Goa, a tiny little state on the west coast of India, is a popular holiday destination for younger travellers from Europe who head there to spend their days on Goa’s beaches and their nights partying in its bars. But what does Goa have to offer older travellers? 

I’ve lived in Goa all my life and it’s interesting how my perspective of the place has changed through the years. In my twenties, I knew every nightclub and pub around. As a young mum, I explored the more family-friendly beaches where my son and I spent hours collecting shells, building sand-castles, and riding the waves in the saltwater. Well into my fifties now, I’ve started noticing the many quieter activities and places of interest. Over the past few years, I’ve explored many of these and I’m constantly surprised at how much Goa has to offer older travellers. 

These are some of the top things to see and do on a trip to Goa:  

Visit a Spice Plantation 

A visit to a spice plantation is a delight to the senses as you inhale the heady aromas of various local spices while walking through lush vegetation. There are five large spice plantations in Goa. All are equally impressive. The Savoi Spice Plantation - the oldest and largest of the plantations - is about 200 years old, spread over 100 acres, and still family-run. 

The major spices grown here are cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, turmeric, black pepper, nutmeg, vanilla, and different varieties of chillies. Besides spices, these plantations also grow mango, jackfruit, guava, banana, and chickoo trees. 

During a tour of the plantation, an English-speaking guide will tell you about the different spices and how each one is grown, harvested, and readied for packing. If you’re lucky you may catch a glimpse of a local clambering easily up a betel nut palm to pluck ripe betel nuts. 

Explore a World Heritage Site

The former capital of the Portuguese in India, Old Goa is home to some world-famous monuments, two of which – the Basilica de Bom Jesus and the Se Cathedral - have been recognised as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. 

The rustic brick exterior belies the majestic interior of the Basilica of Bom Jesus. Entering this church transports you to another era with its ornate altar, black granite walls, and gilded pillars, all of which are covered with Latin and Portuguese inscriptions. 

The Bom Jesus Basilica houses a casket dating back to 1637 with the well-preserved remains of St. Francis Xavier, a revered Portuguese saint. The casket is opened once every 10 years for public veneration. 

Right across from the Basilica is the imposing 16th century Se Cathedral, which took 80 years to complete. One of the largest churches in Asia, the Se Cathedral is home to the historic ‘Golden Bell’, which contains elements of pure gold. This colossal bell often finds mention as one of the finest in the world because of the rich resonating sound that it produces. 

A little distance away from these two churches is the site of the St. Augustine Ruins. Although it now stands partially in ruins, it’s worth visiting the site to see the beautiful Iberian architecture and 46-metre-high tower of this 17th century church. 

Built in 1541 in a Portuguese Baroque style, the Immaculate Conception Church is one of the oldest and easily the most imposing of all churches in Goa. The main chapel is built atop a small hillock and fronted by a double flight of stairs that zigzag all the way to the top. The massive structure and stairs are all painted in immaculate white resulting in a look that’s nothing short of awe-inspiring.

The interior of the church is just as impressive with carved altars and pulpits, large religious statues, and marble statues of St. Peter and St. Paul flanking the altar. After sunset, the entire facade is lit up with soft lights. 

The week-long festival of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception during the first week of December attracts a throng of devotees and tourists from all over the world. 

Another monument to visit in Old Goa is the Chapel of Our Lady of the Mount. Sitting right at the top of a hill, the chapel is small and charming, and offers panoramic views of the winding Mandovi River interspersed by the lush green islands of Divar and Chorao.  

Go on a River Cruise

When it comes to river cruises, you’ll truly be spoilt for choice. 

A three-hour sunset cruise down the River Mandovi is the perfect way to wind down and relax while sailing down its calm waters with lush green topical trees on both sides. The cruise reaches the open mouth of the river where it stops a while so you can watch the sun set on the horizon. Along the way you’ll see various well-known attractions. On the way back, you’ll enjoy a delicious Goan dinner.

If you’d rather spend a lovely, lazy day on the river, you can take a houseboat cruise. This is a magical experience as you glide across the backwaters and take in the views. For a truly memorable experience, book a houseboat cruise with a seafood lunch prepared on the boat itself! 

Prefer a more adventurous cruise? Spend a night on a casino cruise line. These luxurious casinos are housed in refurbished cruise ships and docked mid-river. The ambiance inside resembles that of any world-class casino with a variety of gambling options and fine dining options. 

Take a Dolphin Tour 

This boat cruise takes you beyond the sheltered waterways and about half an hour out to sea where you can see dolphins playfully gambolling around. You need to book dolphin tours in advance as they get booked out really quickly. These tours are only available from October to April as the water gets too rough to go out to sea during the monsoons. 

Spend a Day Bird Watching 

Goa’s varied habitat from dense forests and shrubberies to coastal mangroves and hilly outcrops attracts a rich variety of birds. The Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary on Chorao Island is the ultimate bird-watcher’s paradise, especially during the cooler months from November to March.

This is not a trip to be rushed. Spread over 108 sq km, the Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is home to about 470 different bird species and several hundred different plant species. You’ll be in for a real treat if you start off early morning and spend the day in this densely forested sanctuary. 

Visit the Friday Market

A visit to the Mapusa Friday Market is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. Think of it as a Goan farmers market where locals bring their home-grown vegetables and a variety of homemade savories and sweets to sell at the Friday Market at bargain prices. 

The Friday Market has been a tradition that goes way back ever since I can remember. In addition to fresh vegetables and homemade treats, you can also buy exotic spices, local handicrafts, and unique fashion accessories. It’s noisy, colourful, and a lot of fun, and yes, you can bargain too. 

Browse the Flea Market

The Anjuna Flea Market is a huge tourist attraction that’s worth browsing even if you don’t want to buy anything. Set on a cliff adjoining the beach, this open-air flea market started sometime in the 1960s. At that time it began as a place where the hippies who flocked to Goa sold off their possessions to get some money to buy their ticket back home.

Today, it has evolved into a bustling, colourful open air space where you can find just about everything, from gorgeous silver and Tibetan jewellery to beaded lampshades, embroidered bedsheets, and rope hammocks. Adding to the fun ambiance are a variety of food stalls and a make-shift stage where musicians jam and keep everyone entertained.  

Spend a Day at the Beach

No visit to Goa is complete without a day spent at the beach. With 105 kilometres of coastline, Goa is a beach-lovers paradise. 

The North Goa beaches are more well-known but they are also more crowded and noisier. The beaches of South Goa are quieter, cleaner, and much more suitable for older travellers. You must stay at a beach shack for a true Goan experience.

Located right at the edge of the beach, you just step out and you can feel the sand under your feet. These shacks offer wonderful views of the sea by day and are the perfect accommodation for beach-lovers and budget travellers alike. Most shack owners can organise lovely candlelight dinners on the beach. 

Indulge in Goan Cuisine

Goa offers visitors a smorgasbord of dishes that’s more reminiscent of Portugal than India. Fiery hot pork sausages, tangy pork vindaloo and spicy sorpatel are just a few of the endless variety of ways that pork is cooked. 

As for fresh seafood dishes, you could stay a month and never repeat a dish twice. Mellow fish caldines, pickled prawn balchaos, recheio stuffed crabs and succulent lobsters offer a veritable gourmet feast for any seafood connoisseur. Whether you prefer spicy or bland foods, you’re sure to find a favourite from amongst this large variety.

Delicious desserts such as bebinca, dodol, and pinagre are a great way to end a traditional Goan meal.

An insider’s tip for dining: Ditch the fancy five-star restaurants and eat at local restaurants and beach shacks. They offer the most delicious fare with an ambiance to match. 

Header image: Jeevan Naik