Panaji, Goa

Panaji (Panjim), the capital of Goa, is one of India's smallest and most charming state capitals. Located on the banks of the Mandovi River, the city has a distinctly Mediterranean character with Portuguese-era buildings painted in vibrant colours, narrow cobblestone lanes in the Fontainhas Latin Quarter (a UNESCO heritage precinct), and ornate Catholic churches. Unlike the beach-party image of Goa, Panaji is a cultured, laid-back city known for its bakeries (poi bread), casinos on the Mandovi River, and the annual International Film Festival of India (IFFI). The Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, with its zigzag stairway, is the city's most photographed landmark. Panaji is the administrative, commercial, and cultural centre of Goa.