Goa in pictures

SIGHTSEEING IN GOA Updated : Apr 19, 2016, 14:19 IST

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Goa

Goa's palm-fringed beaches and blue seas have made it one of India's most popular tourist destinations. Yet, there's much more to Goa than its beaches. The state's unique Portuguese heritage, beautiful landscapes, spice plantations, and buzzing restaurants, nightclubs and markets, make it one of a kind.

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Panaji

The Goan capital city of Panaji is centred around the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church (pictured here). Its wide, tree-lined roads, whitewashed churches and Portuguese-inspired houses give the city a distinct look and atmosphere.

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Fontainhas

The neighbourhood of Fontainhas in Panaji has been described as the old Latin Quarter of the city. Its narrow streets are speckled with well-kept Indo-Portuguese mansions, that transport visitors to another era.

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Goan cuisine

Goan cuisine makes ample use of fresh seafood, local spices, and ingredients such as coconut and kokum. Popular dishes include pork vindaloo (pictured here), xacuti, pork sorpotel, balchao and fish curry.

Goa's restaurants

Goa's most famous for its fresh seafood, but the state also has a buzzing food scene. From restaurants serving traditional Goan recipes to fine dining eateries that offer cuisine from around the world, Goa has it all.

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Anjuna market

Goa is also famous for its numerous flea markets, which have stalls offering everything from cheap clothing to junk jewellery to whacky leather accessories. The Anjuna flea market, held every Wednesday, is the most popular among these.

Sunburn Goa

Goa's reputation as a partying centre has only grown bigger and better over the last few years. Its beachside nightclubs are known for their dusk-to-dawn parties. Every year in December, it also plays host to music festivals such as Sunburn.

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Chapora fort

Goa's long coastline still carries the remains of forts built by its various rulers over centuries. Chapora Fort (pictured here) was built by Adil Shah, the ruler of Bijapur, on the Chapora river near Vagator beach.

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Old Goa

Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Old Goa was the capital of the Portuguese empire in India before Panjim. It still contains several grand churches, which were built during the 16th and 17th centuries. The Basillica of Bom Jesus, pictured here, is the best-known among these.