Olaulim Backyards

A secret pocket in Goa most travellers miss

Set on an eco farm, Olaulim Backyards sits in a quiet village in Goa’s hinterlands, along the backwaters and far from the commercial coastline.

This family-run homestay is for travellers who want to experience a slower version of Goa, the one that existed long before beach clubs and neon signs.

There’s a minimum 2 night stay for a reason. You’re meant to slow down and stay a while.

River mornings, village life
Mornings begin with birds, not traffic. Paddle out on a kayak while the water is still glassy. Cycle past coconut groves. Wander village lanes without a plan. Spot kingfishers before morning coffee. A stay here is about giving your days back to nature.

Local by default
Run by a Goan family, with most of the team and suppliers drawn from the surrounding village, decisions are made locally and the way the place operates reflects the unhurried nature of the backwaters.

The stay remains intentionally small, connected to the village economy and respectful of the land and water that shape Goa’s daily life.

Six cottages, all personality
There are only six cottages here and none are copy-paste. Each one is styled uniquely, rustic but comfortable, designed to blend into the greenery rather than dominate it.

You’ll share the space with rescued dogs and cats, plus a pony and a donkey who are very much part of daily life. It feels like staying somewhere real, because you are.

Story behind Olaulim Backyards
Created by Savio, a Goan local and his wife Pirkko, who has been living in Goa for 35 years, they wanted to show travellers the version of Goa Savio grew up with, slower, greener and less commercial.

Together, they built a space that let travellers experience Goa as it used to be, knowing that it still exists if you step away from the busy coast.