After significant research and careful weighing of the pros and cons of each of Goa’s many beaches, we decided to continue our Indian holiday with a visit to Anjuna Beach, Goa.
With red rock cliffs bordering white sand and black rocky beaches, Anjuna’s landscape is both unusual and breathtaking. Add in lush palm trees and fiery sunsets and Anjuna beach is as unique as traditional beaches come.
After our 2.5 hour flight from New Delhi, we hailed a taxi from the airport and arrived at our beachfront bungalow just over an hour later. With deep hippy roots, Anjuna is famous for hosting nightly trance parties on the beach that last until morning as well as an expansive flea market that pops up each Wednesday. But no matter what type of beach-goer you are, there is so much to see and do in this ocean town that you are not Goa-ing to be bored for a second. Keep reading for a list of our Anjuna Beach must-dos, and start planning your Goan vacation.
– Shop ’til you Drop at Anjuna Beach “Hippy” Market
Be sure to schedule your Anjuna vacation so that you are here on a Wednesday, because the Anjuna “Hippy” Flea Market is not to be missed. Hundreds of locals and foreigners alike set up shop in the market’s bamboo-framed stalls each Wednesday and sell goods ranging from spices, to electronics, to handmade clothing and jewelry. If your haggling skills are sharp, you’ll be able to snag some great deals on whatever your heart desires.
– Lounge on the Beach
Budget time to relax on the beach – it’s what you’re here for right? There are ample chairs on the beach itself that are up for grabs, but we opted to lounge on the chairs in front of our little bungalow to evade frequent requests to take selfies and buy bracelets.
– Admire a Sacred Cow
It was our first time ever experiencing cows roaming around freely in a beach setting, so we really soaked in the experience. Advice from Aleah: Don’t pet the cows. Even if they come up to/seem curious about you keep your hands to yourself, because what wasn’t captured on camera was the headbutt that she got from this cow post-pet.
– Check out the Street/Beach Art
There are so many murals interspersed among the palms on the buildings and seawalls.
– Rent a Scooter & Explore
After picking up our scooter, our first stop was the neighboring Vagator Beach. We drove along Vagator Beach Road and enjoyed the view before exploring Chapora Fort. If you are feeling fancy, make a reservation to grab a drink or take a dip at the W’s RockPool.
-Hike around Chapora Fort
While you’re in Vagator Beach, take some time to explore Chapora Fort. You’ll have to park and take a hike up to the fort itself, but the view from the top is worth it.
– Admire the Architecture of St. Michael’s Church
We stumbled upon St. Michael’s Church on our drive along Anjuna Mapusa Road, and we just had to stop to take a closer look. Its seventeenth century, Portuguese-style architecture is breathtaking, especially juxtaposed against Anjuna’s populous palm trees.
– Watch the Sunset over the Arabian Sea
Hike up the rocky shore along Anjuna’s southernmost boundary to the highest point and watch the sunset over the Arabian Sea. Wear sturdy shoes, because the hike involves some climbing, and don’t forget to bring a blanket or beach towel to sit on to add to the ambiance/protect you from critters, like the ants that chewed on us! You can take a look at our clifftop sunset experience on our India Story Highlight.
– Must-Eats:
We popped into quite a few beachside restaurants and bars during our time in Anjuna, and were not disappointed once. Nonetheless, Curlies and ArtJuna stood out among the crowd.
