Goa Tour Packages From Ahmedabad

Every friend group in every corner of India has had a conversation about the ever-elusive “Goa trip”. For good reason, too. The nightlife in Goa is among the most vibrant in the country, explaining its appeal among the youth. National Geographic even went so far as to rank it 6th out of the top 10 Nightlife Cities in the world. Besides, who doesn’t like a late-night walk along the beach? With the sea breeze gently caressing your face? All of the reasons that make Goa a conventionally popular destination are true, and if that’s what you’re looking for in your holiday, Goa will deliver in spades. However, there is so much more to Goa. The rich heritage, with a fascinating blend of Indian and Portuguese architecture, the magnificent forts, and the diversity in wildlife that this state holds are often overlooked. Residents of Ahmedabad, who wish to experience the vastly different coastal climate, may want to seriously consider all of this. So, take your time, hash out all the details, and plan a Goa trip from Ahmedabad. What could you say about Goa that hasn’t already been said? The beaches, the cool air, it’s the ultimate weekend destination. So start planning this out with your friends and make some memories.

Places to Visit on a Goa Trip From Ahmedabad

1. Aguada Fort

What’s Special: Historical site

Nearby Attractions: Aguada Jail, The Lighthouse, Goa State Museum, St. Lawrence Church, Candolim Beach, Sinquerim Beach, Calizz, Church of St Lawrence

Timings: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Transportation Option: Bus, taxi, autorickshaw

Aguada Fort is famous for featuring the biggest water reservoir in Asia. The fort signifies the crowning glory of the Portuguese legacy in the region. It is about 400 years old architectural marvel. The fort never ceases to attract tourists with its mesmerizing beauty and rich history. You can capture glimpses of the Mandovi River and the Arabian Sea and an old lighthouse.

Once the Portuguese empire’s greatest defense against the Dutch and Maratha empires, Fort Aguada is not the grand structure it once was, about 400 years ago, but it is still one of the most well-preserved Portuguese forts and an icon of the era. The fort was built at the mouth of the Mandovi River, at its confluence with the Arabian Sea, and the sprawling fortress covers the entirety of the Bardez Peninsula. “Agua” means “water” in the Portuguese language, while “Aguada” is a place where water is stored. This name is perfectly descriptive of the role that this Fort played for many Portuguese ships that would come here for respite. A massive tank, that was supplied with fresh water from the underground springs it was built on, could hold more than 2,000,000 gallons at a time.

2. Basilica of Bom Jesus

What’s Special: Religious site

Nearby Attractions: Candolim Beach, St Augustine Tower, Se Cathedral, St Cajetan Church, Tomb of St. Francis Xavier, Chapel of Our Lady of the Mount, Shantadurga Temple

Timings: 8:00 AM - 8:30 PM

Transportation Option: Bus, taxi, autorickshaw

The Basilica of Bom Jesus is in Old Goa and was built in 1605 AD. The religious site is home to the tomb and mortal remains of St Francis Xavier. The monument is the classic form of architecture introduced by the Society of Jesus, otherwise known as the Jesuits. It is among the oldest churches in Old Goa and its exteriors are not plastered. This Roman Catholic Basilica is a UNESCO world heritage site.

The structure of the church is, in a word, elegant. Through a Goa trip from Ahmedabad, you can also visit the Bom Jesus Basilica Art Gallery, which looks out onto the St. Francis’ tomb from above. It holds the works of Dom Martin, a Goan surrealist painter.

3. Calangute Beach

What’s Special: Natural escape

Nearby Attractions: St. Alex Church, Calangute Beach, Benz Celebrity Wax Museum, Tibetan Market, Casino Palms, Holiday Street

Timings: Throughout the day

Transportation Option: Bus, taxi, autorickshaw

Calangute Beach is known as the Queen of Beaches and mesmerizes lakhs of tourists every year. The site remains crowded, especially during the peak seasons. It is spread across 7 km of glittering sand, at a distance of 15 km from Panaji. According to the locals, the beach was popularized by hippies in the 1960s.

4. Se Cathedral

What’s Special: Religious site

Nearby Attractions: Aguada Fort, Anjuna Beach, Baga Beach, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Calangute Beach, Chapora Fort, Colva Beach, Dudhsagar Waterfall

Timings: 7:00 AM - 6:30 PM

Transportation Option: Bus, taxi, autorickshaw

Se Cathedral is located in Old Goa, and is dedicated to the St. Catherine of Alexandria. It is famous as the largest churches in India, as well as Asia. It is also known as St. Catherine's Cathedral and is one of the oldest and the most revered religious places in Goa. It is recognised as a UNESCO heritage site and exhibits marvellous architectural style.

5. Chapora Fort

What’s Special: Religious site

Nearby Attractions: Chapora River, Shahpura, Vagator Beach, Chapora Beach, Aguada Fort, Parra Road, Sinquerim Fort, Reis Magos Fort

Timings: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Transportation Option: Bus, taxi, autorickshaw

The Chapora Fort is in North Goa and about 21 from Panaji. It is merely 700 meters from the Vagator Beach. The can also capture glimpses of the Chapora River meeting the Arabian Sea here. The fort was established by Adil Shah of Bijapur on the site of an ancient fort, which existed even before the Portuguese came to Goa in 1510. This is among the best historical places to visit in Goa.

Best Time to Visit

Summer

From March to June, the scorching heat during the afternoon and evening, with temperatures going as high as 40°C, as well as the humidity brought on by the coastal winds, the weather in Goa is not as comfortable as it is otherwise. However, during the morning, and later towards the end of the day, when the sun isn’t out in full force, the breezy beaches are still wonderful for a walk. Depending on the tides, the sea may not be as friendly, but the temperature is still agreeable in the mornings for a quick dip. Since this isn’t peak season for tourists, Goa isn’t so crowded, so If you’re in a pinch and are working on a tight budget, a Goa trip from Ahmedabad in the summer may still be worth it.

Monsoon

We’re still not in peak season yet, and considering that Goa is famous for its sunny beaches, it is easy to understand why the cloudy monsoon that lasts from July to September is not so appealing to people. That being said, there’s still plenty to enjoy here. Due to the overcast skies and the harsh seas during the rains, going out to the beaches may not be a good idea. However, Goa’s natural splendor is in full bloom, so nature lovers will be able to witness the state at the top of its serenity. Dudhsagar Falls is especially amazing this time of year. Temperatures don’t go beyond 30°C either, so the weather is also pleasant.

Post Monsoon

Goa experiences the “October heat” phenomenon that other states in this region experience, too, where temperatures actually go up a bit. A Goa trip from Ahmedabad during this time will let you experience the rising heat in the temperature after the monsoon. This is a strange period of time when the rains have subsided almost entirely, but the weather isn’t quite wintry just yet. Despite all of this, it’s still a great time to visit the place, with the beaches now more accessible than they were during the monsoon, while still maintaining the green luster that has coated the surroundings.

Winter

This is it, this is the best time to visit Goa, and there are so many reasons why. The climate is perfect, with temperatures hovering around 22°C, the beaches are their sunny best, and the waters are finally open for all manner of activities and adventure sports. Scuba diving, surfing, water skiing, it’s all open for your enjoyment. On top of that, November to February is packed with events, from music festivals to various end-of-the-year celebrations. If you’re looking to close out the calendar on a high note, spending your winter in Goa through a Goa trip from Ahmedabad will offer you with a blast.

How to Reach?

By Air

Air travel to Goa is quite convenient since it has its own airport. It is located in the city of Dabolim, which is just 4 km from Vasco da Gama, and about 30 km from state capital Panaji. Flying from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport to Dabolim Airport takes about 2 hours in a direct flight, but there are plenty of indirect flights that stop in Mumbai which will take upwards of 5 hours. Making it into the city from the airport is also a painless process with plenty of taxis available at the taxi stand.

By Train

Traveling from Ahmedabad to Goa is a long journey. On a direct train, of which there are 10 available each day, the 1000 km train ride from Ahmednagar Junction to Madgaon Junction is a 17-hour commitment at least. The 27 indirect trains between the two stations take even longer, with some journeys taking up the entire day.

By Road

A road trip from Ahmedabad to Goa is, simply put, an Odyssey. With more than 1000 km to cover, it takes over a day to reach the finish line. Bus journeys last about 27 hours. If you happen to have a private car of yours and decide to take it on this marathon of a drive, you will have a decent chunk of Gujarat and Maharashtra to explore on the way there.