The best things to do in North Goa

What is it: A guided kayaking experience through the mangrove-lined backwaters of Siolim and Chapora led by the naturalists of Beatroute Explorers.

Why we love it: Goa’s waterways are easy to overlook when the beaches are right there, but this kayaking activity offers a completely different perspective on the state. As you glide through narrow channels framed by dense mangrove forests, your guides decode the ecosystem around you, pointing out everything from mudskippers and crabs to resident birdlife and the very crucial role mangroves play in protecting Goa’s coastline. The pace is gentle enough for beginners, and because the groups are small, there’s plenty of opportunity to stop, observe, ask questions and, of course, click photos! The evening session is particularly rewarding, with the backwaters glowing gold as the sun begins to set.

Time Out tip: If birdwatching is your thing, opt for the early morning session when the mangroves are at their liveliest. Carry a dry bag for your phone and camera.

Book here: www.beatroutexplorers.fun

Availability: By prior booking; morning and evening sessions available.

Price: From ₹1,530 onwards per person.

What is it: A guided passai – the Goan art of taking a leisurely stroll while soaking in everything around you – through the historic lanes, landmarks and local lore of Saligao with Soul Travelling. 

Why we love it: If you know Saligao at all, it’s mostly as the place you pass through on the way to somewhere else. This passai encourages you to stop here and pay attention. Led by a local storyteller, the experience unpacks the history behind the village’s Indo-Portuguese homes, quiet lanes and landmarks. Along the route, you’ll hear stories surrounding the Rakhandar Stone, a shrine dedicated to a benevolent village guardian spirit, and the tale behind Saligao’s infamous haunted house. You’ll also learn why generations of villagers share the same middle name, and uncover details hidden in the architecture of the grand homes and the Gothic-style Mãe De Deus Church. The pace is deliberately unhurried, making it more about observation and conversation than ticking off points on a trail.

Time Out tip: Opt for the early morning walk if possible. The softer light makes Saligao’s colourful homes particularly photogenic, and the village is noticeably cooler than later in the day.

Book here: www.soultravelling.in

Availability: Mon-Sun, starting 4pm. 8am sessions available on request.

Price: Price on request, as it’s a private experience.

What is it: A day-long workshop at Mati Earth, a nature-inspired studio in Mandrem, where participants learn to forage, process and paint with pigments derived from soil and rocks.

Why we love it: Most painting workshops begin with a palette. This one begins with the earth itself. Hosted at Mati Earth, a studio founded around natural materials and traditional craft practices, the experience introduces participants to the process of transforming rocks and soil into archival-quality pigments. In the morning session, you’ll learn how pigments are sourced, extracted and mixed with natural binders before creating your own batch of watercolour or gouache paint. After a wholesome vegetarian lunch, the focus shifts to a guided painting session using the colours you’ve just created. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of natural pigments, a small jar of binder and a set of earth colours to continue experimenting with at home. 

Time Out tip: Wear clothes you don’t mind getting a little messy. The pigment-making process is surprisingly tactile, and you’ll be handling soil, rocks and natural materials throughout the day.

Book here: www.matiearth.com

Availability: Select dates throughout the year; enquire directly and book in advance.

Price: Starting at ₹3,200 per person

What is it: A half-day guided experience by Make It Happen that explores Mulgao’s pre-Portuguese era heritage, sacred sites and agricultural traditions.

Why we love it: While much of Goa’s heritage is tied to its colonial past, this experience shines a light on an older story. This one’s also led by a local storyteller, and it introduces visitors to Mulgao’s temples, shrines and guardian deities while unpacking the customs and traditions that continue to endure here. The second half unfolds at an organic coconut farm, where you learn about age-old farming practices, participate in farm activities and see how virgin coconut oil is produced. There’s also a pitstop at a zero-waste initiative that offers practical insights into more sustainable ways of living. The experience ends with a traditional farm-to-table meal served amid swaying coconut palms.

Time Out tip: Wear comfortable footwear and a hat as much of the experience takes place outdoors. Don’t be shy about asking questions – the conversations with local farmers are often the most memorable part.

Book here: www.makeithappen.co.in

Availability: Mon-Sun, 11am onwards

Price: From ₹2,750 per person

What is it: A guided trek with The Goan Friend that takes visitors deep into the forests of eastern North Goa in search of a secluded waterfall, with traditional village meals along the way.

Why we love it: This experience begins long before you reach the waterfall. After a hearty Goan breakfast in a village on the eastern edge of the state, you set off on a moderate trek through dense forests, crossing streams and following trails shaded by towering trees. The route is accessible to most reasonably fit travellers and offers a chance to experience a quieter, wilder side of Goa that’s far removed from its beach belt. Once at the waterfall, there’s time to explore the surroundings before heading back to the village for a home-style lunch cooked over a wood-fired stove. The food alone is worth the walk.

Time Out tip: Wear footwear with a good grip and carry a change of clothes. Even outside the monsoon months, sections of the trail can be slippery and you’ll likely end up wading through shallow streams.

Book here: www.thegoanfriend.com
Availability: By prior booking; schedules vary seasonally
Price: From ₹1,850 per person

What is it: A bakery tour and poee-making experience by Soul Travelling that takes you behind the scenes at one of Goa’s busiest traditional bakeries in Moira.

Why we love it: Goa runs on bread. Every morning, poee and pao make their way from neighbourhood bakeries to homes, cafés and roadside eateries across the state. This experience takes you behind the scenes at Tavares Bakery, where nearly 5,000 loaves are produced daily using methods that have changed little over the decades. You’ll watch bakers deftly shape dough, feed a century-old wood-fired oven and keep the production line moving at a remarkable pace. There’s also a chance to roll your own poee before taking it to a nearby café, where it’s transformed into a fresh panini to be washed down with a glass of lemonade. It’s equal parts food experience, cultural insight and a peek into a Goan institution that most visitors never get to see.

Time Out tip: Don’t leave without chatting with the bakery owner. Between stories of pre-dawn starts, changing eating habits and the daily challenge of baking thousands of loaves, you’ll come away with a whole new appreciation for Goa’s beloved bread.

Book here: www.soultravelling.in

Availability: Scheduled sessions on Wed-Mon. 

Price: From ₹1,599 per person

What is it: A guided nature walk by Make It Happen across the laterite landscapes of Socorro Plateau, one of North Goa’s most important biodiversity hotspots.

Why we love it: At first glance, Socorro Plateau looks like a vast expanse of grass and rock. But spend a few hours here with a naturalist, and an entirely different world reveals itself. This unique ecosystem supports an astonishing variety of life, from carnivorous plants and ground orchids to dragonflies, frogs, reptiles and over 200 recorded bird species. Seasonal pools and changing weather patterns transform the landscape throughout the year, creating ever-shifting habitats for species specially adapted to life on the plateau. Keep an eye out for lantern flowers, reddish burrowing frogs, white-banded geckos, larks and pipits, all of which thrive in the plateau’s unique microhabitats.

Time Out tip: Bring binoculars if you have them. While the unusual plants get plenty of attention, the plateau is also one of North Goa’s best spots for birdwatching.

Book here: www.makeithappen.co.in

Availability: Scheduled walks on select dates; I recommend booking in advance.

Price: From ₹1,800 per person