Goa is a popular tourist destination that is known for its beautiful beaches, amazing nightlife, and scenic landscapes. But why just in Goa…there are a lot more places to visit from Goa too. Take a bike on rent and off you can go to all the nearby places from Goa, making the most of your holiday. A motorbike has an upper hand over cars in the sense that you get to enjoy the sea and the forest views as you bike through beautiful local villages in the interiors. When renting a bike, it is always advisable to book one in a great condition from a bike rental company in Goa lest there would be breakdowns in lesser known towns and you don’t want to be hassled.
If this sounds like a plan, here are some amazing places you can visit from Goa on a bike. Moreover, these bike routes can be explored alone or as a family on road trip.
Five places to visit from Goa on a bike:
1. Goa to Ganpatipule by bike
At 240km, Ganpatipule is a nice getaway from North Goa on a bike if you want to explore coastal Maharashtra by the side. Ganpatipule is about 45 minutes from Ratnagiri and once you leave the highway, you will ride along the coast with the picturesque Aarey Warey beach for company. You can make innumerable pit-stops to marvel at the expanse of the ocean and click Instagram-worthy pictures. You’ll find it difficult to believe that such pretty beaches with powdery white sands are hidden in Maharashtra. Ganpatipule can be visited all year round. Monsoons are pretty and quiet. Winters are pleasant. And summers…well, Mango season!
2. Goa to Yana caves by bike
Just 150km from Margao, you can ride to Yana caves – one of the wettest villages in Karnataka. The region finds its mention in Hindu Mythology associated with the demon king Bhasmasura. Visitors flock Yana for its unusual limestone rock formations and a cave temple dedicated to Shiva. This little known village in Uttara Kannada is a nature lover’s delight. The two hour hike inside the thick of the forest is simply beautiful. Monsoons here are glorious, but you can visit this place all year round, so choose a bike rental in Goa and set out right away.
3. Goa to Gokarna by bike
Gokarna in coastal Karnataka is a very good bet for those looking for a laid-back getaway with emptier beaches. Of course, it’s a popular pilgrim town too. Every beach view here has to be earned. Gokarna has a very interesting landscape. To reach the many beaches, one has to either trek downhill from the city or hop across a hill to get to another beach. Long term tourists start entering Gokarna during the winters, many of them coming here as a side trip from Goa. So it’s a great place if you like the hippie vibe. Gokarna is just 125km from Margao and 155km from Panjim.
4. Goa to Mangalore by bike
This is one scenic adventure that you will live to remember—riding along the highway that touches the Arabian Sea. Mangalore is nestled between the sea on one side and the lush green ranges of the Western Ghats on the other. At 365km, Mangalore is an ideal getaway near Goa for those who want it all – ocean, food, nature and culture. From churches to temples, parks to ports, there’s plenty to do and see in Mangalore. It is an important port city in Karnataka, so it’s well connected to all the major metros including Goa.
5. Goa to Coorg by bike
The 500 km route from Goa to Coorg is considered one of the most challenging because of the hilly terrain. But it is also top-rated for its incredible vistas. Along the serpentine roads, you’ll be gifted with views of coffee plantations and dense forests. A further ride, higher up the altitude, from Coorg town to Talacauvery will take you into the interiors surrounded by mist. Don’t forget to try the local Kodagu cuisine while here especially the Coorgi Pandi curry.
These were my side-trip picks from Goa. If you liked the post, share it with friends with whom you’d like to explore these routes.
Other stories from Goa
- Safa Masjid is Goa’s oldest mosque
- The best museums in Goa for the culture-vulture
- 5 spectacular places to go trekking in Goa
- Everything you need to know about Goa’s San Joao festival
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I found your blog accidentally. To be honest, you are indeed a knowledgeable traveller and I like reading your blog.
I am planning Goa trip once again after 11 years and this time I am not going by my Royal Enfield motorbike. Definitely, I will hire Scooty in Goa. Lets see how the trip goes. Keep watching my blog too and keep travelling and keep writing. I am still learning.