If you love hopping between cafés, bars, and restaurants but still want the beachy vibes with sunset swims, palm trees, and tender coconuts, then North Goa is the spot for you. We love Goa, all parts of it, from the serene and secluded beaches in the South to the rowdy, fun and hippie energy of the North. Safe to say, there is never a dull moment in Goa.

Where to stay

When we visited Goa last time, we chose the up-and-coming area of Siolim and found a really cute boutique hotel, Radha House. The location is great as it sits between the happening areas of Vagator/Anjuna and Morjim/Arambol. If you are a big group of friends we would definitely recommend finding a villa or apartment through Airbnb with a pool and garden to have some much-needed downtime in between exploring and partying.

If you want to easily get to both North and South Goa, we recommend Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon close to Panjim.

But as a general recommendation, the areas of Anjuna, Assagao, Morjim, and Arambol are great for a first-time visit.

Anjuna has a bit of a boho and party crossover vibe, the nightlife is strong and the crowd is more alternative, expat and creative. Here you’ll find flea markets, cliff cafés and psytrance.

Assagao is a bit more upscale with many boutiques and curated experiences. It’s quiet, green and aesthetic, filled with high-end cafés, concept restaurants and designer villas.

Morjim is a bit calmer, with fewer big party spots and vendors, lots of long-stay foreigners and less crowded beaches.

Arambol is definitely the place if you’re into spiritual activities, yoga and kirtans. You’ll find lots of live music, wellness and artsy events. It’s quite budget-friendly and has a bit of a backpacker vibe.

Baga, Candolim and Calangute are the areas that got developed for tourism first. These areas are more commercial and quite busy with packed beaches, lots of resorts and hotels, beach shacks, and traffic. To be honest, it is not our favorite part of Goa...

Slow start to the day at vibrant Mojigao Eco Resort

After waking up in whichever area you chose to stay in, the fun begins just a short cab drive away. We would start our day at Mojigao Eco Resort. This place has everything: a huge café area with an extensive, health-conscious food menu, a clothing and jewelry shop, a botanical garden to wander around, and an event calendar filled with wellness and art events throughout the month. And they also have a couple of luxury cottages you can stay in.

Well-curated boutiques & excellent coffee spots

Since we are in Assagao, it’s the perfect time to check out many of the curated, cool boutiques in the area. You cannot miss our favorite, Rangeela, it has a wide selection of clothes, jewelry and home decor. It also has a café that serves really good coffee. We could honestly spend a good hour or two browsing this store. Other favorite shops in the area are La Boa Goa, The Flame Store, Beruru, Pink Elephant and Whim Etc.

If you’re feeling hungry or snackish after the shopping round, we recommend checking out some of our favorite cafés in the area: Coffee Culture, G-Shot Coffee, Neighbors Goa, Artjuna Café or Grind Bar.

The Flame Store and La Boa Goa in Assagao

Don’t forget to catch that sunset

No day in Goa is complete without sunset drinks by the sea. As the sky turns shades of peach and pink and the sun slowly melts into the Arabian Sea, there’s nowhere better to be than at a seaside restaurant or a laid-back beach shack with your feet in the sand. Although Anjuna might not be the best beach for a swim (lots of waves, currents and rocks..), it is definitely great for catching a sunset. The whole beach strip is packed with both more sophisticated restaurants and clubs and chill beach shacks. If you want a fancier vibe, we’d suggest Pisco by the Beach, Mayan Beach Club or Gypsea Beach Club, but if you feel like what you need is a cheap People’s Lager (a superb Goan beer) and a beautiful view, check out spots like Café Antonio or Eva Cafe.

Dinner reservation at Bomras

We’re ending the day at the outstanding Burmese restaurant Bomras in Anjuna. The first time we went, we were floored. Jaw dropped. The raw beef salad. Pickled tea leaf salad. Banana leaf-wrapped fish. Spicy prawn curry. Black sticky rice. Tender coconut and passion fruit panna cotta. The wine. The mocktails. Everything we ordered was excellent.

Experimental, bold flavor combos at Slow Tide

If you want to stay out later and enjoy some excellent cocktails. Check out Slow Tide, Elephant & Co., Lollo Rosso, JUNA and Sanctuary Bar & Kitchen in the area.

And that was a full day of exploring Assagao and Anjuna in Northern Goa. We hope you have enjoyed!

/Vega & Paras

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