Goa · Things to do

Seven churches and convents about 10 km east of Panjim, inscribed by UNESCO as the Churches and Convents of Goa. The Basilica of Bom Jesus (1605) holds the tomb of St Francis Xavier and the Sé Cathedral opposite is one of the largest churches in Asia. Entry is free, they are working churches so cover your shoulders, and the whole cluster is walkable in about two hours.

The Latin Quarter of the capital — a grid of narrow lanes and Portuguese-era houses in ochre, blue and green below the Altinho hill. It costs nothing, takes an hour on foot, and is far better early in the morning before the heat and the tour groups arrive.

A contemporary art museum in the Pilerne industrial estate between Calangute and Porvorim, open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00–18:00. Adults ₹300, children and youth ₹200, students ₹150 on Wednesdays and under-fives free; there is an art café and a children's studio on site.

Goa's tallest waterfall, on the Mandovi inside the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary near the Karnataka border. You cannot drive to it: access is by Forest Department-licensed jeep from Kulem (Collem), and the route is suspended when the river is high, which is exactly when the falls are at their most impressive. Check with the Forest Department before committing to the trip.

A multidisciplinary arts festival that takes over buildings and riverfront sites across Panjim each December; the 2026 edition runs 13–20 December. Visual art, theatre, music, film and culinary projects across walkable venues. Everything is booked in advance on the festival site — some programmes are free but still need a slot, and the Arena at Nagalli Hills uses a pay-what-you-wish model from ₹99.