Calangute Beach

Calangute Beach in Bardez taluka is the largest and busiest beach in North Goa and is often called the Queen of Beaches. It forms the middle of a continuous stretch of sand that runs from Sinquerim and Candolim in the south to Baga in the north. Calangute was one of the first Goan beaches to draw mass tourism, and by the 1960s it was already attracting hippie travellers. Today the beachfront is lined with shacks, hotels, shops and water sports operators offering parasailing, jet skiing and banana boat rides. The main market street leading down to the sand is packed with stalls and restaurants. Nearby, the Church of St Alex is a landmark of the village. The beach can be very crowded in peak season and on holidays, with large numbers of domestic tourists. It is worth the trip for the classic, high-energy Goa beach experience.