With a population of 114,759 in the metropolitan area, Panaji is Goa's largest urban agglomeration, ahead of Margao and Mormugao.

Panaji has terraced hills, concrete buildings with balconies and red-tiled roofs, churches, and a riverside promenade.

The baroque Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church is located overlooking the main square known as Praça da Igreja.

The city was built with stepped streets and a seven kilometre long promenade on a planned grid system after the Portuguese relocated the capital from Velha Goa in the 17th century.

[6][7] According to legend, this northern capital city was mentioned in a stone inscription of Kadamba king Jayakesi I dated 1054 CE as 'Panjanakhani', giving him the epithet of Padavalendra which is Kannada for lord of the western ocean.

[8] Panaji was made the capital of Portuguese India, after a devastating epidemic decimated the population of the City of Goa in the mid-18th century.

The heart of the city is the Praça da Igreja (Church Square) where the Jardim Garcia de Orta (municipal garden) with the Portuguese Baroque Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Imaculada Conceição, originally built in 1541.

Located on the Dada Vaidya road (Rua de Saudade during the Portuguese times), the Mahalaxmi deity is the chief object of veneration for all Panjimites, irrespective of caste, class, sex or creed.

Well-known places in Panaji are the 18th June Road (a busy thoroughfare in the heart of the town and a shopping area for tourists and locals), Mala area, Miramar beach and the Kala Academy (a cultural centre known for its structure built by architect Charles Correa).

Situated on the banks of Mandovi River in the heart of Panaji is ‘Old Secretariat’ building popularly known as ‘Adil Shah's Palace’.

The sanctuary, located in the village of Chorão, near Panaji, plays host to rare and endangered bird species—both migratory and resident.

Dona Paula is the meeting point for two of Goa's famous rivers, Zuari and Mandovi.

The official residence of the governor of Goa, known as Cabo Raj Bhavan, is situated on the westernmost tip of Dona Paula.

Mapusa is the nearest city, from where you can find ample public transport to the coastal areas in the form of buses, cabs, etc State-owned All India Radio has a local station in Panaji which transmits various programs of mass interest.

The Goa Legislative Assembly is situated at Alto Porvorim, about 2 km (1.2 mi) from Panaji.

The hillock called Altinho houses some major central government offices and the residences of prominent officials and politicians.

[25][26] The governor of Goa stays at the Cabo Raj Bhavan at Dona Paula, about 8 km (5 mi) from Panaji.