Fontainhas & Sao Tome: These Old Portuguese districts, located west of the Ourem River, are Panaji’s most interesting areas. The narrow cobbled streets, tiled buildings, shuttered windows and tiny overhanging balconies offer an atmosphere more reminiscent of the Mediterranean than of India. Local men sip feni in tiny bars. Some of best guesthouses of Panaji are in this quarter.

The Chapel of St Sebastian stands at the end of a picturesque street in Fontainhas. It dates only from the 1880s and has a number of interesting features; a striking crucifix that originally stood in the Palace of the Inquisition in Old Goa is one such interesting piece.

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception: This striking edifice in Panaji is its main church. It stands in the main part of town. It was consecrated in 1541. Panaji was the first port of call for voyages from Lisbon. Hence, Portuguese sailors visited this church to give thanks for a safe crossing before continuing to Old Goa. Mass is held here daily in English, Konkani and Portuguese.

Goa State Museum: This modern and well-laid out museum in the town is worth a visit. It. has several galleries featuring Christian art, Hindu and Jain sculpture and bronzes, and paintings from all over India.

Dona Paula Beach: The Dona Paula beach is named after Dona Paula de Menzes, the daughter of a Portuguese viceroy, who threw her off the cliff, after she was refused permission to marry a local fisherman. The Dona Paula Beach is well known for sunbath and cheap seaside goods from local vendors. Water sport facilities are available here at the Dona Paula beach, which is a major tourist attraction.

Ruins of St. Augustine’s Tower: The tower is one of the four towers of St. Augustine Church that once stood at the site. The original tower was almost forty-six meters high and had four storeys. The Tower was meant to serve as a belfry and the Church had eight richly adorned chapels and four altars and a convent with numerous cells attached to it.

Miramar Beach: On the way to the Dona Paula beach, 1-kilometer ahead of the convergence of the Arabian Sea and the Mandovi River lies the Miramar beach of Goa. The beach is just 3 kilometers from Panaji, the capital of Goa. The Miramar beach is also popularly known as the Gaspar Dias beach.

The Church Square: The Church Square is the center of attraction; it forms the heart of Panaji. It has the church of The Lady of Immaculate Conception which is absolutely spell bounding and photogenic.

St. Sebastian Chapel: St. Sebastian Chapel stands in Fontainhas at the end of a beautiful street. It was built in 1880 and is known for a number of striking features. St. Sebastian Chapel is renowned for its crucifix which once hung in the Palace of Inquisition in Old Goa. The crucifix depicts Jesus Christ with his head erect and his eyes wide open.

The Archaeological museum: The museum has been maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and it has been functioning since 1964 in the abandoned convent of St. Francis of Assisi. The museum has a good collection of sculptures, paintings, old coins and other ancient items.

Mahalaxmi Temple: Mahalaxmi Temple is located next to the Boca de Vaca Spring. Built in 1818, the Mahalaxmi Temple is the holy place of worship of the Hindus. The original deity lies in a small box in the rear wall of the temple, facing the main idol of the modern Mahalaxmi Temple.

The Idalcao Palace: Was once the castle of the Adil Shahis of Bijapur. It served as the Viceregal Palace until 1759 after the Portuguese rebuilt it in 1615. In 1843 it housed the secretariat and now it is the Passport office.