Mamallapuram or Goa?

I'm looking for a short beach holiday after spending 4+ months travelling in India... I'll be in Tiruvannamalai until just after New Years and i'm wondering whether i should do Mamallapuram or Goa...

I'm not looking for a party scene... i'd prefer just to relax on a beautiful beach for a couple days and then come back to the states..


Thanks,

Drew

There is no similarity between them. Mamallapuram does have nice beaches but that's not really the draw. It's got amazing stone sculptures. It does have plenty of places to stay and eat from budget to higher and if you want a beach and also some unique temples, then it's a good place to go.

Quite a few years ago (before the 2004 Tsunami which hit Mamallapuram & exposed some unknown ancient temples) we spent a few nice days there but didn't hang out at the beach.


Goa is all about tourists (both local & foreign) and caters to them with all kinds of accommodations and restaurants & it's mainly a beach scene. There aren't too many tourist sights, though there are a few like the interesting colonial buildings in Panjim & some spice farms a short drive away.

Depending on which one of the dozens of beaches you choose from, you can find a relaxing place without a party scene in Goa. In 2011 we spent a relaxing couple of weeks in Candolim.

camelgirl is right. I've been to Mamallapuram at least 4 times and there's definitely no party scene, not like what I've heard about Goa.

You can definitely relax at Mamallapuram but I don't consider it a beautiful beach. For that, go to Varkala, Kerala instead -- red cliffs there. You can fly to the US from Trivandrum in Kerala.

beaches in Goa much better for swimming-too many locals/pilgrims having a crap on the beach in Mahabalipuram when i was there!!