Margao In Goa

Travel Advice For Margao In Goa

Margao in Goa is a hectic, Indian town that will come as a bit of a shock to travellers used to the laid-back scene on the nearby beaches and in quieter villages. It is, however, a major transport hub (read more below), with the train station being the common point of overland departure into or out of the state.

You may, therefore, find yourself passing through! My personal recommendation should this be the case is to spend any overnight stays at the nearby Colva or Benaulim beach where the accommodation is cheaper, and you are next to the sea! A short rickshaw/bus ride out of town could save you a lot of stress finding an (overpriced) hotel on Margao's busy streets.

Margao In Goa - Transport Links

Margao's train station is 3km east of the city - you can get a rickshaw/taxi into town from the pre-paid stand just outside the exit. Fares to Benaulim from here should be around R.150.

The train station has a reservation office to the left as you approach the entrance for travel that day. If you are booking in advance/for longer distances, go up the stairs to the first-floor resrvation desks. You may choose to book trains with a travel agents, saving you the time and cost of visiting the station. Commission rates are often quite low, but ask around!

The train station is the only stop for many major train routes through Goa on the Konkan Railway. Trains from here travel east to Hampi and south to Gokarna and Kerala.

Margao's Kadamba Bus Stand is 3kms north of town - buses from here head south to Chaudi, Gokarna and Mangalore or north to Panjim. There is a direct coach to Hampi available from Paulo Travels, just north of the main square in town on Rua Da Padre Miranda.

For any long distance travel out of Goa, it is advisable to book in advance (at least a few days) as places on trains fill up quickly, especially during festival times.

Orientation

Margao in Goa can be a confusing town to navigate - the streets are busy and the bus stand and train station lie kilometres apart. It is often better to hail a rickshaw to avoid getting lost in the polluted, dusty streets!

If you fancy a wander around town, your best point of orientation is Margao's main square - a leafy, fenced park, Praca Jorge Barreto in the town centre. On the south side of the park stands the distinctive Municipal Building, painted red and cream with a two storey arched facade. Most of Margao's accommodation can be found around the main square, as well as a stand for buses to Benaulim and Colva (south-east side of the square, next to the Kamat eatery).

South-east from Praca Jorge Barreto lies the Bazaar. Visit the information office (Mon-Fri) in the lobby of the GTDC Margao Residency hotel (SW of the main square on Luis Miranda St) for maps and bus times.

Highlights Of Margao In Goa

The Bazaar If you have a few hours to kill in Margao, it is well worth heading to the bazaar, just south-east of the main square. The covered market is stuffed full of spices, incense, fabrics, jewellery, toys and household goods. Expect to employ your bargaining skills as you explore the maze-like array of stalls.

Largo De Igreja A five minute rickshaw ride north of the Praca Jorge Barreto (main square) will take you to this park which is surrounded by some of Margao's oldest buildings, and the impressive Church of the Holy Spirit. This structure, built in 1675, is one of Goa's finest examples of Baroque architecture. See the interior between 06:30 and 12:00, or 16:00 - 21:00 daily.

Sleeping And Eating

If you find that you have to stay in Margao, your best bet is the GTDC Margao Residency with its sligtly shabby rooms and air-conditioned restaurant and bar.

There are several enjoyable places to eat in Margao - try Gaylin (first road east after reaching the north end of the main square) or Chinese food, or Banjara (futher south on the same road as Gaylin) for upmarket north Indian food. Kamat on the main square by the stand for buses to Benaulim/Colva is a good place to grab a snack enroute.

Margao in Goa is the gateway to attractions outside the state, such as the 16th Century ruined city of Hampi or the coastal Hindu pilgrimage town of Gokarna.

Read more about Goa, India .

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