A short distance south from the Colva beach, and you get to a beach that’s exactly opposite from it in every way. Benaulim is a quiet, unrushed and uncrowded place that is perfect for a quiet day on your own. The peace of the beach may be disrupted by crowds at weekends or peak season, but a little exploration further south, and the tranquillity is restored. The beach is famous as a fishing spot and you’ll enjoy your hand at it too. Who knows you might get a big catch.

How will you get here: The closest railway station is Margao (8 kms) and the nearest airport is Dabolim, 70 kms from the beach. Buses from Margao, Colva, and Varca are also frequent and drop passengers near Benaulim. The distance from Panaji, the state capital, is 41 kms.

What’s special here: Apart from enjoying the untouched beauty of the beach, there are plenty of interesting things here. The village Benaulim, which has a fishing industry, is also famous for its rosewood furniture and handicraft. There is also a famous church of St John the Baptist that you should visit. If you happen to visit this place around October, you will enjoy the famous festival of this church (third Monday of October) which holds a feast and fair that is enjoyed by both locals and tourists. Between October and May, you can also witness the interesting bull fight that goes here after 4 p.m; a word of caution though, unlike bull fights in other places, you will not find any fences or barricades to protect the onlookers.

Things to do: Take a stroll on the unspoilt beach and relax as the restaurants and cafes serve you food and drink on the beach. Explore the fishing village of Benaulim and the things it has to offer, rosewood furniture and classical handicrafts to name a few. Enjoy water sport and dolphin watching. Experience the delightful Christian feast and fair of St. John the Baptist Church. If you’re not tired yet, have fun while watching the bulls fight on the beats of wonderful Konkani music.

Why you’ll not forget it: The Benaulim beach and village is Goa in its simplest and purest form. Although you can enjoy water sport, there are no fancy hotels or resort to distract you from the natural beauty of the place. Tranquillity, thy name is Benaulim.