The Rise of Heritage Walks in Goa and Reasons to Take One

Heritage walks in Goa or guided walking tours take the rich history of a destination and weave it into a magical story. Instead of flying around in a cab and landing at cliche monuments, you take it slow. A seasoned walking tour guide will know the ins and outs of a place. They’ll take you back in time, make you savour a grandmother’s cooking and leave you wondering “How did I never know this?”. Depending on your interest, comfort and the availability of a walking tour, you can opt for cultural walks, traditional walks, cycling tours, food tours, bar hopping tours and so on. 

You will find a fun walking tour in almost every major tourist destination such as Delhi, Amritsar, J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru and even Goa. Goa has seen an exponential rise in heritage tours in the past few years. These aim to bring out the multiple layers of Goa’s culture, craft, heritage and history buried under mainstream tourism. For example, every tourist goes to Old Goa, but did you know that these establishments house some of Goa’s oldest art forms?

This blog dives into the concept of a heritage tour in Goa, how to find the good ones and why you should take one.

How does a heritage walk work?

Ideally, a well-curated heritage walk goes on for about 2-2.5 hours and covers 3-4 km on foot. While this might seem like a long distance, these walking tours in Goa are fun and filled with breaks and pauses. Moreover, most of them start and end at the same location so you don’t have to walk more than what’s needed. Often, a walking tour will also include a snack stop so you can take a breather and enjoy some local delicacies.

How do I know that the walking tour in Goa is good?

First of all, there are no ‘bad’ walking tours. However, there are some that are filled with richer stories than others. So how do you know if the heritage walk you are booking in Goa is worth your dime?

1. It covers locations you haven’t heard of.
   You’ve heard of Old Goa, but have you heard of St Augustine Chapel? It’s in Old Goa, but away from the frequently visited establishments. You’ve heard of Panjim, the capital city of Goa, but have you heard of Aldona? These are just some examples of identifying a good heritage walking tour. Make sure to read the full itinerary though!
   
2. The ambassadors are locals.
   If you are looking for walking tours in Goa, look for ones hosted by Goans. However, you don’t need to dig into their ancestry. The idea is to seek someone who has lived in a particular location for long enough to know its people, its local hotspots and its hidden secrets.
   
3. The walking tour goes on for short durations.
   A fun, non-tiring walking tour in Goa will go for about 2-3 hours max. Anything longer than that can get boring and exhaust you. However, longer walks that go on anywhere between 3-24 hours can be just as fun if they’re on cycle or private transport, and include night camping. However, those are fewer in Goa.   

Why should I take a walking tour in Goa?

Goa has been a popular tourist destination in India forever. Starting with Dil Chahta hai which was shot in Goa, many films have brought this scenic location international fame. It came at a cost. Up until the last decade, Goa’s USP for tourists was the beaches and booze. You catch a sunset, get cheap booze and call it a holiday. Not many know that Goa is a rich and diverse state with an abundance of natural beauty and cultural facets. A walking tour in Goa can help you slow down and truly enjoy it. Here are some reasons to take a guided heritage tour in Goa with a local:

Embracing slow, sustainable and eco-conscious travel with heritage walks in Goa

The mainstream tourist model in Goa has been one where a local cab driver will take you to a bunch of pre-decided spots. You try to cover as many as you can in a day to save cab fare. You drive, stop, look, move. The structure of it dampens your curiosity and if you ask the driver questions, they will only give you surface knowledge. This is what you call fast travel and a walking tour combats that by letting you take it slow. Put your feet to work – whether you’re walking or on a cycle and head into lanes that cabs won’t fit into. Choosing to do that, even for a few hours lets you cut down on greenhouse emissions, save money and get fitter – all perks of slow travel! Moreover, you find a fascinating local business that you might have otherwise missed.

Discover the hidden locations in Goa

Up until a few years ago, tourists didn’t know about the Latin Quarters in Fontainhas or the cafes that it houses. A curated walking tour through Goa’s colourful history in Fontainhas, Panjim changed it all. A local knows their hometown well enough to tell you where the magic is. You can explore the Bird Sanctuary in Chorao, take clay baths in Divar, meet the indigenous tribals of Goa, sit down with a local for a festive meal, explore the history of Goan architecture or just bask in the gorgeous village life. A heritage walking tour will open up beautiful possibilities for you to experience something unforgettable.

Art, architecture and culture

Have you ever watched a Dekhni dance in Goa, or listened to the magic of a Fado performance? Did you know that the artists who made Kaavi are no more? Goa’s cultural elements don’t get the attention they deserve. If you are one who is gaping at traditional architecture, curious about secret passages in local Goan homes, hungry to find local artisans and craftsmen and would love to spend an evening watching local folk performances, take a curated heritage tour in Goa. You will find gems that you will cherish for the rest of your life. You can also get on-demand customised heritage tours in Goa with Soul Travelling.

Local food that makes you go “Oooooh!”

The local Goan fish thali is every tourist’s first choice in Goa. Once that’s done and dusted, it’s back to dal makhani and cheese garlic naan. Goan food can be delicious – especially bar snacks and desserts that make you come back for more! Yes, bebinca and serradura are famous, but have you tried the baathk, the bolinhas or the dodol? Yea, you’ve had feni and kokum juice, but do you know what kasai is? Take a food walking tour or a bar hopping tour in Goa to discover all the culinary secrets in Goa!

Final Thoughts on Heritage Walks in Goa

Travel is changing. Today, people are opting to travel slowly, dig deeper and take time to engage with their destination. They are now meeting locals, checking out their favourite hotspots and rediscovering the local cliche monuments. If you’re still not convinced about how you can travel better by taking guided heritage walks in Goa, head to Soul Travelling’s Instagram for a visual experience!

FAQs

1. Are heritage walks in Goa same as walking tours in Goa?
   Walking tours in Goa can be grouped under heritage walks in Goa since they may or may not include stories around the state’s heritage. However, heritage tours in Goa can be bigger packages that span over more than 2 days.
   
2. What if I don’t want to walk on a heritage walk in Goa?
   Some guided walking tours or heritage walks in Goa offer the option to carry your own transport. Apart from that there are cycling tours in Goa as well. You can enquire about Soul Travelling’s tours by getting in touch with +919529490245.
   
3. Can I have full -day heritage tours in Goa?
   Yes, you can find travel agencies that offer full-day heritage tours in India.
   
4. Where can I find free walking tours in Goa?
   While free walking tours may not offer an optimal experience you can get a taste of what the experience can be like by booking one here.