Palolem Beach, Goa

When I travel I am not interested in spending time in beaches, but if we visit Goa we have to try, at least once, one of the beaches. If somebody asks me about the most interesting beach I knew in Goa, I would say Agonda. Well, Palolem is also a great place, where I stayed for three nights in a family guesthouse and could travel around to Cabo de Rama, Agonda, O Santuário de Vida Selvagem de Cotigão and the nearby Chaudi town. Finally I took a train to Margão, from where I left the state by train.

I arrived at Palolem from Pagnim by bus, making a direct connection in Margão.

This is a lovely bar at the north end of the beach, at the point that faces 'Monkey Island'. You can reach it best when the tide is low, otherwise you need to go in your swimming clothes. I recommend visiting the place in the late afternoon to enjoy the sunset on the rocks behind the bar. Hats off to the owner for giving the place a very natural look.

I recently had a short holiday in Goa to rest up from my busy life in London. I did lots of yoga and was mainly on my own so was happy to sign up for a Lunch Club tour which was open to all other travellers. I had a brilliant day out with a really lovely, interesting group of people. We got a fascinating glimpse into old aristocratic Goa (via two mansion tours) followed by a delicious lunch which we all shared together at a beautiful ‘palacio.’

I wanted to write a review for other people travelling on their own as I met some lovely people to share my day with. I came away feeling that I’d seen a lot more of Goa in one easy and enjoyable day out than just the beach.

One of the Worlds top Beaches , Palolem Beach is located In South Of Goa.
The beach is largely unspoiled and is inhabited by both local fishermen and by foreign tourists who live in shacks along the shore. It is about one mile (2km) long and is crescent-shaped - one can view the whole beach from either end. Both ends of the beach consist of rocks jutting out into the sea. The depth of the sea increases gradually, making it safe for average swimmers, and the currents are not fast.

The beach is featured as the Indian residence of Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) in the film The Bourne Supremacy (2004). The initial footage in the movie gives a good idea of the natural beauty of the beach - the distinctive tree covered rocks at one end (known locally as Monkey Island) and beach shacks.

Palolem is quite a good place to pick up a few souvenirs. It's obviously not the cheapest place in India to do so, as it's full of tourists doing the same thing, but they do have some nice things you might not find everywhere.

I would recommend looking at the jewellery (there's a particular style found here), the leather-bound notebooks of handmade paper, and clothes. You can pick up sarong wraps here, or from the sellers on the beach. Don't forget to haggle a little!

It's also fairly easy to buy sunscreen here, as well as other toiletry needs, just don't expect them to be much cheaper than at home.

At the southern most tip of Goa lies Palolem. Far quieter than a lot of it's Goan neighbours, it makes a perfect retreat. The beach is erlatively unspoilt as the building are annual bamboo huts - aestetically pleasing and perfect for a laidback end to an Indian trip.

Palolem is a long, sweeping bay lined with palm trees which seems to have the balance just right. There are enough restaurnats, bars and small huts selling anklets, toothpaste, buckets and spades etc... but not so many as to spoil the peace or the view. Nightlife exists but you are going to get to sleep here because it is not rip-roarious.

The bay itself has safe waters which go out quite a way before the waters starts to get deep - great for families.

There are boat trips from on the beach (dolphins) and if you tire of lolling around it is easy to arrange a car with driver.

Palolem is about 2 hours from the airport.

Some people would say that there is no culture in Goa, that it is just a tourist destination.
That is SO untrue. Goa is like nowhere else in India that much is true. But it is a place in it's own right. The architecture in Goa is left over from the Portugeuse Colonial days, here you will find churches and large Christian community.

I loved Palolem, and even though when you are here on the beach you are in your own little world, the real India is never too far away!

Locals in Palolem range from the children and women who ply the beaches everyday selling sarongs and the like, to Indians here on holiday theirselves swimming in the sea in their saris. Kids tightrope walking along the beach, fisherman etc etc - as you can see - if you look hard enough you will still know that you are only in India.

The Indian sunset at Palolem was always spectacular.
We went from strolling along the beach dipping our feet in the sea to sitting on the sand with a beer and taking it all in!

At sunset the beach at Palolem really comes alive, locals come out and stroll along the beach and swim in the sea, people play cricket and the restaurants start setting up.

The sunset was stunning and definiftley one of my favourite times in Palolem.

For once I actually hauled myself out of bed early!
Not such as struggle as I made it sound there to be honest - I awoke, and went outside onto the beach, I strolled a little way along the beach and then sat on the bank in front in front of our hut and watched the beautiful sunrise.

As you can see the sky went an amazing colour.
It was great to see Palolem so quiet and so serene, as the village and beach woke up, people appeared, the sun got hotter and the whole bay came to life.

Our days on Palolem beach were spent strolling along in the sands, swimming in the delicious sea and lying around inn our hut, on the beach and in the cafes reading!
We slept in most days, enjoyed a yummy breakfast along the beach and then chilled until sunset when we had our first beers of the day!

Palolem is for relaxing - and this is such a magical place there is nowhere better for relaxing in!

The whole reason for visiting Palolem is to see the incredible beach.
This is the only beach that I visited in Goa and so I am not one to compare, what I can say is the our friend travelled along most of the Goan beaches and he said that no other beach compare to Palolem.

It is not only the sweeping bay of sand, it is also the whole atmosphere. By day the beach is filled with tourists and locals, and even though it was busy when we were there we could still find a quiet spot.

By night, the beach turns into another amazing place, as restauranters bring their tables out onto the sand, with menus, fire pits, fairy lights and music.

There are quiet restaurants and loud bars - something for everyone.

I must confess, that at first I wasn't impressed by the Palolem Beach. I heard a lot about it before I went to Goa. And judging by the crowd there, a lot of people heard about the beauty of the place :))

But then I realized that the crowd does not spoil your mood or anything like that. It is even interesting to watch people there. There are now a lot of shacks and shops in Palolem, but the beach is still beautiful, and the sunset is magnificent.

We didn't have much time to explore the place, but we are planning to see more of Palolem next time we go to Goa.

This is a lovely beach in south Goa that is 'undiscovered'...but unfortunately the place is now heaving with tourists being bussed in, either as a day trip, or for a 'romantic overnight stay'. To me its a fun place...but its lost its charm.

Wonderful place to hang out, very laid back and free and easy.

No 'tourist complexes', just beach shacks offering food and accommodation. Rent a room with a hammock overlooking the beach.

Not for those who want Westen facilties and tourist services, more for the independent traveller who wants to chill and apprecieate the realxing life in Goa.

Even if you prefer to stay in a hotel with a pool and all mod cons, at least make a trip to Palolem to see the 'other Goa'.

THis beach is wonderful, it is a long stretch of fine sand fringed with palm trees. You can stay in a "coco hut" which are shacks on stilts ( you gotta do it!) there is also a restaurant or two on the beach where you can sample some of the typically excellent indian cuisine on offer in Goa