Fontainhas Heritage Walk
Fontainhas Goa
Fontainhas, Goa, is a heritage zone recognized by UNESCO for its distinct Portuguese-influenced design and vibrant architecture. The residential neighbourhood is characterized by narrow lanes lined with colourful heritage homes. Each of these buildings are built with locally sourced materials making them stand the test of time. The design is based on minimalistic utilization of space yet adhering to aesthetics by focusing on Goan craftsmanship that can be seen on windows, doorways, arches, and balconies. Walking through the neighbourhood feels like stepping into a realm of old-world charm and nostalgia.
About the Experience
An immersive walk around the charming Old Latin Quarter in Panjim. Soak in the rich heritage of a neighborhood described by historian William Dalrymple as a ‘small chunk of Portugal washed up on the shores of the Indian Ocean’, and interact with locals who strive to keep centuries of culture alive to this day.
Highlights
- Discover the untold history of the city of Panjim at Tobacco Square, and hear intriguing tales of the neighbourhood’s former colonial Portuguese residents.
- Be transported to a bygone era as we explore painstakingly preserved heritage buildings that have survived the onslaught of development in the 21st century – including the Chapel of Sao Tome and the Panjim Inn. The quaint streets are lined with traditional Portuguese style homes in a palette of striking bright colours, making this every photographer’s paradise.
- Visit Panjim’s oldest bakery and have a taste of their traditional Goan treats with a refreshing beverage (subject to the bakery’s operational timings).
- Meet with a renowned local Goan musician and enjoy a live performance of his distinctive blend of Konkani and Latin styles.
- Support the local economy with a visit to a store of handcrafted local products, and take a piece of Goa home with you.
₹1,100
Experience a taste of Goa’s Portuguese past with this heritage walk around the charming Old Latin Quarter in Panjim.
Description
₹3,600 Start From
Experience a taste of Goa’s Portuguese past with this heritage walk around the charming Old Latin Quarter in Panjim.
Description
Need help to choose an experience, or combine multiple experiences to make a day of it, or make group bookings for 20+ people?
Call: +91 9764972646
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- Walk led by a knowledgeable local storyteller.
- Tasting of traditional Goan sweets & a refreshing beverage.
- Visit Indo-Portuguese heritage structures and establishments.
- Meeting with a renowned Goan Musician.
- Visit a local organic store.
FAQ’s
- What time does the experience start?
Fixed departure experiences are available everyday at 10:30 am and 04:30 pm. Travelers can also request custom private experiences to be organised at a specified timing between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. - How do we reach the meeting point at Panjim Post Office?
The location link will be sent to your mobile along with the details of the walk and the name and contact number of your storyteller. - Is there parking available?
Yes. There is ample parking space around the meeting point at the Panjim Post Office. - Can this heritage walk be done using a vehicle?
While we ideally recommend experiencing the Latin Quarter through a walk, we understand that some travellers may have physical limitations. A tour by vehicle can be organised as a special private experience, where we will do our best to ensure that the experience remains as close as possible to the heritage walk. - Is photography permitted?
Yes, photography is permitted in the Latin Quarter. However, while doing so travellers must take care not to trespass on private property and respect the privacy of local residents. - Will we be entering any private heritage homes?
Yes, but only for private tour bookings. The experience will include a visit to a heritage home, with the owner hosting us for a tour of the house. - Can we consume beer / other alcoholic drinks during the heritage walk?
No. It is not recommended to consume alcohol during the heritage walk. However, once the heritage walk has been completed, our storytellers would be happy to recommend local spots for a drink. Alternatively, you can book our Feni & Tapas Experience for a more immersive experience on local Goan cocktails and cuisine. - Where can we buy traditional Goan Azulejo tiles?
We will pass by two local stores – Velha Galleria and Teravida – during our heritage walk. Both stores take orders for Azulejo tiles and ship them too. - Do we need to wear face masks?
It is mandatory to wear face masks, use sanitizers and maintain social distancing in all public spaces. - Are Covid-19 protocols followed during the heritage walk?
All Covid-19 safety precautions will be taken by us. Our Storytellers are all double vaccinated, wear face masks, maintain social distance and avoid physical contact. All enclosed spaces will be sanitized by us. - Are washrooms available?
There are a few cafes / restaurants around the meeting point where washrooms can be used with permission form the management. Washrooms in Panaji Residency managed by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation can also be used.
Location
Our Storytellers
Our experiences are led by passionate, professional, English-speaking local storytellers.
She was very informative and good company. We had a great time with her!
The cocktails were all very yummy and sweet. Our favourite one was the signature cocktail in Kokum Curry and all of the dishes were delicious, but the pork roast in Welcom Heritage Panjim was just a cut above.
Thank you. Highly recommend!
A The our full of history and delicious sweets and amazing local drink and music.
I strongly recommend this agency and Hinaz.
We are history buffs who love understanding cultural context. We were hooked on every word.
The tour was highly interactive and made us feel part of the story of Fontainhas.
She was very considerate, often pausing to let us take photos and even helping us capture some great moments.
Her hospitality was exceptional, with visits to quaint cafés, bakeries, and eateries, where she treated us to some of the best local delicacies, offering us a taste of history in the most literal sense.
The highlight of the tour was a musical performance organised exclusively for us, with a talent young lady singing songs in Konkani, Portuguese, and Spanish on a ukulele.
It's a must-do for anyone wanting to connect with the roots of the city.
Hinaz showed us the portuguese quarter with a lot of interesting information, typical sweets and meeting an elderly Goan Gentleman, who played local folksongs for us. It was lovely!
Sejal did the Feni and Tapas Tour with us and it was just a good time, with a lot of laughs and sooo good food and Feni.
Shiv showed us Port Agua and we completed our picture of Goan History in this region of Goa.
The tours were so rich in information and at the same time light and fun. Thank you!
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