A Quick Guide to the Places around Sinquerim
Situated at one end of the Baga-Calangute-Candolim beach stretch is the village of Sinquerim. Known for its fun-filled water sports, boat rides that take you dolphin-watching and a clean stretch of beach, it is a treat for travelers looking to enjoy the sun, sand and surf of Goa. Nearby, the main road that passes through the area is always busy – it is lined with shops selling beachwear and souvenirs, as well as restaurants offering an array of popular world cuisine. A Quick Guide to the Places around Sinquerim varies from high-end supermarkets to boutique stores selling everything fr om clothing to carpets, this popular stretch is rarely silent.
At the far end is the famous Fort Aguada Fort, constructed by the Portuguese to safeguard themselves from the Dutch and the Marathas. These attractions make Sinquerim stand apart, but what’s great is that it’s close to other popular locations in Goa which are just as interesting. Here’s a quick guide to the places around Sinquerim that are worth a visit.
Candolim-Calangute-Baga
Being the epicenter of tourism in Goa, Calangute, Candolim and Baga are always on the agendas of travellers to Goa. However, many will admit that it can be a little too action-packed, especially for family-travel, with its many pubs, clubs, cheap restaurants and beach-shacks. From Sinquerim, it would take you around 10-15 minutes by bike or car, but if you’d prefer to walk along the beach from Sinquerim on one end, to Baga on the other, it can take upwards of an hour. Walking along the streets, however, can be fun as you are bound to find a lively local craft scene where you can pick from bargain jewelry, clothes, souvenirs, embroidered carpets, and more. You can head over to the Calamari beach shack at Candolim in the evening for delicious seafood delicacies, visit one of many vegetarian restaurants or witness the local party scene at Titos, Mambos, and Brittos – all hotspots in Baga.
Saligao
Offbeat travellers love taking a walk through the wards of Saligao, a heritage village in Goa. With picturesque fields surrounding beautifully maintained old Goan houses, narrow winding lanes and views of the hills that surround it, Saligao is starkly different from Sinquerim, even though it is only 7kms away. Don’t forget to explore the Mae De Deus Church, one of the finest examples of Neo-Gothic architecture in Goa. From the church, it takes around 5 mins to walk to ‘Florentine’, formerly among North Goa’s most famous restaurants for Chicken Cafreal. If you’re visiting Saligao in the evening, ‘Cantare’, a local village tavern, is a great place to enjoy fine music.
Reis Magos
While not as popular as Fort Aguada in Sinquerim, but twice as beautiful, the Reis Magos Fort is one of the most prominent monuments in the vicinity and is Goa’s oldest fort. If you’re a history lover visiting Goa, you’d be enthralled by the fort, which lies on the banks of the River Mandovi, connected to the Reis Magos Church. The Church is one of only 3 places in Goa where the Feast of the Three Kings is celebrated on the 6th of January every year. In fact, the words ‘Reis Magos’ mean ‘Kings Magi’ in Portuguese.
You may also find it interesting to know that the Reis Magos Fort, built by the Adil Shah Sultanate of Bijapur, was a former prison and it is the only fort in the state to have been restored for cultural use.
For a true flavour of a destination, it’s people and its culture there’s no missing its art. The fort also has an art gallery displaying the works of one of Goa’s most beloved artists, Mario Mirnda. You’ll find his observations and insights on the Goan way of life intriguing and amusing!
Mapusa
During your visit to Goa, make sure to keep a Friday free so you can explore the bustling Friday Market in Mapusa. Vendors from neighboring villages gather to sell Goan specialties like homemade wines and liquor, varieties of choriso (Goan pork sausage), spices and masalas. While the market has sections for fruits, veggies, meats and daily-use items, you would find the bread market to be worth a visit. Here, you can purchase some of Goa’s well-known breads – from the whole-wheat bun called ‘Poee’ to the bangle-shaped ‘Kakonn.’ Remember to pick up traditional sweets such as bebinca and dodol – these sweets are primarily prepared fresh only during festivals and while you’d get commercially packaged Goan sweets in supermarkets, it won’t come close to fresh, locally made ones. All that shopping can make you hungry, so for lunch, visit Le Jardin, one of Mapusa’s most popular multi-cuisine restaurants, or Cafe Xavier for fantastic Goan snacks.
Parra
Merely 5-minutes from Mapusa is a picturesque village in Goa called Parra. While there may not be much to do here, this charming village has a few photo-worthy spots such as the famous Parra Road – a palm-lined village road with fields on either side, featured in the famous film shot in Goa, ‘Dear Zindagi.’ Just like in the neighbouring village of Saligao, the fields and old houses in Parra will captivate the hearts of offbeat and slow travellers.
As you can see, there’s a lot more to Goa than meets the eye. Quick Guide to the Places around Sinquerim will help you discover a side of Goa you didn’t know when you stay at Marquis Beach Resort, strategically located on Sinquerim Beach, and in close proximity to the markets and the hinterlands.
