If you’re looking for a quintessential beach vacation, Calangute in Goa is the ideal destination. Nestled in North Goa, Calangute is renowned for its immaculate beaches, lively nightlife, and exhilarating water sports. The long stretch of golden sand and crystal-clear waters are perfect for swimming and sunbathing. The beach is flanked by shacks and restaurants serving delicious seafood and refreshing drinks, with opportunities for parasailing, jet skiing, and banana boat rides.

The Train Journey via the Western Ghats

It was planned to visit Goa from Mumbai along with families of a couple of relatives and friends. We assembled at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) for the Goa-bound Konkankanya Express. CSMT is formerly known as Victoria Terminus. It is a historic railway station and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It’s an overnight journey from here to Goa.

The train journey was pleasant, though it seemed to stop at every station. The Mumbai-Goa sector is a single-line track, necessitating stops at small stations for oncoming trains to pass. The route is dotted with numerous bridges and tunnels, more than any other part of the country.

My dad and I woke up early, around 5:30 a.m., while it was still dark. As dawn broke, the train halted at Sangameshwar Road railway station, a picturesque station that looked romantic in the morning light, wet with dew.

We spent most of the journey standing at the train’s door, soaking in the natural beauty. The train meandered through the Western Ghats, showcasing hills, mountains, rivers, paddy fields, tunnels, and bridges.

The Western Ghats, also known as Sahyadri (Benevolent Mountains), run parallel to the western coast of the Indian peninsula. They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s eight “hottest hotspots” of biological diversity. Formed during the break-up of the supercontinent Gondwana about 150 million years ago, the Ghats are the eroded and faulted edge of the Deccan Plateau.

The Western Ghats are the mountainous faulted and eroded edge of the Deccan Plateau. Geologic evidence indicates that they were formed during the break-up of the supercontinent of Gondwana some 150 million years ago.

Near Ukshi station, there is a beautiful waterfall called Ranpat Waterfall. We hoped to see it, but the train entered a tunnel before we could capture the view on camera. The Ranpat Waterfall in Ratnagiri is a spectacular sight, especially during the rainy season when the vertical streams cascade down the lush green mountains.

Arrival in Goa

We arrived at Thivim railway station 45 minutes late, around 11:35 a.m.

A minibus was waiting for us outside the station. It was arranged by the hotel that we booked in Calangute. We checked in and quickly went to the beach.

Calangute Beach: A Paradise for Sunbathers

We spent a lazy afternoon at a beach shack, sipping beer and enjoying lunch until the sun began to set. Calangute Beach, one of the most popular beaches in North Goa, is a haven for sunbathers. Known as the Queen of Beaches, Calangute is an 8-km golden stretch in North Goa that connects Candolim to Baga. Here, shacks line the shore, offering fresh seafood, chilled beer, and the rhythmic thump of music. Sunbathers, swimmers, and thrill-seekers on parasails or jet skis fill the scene with life.

Calangute Beach is also famous for its diverse street food and seafood available at the shoreline’s numerous shacks, stores, and beach restaurants. The beach, located between Candolim and Baga beaches, is an 8-km long stretch and a hub for tourists and backpackers worldwide.

The beach has two distinct parts: the vibrant area closer to Baga beach, filled with the constant sound of pop and rock music, and the quieter area near Candolim, offering a tranquil atmosphere.

The Magic of Sunsets

One of Calangute Beach’s most spectacular features is its sunsets. My dad and I walked from Baga Beach to Calangute Beach, watching the sunset over the western horizon. As night fell, we saw people fishing with small nets and rods, and kids building sandcastles, evoking nostalgic memories of my childhood spent with my dad on sea beaches.

Calangute Beach is one of the busiest and most commercialized beaches in Goa. All the more reason behind the popularity of Calangute Beach is its location between the Candolim and Baga beaches. It’s practically an 8-km-long beach.

Over the years, Calangute Beach has become a hub for tourists and backpackers, both domestic and international. This is why this place is known to have a unique charm. There are two distinct parts of the beach. The place closer to the Baga beach is home to the constant sound of pop and rock music, which sort of stays in the air of this place at all times. The other part of Candolim is quieter. The music is played in a much lower volume and gives an air of tranquillity to the beach.

The History Behind the Name of Calangute

Calangute was earlier called Kolongutt but the Portuguese changed it to Calangute. The word ‘Cal’ refers to the goddess Kali, who was worshipped by local fishermen. Some believe the town got its name from the word ‘Kalyan Gutti’, which means a village of art. Some others believe the name Calangute emanated from its earlier name ‘Konvallo-Ghott’, a reference to the coconut palms which abound in the village.

The sunset by the sea

Never waste any amount of time doing anything important when there is a sunset outside that you should be sitting under!

As it became dark, we found some people trying to catch fish there with small nets and with angles, rods, and lines. It was a nice 5 km walk over the sands watching people taking funny photographs – eating the sun or trying to place the sun within a heart-like shape made with fingers.

Some kids were playing on the sand and making sandcastles and structures on the beach

Experiencing the Vibrant Nightlife

Calangute is famous for its vibrant nightlife, with several nightclubs, bars, and pubs offering a lively party atmosphere. One night, we visited SinQ nightclub in Candolim, an upbeat and trendy spot with an exciting dance floor and private cabanas near the pool for smaller groups. The club had a great crowd and fantastic music played by top DJs, making for a memorable night.

It offers an attractive party scene with a good crowd and some great music being played by the best DJs in town. The entry ticket gets you unlimited drinks (limited range of basic brands) from a separate open bar, food is not covered. Besides dancing, we had beer, sandwiches, and hookah there.

We were at the club until it was closed at 3.00 a.m.

The Allure of Calangute

Whether you’re seeking a relaxing beach vacation or an adventurous water sports experience, Calangute has it all. The beach is a perfect tourist retreat, filled with souvenir stalls, shacks, and other vendors selling everything from beer to trinkets. Calangute Beach is a dream destination for nature lovers, with its serene ambience and stunning locales. So, pack your bags and head to Calangute for an unforgettable vacation.