Panaji – the capital of Goa

What comes to your mind when you think of Goa – beaches, nightclubs, churches, forts, casino gaming, seafood and local Konkani delicacies? Panaji offers them all, unlike any other place in Goa. Panaji is the state capital of Goa, and perhaps India’s most relaxed capital city. Big beaches exist along with serene coves that remain peaceful and tranquil. There are glorious whitewashed churches, many colonial-era buildings, leafy boulevards, arty boutiques, backstreet bars, English cafes, French restaurants, and Goa’s only Latin Quarter, that will make you feel you have gone back to the Lisbon of old times.

Panaji is the biggest city in North Goa and also the state capital. So, there are many government offices and businesses. But the ambience doesn’t get commercial, which means, tourists will always feel at home here. Panaji also has a central location. So, you can easily plan visits to both North and South Goa from Panaji. You will be close to some of the most popular beaches – Candolim, Calangute, and Baga. As the capital city, you will find plenty of places to rent a car or bike. Panaji also has many good hotels and villas for rent.

Panaji or Panjim, the city’s old name offers something for everyone. For adults, there are many casinos on the Mandovi River at the northern flank of the city. Families will love to go on sunset or dinner cruises on the river. There is the beautiful seaside Campal Gardens for the kids. For teens and students, there is the Goa Science Center and Planetarium. If you are culturally inclined, then you must visit the Kala Academy and the churches. For yachting and sailing trip on the Arabian Sea, go to the Dona Paula jetty. And of course, there are many beautiful beaches too.

Panaji’s other name Panjim is inherited from Portuguese. This name is more popular in the western world, though most locals refer to the city as Panaji.

Panaji Map

Quick Facts About Panjim

Best Time To Visit Panaji

The best time to visit is between November and February, when the weather is nice and cool, there is very little rain and humidity. The summer is hot. Temperature will range between 33°C and 35°C, with some days being even hotter. Humidity makes it worse. Monsoon between June and early September sees a lot of rain because of the sea. There will be occasional thundershowers as well. The winter, December and January, sees better weather. It is cooler with very little rain and humidity. You can visit the many tourist attractions in Panaji and also do a walking tour without sweating.

Most tourists visit Panjim in the winter. But there are visitors throughout the year as it is the state capital. The Goa legislative assembly is at Panaji, and also a bench of the Bombay High Court. There are also many offices and businesses.

How To Reach Panaji

• By Air — The Dabolim airport is 27.8 kilometers from Panaji by the NH 66 and NH366. Air India, Indigo, Spice Jet, Go Air, Etihad, Air Arabia, Air Asia, Qatar Airways, and Jet Airways connect the airport to other Indian and international destinations. With average traffic, you will reach the city center from the airport in about an hour. Goa now has a second airport at Mopa. It is 34.8 kilometers from Panaji.
• By Rail — The Karmali railway station (station code – KRMI) is 13.2 kilometers away. However, most express trains do not stop here. It is best to take the train to Margao, which is at a distance of 49.5 kilometers. All trains stop here as Margao is a major Konkan Railway junction. It will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes from here by road. Or you can take a local train from Margao and get down at Karmali station.
• By Road — The capital of Goa is well connected with all Indian cities by road.

Top 10 Things To See In Panaji

1. Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception – Simply called the Immaculate Conception Church, it is a Baroque catholic church with an impressive façade. It has two towers with a bell at the center, which is Goa’s second largest bell. The white façade signifies the Immaculate Virgin Mary. This was a popular church even during the Portuguese times. Sailors used to offer their prayers here before going on a voyage. Services are held in Portuguese, Konkani and English.
2. Shri Mahalaxmi Temple – Very close to the Immaculate Conception church, this temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu’s consort Mahalaxmi. It offers excellent Konkani temple architecture. It has a grand entrance with a pair of elephants on arch. Inside, you will find engravings and paintings that tell stories from the Puranas. The original temple, close to Colva beach in South Goa, was destroyed by the Portuguese. The deity was moved to its present location.
3. Fort Aguada – Fort Aguada is located across the river from Panjim. This 17th century fort was erected by the Portuguese to guard the movement of ships from the harbor. It has Asia’s first lighthouse. The fort also offers fabulous views of the sea and river.
4. Campal Gardens – A beautiful garden located at the confluence of the Mandovi River and the Arabian Sea. Very well maintained, it has a beach, restaurants, toilets, and a statue of Bhagwan Mahavir. You can spend an afternoon and evening here. There are soccer and cricket grounds at its southern end.
5. Menezes Braganza Institute – Goa’s oldest established society. It was started by the Portuguese in the late 19th century to focus on literary, scientific, and cultural activities. During Portuguese rule, it was called the Institute of Vasco da Gama.
6. Altino Hill – An elite residential area and the home of Goa’s Chief Minister. It also has the Archbishop's palace and Panaji’s All India Radio station.
7. Old Town – Fontainhas or the Latin Quarter is another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Goa. You will see some beautiful old Portuguese mansions here in the narrow streets. See the houses with protruding balconies, red tiled roofs, ornate windows, and intricate railings. Many houses have colorful walls and hand-painted blue-on-white plaques. Walk through the lanes. You will love the Portuguese influence and the old world charm of Fontainhas. Also visit the St Sebastian Chapel.
8. Goa State Museum – Exhibits and displays will tell you the story of the historical and archeological heritage of Goa. It is also called the State Archaeology Museum. There are many art objects, cultural exhibits, and antiquities in the two dozen galleries. Go through the galleries of Christian art, sculpture, contemporary art, cultural anthropology, natural heritage, stamps, and more. It is very close to Fontainhas in the capital of Goa.
9. Goa Science Center – The science center is a good place to visit with kids. There are 3D shows, interactive science exhibits, laughing mirrors, floating balls, large dinosaurs, shows about space and astronomy, and even a section on marine science. Workshops and training sessions are also held. It is located on the Miramar beach.
10. Idalgo Palace – This is one of the oldest buildings in the capital of Goa and now the state secretariat. It is a prominent landmark.

There are temples you can visit and churches. These historical and cultural monuments are worth your time.

Miramar Beach

Miramar Beach in Panaji

Miramar is a 1.25 kilometer long golden sandy beach in Panaji. The beach was called Porta de Gaspar Dias during the Portuguese rule. The Portuguese also constructed a fort here in the 16^th century, but it was razed to the ground later. You will find the Miramar twin sand statues at the northern end. Throughout the beach there are joy rides and food stalls. There is also one cannon that points to the sea. Sometimes public events are held here.

Miramar is not the best beach in Goa for swimming. But you can take a leisurely stroll here to relax and enjoy nature.

Beaches Close To Panaji

Caranzalem Beach – This is a 1.5 kilometer long beach just south of Miramar. It is actually the same stretch of sandy shore that extends from Miramar. However, Caranzalem is a better beach for swimming as there are no undercurrents. The Cabo Raj Niwas, full of heritage furniture, is at its southern end. There is also a park and the National Institute of Watersports.

Bambolim Beach – The Bambolim beach is on the other side of Panaji, on the city’s southern fringes. It is lined with palm trees and remains serene and quiet as there are few visitors. There are a few rocks on the beach. The most notable landmark here is the luxury Grand Hyatt hotel and the Strike Casino.

Vainguinim Beach – A very relaxing and peaceful 230 meter long beach south of Panaji. It is lined by trees that are home to many species of birds. There are rocky outcrops at both ends of the beach, but the main section has white, soft sand. A good place for a serene vacation! There are good hotels around Vainguinim, but you won’t find any beach shacks.

Dona Paula Beach – A good beach in the capital of Goa for sunsets. Go to the oceanfront promenade at Dona Paula viewpoint to see sunsets. Dona Paula forms a nice bay, which is one of the best in Goa. Many sail boats take off from the Adventure Breaks Sailing Base. There is also the Dolphin Adventure Sports where you can learn water sports and ride on speed boats. See the old statue of Dona Paula.

There are some other beaches too, like the Dias beach, Nauxim beach, and the Marivel beach. They are all in the southern fringes of Panaji and very small.

Panjim Church

Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Panaji

Also called, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, this is one of the oldest churches in Goa. At the heart of Panjim, it is close to Fontainhas or the Latin Quarter, Goa Museum and also the Mandovi River. The Panaji ferry terminal from where there are many cruises is also a short distance away. On top of a small hill, the church is also close to Garcia da Orta, Panjim’s municipal garden.

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is a Catholic church with Baroque-style construction. It was constructed in 1541 as a chapel for the Portuguese sailors, but as the number of worshippers grew, it had to be rebuilt in a larger way in 1609. The Portuguese were also making religious expansion at the time.

• The church’s interior is quite simple, but the main altar’s backdrop for Mary Immaculate, is impressive.
• What catches the attention are the 2 flanking altars.
• The right altar is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, and the left to Jesus Crucified. They are both ornamented and heavily gilded.

There are marble statues on both sides, of St Paul and St Peter. See the chapel of St. Francis Xavier at the right of the main altar. The statues are within a glass case.

The Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church has an ancient bell, which was brought from Old Goa’s Church of Our Lady of Grace. It is Goa’s 2nd largest bell. The largest bell is at Sé Cathedral in Old Goa.

Panjim Inox Cinema

Panjim Inox Cinema

The Inox Cinema is a large multiplex in Panaji, very close to the confluence of the Mandovi River and the Arabian Sea. There are 4 theaters in this multiplex. The Inox complex is located just opposite to the Campal Gardens and the Campal Forest Department Park, which together make up the biggest greenery zone in the city.

Inox Panaji has many movie theaters. It has good comfortable seating, air-conditioning, plenty of food choices, and a big car parking space. Boards indicate the screening times in the different theaters. Both Hollywood and Bollywood (Hindi movies) are screened here.

Inox Panjim is one of the venues where the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is held in Goa. The other places are Maquinez Palace Theater and the Entertainment Society of Goa, both very close. Held in November each year, this is one of India’s most reputed film festivals, attracting entries, critics, viewers, and movie buffs from around the world.

Goa State Museum

The Goa State Museum is located on the eastern end of Panaji close to the Latin Quarter. It is in the Old Secretariat building, which is Adil Shah's Palace. Earlier, the museum was located at the EDC Complex, but it had to be relocated as the collection grew and more room was required. Also called the State Archaeology Museum, the new complex was opened in 1977. It houses more than 8,000 artifacts spread over 2 floors. This is the state’s most impressive museum.

It features the history, culture, art, craft, geology, and archeology of Goa in 14 galleries. They area –

1. Christian Art Gallery
2. Sculpture Gallery
3. Religious Expression Gallery
4. Banerji Art Gallery
5. Printing History Gallery
6. Contemporary Art Gallery
7. Goa’s Freedom Struggle Gallery
8. Numismatics Gallery
9. Cultural Anthropology
10. Natural Heritage of Goa Gallery
11. Menezes Braganza Gallery
12. Environment & Development Gallery
13. Geology Gallery
14. Furniture Gallery

On display, there are rare coins, paintings, bronzes, carvings, manuscripts, wooden objects, stone sculptures, and anthropological objects.

Not just the history and heritage of the state, the Goa State Museum also displays artifacts from neighboring areas of India, and showcases relics of colonial rule in the country. 645 objects have been brought from Goa’s Kala Academy and the Menezes Braganza Art Gallery.

Goa State Museum is open Monday to Friday from 9.30 AM to 5.30 PM. Entry is free. However, only scholars and students can take photos by prior approval. Short videos are also screened on the anthropology, heritage, and culture of Goa.

Casino Gaming In Panaji

Casino in Panaji

Casino gambling is legal in Goa. The first casino in the state opened in the late 1990s, and since then many have opened up. Now, there are both offshore and land-based casinos. Many of them are in Panaji, mostly on the Mandovi River.

Top Casinos In The Capital Of Goa

Casino Royale – Also called Deltin Royale, this is the most popular Goa casino. It is on a vessel on the Mandovi River and offers 50 classical board games, slots machines, blackjack, teen patti, American roulette, baccarat, Indian Flush, and a room only for poker. Entertainment shows, VIP-rooms, helicopter platform.

Carnival Casino – Located at the Goa Marriott hotel in Miramar beach. Games include American Roulette, blackjack, baccarat, 5-card poker, slots machines, progressive jackpots. The largest selection of slots in Goa! There is an offshore casino too on the Mandovi.

MV Caravela – Just off the Barco jetty in Panaji! This casino is also owned by the Deltin group. Plenty of games, guest suites and rooms! There is an on-deck Jacuzzi, spa, fine dining, an outdoor swimming pool, and a bar on the sundeck as well.

Casino Pride – Another popular casino on the Mandovi River on a 30,000 sq. ft. vessel! Spread over 3 floors, you can choose from flush, mini flush, 5-card poker, Texas Hold’em poker, rummy, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and slots machines. They also organize poker tournaments.

Panjim Gallery

The Best Places For Walking And Shopping

There are many good places in the capital of Goa like the Campal Boulevard, the 18^th June Road, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Mala area and the Largo da Igreja.

Top 5 Cafes And Restaurants In Panaji

1. Viva Panjim – This is a small street-side restaurant in an old Portuguese house. There are only a few tables, but the food is some of the best you will find. Try their Goan classics, pork dishes, kingfish vindaloo, marinated chicken, and the desserts.
2. Black Sheep Bistro – This is a boutique restaurant with a dark-wood bar, dining lounge, and pale-yellow façade. Try their pasta, seafood, salads, lamb dishes, and the tapas.
3. Hotel Venite – A rickety balcony overlooks cobbled streets, offering great ambience! Venite serves traditional menu with pepper steak, fish curry rice, spicy sausages, and feni.
4. Cafe Bodega – A café in the Altinho Hill neighborhood within a Portuguese mansion. The best here includes fresh-baked cakes, sandwiches, pizza, juices, and coffee.
5. Cafe Mojo – The cozy English pub that serves mostly a young crowd. There is an LCD screen and beer tap in each table. Just buy a card, swipe at your table, and the drink will start pouring. The cocktails and food are good too.

Top Reasons For Visiting Panaji

• Historic architecture
• Beautiful temples
• Casino gaming and live entertainment
• River cruises
• Central location, close to both north and south Goa
• The Latin Quarter
• Close to Old Goa
• Many beaches
• Yachting and sailing trips
• Gardens, science museums
• Supermarkets, multiplex movie theaters
• Many restaurants, cafes, and bars

Hotels in Panjim

Panaji or Panjim is the state capital of Goa, so there are always many people visiting the city. There are tourists, and there are also those who come for administrative work and on business. You will find many hotels in Panaji in all budgets – there are 5-star properties, boutique hotels, budget properties, and B&Bs.

5 best hotels in Panaji –

1. Goa Marriott Resort & Spa – At the confluence of the Mandovi River and the Arabian Sea, this 5-star property is close to the Miramar beach. The hotel has 3 dining options, an outdoor pool, and casino. It is preferred by both business and leisure travelers.
2. Vivanta Goa – A Taj property, this 5-star hotel is close to the Campal grounds. There is a rooftop pool, spa, and 24-hours gym. The rooms have hardwood flooring, large windows, mini bars, rain showers, and work desks. The entire hotel is wheelchair accessible.
3. Doubletree By Hilton – A beautiful hotel between Panaji and Old Goa. Offers stunning views of the Mandovi River and the Divar Island. Lush green surroundings in a serene neighborhood. There is an infinity pool, a full-service spa, 24-hours fitness center, and a kid’s club.
4. Panjim Inn – A boutique hotel in a 19th century property. Panjim Inn is located in the historic Latin Quarter. There are 37 rooms, all with antique four-poster beds and period furniture. Warm hospitality and modern comforts for a unique stay in Goa.
5. The Crown Goa – 4-star hotel very close to the Mandovi River. Only a few minutes walking from the Deltin Royal Casino and Casino Pride Jetty. The hotel has an outdoor pool, poolside garden, restaurants, and spa.

Villas near Panjim

There are many luxury villas to choose from here. You can choose from Ambani House, Seaview Villa, Villa Muse, and others. You can rent for the short-term or long-term. Many of the hotels, resorts, villas and apartments are close to the sea. Many properties, shops, restaurants, and cafes are concentrated around Panaji.

Properties with sea views cost more. The cost also depends on the amenities, season, and the duration of your stay.

Villa with private pool for 2-12 persons with stunning panoramic views. From 15 000 Rs. per night

5-bedroom luxury villa at Bambolim in Central Goa, close to Panaji. For 4 to 10 people. From 25 000 Rs. per night

Villa Muse is a 6-bedroom house for rent at Nerul in North Goa. 10 minutes from Panaji. From 17 000 Rs. per night

* The price depends on the location, the season, and the duration of your stay. Properties with sea views cost more.

Villas for rent in Goa

There are many other amazing villas and apartments on rent near Panjim. They offer many modern amenities.