The Best of Goa for Photography: 2020 Update!

If there’s one place i’ve traveled extensively over and over again, and still remained in awe of, it’s Goa.

It’s definitely a place to lighten your heart, free your mind and connect with your soul.

As a bonus, it also offers some of the most beautiful vistas to capture, from a photography perspective.

Since I’m often asked for recommendations on places to go in Goa, here’s a compilation of some of my favorite spots.

1. Chapora Fort, North Goa

Lush almost all year round, there’s no better time than September (just after the monsoons) to visit.

2. Betul, South Goa

A quaint fishing village, this makes for a beautiful stopover en route Palolem.

3. Cabo de Rama Fort, South Goa

My ace photographer pal Sumit Jagdale and i went here early morn to capture the best light… it sure paid off!

4. Arambol Rock Side, North Goa

Walk towards the North end of the Arambol beach towards the rocks for this majestic view!

5. Vagator Fort & around

Once you’re done capturing the Chapora fort, walk down towards the horizon and stand here in awe of nature!

As you make your way towards Vagator, look for a secret abandoned fort on top of the Vagator hill (where Sunburn used to happen).

6. Super Secret Spot, North Goa

This is one of my favorite spots. Try guessing it, or ask nicely and i might just let you in on it 😉

7. Palm Road of Parra

Blame Shah Rukh Khan and Aliaa Bhatt for making this a popular spot, but this has always been one of Goa’s best-kept secrets and people who knew it knew it 🙂 But today, it’s every Instagrammer’s gotta-have shot.

8. Palolem Sunsets

In the past 15 years, i’ve traveled to some stunning beaches across South America, Thailand, Maldives and both the coasts of India – and Palolem beach sunsets are still my favorite in the whole world! If that doesn’t say it all, i don’t know what would.

9. The colourful streets of Fontainhas, Panjim

Once most travellers have had their fill of Goa’s gorgeous beaches, they eventually land up discovering the very charming and colourful streets of Fontainhas – the Latin quarters of Panjim city. If you have enough time on you, I would highly recommend spending an entire morning combing the bylanes of Fontainhas. Don’t forget to drop by at Confeitaria 31 de Janeiro for some fresh bakes when you do so.

10. Bonus for Nature Lovers: Mollem National Park

Like I keep saying – there’s more to Goa than its beaches. The forest cover and the lush greens of Goa are perhaps unparalleled and undiscovered by many.

This year, Mollem National Park is on the radar for the wrong reasons though – the government is planning 3 major projects that threaten to destroy Goa’s untouched nature even in the distressed times we live in – ironically the very lungs of sunshine state itself.

Check out this video by Bha2Pa (Marathi, with English subtitles) to get an idea of what to expect there, and if you love Goa too, PLEASE spare some time to write to authorities to protect this wonder of nature. We owe it to ourselves, to protect the Goa we all love so dearly!