Shallow red laterite cliffs border Anjuna's beaches, terraced coconut plantations add a dash of vivid green to its landscape and silvery white sands welcome the azure waters that endlessly wash over it and then recede. Anjuna's abundant natural beauty has made it a perfect setting for many a hopping beach party. Along with its frenetic parties, the beaches here also have a laid back atmosphere; many restaurants offer an array of global cuisines. Shops, stalls and lamani women sell trinkets from all over India and the option of water sports adds activity to an other wise lazy and relaxing holiday.
Attractions
Anjuna is so huge that there is actually a south, middle and north Anjuna beach. Most of the hotels, bars and restaurants are clustered around the north beach area. The St. Anthony's Church is worth a visit and the Flea Market makes the village come alive with colour every Wednesday. This colourful market was begun by the hippies who lived here in the 1970s, however, today one finds a large number of Tibetans, Kashmiris and Lamani women peddling all kinds of trinkets and clothes from all over India. An eclectic array of goodies can be found here, don't be surprised to come across some good quality hummus and yak cheese.
Entertainment
The nightlife is what Anjuna is really famous for. From raves on moonlit beaches to very many trance bars, Anjuna always has many simultaneous parties each night to keep things rocking. Water sports are another added attraction here, limited mostly to the calmer south beach area, snorkelling around the rocks allows one to spot a large variety of sea life.
Buy Wednesday Flea Market
On the way to the beach by main road, you'll cross the Wednesday flea market location. The Anjuna flea market is attracting so many people from all north Goa every Wednesday that the traffic becomes a problem in south Anjuna. if you're going with a 2-wheeler you'll have to pay a few rupees for parking. Inside the market, you'll find all the shops that are on the streets the rest of the week and some more. be careful not to be fooled by the sellers who will tell you that it's not even their cost price or that they can sell it to someone else for 3 or 4 time the price you want. If you plan to open your own shop in the flea market, it will cost you ₨ 100.
Ingos Saturday Night Market
This one is a must go, more diversity in the shops, good quality items, food stands but also usually more crowded. Many foreigners are running business in this market (didgeridoo player selling didgeridoos,to travellers doing some business to travel more, Tibetan cooking Tibetan food to raise money for Tibetan refugees, etc.). It's on the way to Arpora from Anjuna. You can also find some smaller night markets around, some are worth spending some time inside, others aren't.
Unfortunately it seems that Ingos has been forced to move from its old location at Arpora to a new location on the other side of the new road bridge just north of Siolim, its yet to be seen if the new location will be successful. Many of the Westerner stall holders have moved to Mackies for the moment.
Inkman's studio
Inkman's studio are known to be Printers, suppliers and distributers of promotional items. Apart from this they also deal in digital prints, papers, printers, inks. Inkman's studio products are known for their quality and economic prices. Inkman's studio first started in Mapusa, that is a business town close to where they have now moved. Located at the center of Anjuna,they cater to the tourism industry as well as the local markets. Known for customized printings for special occasions such as birthday's anniversary's weddings and all important events they have brought these products within the reach of the common man with extremely their low pricing.
Mackies Saturday Night Bazaar
This Goan run night-market has expanded recently and seem to have benefited from the problems experienced by Ingos, its worth a trip. It is located North of the river at Baga, to get there follow the windy road that heads south from Oxford Stores until you hit the T junction at Baga river, the entrance is just across the road to the left. Indian store-holders are concentrated in the first section, in the middle is a large bandstand with live music which seems to consist of popular covers from the package tourists from Calangute and Baga, you can buy beers here. Past the bandstand are the westerners stalls and the food stalls.
Roadside and Beach Stalls
It's impossible to miss these, you will be hounded by their owners saying 'come look my shop' at every opportunity. They have some good textiles and tee-shirts but mostly have the same items and there's much more choice at the markets. If you bargain hard you can get things for a good price but you may find the experience a bit draining.
Fashion showroom Miriam Strehlau
The showroom of the designer is just behind the shore bar and offers the opportunity to purchase limited editions and customized pieces besides the actual collections as well as home accessories artwork. Characteristic for the design is the fusion of contemporary and tradition style. A mix of innovative materials, sustainable fabrics and handcrafted Indian textiles.
Osama - Is one hip boutique in Anjuna that deserves a mention. They stock some really hip T shirts and accessories that is quite exclusive. And stuff that you don't find in the run of the mill shops around in Anjuna. Osama is a great place for the latest in Psychedelic Chique! They also have branches in Baga on Tito's Lane and in Arambol on the main road leading to the beach.
Money
There are three ATMs in Anjuna now right next to Dominoes Pizza: AXIS bank, HDFC bank & Kotak Mahindra. This is as you enter Anjuna from Baga side on the way to Starcos. There is also a Corp bank ATM on the road that connects to Vagator/Chapora from Starcos junctions. These developements have happened in the last year and a half or so.
Eat
Basilico is a pizza and pasta place near main crossing, to get there turn left on the way to Paradiso from main crossing, you'll see the sign indicating the way.
Biryani Palace is just down for Starco corner, this slightly more expensive restaurant specializes in North Indian dishes like Kebabs, Bryanis and Tandoor dishes. Friendly waiters.
Curlie's is one of the most active beach shacks of Anjuna beach. It's located near the south end of the beach. This is one place to go to meet people. It is also a racist place that systematically racially discriminates against Indians. If you are an Indian man, try going to the upstairs area of the shack at any point of the day or during any of their parties and you will be asked to pay an entry fee. Notice then how western tourists (men/women), however, are allowed to get in for free. After some prodding, the guy at the entrance will even admit to only charging Indians.
Munche's a.k.a. Munchies corner is open 24 hours a day. a place to eat food, have a drink, watch cable TV, meet people at night or find a list of upcoming parties. It's located on the left side of the road, on the road to Vagator between main crossing (Starco junction) and Oxford Arcade.
Oasis is one of the most popular restaurants in Anjuna. It serves cheep food and has friendly staff, its located on the north side of the main road towards the beach from Starco junction.
The German bakery is a nice and relaxing place for breakfast, having a drink with friends, or getting some quality bread and pastries. It's located on the way to the flea market, you can't miss the German bakery sign where you have to turn.
At LaFranza you will find one of the best Kingfish in Anjuna, King Prawns and Specialty's from the Tandoori-Oven (Chicken, Fish etc.) Try the Butter-Chicken, it's a must. Relax after a good Meal upstairs, or watch the Nightlife pasting by while you playing Pool or check your e-mail at the Internet-Cafe.
Zuri, net to the nightclub Paradiso, is a very nice place to go to eat. The views to the sea are beautiful and it feels really comfortable to be there with the breeze. The menu is not the best, but has some unique options.
Shore Bar. This is definitely the best place to eat in Anjuna. The food is really good and the menu is never ended!!! People are nice is is by the sea.
Avalon Sunset - Is a muliticuisine restaurant by the shore, good food and the Menu offers Indian, Israeli, Continental and Chinese. Very friendly staff. Being right on the shore by the rocks it s a great place just sit by and enjoy an afternoon drink as well. It's the first restaurant as you walk southwards towards the beach on the main street of Anjuna. They also hire bikes and the restaurant is a WI FI zone for browsing the internet. They even have laptops that they let the customers use.
Whole Bean, (on the main road to the Anjuna flea market). Excellent place for lunch. Offering great tofu and other health foods. Worth a try.
Bean Me Up Restaurant and Guest House, (Next To Anjuna Petrol station), ☎ 2273479, [1]. Bean Me Up is a popular Organic restaurant in Anjuna. Lots of vegetarian and vegan options available, amazing choice of salads and the food is always fresh and healthy, they do have musicians playing on certain nights, open for Breakfast, lunch and Dinner. Rooms also available
Nightlife
Anjuna is also the home of the most popular night club of goa: Paradiso, and so despite the fact that they will try to charge some people with entrance fee (Rs 200 to Rs 500+) and not others. Most of the time the security service will prevent the locals to enter the club. even if it's worth going in once to enjoy the view, this is not the place where you want to go if you're looking for parties. Better go to nine bar or hilltop in Vagator and ask around for open-air parties.
There are nightclubs catering to western package tourists in Baga and Calangute to the south that are easy enough to get to by taxi.
Curlies This is definitely one of the best places in Goa during daytime for trance people, freaks, hippies & other positive people... :-) It is located just next to the Anjuna Flea Market place, on the extreme south of Anjuna beach. Nice beach shacks with really nice music (psy trance & ambient in Curly's bar, and Israeli psy trance in some another beach shack 50 metres further to the south), nice people - so this is really excellent place for some psychedelic relaxation before/after parties, or just for watching the beautiful Goan sunset while drinking some fresh pineapple juice.
Location
Anjuna is a small sea side village that lies 18 kms away from Panaji, the capital of Goa. It is situated in the north Bardez Taluka, just south of Vagator Beach and north of the Baga-Calangute-Candolim stretch, from which it is cut off by the Baga river.
Getting There
Air - The nearest airport is at Dabolim, which is 29 km away from Panaji and 47 km from Anjuna. A pre paid taxi costs around Rs 700 from here to Anjuna.
Rail - From Thivim Station, which is 19 kms away, a taxi costs Rs 300 while from Panjim Station, which is 25 kms away, a taxi costs Rs 400.
Road - Motorcycle taxis take you from Anjuna to Vagator and Calangute. Buses operate from Panjim and Mapusa about every hour. Autos are also available from Mapusa.
