North Goa is the epicentre of Goa’s party scene. Concentrated with the foreign tourists, amazing concerts, trippy dance bars, authentic restaurants and shacks, hippie markets and peaceful yoga retreats, North Goa is the centre for indulgence in Goa.
North Goa has more than 30 kms of coastline with more than 11 distinct beaches that invite a plethora of visitors from all over the world. Starting from the Terekhol River, North Goa has the most happening beaches like Vagator, Anjuna, Calangute and Baga Beaches and a series of amazing attractions like the Querim beach, Arambol Beach, Chapora Fort and Mapusa. This neighbourhood is more inclined towards tourism and welcomes more foreign tourists as compared to South Goa. Similar to the other parts of Goa, Konkani is the majorly spoken language followed by Marathi. Majority of the population understands Hindi and English due to the rampant tourism.
Shopping
North Goa is heaven for shopaholics. In the markets of North Goa, you can ever buy everything from clothes, jewellery, home decor, cool trinkets and of course, tons of beer. The flea markets are no less crowded compared to the blissful North Goan beaches. Attracting a massive number of travellers, markets such as the Anjuna Flea Market, Arpora Saturday Night Market, etc. have turned into the centres of the ultimate Goan experience.
Anjuna Flea MarketOpen every Wednesday, Anjuna Flea Market is the most famous and the most favourite flea markets in Goa. A traveller can buy almost anything and everything from more than a hundred stalls. There are t-shirts, beachwear, souvenirs, hammocks, musical instruments, handicrafts, tattoos, western jewellery, junk jewellery, wall hangings, footwear, trinkets, bed covers, wooden crafts and much more to buy from these stalls and still save some bucks due to the great deals.
Mapusa MarketJust another normal busy market on regular days, the Mapusa Market comes alive every Friday with items of all varieties. Mapusa Market has an authentic vibe of Goa with the fresh fish, tasty fruits and tantalising spices that collectively fill the air with the fragrance of Goa. There are all the funky things one can buy in Mapusa Market. You get cheap wine near the market that saves your pocket for the great food around.
Calangute MarketCalangute beach is home to some great shopping stalls that make up the Calangute Market. Alongside the beach vibe, shoppers get to buy all the beautiful stuff that is lined up in these market stalls. After buying from a variety of trendy clothes, jewellery, metal crafts, leather products, souvenirs, seashells, handicrafts, carpets, etc., the beach shacks that sell some great seafood accompanied by plenty of beer help you relax with a beach view.
Nightlife
As blissful as the Goan beaches can get in the day, they are much more vibrant as the sun sets and the celebrations of the night begin. From the chaotic beach parties and nightclubs to mesmerising and peaceful cruise dinners and beach walks, the nights in North Goa have something for everyone.
NightclubsPlaying a significant part of the party capital, North Goa has a long list of nightclubs that won't let you rest in their lively atmosphere. With music genres like EDM, Psy Trance and Pop tracks playing in the beach shacks, no one can stop themselves from moving on the beats.
Here is a list of some of the most popular nightclubs in North Goa:
- Club Tito's at Baga Beach
- Club LPK: Love Passion and Karma on Candolim
- Club Cubana in Arpora
- Temptations and The Alcove at Vagator Beach
- Decades Bar, Calangute Beach
- Club M, Marbella Beach Resort, Morjim
- SinQ, Candolim Beach
- AZ.U.R, Miramar Beach
- Cavala, Baga Beach
Night Markets
Mackie's Night BazaarLocated near the Baga River Bridge, Mackie's Night Bazaar is open every Saturday late until midnight and has a constant flow of visitors. Mackie's has the quirkiest items that anyone can ever buy and has live music playing on a corner. There is a bar in the market where visitors can take a little pitstop in the middle of the shopping streak to taste some spicy snacks with a couple of beers.
Arpora Saturday Night MarketThe Arpora Market is a feast for the eyes. It comes alive with a congregation of all the local shops every Saturday from 6 pm to midnight. The stalls offer a range of options from bohemian dresses, jewellery, beautiful Indian handicrafts and adorable gifting souvenirs to carry back home. The Arpora Night Market displays grand fashion in all ranges from fancy expensive boutiques to cheap local handlooms.
Ingo's Saturday Night BazaarIngo's Saturday Night Bazaar has a shopping experience that has a blend of food, spices, apparels, art and handicrafts. Ingo's draws a lot of tourist attractions and locals alike.
Food/Restaurants in North Goa
The only thing that comes to mind after beaches and alcohol while travelling in Goa is its delicious food. North Goa has some of the most exciting restaurants in the state that serve a range of cuisines such as local Goan, Maharashtrian cuisine, Continental, Thai and Japanese cuisines. You can indulge in the local food experiences at the beach shacks and cafe's like the Bhatti village, Alex's Shack, Shimon Falafel and Pousada by the Beach, or head to classy spots like Thalassa, Tuscany Gardens, A Reverie, Go With The Flow and Antares.
Transport in North Goa
Bike & car rentals are the primary modes of transportation in North Goa, followed by the hired taxis. The state transport buses and private buses connect the main neighbourhoods of North Goa, although the frequency is lesser than taxis.
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