Benaulim Beach itinerary

Plan 01

1 day at Benaulim

1. 01

   Day 1: Sand, village and a shack dinner

   Walk the beach early while the sand is cool, and have a coffee and cake at Hari's German Bakery on the beach road. Spend the late morning in the village, walking through the market area and, if you wish, visiting the hilltop Church of St John the Baptist, dressing modestly. Rest through the heat. Return to the sand for the late-afternoon light and sunset, and have dinner at one of the beach restaurants. Check that your chosen shack is open before you walk down.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Hari's German Bakery	30 to 45 minutes	Easy	Breakfast or mid-afternoon

   Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.

Plan 02

2 days at Benaulim

1. 01

   Day 1: Beach morning and a family-run lunch

   Start with a walk on firm wet sand, then breakfast at Hari's German Bakery. Have a long lunch at Pedro's, one of the oldest names on the beach, and rest in the afternoon. Return for sunset and an easy dinner.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Hari's German Bakery	30 to 45 minutes	Easy	Breakfast or mid-afternoon
   Pedro's	1.5 to 2 hours	Easy	Lunch or early dinner, November to March

   Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.

2. 02

   Day 2: Village and neighbouring beaches

   Visit the Church of St John the Baptist in the morning, then walk the market area for fruit, bread and small shops. In the afternoon, take a short taxi ride to Colva or Varca for a different beach, and come back for a final evening at Jamny's or another shack.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Jamny's	1 to 1.5 hours	Easy	Lunch, November to March

   Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.

Plan 03

3 days at Benaulim

1. 01

   Day 1: Arrive and settle in

   Check in, walk the beach late in the afternoon and eat early near your hotel. Keep the first evening light so travel fatigue settles.

2. 02

   Day 2: Church, market and shacks

   Spend the morning at the Church of St John the Baptist and the village market. Lunch at a beach restaurant, rest, and watch the fishing boats and the sunset from the sand.

3. 03

   Day 3: Water or Margao

   If you want activity, book a registered operator for a short boat or water-sports session in the dry season; otherwise take a taxi to Margao for the municipal market and the Holy Spirit church square. End with a quiet dinner at your hotel or a shack.

Read before you go

Guides for the stops on these routes

Pacing

Pacing a Benaulim Beach trip for parents and children

• Walk on firm wet sand near the waterline rather than soft dry sand, and ask your hotel about sun-lounger access.
• Plan beach time before about 10 am and after about 4 pm; the middle of the day is hot and humid even in winter.
• Choose a hotel within a short, level walk of the beach and ask about ground-floor rooms or a lift.
• Never swim beyond the lifeguard-marked area, obey red flags, and do not enter the sea in the monsoon.
• Use taxis or autos for Margao and Colva and agree the fare first; a hired car with a driver is easiest for day trips.
• Check that a shack is open and has seating with a back rest; many are plastic chairs on sand.

Benaulim Beach with elderly parents: the full guide →