Panaji
Photo: Sailko (CC BY 3.0)Goa's small riverside capital on the Mandovi: the Fontainhas Latin quarter, the Immaculate Conception church and Goan food.
Best for a day or two of heritage walks, Goan restaurants and as a hub for Old Goa, Reis Magos and the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary.
November: Season opens; best from mid-Nov
When to go
Things to do
- Walk the Fontainhas Latin quarter: Old Indo-Portuguese houses; eat at Viva Panjim
- Visit the Immaculate Conception Church: Open 9:00-12:30 and 15:30-19:30
- See the free Goa State Museum: Mon-Fri only
- Breakfast on bhaji pao at Cafe Tato: Vegetarian, closed Sundays
- Take the free ferry to Divar island: Ferries 7:00-20:00
- Birdwatch at Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary on Chorao: Check permission at the forest office
- Visit the church: 9:00-12:30 and 15:30-19:30 (TravelTriangle)
- Tour the galleries: Mon-Fri 9:45-13:15 and 14:00-17:30 (official site)
- Shop and bargain: Daily 7:30-20:00 (Outlook Traveller)
Top sights
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church
Panaji's landmark white church with a zig-zag stairway above the old town.
Goa State Museum
Free state museum in the Old Secretariat (Adil Shah Palace) in Panaji.
Sunaparanta, Goa Centre for the Arts
art gallery in Panjim, Goa
Calvim
island/village in Goa, India
Panaji Kadamba Bus Stand
Main bus terminus of Panaji for Kadamba (KTC) and interstate buses.
Nature and outdoors
Where to eat
Viva Panjim
Small family-run Goan restaurant in the Fontainhas quarter.
Mum's Kitchen
Home-style Goan restaurant in Panaji built on family recipes.
Ritz Classic
Popular Panaji lunch place for fish curry rice thali.
Kokni Kanteen
Budget Konkani-Goan eatery in Panaji.
Cafe Tato
Vegetarian cafe near the municipal market, open since 1913, famous for bhaji-pao.
Cafe Bhonsle
Old Panaji breakfast cafe for bun, bhaji and Goan samosa.
Shopping
Nearby
Other destinations close to Panaji.