Siolim hosts a distinctive 175-year-old boat festival tradition where revellers from surrounding villages (Chapora, Zhor, Badem, Assagao) arrive in beautifully decorated boats to pay homage at the Chapel of São João in Pereira Vaddo. Boats are decorated with flowers, leaves, and designs of guitars, birds, fruit baskets, sea creatures, and mythical creatures. Festival begins at 3:30 PM with boats arriving between 4 PM and 5:30 PM.
Why it mattersCatholic religious festival celebrating St. John the Baptist, merged with monsoon and community traditions
Going for this? Siolim in June
June in Siolim is the rare monsoon month worth the trip — the only Goa coastal destination with a calendar reason to come now. São João (June 24, feast of John the Baptist) is Goa's 175-year-old water-festival signature event and Siolim is the recognised epicentre. The village fields a 100-boat float parade on the Chapora River from the Siolim-Chopdem ferry point at 11am, men wear kopels (palm-and-flower crowns), an…
See the Siolim June guide →
Getting there
Nearest airport
Goa International Airport (GOI) — 45km
Nearest railway
Thivim Railway Station — 10km
Where to stay in Siolim
Marbela Beach Resort
₹7,000-15,000/nightbeach-resort · Morjim/Ashwem, across the Siolim-Chopdem bridge
17-year-old beachfront property on Ashwem strip — the natural 'next stop' once you cross the Siolim bridge north. Spa villas, suites and beach huts; #4 of 96 Morjim hotels on TripAdvisor. Most Siolim travellers actually sleep here.
Casa Vagator
₹8,000-18,000/nightboutique-resort · Ozran Beach, Vagator (10 min from Siolim)
Boutique cliffside resort with two outdoor pools and partial sea views over Ozran Beach. 25 rooms across 'Favourite', 'Star' and 'Luxury' suites. Useful overflow for Siolim when Siolim House is full.
Siolim House
₹12,000-25,000/nightheritage-hotel · Siolim village
17th-century Indo-Portuguese 'Casa de Sobrado' manor — once the home of a Governor of Macau. UNESCO World Heritage Site finalist in 2001. One of the last surviving 17th-century houses in North Goa, restored as a boutique heritage hotel with pool, spa and morning yoga.
All stays in Siolim →
Where to eat
Thalassa
LegendaryVaddy, Siolim · ₹₹₹
Signaturelamb kleftiko
Book a sunset table 7-10 days ahead in season. Belly dance Wed/Sun, LED show Thu/Sat, fire show Fri — all at 8pm. Open year-round but the Siolim river view is at its best Nov-Feb.
Hosa
LegendarySiolim, Bardez · ₹₹₹₹
Signaturetellicherry pepper crab roast
Ask for the dining terrace, not the indoor room — the river view at sunset is the whole point. The vegetarian tasting menu is unusually strong; even committed carnivores order it as a parallel side.
Sublime Goa
Assagao, 3km south of Siolim · ₹₹₹₹
SignatureTasting plate (chef's choice)
Reserve 1-2 weeks ahead December-January. Tasting menu is the order — à la carte is shorter and less interesting. Wine pairing optional, ₹2,500-3,500. Cards work; service charge included.
Bawri
Assagao-Anjuna Road, 2.5km south of Siolim · ₹₹₹
SignatureLaal maas
The royal thali is the volume order; laal maas is the better quality call for a couple. Reserve via Zomato or call +91-8329020906. Cards work; service charge applies.
All eateries in Siolim →
What else to see in Siolim
St. Anthony's Church
Twin-steeple church (1630) in the heart of Siolim village. Unique altar statue of St. Anthony holding a serpent tied with cord, commemorating a shipwreck legend. White facade over…
Chapora River Sunset Boat Cruise
Evening boat cruises depart from Siolim Jetty along the Chapora estuary. Views of river backwaters, fishing boats, and surrounding villages. Operational November–May. Dolphin spot…
Siolim-Chopdem Bridge
499-meter bridge (opened 2002) connecting Siolim to Pernem taluka. Gateway to northern beaches (Morjim, Ashwem, Arambol). Stunning estuary views at sunset. Walking and cycling pat…
