An insider’s guide to the best of Goa

Goa is a unique place, which offers something for everybody. From the white sand beaches in Agonda to the cliffs at Vagator; from the hustle and bustle of Candolim to the relative peace at Mandrem; and from the crazy vibes at the beach to the serene villages.

Of course, Goa is a huge state so its highlights are quite spread out. Assagoan has recently become well-known for conceptual art galleries and cafes. And the Museum of Goa is India’s largest privately owned art gallery and is home to some very interesting workshops.

During high season, the night market is a great place to be. There are a lot of small and not so “touristy” places around the city which offer a great vibe. Sometimes there are curated music events that happen at villas and hostels and offbeat places which you only come to know about if you are really connected to the local scene.

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For all first time visitors to Goa I recommend three must-visit restaurants: Bhatti Village for superb Goan food, Bomras’ for outstanding Burmese, and the Lazy Goose by the River Nerul for an elegant evening out.

If shopping is your thing, there are always new boutique shops opening. I love Studio Josmo and Arpora Studio by Shireen Mody. Or for something a bit more unusual, Ecoposro is India’s first zero waste store. Rangeela is an older, more famous destination, but has recently relocated to a bigger place in Assagaon, so definitely worth rediscovering.

And of course, the perfect place to stay is THE Park Baga River, although given I own it I might be a touch biased.

For more information, see theparkhotels.com.