When you say Goa, beaches and churches go hand in hand with it. Situated in North Goa serving as the capital, Panaji is one of the smallest capitals of a state in India. The city’s Portuguese lineage is still strongly seen and felt in the architecture of the buildings and the intricacies of its infrastructure. Panaji still feels like a part of Portugal situated in India. With its constructions of yellow houses, stepped streets and red roofs, Panaji stands out and makes itself that one place that needs to be visited to see how life was lived by the Portuguese back in the 19th Century.
Casinos, markets, churches, beaches, monuments, sanctuaries, parks, scenic beauty and great infrastructure, Panaji offers it all together on one platter. Had it not been for the locals of this city who maintained it and took care of everything, a visit to the city would not have been as pleasurable.
The Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception was one of the first churches to be built in Goa and while its exterior is shaped like a wedding cake, its interiors are simple. Panaji is also home to the Houses of Goa Museum, Goa State Museum, the statue of Abbé Faria, Goa State Central Library, Goa Science Centre & Planetarium, the Campal Gardens, and beaches like the Miramar Beach, Ashwem Beach and Arossim Beach.
Another church of great significance, located merely 10 km from Panaji, is the Basilica of Bom Jesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most famous attractions in all of Goa. Built between the 16th and 17th Century, the church still stands strong and the tomb of St. Francis Xavier's also rests here.
Traveling in Panaji can be a little tricky as taxis and rickshaws never go by meter—they will always ask you for anything they want so you need to put your negotiation skills to good use here. Bicycles and motorcycles can be easily rented out and that’s a much better way to travel around the city. Ask any local or just simply head to the main post office on M.G. Road and you will see a cluster of bikes that you can choose from.
On a daily basis there are approximately 103 flights that operate at Goa International Airport.IndiGo, Air India and SpiceJet are the most popular airline brands that fly frequently to this airport.
By road Panaji is surrounded by Mormugao, Vasco Da Gama, Margao which are 6.84 km, 6.85 km, 16.7 km away respectively. These places are ideal spots for people to plan their short weekend break.