About Calangute
Located in north Goa and popular for its largest beach, Calangute witnesses heavy tourist traffic during Christmas and New Year. Spread over a 7-km sweep of sand and located around 15 km from Panaji, Calangute beach is also known as the 'Queen of Beaches'. Calangute serves as a hub for majority of tour and travel operators and bookings for all other popular beaches of Goa can be done from here. The demographics as per the 2001 India census show that Calangute has a population which comprises 54% males and 46% females. It has an average literacy rate of 73%.
Facts on Calangute
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State/Province | Goa |
| District | North Goa |
| Sub-District | Bardez |
| Population (2001) Total | 15776 |
| Lattitude | 15.5439 |
| Longitude | 73.7553 |
| Time Zone | Asia/Kolkata |
With an impressive increase in the visitor strength for Calangute, it is interesting to know that the city has an excellent count of hotels and guesthouses, stretching from Calangute to Baga. The Calangute city has all the basic tourist amenities like resort companies, post offices, foreign exchange offices, multiple eateries and hygienic medical centres. One of the best assets of Calangute is its innumerous internet cafes. You would be surprised to know that this count is soon likely to exceed the number of cafes housed in Panaji- the capital of Goa.
Must-visit places in Calangute
Fort Aguada
This Portuguese fort was constructed in 1612 on the Sinquerim Beach. Built with the intention of guarding the region from Marathas and Dutch, the Fort Aguada can be explored within a couple of hours. Best time to visit the fort is during the day and you need not worry about losing your stuff because the authorities have made arrangements for individual lockers.
Baga Retreat House
Located on the Baga Hill top, the Baga Retreat House has a perfect ambience with in-house facilities like food, restrooms, lockers etc. Dedicated to Saint Francis Xavier, the Baga Retreat House offers an exquisite view of the Arabian Sea and the Calangute village.
Alex Church
Backed by an eye-catchy architecture, the St. Alex Church has become a popular destination among tourists visiting Calangute. Featuring two separate towers, altars and a white doom, St. Alex is indeed one of the oldest churches situated in North Goa.
Kerkar Art Complex
Open on all 7 days, the Kerkar Art Complex is a renowned art gallery in Calangute, featuring sculptures and paintings made by Subodh Kerkar. If you are in love with paintings, then a visit to the Kerkar Art Complex will introduce you to the artwork of reputed artists from different parts of India.
So, if you are planning your next holiday in Goa, then Calangute is the place you definitely would not want to miss.
Last Updated on: December 17, 2015
Related Information
