A Goa 7 day itinerary works best when you treat the first four days as North Goa and the last two as South Goa, with one big day trip — Dudhsagar Falls — bridging the shift. This plan suits first-timers, couples, and families travelling from any Indian metro. Seven days is enough to cover the main beaches, the heritage belt around Panjim and Old Goa, water sports, and a proper taste of the quieter south without feeling rushed. No visa paperwork needed for Indian nationals — your Aadhaar card is sufficient at most hotels.
What does a 7-day Goa itinerary actually look like day by day?
The 7-day plan divides into four nights in North Goa, one transit day through Dudhsagar Falls, and two nights in South Goa — this geographic logic cuts backtracking and keeps each day focused on a single zone rather than criss-crossing the state.
Day 1 — Arrive and settle into North Goa. Fly into Dabolim or Mopa airport and head straight to Calangute or Candolim. Both areas have hotels across every budget tier and are well-connected to the rest of North Goa. Keep Day 1 light — walk down to Baga Beach in the evening, have dinner at Britto's on the beachfront, and call it early. You'll need energy for the days ahead.
Day 2 — North Goa beaches and Chapora Fort. Start at Anjuna Beach in the morning, then drive up to Vagator. Chapora Fort takes about 30 minutes to explore and gives you a clear view over the coastline. If your Day 2 falls on a Wednesday, the Anjuna Flea Market runs from around 9 AM and is worth a couple of hours — local crafts, clothes, and food stalls. Grab lunch at one of the shacks near Vagator before heading back.
Day 3 — Heritage day in Panjim and Old Goa. This day is deliberately inland. Start with a walk through Fontainhas, Panjim's Latin Quarter — the Portuguese-era houses along 31st January Road are well-preserved and the whole area takes about 90 minutes on foot. Then drive 9 km east to Old Goa. The Basilica of Bom Jesus (which holds St. Francis Xavier's remains) and Se Cathedral are next to each other and take about two hours combined. End the day with the Mandovi River cruise that departs from Panjim jetty — the evening cruise runs around 6 PM and costs roughly ₹300–400 per person.
Day 4 — Water sports at Calangute or Baga. Most water sports operators set up between 9 AM and 5 PM. Parasailing runs ₹700–1,000, jet ski is ₹500–700 for 15 minutes, and banana boat rides are ₹300–400 per person. You don't need to pre-book for most activities — just show up and negotiate at the beach. Keep the afternoon free. If Day 4 falls on a Saturday, the Saturday Night Market at Arpora (about 4 km from Baga) starts at 6 PM and runs late — food, live music, and shopping in one place.
Day 5 — Dudhsagar Falls and shift to South Goa. Book the Dudhsagar jeep safari at least 2–3 days ahead through a registered operator — it costs ₹2,800–3,500 per person and includes the jeep ride through Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, a swim at the base of the falls, and return. Start early (depart by 7 AM from North Goa). After the safari, drive south to Palolem or Agonda for the night instead of returning north — this saves you a full day of backtracking.
Day 6 — South Goa at a slower pace. Palolem Beach has a crescent shape and a good line of restaurants and kayak rentals along the shore. Agonda, 10 km north of Palolem, is noticeably quieter and better if you want a beach with fewer people. Book a dolphin watching boat trip in the morning — most operators charge ₹400–600 per person and trips last about 90 minutes. Dinner at Martin's Corner in Betalbatim is worth the 30-minute drive — it's one of the better-known seafood restaurants in South Goa.
Day 7 — Colva, Benaulim, spice plantation, and departure. Spend the morning at Colva or Benaulim Beach — both are wide, less commercial, and good for a final swim. On the drive back north toward the airport, stop at a spice plantation near Ponda (roughly 30 km from Margao). Most plantations charge ₹400–600 per person and include a guided walk plus a Goan lunch. Factor in 45–60 minutes for the plantation before heading to Dabolim or Mopa for your flight.
| Day | Zone | Key Activities | Suggested Stay Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | North Goa | Arrive, Baga Beach evening, dinner at Britto's | Calangute / Candolim |
| Day 2 | North Goa | Anjuna Beach, Vagator, Chapora Fort, Anjuna Flea Market (Wed) | Calangute / Candolim |
| Day 3 | Panjim + Old Goa | Fontainhas walk, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral, Mandovi River cruise | Calangute / Candolim |
| Day 4 | North Goa | Water sports at Calangute/Baga, Saturday Night Market Arpora (Sat) | Calangute / Candolim |
| Day 5 | Transit | Dudhsagar Falls jeep safari, drive south | Palolem / Agonda |
| Day 6 | South Goa | Palolem or Agonda beach, dolphin watching, Martin's Corner dinner | Palolem / Agonda |
| Day 7 | South Goa + Departure | Colva or Benaulim morning, spice plantation near Ponda, airport | Check out |
Each of these days touches a different stretch of coastline. For a detailed breakdown of which beaches suit which travel style, our guide to the best beaches in Goa compares North and South options side by side.
How should you split your time between North Goa and South Goa?
Four nights in North Goa and two nights in South Goa is the right split for most travellers — North Goa has more to keep you busy across multiple days, while South Goa rewards a slower pace that doesn't need more than two full days to feel properly explored.
North Goa covers a lot of ground: beaches from Sinquerim and Candolim in the south up to Arambol in the north, the heritage belt around Panjim and Old Goa, water sports, flea markets, and the bulk of the nightlife. Staying in Calangute or Candolim puts you within 20–30 minutes of almost everything in the north.
South Goa is a different experience. The beaches at Palolem, Agonda, Colva, and Benaulim are less crowded and the general pace is slower. Palolem has more restaurants and activity options along its beach road — it suits travellers who want some convenience alongside the quiet. Agonda is calmer still, with fewer shacks and a longer, less-developed shoreline. Couples and families with young children tend to prefer Agonda.
Shifting your base mid-trip does add a transfer cost. A one-way cab from Calangute to Palolem runs ₹1,500–2,500 depending on the operator and time of day. If you're on a scooter, the drive is about 75 km and takes roughly 90 minutes via NH66.
"Goa received over 9.07 million domestic tourists in 2022, making it one of the top five most visited states in India for leisure travel." — Ministry of Tourism, India (Annual Report 2022–23)
Deciding where to base yourself is half the planning work. Our guide on North Goa vs South Goa accommodation covers specific hotels, price bands, and which zone suits your travel group.
What's the best time of year to follow this 7-day Goa plan?
November to February gives you the most reliable conditions for this itinerary — all beach shacks are open, water sports run daily, and the Dudhsagar jeep safari operates without weather disruptions. October and March are solid shoulder-season options with fewer crowds and slightly lower hotel rates.
Peak season (November to January) is when Goa is fully operational. Every shack, tour operator, and water sports vendor is active. The downside is price — mid-range hotels that cost ₹3,500/night in October can jump to ₹5,500–6,000/night in December. The Christmas and New Year week (December 23 to January 2) sees the sharpest spike, with some properties charging double their standard rate.
Shoulder season in October and February–March offers a good balance. The weather is still dry and manageable, crowds are thinner, and you'll find better room availability without advance booking pressure. March can get warm toward the end of the month, but it's still workable for a beach trip.
Monsoon (June to September) changes the itinerary significantly. Dudhsagar Falls is at its most dramatic during this period, but jeep safaris into the sanctuary are often suspended due to road conditions. Most beach shacks close between June and September. Water sports are off. If you travel in monsoon, expect a quieter, greener Goa — some travellers enjoy it, but this 7-day plan as written won't fully work.
| Season | Months | Weather | Crowd Level | Avg Hotel Rate (mid-range) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak | Nov – Jan | Dry, 25–32°C | High | ₹4,500–6,000/night |
| Shoulder | Oct, Feb – Mar | Warm, mostly dry | Moderate | ₹3,000–4,500/night |
| Pre-monsoon | Apr – May | Hot, humid, 35–38°C | Low | ₹1,800–3,000/night |
| Monsoon | Jun – Sep | Heavy rain, 28–32°C | Very Low | ₹800–2,000/night |
If you're considering a monsoon trip, our guide on visiting Goa in monsoon covers exactly what's open, what's closed, and how to adjust this itinerary for the rainy season.
How do you get around Goa without wasting half your day in transit?
A scooter rental is the most practical option for solo travellers and couples — it gives you the flexibility to move between beaches and towns on your own schedule without waiting for cabs or dealing with surge pricing. Private cab hire makes more sense for families or groups of four or more.
Scooter rentals cost ₹300–500 per day depending on the model and season. Fuel adds roughly ₹100–150 per day. You'll need a valid driving licence — both Indian and international licences are accepted. Most rental shops in Calangute, Baga, and Anjuna don't ask for a deposit beyond a photocopy of your ID, but terms vary. Scooters work well for North Goa's relatively compact road network.
For app-based options, Goa Miles is the state-run taxi app and tends to have more transparent pricing than negotiating with local cabs. Ola and Rapido also operate in Goa. These work well for one-off transfers but get expensive if you're using them for full-day sightseeing.
Private cab hire at ₹2,500–4,000 per day for an AC car is the right call for the Dudhsagar day trip and for the North-to-South transfer on Day 5. Kadamba state buses run between major towns for ₹10–30 per trip, but routes to beaches are infrequent and journey times are long. For the Dudhsagar jeep safari specifically, book through a registered operator — the jeeps that take you into Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary require a forest department permit that legitimate operators handle as part of the package.
Transport costs add up quickly over seven days. Our Goa travel budget guide for Indian travellers breaks down daily spend across budget, mid-range, and luxury travel styles.
What should you budget for a 7-day Goa trip from India?
Total spend for a 7-day Goa trip ranges from roughly ₹18,000 to over ₹1,20,000 per person — the gap is almost entirely driven by accommodation choice and whether you're flying from a nearby city or a distant one.
Flights are the first variable. Return airfare from Mumbai or Pune to Goa (Dabolim or Mopa) runs ₹4,000–7,000 if booked 3–4 weeks ahead. From Bangalore or Hyderabad, expect ₹5,000–9,000. From Delhi or Kolkata, budget ₹8,000–12,000 return. Prices jump sharply during peak Christmas week.
Accommodation for 6 nights (you're checking out on Day 7) breaks down like this: budget guesthouses in Calangute or Palolem cost ₹800–1,500 per night; mid-range beach resorts run ₹3,000–6,000; and luxury villas or 5-star properties start at ₹10,000 and go up to ₹25,000 or more per night.
Food costs ₹500–800 per day if you're eating at local shacks and smaller restaurants. Sit-down meals at places like Thalassa in Vagator or Gunpowder in Assagao will push that to ₹1,500–2,000 per day. Activities across the full week — water sports, Dudhsagar safari, Mandovi cruise, dolphin watching, spice plantation — total roughly ₹5,000–8,000 per person if you do everything on this itinerary.
- Budget traveller (guesthouse, scooter, local food): ₹18,000–25,000 all-in for 7 days
- Mid-range traveller (3-star resort, mix of cabs and scooter, restaurant meals): ₹40,000–55,000 per person
- Luxury traveller (villa or 5-star, private transfers, fine dining): ₹80,000–1,20,000+
One thing to watch: hotel rates during December 23 to January 2 spike 20–40% above standard peak-season prices. If your trip falls in that window, add a buffer to whichever tier you're planning for.
Water sports pricing varies by beach and operator. Our Goa water sports guide covers current rates at Calangute, Baga, and Anjuna, plus safety tips for first-timers.
Ready to book your 7-day Goa trip — what's the next step?
Tripstor puts together custom Goa itineraries for Indian travellers, handling flights, hotels across all budget tiers, intercity transfers, and activity bookings like the Dudhsagar jeep safari and water sports packages. You get a single point of contact instead of juggling five different vendors.
If you want a packaged plan built around your travel dates, group size, and budget, get in touch and we'll put together options within 24 hours.
For package booking assistance, call us at +91 98253 43323
Seven days in Goa works cleanly when you follow the north-first, south-to-finish structure with Dudhsagar as the pivot point in the middle. The itinerary scales up or down depending on your budget — the beaches and heritage sites cost nothing to visit, and the paid activities are optional. Travel between November and March for the most reliable experience, and book the Dudhsagar safari and any peak-season hotels well ahead of your travel dates.
