Uninterrupted beaches lined with palm trees, fishing shacks, restaurants, wandering cows, and an incredible fort. If that is not enough to entice you, here are 6 things to do in Candolim Goa that will make you want to go now!
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1. Watch the sunset at the Aguada Fort
There are two distinct parts of the Aguada Fort.
- The Old Lighthouse Tower is on top of the hill. This has some great views out to sea and across the river
- The Lower Aguada Fort and Sinquerim Fort, on the beach (best spot for sunset)
The Lower Aguada Fort
This well-preserved Portuguese fort sits right on the beachfront on the southern tip of the Candolim peninsula.
Its unique red colored bricks and iconic over-water, round lookout make it a must-see and one of the best things to do in Candolim if you like interesting sites and great views.
- Entry Fee: Free
- Opening Hours: 9:30AM – 6PM
If you hire a scooter while in Candolim, it is easy to access by the main road and there is a designated car park.
2. Explore the surrounds on an electric bike
Candolim and Sinquerim have natural beauty, a rich history, and stunning architecture. Riding an electric bike with a knowledgeable guide is a terrific way to explore the region. Discover the Portuguese influence while cruising the backwaters and seeing the nearby attractions.
3. Have an Ayuverdic Treatment
While Ayurveda (traditional Indian medicine using natural products) practices are predominately in the south of India, there are plenty of small “clinics” in town.
Spend an afternoon at one of the practices for about USD $30 each and have a full body treatment (massage, ear candles, medicinal drinks catered to our body’s energy, etc.). It is something everyone should try (there’s something about a 3,000 year-old way of doing things that just feels… right).
Make an appointment
If you are looking for just a general treatment, you can pop into a clinic and ask for an appointment. It is rare that they will take you on the spot.
Part of the Ayurvedic process is to first give you a full questionnaire run-through to find out more about you (your physical and mental state). Practitioners will then take the time to prepare the right kind of treatment specifically for you.
Depending on the clinic and your condition, this may take an hour or a couple of days (if they are busy).
This is one of the things to do in Candolim that requires a little pre-planning. If you’re going to be in town for a few days and want to give the Ayurvedic treatment a try (highly recommended), make one of your first stops be a clinic to arrange an appointment.
Ayurvedic Clinics to look for
There are a handful of clinics in Candolim. Here are a couple of names to look for:
Ayurma
This place has it all. It caters to walk-ins, appointments, those looking to buy specific products, or those interested in taking education courses. They offer a large range of services, including:
- A full range of massages
- Treatments – from head purification and rejuvenation & eye cleansing to heart and lungs purification
- A range of steam baths
- Teaching course
- Yoga
- Meditation
- And even accommodation
Ayurtouch
This clinic specializes in massage and has great reviews on TripAdvisor. If you’re looking more for a walk-in massage treatment, this place offers some amazing deals for around USD $10.
Find out more about Aurtouch here.
4. Visit the nearby Divar Island
Visit Divar Island, an island in the midst of a river, if you want an off-the-beaten-path adventure near Candolim. It will make for a wonderful half-day trip, with stunning 18th-century churches, paddy fields, and a temple pond you can bathe in.
5. Stay a night in the Taj Fort Resort
If you’re looking to splurge for a night or two while visiting Goa, this resort really is a great deal. For around USD$150 a night you can stay in this beautiful resort with a pool that looks over the fort and beach (perfect for sunset).
The rooms are great value for money, and the property itself is stunningly lush. The old fort has been carefully reconstructed into one of the area’s best-kept grounds. The restaurant and bar area overlook the cliffs and is a great place for a sunset cocktail.
If you are on a budget, this place is worth the splurge!
6. Hire a scooter and explore the area
The best way to explore the surroundings (and one of the best things to do in Candolim) is by scooter.
The thought of driving a scooter in this crazy town might seem overwhelming, but there are a couple of things to keep in mind:
- India is a kind of free-flowing chaos
- While it looks like things on the road might be out of control, there is a kind of unspoken understanding of “flow”
- The best thing you can do while riding is not to get stressed and just go with
- Take it slow and watch out for cows! Yes, they sleep in the middle of the road
7. Visit Coco Beach
Make your way through the Candolim town and cross the Nurul River bridge to the Coco Beachside.
There are great views of the river and surrounding mangroves from the bridge itself (but be sure to keep your eyes on the road as many people stop all of sudden to take photos).
Coco Beach is very much a working fishing beach. Lined with colorful fishing boats, piles of nets, kids splashing in the water, and smiling locals, this place is worth a visit to see the local way of life.
8. Explore the cliffs at Bagjuna Beach
On the opposite (Northern end) of Goa, there is another (smaller) river entrance. Make your way through the chaos of Calangute and Baga, drive through the rice fields and cross the bridge over the Baga River.
Follow the river road until you reach the end (Xaviers Retreat House). Here you can park your scooter and walk around a dirt track to the somewhat hidden Bagjuna Beach.
The walk along the rocky cliff is bumpy and there is a section where you have to climb down the rocks. But when you get to the beach you will understand why you walked all that way.
The tiny beach is a private cove between rocky cliffs. There is a small bar that serves local food and beer.
7. Lounge on Candolim Beach
There is a variety of choices for beach hangout spots. It’s defiantly one of the best things to do in Candolim.
The beach shacks are restaurants/bars made of wood and palm fronds. There are approximately 1 km (0.6miles) of beachfront shacks in Candolim.
So, how do you pick one?
They’re all very much the same. They all offer similar priced food and drinks of similar quality. The best way to pick one is to simply take a stroll. The only real difference is the music and seating. Some have loud music blasting, while others are more chilled out. So, it’ll depend on the vibe that you’re looking for. Make sure you say no to plastic when you visit these beach bars and bring your own reusable products to be an eco traveller.
Depending on the time of year you visit will greatly influence how busy the shacks are. During the monsoon season (June and August), many of the shacks are closed.
8. Experience the nightlife
Goa is known for its nightlife. That’s not saying that you shouldn’t go if nightlife is not what you’re looking for. There are plenty of things to do in Candolim for those who don’t like the nightlife scene.
Just keep in mind, that once the sun goes down, the vibe quickly changes. There is a wide variety of nightlife options in Candolim. Some of the beach shacks (if there are enough people) will kick on through the night. There are also some fancy, nightclub venues.
Here are a couple of places to consider if you’re looking for things to do in Candolim at night:
- Sinq – is a lounge bar (early in the evening) that turns into a nightclub late. It is a great venue if you want something a little classy. It’s over pool lounge areas and cocktail menu make it a stark contrast to the wooden beach shacks.
- Love Passion Karma (LPK) Waterfront – This unique venue sits along the riverfront and has large sculpted faces and bodies throughout the property. It is a restaurant that turns into a nightclub
- Cohiba Bar & Kitchen – this riverfront venue is more of a pub-style place (food and drinks), though it does get a little louder as the night goes on
- Showbar – this venue has dinner options then quickly turns into a dance floor and DJ all-night party
Where to stay in Goa:
If you are looking for places to stay, VRBO has some great options for all budgets. Here are some top picks for the area:
Shivers Oasis Delux Luxury Suite
A one-bedroom modern suite with a great garden restaurant attached. If you are looking for a comfortable stay, Shivers is a great pick.
Casa Maya
A fantastic two-bedroom rental in Candolim, the Casa Maya offers all the charm and flair of a boutique hotel with air conditioning, friendly staff, and is only a few minutes from Candolim beach.
Whether you are thinking of spending a weekend in Candolim, or a month, we highly recommend you spend time in this beautiful coastal destination. If you are looking for some more things to do in India, we suggest doing a Kerala Boat House trip along the backwaters. Do you have any favorite destinations or activities in India? Let us know in the comments!
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