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Sandy beaches, medicinal springs and rich estuaries, Goa, is a breathtaking experience for any enthusiast who visits. Goa has a lot to offer, from an incredible landscape to mesmerising waterfalls, beautiful churches, and gigantic forts. In the endless list of the most beautiful places in Goa, near Calangute occupies a top tier as one of the most preferred and beautiful places in Goa.
Calangute is a small town situated in the North District of Goa at a distance of 14 km from Panjim. The place is famous for its beaches, its shacks, its nightlife and its vibe. If you are planning to visit Calangute and are hoping to score other destinations around it, we will guide you through the landscape of Calangute and help you make the most out of your Calangute experience.
1. Calangute Beach
One of the most popular beaches of Goa, Calangute Beach is known as the Queen of Beaches in Goa. The beach stretches for over 7 km, touching other popular beaches like Baga and Candolim.
With numerous shacks and restaurants to enjoy seaside dining and fun water sports to soothe your adventure enthusiast’s heart, Calangute Beach is a wholesome experience.
Calangute Beach is preferred by tourists in all seasons however, monsoon-wrapped Calangute still tops all destinations in Goa. Whether you want to visit alone or with family, Calangute is suited for all companies.
However, the beach is often crowded and hence, it is advisable to book your stay before arriving.
What is Calangute famous for?
Calangute is one of the most popular regions of Goa famous for its beaches, ambience, nightlife, sports as well as clubs.
Calangute Beach is most preferred by tourists due to its high-end facilities, best shacks and safety of tourists. The beach also offers marvellous food and drink options.
What are the best places to visit near Calangute with your family?
Calangute Beach and Candolim Beach are famous places to visit near Calangute with family. Other places, including Splashdown Waterpark and Snowpark are recommended if you want to enjoy them with your family.
What are the best places to visit in Calangute at night?
Though Baga Beach is considered the best to enjoy the nightlife in Calangute, other places like Sinquerim Fort and Mae De Deus Church are the best places to visit in Calangute at night due to their scenic spires and otherworldly beauty at night.
What is the best time to visit Calangute?
Situated on the West Coast, October to March are considered the best times to visit Calangute. The weather is pleasant as the monsoon has subsided and summer hasn’t yet stepped in. The temperature between these months hovers around 25 degrees, providing a perfect beach experience.
2. Baga Beach
Situated at a distance of 2 km from Calangute Beach, Baga Beach is a near sister of Calangute but with less crowd. The beach is appreciated by tourists for its peace and is considered a spiritual retreat in Goa.
Though most places in Goa are famous for their nightlife, Baga Beach is the most famous beach for the best nightlife in Goa.
The flea market on the beach is a special point of attraction for tourists worldwide. As the sun sets, eateries on Baga Beach start buzzing with music and food, especially Cafes like Cafe Tio and Cafe Mambo.
3. St. Alex Church
Built in 1714, St. Alex Church is a haven for art enthusiasts. The church has a white coloured exterior with towers that resemble domes. The church boasts a rococo pulpit that is decorated by motifs and scrollwork.
Though the church is named after St. Alex, housed in it are the marvellous statues of St. Anthony with a bible in hand and St. Francis as a child. The tourists visit the church for its stupendous architecture however, you can also visit to attend the mass.
4. Casino Palms
Enjoying casinos is one of the biggest perks of visiting Goa. If you’re visiting Calangute, you won’t be deprived of that fun either.
Casino Palms is one of the most famous casinos in Calangute being one of the very few onland casinos in Goa.
Located in the La Calypso Hotel, the casino offers electronic games including Roulette, blackjack etc. The casino offers complimentary snacks and drinks.
5. Benz Celebrity Wax Museum
In Arpora, a small hamlet near Calangute, Benz Celebrity Wax Museum is situated that houses wax statues of various national and international celebrities.
However, the museum has other attractions as well including a 9D cinema with multiple effects and action games like bumper cars etc.
6. Aguada Fort
In the middle of the Sinquerim beach of the Arabian Sea, where the Mandovi River meets the sea, a red laterite road leads to a magnificent fort built between 1609 to 1612.
Fort Aguada is named in the Portuguese language after its location on the water body. The fort, housing Portuguese during Portugal years, showcases strength and beauty.
The fort also contains a four-storey lighthouse which itself is a wonder of its own kind. Aguada jail is also a must-visit destination to touch history with your own hands. If you are visiting Calangute and are fond of forts, Aguada Fort near Calangute Beach would be the perfect destination for you.
7. Kerkar Art Gallery
Belonging to the renowned Goan artist Subodh Kerkar, the Kerkar Art Gallery is a gallery of paintings and sculptures of Subodh Kerkar as well as other artists. The sculptures include those made of bamboo, seashells, sand, coconut shells etc.
The gallery has other attractions too including an Indian dance and music night every week. The gallery hosts a canteen so you can rely on your full-day entertainment if you plan to visit here.
Also Read:- Scuba Diving Spots in Goa: Explore the Underwater Wonders
8. Calangute Market Square
Though there is a daily market in the Calangute circle, a special market is set up on Saturday behind the Calangute post office.
The market sells local and traditional antiquities including homegrown fruits like Jackfruit and Toddy. Coconut cakes are a speciality of the market.
So if you are wondering what are the days of Calangute market and when to visit, Saturday would be a nice day to visit. While you are there, you can also check out the Tibetan market for a wholesome experience of Goan goods.
9. Shantadurga Temple Calangute
Though an abode of the most elegant churches, Goa is a place of many ancient temples, Shantadurga temple of Calangute being one of them.
With a mix of the Hindu style of architecture along with Roman style, the temple is a marvel of architecture.
The temple houses idols of Goddess Durga, Lord Shiva, and Vishnu. You would also find a canteen complex serving vegetarian food and accommodations inside the temple.
It would be better if you find yourself in the temple during the celebration of one of the many festivals celebrated here like Jatra Utsav, Mahashivratri Utsav, Vasant Utsav etc.
10. Medicinal Springs
Goan waterfalls are famous all over the world and not much below that list lie Goa’s medicinal springs.
Near Calangute, you can visit one of the many medicinal springs that have medical benefits including treating the common cold, arthritis etc.
The springs are located in Mottant, a narrow road that leads past the Bom-Viagem convent along the cashew-covered hills.
Things to do near Calangute
- Water sports
- Beaches near Calangute including Baga Beach and Calangute Beach provide tons of water activities like parasailing, jet skiing, banana rides and water surfing which you can enjoy while visiting Calangute.
- Dolphin sighting
- Taking a boat from Calangute Beach, you can reach the spots where Dolphins are diving in large numbers and offering tourists a vision of playful nature.
- Shopping
- Markets near Calangute are famous for selling antiquities from all over including Rajasthan, Tibet, Kashmir and Indonesia. You can visit either Saturday bazaar, Tibetan market or other shopping places to make the most out of your trip.
- Beachside dining
- Various shacks and diners around Calangute including Red Lion Pub, Carvalho, Souza Lobo, and the fisherman’s wharf, offer a beachside dining experience which you must enjoy while you are travelling to Calangute.
Things to keep in mind
- Calangute is crowded in almost all seasons. Hence, you must stay prepared to deal with crowds.
- Try to avoid carrying too much cash as the digital economy is promoted and that would avoid getting robbed.
- You should beware of the con artists that might try to charge you extra for basic facilities.
- Try to book your stay before arriving as that might avoid paying too much for accommodation.