Anjuna Beach: Goa's Hippie Heartland and Best Beaches Guide

Anjuna Beach, a legendary stretch of sand on Goa’s west coast, is where the 1960s counterculture first took root in India. Also known as the birthplace of Indian hippie tourism, it’s not just a beach—it’s a living piece of global travel history. People still come here for the open-air trance parties, the flea market stalls piled with handwoven clothes and incense, and the feeling that time slows down just a little when you step onto the warm sand.

What makes Anjuna different from other beaches in Goa? It’s the energy. While Palolem is quiet and family-friendly, and Vagator leans toward luxury resorts, Anjuna thrives on raw, unfiltered freedom. You’ll find backpackers trading stories under bamboo huts, local artists selling silver jewelry they carved themselves, and old-school surf shops still using the same wooden boards they’ve had since the 80s. This is where the hippie capital of India was built—not by marketers, but by travelers who refused to leave. The Goa beaches here aren’t just for swimming; they’re for listening to live sitar at sunset, eating fresh coconut water from a cart, and finding a stranger who’ll invite you to join their bonfire.

If you’re looking for the real Goa, not the Instagram version, Anjuna delivers. It’s messy, loud, colorful, and alive. The market opens every Wednesday, and by noon, it’s packed with people from everywhere—Europe, Australia, Russia, the U.S.—all drawn by the same thing: the feeling that this place doesn’t care about your schedule, your job, or your bank account. It just wants you to be here, now. That’s why, even in 2025, Anjuna still pulls in more first-time visitors than any other beach in India. And if you’ve ever wondered where the Anjuna Arambol guide stories come from, it’s here—where the music never really stopped, and the spirit of discovery still walks barefoot on the shore.

Below, you’ll find real stories from travelers who’ve lived it, eaten it, danced it, and walked away changed. Whether you’re planning your first trip or your tenth, these posts will show you what Anjuna actually feels like—not what the brochures say.