Think you know Goa? Think again. We’re taking you beyond the breezy beaches and party nights to show you the sunshine state through the eyes of a Goan local. Your Goa walking tour will first lead you to a local fish market, passing along the way various monuments such as the Old Secretariat, the 15th-century summer palace of sultan Yusuf Adil Shah, and the Abbé Faria statue.
From the fish market, bursting with fishnets and a huge array of fish, you’ll proceed to the vegetable and spice markets, where you’ll smell the exotic spices and herbs grown in the marshlands of Goa. You’ll continue on to the flower market, all the while getting a peek into the chaos and charm of local life.
From here, you’ll board a tuk-tuk on your Goa tour and take off to the Fontainhas area, the city’s old Latin quarter. We’ll head directly to a quaint little Goan/Portuguese food joint for a mug of chilled beer or cashew feni, a Goan specialty liqueur that’s produced exclusively in the state.
En route we’ll take a quick photo break at the beautiful Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, a stunning church that dates back to the mid-1500s. You’ll take a lazy stroll around Fontainhas, stepping back in time to when the Portuguese were forming their colony. The neighbourhood’s Mediterranean feel, narrow streets, overhanging balconies, and colourful buildings are an absolute delight for the eyes.
We’ll finish off our cultural adventure with a little art at the Gitanjali Art Gallery, which features work by both local and international artists. From there, we’ll call it a day, leaving you free to spend the rest of your afternoon exploring Goa.
Duration: Three and a half hours.
Start/opening time: At 9.30am.
Languages: English.