Thanks to its incredible beauty, Goa has earned numerous nick names so far such as Tourist Paradise, Rome of the East, Jewel of India or Pearl of the Orient. Thousands of visitors from round the globe keep thronging the state throughout the year. Contrary to the popular belief it\'s not all about beaches. There are many destinations in Goa offering a potpourri of sort for visitors. Being an erstwhile Portuguese colony, Goa houses a number of world-famous churches and other Portuguese wonders. Fabulous flora and fauna, rich cultural heritage and ornate temples are other highlights of Goa. Major cities in Goa are known for homing all or some of these salient features.

Panaji, the capital city of Goa lies near the end of the road from Mumbai to Goa. This city was fought over for centuries by kings of many colours. Although it has lost a little of its shine, Rome of the East continues to draw admirers from across the world. If you are an architecture enthusiast, you would love to visit Margao. You can find here umpteen number of buildings (including Holy Spirit Church) mushroomed everywhere. The vacationers yearning to enjoy their weekends find Mapusa the best choice. Be there on Friday and find the sluggish town springing up to its feet. This city is believed to have grown with the blessings of its own God, Lord Bodhgeshwar, whose beautiful temple nestles under a banyan tree. A solitary cross standing on the sun-kissed sands of Mormugao Harbour is the signature of Vasco Da Gama. It\'s really hard to ignore any of these cities while you are in Goa.

Arambol

Location :
Arambol is 32-km, Northwest of Mapusa and Chapora in Goa.
Arambol - Know before you go
The largest coastal village in Pernem district, and the only one really geared up for tourism, is Arambol or Harmal, 32km northwest of Mapusa. If you\'re happy with basic amenities but want to stay somewhere lively, this might be your best bet. The village\'s two beaches are beautiful and still relatively unexploited. Parties do occasionally happen, drawing visitors across the river from Anjuna and Vagator, but these are rare intrusions into an otherwise tranquil, out-of-the-way corner of the state. Arambol is an ideal place to spend some time in total peace and tranquility. The cool sea breeze here and the swaying palm trees create a perfect holiday atmosphere.

The immediate coastline lacks the palm-fringed exotic cliches of the southern Goa beaches, but it has plenty of character and is pretty in its own kind of way. The main beach has adequate bodysurfing and there are several attractive bays to the north.

Major attractions :
Located around an area of high ground west of the main coast road, Arambol provides all the basic amenities that are needed to make a stay pleasant. Some attractions :

Arambol Beach
The coastline lacks the palm-fringed exotic clinches of the southern Goa beaches but it has plenty of character and is pretty in its own kind of way. To reach Paradise beach , follow the track over the headland to the north. Beyond a rather insalubrious smelling, rocky-bottomed cove, the trail emerges to a broad strip of soft white sand hemmed in on both sides by steep cliffs.

Freshwater Lake
A small freshwater lake extends along the bottom of the valley into a thick jungle. Fed by boiling hot springs, the lake is lined with sulphurous mud, which, when smeared over the body, dries to form a surreal, butter-coloured shell to revitalise the skin.

Canacona

Location
This is Goa\'s southernmost taluka. Its capital is Chaudi. It is the gateway to many of Goa\'s southern tip beaches including Agonda, Palolem and Rajbhag.

Canacona - Know before you go
Far south of Goa is Canacona district - among the last parts of the territory to be included into the Novas Conquistas, and has retained a distinct Hindu feel. It was ceded to the Portuguese by the Raja of Sund in the Treaty of 1791. The area also boasts some of the state\'s most striking scenery. Set against a backdrop of the jungle-covered Sahyadri hills (extension of the Western Ghat range), a string of pearl-white caves and sweeping beaches briefs its indented coastline.

Major Attractions
Shree Mallikarjun Temple
This temple is situated at Canacona. It is dedicated to Lord Mallikarjun, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. It was built in the 16th century and renovated in 1778. The temple contains more than 60 deities of different gods and goddesses inside. It has massive wooden pillars that are exquisitely carved. The main festivals celebrated are Rathasaptami or the chariot festival is celebrated in February and Shigmo in April.

Shree Sanusthan Gokarn Parthagali Jeevotham Math, Parthagali
This Math is situated at Parthagali, in Canacona taluka. It is a math of the Gaud Saraswat community, and was established in 1475 by Swamiji Shreemad Narayanateertha. It is headed by a Swamiji, an uninterrupted lineage of over 23 so far. In the campus lies a Banyan tree, considered to be a Tapasya Kshetra, the site of revelation of the inner self by the process of meditation. There are few temples in the campus.

Catigo Wildlife Sanctuary
The Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, 10-km southeast of Chaudi, was established in 1969 to protect a remote and vulnerable area of forest lining the Goa- Karnataka border. Encompassing 86-sq-kms of mixed deciduous woodland, the reserve is certain to inspire tree lovers. more.

Pololem Beach
Palolem, 2-km west of Chaudi, pops up more often in glossy holiday brochures than any other beach in Goa more.

Cavelosim Beach
Sleepy Cavelossim, straddling the coast road 11-km south of Colva, is the last major settlement in southwest Salcete.

Agonda
Agonda, 10-km north of Chaudi, can only be reached along the sinuous coast road connecting Cabo De Rama with NH-14 at Chaudi. No signposts mark the turning and few of the tourists that whizz past en route to Palolem pull off here, but the beach, fringed along its entire length by Todi trees, is superb.

Mapusa

Location :
Mapusa is situated 13 Kms, north of Panaji. It lies at the crossroads of National Highways and is an important gateway to the beaches of North Goa.

Mapusa - Know before you go
The town\'s name, pronounced `Map-sa\', after the Konkani words for `measure\' and `fill\', is an indication of its commercial nature. Mapusa is the main commercial centre of the population in the northern provinces of Goa and the main town for the supplies if you are staying at either Anjuna or Chapora. This is the capital of Bardez taluka, North Goa. It is famous for its Friday Market when the whole of Bardez comes to buy and sell products of all kinds. If you\'re staying at Calangute, Baga or Candolin, you have choice of Panaji or Mapusa as service centre. There\'s not much to see in Mapusa, though the Friday market is worth a visit. Besides being a busy market town, Mapusa is conveniently close to some of Goa\'s most popular beaches.

Major Attractions
Some of the most popular beaches near Mapusa town are :
Calangute: About 8 km south from Mapusa, Calangute is Goa\'s most popular beach, a highly commercialised but sizzling beach that offers good sunbathing, passable swimming and the most delicious food along the coast.

Baga: A happening beach 10 km west of Mapusa, crescent-shaped Baga is less crowded than Calangute, but comparatively safer for swimming. Baga has soft white sand and a green backdrop of paddy fields. Baga is popular for water sports - parasailing, jet skiing, body boarding and surfing, though the waves aren\'t good enough for the professional surfers. Another attraction of the tourists are the dolphin cruises on a boat out at sea. Baga\'s nightlife is more exciting than Calangute\'s, with music, dance and wine.

Anjuna: Anjuna has traditionally been a rave centre and attracts partygoers and backpackers to its famous beach parties, especially around the Christmas-New Year season. Anjuna\'s golden sands and tall coconut palms make the beachfront a pretty hangout place and the sea is safe for swimming.

Arambol: Arambol (also called Harmal) is pretty but not overcrowded. Arambol\'s stretches of soft white sand would be just what the doctor ordered for your peace of mind. There are regular trance parties and even full moon parties here.

Margao

Location:
Salcete Taluka, 33-km From Panjim in Goa.

Margoa - Know before you go
Margao, the capital and the chief town of South Goa, has a decidedly Portuguese flavour and an old world charm. Margoa is also the commercial centre of South Goa. The Math of the Vaishnavas was first established here. In 1564, the early period of Christianisation, the Jesuits built a church, which was destroyed by the Mohammedans in 1571.

Finally in 1675 the present Church of the Holy Spirit was raised. One of the most magnificent of Goa\'s churches, with a a unique row of houses on either side of lavish architectural setup and mango tree lined rectangular square in front.

The history of Margoa can be estimated by the presence of the Pandava Caves at Aquem Alto, next to the Chapel of St. Sebastian. Margoa offers the visitor a large garden and a children\'s park in Gogol. The Chapel of the Monte, built in 1820 on a small promontory, provides a panoramic view of the city.

Major attraction
The major attractions at Margoa - Beaches, The Old Market, Pandava Caves, The Steely Church of The Holy Spirit.

Beaches
Some of Goa\'s top beaches near Margao are :
Colva : Colva beach, 6 km from Margao, has a throbbing nightlife but a somewhat downmarket ambience by day. Colva\'s highly commercialised with resort complexes, large holiday crowds, trinket stalls, discos and restaurants and the waterfront is clean and the water\'s safe for swimming.

Benaulim : Benaulim lies right in the centre of Colva, 7 km west of Margao. Benaulim is a popular tourist hotspot with a crop of luxury resorts, time-share apartments, guesthouses and moderately priced hotels. Despite its popularity, Benaulim still has an air of tranquility: the beachfront is beautiful, with silver sands, shady palm trees and safe waters.

Mobor: Mobor is the spot where Colva ends and the River Assolna meets the sea. The beach at Mobor lies in a sheltered cave overlooked by cliffs on one side - it makes for a picture perfect setting.

Majorda: Majorda lies 2 km north of Colva, and is a pretty beach dominated by a luxury resort, hotels, restaurants, shops, boutiques and the best European bakeries in Goa.

South of Margao lie a host of quieter, more isolated beaches; venture beyond Cape Rama to the peace and beauty of the beaches at Palolem and Galgibaga- perfect for a day away from the crowds of bathers swarming around the more visited beaches.

Panaji

Location
29kms north of Dabolim airport in Goa. Panaji is the capital of Goa.

Panaji - Know before you go
Panaji is one of the India\'s smallest and most pleasant state capital. Built on the south banks of the wide Mandovi River, it officially became the capital of Goa in 1843. The church on the main square, the Baroque architecture, pretty villas, cobbled streets and interesting buildings give Panaji a distinctly Portuguese ambience. The city lies by the left bank of the Mandovi River, and close at hand are a bunch of good beaches, perfect for lolling around and soaking up the sun.

Called Panjim by the Portuguese, Panaji, which means the land that does not flood is the state capital of Goa. Unlike many other capital cities, Panaji has a distinct relaxed character. Most visitors consider Panaji as little more than a transport hub, but this lovely state capital has retained its Portuguese heritage and releases an aura more close to the Mediterranean than of India. In the oldest part of the town, the Portuguese heritage has survived remarkably well; there are narrow winding streets, old houses with over changing balconies and red-tiled roofs whitewashed churches and numerous small bar and cafes. Portuguese sign are still visible over many premises.

Major Attractions
The sights are few, but among those worth visiting are the old Church of the Immaculate Conception (on the hillside at one end of the Municipal Gardens) and the Mahalakshmi Temple. The nearest beach is at Miramar, 3 Km along the road to Dona Paula.

Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Pilar Seminary, Fontainhas, The Chapel of St. Sebestian are some of the major attractions here.

The Beaches
Dona Paula: Dona Paula is a pretty and peaceful beach shaded by palms and casuarinas, 9 km southwest of Panaji. The beach is named after Dona Paula de Menezes (a viceroy\'s daughter) who jumped off a cliff when refused permission to marry a local fisherman. Dona Paula is quite a hotspot, not only for its beauty but also because of a romantic legend that gave the beach its name. The hapless maiden is said to be entombed at the nearby Raj Bhawan\'s Cabo Chapel. Dona Paula beach offers water sports facilities, especially water scootering.

Miramar: The beach closest to the capital Panaji (3 km), Miramar is conveniently located in the heart of the state capital which is also why it is rather crowded, though you can watch some spectacular sunsets, as the sun goes down at the confluence of the River Mandovi and the Arabian Sea.

Ponda

Location :
The city of Ponda lies about 28kms south-east of Panaji and 17kms north-east of Margao and is also the capital of Ponda Taluka .

Ponda - Know before you go
Ponda is considered to be the heart of Hinduism in Goa. Ponda taluka is most famous for its temples. Hindus abandoned their coastal settlements and moved inland during the Portuguese inquisition, a majority of them settled in Ponda, most of whom have made the area their home for centuries. When Portuguese arrived in Goa, they destroyed every temples and mosques they could lay their hands on. As a result, temples in Goa are generally set back from the coast and comparatively new, although some are just about 400 years old.

Ponda is now a transportation centre and some of the best temples in Goa are located here. A few small factories and industrial estates have sprung up on the outskirts of the town due to its proximity to some of Goa\'s largest iron ore mines.

Major Attractions
Safa Masjid
The Safa Masjid is Goa\'s best-preserved sixteen-century Muslim monument. It was constructed by Adil Shah in 1560 and is also known as Safa Shahouri Masjid. It has a beautiful backdrop of wooded low hills rising in the background.

Mahalsa Narayani Temple
The Mahalsa Narayani Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu\'s consort Laxmi, though some people believe it is the Lord Vishnu\'s female form Mohini. A lamp tower, which is seven floors high can also be found here. Garuda, the great bird that was Lord Vishnu\'s conveyance sits atop a pillar, which rests on the back of a turtle. There are intricately carved columns and painting of the 10 avatars or incarnations of Vishnu.

Shri Mangesh Temple
The Shri Mangesh Temple is set atop a hill at Priol, northwest of Ponda leading to Old Goa. The temple has a seven-storey lamp tower (which is a unique trait of Hindu temples in Goa), a Nandi bull (Lord Shiva\'s conveyance), as well as shrines to Parvati and Lord Ganesha. During the festival of Mangesh Jatra, the rath (temple chariot) is pulled by several devotees.

Shantadurga Temple
The Shantadurga Temple is dedicated to Durga. Shant means peace and Durga supposedly mediated a dispute between Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, bringing peace to the world; in the temple she is depicted in between the two deities. The interior has polished marble and several chandeliers provide that light. The deity of Shantadurga with Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva on either side is behind a silver screen. This is one of the largest Hindu temples in Goa.

Nagesh Temple
The Nagesh Temple is dedicated to a form of Lord Shiva, Nagesh, the God of serpents. There is an inscription here dating the temple back to 1413, which was renovated some time in the 18th century. This temple also has a lamp tower, five floors high. There are woodcarvings depicting scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. There is a Nandi bull, Lord Shiva\'s vahana or conveyance as well as shrines to Lord Ganesha and Laxmi-Narayan.

South of here lies the Mahalaxmi Temple. It is said to be the original form of the principal deity of the Shakti sect. A Marathi inscription dates this temple back to 1413.

Wildlife Sanctuaries
Ponda is also the gateway to Goa\'s wildlife sanctuaries, both the Bondla and the Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and also the Dudhsagar Waterfalls.

Vasco-da-Gama

Location :
This is one of Goa\' s largest industrial and commercial cities located about 39kms southwest of Panaji.

Vasco - Know before you go
Vasco da Gama is a very neat & clean coastal town. Popularly known as Vasco, this town was originally called Sambhaji. Imposing huge buildings and a church dominates the city centre here. Close to Marmagoa Harbour and 3 km from Dabolim airport, Vasco-Da-Gama is the junction of the railway lines into Goa. The town was named after the legendary Portuguese explorer and Goa\'s former Viceroy, Dom Vasco da Gama. It lies on the western tip of the Mormugao peninsula overlooking the mouth of the Zuari river. This area came under Portuguese rule in 1543 and for a long time was a very busy port.

Major Attraction
Some of the major attractions of Vasco are :

Bogmolo Beach
The sandy beach at the end of the cave would be even more picturesque were it not for the monstrous multi-storey edifice perched above it. Until Oberoi erected a huge five star hotel here, Bogmalo was just another small fishing village, hemmed in by a pair of palm fringed headlands at the northern end of Colva bay.

The Naval Aviation Museum
Inaugrated in 1998 at Dabolim is the first naval museum in Asia. The museum showcases the history of Indian Naval Aviation, various aircrafts, weapons, sensors, safety equipment, rare photographs depicting Goa\'s liberation and artifacts (also spelt as artefacts). A multimedia games section is an added attraction. Situated in the picturesque backdrop of the Bogmalo beach, the museum has become a must-visit place for all tourists.

Other Nearby Attractions :
Beaches - Bogmalo, Velsao, Majorda, Colva,
Churches - Church of St. Andrew, Vasco, Church of St. Alex, Curtorim, Church of Holy Spirit, Rachol Seminary, Rachol
Temples - Shree Damodar Temple, Vasco
Masjid - Jama Masjid, Vasco
Monuments - Cabo de Rama, Buddhist caves, Rivona