How to Spend 3 Days In Gokarna

The perfect beach town for every kind of person

Want to head to a place that’ll interest everyone in your group of friends? Gokarna has it all: hiking, yoga, swimming in the ocean, discovering heritage spots and even trying out the local cuisine, fresh from the Arabian Sea. For the uninitiated: it is one of the best seaside towns in the country; unassuming, charming and thoroughly relaxing, perfect for a three-day getaway to bliss.

Set apart from nearby Goa by its languid vibe, Gokarna is where one can lazily hike from beach to beach, discovering each bay at leisure. The pull of Kudle Beach, Om Beach and Half Moon Bay is real, as rocky outcrops, so central to the western shoreline, peek out from the shallow depths, and are truly a sight to take in especially at sunset. Further along the contouring coastline is Paradise beach, a hidden alcove of cliff and sandy shores that’s a private beach of-sorts waiting to be discovered. For the serious sports-enthusiast, watersports are plenty at peak season; from parasailing to kayaking, and snorkeling to banana boats, Om Beach has it all. For those who prefer the sands, yoga is a great way to relax and breathe in positivity. One can find friends playing football or volleyball too and it generally goes without saying: the more the merrier.

Days by the sea can be peppered by visits to the town, and can easily be conquered by foot. Gokarna’s famous spots include the Flea Market and the Mahabaleshwar Temple. Break for lunch at Prema Restaurant, a crowd favourite that offers a delicious variety of cuisines. If you prefer dining with a view, Namaste Cafe is a popular hangout on Om Beach. Try the local seafood from the bay, and it really won’t get any fresher! Take the afternoon for a drive to Mirjan Fort, an ancient architectural gem dating to the 16th century Vijayanagara Kingdom and once the royal palace of Queen Chennabhairadevi. Located on the banks of the Aganashini River, the fort’s circular moat surrounds its high bastions, and what once lay in ruin is now protected by the ASI. Proceed onwards to Yana Caves, a naturally black limestone outcrop that is a marvelously unusual rock formation.

Nights in Gokarna are unlike any other. Clear star-speckled skies encourage people to stay out on the beach drinking and having a good time. Fire shows are a mainstay at night, and are beautiful to watch as the waves crash in the background. If you’re looking for a place to stay, try the Kahani Paradise Villa, that’s right off of Paradise Beach. Luxury wellness is Kahani Paradise’s USP: a many-acre property of forest, orchard and vegetable garden, it is perched on a hill and whose rooms afford stunning views of the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. A most relaxing holiday by the ocean with Paradise Beach a mere stroll away, this luxury villa focuses on wellbeing, mindfulness and solitude.