Holidays to Arpora offer a taste of real rural Goa, plus some friendly bars and a chilled-out beach scene.

Rustic retreat

Arpora's not just one of North Goa's most secluded spots – it's an area of India largely untouched by the tourist trail. Expect an eclectic mix of old and new, with plush hotels and modern restaurants chilling next to backstreet rickshaws, paddy fields and palm groves.

Simmering down

Arpora's got a variety of ways to recharge your batteries. For secluded sands, take a 15-minute taxi to Chapora Beach – a prime spot to watch the sunset. Or try your hand haggling for colourful clothes, fragrant spices and sizzling food at Mackie's Saturday Night Bazaar – one of the biggest weekend markets in India.

Lively locales

It's a 20-minute walk to lively Calangute Beach, where food shacks, bars and watersports wait to thrill locals and tourists alike. When the sun goes down, Calangute also doubles as a hub for electric nightlife – as does nearby Baga, just a 15-minute stroll away.

Indian insights

Culture vultures, get your fill. Arpora village is the place to go for a taste of India thanks to authentic street food, and there are frequent musical performances on the town's main stage. Hit up Baga and you can tour the cherry-red Shri Shantadurga Temple. Be sure to check out the 18th-century castle of Casa Braganza and the celeb wax museum, too.

At a Glance

  • Haggle with the locals at the night market
  • Dance until dawn under the neon lights of Baga
  • Catch some rays on the palm-lined sands of Calangute Beach