Goa offers something for all kinds of travellers, and where you stay can depend on who you travel with as well as your budget. Couples look for privacy while friends may want something easy on their pockets and close to nightlife spots. Families need kids to be entertained. Here’s Skyscanner’s list of Goa’s best places to stay.
In South Goa you have more lavish choices. It is quieter and less crowded with places like Palolem, Colva and Benaulim to explore. If you enjoy nature watching you can visit the Cotigao and Netravali wildlife sanctuaries and the Dudhsagar waterfalls. Accommodation ranges from luxury 5-star options to villas for rent.
North Goa offers you touristy and relatively low-cost picks for nightlife and sightseeing in Vagator, Calangute, Anjuna and Baga. Sightseeing options include the Basilica de Bom Jesus, the Chapora Fort and Fort Aguada. North Goa has a mix of 5 and 3-star options and quaint home rentals for stay and food.
Still further north are quieter and no-frills alternatives like Morjim, Mandrem, Arambol and Querim. You can visit Tiracol Fort, temples and local markets here. Luxury accommodation choices are limited but rooms for rent are plenty.
Best stays in Goa for couples
When looking for the best place to stay in Goa for couples consider Candolim in North Goa which offers a good mix of great hotels, food, nightlife and sightseeing. You can stay at the luxurious The Taj Holiday Village or rent a villa or room in the area. Please your palette in restaurants like the Fisherman’s Cove, Bomras and Harmony Bistro. For a day out visit Fort Aguada or Fort Chapora, or hop on to a boat for some dolphin spotting.
If you want to head away from the beaches, Chorao Island is the place to visit. It is located on the Mandovi River and is part of the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. Depending on your budget, you can stay at the 5-star Vivanta by Taj or the 3-star Hotel Golden Plateau. When you are done with the bird watching at the Sanctuary, you can visit old Portuguese churches, go on nature trails or try out some water sports.
Best stays in Goa for family
Families usually look for things they can do together. Travel in Goa can get difficult with a large family group, so a centralised location with activities all around is the best option.
For the best place to stay in goa with family, Miramar is a location to consider. It is less crowded than Calangute and Candolim further north but those spots are a few kilometres away if the family want to take a day trip there. Miramar is also close to Panaji which has a number of tourist spots to explore like the Immaculate Conception Church, the Customs Museum and the Goa Science Centre. You will have many restaurants to choose from and keep everyone happy.
Stay options in Miramar range from The Goa Marriott Spa and Resort to Fortune Miramar. Villas and rental homes are also available.
Best stays in Goa with friends
With friends, nightlife, food and activities become a priority. For the best place to stay in Goa with friends consider the Baga, Calangute and Vagator stretch as it offers you many options.
Spend the day with water sports like parasailing, scuba diving and jet skiing that will all get your heart pounding. If nature is what you and your friends are into, then visit the Dudhsagar, Netravali and Harvalem waterfalls. Day trips to the Tropical Spice Plantation and the Butterfly Conservatory in Ponda are just the thing to enjoy with a group. The forts of Chapora in the north, and Betul and Cabo de Rama further south give you a taste of Goa’s history.
This stretch is the best place to stay in Goa for nightlife. There is so much to choose from for music and restaurants with indulgent food. You can visit a different place every night. Try the Shining Star Beach Shack, Britto’s or Fire and Ice.
Best stays in Goa in budget
Staying in Goa can be expensive, especially at its most popular time, between October and March, but there are a lot of choices if you are on a tight budget. Economical should also mean safe, and with basic amenities. Lots of Goans rent out rooms and even villas. References from friends and family who have visited before are a great place to start.
