For A Weekend Getaway From Your Getaway: Best Places To Visit Nearby Goa

If you have come for a long trip to Goa, and also want to cover more places within 200 km of the beach city, these are the places you should look forward too. These are the best places to visit nearby Goa and ultimate weekend getaway spots too. You can just drive down to these places, have different experiences and make more memories. These 16 places near Goa are the best ones to visit and worth the time spent in traveling that are worth the time spent in traveling.

1. Dudhsagar Falls

Said to be one of the highest waterfalls in India, it attracts a steady inflow of visitors every year, from the coast to the rugged Western Ghats. Sightseeing in Goa can never be complete without visiting Dudhsagar falls. Dudh (milk) Sagar waterfall is a cascade of white water flowing from a peak and it looks magnificent when it falls on the rocks below. Amongst all the beaches and the party culture in Goa, Dudhsagar waterfall is a pleasant exception. It is one of the five highest waterfalls in the country and one of the 100 highest in the world and definitely one of the most visited place nearby Goa. 

ATTRACTIONS: Sahyadri Spice Farm, Tambadi Surla Mahadev Temple, Mahadeva Temple
DISTANCE FROM GOA: 30 km

2. Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary

The Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary! More than a sanctuary, it is an ideal jungle resort, a major attraction and a great tourist place near goa for school going children and nature lovers. Its mini zoo, sprawling deer park in natural habitat, botanical and rose gardens attract people throughout the year. One of the best places to visit nearby Goa to indulge in a wildlife experience and nature's beauty.

ATTRACTIONS: Rose Garden, Lush Forests, Elephant Rides, Exotic Species Of Birds - Bird Watching, Witness - Leopards, Peacocks, Sloth Bear, Pythons, Elephants, Toddy Cat and a variety of snakes
DISTANCE FROM GOA: 33 km

3. Terekhol Fort

Located at the Northern tip of Goa, Terekhol Fort was originally constructed in the 17th century by Maharaja Khem Sawant Bhonsle of Sawantwadi. The fort has a Church for the Holy Trinity in the courtyard and it was established in the year 1764. This church later came to be known as the Church of St. Anthony. The church is open for visitors only on special occasions such as the annual feast, which generally falls in the month of May. The fort has been renovated and converted into a hotel called the Fort Terekhol Heritage. The view of the golden sand of Keri Beach and the Terekhol River from the fort will captivate you. Your visit to Goa is literally incomplete without visiting Terekhol Fort. Sought to be one of the best places to visit nearby Goa, Terekhol Fort is the must visit place for everyone. The fort is open on all days of the week from 9 am to 7 pm.

ATTRACTIONS: Terekhol River, Magnificient views of Keri Beach, Memorial to freedom fighters of Goa, Statue of St Andrew, St. Andrew's Church
DISTANCE FROM GOA: 102 km

4. The Ancestral Goa Museum

The Ancestral Goa Museum is located in Big Foot, Lotulim. A barren land before 1994, it is now one of the major tourist attraction and noted to be one of the best places to visit nearby Goa. This private museum that depicts the day-to-day life of native Goans is a brainchild of Maendra Jocelino Araujo Alvares - It's one of the most touristy places near Goa that you can't miss out on. The museum consists of a replica of a typical Goan village with miniature houses, a famous Goan music school (Escola da Musica), fenny distillery and many more native Goan artifacts. The entry fee is Rs.20 to Rs.50, and the timings are 9:00am - 6:00pm. 

ATTRACTIONS: Art Gallery,  Goan Artifacts, Bigfoot Cross Museum, The Artisan Habitat, Handicraft Fair
DISTANCE FROM GOA: 23 km 

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5. Amboli

Located at just 690 meters above sea-level, Amboli is the nearest hill station to Goa. It is an ideal tourist place near goa to visit during the weekends if you want to enjoy the scenic beauty, a pleasant climate, flora and fauna, and the numerous waterfalls. The capital city of Panjim is 90km from here. This hill station receives a high amount of rainfall and there are several monsoon fed lakes and waterfalls.

ATTRACTIONS: Sahayadri Mountains, the village of Amboli, ancient cave temple of Hiranyakeshi
DISTANCE FROM GOA: 55 km

6. Vengurla

Vengurla is a small town that is located in the northern part of Goa and it is a must visit tourist place near goa. It falls under a district in Maharashtra called Sindhudurg. It offers clear views of three nearby hills of Dabholi, Mochemad, and Tulas. Counted amongst some of the best places to visit nearby Goa Vengurla is just a day trip from Goa. 

ATTRACTIONS: This town has several temples such as Shri Sateri, Shri Rameshwar, Shri Ravalnath and Shri Ganesha, Cashew and mango plantations.
DISTANCE FROM GOA: 110 km

7. Nersa

Situated amidst the picturesque Mahadai Valley, Nersa is a small town that is well known for its dense forest cover and acres of groundnut and sugarcane fields. It is part of the Belgaum district of Karnataka and has an altitude of around 762 meters above sea level. The Mahadai Valley is an excellent picnic spot and one of the best places to visit outside goa.

ATTRACTIONS: The region is significant to wildlife enthusiasts and researchers as there are around 950 different species of birds found here. You can also plan for an excursion to nearby places such as Kongla, Bhimgad, and Abnali.
DISTANCE FROM GOA: 77 km

8. Gokarna

Mainly a pilgrimage center, Gokarna attracts a massive crowd during weekends, especially in the month of winter. The Mahabaleshwara Temple here has Lord Shiva as the principal deity. The place is called Gokarna, meaning the ear of a cow as legends reveal that Lord Shiva emerged from a cow's ears. From Goa, you can take a bus to Canacona or Madgaon and another one to Gokarna. In addition to the aforementioned charms, Gokarna is also famous for its beaches.

ATTRACTIONS: Though the beaches here form the main attraction, the serenity of the place is noteworthy. The townhouses reflect the traditional architecture and there are shops selling handicrafts. Prominent beaches here include Om, Paradise, Half Moon and Kudle. Among the religious attractions are the Mahabaleshwar Temple, Bhadrakali Temple, Maha Ganapathi Temple and Shanmukha Temple. Shivaratri is a religious festival celebrated at the temple premises and draws around 20,000 devotees every year.
DISTANCE FROM GOA: 166 Km

9. Yellapura

The large expanse of plantations and two natural falls within a short distance from Yellapura village makes it one of the prominent places to visit nearby Goa. Located at an altitude of 541 meters above sea level, the Mogodu village is another interesting place of visit. The Bedthi River also passes from this place!

ATTRACTIONS: Satoddi Falls and Magod Falls are two beautiful places to visit in Yellapura.
DISTANCE FROM GOA: 152 Km

10.  Dandeli

Dandeli is a scenic town in northern Karnataka that is a popular retreat for adventure lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. The region offers the best opportunities for water rafting, picnic, and pilgrimage tours. A significant number of people visit during Diwali, Dussehra and Ganesh Chaturthi. Not every place near Goa is as beautiful as Dandeli so add this one to your checklist now!

ATTRACTIONS: The main attraction in this town is the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary that is well known for its picturesque setting, safari tours, and the deciduous forest. The main wildlife species found here are tiger, leopard, and elephants. There is white water rafting facility within this sanctuary itself. Tourists can also enjoy bird watching and angling.
DISTANCE FROM GOA: 115km

11. Sawantwadi

Untouched by tourism, away from the hustle bustle, it is located in Maharashtra - visit this mesmerizing place near goa ideal for scenic views. It is located on the National Highway which connects Goa and Mumbai. Shopaholics pay heed to this place as they are famous for wooden handicraft and toys - it's a delight shopping in Sawantwadi while exploring Ganjifa Art & wooden crafts. Don't forget to indulge in Konkani cuisine before leaving this beautiful place. 

ATTRACTIONS: Raghunath Market, Sawantwadi Palace, Moti Talao (lake)
DISTANCE FROM GOA: 45 km

12. Malvan

It is town located in the southern district of Maharashtra. It holds high cultural and historical importance in the Sindhudurg District. It's definitely a beautiful place to visit nearby Goa when you're done partying. Malvan is your white sand and clear waters exotic getaway to destress yourself and have a relaxing vacation. The beach side of Malvan will leave you awestruck for sure.

ATTRACTIONS: Rock Garden, Scuba Diving, Rameshwar Temple, Snorkelling, Tsunami Island, Shopping At Malvan & Authentic Cuisine to indulge in.
DISTANCE FROM GOA: 73 km

13. Tarkali

It's a paradise - a home to the most beautiful beach, Tarkali is situated 8km south of Malvan in Maharashtra. It's a serene village ideal for beach lovers, the best part about Tarkali is it's untouched by commercialization hence becomes the favorite place for nature lovers thanks to its secluded beauty. It is also known for its white sand and clear waters which is ideal for water sports.

ATTRACTIONS: Mahapurush Temple, Khalcha Mahapurush Temple, Vitthal Temple, Scuba Diving, Boating Point & Water Sports point in Karli river, Tarkarli Beach, Nivti Beach, Golden Rock
DISTANCE FROM GOA: 79 km 

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14. Hampi

If you crave to visit and explore ancient architecture based places - Hampi is the place to go! A walk around this heritage area will reveal a hundred stories to amaze the visitors. Pay a spiritual tribute at this spectacular Lord Shiva Virupaksha Temple. The sanctuary is committed to Lord Shiva, referred to here as Virupaksha, as the partner of the nearby goddess Pampadevi who is related with the Tungabhadra River. One will be awe-struck to witness such a sight.

ATTRACTIONS: Famous Chariot of Hampi, Lotus Mahal, Elephant Stable Of Hampi, Matanga Hills, Watchtowers, Queen's Bath, Kalyani - Water Tanks
DISTANCE FROM GOA: 357 km

15. Devbagh

Along the coastline of Arabian Sea lies Devbagh situated in Karnataka again - It's one of the most beautiful places to visit near Goa. Trek up to Sada Shivgad fort to witness the real beauty of this place. One should also visit Shajjeswar and Narasimha Temple which depicts the culture and history of Devbagh. This place is a mystical blend of mountain ranges and water bodies. Adventure junkies, don't forget to try Scuba Diving and Snorkelling here for a great adrenaline rush.

ATTRACTIONS: Shopping in Devbagh - Sea shell products and souvenirs, Lighthouse, Kurumgad Fort, Scuba Diving and Snorkelling.
DISTANCE FROM GOA: 79 km

16. Karwar

It's a port city in Karnataka, known for this breath-taking beaches such as Rabindranath Tagore beach, Kaju Bagh Beach, and of course, The Karwar beach. It's a paradise for all nature lovers, adventure junkies, and water babies. It's one of the most famous tourist spots nearby Goa. One should definitely go for snorkeling and dolphin spotting when in Karwar during October - February. Don't' forget to visit the warship museum which depicts the life in the navy. These beautiful places near Goa make you want to explore more each day. Best time to visit Karwar is between October to May.

ATTRACTIONS: Warship Museum, Bhairavi Shikara, and Mohini Shikara - Rock formations, Authentic Karwa Cuisine, St Anne's Church and Durga Temple
DISTANCE FROM GOA: 83 km

17. Kolhapur

A few hours away from Goa, Kolhapur is a little-visited place that shows you the colourful side of India. This notable settlement flaunts a strongly intriguing sanctuary complex which makes it one of the best places to visit near goa. Apart from all the hill stations near Goa, Kolhapur is additionally the origin of the renowned, hot Kolhapuri cooking, particularly chicken and sheep dishes. There are a lot of tourist spots near goa and especially at Kolhapur, out of which the most famous ones are Shri Chhatrapati Shahu Museum (New Palace), Jyotiba Temple and Mahalaxmi Temple.

ATTRACTIONS: Shri Chhatrapati Shahu Museum (New Palace),  Jyotiba Temple, Mahalaxmi Temple

DISTANCE FROM GOA: 198 km

18. Kumta

Get a chance to enjoy and savour the local cuisine at many beaches in Kumta. Kumta is one of the most visited tourist places near Goa which has a pristine and untouched vibe to it. It is a small town in Karnataka which is known for its betelnut, cashew, coconut, banana cultivation and fisheries. So when you are done exploring Goa then Kumta is one of the best places to visit near goa where you have freedom at their beach which only a few places in India can offer you. Enjoy the accommodation and admire the beauty of the Kumta beach.

ATTRACTIONS:  Gokarna: Mahabaleshwar Temple, Om Beach,  Mirjan Fort

DISTANCE FROM GOA: 176 km

19. Jog Falls

An adventure place to visit nearby Goa which shouldn't be missed out under any situation is definitely Jog Falls. The best time to visit Jog Fall would be monsoon because during monsoon the falls look splendidly beautiful, which the forests are kissed by the rain and the cool breeze nudges your face. So, get drenched and rest in the peaceful music of cascading water at Jog Falls.

ATTRACTIONS: Jog Falls, Water Sports

DISTANCE FROM GOA: 255 km

20. Kudremukh

Kudermukh is a popular place to visit nearby Goa if you are looking out for exquisite biodiversity and pristine beauty. It is being named as a crowd puller since it has the largest tropical wet evergreen reserve forest in Karnataka. Visit this tourist place nearby Goa to witness the enchanting waterfalls and cherish the great landscape of the place. It is one of those goa nearby places where people end up for the Kudremukh trek. 

ATTRACTIONS: Kudremukh Peak Trek, Kudremukh National Park,  Hanuman Gundi Falls

DISTANCE FROM GOA: 304 km

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