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Go On Island Hopping - Don’t Leave Goa Without Experiencing These Alternative Things

Don’t Leave Goa Without Experiencing These 8 Alternative Things (2024)

If you don’t simply want to restrict yourself to beach hopping and partying in Goa, this article is for you. With plenty to offer, Goa is for real travelers like you who want to go beyond what a tourist wants to see. Despite being the smallest state in the country, Goa is more than adventure on the beach. Whether you want to visit the countryside on a bike or visit a butterfly observatory, Goa offers you all. Here are some of the top alternative things that you should consider doing during your stay in Goa.

Don’t Leave Goa Without Experiencing These 8 Alternative Things

1. Visit the Butterfly Conservatory: Want to spend a few hours in the colorful world of butterflies? Well, Mystic Woods in Goa unravels the opportunity for you to experience 133 species of butterflies. After starting with 25 species, this observatory grew with time. Run by a nature enthusiast couple, this observatory emphasizes on display and education of butterflies. Visited by thousands of nature lovers every year, this observatory provides the butterflies with the optimum condition of air and soil for their rearing.

As you visit here, you’ll be able to watch butterflies gathering nectar and you can even feed them fruits as well.

Location: Ponda, Pisgal, Priol, Goa

Timings: 9 AM to 4 PM

2. Take A Walk Through the Spice Plantations: Those in search of alternative things to do in Goa simply love visiting the spice plantations. You must have always seen spices in powdered and dry forms. That’s why many find it refreshing to see spices in their natural home. As you take a stroll through the plantations, you will get to know more about aromatic fresh plantations and different spices as well. You can visit with the Savoi plantations or the Sahakari Spice Farm. Both of them are quite famous here and attract a large number of visitors every year. You will also get an opportunity to play here with the tuskers here.

Location: H.No. A-14 , Arla Bazar Keri, Ponda, Kerim, Goa 403401

Timings: Varies

3. Take Yourself On A Sunset Cruise: What can be a better way than spending an evening on a sunset cruise? Run by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), the river cruises here operate during daytime, moonlight, and sunset. Most of the cruises run on two different routes i.e. Madovi to Zuari Bay and Madovi to Aldona.

During your stay in Goa, don’t miss sailing on Santa Monica which is also popularly known as The Carnival. During this cruise, you will get to experience the perfect combination of the sun, sea, and wind along with a glimpse of the historical sights.

Take Yourself On A Sunset Cruise - Don’t Leave Goa Without Experiencing this Alternative Things

Photo by R Eijaz  Image Source

Location: Paryatan Bhavan, 3rd Floor, Patto, Panaji-Goa, India

Timings: 5 PM onwards

4. Go On Island Hopping: Want to beat the crowd-heavy destinations in Goa? There is no better way than island hopping. Spread across North and South Goa, these islands provide you with the opportunity to experience authentic Goan culture. Once you visit these islands, you will be able to experience Potugesse-style houses in these villages. Transforming to you a serene environment, these islands are the best place to understand the local atmosphere and taste some of the most delectable bakery items. Some of the most popular islands to visit include Divar Island, Chorao Island, San Jacinto Island, and Conco Island.

Go On Island Hopping - Don’t Leave Goa Without Experiencing These Alternative Things

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Timings: N/A

5. Feel the Eerie Vibes at Devil’s Canyon: Located in Caranzol, Devil’s Canyon is known for being one of the most popular places in Goa. Once you reach here, you’ll be listening to all kinds of spine-tingling tales that go beyond science. The turbulent river here cuts the deep gorge into solid rock. This place has been infamous for taking many lives as well. Shall you be interested in spooky adventure, this is definitely the place for you.

Feel the Eerie Vibes at Devil’s Canyon - Don’t Leave Goa Without Experiencing this Alternative Things

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Location: Caranzol, Goa

Timings: 10 Am to 6 PM (Mon-Fri)

6. Visit the Surreal Caves: Want to visit some of the most surreal caves during your stay in Goa? The Harvalem Caves in Sanquelim are known for being one of the most romantic places in the state. These caves are also known as Pandava Caves because of its connection with the Pandavas. According to popular belief, Pandavas stayed here during their exile. Made of laterite rock, the caves are divided into six chambers. You will also find a temple dedicated to Lord Rudreshwar here.

Visit the Surreal Caves - Don’t Leave Goa Without Experiencing this Alternative Things

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Location: Rudreshwar Colony, Sanquelim, Goa

Timings: 9 Am to 1 Pm and 2 PM to 5 PM

7. Revisit History at the Oldest Fort in Goa: Known for being the oldest fort in the state, Cabo De Rama perched between Cavelossim and Agonda lets you witness the glory of the past. Many believe that this fort was home to Lord Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita during their 14 years of exile. The fort was then built by the local Soonda rulers.

It is said that the Portugese rulers built the chapel and barracks after conquering it in 1700. Spread across 180,000 sq.m,, this fort is quite an engineering wonder. Don’t miss the spectacular views of the sea from the fort.

Revisit History at the Oldest Fort in Goa - Don’t Leave Goa Without Experiencing this Alternative Things

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Location: Taluka Cabo da Rama, Canacona, Goa

Timings: 9 AM to 5:30 PM

8. Experience Dining On a Houseboat: You might not really think about houseboats as you plan your Goa trip. But, Goa is filled with places that let you have a memorable houseboat experience. Once you hire a houseboat, you can have the finest dining experience under the sky with your friends and family members. You can also go for an overnight tour. Letting you spend time away from the crowd, these houseboats let you wake up to the melodious cacophony of birds.

Experience Dining On a Houseboat - Don’t Leave Goa Without Experiencing this Alternative Things

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Location: N/A

Timings: Varies

While Goa is known for its vibrant nightlife and other popular tourist attractions, you can always do more in the Pearl of the Orient. Whether you want to take your friends or family on a cruise or on a houseboat, you can do it all in Goa. Experience these unique things to do in Goa and you will come back with a bag full of memories to cherish for the rest of your life.

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