Calangute beach, 'Queen of Beaches'
North Goa Beach
Where is Calangute beach?
Calangute beach is situated on the shores of the Arabian Sea in the North of India's Goa. It is encircled by Arpora-Nagoa, Saligao and Candolim, in the Bardez taluka, and is just 15 km from Panajim, the capital of the state of Goa.
How to reach?
This beach is a mere thirty minutes bus ride up the coast from the capital, Panaji and is about ten minutes from Mapusa. There are frequent buses to Panaji and Mapusa from Calangute. Most buses from Panaji terminate at Calangute and a few trudge further on up to Baga. Mapusa is 8 km away from Calangute.
The nearest airport is at Dabolim, which is 29 km away from Panaji. The nearest railway station is at Karmali 11 km away from Panaji. Panaji is just half an hour's drive away from Calangute. Private transportation facilities - deluxe, semi-deluxe and ordinary - are also available offering a smooth and hassle free vacations in Goa.
About Calangute Beach
Calangute beach is also called the 'Queen of Beaches' because the beauty you find here cannot be found elsewhere. Under the shade of palm trees, bathes the Queen of Beaches - Calangute.
Calangute beach seems to be a distortion of the local vernacular word-'Koli-gutti', which means land of fishermen. Some people connect it with Kalyangutti (village of art) or Konvallo-ghott (strong pit of the coconut tree) because the village is full of coconut trees. With the advent of the Portuguese, the word probably got distorted to Calangute, and has stuck till today. In a green semi-circle, the villages of Arpora-Nagoa, Saligao and Candolim do their bit to enhance the divine beauty of Calangute beach. There are picturesque agors (saltpans) at Agarvaddo, Maddavaddo is full of madd (coconut trees), Dongorpur skirts a bottle-green hillock and Tivaivaddo laces the beach. In Gauravaddo lived the gaudds or milkmen ran dairies.
Why Calangute Beach is so special?
Calangute beach is a haven for the hippies. It was the hippies who discovered this beach in the late 60s. The exquisite beauty of the Calangute beach in India's Goa soon spread around, bringing hordes of European tourists. And this trend has still been continuing...tourists come down to this small Indian state of Goa searching for this lovely beach. Once you reach here you can spend your vacation soaked in the serenity of the sea, sun and sand.
This beach is often crowded with people, children making sand castles, colorful crowds surging towards the sea, hippies busy remembering the good old times and the young and old alike lazing on the golden sands. This picture of a perfect tourist haven is completed with shacks and stalls under the shade of palm trees selling everything from fried prawns and beer to trinkets made of seashells.
How to enjoy Calangute beach?
Let down your hair and simply allow the beach to embrace you in its bewitching beauty. Laze around in the sand, get yourself a beautiful tan whistle feasting on fresh seafood and feni while at Calangute beach in Goa.Nearby Attraction
Other places worth visiting are the Church of St alex and the Kerkar Art complex.Church of St Alex - Apart form the beach, there is the Church of St Alex which is a must-see. Church of St Alex, with its two towers and a magnificent dome displays the beauty of the architectural style and ornate altars. In 1996, Calangute celebrated the fourth centenary of its parish church.
Kerkar Art Complex - The Kerkar Art Complex in this Indian State of Goa is quite special and is the one and only of its kind on this beach. It is a popular center for exhibitions of arts and crafts of local artistes. On Thursdays and Fridays, you can be audience to connoisseurs of Indian classical music and dance.
Water sports - Apart from places of visit, Calangute beach in Goa offers parasailing, water skiing and wind surfing which starts in the afternoon when the wind is blowing in the right direction and it goes on till sunset.
Sports & the Outdoors on the Beach
Hop aboard a dolphin-or-crocodile-spotting tour, which winds past thick mangroves along the Zuari and Mandovi rivers, or take a ride on a banana boat.
Odyssey Tours has a luxury yacht with a license to carry 27 passengers on deck, plus 4 crew members, including a captain and engineer (so you cant rent the yacht and drive it yourself). They offer half-day dolphin-spotting cruises for about Rs. 100 per person, including lunch; reservations are necessary. The yacht leaves from Brittona, where it has its own jetty. In the afternoon, its available for private charter groups for Rs. 6,500 per hour.
Where to stay & eat in Goa Calangute beach?
Calangute beach offers lot of choices when it comes to accommodation. From resorts & star hotels to budget rooms, you will find everything here. Those planning a longer vacation in Goa should look out for houses that are usually let out.Return from Calangute Beach page to Goa Holidays and Goa Hotels Home Page