7. Anjuna Market
Goa is home to a ton of markets, but none offer the liveliness or selection of products found at Anjuna Market. For roughly 50 years, hundreds of vendors have been setting up shop on Anjuna Beach every Wednesday to tempt free-spirited travelers with hippy-inspired trinkets and souvenirs.
Ornate textiles, woven bikinis, sculptures of deities, dreamcatchers, hammocks, magnets, t-shirts with sassy slogans, beaded jewelry, toys — you name it, you can probably buy it here.
But even if you don’t want to shop, you should still make a point to visit Anjuna Market for the sightseeing. The flea market is a swirling array of colorful wares, salespeople driving hard bargains, big bags of fresh spices, and street food galore. The vibe alone is one of the reasons why Anjuna Market is one of the top places to visit in Goa.
8. Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception
Make your way to the laid-back city of Panaji to visit another one of Goa’s historic churches: The Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.
The pristine white church, which dates back to the early 17th century, stands atop a zig-zagging staircase that resembles the tiers of a wedding cake. Its perfectly symmetrical Portuguese Baroque architecture is a sight to behold. At night, twinkle lights make the church look like something out of a fairy tale.
While not ornate, the church’s interior boasts bright, colorful decorations. Tourists can see the elegant main altar (dedicated to Mary, mother of Jesus) and gilded pillars with elaborate carvings. Vines of blue and white blossoms often adorn parts of the vaulted ceiling around various holidays.
Dec. 8 marks the Festival of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, a major holiday at this church. Swing by to see it decked out in tons of colorful lights.
