Known more often for its parties and drinking beer by the beach, Goa has a much peaceful aspect to it than most people realise. It’s the villages and towns in Goa that are a haven for peace and playing the actual Susegad life.
To ride the surprise of a Goan village, you’ll want to spend some time there. Preferably a few days stay. However, if you simply want to head down away from the seashores and nightlife spots for a day, then right here are a few terrific villages and towns in Goa to visit.
Loutolim
“Houses can tell stories”, that’s a saying that holds when it comes to the 400-year-old Figueredo Mansion in this beautiful southern Goa village. This antique house has been maintained and preserved over generations. Stately rooms, the grand ballroom with its magnificent chandeliers give you a feeling like that of entering into a fantastical world.
Another place you can’t miss out on while in Loutolim is The Big Foot Museum. An ancestral home which has been converted into a museum has preserved traditional information about Goa since previous years – from the occupations, attires, earthenware and various other aspects of Goan life.
Assagao
Located in North Goa, Assagao is one of the tiniest and most charming villages resting peacefully in verdant hills, clothed in cashew groves. Gifted with the healing power of its spring water, natural beauty and gentle breezes from the Arabian Sea, Assagao has a laid back and peaceful vibe about it.
A bird lover’s paradise – you can spot a variety of birds including the Purple Sunbird, Crimson Sunbird, Wagtail, Tickell Blue flycatcher, Red-whiskered Bulbul and the Asian Yellow Oriole right on your verandah.
Chandor
Chandor is one of Goa’s most historically significant villages. It was the seat of two ancient dynasties, the Bhojas and the Kadambas. Visit the ancient Shiva temple and then look for remnants of the Nandi bull. The Three Kings Feast in January is best witnessed at the church of Nossa Senhora De Belem in Chandor. Children from the village wait anxiously for January to come around, to be picked to represent the three kings who had come bearing gifts to present at the birth of Jesus Christ; this tradition has been passed down over generations.
Betul
A typical coastal fishing village, Betul lies less than an hour away from Margao, in Salcete, South Goa. Betul boasts of colourful splendid evenings when the local villagers gather together for a chit-chat. The pleasant climate, quaint village atmosphere and a 17th century fort are the highlights here. The best part is the Cavelossim-Assolna ferry that you get to enjoy across the Sal River in order to get to the Betul beach.
Aldona
In this quaint village, there are a lot of sites to see starting with the Corjuem Fort, which is an inland fort built during the Portuguese reign in Goa, even while in ruins, due to the efforts of villagers and the authorities in preserving, it stands intact. According to many legends told by the older generations, it was said that the fort had been a site for many battles; if you’re a history lover I’m sure you would love to visit this place. Apart from this, Aldona is the only village in Goa to have three bridges – Corjuem Bridge, Stone Bridge, Calvim Bridge, each of these bridges have stories behind them, some overwhelming, bringing tears to the eyes of locals.
Curtorim
The granary of Goa, Curtorim is filled with verdant fields. Enter the village and you’ll come across a small pond with the village church along its banks. That is a beautiful sight in itself. This is another idyllic village and the community spirit here is strong. During Christmas season the youth of the village come together and work as a community to erect a floating crib which is placed in the pond. And it is a sight to see all lit up during the holiday season.
Most villages and towns in Goa give you that sense of calm, as you stroll through the lanes lined with mango and chickoo trees. In March and April, you may even smell the ripening cashew.
