India is known to be tough to travel in as a lone female but how about the more liberal Goa? A place where things are more laid back but that comes with the problem of Indian tourists (and those of other places in the world) who are not used to the scantily clad Europeans who frequent Goa’s beach. The secret for me is to find female friendly places that I know will keep me safe and secure.
I have travelled all over the world as a lone female. Some people are shocked. However I have met plenty of females who are travelling solo. I have never had too much of a problem and this extends to Goa and India as a whole.
Check out my post about staying safe as a female in India.
However I have found some places which are exceptional for females whilst visiting Anjuna, one of my favourite places to stay in Goa. So I have put together this guide for the top five places I personally recommend in the area in and around Anjuna, which are considered as female friendly places.
Niktas beach bar.
I discovered Niktas in 2013 and I have since used it every time I have a beach day in Anjuna, Goa. In fact I never go anywhere else.
Praveem and the others who work there do not hassle you when using the sun loungers. They will stop you from being pestered on the beach by over excited Indian tourists who want to take your photo. They will even wave away the sly photographers who pretend to be taking a selfie to try and include you in the photo. Unfortunately in a bikini or fully clothed this is a regular occurrence on Anjuna beach and most of the beaches of Goa.
No sleezing, no pressure and no worries. The food is also good here and it is a nice location to watch the sunset.
German Bakery
Off the beach and more towards Anjuna village, you will find a trendy little cafe. Depending what you choose off the menu, you can eat for a reasonable price here. I come every day for my breakfast purely because the grub is good, the WiFi is usable, unlike a lot of places, and I never get any hassle sitting there . . . . alone.
It is mostly foreigners who frequent this place and you are not going to get authentic Indian food here however it is healthy and tastes good. Exactly what I want for my breakfast.
A no hassle area and one of the female friendly places in Anjuna.
Yuppi Hippi Guest House.
This cool Guest House is set in the grounds of the original hippy house in Anjuna. The rooms are really nicely decorated but are a little out of my price range. What is great about this place is they have a 5 bed hostel dorm, for females only. With a nice little curtain around the beds, clean bathroom with hot water, soap and shampoo provided and a locked security locker big enough to store your bag and other valuables. It is one of the female friendly places i Anjuna; its grounds are cool and the manager is friendly and will put even the most nervous female traveller at ease.
The Villa Green Mango
If you want somewhere to stay which is away from the sound pollution of Anjuna beach then I recommend The Villa Green Mango. Situated on the road towards Mapusa it is just a 15min ride from Anjuna Beach. They have beautiful apartments with everything you could need. They also have a pool and a really nice garden. The manager Pradeep is very knowledgeable about the local area and will bend over backwards to help you.
You will also get to meet his wonderful wife and super cute son who will make your stay extra memorable.
An extra bonus for staying in Villa Green Mango is that Green The Map is just next door, an upcycle collective.
Adventure Breaks.
I took three trips with Adventure Breaks who offer so many different activities such as canoeing, sailing, cycling, hiking and climbing. Ashwin is an amazing guide and I really felt at ease with him in both private and group tours.
Their tours are well organised with good equipment and very informative. They are based in Porvorim but do tours all over Goa and also Hampi.
There are many other female friendly places within Goa which I would recommend but these are my top five.
Other places I particularly like are:
Beam me up
Green the Map
Artjuna
Have you ever been to Goa? Would you like to visit any of these female friendly places? Please comment below. Don’t forget to subscribe (It’s free!) to my blog for more posts like this and interesting travel tips.
My sister will visit Goa very soon, and she will be alone for two days, before meeting with her ex-college mate there (her friend lives in another country and so they don’t leave with the same flight). I was worried for the safety of my sister, because what I heard about Goa, but if you and the other people who wrote the comments on this post have had such a good experience, I just should be really relaxed. Thank you
I am glad that my post has done a little to put your mind at rest. I hope your sister has an amazing time.
The Villa Green Mango looks so fun, and the owners sound wonderful. I agree with ‘Ticking the Bucketlist’ and the comment about being more safe when you are willing to spend a bit more on accommodations and activities.
I have not yet traveled to India but I will get there as this is a country I have always wanted to see. From what I have read, Goa is the undisputed resort area of India and the information you have provided here will be so useful. Thank you.
All of the places you named looked so vibrant and colorful! I have always dreamed of going to Goa and wondered how safe it was for female traveling. Although I rarely get scared from those things. Any beach is perfect for me 🙂
Love how colorful each of these places are! I haven’t been to India or Goa yet, but it is on my list! Definitely saving this for when we do make it out there! Thank you!
Wow this place in Goa looks amazing. I ve never been in India, but if I go on a solo trip I will definitely include these tips here. I loved the hippie guest house so much!!
I love Anjuna..and the flea market is even better during the winter months. Breakfast at German Bakery is delightful! Honestly, travel in India can be safe for a lot of women if they dont aspire to live on 30 USD per day are open to spending USD 100 per day for quality accommodation, safe transport and good guides. Things get difficult when women think that ‘India is a 3rd world country and should be done cheap’.
Would love to meet you when you are in India next …happy travelling!
Being an Indian, I do feel sad when places get generalized as unsafe! So thanks for making this list!
The Yuppi Hippie Guest House looks super cool and safe as well! I might check it out myself when I visit Goa.