Panjim Travel Guide
Panjim
Panaji, the capital of Goa, is one of the busiest towns in Goa.
Once you have toured to Panaji, then Idalcao Palace is one of the
tourist attractions that you can visit. The Portuguese had captured
it in 1510 and had expanded it. From this palace, you can get some
good views of the river. Since Panjim is the first place to be seen
when you land it Goa, its impressions remain etched in your mind.
While Panjim does not have too many tourist spots in the way of
monuments or well-known picnic sites, what it does have is a
singularity of character that exudes a sense of hospitality.
The best way to explore the town is by foot, wandering around the
old cobbled alleyways, colonial villas, red-roofed houses, taverns
and cafes, much like any small Portuguese town.
Facts File
Area 35.99 Sq Km
Language Konkani, Marathi, Hindi, English
Religion Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam
STD Code 0832
Getting There
By Air : Goa is connected by flights from Mumbai,
Bangalore, Cochin, Delhi, Chennai, Mangalore and Trivandrum. Gateway
for Goa is Dabolim Airport not far away from the city of Panaji.
By Rail : Panaji is connected with Mumbai, Delhi,
Pune, Secunderabad, and Jaipur. Madgaon is the nearest railway
station. Advance reservation can also be made at the Railway Out
Agency at the Panaji Bus Terminus
Tourist Attractions
Miramar Beach
Just 3 km from Panaji is the Miramar beach. The Miramar beach is
one of the many beaches Goa boasts of. The long walks on the silvery
sands of the Miramar are the best way to enjoy the beach. Further
ahead there is the fishing village of Dona Paula around Panaji. The
Dona Paula beach is a place that attracts several tourists. The
Marine Biology Museum and Taxonomy Reference Center of the National
Oceanography Institute is a must see while at the Dona Paula. The
old Goa or the Golden Goa lies around Panaji and is a must see.
The Church Square
The Church Square is a fine illustration of the awesome Portuguese
Baroque style. The Church of the Immaculate Conception is easily one
of the most elegant and picturesque monuments in Goa. Built in 1541
AD, atop a high, symmetrical, crisscrossing stairway, the church is
a white edifice topped with a huge bell that stands in between two
delicate Baroque style towers
The Idalcao or Adilshahi Palace
The Idalcao or Adilshahi Palace was rebuilt by the Portuguese
Viceroy Jeronimo de Azevedo. It is part of the sequence of handsome
buildings, which has now become the secretariat. At Cabo, on the
western tip lies the Raj Niwas which was built in mud and laterite
with beautifully landscaped gardens.
Fontainhas
The old district, Fontainhas, is to the west of the Queen River.
It's an interesting area to walk around, with narrow street, title
buildings with overhanging balconies and an atmosphere more
reminiscent of the Mediterranean than of India. There are numerous
little bars rarely visited by foreigners.
