Sharvani ChandvalePlanning to travel to Goa for long weekend 2024? Considering how disorienting city life can be, this sounds like a plan. You can easily plan a 4-day itinerary in Goa to relax, unwind and forget. The state’s natural beauty, fun adventures and laidback lifestyle are just what you need to start your year right.
That said, there are a lot of things you can do in Goa on a long weekend, but how do you fit them all in? You can’t! The goal is to slow down and explore whatever you can without stressing yourself too much. Goa will always be there for you the next time you decide to come back.
For now, this guide will help you plan the perfect weekend getaway in Goa for long weekend 2024! It will help you with:
I. How to reach Goa?
1. Flights to Goa
Goa now has two airports – the Dabolim Airport (GOI) and the Mopa Airport (GOX). While the Dabolim Airport is better connected to the south, the Mopa Airport will make travelling in the north easier for you. Plan and pick accordingly and don’t goof up your bookings.
2. Trains to Goa
If you are planning a budget long weekend trip to Goa, then travelling by train is ideal. You can book your tickets to:
North Goa:
South Goa
All the railway stations in Goa are well-connected by buses, cabs and auto rickshaws.
Here is a chart on all trains from and to Goa to make your planning easier.
3. Road Trip to Goa
You could take a bus or you could just pack your friends in a car and take a road trip to Goa. The following routes offer the most scenic road trips you will ever go on:
- Mumbai to Goa
- Bengaluru to Goa
- Coorg to Goa
- Pune to Goa
- Nagpur to Goa
You get to see the most scenic side of the Western Ghats replete with waterfalls, lush green mountains and quaint villages. Pack plenty of food, first-aid kits, spare tyres, playlists and offline maps with you to have a good time.
II. The best dates for a weekend trip to Goa
If you are working, then counting leaves is always a challenge. However, there are plenty of long weekends in 2024 to help you out. In January 2023, you can head out on the Republic Day Weekend and enjoy the cool winters of Goa. You can find out more about long weekends in 2023 here.
III. Things to do in Goa on a long weekend 2024
There are so many fun things to do in Goa on the weekend, starting with some quiet, laid-back heritage experiences. You can do a fun clay bath, explore Goa’s hinterlands and then cycle through pretty, green lanes.
Partying and getting drunk might be cool, but if you really want to unwind right, do these things on your next weekend in Goa:
1. Have a clay bath in Goa’s hinterlands
Goa’s land is made of rich, fertile clay. In the olden days, most farms had their own water bodies for irrigation and other purposes. These were reservoirs not just for a dry day, but also to indulge in enriching clay baths. The mud at the base of these ponds is rich in minerals and serves as a wonderful natural exfoliant. Spend hours floating under the warm sun and giving your skin the pampering it deserves, far away from the tourist crowd. There is no better way to wash off the work week than this.
2. Exploring Goa’s tribal food
Stories make the world go round. You meet someone, you listen to their story and it just might change you forever. This is not an exaggeration. Spend your weekend in Goa meeting Goa’s hinterland community. Despite the raging commercialisation around us, they remain grounded in close quarters with the natural elements around them. For example, their food. All their ingredients are sourced from the forests or cultivated in their own backyards. The food is seasonal, rich in nutrients (because it doesn’t travel in trucks) and shows Goa’s impeccable flavours. Spend some time in Goa’s forests. It just might be the best thing you do in Goa.
3. Go birdwatching with a local guide
Not many know this, but Goa is a hotspot for some of the most exotic birds from around the world. Flamingoes, Warblers, Eagles, Pintails and others all take their annual vacations during winter. If you are a fan of bird-watching, you cannot skip Chorao. Home to the Salim-Ali Bird Sanctuary, it is your reason (and motivation) to wake up early. Spend one morning of your weekend in Goa floating away on a boat in the sanctuary, spotting birds, mangroves, crocodiles, crabs and whatnot. You also get to experience a peaceful start to your short trip in Goa, a stunning sunrise and lots of good local food.
4. Walk back in time, into the caves in Rivona
Some say that Buddha visited Goa. While no one can say it for sure, Goa does have plenty of Buddhist relics that contribute to the story. Mysterious caves were discovered in Rivona with fascinating Buddhist relics and carvings. A statue that was found there of Lord Buddha is now kept in the Museum of Goa. Goa has plenty of caves speckled all over the state, but none so fascinating as the ones in Rivona. Walk back in time and experience a slice of the past. When you plan a 4-day itinerary to Goa, make sure to have this on your list.
5. Hunt hidden waterfalls in Goa’s hinterlands
Want to experience a real dopamine high? Trek to a waterfall in Goa. The joy at the end of an exhausting trail is irreplaceable. You get to navigate rocky paths, find your way through dense forests and wash away all your fatigue under a gushing waterfall in Goa. There is no better way to make the best of your weekend in Goa. Pack a wholesome lunch, get out your trekking shoes and next weekend, choose an adventure.
Okay you’ve gotten this far, but…
Are you still confused about how to spend your weekend in Goa? There is more where that came from. A good vacation can also be intellectually stimulating. You meet new people, experience a unique culture and allow yourself to grow as a person. Partying, taking cruises and walking on the same old path is fun, but focusing on relaxation and rejuvenation is better. If you want your weekend to be the perfect escape from work, then plan a slow vacation to Goa. Make the best of your long weekends in 2024!
Find the most effective ways to enjoy the unknown side of Goa on your next weekend in Goa.
Visit the Soul Travelling website to find an adventure tailor-made for you!
