Mapusa is the administrative headquarters of North Goa and the main market town for the northern part of the state. It doesn't have the beach-resort feel of the coastal villages, but it is one of the most practical towns in Goa for getting things done — buses, pharmacies, banks, and supplies are all here.
The Friday Market is the main reason to visit: a large weekly bazaar where traders come from across the region to sell vegetables, fish, spices, clothes, and all manner of goods. It gets busy and chaotic by late morning, which is exactly the point. The Church of Our Lady of Miracles is worth a look while you're in town — the church's annual festival has an unusual interfaith character that reflects Goa's distinctive religious culture. The Hanuman Natyagraha theatre is the main venue for Konkani drama in North Goa. From Mapusa, the beaches of Anjuna, Vagator, and Calangute are all within easy reach by auto-rickshaw or motorcycle.