12 Indian Towns That Feel Like Foreign Countries

2. Goa (Panjim & Old Goa) — Portugal’s Footprints on India

Goa shows Portugal’s long influence in India through grand Baroque churches, whitewashed colonial houses, and street names that still sound Lusophone. Old Goa hosts several UNESCO-recognized churches and convents whose facades and interiors recall Iberian baroque design, while Panjim’s Fontainhas quarter is full of narrow lanes, tiled roofs, and balconies draped with bougainvillea. Culinary life reflects that mixing too: Goan fish curries and pork vindaloo carry Portuguese techniques and ingredients alongside local Konkani flavors. Contemporary Goa also offers international-standard resorts and beach clubs that accentuate the “island getaway” feeling. Travelers from North America often combine Goa with a wider India itinerary; the easiest season runs from November to early March, when beach weather and cultural festivals both peak. Travel + Leisure and other reputable travel outlets highlight Goa’s combined heritage and modern hospitality scenes as reasons it can feel more like a European coastal town than a typical Indian beach destination.