Gokarna is coastal Karnataka's laid-back beach town that offers more than just beaches and serene vibes. It's also a temple town steeped in history. In this 48-hour Gokarna guide, we have curated the list of must-visit beaches, trekking trails, and temples. Be sure to bookmark this page for your next trip to Gokarna.
The Only Ultimate 48-Hour Gokarna Guide You Need When You Visit The Beach Town
How To Get There
Gokarna is about 450 kilometres or a 9-hour drive from Bangalore and you can reach here by train or bus. You can also take the Karwar Express and get down at Gokarna from Yesvanthpur Junction Railway Station. KSRTC runs buses to Gokarna form Bangalore.
Places To Visit: Beaches
Kudle Beach
One of the five beaches that make up Gokarna, Kudle is the most famous of the lot is surrounded three sides by hills. You can sunbathe, build sandcastles, catch the sunrise or sunset, chill with your book or work out. Nighttime is great for listening to the waves crash and watching the stars above. There are lot of activities that happen including water spots and banana boat.
Om Beach
Om Beach might rival the more famous Kudle. The beach gets its name because of its unique shape. It's one of the best beaches to catch the sun setting over the horizon. You can also hike Om Beach viewpoint to get the best beach view.
Half Moon Beach
The trek to Half Moon Beach is quite fun and this is another beach that's also secluded and features lesser crowd. Set up camps, go for a beach run, or just relax and chilli – the possibilities are endless. Plus, the trek to Half Moon Beach from Om Beach is through a rocky terrain that's quite scenic too.
Paradise Beach
The smaller beach was once a hippie have and today it's a spot of beach vacays for folks from all around Karnataka and neighbouring states. There are not a lot of shacks and places to eat around here but it's a great spot to just relax and chill with your thoughts or your friends. Play a game of frisbee or just make camp.
Places To Visit: Temples
Mahabaleshwar Temple
One of the important temples in Gokarna that is dedicated to Lord Shiva, this Dravidian temple is an important pilgrimage site for devotees. While you marvel at the temple complex and the intricate carvings, there's the massive 6-foot-tall Atmalinga that is said to have been there for centuries.
Shree Maha Ganapati Dev Temple
This temple is Lord Ganesha, and is close to the Mahabaleshwar Temple. The idol of the deity is a black stone and the temple is built in the Dravidian style. The temple features sculptures on the walls.
Places To Visit: Adventure
Gogarbha Cave
Known as Shiva Cave but locally Gogarbha Cave has a cave temple has a Shivalinga where you might find folks meditating away. It's an unassuming cave and a literal hole in the ground situation. The cave has formations of stalactites and stalagmites.
Yana Caves
The splendid rock formations at Yana can be accessed through a forest trail that you can trek. The rocks are formed by black limestone with the twin peaks, Mohini Shikhara, and Bhairaveshwara Shikhara, standing majestically. At the base of the second peak is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. You can go around the temple to visit the open cave formation.
Mirjan Fort
The Mirjan Fort is a must-visit when you are in Gokarna. It's about half hour from the town and the 16th-century fort offers adventure with a slice of history. The ruins of the majestic fort are still worth checking out and from the top, you get a scenic view.
