Stunning palm fringed coves and chilled beer on the beach shacks, please move aside. Nothing personal – you know we love you 😉 But this post on offbeat Goa will showcase only the most unique and offbeat things to do in Goa 🙂

We’ve always had a penchant for secret mysteries around the world. You’ll find us looking for hidden gems in Dubai or searching offbeat spots in Paris. We’ll play in trickling waterfalls, roam in quaint neighborhoods and taste recipes from lost cuisine ! So hop on for a cool ride across a Goa you’ve never seen before!

Offbeat Goa – 7 Cool things to do in Goa

There is no doubt that Goa is the undisputed holiday capital of India. But today we’ll tread off the beaten path. We’ll skip everything cliche and lose ourselves in the magic of real Goa.

1. Wander in colorful lanes of Fontainhas

Goa’s busy capital – Panjim, beats with a modern heart. But the soul of Goa lies in it’s vintage neighborhoods and quirky backstreets. Go off the beaten path and head to Fontainhas. It is a lesser known and extremely charming area in Panjim, Goa. You’ll find quaint art galleries, heritage hotels, laid back cafes and boutique stores here.

Everything from majestic mansions to cute cottages in vibrant colors adorn this area. Latin Quarter as it is sometimes called, feels more European than Indian.

2.  Offbeat Goa – Go Temple hunting in Jungles

Due to religious persecution and intolerance, most temples in Goa were destroyed during the middle ages. But an intricate jewel of a temple belonging to the Kadamba dynasty survived because of its remote location.

Located deep in the jungles of Western Ghats, Tambdi Surla Temple is a 12th century Shiva temple that remained hidden from the world, protected perhaps by its local guardians – snakes. The area is rife with an incredibly rich and endangered species of king cobras, pythons, kraits and vipers.

We trekked past the thick jungles of Western Ghats, a UNESCO heritage site and had an encounter with a Malabar pit viper before reaching Tambdi waterfall. The path to the temple is comparatively easy past gurgling streams and but the waterfall with same name is a tough trek away.

Goa receives a lot of international travelers and this one of the most exhilarating and authentic Indian experiences. We felt completely safe because we went with knowledgable guides*. Do Not attempt the waterfall hike with kids. Tambdi waterfall is very deep in the jungle past extreme terrain.

3. Seek the story and statue of Abbey Faria’:

If Goa’s wild beauty hasn’t already hypnotized you, then meet the master himself in the heart of it’s busy capital. Abbey Faria was a Goan/ Portuguese monk who pioneered the science of hypnotism. Look for his statue in the center of Panjim. A phrase said by his father changed his life forever , which led him to study the power of suggestion.

He is said to have been imprisoned at the infamous Chateau d’If in Marseilles for unknown reasons. You will also find a character inspired by him in Alexander Dumas’ famous work “The count of Monte Cristo”.

4. Nestle in Nature’s Nest :

Leave the spunk and sass of Panjim behind and hit the road for some tranquil time.

About 1.5 hrs from Panjim lies the small forested town of Mollem. We stayed at Nature’s Nest resort and had the most wonderful time. Just as we were welcomed with pineapple and orchids in Hawaii, here we were welcomed with wild jasmine flowers and a kokum drink. Located in Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, this resort is just what your soul needs.

Fun activities, guided tours, bird watching and rustic living summed up our stay. Not to mention the absolutely gorgeous jungle ambience and traditional food cooked and served in earthen pots by local women everyday.

It was beyond delicious. Pankaj, the manager and in-house ornithologist showed us magnificent birds each day. *The guides here will take you to Tambdi Surla temple and waterfall.

5. Spot hidden gems of Church

Saligao is a small rustic town located 10 Km from Panjim. Surrounded by green paddy fields, It looks like an emerald necklace with Mae De Deus church as it’s diamond pendant. Its a beautiful offbeat church in Saligao, Goa. Definitely admire its gothic spires and delicate architecture.

6. Enjoy the delicate Art of Azulejos :

Elegant painted tiles and authentic Portuguese culture made their way into Goan homes with the arrival of Vasco Da Gama in the 15th century. Homes and shops adorned by this typically blue and white porcelain can be seen everywhere in Goa. Head to Azulejos de Goa in Panjim, to pick up a few pieces.

7. Fish, Rum and Caramel ?

Countless beach Shacks and chilled beer is what Goa is famous for. But how about I take you to quaint balconies to have some spicy vindaloo and sweet Port wine? Venite is a small cafe bar in Panjim whose eclectic Goan style captured our hearts.

Colorful and whimsical, the cafe has a nostalgic vibe to it. The tasty dishes are a playful mix Indo-European flavors. We ate authentic Goan dishes and ended our meal with a sublime dessert of rum caramel banana flambe!

That’s it from us on offbeat flavors of Goa! Hope it tickled your tastebuds and warmed your heart 🙂