Anjuna

Anjuna is a beach village on the coast of North Goa, in Bardez taluka, lying north of the busy Baga and Calangute beaches and just south of Vagator and Chapora. The nearest town is Mapusa, a few kilometres east. Anjuna was the original heartland of Goa's hippie and trance scene from the 1960s and 70s, and it still carries a bohemian, alternative reputation even as it has grown busier and more commercial.

The village's two best-known draws are its Wednesday flea market and its nightlife and parties. Anjuna beach, to the south-west of the village, is lined with shacks and bars; it is not the most beautiful in Goa and not the quietest, but it has an unmistakable energy. The main crossroads, Starco Junction, is the village's pivot, where you will find taxis, motorbike taxis and autorickshaws.

Come in the dry season from November to March, when the markets, shacks and party scene are in full swing; the days around the full moon are especially lively. Avoid the heavy monsoon (June-September), when most businesses close. Note that the once-legendary open-air trance parties are increasingly discouraged by the authorities, so their frequency varies season to season.

By Plane

The nearest airport is Goa International Airport (Dabolim, IATA: GOI), about 45 km south, roughly 1.5 hours by road; the Manohar International Airport (Mopa, IATA: GOX) in North Goa is closer, to the north. Prepaid and app-based (GoaMiles) taxis are available at both.

By Train

The nearest railway station is Thivim (also called Mapusa station), about a dozen kilometres away. From Thivim, take a local bus to Mapusa's Kadamba bus stand, then a bus on to Anjuna (under ₹10), or an autorickshaw direct (around ₹350). Other usable stations are Karmali and Madgaon/Margao (MAO). Book tickets in advance via IRCTC.

By Car / Road

Anjuna is reached on small but serviceable roads via Mapusa. Buses arrive near or inside Mapusa's Kadamba bus stand, from where local buses run to Anjuna. Mapusa is a few kilometres east; Panaji is about 21 km. With luggage, a taxi or scooter is easiest. Most sleeper buses to other cities depart from Mapusa.

There is plenty of transport at the main crossroads (Starco Junction): negotiate the price before getting into any taxi, motorbike taxi or autorickshaw, as meters are not used. Motorbike taxis ("pilots") are a Goan speciality and among the cheapest options — most short trips are around ₹100. Scooters and motorbikes are easy to hire (around ₹150-400/day; leave a passport photocopy, not your passport, and fill the tank as fuel stations are sparse — the nearest is near Vagator). Helmets are required by law on the highway and the police will fine riders without one. Local buses to Mapusa and Vagator are very cheap (under ₹10) but won't take you off the beaten track. There are several ATMs near Domino's as you enter Anjuna from the Baga side.

• Anjuna Beach — the lively main beach south-west of the village, fringed with shacks and bars; come for the atmosphere rather than pristine sand.
• Anjuna Flea Market — held every Wednesday from morning until evening; a sprawling market selling almost everything, where haggling is expected. Go early for bargains, rest at midday, and return in the cooler evening.
• Chapora Fort — the dramatic clifftop Portuguese fort above Vagator (of Dil Chahta Hai fame), a short ride north, with superb views over the coast.
• St. Michael's Church — a fine white Goan church in the village.

Beyond the beach and market, Anjuna itself has few formal "sights" — it is about atmosphere.

• Shop the Wednesday flea market — the village's signature experience.
• Nightlife and parties — Anjuna is famous for its party scene. Curlies and Shiva Valley, at the southern end of the beach, are landmark beach-shack venues for trance and electronic music; Paradiso is a well-known clifftop club. For open-air parties, ask around or head to Nine Bar and Hilltop in nearby Vagator.
• Beach time — sunbathe and swim, watching for the occasional paraglider landing on the sand.
• Day trips — by scooter to Vagator, Chapora and Arambol, or by taxi to Old Goa and South Goa beaches.
• Yoga and wellness — seasonal yoga classes and retreats operate around the village.

Anjuna's restaurants reflect its international crowd, with Goan, Indian, Israeli, Italian, French and continental food, plus grocery shops and 24-hour spots. Signature Goan dishes — fish curry rice, prawns, cafreal — sit alongside falafel, pizza and pasta.

• Avalon Sunset — a multi-cuisine restaurant on the rocks by the shore serving Indian, Israeli, continental and Chinese food, with friendly staff and free Wi-Fi; the first restaurant as you walk down to the beach on the main street.
• Basilico (Dmello Vaddo) — popular for wood-fired pizza and pasta near the main crossing.
• Café Diogo and German Bakery — long-standing spots for breakfast, cakes and coffee.
• Munchies — a 24/7 restaurant handy for late-night and early-morning meals.

Vegetarian, vegan and Israeli-style dishes are easy to find across these multi-cuisine kitchens.

Anjuna's beach shacks and bars serve cold beer (Kings and Kingfisher), cocktails and Goan feni, often with trance and ambient soundtracks. Curlies and Shiva Valley at the south end of the beach are the best-known day-into-night venues, while Paradiso is the headline clifftop club. Fresh juices, tender coconut water and lassi are the non-alcoholic options. Tap water is not safe — drink sealed bottled water only.

• Budget: numerous family-run guesthouses and beach huts cluster around the village and the lanes to the beach, with simple rooms from a few hundred rupees in the shoulder season; Manali Guest House is a long-running budget option near the centre.
• Mid-range: small resorts and guesthouses near the beach offer a/c rooms and pools, typically ₹1,500-3,500 in season.
• Upscale / heritage: boutique stays and villa rentals in and around Anjuna provide more comfort; for full luxury, the resorts of Vagator and Candolim are a short ride away.

Shopping is Anjuna's calling card. The Wednesday flea market is the big draw, packed with clothing, jewellery, textiles, music, spices and crafts — haggle hard, as failing to bargain means overpaying. Two large Saturday Night Markets nearby are also essential: Ingo's (on the way to Arpora, more diverse and good quality) and Mackie's (north of the river at Baga, with live music and food stalls). Roadside and beach stalls sell textiles and t-shirts, though the markets offer far more choice. Boutiques such as the designer showroom of Miriam Strehlau (behind the shore bar) sell limited-edition and customised pieces.

• Vagator & Chapora — about 3 km north; red-cliff beaches, the hilltop fort and Nine Bar.
• Baga — about 8 km south; nightlife and Tito's Lane.
• Mapusa — about 9 km east; the lively Friday market and bus connections.
• Arambol — about 30 km north; bohemian beach with a freshwater lake.
• Old Goa — about 25 km; UNESCO-listed Portuguese churches.