The hidden gem of Karnataka, Gokarna is a lovely paradise that never fails to amaze its visitors, whether you’re a history buff, an experience seeker, a nature admirer, or an adventure enthusiast. Book a Gokarna Local Sightseeing Tour Package to explore the best of Gokarna with your family and friends.
Nestled on the coast of Kanwar, this Hindu pilgrimage town, also referred to as the land of golden sands, blue seas, and palm trees, offers the best of leisure and the recreational world to national as well as international tourists.
The breathtaking views, unmissable charm, and surreal setting of this place invite you to relax, unwind, and rejuvenate yourself in tranquility and the adrenaline-fuelled water sports give you a chance to explore the hidden side of you in a fun and happy environment.
Ideal for individuals, couples, and families with children, the quaint town of Gokarna is blessed with a plethora of unseen wonders that will surely quench your thirst for travel. There are pristine beaches to experience sun, sea, and sand under one roof; there are ancient religious sites to seek positivity from the inside out; there are verdant landscapes to be in the lap of mother nature and there are local shops to know about the culture of this tourist destination.
You can also dine out at the roadside eateries to relish the flavors of lip-smacking delicacies on the go. What else?
You can opt for Gokarna Local Sightseeing Tour Packages to cover the top sightseeing places on your trip and we at Holidays DNA, have also prepared a list that you can keep handy the next time to plan a getaway to explore the local tourist places with your near and dear ones. These are as follows:
1. Gokarna Beach
A popular go-to beach in Gokarna, Gokarna Beach is widely renowned for boasting an exquisite location and beautiful stretches of sand that draws the attention of thousands of locals and international visitors in large numbers every year.
It’s a 7 km long beach that invites people to engage in various recreational activities including trekking, surfing, jet skiing, banana boating, and snorkeling. Here you can also perform yoga in the morning to kick-start your day with a new spirit.
Other than that, there are also many local vendors selling souvenirs along with unique cafes to satiate your little hunger pangs with quick refreshments. What else? It’s a place where you can also bring your picnic baskets to spend some quality time with your family. The best time to visit Gokarna Beach is from October to March as the weather remains pleasant during this time, making your visit more enjoyable.
2. Om Beach
Named after its shape that looks like the symbol “OM”, Om Beach is another wonderful beach that welcomes locals and tourists to enjoy the beach life in utmost tranquility. It’s a lovely paradise for shutterbugs looking to click some amazing photographs for their portfolios.
The amazing skyline you get to see from its shores is worth capturing with the camera and the breathtaking sunset will surely make your heart skip a beat, giving you a major reason to flock to this beach again.
Boating is a hit water sport here. During boating, you might also spot the dolphins if you’re lucky. Other activities that are famous among the beach lovers at Om Beach are fishing, beachside trekking, bumper boat ride, and banana boat ride. To make the most of your visit, you can also choose to enjoy the affordable accommodation to explore its surroundings to the best.
3. Mirjan Fort
Lying about 11 km away from Gokarna is the Mirjan Fort which stands as a trademark of the cultural glory. It’s the 16th-century historical edifice that takes history buffs back into the bygone era and reminds them of our glorious past.
Situated on the banks of the Agnanishi River, Mirjan Fort is a popular tourist attraction to explore on your Gokarna tour. The architecture spotted by high walls, bastions, and watch towers is surely a treat to watch with a temple where you can seek blessings from the presiding deity for the health and wellness of your life.
It is worth noting that, on every Independence Day, the Indian Flag is hoisted at the fort by the government authorities every year to pay respect and honor to the country.
4. Koti Tirtha
The next destination to be included in the itinerary list of must-visit sightseeing places in Gokarna is Koti Tirtha. Considered as the most sacred place, Koti Tirtha is a man-made pond that holds great importance among the people over there for its religious significance.
Surrounded by pilgrimage sites on the three sides and tall coconut trees on the fourth side, the Koti Tirtha helps you perform the last rights of your beloved ones and pay respect to them by taking a bath in its holy water.
Here you’ll also find many priests and monks sitting around the pond and chanting mantras on an everyday basis. It covers an area of 6 acres of land and also lies in close proximity to the Mahabaleshwar Temple. So, whenever you’re here, try to cover this temple as well to enjoy your visit to the fullest.
Shopping
Lastly, don’t go back home without shopping in Gokarna! Home to various local markets, Gokarna offers an amazing shopping opportunity for shopaholics to spend a few bucks on shopping and buy some souvenirs for their loved ones.
From beautiful jewelry made from seashells to home decorative items, prayer beads, brass lamps, incense sticks, and pictures of many Gods and Goddesses, one can get mind-blowing stuff at reasonable prices if you’re good at bargaining.
In addition to all this, you can also purchase brightly colored merchandise to add some vibrant colors to your closet and your life. Make sure to spare enough time for shopping as it can easily consume your 4-5 hours.
If interested and have time, you can also plan to explore the other sightseeing places in Gokarna like Paradise Beach, Yana Caves, Half Moon Beach, Full Moon Beach, Kudle Beach, Bhadrakali Temple, Maha Ganpati Temple, Namaste Café, etc., to have a great time with your near and dear ones on the trip.
Need any help with your itinerary planning? Get in touch with us. We at Gokarna Tourism, a division of Holidays DNA, offer a range of all-inclusive Gokarna tour packages to address the varied needs of our clients.
Depending on your holiday budget and duration, you can also opt for our Gokarna Darshan Packages to cover the topmost tourist places within the town. For your ease, we have curated a list of top car rental companies in Gokarna from where you can book a cab to travel at leisure. What else? Please fill out the Contact Us form to know more about our services.
How to Reach Gokarna?
By Air: Dabolim Airport in Goa is considered as the nearest airport to Gokarna and it is approximately 140 km away. Due to its great connectivity to the other airports in India and international countries, many tourists prefer traveling by air to cover the maximum distance in the least possible time. Outside the airport, you can hire a rental taxi to commute further to your desired location.
By Train: Nearly 20 km away lies the Ankola Railway Station which receives frequent trains from the metro cities like Mumbai, Mangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, etc., Not only is it a pocket-friendly way of traveling to Gokarna but also provides a safe and comfortable journey to all age groups. From there at the station, one can choose from various available options that will help them reach Gokarna at their utmost convenience.
By Road: Gokarna maintains great road connectivity to its neighboring areas and hence, can be easily accessed by people via road. Depending on your budget and holiday style, one can either catch a state-owned bus run by the KSRTC department for the ease of travelers or simply drive their own vehicle to make the most of their road trip. The choice is yours!
