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Goa is a unique and happy state in Southern India, and my favourite place in India due to its party scene, colourful streets, tasty food, and beautiful beaches. I could easily spend weeks chilling in Goa (and I have!), and I’m sure you would find it very tempting to take the time to immerse yourself in this expansive place.
However, I realize most travelers only a few days to spend in this hippie heaven. With that in mind, here is my ultimate 3 day Goa travel itinerary.

Whilst it is the smallest state in India, Goa indeed boasts plenty of fun places to explore and off-the-beaten-track adventures. With every visit back, I almost feel like I am transported back to the 1970s ‘hippie trail’ in Goa, which was once a cesspool of alternative and counter-culture lifestyles.
Your 3 Day Goa Itinerary: How to get to Goa
Goa is located in the south of India, a few hours from Mumbai by sky. There are two international airports in Goa. Goa Dabolim International (GOI) is located in south Goa, and Manohar International Airport (GOX) is further north. Both airports have easy access to taxis, which is the most convenient way to get around in Goa.
Throughout your 3 day Goa itinerary, I recommend always having cash on you (INR). If arriving by air, you’ll want to withdraw some money at the airport (at least 5000 INR/US$60 to get started). Few places in Goa (and India more broadly), except for a few restaurants and stores, take card. It’s never fun to be stuck without cash – especially in India!
Where to stay in Goa
Goa is a state comprised of a diverse range of beach towns. The activities available in North and South Goa vary, and depending on what you are searching for, offer different experiences.
For the most part, I find North Goa is more ‘happening’, and you can find many different types of nightclubs, parties, and live music. South Goa is more luxurious, offering a slower pace through a range of yoga centres, Ayurvedic facilities and wellness retreats.

North Goa
Where to stay in North Goa
Most travelers opt to stay in Arambol, the most touristic and bustling city in North Goa. As a former Portuguese colony, Goa is infused with many Portuguese colours and influences. Arambol’s vast beach is lined with colourful Goan Fishing boats, Bohemian vibes, and many different cafes, restaurants and beach clubs.
Arambol is full of many cute and unique hostels, guesthouses and some fancier hotels and resorts. I recently stayed at Geranium Haven for a few nights and it was a really beautiful experience. The rooms were gorgeous, the bed super comfortable and it was a great option for a higher-end guest house at a fair price.
Day 1
Morning: Go for a stroll or a swim down the famous Arambol Beach
Arambol Beach is located in North Goa and attracts travellers from all parts of the globe. The water is warm and (mostly) clean, and the beach is calm and serene. Goan sunsets are out of this world, and I strongly encourage you to make it to at least one sunset.

Afternoon: Visit the Sweet Lake
A short walk from Arambol town through the beach and markets, Arambol’s Sweet Lake is my favourite place to visit in Arambol. It is nestled between the Arabian sea and the lush jungle. I’m sure you will find it the perfect place to cool down from the Goan sun and to rest from the hustle and bustle of the town.
This freshwater lake is safe for swimming and is incredibly refreshing. I love renting a deck chair and enjoying the afternoon in beautiful nature, taking turns swimming between the ocean and lake.

Evening: Walk through Arambol town
The windy streets of Arambol are lined with shops, restaurants, and cafés. If you like shopping, Arambol has many unique stores selling boho, “hippie”, Indian, and eclectic clothes, bags, accessories, gifts, and home decors. The store vendors are all friendly and lively and they love tourists!
Day 2
Morning: Anjuna Flea Market
The Anjuna Flea Market runs during the peak season (November to April) every Wednesday from 7 am to 7 pm. I would recommend checking the website beforehand to confirm opening times. This hippie market offers a vibrant and quirky mix of clothes, trinkets, jewellery, décor, Macramé, tribal specialities, and Tibetan and Nepali pieces. At nighttime, this market comes alive with music, parties, and even better bargains! I feel transported to 1970s hippie India each time I visit this market!

Afternoon: Enjoy local Goan cuisine
As a former Portuguese colony and hot tourist spot, Goa’s food scene is a beautiful blend of Indian, Western and Mediterranean flavours. I love eating fish in Goa as it is so fresh and and infused with all the best flavours and spices of South India. Coconut, papaya, chilli, tamarind and mango are key to Goan dishes.
I equally love enjoying a glass of Port Wine (normally 100 INR or US$1/glass), which the Portuguese colonizers brought to Goa in the 16th century. Fish and wine feel like such a treat after travelling India for a while without these luxuries that we take for granted back at home. Here are my top recommendations for the best places to eat during your 3 day Goa itinerary:
- This is It: I love this spacious and ambient beach restaurant and café. It offers a vast menu of lots of traditional Goan food options, as well as many live music events and parties.


- Gril It Sandwich Bar – Baruch’s Sandwich: this place serves Israeli and Indian dishes at super reasonable prices. The kitchen is very clean, and the staff are lovely. The sabich plate is my favourite dish there!
- Garden of Dreams: this decked out café is a beautiful and shaded place to enjoy a coffee, juice, breakfast, or lunch! There is often live music and a little store selling quality clothes and natural products. It is a beautiful place to meet people, sit, relax, read a book, or do some computer work.
- Nepali Bakery: this sweet and cosy Nepali bakery is tucked away. It serves a wide range of cakes, pastries, and sweets, including vegan and gluten free options. It stays open late and is a warm and peaceful place to relax after a day at the beach.
Evening: Visit a party or live music event
I was surprised and excited to learn that Goa is the birthplace of trance music, which was discovered when the original hippies from Europe and America visited India from the 1960s. In this tradition, every night in Arambol there are many events, parties, workshops, and dances. I love the awesome PartyHunt app, which advertises all the different types of events to discover each night.
During the peak season (November to February), Arambol is pulsating with psy-trance parties, ecstatic dances, reggae events, cacao and full moon ceremonies, and international artists and DJs. In fact, It wouldn’t be a trip to Goa without checking out a party and seeing what all the hype is.

(Credit: Miffany Rose)

Honestly, you could spend weeks in Arambol just enjoying the music and party scene. I think my favourite part of the party scene, though, is meeting the eclectic and vibrant travellers that it attracts.
Day 3
Morning: Take a taxi down to South Goa
When people ask me for my Goa recommendations, I always insist that a trip to Goa wouldn’t be complete without visiting the south. I recommend you to take a taxi from chaotic Arambol to tranquil Agonda in South Goa. The drive takes around two hours and is honestly a really beautiful and scenic way to experience Goa in all her beauty.
If you leave early enough in the morning, you will be able to enjoy a full day of fun in Agonda. Also – there is conveniently an airport close to Agonda, so you can easily catch your flight out of there!
Agonda is really gorgeous and I find it significantly more quiet and calm than Arambol. For me, that is the real beauty of Goa, and India more broadly; the ability to travel only a few hours and to find differences in culture, landscape and energy.

Afternoon: Take a yoga class at Sampoorna Yoga
After a few days in busy Arambol, I always love taking a relaxing yoga class. Agonda is full of world-class and luxurious yoga schools and retreats. Sampoorna Yoga is one of the most beautiful yoga shalas I have ever been to and they offer a wide range of classes and courses on each day. The view out of the yoga studio looks over the lush rainforest and onto the ocean. It is truly spectacular.
I especially love Mandala Café at the front of Sampoorna Yoga. The café is run by brothers from Rajasthan, who serve delicious healthy, raw, organic and vegan food options. The café also doubles as a beautiful space to read, journal, or work. A yoga class and a feed from Mandala always leaves me feeling rejuvenated and nourished.

Late afternoon: Go kayaking down the river
Agonda Beach is one of the cleanest and calmest in Goa, but my favourite part of Agonda Beach is actually the river that runs perpendicular to the ocean. There are a few spots where you can rent a kayak from, but I love the Agonda back water location. It costs around 200 INR/US$2 per person and you can cruise peacefully down the river for an hour.

There are also some really cute local bars and restaurants near the river where you can enjoy a cocktail or Goan snack – my favourite is Masala peanuts.
Evening: Watch the sunset over Agonda Beach
After the perfect three days in Goa, I guarantee you will want to watch the sunset over the Arabian Sea one final time. And, the most special part about these sunsets in Agonda is all the sweet cows who chill and gather on the beach during golden hour.

Of course, Goa is a rich, vibrant and vast state, with so much to explore and learn. To make the most of this diverse region, you’ll need to add a few days to your 3 day Goa itinerary!
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