By Ulhas Polle, host at Happy Moon Homestay, Aldona, North Goa, since 2024 · Updated 3 October 2026

Our track record: Google 4.9★ (141 reviews) · Airbnb Superhost 4.94★ (154 reviews) · Booking.com 9.8/10 Exceptional

The places to visit in North Goa fall into five groups: the beaches from Calangute to Arambol, the forts of Chapora, Aguada and Corjuem, the churches and temples, the weekly markets, and quieter nature spots inland. This list gives each place’s distance by road from Happy Moon Homestay in Corjuem, Aldona, with a map link. For a day-by-day plan, use our 1, 2 and 3-day North Goa itinerary.

Place Type From our homestay Map
Corjuem Fort Fort 1.2 km Map
Mayem Lake Nature 7 to 9 km Map
Mapusa Friday market Market 8 to 11 km Map
Saptakoteshwar Temple, Narve Temple 12 to 14 km Map
Houses of Goa Museum Museum 14.3 km Map
Parra coconut tree road Scenic road 14.5 km Map
Mãe de Deus Church, Saligao Church 15.4 km Map
Baga Beach and Tito’s Lane Beach, nightlife 17.6 km Map
Anjuna Flea Market Market 18.1 km Map
Calangute Beach Beach 18.4 km Map
Chapora Fort, above Vagator Fort 18.6 km Map
Fort Aguada and lighthouse Fort 24.3 km Map
Arambol and Mandrem beaches Beach 29 km Map

Beaches in North Goa

Calangute (18.4 km) is the biggest and busiest beach, Baga (17.6 km) has the shacks and nightlife of Tito’s Lane, Vagator sits below Chapora Fort, and Arambol and Mandrem (29 km) in the far north are calmer, with sunsets and yoga cafés. Our full guide covers eleven beaches in North Goa, from Querim to Sinquerim, and which suits families, couples or parties.

Vagator Beach in North Goa with the walls of Chapora Fort on the hill above
Vagator Beach below Chapora Fort. Photo: Nikhilb239, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Forts in North Goa

Corjuem Fort, built in 1705, is 1.2 km from us; check it is open before visiting. Chapora Fort (18.6 km), rebuilt in 1617, is the “Dil Chahta Hai” fort above Vagator, and Fort Aguada (24.3 km) was completed in 1612, with a lighthouse from 1864. See all eight in our guide to the forts of Goa.

Old Portuguese lighthouse and laterite ramparts of Fort Aguada near Candolim, North Goa
The 17th-century lighthouse inside Fort Aguada. Photo: Travel with BD, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Churches and temples in North Goa

The neo-Gothic Mãe de Deus Church in Saligao (15.4 km), built between 1867 and 1873, is lit up after dark. Our village church, St Thomas in Aldona, dates from 1596. Saptakoteshwar Temple at Narve (12 to 14 km) was commissioned by Shivaji in 1668. For more, see churches in Goa and the Hindu temples of Goa.

Markets in North Goa

The Mapusa market (8 to 11 km) runs every Friday, from about 8 am until early evening. The Anjuna Flea Market (18.1 km) runs on Wednesdays, November to April, and the Arpora Saturday Night Market on Saturday evenings in season. Days and timings for more markets and evening outings are in our water parks, adventure and nightlife guide.

Fruit and vegetable stalls under umbrellas at Mapusa Market, North Goa
Mangoes and vegetables at Mapusa Market. Photo: Aaron C, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Museums, scenic roads and nature

The Houses of Goa Museum in Torda (14.3 km), a ship-shaped building on Goan home design, is closed on Mondays. The road lined with coconut palms at Parra (14.5 km) is a favourite photo stop. Mayem Lake (7 to 9 km) has paddle boats, and the Aldona river bank is quiet in the evenings; see our Aldona village guide.

How do you see these places?

Most of North Goa is within 40 minutes of Aldona. Group the places by direction, or follow our North Goa itinerary: Day 1 for Torda, Parra, Saligao, Calangute and Baga; Day 2 for Anjuna and Chapora (on a Wednesday for the market); Day 3 for Arambol and Mandrem. Use the GoaMiles app, the Goa Taxi App or a local taxi from Mapusa. For the south and centre of Goa, see places to visit in South Goa and Central Goa, and check the best time to visit Goa.

Stay with us in Aldona, North Goa

Happy Moon Homestay is a quiet, family-run homestay in Aldona with AC rooms, a guest kitchen, power backup and 300 Mbps Wi-Fi. Rooms from ₹1,200 a night.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the places to visit in North Goa?

The beaches from Calangute to Arambol, the forts of Chapora, Aguada and Corjuem, Mãe de Deus Church in Saligao, the Mapusa and Anjuna markets, the Houses of Goa Museum and the Parra coconut tree road.

How many days do you need for North Goa?

Two to three days covers the main sights; our itinerary splits them into a coast day, an Anjuna and Chapora day and a far-north beach day.

Which day is the Anjuna Flea Market?

Wednesdays, roughly November to April.

How far are the North Goa beaches from Aldona?

Calangute and Baga are about 17 to 18 km, roughly 35 minutes by road, and Arambol and Mandrem about 29 km.