When the rest of the India got independence in 1947, Goa was still under the Portuguese rule till 1961. Evidence of the Portuguese flavour of Goa can be found everywhere, be it the eclectic food, local music, or Latin Quarters in Panaji. May be this whole eccentric flavor makes Goa an exotic location for the Indians.
Next time when you visit Goa, instead of spending most of the time at the beaches, take out time to experience what the Portuguese Goa is truly about.
Stay in a Portuguese Villa
Ditch those expensive cliché seaside resorts and stay in a Portuguese style colonial villa in much more tranquil villages of Goa. I swear you will not regret a bit of it. Most of these villas are more than 100 years old and we are fortunate that people have maintained these properties keeping their essence alive.
Explore the Portuguese Architecture
- Old Latin Quarter, Panaji
There are ample sites all around Goa that are remnants of Portuguese culture. One of my favorite sites is Fontainhas in the old Latin Quarter of Panaji. The colorful houses will transport you to Portugal. Stroll around or enjoy coffee in one of those cozy cafes or if you have more time, drive up to Altinho Hill for a good view of the city and the river.
- Islands, Chorao and Divar
Take a ferry from Old Goa in the North to visit Chorao and Divar islands, the Portuguese villas along the countryside will take your fancy. It’s also a good side trip to get away from the hustle bustle of Panaji.
- Old Goa, Panaji
For history lovers the chapels and convents located in the Old Goa, around 10 km from Panaji city, make a pleasant day trip.
Experience Goan-Portuguese dance
If you are visiting Goa during Carnival, there are good chances of you to witness Goan Portuguese folk dance Corridinho or else take a boat cruise and enjoy the dance against the backdrop of sunset.
Goan Food with Portuguese influence
I love places which have their own distinct food and carry their own history. Goan food is a great mix of Portuguese and Hindu origins. It’s definitely a paradise for meat lovers.
- Pao
Starting with the Goan bread Pao, is ubiquitous and can’t be missed. It’s a thicker version of normal bread, when fresh it’s hard to resist it.
- Curries
When in Goa you’ll definitely be eating more rice with different curries, few of the variants are –
- Fish uddamethi, a tangy and sour curry of mackerel fish and fenugreek seeds;
- Xacuti, a curry made with chicken or lamb with strong flavors of white poppy seeds and coconut.
- Vindaloo, spicy curry with any meat or vegetable
- Chorizo
Even being a coastal place, pork is favorite meat here. Something like Chorizo, a spicy pork sausage is an original Portuguese dish and is must try.
- Bebinca
If you are somebody whose meal is incomplete without a dessert, try Bebinca, a traditional cake available in every local bakery.
- Chamuças
There is so much to eat in Goa, but the interesting thing to see is how original Portuguese or Hindu dishes have over time got influenced by each other and resulted in a new variation. Like a common snack, aloo samosa is served with chicken/lamb/pork filling and is called Chamuças.
The tiny state of Goa has something for everybody – vibrant nightlife for party lovers; serene beaches for peace lovers; forts and churches for history lovers, delectable dishes for food lovers, and colorful weekend markets for shopping lovers. When are you hopping on the next train to Goa?
Best time to visit: All around the year, peak season in November to February
How to reach: Madgaon is connected to many major cities in India.
Feature Image source: Urbz, Flickr CC
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
We deliver good food in trains. Download our mobile app from Google Playstore