Things to Do in North Goa During Monsoons

So you’ve landed in North Goa during the rains, and your hotel staff is busy telling you all the things you can’t do.

No beach clubs.

No parasailing.

No sundowners.

No banana boat rides.

Perfect.

Because this isn’t the time for the usual checklist, Goa, this is the season of overgrown forts, dramatic skies, hot chai in old cafés, and a whole different kind of thrill—the kind that’s green, windswept, and gloriously uncrowded.

Here’s what to actually do in North Goa when it rains, and trust me, this version of Goa might just ruin the peak season for you forever.

1. Explore the Forts in Their Dramatic Monsoon Glory

Everyone visits Fort Aguada in winter. But only the smart few do it when the skies are grey, the waves are feral, and the wind makes your umbrella completely useless.

Top Picks:

Aguada Fort: Yes, still a classic. The sea crashes louder during the rains.

Chapora Fort: Misty, moody, and slightly slippery. Still worth the view.

Reis Magos Fort: For history, art, and a quieter alternative with charm.

Pro Tip: Go early, wear proper footwear, and let the drizzle add drama to your photos.

2. Café Hop in Assagao & Anjuna

Monsoon Goa is café Goa. Especially in the lush lanes of Assagao and Anjuna, where rain-drenched gardens meet cinnamon-scented interiors. Think long conversations, local kombucha, and cakes still warm from the oven.

Favourite Haunts:

Bloom & Brew (Assagao): For a cosy breakfast while the rain taps on the roof.

Mojigao (Assagao): A jungle café that’s even more magical when wet.

Artjuna (Anjuna): Healthy food, strong coffee, and lots of soul.

Eva Café (Anjuna Cliff): Views of a stormy sea + hummus. Win-win.

Settle in. The whole point is not to rush.

3. Walk Through Fontainhas When It’s Raining

Technically Panjim, but still part of the North Goa soul. Fontainhas is Goa’s Latin Quarter, and there’s no better time to explore it than during a soft monsoon drizzle.

The walls are brighter when wet. The streets are quieter. And the charm? Off the charts.

Pop into:

Velha Goa Galeria for local art

Panjim Inn for lunch

People Tree or Barefoot for designer souvenirs

31st January Bakery for fresh Goan bread

Don’t carry a schedule. Just wander. Get a little lost.

4. Hit the Spicy Trail – Monsoon is Curry Season

The best thing about being in North Goa during the rains? Your appetite is on fire—and the food matches it. This is the season for thick coconut gravies, steamed rice, and seafood caught just before the skies burst.

Local Favourites:

Vinayak Family Restaurant (Assagao): Legendary fish thalis.

Bhatti Village (Nerul): Hidden gem with slow-cooked Goan classics.

Fat Fish (Baga-Arpora road): Comfort food for rainy evenings.

Florentine (Saligao): For chicken cafreal that hits the spot.

And yes, try the patoleo if you find it—monsoon special steamed rice cakes with jaggery and coconut wrapped in turmeric leaves.

5. Do Nothing on the Beach (With a Raincoat)

Okay, so you can’t swim. But that doesn’t mean the beach is off-limits.

In fact, the monsoon sea is the place to be dramatic. Pull on a windcheater, head to a less commercial stretch (think Ashwem, Morjim or Mandrem), and let the wind and waves do the talking.

Bonus: No beach beds, no EDM, no selfie sticks. Just you, the sea, and the kind of solitude that’s actually healing.

6. Hop on a Scooter and Just… Drive

North Goa’s inner lanes during monsoon? Unreal. Think banyan trees, flooded paddy fields, sleepy dogs, and bright yellow houses with their windows slightly ajar.

Ride from:

Assagao to Siolim

Saligao to Pilerne

Porvorim through Socorro and back

Pro Tip: Don’t rush. Stop for roadside chai. Get mildly lost. That’s the point.

(And yes, wear a rain poncho or you’ll reach drenched and stylishly miserable.)

7. Check Out the Indie Boutiques & Markets

While flea markets like Anjuna shut down in the rains, smaller boutiques in North Goa stay open—and this is the best time to browse without a crowd breathing down your neck.

Where to look:

Paper Boat Collective (Sangolda): Homegrown design and slow fashion

The Flame Store (Assagao): For unique gifting, art, and candles

Rangeela (Vagator): Bohemian clothing and accessories

Literati (Calangute): A bookshop in an old Portuguese house. Rain + books = yes.

8. Catch Live Music (Yes, It Still Happens)

Many bars shut down for the monsoon—but not all. The ones that stay open lean into their music scene, with local musicians turning up for acoustic gigs and jam nights.

Keep an eye on:

Soro: The Village Pub (Assagao)

Hideaway (Vagator)

Joseph’s Bar (Panjim): A little further in, but a local vibe like no other

Check their social handles for live music nights—most keep it spontaneous.

9. Take a Day Trip to Divar or Chorao

The rainy season is the best time to ferry across to the river islands. Fewer tourists, greener views, and that slow, old-world Goa that’s almost vanishing.

Divar: Go for the monsoon stillness, local homes, and the Bonderam festival (if you’re lucky).

Chorao: Head to the Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary—mangroves look otherworldly in the mist.

Don’t forget your mosquito repellent. And maybe a thermos of chai.

10. Take It Easy – Goa Isn’t Going Anywhere

Monsoon Goa, especially in the North, isn’t about rushing through a bucket list. It’s about noticing small things: a quiet corner café, an old man singing in the rain, the steam rising off your sol kadi.

Slow down. Ditch the party schedule. Let it rain.

To Sum Up: Best Things to Do in North Goa During Monsoon:

Misty forts and empty beaches

Cosy cafés and steamy curries

Hidden waterfalls and ferry rides

Indie stores, slow drives, and surprise music nights

And best of all? No crowds

North Goa in the monsoons might not be your typical sunshine vacation, but it’s better in many ways. It’s quiet without being boring, dramatic without being crowded, and lush enough to make you forget about WiFi and itineraries.

So come with no plans. Pack a poncho, not an agenda. And let the rains rewrite your idea of Goa.