A large lake ringed by wooded hills near Bicholim, Mayem offers pedal boating, lakeside walks and a peaceful setting far from the beaches. It is a popular picnic spot, especially in the cooler months, and the lake draws birds in winter.

One of the largest and most visited temples in Goa, Shri Mangueshi is dedicated to Shiva as Manguesh. The deity was brought here from Cortalim in the 16th century to escape Portuguese religious persecution. Its seven-storey lamp tower, white façade and temple tank make it a fine example of Goan temple architecture.

Dedicated to the goddess Shantadurga, who is said to have made peace between Vishnu and Shiva, the temple at Kavlem was built in the 18th century under the Maratha ruler Shahu, after the deity was moved here from Quelossim during the Portuguese era. Its pyramid-shaped roof, tall lamp tower and large tank make it one of the grandest temples in Goa.

One of India's tallest waterfalls, Dudhsagar plunges about 310 metres in four tiers down the Western Ghats on the Goa–Karnataka border, its foaming white water giving it the name sea of milk. A railway line crosses its face, and visitors reach the base by jeep through the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary from Collem. It is most dramatic after the monsoon, though jeep trips are usually suspended in the heaviest rains.

Hidden in the forest at the foot of the Western Ghats, the Mahadev Temple at Tambdi Surla is the oldest surviving temple in Goa, built in the 12th or 13th century under the Kadamba dynasty from black basalt. Its remote setting helped it survive the destruction of temples in later centuries. A stream runs beside it, and its carved pillars and ceiling are finely detailed.

On a cliff above the Arabian Sea, Cabo de Rama Fort is said to be named after Rama, who by legend stayed here during his exile. Held by local rulers before the Portuguese took it in 1763, the fort has crumbling walls, old cannon and a small church of St Anthony still in use. The views along the coast are among the finest in South Goa.

A long, quiet beach between rocky headlands south of Cabo de Rama, Agonda is a nesting site for olive ridley turtles, and its calm atmosphere draws visitors looking for a slower pace. Simple huts and cafés line the back of the beach, and the sunsets are spectacular.

A small, secluded cove north of Palolem, Butterfly Beach is reached by boat or by a forest trail. It takes its name from the butterflies seen in the surrounding forest, and dolphins are often spotted offshore. With no shacks or buildings, it keeps a wild feel.

A crescent-shaped bay fringed with palm trees in Canacona, Palolem is one of the most beautiful beaches in Goa, with calm water that is good for swimming and kayaking. Boats leave from the beach for dolphin watching and trips to Butterfly Beach, and huts and cafés line the back of the sand.