Goa vs Kerala: a holiday head-to-head

Goa and Kerala may be located on the same sunny Indian coast, but they couldn’t be more different.

Goa’s white-sand beaches backed by swaying palms look like they’ve been lifted straight from a postcard. Goa brings the magic for both bohemian travellers and those after something more refined – pretty colonial houses contrast against hippy markets and Baroque churches sit near stylish boutique hotels. Kerala, meanwhile, is all about the tranquil waterways that flow languidly to the Arabian Sea. The pulse here is slower and the air is fragrant with spicy aromas. If you’re stuck between Goa or Kerala for your honeymoon or next exotic escape, this guide will peel back the layers of each destination, so you can find the right fit.

Goa overview

Compact and carefree, Goa blends beaches, Portuguese heritage, music and yoga retreats into one heady cocktail. By day, spot dolphins from a boat, savour the scents at spice plantations and calm your spirit with a sunset yoga practice. By night, buy trinkets at the buzzy markets and dance to live music under the stars. Affordable North Goa thrums with energy and is popular with backpackers, especially Calangute and Anjuna. The South embodies laid-back luxury, with a peaceful vibe – imagine barefoot dinners on soft sands at Benaulim beach.

Kerala overview

Kerala is made for slow travel. Its famed mirror-calm waterways wind past lush jungle teeming with wildlife and while there are beaches — Kovalam’s classic crescent and Varkala’s dramatic cliff-top cafés — the real magic lies inland. Picture hill stations cooled by cinnamon-scented breezes, colonial towns steeped in history and tangled wilderness spilling into serene backwaters. Cruise effortlessly along the waterways while sipping a chai, seek out elephants in Periyar, learn about tea production at Munnar or go camera-ready to Kochi’s art-filled alleyways.

Getting there & getting around

Goa is usually reached via one-stop flights through Mumbai, Delhi or Doha, with limited seasonal direct services from the UK. Day-trips are easy with a private driver.

Kerala’s gateways are Kochi and Trivandrum, also usually accessed via one-stop routes. Distances between Kerala’s sites are longer, so a chauffeured car is the most convenient way to connect beaches, backwaters and hill stations.

Vibe & scenery

Goa attracts a sociable crowd of boho free spirits – join them at Anjuna, Palolem, Candolim or Ashwem for sunrise beach yoga, café-hopping afternoons and lantern-lit parties after dark. Coconut palm groves line the coastline, estuaries reflect the glow of the setting sun and colonial towns radiate shabby chic with their pastel hues.

Kerala is a mosaic of waterways, mist-covered mountains, wildlife-rich rainforest and uncrowded beaches, where locals repair fishing nets in the shadow of the trees. Traditional village life ticks along in tune with nature to a soundtrack of birdsong and temple bells. Whether you choose the backwaters, beaches or hills, Kerala will hypnotise you with its natural beauty.

Beaches & coastlines

When weighing up Goa or Kerala for a beach holiday, here’s what you need to know:

Goa’s northern beaches attract the most visitors. In the south, you’re likely to find a large patch of sand all to yourself. Our favourites are Benaulim for escaping the crowds, Candolim for low-key luxury, Palolem for beach-shack vibes or Ashwem for yoga chic – and the bonus of perhaps spotting a turtle!

Kerala’s beaches might whisper rather than shout, but they’re unspoilt showstoppers. Marari is peaceful and straight out of a Bounty advert, while the arced sands of Kovalam invite meandering strolls to the lighthouse. Varkala pairs caramel-coloured sand and dramatic cliffs that seem to melt into the sea. Perched on the cliff edge you’ll find cafés and yoga studios with spellbinding views.

Culture & experiences

Colourful Goa is an artist’s palette of whitewashed Portuguese churches, cobalt green plantations, aromatic red-orange spices and rainbow-coloured bags, shoes and saris on display in the markets. But it doesn’t overpower – it’s both lively and laid-back, showcasing its rich history alongside modern-day nightlife.

Kerala overflows with culture – watch a Kathakali dance by candlelight or sit at a safe distance to see the ancient martial art of Kalaripayattu, where acrobatic men brandish curved swords with dexterity. Learn about the Toddy Tapper caste, who shimmy up palm trees at dawn, and soak up the views while sipping tea in the highlands.

Cuisine

Unsurprisingly, India’s spices just taste better in India. One thing we guarantee you is enough flavour to make your tastebuds tingle with delight.

Goan cuisine fuses India and Portugal on a plate. Think tangy vindaloo, cashew-rich Xacuti, prawn balchão gift-wrapped in poi bread and fish thali. International flavours abound too and beach cafés throw out great wood-fired pizzas, smoothies and lassis.

Keralan kitchens go heavy on coconut and spice, with meen moilee (fragrant fish curry), crisp-edged appams with creamy stew, healthy avial (vegetables in coconut sauce) and vegetarian thalis smothered with mango pickle. The food stays true to its roots, following time-honoured recipes.

Spa & wellness

Kerala is the birthplace of Ayurveda; retreats such as Niraamaya entwine oil treatments, dawn meditation and plant-based gastronomy into every aspect of your stay. Wellness isn’t an add-on here; it’s a way of being. Goa has sublime spas and world-class yoga, but pampering is more like the cherry on the cake, rather than the main ingredient.

Where to stay

Goa

Ahilya by the Sea – an intimate, art-filled Portuguese-style hideaway overlooking Dolphin Bay

Taj Exotica Resort & Spa – palm-laced luxury with optional activities on South Goa’s longest expanse of beach

Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa – 16th-century ramparts, Indian Ocean views and local artisan activities such as wood carving

Kerala

Looking for your own bespoke sightseeing tour? Our tour experts can tailor-make a trip for you. Or join one of our specialist tours, Enchanting Kerala or the Kerala Explorer Tour. Highlights include a visit to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, an overnight houseboat stay and a tea-tasting session at Munnar. Wondering about a twin-centre holiday and where to stay in Goa and Kerala? Our India specialists are at the ready to advise.

Best time to visit

Goa vs Kerala – which one wins when it comes to weather? Both are typically drenched in sun from November to March, with blue skies and lower humidity. December in Goa draws in revellers for the festive season. Kerala’s June – September monsoon is a wonderful opportunity to experience an Ayurvedic retreat. Stay inside and feel snug as the rain drums on the palm leaves while you’re oiled and massaged into a blissful slumber.

So, which will it be?

Still pondering which is better: Goa or Kerala? Let’s sum things up:

Goa: Bohemian buddies, sunset music, multicoloured markets, colonial constructions, laid-back beach days – this is the ideal spot for a group of friends, free spirits and anyone craving beach-bar culture.

Kerala: Slow-travel, cultural connections, coconut cuisine, emerald landscapes and authentic Ayurveda – a dream for culture seekers and wellness lovers.

This feature was created on 5th June 2025. The information within this feature is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication.