Also known as Kesarval Springs, Kesarval Falls is renowned for its medicinal properties. Attracting a large number of visitors from around the world, it is situated near the village of Cortalim, about 22 km from the city of Panaji. The best time to visit Kesarval Falls is during monsoon when you can see the cascading water flow into the lake below. The word 'kesarval' comes from the Indian word for eagles. It was so named as the cliff near the waterfall was home to hundreds of eagles. Before the 1950s, the falls could only be reached through a stony zigzag trail but after the Government of Goa declared it a tourist stopover, steps were constructed for easy accessibility.

Calling the Bicholim Taluka in North Goa its home, Mayem Lake is a popular picnic spot nestled amidst the scenic vistas of a sleepy Goan hamlet. Surrounded by hills carpeted by thick forests, it hosts a line of vendors along the banks, selling delectable snacks, refreshing coconut water and trinkets. The placid waters of Mayem Lake are ideal for boating and the Goa Tourism Development Corporation runs the Mayem Lake Resort, which offers inexpensive accommodation in dormitories and self-contained cottages.

Popular attraction nearby include the Corjuem Fort, Rudreshwar Temple, the residence and the chapel of the erstwhile Count of Mayem etc. En route to this place is a small water fountain that was constructed in 1927 and as indicated by the plaque, supplied water to the residents.

The Goa State Museum, located in the Old Secretariat, Panaji, was set up with an aim to preserve the arts and antiquities of the state, along with objects of cultural significance. The extensive collection at the museum includes exhibits related to the state's natural heritage, contemporary art, cultural anthropology, environment and development, sculpture and geology, among other things.

Also known as the State Archaeology Museum, the Goa State Museum was established in 1977 and has over 8,000 artefacts on display that include bronze items, paintings, stone sculptures, manuscripts, rare coins and anthropological and wooden objects. The museum has 14 galleries -  Sculpture Gallery, Christian Art Gallery, Printing History Gallery, Banerji Art Gallery, Religious Expression Gallery, Cultural Anthropology, Contemporary Art Gallery, Numismatics Gallery, Goa's Freedom Struggle Gallery, Menezes Braganza Gallery, Furniture Gallery, Natural Heritage of Goa Gallery, Environment & Development Gallery, and Geology Gallery. The museum, open from Monday to Friday, has no entry fee. Photography is only allowed for students and scholars except on prior request.

If you love water sports, you cannot find a better place than Goa. From swimming to snorkelling, an array of options are on offer at several beaches. Someof them include windsurfing, waterskiing, jetskiing, parasailing, banana boat riding, scuba diving, catamaran sailing and a lot more. Sunset and moonlight cruises, dolphin cruises and other adventurous cruises are also available.

For those who like to ride the waves, surfing in Goa provides the perfect kind of adrenaline-pumping adventure. Many of Goa’s beaches provide waves that are suitable for this activity. Try Mandrem Beach for the best opportunities to surf.

Goa’s terrain, along with its perfect weather, offers ample opportunities for spice plantations to thrive. Using organic methods, these farms produce some of India's major spices, including black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, cashew and betel nut palm. Some of the most famous spice plantations in Goa include Savoi Plantations, Tropical Spice Plantation, Sahakar Spice Farm and Pascoal Spice Village, where visitors can learn about everyday spices and sample some of them.

The waters in Goa are safe and temperate and the absence of riptide currents makes them ideal for beginners. Goa’s waters also boast a bounty of coral reefs and rich aquatic life, making them a treat for divers who get clear visibility. Several international diving institutes are affiliated to local clubs here and visitors can easily take classes. Sao Jorge Island and Grande Island are great spots for scuba diving in Goa.

Celebrated on the full moon day in the month of Phalguna (corresponding with the month of March in the Roman calendar), Shigmotsav is essentially a festival that is organised to say goodbye to winter. It begins with the obeisance of the villagers followed by days of celebrations and dance with colourful cloths, torans, flags, and column-like red spotted dwajas. The 5th day, called Rang Panchami, is celebrated with much gusto.

Goa is a pristine paradise that is apt for vacationing at a slower pace. Several yoga retreats and Ayurvedic centres have set up shop here and have been specially tailored to give visitors a rejuvenating and relaxing experience as they soak in the serenity of the coastal state. From massage sessions and tai chi classes to reiki healing courses and meditation, there are a number of activities to indulge in Goa. Lie back and get ready for a spiritual makeover as trained professionals and experts cater to your whims and fancies and provide you with every comfort you can think of.

One of the best ways to explore Goa’s cultural districts is on foot. Specialised tour guides offer interesting takes on local architecture, food and heritage on walking tours that are organised across the state. Panjim Market, which is said to be the pulse of Goa, is one of the  best spots to start your tour. Enjoy Goa’s pleasant weather as you stroll around this early morning market that bustles with locals and shoppers setting up their wares. You can get budgeted buys on local handicrafts as well as knick-knacks. 
Following the temple trail in Goa can be an unforgettable experience. These tours are mostly centred around northern Goa. The first stopover on the itinerary is the Mahalaxmi Temple, dedicated to Goddess Mahalaxmi. This 18th century shrine is believed to be among the first temples built during the Portuguese rule in the region.
Old Goa remains steeped in history and its rich heritage is reflected in various monuments and churches. One of the most popular walks in Old Goa, it starts from the entry point that was built in the memory of Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama. The next on the list is the majestic  St Cajetan Church, which draws architectural influences from Roman churches. Visitors are left awed by the 46-m-high St Augustine Tower perched on the Holy Hill. The last stop is the Church Of Our Lady Of The Rosary, an architectural delight that is situated on the edge of the hill.

You can also sign up for tours conducted through various spice plantations in rural Goa that give visitors a peek into the cultivation of these fragrant condiments. In Panaji, the Fontainhas area is brimming with Portuguese influences that are best explored on foot. Pastel-hued buildings, the Sao Tomé area near the main post office, and stories of the historic Pinto Revolt are to be enjoyed here. 

Goa offers a bounty of shopping havens. In Panaji, you can pick up Goa’s famed cashews, Portuguese handicrafts and spices at the main market, along with lots of sweet treats like bebinca and dodol. The Mario Miranda galleries in Panaji and Calangute are great places to pick up memorabilia that sport cartoons. Clay products, textiles and knick-knacks can be picked up at Calangute Market Square. The Mapusa Friday Market is a great site to shop for local pickles and Goan pottery. Famous for its trinkets and clothing at haggle-worthy prices, the Anjuna Flea Market is popular with young people who want to buy hip accessories at throwaway prices. The Saturday Night Market in Arpora is a souvenir haven and houses many food stalls. Mackie’s Night Bazaar is a seasonal market that offers lip-smacking local fare and eco-friendly products and handicrafts. 

Panaji is located on the banks of River Mandovi, and plenty of entertaining river cruises – of varied durations - can be experienced with the state capital as your base. All cruises begin their tours from the Santa Monica jetty near Mandovi bridge. The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) operates hour-long cruises, which offer live performances of Goan folk songs and dances by local artistes. These are usually aboard the Santa Monica or Shantadurga boats.

On some days of the week, two-hour-long dinner cruises are also on offer along with a backwater cruise that takes you past the Adil Shah Fort, a series of colonial structures and the promenade festooned with fairy lights, to Miramar Beach before returning to Santa Monica jetty.

One of the best festivals in not just the state of Goa but also the whole of India, Goa Carnival draws people in droves. This unique festival has been celebrated since the 18th century after it was introduced by the erstwhile Portuguese rulers of Goa. Music, dancing and revelry make up this three-day non-stop extravaganza in the state. Colourful parades with floats are taken out all over Goa. These are organised by the State Tourism Department.

The float parade in Panaji is presided over by a king Momo, appointed especially for the festival. Preceding Lent, this carnival is held in February and comprises three days of singing, dancing, feasting and fun. The king and his entourage arrive on “Fat Saturday”, the eve of the carnival, and helm a lively parade of colourful floats and troupes of revellers in vibrant costumes and masks, singing folk songs and dancing along the streets. Although the festival is primarily celebrated by Christians, people of all faiths join in the festivities.