The Villages of Goa

Goa consists of around 35 towns and cities but the real heart of this tiny state is the 188 villages and hamlets that really gives this place it's heart.

Unlike urban areas, the villages tend to be neat and clean, friendly and even good value-for-money. Except maybe in those areas where there are a lot of tourists already.



Below is a list of some villages where you could find something unusual. But don't restrict yourself to this list alone. You never being surprised what you run into, in Goa without even knowing it exists. Goa is home to a number of other villages worth visiting: Assolna, Benaulim, Britona, Cortalim, Curtorim, Goa Velha, Mollem, Usgao, Reis Magos, Savoi Verem, Shiroda... a list like this would be far from complete. Please note that you wouldn't necessarily be looking around for accomodation (though you can find it in some places) here, because these villages are often close to the places where most tourists stay (the coastal belt, or the towns).

Goa village

Goa's slightly 'larger' villages

For a state which claims to be "half urban", the number of villages of goa is surprisingly high. Even its "cities" are more like small, over crowded towns.

Currently, not one city has a population significantly more than 100,000, though some are close to it. The villages can be charming, and in a world of their own, though sadly, tourism and the real estate boom it engineered is seen by locals as destroying the very place the visitors come for.

  • Panaji (Panjim, also referred to a Ponn'je in Konkani, and earlier called Pangim and Nova Goa during Portuguese rule) – the state capital

  • Margao (Madgaon)

  • Vasco Da Gama

  • Old Goa

  • Mapusa

  • Ponda



    Goa also has a number of other smaller, sometimes charming and sometimes crowded towns such as along the beach belt (Calangute, Candolim), and in the interior (Chaudi in Canacona, Sanvordem-Quepem, Bicholim, Pernem town, etc). Some of these are gateways to the nearby touristic areas. In addition, Goa has some nearly 350 villages, often scenic and each having a character of its own.

    Goa rural scene, village

    Village view of sea

    Goa, local man fishing

    Viw of fort goa

    Return From The villages of Goa to Travel to go

    Villages of go photos courtesy of sulekha.com