Fontainhas, popularly known as the ‘Latin Quarter’ of Panaji, is a neighbourhood that William Dalrymple rightly called a “small chunk of Portugal washed up on the shores of the Indian Ocean”. It was established in the 18th century by Antonio Joao de Sequeira, a Goan who made his fortune in Mozambique. This area is a distinct reminder of Goa’s tryst with the Portuguese. The houses, painted in bright primary colours have white trims and terracotta tiled roofs. Narrow lanes, overhanging balconies, and an abundance of azulejos tiles give Fontainhas its quaint Mediterranean feel. The area is dotted with eateries selling fresh seafood and feni and old-world bakeries laced with the mouth-watering aroma of buttery bebincas and the ubiquitous Goan pao. Many of Fontainhas’ oldest residents trace their ancestry to Portuguese seafarers and traders who settled here and speak the language of their ancestors to this date.
Grab your comfy-est walking shoes, a bottle of water, your camera and notepad, and put on your sunglasses as we hit the streets!
Photo-ops other than the stops themselves are marked with a 📷.
Fonte Phoenix
Located at the base of the Altinho Hill, Font Phoenix or Fountain of the Phoenix gives Fontainhas its name (fountain,
Maruti Temple1
The most important landmark in the Hindu district of Mala is this bright orange temple that is decked with lights every night. It is located on Altinho Hill. Huff and puff up the slope and you will be rewarded with gorgeous views of Fontainhas and its red-roofed vista of maroon, yellow, and indigo houses shimmering in the sun.
Rua Armada Portuguesa2
We stumbled upon a beautiful stairway adorned with colourful tiles at the western end of Rua Armada Portuguesa while rambling through Fontainhas at sundown. To reach, trace your steps down Altinho Hill and head north along Ramachandran Naik Road.
Fundação Orienté
The next stop on our Fontainhas walking tour is a marvellous Indo-Portuguese style building on Felipe Neri Road. Fundação Orienté works to preserve Goa’s colonial-era cultural legacy. They organize a number of events throughout the year and the annual Monte Music Festival in the courtyard of the restored Capela da Nossa Senhora do Monte. The building houses a collection of paintings by Goan painter António Xavier Trindade (1870-1935).
Bombay Coffee Roasters
Stop for coffee by Bombay Coffee Roasters at Old Quarter by the Hostel Crowd. If you are a tea lover like us, we recommend the chilli chai.
📷 The colourful graffiti on the southern façade of the hostel.
Gallery Gitanjali
Heading north along Rua 31 de Janeiro, the next stop on our walking tour of Fontainhas is Gallery Gitanjali. Located across the street from Panjim Inn, the gallery houses a fantastic collection of artworks by local artists. Also on display are lithographs, etchings, woodcuts and other artworks by Scandinavian artists from the 50s and the 60s. The gallery is in a bright maroon heritage Portuguese house with a terracotta tiled roof and bright mosaic floors.
📷 Rua 31 de Janeiro, the stretch between Panjim Inn and La Maison Fontainhas, has a wealth of colonial-era architecture.
📷 If you can, tour Panjim Pousada (a restored Hindu home turned heritage hotel) for its display of artworks.
📷 The bright yellow building that houses Guesthouse Afonso.
Marçou Artifacts
We picked up a souvenir, a set of Mario Miranda postcards, from this wonderful curio shop selling artefacts designed and crafted by local artists. Their collection is quintessentially Goan. Apart from posters and paintings, they stock an impressive selection of ceramics ranging from trays, vases, and
📷 The tiny altar of Jesus on the wall between Marçou and Viva Panjim.
Viva Panjim
A brief stop at this family-run eatery will ensure that we are well-fed! Opt for any of their pork or seafood dishes. We recommend the xacuti, the crab
📷 The vintage furniture at Viva Panjim, especially the majestic mirror.
Chapel of St. Sebastian
On the large wooden crucifix, Christ’s eyes are open to strike fear in the heart of “heretics,” so beware! Built in 1818, this pretty whitewashed church houses one of only a few relics remaining as testament to the Goan Inquisition: a crucifix, which until 1812 stood in the infamous Palace of the Inquisition in Old Goa. Mass is held daily in Konkani at 6:45 am and in mid-November, the streets are lit up to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Livrament. To reach, walk west from Viva Panjim and turn south on Rua de Natal.
Also read: Read The Complete Guide to Vagator to plan a trip to this lovely beach town.
📷 The intersection of Rua Natal and St. Sebastian Road is marked with
📷 Walking south from the chapel, through a tangle of houses, we found some of the prettiest nameplates painted on
Poço do Rego well
Right next to the Chapel of St. Sebastian, this wishing well with two brightly painted roosters keeping watch seems straight out of a book of illustrated fairy tales!
Rua de Natal
Rua de Natal is, perhaps, my favourite slice of Fontainhas. Traditional Portuguese houses flaunt their brightly painted façades and house signs hand-painted on azulejos tiles. Keep an eye out for the strips of seashells stuck on the windows panes. They are supposed to keep the interiors cool and dry.
📷 Abrigo de Botelho, the bright blue building with overhanging balconies.
Confeitaria 31 Rua Janeiro3
Drop in at this little gem of a bakery tucked away in an alley because you owe your tastebuds some love! Their beef pastries and mushroom pastries are to die for! If you’re craving sugar, go for their Swiss roll.
Global to Local
A brainchild of two amazing women, Global to Local is a recent addition to Fontainhas and stocks Goan pantry staples like kokum, tirphal, atom sola, and various other ingredients, including spice mixes for Goan dishes like rechaedo. They also stock guava cheese and a variety of biscuits. The staff is helpful and they’ll tell you how to use the ingredients.
Joseph Bar
If you continue north on 31 de Janeiro and take a right on Gomes Pereira Road, you’ll find Joseph Bar, our favourite neighbourhood bar in Fontainhas.
Also read: Wondering where to dine in Panaji? We got you covered! See Where to Eat in Panaji for a guide to the best joints in town.
Horse Shoe Bar and Restaurant
From Confeitaria, if you head east on the Rua Sua Janeiro and turn left on Rua de Ourem, you will reach Horseshoe which is known for its authentic Luso-Indian fare. Vasco Silveira, owner and chef, sources fresh ingredients daily and the spices are ground in-house.
📷 The pedestrian bridge across the road from Horseshoe.
Patto Bridge4
Post lunch, head north to one of Goa’s historical monuments, the Patto Bridge. Painted in white, the curved balustrade structure supported by Roman-style arches straddles the Ourem Creek. Though this is officially not a part of Fontainhas, we will end our walking tour of Fontainhas on this bridge with the cool breeze fumbling against our skin.
Thus with minds full of historical nuggets and bellies full of food, we end our walking tour of Fontainhas on the busy Rua de Ourem that snakes along the Ourem Creek.
Fontainhas Walking Tour: Detours
- If you continue along the switchbacks on 20 de Junho Avenue, past the Maruti Temple, you will reach the Bishop’s Palace.
- Turn right on Rua Tomas Ribeiro to reach the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court of Bombay.
- Head west along Rua Emidio Garcia to the Church of the Immaculate Conception.
- Head east along Rua Dom Joao de Castro to Sao Tome Chapel and further towards Adil Shah’s Palace.
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