When you love beaches but Goa seems too crowded & expensive, Andaman & Lakshadweep are too far and Bali & Maldives are out of budget then visit Gokarna. The coastal town of Karnataka, Gokarna is famous for its beaches, beachside trekking and temples. Gokarna has a perfect blend of hippie and religious vibes. The beaches here are nothing less than a wonder while the temples have a great religious significance, especially among Lord Shiva Devotees. Major tourist attractions in Gokarna are not too fancy and are meant for a relaxing and rejuvenating vacation. So cancel out all your plans and visit Gokarna for a slow relaxing vacation with our complete Gokarna itinerary for 4 days –
Is Gokarna Worth Visiting?
The clear crystal beaches, less crowd, peaceful atmosphere, religious historical temples and adventurous water sports make Gokarna a crowd favorite destination. Due to its beach beauty, Goa regular tourist has now moved to Gokarna where the crowd is low, beaches are cleaner and most important of all affordable. And the Gokaran beach trek which covers 5 major beaches is one of the best beach treks in India
Apart from beach beauty, Gokarna is also famous among devotees of Lord Shiva as the famous Mahabaleshwara Temple has Atma Linga. So, if you’re looking for a place to relax on the sea shore then Gokarna is a worthy place to visit.
Best time to visit Gokarna
October to March is the best time to visit Gokarna when the climate becomes pleasant for sightseeing. The temperature hovers between 15 to 30 degree Celsius which is perfect to enjoy the beach beauty of this town. Just after the peak monsoon season during this time the natural beauty is at its peak making the surrounding a treat to watch. For more, you can check out the complete guide of the best time to visit Gokarna with temperature & seasons.
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How to reach Gokarna
Gokarna is well connected by train, road and flight to all major cities of Karnataka. So, here are 3 possible ways to reach Gokarna –
- By Road – Road is the most scenic way to reach Gokarna. Driving through the western ghat on one side and the vast Arabian sea on another is so mesmerizing that you’ll forget all the problems. The 144 KM road journey from Goa to Gokarna is one of the best road trips in India. You can also find direct buses or taxis from nearby cities like Goa, Mangalore, Bangalore etc. to Gokarna.
- By Train – Gokarna has its own station named Gokarna road at a distance of 10 Km from the main city. But it is a small station so it is not connected to major cities. Therefore, there is another railway station in Ankola at a distance of 26 KM from Gokarna which is the major train station near Gokarna. You can easily find direct trains from Goa, Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai etc. to Ankola.
- By Flight – The nearest airport to Gokarna is Dabolim Airport of Goa at a distance of 154 KM or 4 hour’s drive. Dabolim airport has excellent connectivity to almost all major airports in India. From Dabolim, you can easily get a taxi or bus to reach Gokarna.
How many days are enough for Gokarna?
You would need a minimum of 3 days to enjoy Gokarna at its best. And if you have more than 3 days then you can easily enjoy Gokarna beach beauty along with temples and nearby attractions like Yana caves, Murudeshwar and Jog falls. So let’s find out the best possible Gokarna Itinerary for 4 days –
The Complete Gokarna Itinerary
First Day in Gokarna –
Mahaganapati Temple – Start your journey with the blessings of Lord Ganesha. Wake up early in the morning and attend the aarti of Lord Ganesha at Mahaganapti temple of Gokarna.
Mahabaleshwara temple – Just a few steps away from Mahaganapati Temple there is the most famous temple of Gokarna, Mahabaleshwara temple. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and the main attraction of the temple is 6 feet tall Atmalinga. This temple has huge religious significance among devotees of Lord Shiva. Therefore, every year thousands of pilgrims visit the Mahabaleshwara temple to witness the Atmalinga.
Gokarna Beach – Now visit Gokarna beach which is just 350 meters away from the Sri Mahabaleshwara Temple. It is one of the beaches in Gokarna where you find lots of families and pilgrims. Surrounded by tall palm trees, it is the longest beach in Gokarna. You can easily spend hours walking along the coastline. There are many cafes & restaurants along the beach where you can enjoy the delicious seafood. Adventure lovers can indulge themselves in Kayaking, boating, hiking and surfing.
Mirjan Fort – Visit Mirjan fort which is just 21 KM away from the Gokarna. Spread over 10 acres, Mirjan fort is a historical monument that embraces architectural and natural beauty. The fort was built in the 16th century by Chennai Bhairavi Devi, the queen of Geroppa. There are various watch towers on the fort from where you can capture amazing pictures of surrounding regions. The fort is easily accessible by cab & bus from Gokarna.
Tadadi Port – For sunset visit Tadadi Port which is just 7 KM from Gokarna. It is also known as the land of Palm trees. Tadadi port is famous for fishing and agriculture. The cruise would be a wonderful experience on the water of the Aghanashini river & Arabian sea.
Gokarna Cliff Sunset Point – There are many cliffs in Gokarna from where you can enjoy the panoramic view of the sunset over the Arabian sea. Just ten minute hike away from Kudle beach parking there is a famous sunset point where you can spot tourists watching the sunset. Just sit there and enjoy the peaceful combination of sea and sunset.
Day 2 in Gokarna
Gokarna beach trek – Today you would take the Gokarna beach trek which is around 10 KM long. To complete the trek you would need around 5 to 6 hours depending on your speed & how much time you spend on each beach & taking pictures. The Gokarna beach trek covers 5 famous beaches of Gokarna – Gokarna main beach, Kudle beach, Om beach, half moon beach and Paradise beach. This whole journey includes one-way trek and one-way ferry ride.
It is an easy trek that requires basic physical fitness and you don’t need any tour guide to take this trek. You can trek this on your own.
Trekking and hiking between these beaches would take you to many hidden places which you can’t visit by vehicle. Therefore, the Gokarna beach trek is the best way to enjoy the true raw beauty of Gokarna. The trek will start from Gokarna beach and ends on Paradise beach or reverse. You can also include Belekan beach which is situated near Paradise beach.
Route – Gokarna Main Beach -> Kudle Beach -> Om beach -> Half Moon beach -> Paradise beach -> Belekan beach
Day 3 in Gokarna
Day 3 in Gokarna would be your adventure day. On day 3 you should try different water activities in Gokarna like boat rides, surfing, swimming, Banana boat ride, parasailing, jet skiing, speed boating, and bumper ride.
Om beach – Start your day with the refreshing vibes of Om beach. This beach is actually shaped like the Hindu religious symbol Om. There are rocky terrains at the beach where you can sit and enjoy the spectacular views of the sunrise. It is one of the best beaches in Gokarna to watch the sunset & Sunrise. There you can enjoy activities like speed boating, banana boat ride, jet skiing, bumper boat ride and trekking. There are some famous cafes where you can enjoy breakfast like Namaste cafe, Ganesh cafe, sunset cafe etc.
Half moon beach – Take a boat from Om beach to Half moon beach. Surrounded by the lush green & thick jungle, Om beach is the best place to seek some peace in Gokarna.
Kudle Beach – Now visit Kudle beach to enjoy different kinds of water sports like Banana boat ride, jet skiing, parasailing, bumper ride, surfing, swimming, and speed boating. Kudle beach is the best place in Gokarna for water activities.
Enjoy the nightlife at Paradise beach – In the evening visit Paradise beach for a beautiful sunset and happening nightlife. Paradise beach is mostly covered by rocky terrains from where you can capture the sunset. And if you’re lucky enough then you can witness the bioluminescent phenomenon at the beach. There are many shacks & cafes around the beach where you can enjoy bonfire, moonlight dinner and music & dance.
Day 4 In Gokarna
Yana Caves – Rent a bike or car and leave for Yana caves which is 48 Km from Gokarna. Yana caves are famous for its amazing natural beauty, mythological significance, unique structure and pattern of formation. Situated in the middle of forest, it is the best place to visit near Gokarna. There are two famous natural limestone peaks named Bhairaveshwera Shikara and Mohini Shikara which are believed to be representing Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Murudeshwar Temple – After exploring the Yana caves head towards the Murudeshwar temple which is 75 KM from Yana caves and 77 Km from Gokarna. Murudeshwar temple is home to the second tallest statue of Lord Shiva with a height of 123 feet. Surrounded by the Arabian sea and serene beach, it is one of the most beautiful temples in India. There is a 20-storey gopura from where you would get the bird’s eye of the entire temple complex.
Where to stay in Gokarna –
In the last few years, Gokarna has grown into a popular tourist attraction. There you can find various kinds of accommodation options like hostels, luxurious & budget hotels, beach shacks & huts, resorts and beach hotels. Check out the following hotels in Gokarna –
| Hotel Name/Rating out of 5 | Booking Info |
| Stone wood Nature Resort / 4.5 | 5129 – View Price & Photos |
| Namaste Yoga Farm / 4.2 | 3240 – View Price & Photos |
| Rudraksh Retreat / 4.6 | 3477 – View Price & Photos |
| River Stone Cottage / 4.5 | 300 – View Price & Photos |
| Hostellife Gokarna / 4.4 | 599 – View Price & Photos |
| Trippar Gokarna / 4.3 | 412 – View Price & Photos |
| Gokarna Mid Beach Stay / 4.7 | 539 – View Price & Photos |
| Tusker Tribe / 4.5 | 499 – View Price & Photos |
| Arthigamya Spa and Resort / 4.2 | 6000 – View Price & Photos |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Gokaran at night?
Om beach, Paradise beach, Halfmoon beach and Kudle beach are the best place in Gokarna for happening nightlife. There you can enjoy beach bonfire, dj night, and delicious food. The Gokarna beach trek is another interesting thing you can do in Gokarna.
What are the best places to visit near Gokarna?
Murudeshwar Temple, Yana Caves, Jog Falls, Netrani Island, Kumta, Karwar, Yellapur, and Dandeli are the best places to visit near Gokarna.
Is Gokarna cheaper than Goa?
Yes, Gokarna is way cheaper than Goa. Due to its slow-paced life it is known as the laid-back version of Goa. The hotels, cafes, and water sports are cheaper than Goa. Unlike Goa, Gokarna is not overcrowded and is still not that commercialized.
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