Let us consider that you are in Bangalore. You are interested in visiting the Calangute Beach. Before you plan your visit to this beach in Goa, you should know how to reach this beach from Bangalore. Also, you should know about the best time to visit this beach and key attractions and things to do. This post will let you learn everything you should before you plan your visit to this beach.
Calangute Beach – An Introduction
You can understand the importance of visiting Calangute Beach from the fact that it is referred to as the Queen of Beaches. You might have heard that Goa is full of beaches. Among them, this beach is one of the largest and famous beaches in North Goa. This beach is popular for its lively crowd, water sports, vibrant shacks and golden Sand. With these features, the beach attracts tourists from across the world.
You might be looking for a beach to relax under the sun. Otherwise, you might be interested in thrilling water activities. Otherwise, you might be interested in trying some authentic Goan cuisine. In all these cases, the Calangute Beach will satisfy you.
Are North Goa Beaches Better Than South Goa Beaches? Check out my post.
Calangute Beach – The History
Calangute Beach is known for its rich history. Yes, its history reflects the colonial and cultural influences of Goa. Once this beach area was a quiet village used by fishermen alone. But, it gained popularity as a tourist spot in the 1960s. The beach stands as a symbol of counter-culture, freedom and peace. It attracts travellers interested in escaping conventional life.
Over the years, Calangute Beach has evolved into a thriving tourist spot. The beach continues to retain a few of its Bohemian charm. Now, Calangute is a combination of cultures. Visitors from different walks of life come together to this beach to enjoy its lively atmosphere and beauty.
How to Reach Calangute Beach?
Bangalore, the capital city of Karnataka is located around 624.6 km away from Calangute Beach. When reaching this beach from Bangalore, you have different options. You can choose a preferred mode of transportation from those mentioned below:
By Car
Are you planning a road trip? If so, driving from Bangalore to Calangute Beach is the best option. However, remember that it will take around 13 hours to cover this distance by car. By car from Bangalore, you will have to take the NH48 route. The route will be scenic with lots of eateries and places to stop in between.
By Bus
If you wish to travel by bus, many private travel agencies run buses that connect Bangalore and Panjim. From Panjim, you can take a local bus to reach the Calangute Football Ground bus stop. Then, walk for around 1.2 km to reach Calangute Beach.
By Train
Thivim Railway Station is the nearest Railway Station to Calangute Beach. From Thivim, the beach is located around 20 km. You can hire a taxi to cover the 20 km distance.
To reach Thivim from Bangalore, you can take the YPR VSG Express that starts from Yashwantpur Junction. This train will take you to Thivim within 14 hours. Other than this train, there is no direct train from Bangalore to Thivim. You can book tickets from Yashwantpur to Madgaon. Then, catch a connecting train from Karmali to Thivim.
By Flight
Would you like to travel by flight from Bangalore to Calangute Beach? If so, you can book trains to the nearest airport which is Goa International Airport. From this airport, the beach is located at a distance of 40 km. You can cover this distance by hiring a cab. It might take around an hour to reach the beach from the Goa International Airport.
The thing to remember here is that you cannot make a single-day trip from Bangalore to Calangute Beach. So, make sure to book your accommodations in Calangute. Here are some places to stay in Calangute:
- Zone Connect by the Park
- Hard Rock Hotel Goa
- Le Meridien
- Fairfield by Marriott Goa
- BloomSuites
- Resort De Coracao
- Bloomrooms
Based on your budget, choose a suitable accommodation option so that you can refresh before leaving for Calangute Beach.
Key Attractions & Things to Do
I should say that there is no shortage of activities for tourists in Calangute Beach. Whether you need an adrenaline-pumping or a relaxing experience, there are a lot of attractions and things to do on the beach:
Water Sports
If you are an adventure-seeker, you can find a lot of water sports in Calangute Beach. For instance, you can take bumper rides, banana boat rides, windsurfing, jet skiing and parasailing. The beach has outlets for professional operators, who can help you engage in water sports with the utmost safety.
Relax on the Beach
All of us cannot engage in water sports after travelling for a long distance. If you are more inclined to unwind, you can relax on a sunbed. You can soak in the views of the Arabian Sea or even you can read a book. The warm breeze combined with gentle waves generates an ideal atmosphere for a relaxing day at Calangute Beach.
Visit St. Alex Church
Within a 2 km distance from Calangute Beach, you can visit St. Alex Church. This is an attractive church with historical importance. Yes, it dates back to 1595. The serene atmosphere in the church, white façade and stunning architecture make it an ideal spot for quiet reflection and photography.
Shop at Calangute Market
If you are a shopping enthusiast, you should not forget to visit the market near Calangute Beach. At this market, you can buy everything from handicrafts to jewellery. Bargaining is a common practice in this market. So, do not shy away from negotiating for a good deal for anything you buy here.
Beach Parties and Nightlife
Calangute is popular for its vibrant nightlife. Many shacks near the beach become party spots at dusk. You can watch live DJ performances and bonfires. You can also visit fun night-out clubs near the beach.
Explore Baga Beach
From Calangute, you can travel to Baga Beach as well. This beach is popular for beach parties, water sports and a vibrant environment. So, do not forget to head to Baga Beach.
Go to Candolim Beach
Not only Baga Beach but you can also consider visiting Candolim Beach from Calangute. It is a beautiful beach with a relaxing atmosphere. Also, this beach will let you engage in a lot of recreational activities.
Visit Anjuna Beach
Anjuna Beach is yet another option available when it comes to places to visit near Calangute Beach. This beach is popular for its nightlife and natural beauty. Particularly, its hippie culture makes it a popular destination to visit in Goa. This beach is known for its swaying palms, soft sands and rocky formations.
Visit the Tibetan Handicraft and souvenir market.
If you love shopping, you can visit this market. You can find a good collection of jewellery and artefacts. Most women were happy that they were able to find some unique pieces of ornaments that they could not find elsewhere. This is a small market with around 20-25 stalls. Make sure to bargain to take home some items at the best price. Even, if you do not shop for anything, you can just walk around the market for window shopping.
Visit the Benz Celebrity Wax Museum
How about taking pictures with wax dolls of some celebrities? These figures look original and you can gain the satisfaction of taking pictures with celebrities at this museum. In this wax museum, a 9D cinema is available. Also, your kids will enjoy a dashing car ride in this museum. It is a good place to spend some time with kids and family near Calangute Beach.
Holiday Street
Again, if you wish to shop for some local and Chinese goods, you can visit this street. Not only shops, you can find a lot of eateries on this street. Particularly, this street is popular for its wide range of accommodation options. If you are good at bargaining, you can get some good deals in the Holiday Street.
Kankonkar Goan Kaju House
This is a local factory outlet near Calangute Beach. From here, you can buy the best-quality locally-grown cashew crop. Also, you can buy incense sticks, tea, organic spices and homemade chocolates here. You can also buy homemade Goan masalas and Goan chicken/fish homemade at a very reasonable price. The factory outlet keeps a low-profit margin for its items. You can get the best-quality cashews packed in front of your eyes from loose bags.
Shantadurga Temple
This is a less-known temple in Calangute. Goa, as you know, is popular for its churches. So, this temple is less popular so you can expect fewer crowds. If you wish to visit a religious site in Goa, you can consider visiting this temple located near Calangute Beach.
In short, with plenty of things to do and places to visit, Calangute Beach can satiate you to the core. You can do these explorations when you visit the beach in the right season.
Best Time & Season to Visit
In addition to knowing how to reach Calangute Beach, you should also know what is the right season to visit. Only then, you can plan your visit during the right season. This is important to explore the beach and its nearby attractions to the fullest.
Calangute Beach is often crowded. People visit this beach even during the off-season. Some people recommend visiting the beach during Christmas and New Year. During this season, you can experience the festive environment of the beach.
The ideal time to visit Calangute Beach is between November and February. During this winter season in this region, you can experience pleasant weather. The temperatures during this season range between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius. However, remember that this is the peak season visited by many tourists. So, during this season, you can expect more crowds. However, during this season, the nightlife, water sports and beach shacks function in full swing.
June to September Monsoon Season
It is better to avoid the monsoon season between June and September. Indeed, you can visit the beach during this season. However, there will be heavy rainfall. You cannot find many shacks and water sports operators during this season.
As the sea during this season is rough, it is advisable not to swim. But if you wish to visit during a season with fewer crowds, you can consider this season.
March to May is Off-Season
In Goa, the summer months are hot and humid. The temperature during this season reaches more than 350C. So, it is better to avoid this season. During this season the crowds will be less. But, it can be uncomfortable to participate in outdoor activities due to excessive heat. So, if you are looking for fewer crowds and budget-friendly accommodations, you can choose this season.
Duration to See
The duration to spend in Calangute depends on individual preferences. You should decide based on the activities you plan to do. Decide how long you wish to spend on water activities and how long you wish to spend on the beach. Also, you should decide how long you are going to relax at beach shacks. Considering all these factors, you can plan a 2-3 day stay in Calangute.
If you cannot spend 2-3 days, you can consider a day trip. However, this is possible only when you stay in nearby areas like Mapusa or Panaji. However, a longer stay will help you experience the beach both during the day and night. In the night, it turns into a party spot as mentioned earlier. So, you will get a different experience.
Best Restaurants & Cafes Around
- Infantaria Café
- Café De Goa
- Café Rama
- NickyM’s Kitchen at Toff Toff Pub
- Candolim Coffee House
- Cape Town Cafe
- Spicy Bella
- Pousada by the Beach
- Souza Lobo – Since 1932
- Amavi by Sumera
- Chelsea Beach Shack
- The Fisherman’s Wharf Calangute
- Fat Fish Restaurant and Bar
Entry Fee & Ticket Prices
As Calangute Beach is a public beach, you need not pay anything to access this beach. Nevertheless, if you are interested in taking part in water sports or rent umbrellas or sunbeds, you will have to pay for these services. Here are the average costs you can expect for different activities near the beach:
- For water sports, the cost varies based on the type of activity you choose. For instance, jet skiing can cost you somewhere between Rs.500 and Rs.1000, while parasailing can cost somewhere between Rs. 800 and Rs.1500.
- Renting Sunbed: If you wish to spend some time on the beach, you can hire a sunbed with an umbrella. For a day, the cost of hiring will be between Rs.100 and Rs.300.
- Parking Charges: If you have decided to drive your vehicle, you will have to bear a parking fee of Rs.100 at Calangute Beach.
FAQ
Before you begin planning your Calangute Beach trip from Bangalore, you will have some questions. You can check whether you can find answers to your questions from the following FAQs and the respective answers:
1. Is Calangute Beach Safe for Swimming?
Yes, it is safe to swim in Calangute Beach. It is one of the activities done by visitors. However, it is recommended to swim in the areas that lifeguards mark. You should follow this, particularly during monsoon season when the sea will be rough.
2. Are there accommodation options near Calangute Beach?
Yes, you can find a lot of accommodation options near the beach. You can choose one based on your budget. There are budget-friendly accommodations and luxury resorts to choose from. If you have planned your visit during peak season, book your accommodation in advance. Otherwise, you might not find accommodation.
3. What are the Other Beaches Located Near Calangute Beach?
Some of the beaches near Calangute Beach are Baga Beach, Candolim Beach and Anjuna Beach.
4. Can I Visit Calangute Beach During Monsoon?
Yes, you can visit. However, during monsoon, many beach shacks remain closed. Also, you may not be able to participate in water sports as the sea will be rough. On the other hand, if you love to see the rain-washed version of Goa and fewer crowds, you can choose to visit during the monsoon.
Conclusion
I should say that Calangute Beach is a crown jewel of the northern coastline of Goa. With its stunning sunsets, lively beach shacks, exciting water sports and bustling energy, it offers an unforgettable Goan beach experience to visitors. You might be planning a longer stay or a few hours trip to this beach. In both cases, it is a destination that can help you capture the spirit of Goa. You can engage in a lot of activities on the beach right from sunbathing on the beach sand to dancing at a beach party. In short, you can expect an unforgettable beach holiday on this Goan beach. Get ready for the most enjoyable and unforgettable experience.
However, it is one of the most famous beaches of Goa and hence can be very crowded.
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