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Goa, being India's most popular beach destination has some iconic beaches that are immensely popular among tourists. Most of these beaches happen to be located in North Goa. As a matter of fact, there is only one beach, Palolem beach, in South Goa that is frequented by tourists. While one can't ague against the fact that Palolem is a hip place to hang out and spend the day, I recently discovered a gem of a beach which is only 2.5 km away from Palolem beach. Read along to discover Patnem beach with me.
Patnem beach, located 40 km south of Margao city, is the twin sister of Palolem beach. The road leading up to the beach is a vibrant and colorful narrow lane dotted with shops selling colorful beach wear. Equally cheerful is the beach which is lined with shacks that have huts which are rustic yet bright. Almost all the shacks have lounge chairs outside to sit and enjoy on the beach. Alternately, you can sit inside the shack, sip a cocktail and observe the waves from a distance.
The crescent-shaped beach stretches over 1.6 km, thus making it perfect for long walks. Both ends of the beach have rocks protruding out of the sea. From the south end of the beach, it is possible to climb a few of these rocks and cross over to the adjoining Rajbagh beach (I wouldn't advice doing this though!). On these rocks, you will often find individuals sitting and reveling in the views of the sea.
Above all, the cleanliness of Patnem beach has been unaffected by the attention it has been getting from tourists and foreigners alike. It's important for us travelers and locals to ensure that we do not loiter the places we visit and to preserve it's sanctity. The beaches won't look as alluring if they were littered with waste.
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I spent my day on Patnem beach by walking along the shoreline with my feet in the water. I watched little kids scream gleefully as waves came crashing on the beach. Youngsters were playing frisbee, couples embracing each other and families enjoying a fun day at the beach. I chose a shack and settled down for lunch. It was one of the many colorful Patnem beach huts! I ordered spaghetti in red sauce and my favorite cocktail to accompany it. After a hearty meal, I lazed on the diwan, waiting for the sun to go down.
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Why Patnem?
Although Goa has a plethora of beaches, there are only a few that provide a hipster and radiant vibe. With Arambol being the mother-ship of boho beaches, Patnem and Palolem are the hippy children in the south. Here, you don't just get colorful beach shacks and cute cafes. Unlike it's northern counterparts, Patnem beach is located amid laid-back villages and lots of greenery. On getting out of the beach, you don't have to face a swarm of tourists. In fact, you're greeted by lush greenery and quiet lanes that allow you to rediscover yourself, while lost within them.
Where to Stay in Patnem?
Patnem beach has plenty of beach huts which are a great budget stay option in Goa. Most of these huts can be found on the website of Booking.com. If you're not too eager about staying in Patnem, you can head over to the nearby Palolem beach. The Palolem beach huts are quite popular.
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Okay I have visited Goa maybe 20 times or more and have never seen this beach. I love Palolem though so I must check this out next time – thanks for sharing 🙂
I hope you make it to Patnem 🙂 It’s a great beach and I’m sure you’ll have a fantastic time there !!
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