Calangute Beach

Calangute Beach is in North Goa, between Baga and Calangute. Often called the “Queen of Beaches”, it is a beautiful golden sandy beach with everything – a tree-lined coast where many tourists like to relax, plenty of water sports activities, swimming, and many places to eat and drink. Very close to the beach, you will find many cafes, restaurants, bars, shops, and nightclubs. The coast is lined with beach shacks. Each shack has its own loungers with umbrellas. You can order food and drink and sit or lie down for hours. You can get a massage on the beach or play volleyball. You can go for a swim in the Arabian Sea whenever you want. Swimming is safe here. There are lifeguards too in the peak season.

Calangute Beach is 16.7 kilometers from Panaji, the capital of Goa. It is a top beach in Goa and a must-visit. From Baga to Candolim, it is an unbroken coastal stretch that extends for more than 7 kilometers. Calangute is at the center – Baga is to the north and Candolim is to the south. Thus, there are advantages of staying here. You can visit all three beaches easily and also spend a day at Panaji to see its attractions. The city is close. You can reach the city in less than 30 minutes.

Calangute was then called “Kolli Gutti” or “land of the fishermen”.

You can enjoy a holiday just like you want here. It can be a relaxing vacation on a sun bed by the sea. It can be a fun holiday with water sports and swimming. You can party too as there are many nightclubs, such as the Nirvana Russian Club and Rush. There is live music and dancing in many lounges and beach shacks as well. You will find many places to eat and drink along the Baga-Calangute Road and also in the lanes. For handicrafts and souvenirs, go to the Tibetan Market.

The Calangute beach is 16.3 kms from Panaji (the capital of Goa), 40.3 kms from the airport if you take the NH66, and 42.3 kms from the Vasco da Gama railway station by the NH366 followed by the NH66. It is next to the Baga beach.

Calangute Map

It was a popular beach even during the Portuguese rule. Many came here in May and June to escape the pre-monsoon heat. The rich locals came to the beach for their mudança (change of air). They were entertained by musicians wearing straw hats and playing their guitars or mandolin. There used to be a beachfront bandstand where the performers sang fados (Portuguese songs) and Konkani dulpods.

Then the hippies arrived. It was the hippies who really globalized this beach. Calangute Beach is now popular throughout Asia.

Calangute Gallery

Luxury villa with direct access to the beach. 5* star service. Prime location of North Goa.
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Quick Facts About Calangute

Best Time of the Year to Visit

You can visit Calangute beach throughout the year, but it is more pleasant between November and February when the temperature is lower. There will be a lot more tourists in the winter. It will be wet in the monsoon, with a lot of downpours on some days. Very few water sports activities in the rainy season. Many shacks and restaurants may also be closed in the summer and monsoon.

Which is Better Baga or Calangute?

Weather

The summer between March and early June is the hot season. Expect high daytime temperature and humidity. June to August is the monsoon. There will be heavy rains, black thunderous clouds, high wind, and a stormy sky. Avoid swimming in the sea as the waves are high and strong. During the tourist season the average day temperature is about +32°C, but in the night it cools down to +24°C. The sea water is are very warm and usually around +30°C.

How to Reach Calangute Beach

• By Air — The Dabolim International Airport is 40.3 kms from Calangute. It is well connected with major Indian cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Chennai, etc. The new Mopa airport is 29.8 kilometers away.
• By Rail — The Vasco da Gama railway station is 42.3 kms from the beach. The closest railhead Thivim is 19.7 kms away.
• By Road — The Calangute is 10.5 kms from Mapusa, and 16.7 kms from Goa’s capital Panaji or Panjim.

Calangute Beach

Hire a car at the vehicle at the station or airport to reach the tourist hub. Most resorts, hotels, villas in Goa, apartments, big shops and supermarkets have car parking space. There are pre-paid taxi counters outside the airport and station. Cars and two-wheelers are available on hire.

Top Activities

The beach is naturally the top attraction. You can enjoy swimming or just lie back on a sun bed and relax. You can also get a massage on the beach. There are many water sports activities too like speed boats, banana boats, parasailing, jet skiing, dolphin cruises, and more.

• Relax on Calangute beach – You will find beach shacks everywhere. They all have sun beds with umbrellas. The sun bed comes free if you order food or drinks at the shack. You can spend an entire day relaxing, getting a tan, and enjoying the views.
• Swimming – The Calangute beach is very good for swimming too, even for the kids. It slopes down gently into the sea. There are no riptides. The water is clean. There are lifeguards on the beach. You will not find any sharks or predatory animals in the water.
• Food & Drinks – The best beach shacks for food and drinks are Karni's, Bubbles, Copacabana, Typsy, Paulo Candido, Moonlight, Peter's Shack, Sea Face, and Jolly Boys. Some other good places are Tio Tilly’s Bar and Kitchen, The Red Lion Pub, Carvalho’s, The Fisherman’s Wharf, Bella Ciao, Bob’s Inn, Jam Point, Tibetan Kitchen, Oriental, and Souza Lobo.
• Get a Massage – You can get a massage right on the beach. For a better experience and more privacy, you can head to a spa. You will find spas and natural healing centers at Calangute like the Cyril Yoga Ayurveda Centre, So Thai Spa, Neomis Salon and Spa, Sukho Thai Foot Spa, Papillon Salon & Wellness and the Ayurdham Goa.
• Rent a car/bike – The best way to explore Goa is by renting a car or bike. Rent to visit many tourist attractions nearby like the Aguada Fort, chapels, markets, and some other smaller beaches.

There are many spas and natural healing centers like the Cyril Yoga Ayurveda Centre, So Thai Spa, Neomis Salon and Spa, Sukho Thai Foot Spa, Papillon Salon & Wellness and the Ayurdham Goa.

Shopping

Calangute Beach is one of the top shopping destinations in North Goa. You will find plenty of street-side stalls selling a variety of things. There are supermarkets and large department stores as well along the main road. You can go to Newton’s Supermarket, Delfino’s Hymart, Decathlon, Fab India, or the Valanka Shopping Mall. For silver jewelry, metal artifacts, handicrafts, and souvenirs, visit The Tibetan Market.

• Saturday Bazar – It is close to the post office. Here, you will find groceries, fish, meats, vegetables, pottery, textiles, and more.
• Tibetan Market – It is located between Calangute and Baga to the north. Many stores and stalls sell prayer flags, incense sticks, blankets, statues, and singing bowls.
• Fish Market – The Naikwadi Fish Market stocks a large collection of various types of fish, including fresh crabs, mackerel, king prawns, king fish, and more. There are stalls that also sell seafood.
• The Beach Wear Shoppe – An exclusive store for swimwear. You will also find cotton shirts, shorts, and gowns for the ladies. It is very close to the beach.
• All About Eve – The store for clothes, accessories, and unusual bags.

Sightseeing

The St Alex Church in Calangute

The main attraction is the beach. But there are other things to see as well.

• Our Lady Of Piety – This 250 years old Portuguese church is located on the Calangute-Baga Road. See the statue of St. Francis of Assisi and Jesus on the cross in the main altar. There are also many beautiful paintings on wood.
• Old Goa – Old Goa or Velha is close to Calangute. Visit Old Goa to see its stunning monasteries and churches. The St. Cajetan Church, Basilica of Bom Jesus, St. Catherine Cathedral, and the ruins of the St. Augustine Church will surely impress you. Many of them are UNESCO Heritage sites.
• St. Alex Church – A well-maintained 18th century church with a stunning façade and decorated interiors. The church has a beautiful dome, altars, and towers. It is close to the Calangute post office.
• Kerkar Art Complex – See the exhibits displayed artistically with earthly things like shells, pebbles, bamboos, and colorful stones. There are Indian music and dance performances as well.
• Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary – It is one of India’s most famous bird sanctuaties. It is only 11.4 kilometers from Calangute by the Chogm Road. It will be a trip for half a day.

Top 5 Best Restaurants

Enjoy a snack or sumptuous dinner at Calangute. Choose from traditional Goanese, Konkani, or Marathi food, north and south Indian, Chinese and Continental.

• i-95 – Open-air restaurant with nice décor. World cuisine. Try their grilled meats, tuna, tangy beef, and the house wines. The hosts reportedly met at a Royal Caribbean Cruise and decided to start the eatery.
• Souza Lobo – On the beach. The best place for spicy coastal food. It’s a long wait, but the food is delicious. Try the Goan sausages, crab xacuti, prawn curry, fried fish, and the famous Goan Balchao. Dhaba interiors.
• Travel Bar – The best place for burgers. High bar stools. Enjoy the ambience of travel storytelling.
• A Reverie – A restaurant for fine dining in Goa. Unexpected décor. Huge pillars. Weird lamps. Disco balls. International and local cuisine. Try their mushroom cappuccino soup, smoked duck, Japanese style tuna, chocolate mousse, and more. Jazz sessions on the weekends.
• Chef Soumyen's Kitchen – For European dining and fine wines. Garden setting. Try their steaks and seafood. Drive down south from the Calangute Mall. It is just off the Fort Aguada Road.

Nightclubs

Calangute is busy during the day and busier after dark. It gets more vibrant and lively once the sun goes down. There are dance shows, music, and jazz. Wines and parties are the main attraction.

Popular bars, pubs, and clubs in Calangute:

• Cool Cat, at the Osborne Holiday Resort, close to the St. Anthony’s Chapel
• Chris Greve, close to the Delseys English Bar
• The Sportsman’s Bar in the Mapusa neighborhood
• Moon Night Club
• Kamaki
• The Red Lion Pub
• Log Cabin Pub, close to the Calangute-Baga Circle.

Water Sports

Calangute Beach Water Sports

In Calangute beach you will find water sports operators inviting you to try out various activities. Choose from speed boats, banana boats, bumper boats, body or knee boarding, wake boarding, and paddle boarding. The more adventurous can try out parasailing.

There is no snorkeling, scuba diving or fishing here. For this you will have to visit the Ilha Grande or the Grand Island, which is close to Vasco da Gama. You may also go for dolphin and crocodile spotting on the Mandovi River, which is also not far away.

Hotels in Calangute

Hotel Ocean Palms Goa, Calangute

Calangute beach is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Goa. There are plenty of accommodation options at all prices. There are star properties like The Park, The Grand, Ocean Palms, Nazri Resort, the Casa Severina Hotel, Hard Rock Goa, and others. There are boutique properties too. You will also find simple guest houses, bungalows, and hotels for budget travelers.

Many of the resorts, hotels, guest houses, and villas are located very close to the sea, while others are in the interiors along the Calangute-Baga or in small lanes. You will find many properties even in the Calangute-Anjuna Road, further inside.

Those offering sea views naturally cost more. The cost will also depend on the amenities and luxuries on offer. Many hotels, villas, and apartments come with swimming pools, spa & wellness centers, fitness clubs, free Wi-Fi, mini-kitchen and mini bar.

Villas for Rent

There are many apartments and luxury villas in Calangute, which are some of the best places to stay in Goa. Take a look at the Greek Valley, Zuri White and Dream Valley. These properties have private swimming pools, garden and lawn, spacious bedrooms, fully air-conditioned interiors, mini bars, a well-equipped kitchen, terraces and balconies with views.

European style, private pool luxury 3-bedroom villa. Quite and prime location of North Goa. From 21 000 Rs. per night

Private pool villa with only 50 meters from the Calangute beach. 4 ensuite bedrooms. From 18 000 Rs. per night

Luxury villa with direct access to the Calangute beach. 5* star service. Prime location. From 19 000 Rs. per night

* Price depends on arrival dates and duration of stay.

Villas for rent in Goa