Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
22 days ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
22 days ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
22 days ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
22 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All India Panaji Panaji's Heritage Steps

Panaji's Heritage Steps

These colorful staircases can be found around Goa’s capital.

Panaji, India

Added By
Vivek Gadre
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
  Vivek Gadre / Atlas Obscura User
  Vivek Gadre / Atlas Obscura User
  Vivek Gadre / Atlas Obscura User
  Vivek Gadre / Atlas Obscura User
  Vivek Gadre / Atlas Obscura User
  Vivek Gadre / Atlas Obscura User
  Vivek Gadre / Atlas Obscura User
  Vivek Gadre / Atlas Obscura User
  Vivek Gadre / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The topography of Goa’s capital Panaji is most fascinating. It is a city nestled around Altinho Hill with the ocean on one side, a river on the other and marshes on the third. It is surrounded by a peninsula, an estuary and a creek. One of the city's most striking features is its fondness for stairs and steps. Particularly around Altinho Hill, there are many wonderful crisscrossing steps and staircases that connect neighborhoods.

Along Rua Emidio Gracia, one can see a red and yellow cluster of old steps called Escadinhas do Liceu, or Lyceum’s Stairway. At the base of the steps, one can see a tiled version of S. L. Haldankar's Lady With The Lamp.

A short distance away, near the Consulate General of Portugal, one can find the Stairway of the Way of the Cross, also known as the Heritage Steps to the Bishop’s Palace. These steps are blue and white in color. Similarly, next to St. Sebastian’s Chapel in Fontainhas, one can see the colorful steps of Escadinhas Ivens leading up, from next to an old well.

There are many other wonderful steps peppered all around the area such as Escadinhas do Templo and the Stairway of Loose Stones, amongst others. Some of them have been painted with murals to make them more attractive. These steps connect the winding streets and neighborhoods and offer beautiful views of the city.

Related Tags

Urban Planning Architecture Stairs

Know Before You Go

These steps can be found in the areas of Fontainhas, Mala, Sao Tome and others. All of these areas are near Altinho Hill.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Delhi and Rajasthan: Colors of India

Discover Colorful Rajasthan: From Delhi to Jaipur and Beyond.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

Vivek Gadre

Published

August 30, 2024

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/goa/panaji-panjim/attractions/altinho-hill/a/poi-sig/1430676/356231
  • https://lifestyle.livemint.com/news/big-story/the-history-behind-panajis-stepped-streets-111683819094653.html
Panaji's Heritage Steps
R. Emidio Gracia
Panaji, 403001
India
15.497955, 73.829668
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Statue of Abbe Faria

Panaji, India

miles away

Fontainhas

Panaji, India

miles away

Casa da Moeda

Panaji, India

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Panaji

Panaji

India

Places 9

Nearby Places

Statue of Abbe Faria

Panaji, India

miles away

Fontainhas

Panaji, India

miles away

Casa da Moeda

Panaji, India

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Panaji

Panaji

India

Places 9

Related Places

  • Mumbai, India

    Flora Fountain

    An iconic fountain dedicated to the Roman goddess Flora stands in the heart of Mumbai.

  • Piazza degli Olmi

    Matera, Italy

    Piazza degli Olmi

    A unique urban square characterized by raw concrete structures and bold geometric forms.

  • Front of the building from the street.

    Brooklyn, New York

    Urban Post-Disaster Housing Prototype

    An interim housing alternative to FEMA trailers that is designed for densely populated areas during recovery and rebuilding following a natural disaster.

  • Teruel, Spain

    Escalinata del Óvalo

    This grandiose staircase was part of the revival of a medieval Spanish architectural style combining Christian and Islamic influences.

  • Spanish Steps

    Washington, D.C.

    Spanish Steps

    A terrace reminiscent of Rome's Spanish Steps is tucked away in a little park in Washington, D.C.

  • Kyoto Station Skyway

    Kyoto, Japan

    Kyoto Station's Skyway

    View Japan's most historic city from a cyberpunk walkway suspended 150 feet above the ground.

  • Het Wittehuis

    Rotterdam, Netherlands

    Het Wittehuis

    The oldest skyscraper of Europe now stands dwarfed by the surrounding structures.

  • Birmingham Back to Backs

    Birmingham, England

    Birmingham Back to Backs

    A collection of historic buildings in central Birmingham blend seamlessly into the cityscape but have an interesting story to tell.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.