A very popular and the largest beach in north Goa, Calangute is a beach town attracting millions of domestic as well as international tourists every year. It is about 15 k.m. from Panjim city, the capital of Goa and is most noted for the perfect sun-kissed beach that has a stretch of about four miles, with the vast Arabian seafront on one side and the affluent streak of palm fringes on the opposite side. Originally called Kolongutt, the current name was given by the Portuguese who like rest of the Goa ruled and colonized the place for nearly 500 years. Often seen filled with tourists and hippies, the place is full of Calangute hotels, shacks, cafes, restaurants, clubs, tattoo studios, shops, and everything else that one expects at a popular beach destination. The beach is one of the most crowded beaches in the nation with a continuous influx of tourists round the year, except for monsoons when the sea gets rough and swimming is prohibited.
Calangute is very well-connected to rest of the state, so accessing it is easy. It is a painless experience as there is a large fleet of taxis, buses, scooter taxis, etc. running from all corners of the state to the beach town. The nearest railway station is the Thivim railhead, which is about 20 minutes drive away. Besides, a major percentage of tourists also use the railway stations of Margao and Vasco, which are two major cities in the state.
Calangute Tourism
Known for its scenic beauty, Calangute is fondly referred as the “Queen of Beaches” in Goa. The place is also a major hub of a number of water sport activities. Parasailing is a must-do activity. Experiencing the feeling of flying, soaring over the vast ocean, and watching the stunning sights of the coast is certainly an invincible experience and a mind opener. Apart from that, the waves here are simply perfect for water skiing and jet skiing. Those who are not into action and like to take a step back and relax, there are a couple of spas and massage parlors to pick from. Besides, the beach is full of number of beds where tourists enjoy sunbathing.
One of the most-known attraction at the beach is the Aguada Fort. It is a historic structure built by the Portuguese in the seventeenth century. They built the fort to provide safeguard to the place from Dutch and Marathas who at regular intervals of time invaded the place. A notable property of the fort is that it has a freshwater spring believed to have been used to provide water to ships in ancient times. The lighthouse built at the place is a major tourist point and offers panoramic views of the area.
Tourists also largely flock the St. Alex Church. It is one of the most appreciated and beautiful churches in Goa. It is an old church built in the late 1600s with several additions that were added later. It is one of the most impressive and mesmerizing constructions of the old days and features seven altars, a beautiful dome, and two towers.
For lodgings, take any road that reaches the beach; you'll find a large number of hotels as you approach the beach. Most of the hotels are easy on the wallet of the travellers and offer satisfactory stay. The budget hotels in Calangute are highly popular, however, you will also find a good rush in cheap as well as luxury hotels.