Things to Do in Panaji - Goa

Shopping in Panaji - Goa:

Goa is a shopper's haven and the capital city of Panaji is one of the most exciting shopping destinations in the state. The shopping experience in Panaji is a blend of the exotic and the modern. While the local markets are a treasure trove of indigenous handicrafts, the upscale shopping malls teem with designer boutiques and international brands.

Scour the markets of Panaji for a wealth of artifacts including brassware, terracotta, shell work, Curios and old coins, carved furniture and a lot others. The Miramar beach, located 3 km away from the city, is another shopping hub thronged by locals and tourists alike. Local fisherman turned vendors would fall over each other too the potential customers. The ideal place to shop for trendy beachwear and hammocks.

Apart from the local markets, the government emporia in Panaji also do brisk business. The Goa Handicrafts Industries Development Corporation Emporium at Tourist Hotel in Panaji draws a number of shoppers with its offering of handicrafts.

Places To Visit in Panaji:

Among the places to visit in Panaji, a real must-see is the Idalcao’s Palace.

Idalcao’s Palace is Panaji’s oldest building. Idalcaon is the corrupted word for Adil Shah Khan who was the ruler of Bijapur. It was rebuilt by the Portuguese in 1615. It now houses important government offices.

The Church Square is another tourist top-spot not to be missed when in Panaji. It was called the ‘Jardim de Garcia da Orta’ named after a famous physician Garcia de Orta. The centre of the square has the statue of Vasco da Gama.

Fontainhas is another old place in Panaji. It is so named because of the multiple springs in the area. The narrow streets give the impression of the Portuguese-planned town. It also houses the Church of Saint Sebastian.

San Thome is another ancient landmark of the city of Panaji near the current General Post Office which was then the centre of trade for tobacco and mint.

The area opposite to it is where public executions took place.

Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Goa:

The present church of Our lady of Immaculate Conception dates to 1619, although there had been a church on this site around 1540. The huges bell that now handsin the cental belfry was brough from the ruins of the St. Agustine Church, Old Goa. It previously had hung in the tower of St. Augustine Church. This is the second largest church bell in Goa. the largest being the Golden bell in Se Cathedral in Old Goa

Fontainhas:

Fontainhas (or Bairro das Fontainhas, in Portuguese) is an old Latin Quarter in the city of Panaji in Goa, India. It maintains to this day its Portuguese influence, namely at the architectonic level, such as narrow streets, old villas and buildings painted in lively colors. The quarter shows how Panaji was during the Portuguese rule of Goa.

Dona Paula Beach:

At the place where two of Goa's famous rivers meet the Arabian Sea is the secluded bay of Dona Paula with a fine view of the Marmagoa Harbour. This beach of Goa carries with it an aura of both romance and myth - haunted by Dona Paula de Menezes; tourists throng the Dona Paula beach not only in search of the deceased beloved, but also to indulge in water sports on the clear waters. The Dona Paula Beach offers an opportunity to the tourists to have a sunbath and enjoy water scootering and motar boat rides.

Miramar Beach:

Miramar Beach is the nearest beach from the capital of the Goa, Panaji. The beach is just 3 km from Panaji in the north of the state and a km away from Dona Paula. It lies adjoining the estuary of the river Mandovi as it opens into the Arabian sea.

NIO Goa:

National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Goa, India is premier oceanographic
research institution in India. It has a strong biological oceanography division
which maintains biological museum at its headquarter in Goa. NIO COLLECTION is
the digitized repository of this museum. Currently 308 specimens have been
digitized, which is an ongoing process.

Goa Science Center:

Just 3 km away from Panaji, Goa Science Center is at a short distance from Miramar. It is a museum undertaken by the government and established with the intention to promote the interest of people in science.

The science center has two sections - Science of Ocean and Fun Science. Information about various types of oceans and creatures that dwell in them is attained from the Science of Ocean. Besides this, animated clips are displayed which provides additional knowledge to the visitors. Second one focuses on the principles of physics such as resonance. The visitors are permitted to experiment on the objects that are displayed.

Maruti Temple:

The Maruti temple is situated on top of of the Altinho hillock overlooking the Fontainhas district in Panaji, the capital of Goa. It is dedicated to lord Hanuman, the monkey god and enshrines Lord Hanuman as the presiding deity.

Goa State Museum:

In 1973 Archeology & Museum unit was set up in the Department of Archives in Goa and thereafter a small Museum was opened for public on 29th Sept 1977 in a rented building at St. Inez. After construction of the present building the museum was shifted to this new museum complex at Patto which was inaugurated by the President of India on 18th June 1996.

Things To Do:

Boat Cruise:-

Sunset Cruise: Evening cruise on Mandovi river in Panaji presents a beautiful view. The sky turns dark orangish as the sun prepares to rest.

It's a beautiful view made even lovelier by traditional Konkani music and folk songs playing in the background.

Casino Cruise:-

Casino Royale Goa:

Casino Royale is managed by a diverse multicultural and multilingual team of professionals, internationally renowned and recognized in the field of gaming, hospitality and entertainment.

Casino Pride Goa:

Casino Pride, built uoon the vessel MV The Pride of Goa and berthedon the River Mandovi, is one of Goa's Latest, largest and most luxurious offshore Casinos. As far as its decor goes, Casino Pride is breathtakingly impressive. It occupies three spacious floors covering over 30,000 sq.ft. in area. Its pillared gold ceiling fills the hall on each floor with cheerful illumination: no glare, no shadow.

Maharajah Casino Goa:

Maharajah Casino is focussed on building customer loyalty and value with its customers through a unique combination of great service, operational excellence and technology leadership.

Casino Rio Goa:

Casino Rio, known for its ambience and style, offers you popular gaming activities including Baccarat, Blackjack, Roulette, Miniflush, Poker, Flush and Marriage. This multideck floating Casino has an International Restaurant and Bar with Customer care services that make the guests field experience special. Live entertainment is a regular feature.

Art Galleries in Panaji Goa:

Gallery Gitanjali:

Gallery Gitanjali, one of Goa's first Art Galleries displays and sells Contemporary Indian Art and is in-house to all three Heritage Hotels, the Panjim Inn, Panjim Pousada and Panjim Peoples at Panjim, Goa, India.                                              

Ruchika's Art Gallery:

Ruchika's Art Gallery is committed to the experimentation and growth of art and provides a large canvas of opportunities for local, national and international artists in the realm of Goa