• By: NP Traveller
• Jan 17, 2025
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Family-Friendly Goa: Best Places and Activities for All Ages

Author: Alka

“Imagine living your family movie moment ideally in Goa, the land of sun, sand, and stories! Why should the fun stop with just you? Bring your family along and make it a trip to remember because adventure knows no age, and the zest for life flows as freely as the ocean breeze. So why wait? The charm of Goa is timeless, and your next unforgettable chapter is waiting to be written on the sands of beaches. Pack your bags and let the magic unfold!

Here are major tourist attractions for you & your family to explore:

1. Aguada Fort: A Historical Gem of Goa

Aguada Fort, one of Goa’s iconic landmarks, is a must-visit destination to include in your plan. You can just start your trip with it, there are two ways of reaching the fort; one is driving through the Aguada-Siolim Road from Sinquerim Beach and the other is a shorter 2 km footpath, but it’s a steep climb to be precise. The Aguada fort is an example of Portuguese stratagem and construction, though it has fallen to the ravages of time, much of it is intact and preserved with all efforts. It was built in 1612 by the Portuguese to defend against Maratha and Dutch invasions and served as a military base and lighthouse. The key attractions in Aguada Fort are- the Light House which offers one of the best views in Goa; and Aguada Jail adding an extra layer of intrigue to your visit.

How to reach & entry fee – The fort is just 5-6 km from Baga Beach so you can hire a scooter. Visiting Aguada Fort is a steal with a nominal parking fee of Rs.50 and a small entry fee of Rs.25, making it an affordable and enriching experience for all.

2. Chapora Fort: The Famous Dil Chahta Hai Fort

Chapora Fort boasts of being one of the most frequented tourist spots in Goa, it seems to be quite justified after being featured in the 2001 hit film Dil Chahta hai, where it was the setting for a memorable scene with the trio of Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, and Akshaye Khanna which continues to draw visitors till now. It’s located at a distance of just 10 km from Mapusa and about 18 km from Panaji, this majestic fort overlooks the popular Vagator Beach of Goa. The Fort is also known as “Shahpura”, and offers you a view of the Chapora River as well. As you climb to the top of the fort, you’re greeted with one of the most spectacular views in Goa with the sunset.

How to reach & entry fee – From Vagator Beach, it’s just a 10-15 minute walk. To get the perfect view of Chapora Fort, you don’t have to spend even a penny as entry is free and open to visitors from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

3. Dona Paula: A perfect blend of romance and history

If you have seen Singham, the scene where the protagonist uproots a pillar was filmed in this place which was named after Dona Paula de Menezes, the beautiful daughter of a Portuguese viceroy. According to the story she fell in love with a local fisherman, but due to their differing social status, the romance was not accepted. The monument stands as a tribute to the tragic love story that captivated generations. Dona Paula Beach is easily accessible which presents a secluded sight for tourists to spend tranquil moments in this Lovers Paradise. Another popular attraction here is the Cabo Raj Bhavan which is the official residence of the Governor of Goa. Along with swimming, there are many other water activities as well, which you can try out here at the beach.

Entry fee – To get an entry in Dona Paula, it would cost you Rs.50 with hours for tourists between 8 a.m to 10 p.m.

4 . Reis Magos Church

To reach this church one must stray off the beaten path as the little hamlet of Reis Margos, is the home to not one, but two famous landmarks, the Reis Magos Church and the Reis Magos fort located on the banks of river Mandovi, the sparkling white facade of the church is easily visible form the opposite banks. To reach here, one must turn from the road leading to Baga. The church is open from 6 a.m to 11 p.m everyday. Every year on the 6th of January, Reis Magos comes alive with the colorful “Festa dos Reis Magos” when the story of the Three Kings is re-enacted by the locals, with three youths playing the parts of the Magi.

Entry fee – The Reis Margo Church does not charge an entry fee, it’s free to visit.

Now that you know about all the forts to visit let’s dive into some family adventure activities  which can be done in Goa’s Beach

1. Baga Beach & Activities: It’s one of the most happening beaches in Goa known for its nightlife, adventure, bars, and clubs. It is situated in North Goa, 15 km from Panaji. Here you have the famous Tito’s Lane that accommodates some of the best bars and clubs and for shopaholics, there is a Tibetan Market on the Baga Road. There are a plethora of water sports like Parasailing and wakeboarding that can be enjoyed by the young at heart. One unique attraction at Baga Beach is an indoor snow park that has a play area, sledding area, and ice bar. 

2. Calangute Beach: This beach is a very popular tourist gathering spot nestled in North Goa and known as the” Queens of beaches”. It’s around 15 km from Panaji offering h water sports such as Catamaran sailing, banana rides, and surfing which cost around Rs. 500-1,200 for a short time but it’s worth a family dive!

3. Anjuna Beach: If you are coming from Mapusa to this beach, you will arrive pretty easily as it is just 8 km from the town. Water sports lovers visit this beach for its affordable activities. Watching the sunrise is another leisure activity most visitors love to engage in here. There’s a world-class flea market here where the entire family can indulge in shop till you drop kind of day!

4. Dolphin Trip: If you’re visiting Goa in peak seasons, you cannot miss the Dolphin Trip where you enjoy this relaxing journey sitting in a 20-seater boat and watching wild dolphins swimming in the sea, most commonly spotted species are the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins and finless porpoises. A single dolphin safari lasts about 45 to 60 minutes costing you between Rs.800-Rs.1000 with snacks and music on the boat. You can avail of the trip between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with your entire family.

5. Dinner Cruise: Another highlight that you can add to your Goa trip is Dinner Cruise, a popular evening cruise that lasts 2-3 hours from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. and includes dinner and entertainment. Here you get a culinary delight featuring a variety of dishes to suit every taste palate with your entertainment in check, there are cultural performances that create a magical ambiance complementing the stunning coastal views. Dinner includes a buffet with 2 Veg+ 2 Non-veg and 6 accompaniments with dessert which costs around Rs.1,000-Rs. 2,000.

CONCLUSION

Now, you know how to make this trip a family trip with the right activities on the beaches or the nightlife that speaks volumes about the local culture. So don’t hesitate, just plan the magic of discovering a place where life is celebrated every day!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Note: The best time to plan your trip to Goa is from October to March, as the monsoon season will be difficult due to the rise in water levels.

1. How to Reach?

• By Air: To make it convenient, Goa has two airports; Dabolim Airport and the Manohar International Airport which are connected to major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, and Hyderabad, with frequent domestic flights. International travelers can also find direct flights from countries like the UAE, UK, and Russia. If you’re planning to stay in North Goa, then go for MOPA Airport as it’s nearby, otherwise choose Dabolim Airport which is approximately 26 km from Panjim, the state’s capital. The cost of a flight from Delhi to Goa would be around Rs.4,000-5,000 whereas International flights would cost you around Rs.20,000-40,000. Once you land in Goa, you can easily book a taxi to your hotel.

• By Train: There are 4 Railway stations in Goa- Madgaon, Thivim, Vasco De Gama, and Karmali. But out of these 4, Madgaon and Thivim are the major Railway stations for connectivity to other spots. Trains like Konkan Kanya and Mandovi Express are one of the best options to go with a cost of Rs.500-Rs.3,000. 

• By Bus: Buses are budget-friendly options to Goa from Mumbai or Pune because of connectivity, it usually takes 10-12 hours to reach Goa and would cost between  Rs.700-Rs.3,000. You can opt for an overnight bus to save daytime and reach Goa refreshed.

2. Local Transport

• From Goa’s airport, you need to take a vehicle to reach your hotel or spot a taxi that would take Rs.1500-2000. If you wish to avoid this, buses are available for main routes that connect you with towns like Panjim, Marga, and Mapusa at just Rs.150-Rs.400.
• Most of the trains in Madgaon come late at night or early in the morning, so in this case taxi is the only option.
• Rental Scooty is a tourist’s popular choice for beach hopping or exploring other spots which costs around Rs.350 – Rs.400 on a per-day basis. To avail of this, you need to have Valid driving license and ID proof with a helmet.

3. Accommodation

Calangute, Candolim, and Baga are the best places for a hotel or if you want to stay away from the crowd then Colva Beach is perfect for secluded accommodation.

• Standard option: The Cubana in Candolim (Rs.1,000 – 2,000)
• Deluxe option:Resort De Coracao in Calangute (Rs.2,500 – 5,000)
• Luxury option: W GOA in Vagator (Rs.15,000 – 20,000)

4. Places to Eat

• Vegetarian option: Bean Me Up in Anjuna
• Non-vegetarian option: The Black Sheep Bistro in Panjim
• Vegan option: Cafe Alchemia in Anjuna