Begin your day early with a trek to the Gokarna Beach, starting from the Gokarna Town beach. The trail provides stunning views of the ocean and rocky landscapes, including a small waterfall to take a refreshing swim. After the trek, visit the Mahabaleshwar Temple, one of the most secluded and ancient temples on the west coast of India. The temple has unique architecture and is devoted to Lord Shiva. Visitors can witness the captivating Hindu rituals and ceremonies held regularly at the site.
Travel to the 16th-century Mirjan Fort, an intricately designed Neat age monument, around 22 miles from Gokarna Beach. The fort was used by the Keladi Nayakas for heroic battles with Portuguese. After exploring the fort, take a 50-minute drive to the Yana Caves, a unique, naturally-formed karst cave in the Sahyadri mountain range with a black crystal linga inside its Shiv Temple. It is considered a popular destination to see fascinating geological formations.
Two days are enough to explore the highlights of Gokarna. Start early to avoid crowds and have sufficient time to experience the various destinations. If you have more time, you may opt to visit other beaches near Gokarna like Half Moon beach, Om beach, and Kudle beach. However, plan to spend more time accordingly and check the opening and closing time to avoid disappointment. Travelers may also want to try authentic local food like neer dosa, idli, vada, with coconut chutney, and end the day with a sunset by the beach.