Palolem Beach Goa

Palolem Beach Goa

Palolem is the most beautiful and least crowded beach in all of Goa. The least commercialized, it is surrounded by hills on both sides, resulting in a calm, idyllic sea in which you can walk into upto 100 metres.

The easiest way to get to Palolem is to get the train/fly to Margao, and then pay for a Government approved fixed-price taxi to Palolem. Fixed-price taxis are available from the train station and from Dabolim airport at Vasco da Gama.

Alternatively, Canacona is Palolem's nearest train station, approximately 10 minutes drive away.

Backpackers may also take a State Transport approved Bus from Margao Bus Stand to Canacona or Palolem. It takes around 80-90 minutes. If you get down at Canacona, you can take an autorikshaw (tuktuk) to Palolem Beach which is only 5 Km. The journey by bus is comfortable. The buses are not airconditioned nor dust proof.

Get around
Palolem is quite small, so easy to explore on foot. Mopeds and bicycles are available for hire on the main street.

Taxis and rickshaws are also readily available on the main street or though a travel agency. Day trips can be booked through agencies.

To Do
Palolem is a small beach town. Do take long walks. Carry a torch. Immediately to the south of Palolem (which gets busier every season) is the beautiful Columb Bay where you can stay in a comfortable yet eco friendly complex. Just beyond is Patnem beach which is much quieter than Palolem but has a few guest houses and beach shacks.

You can take a boat ride in the river joining the sea on northen side of the Palolem beach.

About Beach
One of the most beautiful Goan beaches, although not as peaceful as it used to be (sometimes referred to as the Goan lost paradise). Palolem Beach is long beach now entirely filled with rooms and huts (150-400 Rs.) and restaurants, sometimes with live music. There's also a market for tourists. Walk the beach at night with a flashlight and you'll be amazed by crabs running away from you.

Eat
Sadly most of the food in Palolem is quite Westernised. Local trade is mainly tourism and fishing - so it can be guaranteed that your fish dinner is straight from the sea. A good fish main course usually starts from 300Rs upwards.

Magic Italy - the best pizza in Palolem, try their Four Cheese or Spinach pizzas. Cosy, with a selection of tables or cushions on the floor.

Palolem Beach Resort - Curries in Palolem tend to be quite lacklustre - but the Palolem Beach Resort does a great paneer butter masala and chana masala with garlic naan and rice. Chicken is great here too.

Cool Breeze - a jazz cafe that is quite popular with the locals, great food.

Smugglers Inn - British run bar serving old favourites like fish and chips, bangers and mash, bacon sandwiches. Go here if you want a big mug of British tea and HP brown sauce.

Sameer Restaurant - good breakfasts and their fish sizzlers are to die for. It's right on the beach, so fantastic views of the ocean.

There are plenty of beach shacks along Palolem Beach, not much point in booking as many of them don't answer the phone/take bookings. Usually your best bet is just to turn up and cross your fingers. Bear in mind that a local law prohibits permanent structures on the beach, so from May to October the shacks are supposed to come down (although this does not always happen!).

Alternatively, there are many local hotels in the area on the main road.