We have all known Goa as the party capital of India. But what if we tell you there is more to Goa than just the sundowners and beaches? Well, there is another side to Goa that is a heady mix of exotic and sandy beaches, and magnificent churches and temples that are rich in history. This side we are talking about is the South Goa. This part of Goa gives you a glimpse into Portuguese culture, accompanied by some mind-blowing seafood, lush greenery, and an undeniable romantic vibe. South Goa offers a much calmer vibe, and you can get super touristy too!
So if you are ready to take a Goa Trip, and this time to the south of it, you must take a look at these 19 hidden places to visit in south goa. This comprehensive guide provides you with a detailed list of places along with important information that you must know!
South Goa Tour: Get the Comprehensive list of the Best Hidden Places in South Goa
Exploring the vast boundaries of South Goa will leave you in awe of this place, and also change your perception of a typical Goa trip. South Goa has a wide range of budget-friendly stay options that will not kill your bank balance yet offer you an exotic stay. So here is a list of the best-hidden places to visit in South Goa–
Read more: 32 Best Beaches In Goa
Palolem Beach
For the list of South goa places to visit on a 3 days trip, this one tops our list. Palolem is one of the most spectacular beaches in South Goa that welcomes you to its golden sand and scenic views. Adorned with vibrant beach shacks and swaying palm trees, this place gives the perfect beach vacay vibe. Whether you are looking for water sports or just a relaxing day under the sun, this beach has something to offer to one and all.
Read More: 50 Top Honeymoon Destinations In India
Location: Canacona
Timings: 9:00 am to 8:30 pm
Must-do:
- Canoeing
- Trekking
- Dolphin Spotting
- Silent Discos
Agonda Beach
One of the hidden places to visit in South Goa is Agonda Beach, which is truly a beauty in its best form. The pristine shoreline is adorned with pretty cottages and shacks, and swaying palms adds to its splendid beauty. It is also one of the four beaches in Goa that are marked as turtle nesting sites.
Location: Canacona
Timings: 9:00 am to 8:30 pm
Must-Do:
- Canoeing
- Dolphin Spotting
- Kayaking
- Turtle spotting
Read more: 50 Destinations To Visit In Goa: A Brief Handbook
Benaulim Beach
One of the places to stay in south Goa is in the shacks of Benaulim Beach. This beach has a captivating shoreline that is gleaming with white sand. One can indulge in a variety of water sports, and also enjoy the happening nightlife!
Location: Salceta Taluka
Timings: 9:00 am to 8:30 pm
Must-Do:
- Snorkeling
- Wind Surfing
- Dolphin Spotting
- Parasailing
Our Lady of Remedios Church
One of the best places to visit in South Goa other than beaches is the Our lady of Remedios church. It has splendid architecture and a serene ambiance, and its origin traces back to 1630. The church is surrounded by green lawns and has a white exterior that offers a soothing sight during the day. At night the church looks magnificent as the whole area is illuminated.
Location: Fatona, Betalbatim
Timings: 6:00 am to 5:00 pm
Must-Do-
- Sightseeing
Saviour of the World Church
Another hidden place to visit in the south Goa is this church that was built in 1586. The majestic shrine is one of the most gorgeous churches in South Goa, which is built in the Neo-Roman style of architecture.
Location: Salcette, Loutolim
Timings: 6:00 am to 7:00 pm
Must-Do-
- Sightseeing
St. Alex Church
Yet another place to visit in South Goa other than beaches is this church which was built in the year 1597 on the banks of Angoddi Tollem Lake. The church is one of the oldest chapel churches in the region. The church was constructed on the site of an ancient Hindu temple named Ravalnath Temple. And one interesting fact about this church is that if you walk around the church, you can still see the ruins of the temple here.
Location: Curtorim
Timings: 9:00 am to 8:30 pm
Must-Do-
- Sightseeing
Three Kings Church
This church was built in 1599 and is located in the small village of Cansaulim. It is an isolated church and is believed to be haunted. Although these are claims from natives, why not visit the church and find out for yourself!
Location: Muder, Cansaulim
Timings: 6:00 am to 5:00 pm
Must-Do-
- Exploring
Chandreshwar Bhoothnath Temple
One of the hidden places to visit in South Goa is this temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva who is worshipped here as the Lord of the Moon. The temple stands atop Chandranath Hill, and if visit the temple on a full moon night, you can see the Shiva Linga inside the shrine looking resplendent under the moonlight.
Location: Paroda, Quepem Taluka
Timings: 5:30 am to 8:30 pm
Must-Do-
- Sightseeing
Read more: 9 Best Places To Visit In India In Monsoon
Shri Shantadurga Temple
This temple is more than 450 years and exemplifies the Indo-Portuguese architectural style. There is a Five-storey lamp tower which is an additional attraction to this temple. The temple is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga as a mediator between Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
Location: Kavalem Village, Ponda
Timings: 5:00 am to 10:00 pm
Must-Do-
- Sightseeing
Read more: Top 9 Places To Visit In India In December
Tambdi Surla Mahadev Temple
One of the places to visit in South Goa during the monsoon is Tambdi Surla Mahadev temple which is the oldest temple in the region. The origin of this temple dates back to the 12th century and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Surrounded by lush green vegetation, an interesting fact about the temple is that it is built in the Kadamba -Yadava style of architecture, something that is not common in the Hindu temples in India.
Location: Sanguem
Timings: 7:00 am to 5:30 pm
Must-Do-
- Sightseeing
Cabo de Rama Fort
Another place to visit in South Goa during the monsoon is Cabo de Rama Fort which is counted among the oldest forts in Goa. The fort has many legends associated with it, and one such legend states that Lord Rama and his wife Sita had stayed at this fort during their exile from Ayodhya.
Location: Canacona
Timings: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
Must-Do-
- Sightseeing
Indian Naval Aviation Museum
This museum is one of the hidden places to visit in South Goa. It is perfect to visit with family and kids, as it exhibits huge machines and artifacts related to the evolution of naval aviation in the country. Upon visiting the museum, one can learn about many interesting things related to flying, such as aircraft ejection systems and life-rafts. The museum has a small cafe where you can enjoy tea.
Location: Vasco da Gama
Timings: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Must-Do-
- Sightseeing
Goa Chitra Museum
One of the places to visit in South Goa other than beaches is its museums. And the Goa Chitra Museum takes you on a journey into Goa’s cultural and historical past through its exhibits. The exhibits give a glimpse of the lifestyle of the people of Goa in the past and how it changed over time, owing to many historical and cultural factors. It is safe to say that the museum is a treasure trove of all sorts of artifacts.
Location: Benaulim
Timings: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Must-Do-
- Sightseeing
Big Foot Museum
This is an off-beat museum in South Goa, which is established and run privately by an artist names Maendra Alvares. This museum boasts miniature houses that depict traditional Goan life and culture, a handicraft center that sells Goan artifacts, a bird habitat, a restaurant, rubber plantations, a spice yard, and a lot more. The highlight of this museum is the 14-meter-high Sant Mirabai sculpture.
Location: Loutolim
Timings: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Must-Do-
- Sightseeing
Mollem National Park
This is one of the hidden places to visit in South Goa which is home to a large number of wildlife species, birds, reptiles, and butterflies. You do not need to be lucky to spot wild boar, barking deer, Bonnet Macaque, and big cats like leopards and tigers while roaming around this park. The national park is a delight for bird lovers, as it houses more than 120 species of birds.
Location: Sonaulim
Timings: 8:00 am to 5:30 pm
Must-Do-
- Jungle Safari
Cortigao Wildlife Sanctuary
Yet another place to visit in South Goa other than beaches is the Cortigao Wildlife Sanctuary. This sanctuary boasts of varied wildlife species, including slender Loris, mouse deer, Indian pangolin, Malabar trogon, Malayan bittern, golden-back gliding snake, and many more. The treetop watchtower overlooks a watering hole and is indeed one of the prime attractions of the sanctuary.
Location: Canacona Taluka
Timings: 7:00 am to 5:30 pm
Must-Do-
- Sightseeing
Dudhsagar Waterfalls
One of the best places to visit in South Goa during the monsoon is the Dhudhsagar waterfall. Located between the Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park, this picturesque fall forms the border between Goa and Karnataka. It is a four-tiered waterfall that is surrounded by thick deciduous forest.
Location: Sonaulim
Timings: 7:00 am to 5:00 pm
Must-Do-
- Sightseeing
- Dhudhsagar Trek to the bottom of the falls
Pinacolada Beach Shack
This beach shack is considered to be one of the best and budget places to stay in south goa. One can relax by the beach and spend time at leisure savoring the local food. It is known for its food, drinks, music, and ambiance.
Location: Colva
Timings: 8:00 am to 12:00 am
Must-Do-
- Relax by the Beach
Colva Beach
This is one of the hot favorite beaches among the families heading towards South Goa. One can either indulge in some water-based activities or simply relax by the beach. This beach is also famous for its vibrant nightlife and full moon parties, which makes it one of the fun places to visit in South Goa.
Location: Colva
Timings: 8:00 am to 12:00 am
Must-do-
- Windsurfing
- Speedboat ride
- Dolphin Spotting
- Parasailing
- Jetskiing
Butterfly Beach
This is truly a hidden gem in South Goa which is an unexploited paradise. You can pot millions of butterflies flying over the hilltop, and it has turquoise water, in which you can spot goldfish and crabs playing about. Butterfly beach is accessible by a ferry ride from the nearby beaches. The beach is in the form of a cove and is surrounded by dense forest. There are no vehicles that can take you to BUtterfly beach directly, but if you wish to skip the ferry ride, then you have to do a challenging forest hike to reach this beach!
Location: Cancona
Timings: 6:00 am to 10:00 pm
Must-do-
- Boat riding
- Canoe riding
- Sunbathing
Key Takeaways
Well, South Goa is beyond beaches, as it takes you through the Goan culture in the form of its temples, churches, and museums. For nature lovers, South Goa offers jungle safaris, wildlife sanctuaries, and of course the magnificent Dudhsagar waterfall.
So what are you waiting for? Plan your next South Goa trip and bookmark this article for your future reference, or simply connect with our team at HotelDekho.com for travel guides, and more!
