Mapusa city is one of the bustling towns of North Goa. A major entry point into the State, the city is a commercial hub. The Mapusa Residency is located in close proximity to the bus terminus. You can explore the city if you have time or venture out to other attractions further away.
Daily busses to Mapusa ply from the KTC Bus stand in Panaji. You can opt for a local that has multiple stops, a direct without any or the state owned shuttle service. There are cabs, rickshaws or even motorcycle pilots that will get you to Mapusa.
Around Mapusa Residency visit the St. Jerome Church, also known as the Milagres Church. It was built in 1674 and is sacred to the Christians and the Hindus as well. Bodgeshwar Temple is another must see destination fascinating by day or by night. The Datta temple in Cunchelim located on a little hill is a lesser known spot to visit in the city.
Set aside a few hours on a Friday morning for a day at the local market. It’s located within the precincts of the main bus stand and market. Vendors come in early so people start pouring in from 9am onwards or even earlier. The market sells everything from vegetables, home items, clothes, upholstery to furniture.
Foodies will enjoy picking out local varieties of veggies that are not usually found otherwise. Those with a green thumb will find locals selling a variety of saplings to grow in your garden.
As with other places, Mapusa has it’s share of old, authentic eats where you can enjoy some tasty bites. Apart from the household names like Navtara, Café Dipac located on the border of Mapusa-Bastora is famous for its ‘calvam bhaji’ and other local preparations for a quick bite. In the market you will find the St Francis Xavier Café which is one of the oldest. You’ll get the usual Goan snacks and some mouth-watering local dishes as well. The caramel pudding is a must try.
From Mapusa, the off-beat beaches of North Goa like Ashvem and Arambol are easy to reach. You can rent a cab, bike, drive or just take the local bus. The routes are pretty easy and direct.
To Visit These Off Beat Beaches of Goa click here
