Weekend Getaways from Goa

Goa is itself a beautiful holiday destination that is surrounded by immense beauty and nature. But what most people do not know is that there are some equally beautiful and scenic tourist destinations around Goa as well. All along the coastline to the majestic mountains towards east of Goa, there exist a number of places that are filled with lush greenery, natural attractions, beaches and adventure as well. Most of these places can be easily reached within 3 to 4 hours from Goa.

Here are some popular weekend getaways from Goa:

Amboli
Located about 90 kilometers from Panjim, in the beautiful state of Maharashtra, Amboli is the nearest hill station from Goa. Situated at an altitude of 2263 feet, Amboli is the perfect weekend getaway from the noisy city life of Goa. Surrounded by a pleasant climate, majestic Sahayadri Hills and numerous waterfalls, Amboli also serves as an ideal honeymoon destination from Goa. Some popular tourist attractions in Amboli include Hiranyakeshi Temple, Nagatta Falls, Mahadevgad Fort, Shirgaonkar, Narayan Gad, Bauxite Mines and the beautiful Botanical Gardens.



Distance from Goa: 90 Kilometers
Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year
How to Reach: The nearest railway station is Sawantwad Station. However, one can easily drive down to the hill station as well.

Daman and Diu
Situated on the west coast of Gujarat, Daman and Diu is the smallest Union Territory in India. Daman and Diu are two separate regions and are equally blessed with clean beaches and beautiful natural attractions. If you want to get away from the humdrum of city life and just spend some quality time by yourself, then Daman and Diu is the ideal place for you. Some famous tourists spots in Daman include Damanganga River, Moti Daman Fort and Nani Daman Fort. Popular beaches in Daman include Devka Beach, Nani Daman Beach and Jampore Beach, while Diu is renowned for its shoe-shaped Nagoa Beach.



Distance from Goa: 736 Kilometers
Best Time to Visit: October to May
How to Reach: The best way to reach Daman and Diu is to either take a flight from Mumbai or to take a train from Goa to Vapi and then hire a taxi to Daman.

Mahabaleshwar
Another popular tourist destination and a famous honeymoon spot, Mahabaleshwar is also a renowned pilgrimage site for Hindus. Located along the rugged Western Ghats, Mahabaleshwar is surrounded by lush evergreen forests, majestic mountains and picturesque valleys. It is also a paradise for adventurous people, who love activities like hiking and trekking. It is believed that it can take days to completely discover the various mysteries of this popular hill station. Some famous attractions over here include Panchganga Temple, Mahabaleshwar Temple, Arthur’s Seat, Needle Hole Point, Sunrise Point, 3 Monkey Point, Kate’s Point and Venna Lake.



Distance from Goa: 404 Kilometers
Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year
How to Reach: One can either drive down or hire a taxi from Goa. Alternatively, one can even take a direct train from Goa. 

Vengrula
Located along the Konkan Coast in Maharashtra, Vengrula is another popular tourist destination from Goa. This small town is surrounded by the Arabian Sea from the west and the majestic hills of Tulas, Dabholi and Mochemad from the north, east and south respectively. A popular pilgrimage destination, Vergrula is adorned with numerous temples including Shri Sateri, Shri Navadurga at Kanyale, Shri Rameshwar, Shri Mauli at Redi, Shri Vetoba at Aaravali and Shri Ganesh at Redi. Besides temples, Vergrula is also popular for its beaches, Fruit Research Center and luxuriant cashew nut, mango and coconut tree plantations.

Distance from Goa: 86 Kilometers
Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year
How to Reach: One can either drive down or hire a taxi from Goa. Alternatively, one can even take a Vengrula – Kudal express train from Goa.