so you’re visiting goa and this time you are around panaji. what can you do? don’t shudder and think the beaches are so far away, there is a lot of non-beach that you can do in goa! and this post tells you what all you can do within 10 kms from panaji. hire a bike and zoom around.

1. visit velha goa or old goa! the former (former) capital of the portuguese. towering ruins, 400 year old architecture, large number of churches to discover. there is no food here, take something with you. you will get some roadside eats, sodas and lots of nariyal paani (tender coconut water!)

the remnants of an ancient life

basilica bom jesus

2. spend an afternoon at sunaparanta. this is an art gallery which has a lot of stuff happening. there are classes in arts and crafts, workshops, exhibitions and other events regularly. check in advance if you wish to be a part of it.  hungry? well it also has a decent cafe called bodega in the inner courtyard. sit in the inner courtyard of an old portuguese home and sip on some great ice tea and chomp away at a grilled sandwich!

3. walk around the the latin quarter of panjim: old houses, quaint name boards, funny road names and great food joints tucked in by lanes. keep your eyes open and keep your mobile phone away. charm of this sort is best experienced when it sinks it, no distractions (not even the dying need to instagram it)

welcome in, we’ll take you to another time

beautiful, old buildings surprise you

4. ride to the islands of divar, chorla and maybe even check out the bird sanctuary. a short ride from panjim (around 5 kms) you will come across a ferry service. this takes you across the mandovi river to divar.. the next ferry takes you to chorla. these are small islands stuck in another time. they are quiet, peaceful and make for a lovely, peaceful drive!

football against a backdrop of mountains and fields

the landscape while entering divar

5. walk about campal. these are old houses but owned by rich people. wendell rodericks has a store there. look smart and not like someone out there to rob the place. sigh, i got some funny looks… and i did try and look smart!

6. walk along the mandovi river (do NOT take the cruise, its really bad) till miramar beach. it’s a lovely walk and along a beautiful road and you will see a lot of nice buildings on the way. campal (point 4) is on the way. kalamandir comes up too and if there is some festival for the public on, you can take a break there

light. creating. light.

7. check out the oldest church in panjim – our lady of immaculate conception. it’s set on the hill. the bell you see in this church comes from a much older church in velha goa. it is supposed to be the most beautiful sounding bell… in front of the church, at the corner of the street, is an old bookshop, nice to browse through.

this is my easy list of 7 things to do around panaji and not feel like you are missing out on the beaches of the north or the south. there are a lot of lovely places to eat at, and maybe that can form itself into another post?!

merry travelling!