other hand, the rains arrive.
Useful information
- When booking any bus or train in Asia we always use 12.go Asia. It is often easier to book online than in person!
- Travel insurance is a must for any holiday abroad, especially in Asia. Although problems rarely occur, it is better to be covered in case they do. We use SafetyWing and recommend it to anyone travelling the world.
- When travelling abroad we use the WISE international credit card. You can withdraw up to EUR 200 in cash per month free of charge. After that, you only pay a very low fee on withdrawals.
- India is a popular tourist destination, and hotels and hostels are booked in advance, especially in high season. Better to book before you arrive to avoid problems!
What to do after
After exploring Goa, you can continue your journey in beautiful and peaceful Hampi, in the state of Karnataka, among temples, rice paddies and climbing. Read about the best things to do in Hampi here.
Alternatively, you can head even further south to the beautiful region of Kerala. Read about an ideal two-week itinerary in Kerala here.
If you have any suggestions or comments, don’t hesitate to let us know by leaving a comment!
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