Activities in Goa for perfect vacation

You’re vacationing in Goa and you’ve already been to all the beaches and seen all the churches. There are plenty of activities you can enjoy with your family and friends. We have water parks, a snow park, a wax museum, heritage museums and much more.

The TAG Team has compiled a list of activities you can do that’s out of the ordinary.

Atal Setu Bridge

Also known as the “Third Mandovi Bridge” was inaugurated recently. It is the 3rd largest cable-stayed bridges in India.

You can hire a car and drive across Atal Sethu Bridge, the pride of Goans. Upon entering Panjim you can either explore the Latin Quarters or head towards South Goa via the Santa Cruz Highway. We assure the view from the bridge is spectacular, especially around sunset. If you choose to drive across it at night you will see it lit up in fancy colours.

Wax Museums

The wax museum located in Old Goa behind Basilica of Bom Jesu, is a good option if you’ve had a hectic schedule and need to unwind. You can spend a relaxed morning or afternoon at Wax de Goa inspecting the wax statues. There is no entry fee and you can spend as much time as you like. There are restaurants around the Basilica in case you want to grab a bite.

Benz Celebrity Wax Museum is located in Calangute (Calangute-Arpora Road, Near the Arpora junction). This is the closest You’ll get to Madam Tussauds in London. The main feature of the wax museum is how lifelike the statues look.

There is also a 9D Action Cinema, a multidimensional cinema to bring the experience to life. Over 200 movies that were created especially for 9D to enhance the visual and sound effects. The seats move, there are laser effects and strobes to give the special effect to water. The high-end technology that is used here to bring you the best audio-visual experience. This is a one of a kind cinema in Goa.

Finally they have a bumper car ride for children. This ride has a combination of derby car games, bumper car, and shooting car games which makes it a little more enjoyable than the regular ride.

With a cost of 500/- INR you can experience all three activities. You can also pay separately if you wish. The cost of the Wax museum and 9D Cinema is 200/- INR each, and the cost of the bumper car ride is 150/- INR.

Snow Park

Do you want to build a snowman? Yes, you read right! Goa does have a Snow Park and it is situated near Tito’s. The temperature is 5 degrees Celsius. You can play in the snow, go sledging, build a snowman, sit in an igloo, have a snowball fight. There’s also a snow bar. They have a children’s section so you don’t have to worry about them being bored.

Flea Markets

The first Flea Market was held in Anjuna by the hippies in 1971. The hippies would sell their belongings to earn money to buy their tickets to return home. Almost five decades and the concept has changed although the name is still the same. The Flea Market now has vendors from across the country selling products from their respective states. There are a plethora of choices that range from handcrafted jewellery, carved animals, hammocks, T-shirts, art, to household items. It is one of the most colourful markets of Goa.

The Saturday Night Market – Located in Arpora, this market has the same items as the Anjuna Flea Market does. There are food and beverage stalls. There is also live music. The market begins at 6 pm. It is a nice place to relax just before a night of clubbing.

Go-karting

The Go-kart ride in Goa is located in Nuvem (South Goa). This is definitely a fun activity for the entire family especially if you like speed and sharp turns.

Mystery Room

If solving puzzles is your thing then head down to the Mystery Room in Calangute and indulge in a little brainstorming. You are locked in a room for an hour. You have to solve a series of puzzles in order to escape. It’s a race against time. You have one hour to crack the puzzles and free yourself.

Water Parks

Beat the heat and humidity by splashing around in the water parks. Goa has six water parks. Froggyland in Nuvem, Splashdown in Anjuna, and Nagesh Water World in Tisk, Ponda, Blue Whale Park in Saligao, and 6 Shades of Nature, in Ponda on the Curchorem-Ponda Road. All five parks have similar slides and entertainment.

Aquarium

The Abyss Marine Fish Aquarium is situated in Verna. If you decide to spend the day at Froggyland it might be fun to spend a little time at the aquarium and learn about different fish.

 

 

Haunted House

Right next to the Abyss Marine Fish Aquarium is the Haunted House. If you’re an adrenaline junkie then this might be worth checking out.

You can buy a day pass for both the Aquarium and the Haunted House if you wish to see both places.

 

 

Heritage museums

Goa Chitra in Benaulim and Big Foot in Loutolim are both well-maintained museums that will give you a great insight of Goan culture, heritage and Goan lifestyle. You will also see Goan artifacts that have been collected from the Portuguese days. One can’t leave Goa without a visit to the Menezes Braganza House in Chandor. A grand Goan house that depicts the aristocratic way of life. This is one of the best places to go to if you want to learn about the history and lifestyle of our yesteryear.

Museum of Goa (M.O.G.) located in the Pilerne industrial estate, this museum has no permanent collection and is the largest contemporary art space in Goa. Founded by Subodh Kerkar a renowned Goan artist and designed by Dean D’Cruz, one of Goa’s leading architects, this place encourages experimental art. The beauty of this place is that it is surrounded by art. If you walk around the garden you will see bright decorations made from recycled goods.

Malls in Goa

If you’re looking for a little retail therapy you can always head down to the malls. There’s Mall de Goa, in Porvorim, where one can find stores like Marks & Spencer, Van Heusen, Puma, Nike, and Big Bazzar. There’s also a Food Court, a McDonald’s outlet, and a Subway outlet. Amoeba gaming zone is here where one will find a variety of games including arcade games and bowling.

If you’re in Panjim you can head to Caculo Mall. They have similar stores and a food court here too. There is a KFC outlet here. There is also a gaming zone here where you can ride bumper cars, go bowling, play video games or try to escape from the Mystery Room.

Tambdi Surla

Mahadev Temple in Tambdi Surla, is the only structural proof of the Kadamba era in Goa. The Shaivite temple dates back to the 12^th century and survived the Muslim and Portuguese rule in Goa. The temple is still actively used as a place of worship. The architecture is remarkable and skillful. There is also a waterfall nearby. Tambdi Surla is close to Bhagwan Mahavir National Park in Sanguem Taluka.

Dona Paula Jetty

Packed with history, the Dona Paula Jetty is by far one of the most popular tourist sights in Goa. There ever famous statue local tourist guides try to pass of as “Dona and Paulo, two lovers who could not be together because of their class difference, is actually of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Knox, carved by Baroness Yrse Von Leistner, a Dutch sculptress in honor of the philosopher Robert Knox to commemorate her admiration for him.

The view from Dona Paula jetty is spectacular and one can witness the sunsets and sunrise from this point. Both equally amazing times of day.

Dona Paula was named after Paula wife of Antonio de Souto Maior. Dona was a title given to married women out of respect. The place was named after her by the locals out of respect for her altruistic nature.

Team @ Travel Adventures Goa