"Soft dunes, golden sands and a mellow atmosphere - Benaulim brings you the best of idyllic south Goa."
Lounge on the beach here and you'll be in the true heart of Goa. Because, according to legend, Benaulim is the exact spot where an arrow fired by Vishnu pierced the sands, so instantly creating this blissful province.
The only arrow likely to land here nowadays though is the imaginary Cupid's spear through your heart when you see the beach. One foot on the warm sands and no beach devotee will be able to resist unrolling their towel or hitting that sunbed. A balmy, dune-fringed ribbon stretching as far as you can see, it's not only perfect for sunbathing but for that photo album too.
When you can muster up the willpower, amble along the sands for a glimpse of authentic Goa, encapsulated in the colourful wooden outriggers wedged into the sands. Then head for a makeshift beach bar to lunch on some of the freshest prawns and fish you've ever tasted, washed down by a crisp, cold beer or two.
Behind the sands, good-class beachfront hotels give way to paddy fields and coconut groves huddled around Benaulim village. Here, you'll find loads of craft and gift shops, many selling Benaulim's famous rosewood artifacts, as well as cheery restaurants clamouring for your custom.
Fancy a day away? Take a bus to nearby Colva, or even better, Margao. After dawdling around the lively, colourful fish and food markets, go and admire Margao's elegant mansions and old Portuguese churches. Their quiet, faded interiors stand as shrines to a lost Goan world.
Come sunset though, your place is back in Benaulim. Hit the sands again after a starlit dinner, let your toes trail in the cool waters as the moon glows above.
Find the cheapest late deals to Benaulim leaving in the next six weeks.
Benaulim hotels and apartments
Our hotels and apartments in Benaulim include Royal Goan Beach Club Royal Palms and Taj Exotica.
More Goa holiday destinations
Looking for holidays in Goa? Our Goa holiday destinations include Arossim Beach, Arpora, Baga, Benaulim, Betalbatim Beach, Calangute, Candolim, Cavelossim Beach, Divar Island, Dona Paula, Goa, Mobor Beach, Raj Bagh, Sernabatim, Sinquerim and Varca Beach.
Beaches
The golden, sandy beach of Benaulim stretches seductively into shallow, calm waters that are ideal for swimming. The view towards the horizon, punctuated only by tiny fishing boats bobbing on the gentle waves, is a joy to behold. A refreshing sea breeze will keep you cool while you sunbathe.
Eating out
Thanks to former occupations, Goan cooking combines Indian, Portuguese, Chinese and British influences. A choice of various cuisine will be offered in your hotel but to complete your holiday experience, indulge in delicious, local food. Rice is the staple ingredient, spiced with lentil sauces, coconut-based curries and tangy gravy. Seafood is also incredibly popular - beachfront restaurants serve lobster, tiger prawns, mackerel and crab at very reasonable prices, plucked straight from the Indian ocean. Cashew nuts, harvested inland, are Goa's largest export crop whilst exotic fruits are often served as dessert. Little bananas have a beautifully sweet taste and local pineapples, served in thick wedges, are juicer and more flavoursome than those we're used to at home.
Nightlife
Outside of your hotel, where the entertainment team will organise evening events including Goan music and dancing shows, there is little in the way of nightlife. Beach barbecues, often accompanied by the sound of a gentle guitar solo are a wonderful, relaxing way to end the day.
Shopping
If possible, visit a Goan market during your holiday. The largest and most vibrant can be found in and around the capital, Panaji. Traders and farmers sell everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to rustic earthenware, from bespoke gold jewellery to delicately-embroidered saris. Whether you're buying or simply people watching, a wander amongst the pungent smells, the vivid sights and the noisy haggling will provide an unforgettable experience.
Local information
Visit the tiny villages of rural Goa, where narrow streets jammed with bullock carts and scooters wend their way between coconut groves and ramshackle, red-brick homes. Surrounded by emerald green countryside, stop awhile to soak up some Indian culture and enjoy an icy drink beneath the shade of a lofty banyan tree.
Location
South Goa
Transfer time
About 1 hour
Recommended
Luxury
