Let’s visualize this – parties, beaches, night clubs, the Persian culture, churches, scooter rides, and countless unsuccessful college trips. What do we get?
Goa is one of the most prepossessing destinations in India; one with a beautiful view and an epic vibe. It’s known its party culture which attracts a lot of youngsters and families throughout the year, especially during the Christmas and New Year celebrations. Goa’s atmosphere is always such that it assures everyone visiting, a gala time.
But Goa is much more than this. Apart from night clubs and pubs, the alluring destination also incorporates a rich history and culture breathing through decades. The British colonial history attached to the place is inexhaustible – it can be visibly traced through the architecture of the place. Goa has as many as forts, museums and historical monuments as there are beaches and clubs. There are numerous hidden places which can be considered as the best picnic spots in Goa. If you want to enjoy a full day with your family or friends then the places of Goa are a very good choice. There are plenty of Jewel places where you can find peace and can make yourself escape from the crowded city life with your friends or family. To make it real, Picnic is the best way out.
Hence, Goa can also be enjoyed with family and relatives and childhood picnics can be relived in this destination.
14 Best Picnic Spots In Goa
In the article below, we have listed the 14 best picnic spots in Goa that can be visited, especially when you want are searching for a picnic spot in Goa for family.
- Majorda Beach – An Eye-Pleasing View
- Dudhsagar Waterfalls – A Well-Planned Trip
- Chapora Fort – The Splendor Of Architect
- Bom Jesus Church – Explore The History
- Butterfly Beach – Discover The Beauty
- Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary – A Place Worth Wondering
- Arvalem Waterfalls – The Magical Beauty
- Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary – Invent The Diverse Breeds
- Shri Mangueshi Temple – Connect Your Soul With Spirituality
- Mayem Lake – A Hub For Variety Of Birds
- Spice Garden – Purchase Spices
- Cansaulim Monte – A Small Village Of Goa
- Arambol Beach – Immerse Yourself In A Wonderful Beauty
- Palolem Beach – Famed As The Tiger Beach
1. Majorda Beach – An Eye-Pleasing View
There is no shying away from the truth that if you want to experience the calmness and serenity around the sea by spending some time on the beaches, then Goa is the place to be. Each beach in Goa has its own story to tell and it’s own unique liberation. One such beach is Majorda Beach.
One of the most beautiful beaches in Goa, Majorda beach stretches some 25 kilometers along the Arabian sea. Located in South Goa, the beach is well-connected to roadways. What makes it one of the best picnic spots in Goa, are the beach shacks and the availability of umbrellas and beach beds which you can rent for free. You can simply sit with your family on the beach and peacefully sunbath.
If your family is one which loves water sports then adding Majorda Beach to your itinerary is a must!
Play games, have fruits, go swimming, and make it a perfect picnic at Majorda Beach.
- Best Time To Visit: Winter Season is the best time to visit this beach
- Best Months To Visit: November to February
- Entry Fee For Majorda: NA
- Places To Stay: Majorda Beach Holiday Apartment, Meadow View Resort, Saudades Homestays, The Diwa Club by Alila, Jes Guest House
Must Read: 12 Lakes In Goa That Are Ideal For An Off-Beat Vacation
Goa Holiday Packages On TravelTriangle
2. Dudhsagar Waterfalls – A Well-Planned Trip
This is one of the dream waterfalls for many of the tourists and travelers in Goa. A lot of trekking enthusiasts are drawn by the charisma and the beauty of the Dudhsagar Waterfalls. The name Dudhsagar is Hindi for Sea of Milk and the waterfalls are named so as they literally look like a stream of milk pouring from the mountains.
Dudhsagar Waterfalls has made to our list of best picnic spots in Goa because of the wide range of activities that one can enjoy with family and friends such as Birding, trekking, taking a ride along the area in a jeep safari. When you are traveling with friends, this can be one of the best overnight picnic spots in Goa. Do not forget to spot the deep green pool that is formed before the water unites with the Arabian Sea when you are there.
- Best Time To Visit: Post-monsoon and winters
- Best Months To Visit: October to May
- Entry Fee: NA
Suggested Read: 16 Best Forts In Goa Every History-Lover Must Visit
3. Chapora Fort – The Splendor Of Architect
Spend an evening at Chapora Fort with your closed ones watching the sunset and reminiscing old memories as you will find no better place to do this in Goa than this historical fort!
Across India, Chapora Fort is also fondly known as the ‘Dil Chahta Hain’ fort. This is because the blockbuster movie called Dil Chahta Hai was shot in Goa and one of the most beautiful scenes of inner epiphany between the three main characters was shot on this very fort. Well, to experience what they must have experienced, one has to pay a visit to this captivating fort.
The fort is close to the Chapora River and has a fine history attached to it. The ruins are the live example of how the fort has stood the test of time. Climbing up the hillock, one can sight the confluence of the Chapora River with the Arabian Sea. Sine, Vagator beach is just a stone throw away; one can also try the water sports during their visit to Chapora fort.
- Best Seasons To Visit : Winter season and Summer season
- Best Months To Visit: October to May
- Opening Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Entry Fee: NA
- Places To Stay: Jungle, W Goa, Tapasya Yoga and Resort, Mulberry Suites, Riverside Villa at Siolim
Suggested Read: Goa In Winter: 7 Happening Events & Festivals To Keep Your Eye On
4. Bom Jesus Church – Explore The History
Going to Old Goa is incomplete if you do not take a tour of the Bom Jesus Church. Located in the massive Old Goa Church complex, this is one of the most prominent structures that cannot be missed.
The ceilings of the church are a brilliant piece of artwork, and people from all over the world come here to witness the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. When you are here, do not miss to pay a visit to the art gallery that is on the first floor of the church.
The church complex has several other old churches that are to be visited for their mesmerizing altars and architecture.
To take a tour of the entire church complex, one might easily need 3-4 hours, and if you are a sucker for exploring deep into history, then you might need more hours. Hence, this can be one of the best picnic spots in Ponda Goa.
- Best Season To Visit: All seasons
- Opening Hours:: All days of the week except Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
- Sunday: 10:30 AM – 6:30 PM
- Entry fee – NA
- Places To Stay: Home Sweet Home, ANHC Bougainvilla Hermitage, Goa Hideaway, Elegant 2BHK House, Onukonu Homestay
Suggested Read: 5 Best Spots For Snorkeling In Goa To Experience Its Thrill First-hand!
Planning your holiday in Goa but confused about what to do? These Goa travel stories help you find your best trip ever!
5. Butterfly Beach – Discover The Beauty
This beautiful beach gets its name with respect to the thousands of butterflies that surround the beach making one glance to a sky seem like a fairytale coming true.
Located North to the Palolem Beach, Butterfly beach invites you to walk on the golden sand barefoot enjoying the crystal clear turquoise blue water filled with different species of aquatic animals like the crabs, the seahorses, the crabs, and even dolphins.
Not only does this beach qualify itself as one of the best picnic spots in Goa, but it can also be one of the best overnight picnic spots in Goa.
- Best Season To Visit: Post monsoon and winters
- Best Months To Visit: October to March
- Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM
- Entry fee: NA
- Places To Stay: Crystal Goa Emerald Edition, The Nest, Art Prive, Shiv Sai Huts, Patnem Garden Resort
Suggested Read: 7 Magnificent National Parks In Goa For An Adventurous Encounter With The Wild
6. Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary – A Place Worth Wondering
It would not be wrong to guess that Everyone’s childhood memory of a picnic included spending a lazy afternoon barking in the sun with your family in a zoo. And well, what is the grownup version of a zoo?
A wildlife Sanctuary. Right?
Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary in Goa, considered to be one of the most popular sanctuaries, is a great spot for picnics as you can indulge in a variety of pursuits such as Tiger and Bison spotting, going on a safari tour, and god knows, this sanctuary is a heaven for all the wildlife photographers out there. During your visit there, do try the lip-smacking food at Den restaurant. Bondla Sanctuary can sure make to your list of a picnic spot in Ponda Goa as well.
- Best Season To Visit: Post monsoon, winters, and summers
- Best Months To Visit: October to May
- Timings: 9 AM–5 PM
- Entree And Other Fees :
5 INR/- per person for Adults
2 INR/- per person for Children
80 INR/- per person for Elephant Ride
25 INR/- per person for photography
100 INR/- per person for videography - Places To Stay: Avdhut Niwas Organic, Rock Valley Goa, The Island Sanctuary, Empire Guesthouse, Farmagudi Residency
7. Arvalem Waterfalls – The Magical Beauty
Watching the swelling waterfalls gushing from the top of a hill surrounded by a dense jungle is one of the most exhilarating sights for all those who love to travel and especially those who simply find happiness in experiencing the beauty of nature.
One such place which can stir all your senses at once is the Arvalem Waterfalls in Goa. The waterfall descends on the ground forming a shallow lake suitable for swimming. The flow of the water is immense during monsoons making the entire surrounding really ideal for a picnic. If you are visiting the waterfalls with your family and they happen to believe in Hinduism, then visiting the nearby Rudreshwar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva can be a good idea.
- Best season to visit: Monsoon
- Best months to visit: May to October
- Entry fee: NA
- Parking fee: NA
- Places To Stay: The Island Sanctuary – A Village Secret, Hospitality Inn, Mayem Lakeview, Hotel Vaishali Residency, Hotel Swarnam
Suggested Read: Christmas Celebration In Goa Is The Perfect Way To Soak In The Festivities
8. Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary – Invent The Diverse Breeds
For all those birding enthusiasts, here is your ideal picnic spot in Goa. Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is one of the places to go to when you are in Goa.
This place is dedicated to the famous ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali and going to this place would definitely increase your knowledge about the birds even more.
You would enjoy it as you get to know about the birds and the history of the place. Apart from spotting birds, one can also enjoy boating when you are here.
- Timings: 6 AM–6 PM
- Entry Fee:
10 INR/- per person for Indians
100 INR/- per person for foreign tourists
25 INR/- per still camera
150 INR/- per camcorder - Places To Stay: Damodar Guest House, Villa Riveria, Hotel Shaurya, Serene Waters Goa, DoubleTree
Suggested Read: 29 Most Romantic Places In Goa For Couples To Have A Lovely Time
9. Shri Mangueshi Temple – Connect Your Soul With Spirituality
Known for the eye-catchy architecture and designs, temples in Goa are worth every minute of your time. One such temple is the Mangeshi temple. Known for its amazing blend of Hindu and modern-day art this temple holds a special place in the history of Goa and the invasion by the Portuguese.
You can spend some time inside the temple and later just have a picnic around the premises.
Apart from this temple, there are several other temples like the Shri Nagesh Temple, Brahma Temple, and Shri Kamakshi Temple, etc. that you could plan to visit when you are in Goa.
- Timings: 6 AM to 10 PM
- Duration Of Visit: 2 hours
- Entry Fee: Free
Suggested Read: 7 Best Amusement Parks In Goa To Spice Up Your Holidays
10. Mayem Lake – Explore Birds
Image Credit: Gazal Aga for Wikimedia Commons
Mayem Lake, also known as Maya lake, is considered as one of the famous picnic spots in Goa. It is spotted at Mayem near Bicholim, in North Goa. It is a famous spot for watching birds and listening to the continuous chirping that soothes your mind. There is a park near the lake where you and your partner can enjoy playing fun games to make the day more memorable.
- Things To Do: Bird watching, boating.
- Time Required: An Entire day
- Location: North Goa
- Entry Fee: NA
- Places To Stay: Sea Shell Hotel, The Project Café, Prestige Hotel
- Timing: NA
Suggested Read: 5 Reasons Why You Must Stay At Royal Orchid Goa
11. Spice Garden – Purchase Spices
Image Credit: Haydn Blackey for Wikimedia
Spice Garden is a place, covered by spices and herbs and the medical significance of these herbs is amazing. Apart from that, this place is a famous picnic spots in Goa where you can enjoy a day to make yourself happy. You can also purchase spices, natural oils, and containers at a reasonable rate.
- Things To Do: Explore Scenic beauty of the Greenery
- Time Required: Full day
- Location: H.No. A-14, Arla Bazar Keri, Ponda, Kerim, Goa 403401, India
- Entry Fee: NA
- Places To Stay: Saudades Home stay, Jes Guest house
- Timing: 7 am- 6 pm
Suggested Read: 15 Weekend Getaways From Goa That Will Let You Make The Most Of It!
12. Cansaulim Monte – A Small Village Of Goa
Disclaimer: The image is for representation purposes only.
This is a small village which is situated in South Goa at the top of a hill. It consists of spectacular beaches and mesmerizing natural beauty which make it the best picnic spot of Goa. From the hilltop, one can see the wonderful expanse of the beach which can make him glad and feel happy.
- Time Required: 2-4 hours
- Best Time To Visit: November to February
- Entry Fee: NA
- Places To Stay: Prestige Hotel, The Diwa Club
- Timing: 5 am- 5 pm
Suggested Read: 22 Best Beach Resorts In Goa That’ll Add More Charm To Your Goan Vacay
13. Arambol Beach – Immerse Yourself In A Wonderful Beauty
Image Credit: Alexey Komarov for Wikimedia Commons
Arambol beach is surrounded with a traditional fishermen village which is considered as a major attraction for the tourists who come from different corners of he world. If you want to pass a day in peace without the hectic journey of city life then Arambol is the right choice. One can witness the most glorious sunset here which can make his day wonderful. This is one of the famous picnic spots in Goa where you can indulge in sports like paragliding and kite surfing.
- Time Required: 2-4 hours
- Location: North Goa
- Entry Fee: NA
- Places To Stay: Tapasya Yoga Resort, Mulberry Suites
- Best Time To Visit: October to February.
- Timing: 9 am-5 pm
Suggested Read: 9 Interesting Museums In Goa: Tour The Ancient Showcases
14. Palolem Beach – Famed As The Tiger Beach
Image Credit: Satyajit Nayak for Wikipedia
Pakolem Beach is one of the most remote and wonderful beaches of Goa which is also popularly known as Tiger Beach. The relatively small crowd makes it one of the best picnic spots in Goa. This is a fantastic spot for those who love adventure. Here one can enjoy a speedboat ride in the stunning setting. This place is very comfortable to enjoy a picnic on the soft sands with an amazing view.
- Time Required: Full day
- Location: South Goa
- Entry Fee: NA
- Best Time To Visit: November to February
- Places To Stay: Goa Hidesway, Elegant 2BHK House
- Timing: 6 am to 6 pm
Further Read: 43 Famous Beaches In Goa That Will Make Your Vacay A Happy Trip
Who thought a party hub like Goa could also be enjoyed through picnics and family outings?! But it is true that there are tons of places in Goa where you can just pack your backpack and head out for a picnic. Goa is definitely much more than what meets the eye. In this list of 9 best picnic spots in Goa, we brushed through forts, beaches, and temples.
Disclaimer: TravelTriangle claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own rights to any of the images and do not wish them to appear on TravelTriangle, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Best Picnic Spots In Goa
Are the beaches in Goa open 24 hours for tourists?
No, the beaches in Goa are accessible only until late evenings. Is Goa a safe destination to go to with family?
Goa is a safe destination for travel and holiday. The roads are well-built and safe. Is Goa a kid-friendly destination?
Yes, Goa has a lot of other places apart from the party houses, clubs and pubs where children can enjoy themselves really well. Can we take elderly people to Goa?
Yes, Goa can be one of the perfect pilgrim destinations because there are a lot of temples that have a great history here. Do the clubs and pubs have a dress code?
Most of the clubs do not have a dress-code. However, it is always recommended to check well in advance. Many times, there are party themes as per various occasions like Halloween or Christmas. Are the accommodation facilities in Goa safe?
Yes, there are a lot of standard hotels, home-stays, and resorts; hence, accommodation would not be a problem in Goa. Are there good transportation facilities in Goa?
Bikes, cars, taxis, cabs, and auto-rickshaws are found throughout the streets of Goa. People prefer to roam around on two-wheelers in Goa. Which beach is known as Tiger beach in Goa?
Palolem Beach is known as Tiger beach which is one of the famous picnic spots in Goa. Which is the traditional fishermen village in Goa?
Arambol is considered as the traditional fishermen village in Goa.
Looking To Book A Holiday Package?
