Skip to Content

Top 12 things to do in Goa with kids away from the beach

Top 12 things to do in Goa with kids away from the beach

Days spent playing the soft sand, then boogie boarding in the waves until the sun sets over the Arabian Sea. Absolute bliss. For anyone visiting India with kids, I always recommend tagging on a few days (or more) in Goa at the end of a trip to relax and balance out the city travel, which can often feel rather confronting and chaotic. Check out our Northern India itinerary with kids.

It’s important you get the ‘right’ beach to fit your family though, as the beaches of Goa present quite an eclectic mix, so make sure you read our post on best beaches in Goa for kids. But, if you start to get a bit twitchy and want to get out and explore, here are my top things to do in Goa with kids away from the beach.

Agonda with kids

1. Visit a spice plantation

There are two main spice plantations in Goa – Sahakari Spice Farm in Curti and Tropical Spice Plantation near Ponda. Learn about the spices, how they are grown, and about the ecosystem in which they thrive. Kids will love smelling all the different aromas on a plantation tour and you can also enjoy a traditional Goan lunch.

2. Dolphin spotting

Hire someone with a fishing boat to take you out to sea to spot dolphins. Just ask your accommodation to arrange for you, although there are formal tours available.  Good places to spot them are off Paolem Beach and Coco Beach. This is a lovely activity for sunset.

dolphins in Goa

3. Take a cookery class

For those children aged 8 and over, enrol into a Goan cookery class and try your hands at conjuring up some Indian dishes. If your kids are a bit younger and you think they would love the experience, just ask the cooking school and they will probably let them in.

4. Fort Aguada

Explore the crumbling ramparts of Fort Aguada, still standing from the Portuguese colonial days. There is also a lighthouse, jail and the Church of St. Lawrence.

5. Old Goa

Wander around the Portuguese-style churches of Old Goa. We visited at Christmas, which is a popular time for a holiday to India, and my boys loved seeing the Christmas trees and nativity set up.

Old Goa church

6. Goa Science Centre & Planetarium

If it’s a rainy day, or you just need a break from the humidity, head to the Goa Science Centre & Planetarium. There are lots of interactive displays, and a 3D show, the planetarium, and an outdoor park.

7. Splashdown Waterpark Goa

Whizz down the slides at Splashdown Waterpark Goa. This is perhaps one of the best waterparks in India with regards to cleanliness and maintenance. It may be a bit tame for older kids, but will definitely be a huge hit with the younger ones.

8. Take at dip at Dudhsagar Falls

Visit India’s second highest waterfall, Dudhsagar Falls, deep in the jungle near the Karnataka border. You can only get there by car, and you may find it cheaper to visit as part of a tour booked through your accommodation

Dudhsagar Falls Goa

9. Snow Park Goa

Now if you really want to escape the heat, head to Snow Park Goa to throw snowballs, slide down ice, hide in an igloo.

10. Go Karting at Arpora

Thrillseekers should head to the gokart track at Arpora. The Arpora track is about 340 meters in length and has a lot of U shaped turns and narrow stretches. However, this is an activity in Goa for older kids as the minimum height requirement is 5’4” and they are very strict about height restrictions. The cost is Rs350 per lap.

This track is located between Baga and Anjuna beaches, right on the main Anjuna-Calangute Road, next to the Ingo’s Saturday Night Market.

11. Mystic Woods by The Butterfly Conservatory Of Goa

A lovely thing to go in Goa with kids, especially for little ones. Explore the woodland area thick with trees and flowering plants and see how many butterflies you can spot. There is a wonderful variety and such a beautiful and calming space. Make sure you wear mosquito repellent and cover up, as you’re in the jungle!

12. Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary

Situated in the north of Goa, Bondla Wildlife is a sanctuary for animal and plant life, including a zoo (where you will see tigers and elephants), deer safari park, botanical gardens and Nature Interpretation Centre. Please note that it is closed on a Monday.


Sale
Lonely Planet India: Perfect for exploring top sights and…
  • Bindloss, Joe (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 1256 Pages – 04/15/2022 (Publication Date) – Lonely Planet (Publisher)

You may also like to read:
Best beaches in Goa with kids
India with kids: a ten day north India itinerary
Twelve Tips for travelling India with kids