Places To Visit Near Goa

Known For : Amboli Falls Madhavgad Fort Shirgaonkar Point

Amboli lies in the Sahyadri hills in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra. It is the last hill station of Maharashtra before the plains of Goa begin and is a relatively unexplored one.

Distance from Goa: 85 km

Best Time: June to September

7 Amboli Attractions

Known For : Om Beach Mahabaleshwara Temple Paradise Beach, Gokarna

With its pristine beaches and breathtaking landscapes, Gokarna is a Hindu pilgrimage town in Karnataka and a newly found hub for beach lovers and hippies. Situated on the coast of Karwar, every year Gokarna welcomes hordes of tourists from around the world in search of sanctity and relaxation. The out-of-town beaches like Kudle beach and Om Beach are a different contrast to life inside the town.

Distance from Goa: 158 km

Best Time: Throughout the year

20 Gokarna Attractions

One of India's tallest waterfalls, Dudhsagar Falls is located inside the Mollem National Park. The majestic falls are a little farther inland approximately 60 km from Panaji on the Goa - Karnataka Border. Literally translating to Sea of Milk , the 310 m high waterfall is divided into four tiers on the Mandovi river and resemble a heavy rush of milk flowing effortlessly down the hill.

While most people arrive at the Dudhsagar falls by jeep or by their own private transport from Panaji and nearby areas, others choose to visit the falls through a train journey or by trekking. The famous Dudhsagar Railway trek is closed to the public but the trek to the lower falls is still open.

Distance from Goa: 69 km

Known For : Water sports Tarkarli Beach Karli backwaters

Tarkarli is famous for its long and narrow stretch of beach, with its pristine water, white sand, and of course Singhudurg, Maharashtra's popular sea fort. With a series of pristine beaches made up of white sand, it is an ideal choice for a holiday weekend. If lucky enough, you might spot Dolphins too. Tarkarli boasts of the finest talcum-powder sand to be found along the Konkan coast. The beaches shrouded with suru trees are a perfect place to relax, get in touch with nature and eat some amazing Malvani food.

Distance from Goa: 108 km

Best Time: October to March

20 Tarkarli Attractions

Known For : Kaas Plateau Table Land Mahabaleshwar

Deriving its name from the five hills surrounding it, Panchgani is a popular hill station in Maharashtra, famous for its various sunset and sunrise points and scenic valley view. Located at an altitude of 1,334 metres, Panchgani is also known as Paachgani as the five hills that form the Sahyadri mountain ranges offer Panchgani its name.

In the British era, it was used as a summer resort and hence many colonial period establishments can be seen here. Mahabaleshwar is like a twin city to Panchgani. Other than the verdant green valleys, and soothing environment, the red, juicy strawberries are a major attraction of Panchgani. Rightly known as the ‘Strawberry Garden of India’, the farms of Panchgani are full of enchanting views of luscious berries, especially during February and March.

Distance from Goa: 386 km

Best Time: September to May

13 Panchgani Attractions

Known For : Sindhudurg Fort Scuba Diving in Malvan Rock Garden, Malvan

Malvan is a culturally and historically important town in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra. It is well known historically for the Sindhudurg Fort of Chatrapati Shivajiraje. Culturally, it is famous for its mouth-watering Malvani seafood and sweets. Malvan is also known for its beaches that are clean, refreshing and less crowded. People can have wide spread-out sunset views. Water sports are also available for fun.

Distance from Goa: 105 km

Best Time: November to March

23 Malvan Attractions

The second-highest plunge waterfall in India, Jog Falls is a major tourist attraction in Karnataka and is the highest waterfall in the state. Second, to the Nohkalikai Falls of Meghalaya, Jog falls drops from a height of about a huge 253 m (850 ft. ) in a single fall. However, due to the construction of Linganamakki Dam which is a hydroelectricity plant close by, the flow in the falls is hugely restricted before monsoons. So, it is best to go during the Monsoon season to see the falls in its full form.

Distance from Goa: 246 km

Best Time: July to December

9 Jog Falls Attractions

Known For : River Rafting in Dandeli Kali Tiger Reserve Magod Falls

Located on the Western Ghats of Uttara Karnataka, Dandeli is bestowed with lush green forests and lies on the banks of the Kali river. Known for its many fantastic adventure opportunities, Dandeli is a hub for river rafting on river Kali. Adventure seekers have many options such as mountain biking, trekking, cycling, kayaking and canoeing. The Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is another exciting element that Dandeli has to offer. This is perfect for nature lovers too as they can spot Bisons and Black Panthers here as well as be amidst beautiful flora as well.

Distance from Goa: 131 km

Best Time: October to May

25 Dandeli Attractions

Known For : Kudremukh Trek Kudremukh National Park Hanuman Gundi Falls

Popular and named after a mountainside that resembles a horse's face, Kudremukh is famous for its biodiversity and scenic beauty. A popular hill station among the Bangalore crowd, Kudremukh is actually a hill range in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. Kudremukh Peak is a paradise for trekkers and naturists alike, with its mountainous paths and floral and faunal diversity.

Varaha Parvatha, another mountain range nearby at a height of 1458m above sea level is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Best Time: October to May

10 Kudremukh Attractions

Known For : Kurumgad Island Sadashivgad Fort Devbagh Beach

Karwar is a port city with scenic beaches surrounded by casuarinas trees along the Arabian sea coastline. Located 15kms away from Goa, on the west coast of the Indian Peninsula, it is both a natural harbour as well as a town with a history that goes back to the 15th century. With Snorkelling, scuba diving and surfing to offer, Karwar is an ideal place for adventure tourists as well. It is also famous for its historic monuments and is a photographer's paradise owing to the brilliant architecture of monuments and scenic landscapes that are in this region.

Distance from Goa: 97 km

Best Time: November to April

22 Karwar Attractions

Known For : Tagore Beach Scuba Diving and Snorkeling Lighthouse, Devbagh

Pristine blue water, picture perfect backdrop of beautiful mountains and lush green belt of casuarinas trees blend together perfectly to give you Devbagh. It is an amazing exotic island lying along the coastline of Arabian sea about 2 kms from the southern part of Goa. With splendid weather throughout the year, the beach town is famous for the fresh seafood, water sports and sunsets. Beach resorts and Jungle lodges are the most soughtafter stay options in Devbagh. The place is a perfect getaway for couples looking for an exotic vacation.

Distance from Goa: 93 km

Best Time: October to Apr

11 Devbagh Attractions

Known For : Murudeshwar Temple Netrani Island Murudeshwar Beach

Murudeshwar is home to the second tallest statue of Lord Shiva (123 ft) in the world. With the shimmering Arabian Sea on three sides and the magnificent Western Ghats imposing their presence on this town, it is a favourite picnic spot for the folks from Kerala and Karnataka. The beaches and the adventure activities around Netrani island are significant attractions for the tourists.

Distance from Goa: 212 km

Best Time: October to May

8 Murudeshwar Attractions

Known For : Sawantwadi Palace Moti Talao (Lake) Shopping in Sawantwadi

Sawantwadi is a scenic town situated in the Konkan region of Maharashtra in the Sindhudurg district. It is located on the National Highway (NH17) that connects Mumbai and Goa. It is a popular stop for people commuting to Mumbai or Goa for refreshments and rest.

Distance from Goa: 61 km

Best Time: September to March

4 Sawantwadi Attractions

Known For : Gokarna: Mahabaleshwar Temple Om Beach Mirjan Fort

The beautiful town of Kumta situated amidst the marvelous wonders of nature is one of the most enticing places to visit in Karnataka. Lying on the coastline of Arabian Sea, it offers tantalizing beaches, fascinating black rocks, intriguing temples and sprawling greenery, Kumta is all about relaxing, unwinding and solitude.

Distance from Goa: 167 km

Best Time: October to March

11 Kumta Attractions

Known For : Panhala Fort Dajipur Wildlife Sanctuary Shri Chatrapati Shahu Museum (New Palace)

Kolhapur is situated on the banks of the river Panchaganga in the south-west region of Maharashtra. Kolhapur derives its name from a mythological story of Kolhasur - a demon who was slayed by Goddess Mahalakshmi. The famous Mahalakshmi temple is situated here in the honor of Goddess Mahalakshmi.

Distance from Goa: 202 km

Best Time: July to February

30 Kolhapur Attractions