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Panaji
Capital city of the Indian state of Goa

Panaji

Panaji, also known as Panjim, is the capital of the Indian state of Goa and the headquarters of the North Goa district.

Plan a trip to Panaji→From Mangaluru

It was previously the territorial capital of the former Portuguese India. It lies on the banks of the Mandovi river estuary in the Tiswadi sub-district (taluka). With a population of 114,759 in the metropolitan area, Panaji is Goa's largest urban agglomeration, ahead of Margão and Mormugão.

Get in

Getting to Panaji

The nearest airports are Dabolim Airport (GOI IATA, 35 km) and Manohar International Airport (GOX IATA). The nearest railway station is

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    Karmali
See

Worth seeing

Panjim Church; Heritage houses along the altinho slope, 1 Bishops Palace at Altinho, High COurt Complex & Lawyers Building at Altinho, Maruti Temple, 2 Mahalaxmi Temple, Customs Museum, Santa Monica Jetty Boat Rides, Old GMC Complex, INOX theatre, Salida Del Sol (one of its kind Hotel in India) on Bernard Gues Road, Kala Academy at Campal Don't miss out on the old city.

Do

Things to do

Casino Caravela, Caravela Jetty, Opposite Mandovi Hotel, Fisheries Building, D B Mart, In the starting point for the cruise, fax: +91 832 745-225. Casino Caravela, on board a yacht, offers a combination of sightseeing and gaming - American Roulette, Black Jack, Rummy, Stud Poker, Baccarat, Pontoon and Flash. ₹2000 (For entry and buffet.) Includes ₹1000 casino chips that cannot be cashed in. Dive Goa,.

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    INOX - Old GMC

    Watch the latest Bollywood flicks at the INOX theatre at Panaji.

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    Mandovi River Sunset

    Go for a short boat ride on one of the many "Cruise" boats, that sail up and down the river, with loud music, and frantically dancing revellers.

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    Miramar Beach

    Relax under a palm tree on Miramar beach, feel the sea breeze in your hair and watch the surf on the waves.

Eat

Where to eat

Some great food can be found in this calm and breezy capital city. Goan chefs have for generations graced many a royal kitchen in Europe and have been practising their culinary skills on some of the grandest cruise ships in the world. If you like spicy food, then try the native Vindaloo curry with fish or chicken. It's hot!

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    Avanti Bar & Restaurant

    Fontainhas, St Tome Road, Altinho (near Panaji bus stand),.

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    Cafe Real Tea Room

    Mahatma Gandhi Rd, Ozari (near the Azad maidan),.

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    Fidalgo Hotel

    6 restaurants serving different types of food (veg, non-veg, Goan, etc.) Prices are high by local standards, but inexpensive for foreigners.

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    George

    Recommended for the Goan specialty of tongue roast.

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    Godinho's and George Bar and Restaurant

    Ormuz (near Cine National - Municipal Gardens),.

How locals move

Getting around Panaji the local way

  • Get inFrom the railway station, taxis, rickshaws and buses go to Panaji, but if you are carrying only a backpack, motorcycle taxis are a bargain, plus you get to ride on the pillion seat!

From Wikivoyage: Panaji, CC BY-SA. Not yet checked by us. Last edited 2026-09.

Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Sam 8393 (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikimedia Commons.