Four days — a first visit
Day 1 — Arrival and North beaches
- Arrive, settle in the Baga/Calangute/Candolim area
- Afternoon: beach, swim, water sports if you want them
- Sunset at Fort Aguada or Sinquerim
- Evening: dinner at a beach shack, then Baga's nightlife strip
Day 2 — Old Goa and Panaji
- Morning: Old Goa — Basilica of Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral, St. Francis of Assisi
- Lunch: Panaji
- Afternoon: Fontainhas Latin Quarter on foot
- Late afternoon: Reis Magos Fort or a Mandovi river cruise
- Evening: Panaji — dinner, or a river casino if that appeals
Day 3 — North Goa exploring
- Morning: Anjuna (flea market if it's a Wednesday), Vagator, Ozran
- Midday: Chapora Fort
- Afternoon: ride north to Morjim, Ashwem and Arambol — quieter beaches
- Sunset at Arambol
- Evening: live music at Arambol or dinner in Assagao
Day 4 — Inland
- Morning: spice plantation tour near Ponda with lunch
- Afternoon: Shri Mangueshi and Shri Shantadurga temples
- Alternative: full-day Dudhsagar Falls jeep safari (needs the whole day)
- Evening: return to the coast
One week — North and South
Days 1–4 as above, based in North Goa.
Day 5 — Transfer south
- Move to Palolem or Agonda (allow 2 hours)
- Afternoon and evening: beach, quieter pace
Day 6 — South Goa
- Morning: kayak or boat trip from Palolem; Butterfly Beach
- Afternoon: Agonda or Galgibaga
- Sunset and dinner on the beach; silent disco at Palolem if you want it
Day 7 — South exploring
- Morning: Cabo de Rama fort
- Afternoon: Colva or Benaulim, or a Salcete village drive for Portuguese houses
- Optional: Margao's Sunday market and old town
Two weeks
Add Divar and Chorão islands, a proper Dudhsagar trip, more time in the far north (Arambol/Mandrem) or far south (Galgibaga/Patnem), and consider a side trip to Hampi in Karnataka (a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reachable overnight) or Gokarna down the coast.