Calangute Beach
Calangute beach is one of the most frequented beaches of Goa. Therefore, it is quite natural that this beach is overcrowded during both peak seasons and also in off seasons. This beach also known as the 'Queen of Beaches' occupies a large seven-kilometer area of sand and is situated at a distance of 15 km from the capital Panaji.The best time to visit the Calangute is during Christmas Eve as well as New Year’s Eve when it welcomes all the tourists with warmth and grace. It also welcomes large numbers of visitors from various age groups who visit during the summer season. They enjoy their time on this beach by sunbathing and also have fun in the refreshing sea breeze.
It is believed that Calangute beach is the largest beach in the north of Goa. According to stories by locals, it was the hippies who discovered the Calangute beach during 1960s and it is famous ever since. Tourists as well as locals find this beach a true illustration of Goa’s beach culture, thus adding to its popularity.
Many years of being a tourist attraction has brought about a remarkable change in the beach scenario and so, many guesthouses and hotels have arisen in the area. The Calangute village now has every basic facility that you need, like medical facilities, eateries of all kinds, resort companies, offices for foreign exchange, banks and post offices.
Highlights of the Beach
The lively and trendy nightlife of the place gives it worldwide prominence and so tourists from various countries visit it. Calangute beach provides pious liveliness during sun set as the view is amazing and there are usual parties taking place here. It is a common sight to see hippies, locals, and foreign tourists continually dancing in the beach for the whole night.You can easily get tasty local food in the picturesque huts and countless shacks present on the beach. You must not miss exploring the different eateries in the beach and also searching for exclusive local seafood such as fish and fried prawns. Therefore, there is no lack of continental and local dishes here.
This beach provides great water sports activities such as parasailing, water skiing and surfing amongst many others. There is also a famous Kerkar Art Complex on the beach providing you an opportunity to view numerous art exhibitions that are mostly organized during the summer season. You can enjoy swimming in the beach waters but you should avoid swimming when the beach waves are heavier.
Internet cafes have grown in number in Calangute and might exceed those in the whole of Panaji. The tour operators and travel agencies have a foundation here and bookings are carried out for many of the other Goa beaches from here. Even though you will not find swaying palms or many traditional boats here, you can just relish the serenity of the place.
There are exciting water sports activities here and also many unique items being sold like little trinkets and plentiful handmade items. So, tourists from Western countries as well hippies find this beach an ideal spot to spend fun time because of the various water sports and splendid shopping experiences it offers.
Things to do in Calangute Beach
Shopping in Calangute
While on the way to this beach from Calangute, you would be able to witness handicraft and jewelry shops which are owned by Tibetan or Kashmiri shopkeepers. The products being sold here are of perfect quality, especially the Karnataka, Gujarati and Rajasthani fabrics available.If you look out to purchase unique products, you have endless options in Calangute as huge showrooms full of exquisite handicraft items from Rajasthan, Indonesia, Tibet and Kashmir are seen here.
Paintings:
On the way to Baga, you will be able to see Dev’s Art Gallery in Calangute offering visitors various options to choose among a number of original paintings to buy.Carpets:
There are many shops near this beach especially the ones in Holiday Street capture the attention of tourists by their unique and well designed carpets. There are also other items such as jewelries being sold in this place.It is a nice option for you to purchase Goa handicrafts available in various shops here as their authenticity cannot be doubted. If you need to buy other accessories such as trinkets, distinctive pouches, designer bags, and so on, try out street shopping at Calangute.
Eating in Calangute
Goa always offers appetizing multi-cuisine food delicacies to its tourists, such as Continental, Italian, Lebanese, Thai, German and Chinese. Such multi-cuisine restaurants are seen in abundance near Calangute beach, serving good and delicious varieties of international food with the assurance of hygiene.Here are some outstanding restaurants providing many specializations in their food and have excellent service.
Souza' Lobo
Souza' Lobo is perfectly located with a beach view and offers quality service as well as great service. These features make this restaurant hugely popular among locals and tourists for the past 65 years. The food quality has been well maintained over the years and makes it a good eat-out spot near the Calangute beach.Mirabai's Goan Village
Mirabai's Goan Village is quite new as it was launched just four months back but it is trustworthy to provide good and genuine Goa meals. The popularity of this restaurant is mainly due to its convenient location on the main road and the amazing ambience. The food here is very nice and the service is great.Hotels in Calangute
Hotel Seagull
Hotel Seagull is situated in Holiday Street and has a lovely 3-star hotel named Sea Gull which offers good food and amazing background music. Its location is on the way to the Calangute beach if you move towards Candolim, making it a preferred choice.The timing for you to check-in as well as check-out is 9 o’clock in the morning. The reviving restaurant inside it makes it widely popular since a long time.