kolkata visit best time

Best Kolkata Travel Guide for the first timers

Kolkata , West Bengal

Last Updated on: Jan 4, 2023  

Well, what can we say about Kolkata ? It is our hometown, a place that we love dearly. To be honest, only after we became travel bloggers, did we understand the beauty and charm of the “City of Joy” , a sobriquet that is given to Kolkata. Kolkata is rich in heritage and is full of interesting places interspersed in every corner of the city. We have travelled to many places and written about them as well. But somehow, we have not yet written anything about the places to visit in Kolkata. Maybe we were hit by the ‘ hometown syndrome ’! Nevertheless, we have now written this Kolkata Travel Guide that will tell you about the tourist places in Kolkata , special attractions and all the offbeat places that are known only to the locals! This Kolkata Travel Guide is just perfect for your first time visit to the city.

Kolkata is a chaotic city. Not as big as Mumbai or Delhi , the city thrives on its people, culture and past. Calcutta, as it was known earlier was the first British capital before it was shifted to Delhi. The city is almost 300 years old and is an eclectic mix of the splendid decaying past and the promising new future. The British had built some amazing buildings during their heydays and today Kolkata flaunts the colonial-era architecture with pride.

Kolkata or Calcutta is known as the cultural hub of the country. The vibrant city has produced some of the best writers, poets, performing artists and works of literature. Even today, there is no doubt that Kolkata is the hub of all the cultural activity of the country. Kolkata is also a foodie’s paradise. The Bengalis (people of Bengal) love their food and also love to treat their guests with sumptuous dishes. And those who told you that Kolkata food is only about Maach-Bhaat (fish and rice), then they are absolutely wrong.

We can actually go on and on about the place that is so dear to us. But let me just stop here and write about the places to visit in Kolkata, places to eat and other interesting facts about the city. For foreign nationals visiting Kolkata for the first time, the city can give you quite a shock. Kolkata can be quite overwhelming for the first-timers , for that matter, you can say this for any Indian cities. But Kolkata will gradually grow on you. For no reason, the Kolkata is known as the city with a heart! You need to stay here to believe that.

Kolkata Travel Guide | How to reach Kolkata?

Kolkata is located in West Bengal in the eastern part of India. Kolkata has an international airport (Netaji Subhash Chandra International Airport). The distance of Kolkata airport from Esplanade (considered to be almost in the heart of the city) is about 16 km.

Otherwise, Kolkata is well connected with other cities of India by flights all through the day.

India has an extensive railway network and one can travel anywhere in India by train. Kolkata has 3 important railway stations – Howrah, Sealdah and Kolkata Terminus, Howrah Station being the busiest of all. All the three stations are well connected by trains from almost all the parts of India.

I would not suggest travelling by bus, if the distance is more than 200 km. nevertheless, buses are available to Kolkata from the neighbouring towns.

Kolkata Travel Guide | How to get around Kolkata?

Getting around Kolkata is not very difficult. There are plenty of options to move around the city.

Metro: I always suggest Metro as the best mode of transport, but the problem in Kolkata is that the metro line is not yet extensive. It runs only through a particular area, and though it has been extended, it is not enough to cover the entire city. However, new metro lines are being laid. But we are not quite sure when they will be operational. Metros are clean, fast and cheaper mode of transport in Kolkata. Ticket price starts from Rs 10 to Rs.25.

Local Buses: Local buses in Kolkata are a bit of a challenge. Not that you will have a problem communicating, but getting on and off the local buses are a bit tough. However, the government-run AC buses are better in this respect. Local buses are quite a cheap form of transport.

Yellow Taxis, Ola & Uber: Kolkata is also known for its iconic yellow Ambassador taxis. Once they used to be the main form of cab services in the city. And it was always a great deal of excitement for us as children to hop on a yellow taxi and drive around the city. But the yellow taxis do have a bad reputation. If the taxi drivers understand that you are not a local, he will try to extort the maximum fare from you. And this especially happens with foreigners. Be aware, that all these taxis have a meter and you have to pay according to the meter reading.

There are pre-paid taxi counters at Howrah Station, Sealdah Station and Airport from where you can get taxis to anywhere in Kolkata at a prescribed rate. This is a good form of travel, as you do not have to bargain with the taxi driver here.

Finally, there is the Uber and Ola that will take you anywhere in Kolkata.

Rickshaws: For short distances, there are rickshaws that will take you around. Kolkata is the only city that still has hand-pulled rickshaws . But the rickshaw pullers do it voluntarily and it is the sole decision of the rider whether they want to sit on a hand-pulled rickshaw. As a child, I would enjoy these rickshaw rides, but now, hand-pulled rickshaws are a strict no for me.

Local Trains: Kolkata has a local train network that is far more extensive than the metro. They are a cheaper mode of travel and you can travel to almost any part of the city. But a word of caution, the train becomes really crowded during the morning between 9-11 AM and in the evening between 6-9PM. This is the time when mostly office goers commute.

Trams in Kolkata

The Kolkata tram is the oldest operating electric train system in Asia. Once, the trams used to connect every part of the city. But with modern time and faster transport options, trams have almost become redundant. Yet, some tram routes are still working in Kolkata, mainly because it is a part of our heritage. A tram ride in Kolkata is a pleasant experience and you can take a tram ride only to get a feeling of it. I think it is no longer a practical mode of transport.

Kolkata Travel Guide | What is the best time to visit Kolkata?

Kolkata has a tropical climate with warm weather almost all through the year. The city mainly has three types of seasons – summer, monsoon and winter with very small autumn and spring. Summers are quite hot and humid. Monsoons are going to be wet and humid. Winters are cold with clear skies.

The best time to visit Kolkata is between the months of October to March.

October and November: This is the autumn season with clear blue skies and warm weather. Humidity is still there though. This is one of the best time to visit Kolkata as Durga Puja, the largest and craziest festival of the Bengalis are celebrated in October (sometimes it is late September as well).

December to March: December to mid-February is the winter season when the weather remains cold and less humid. This is the best time to visit Kolkata. This is the time when various fairs and festivals are held in Kolkata. Kolkata Book Fair, one of the largest book fairs is held in the month of January.

April to May: These are the summer months and Kolkata is quite hot and humid during this time. Perspiration is the most common difficulty you will face and exploring the city during the day time can be quite taxing.

June to September: Usually the monsoon months, but for the last 2 years, monsoon have been pushed to mid-July. Weather is hot and humid again and rain can play spoilsport in your outdoor plans. But nowadays travellers brave the rain and go out all right. So carry a rainwear or umbrella if you are visiting during this time.

Kolkata Travel Guide | Top Tourist Places to visit in Kolkata

As I said earlier, Kolkata is a mélange of the old and new. A part of the city is the old and decaying one trying to hold on to its past. Here the roads are congested, houses are old and joined to other and there are numerous alleys and boulevards. This part is definitely the older Calcutta. The other part is the swanky modern one with flyovers and malls and modern offices and apartment – the new Kolkata.

Victoria Memorial

One of the most elegant and grand monuments located right in the heart of Kolkata, the Victoria Memorial is a must-visit attraction of Kolkata. The white marble structure is perhaps one of the most opulent structures to be built by the British in Calcutta. Victoria Memorial was built to commemorate Queen Victoria’s 25 years of rule over India. Spread across an area of 64 acres, the white marble structure is surrounded by well-maintained gardens.

Victoria Memorial is one of the favourite destinations of the Kolkatans as well. Come winter, and you will see hundreds of people on the lawns of Victoria Memorial. There is a museum as well that houses a number of antique items.

Timings: The Garden remains open from 5.30 AM to 6.15 PM everyday. The Victoria Memorial Hall (museum remains open between 10AM to 5 PM. The Museum remains closed on Mondays.

Entry Fee: INR 30 for Indians and INR 200 for foreign visitors.

Nearest Metro Station: Maidan Metro

Kalighat Temple

Kalighat Temple is one of the most revered temples of Kolkata and Goddess Kali is considered to be the guardian deity of the city. It is often said that the name of the city has been derived from Kalighat, but this fact is historically inaccurate. Kalighat Temple is believed to be one of the 52 Shakti Peethas of Hinduism. The right foot of Devi Sati fell here while the Rudra Tandava of Lord Shiva.

The idol inside the temple is made of black stone. An interesting feature of the Goddess Kali of Kalighat temple is the long protruding tongue, made of pure gold.

The Kalighat Temple is always busy with devotees flocking down to offer their prayers and seek blessings from the divine Goddess. Be careful of your belongings while you visit the temple. Buy Puja offerings from the vendors only if you wish to pay offerings inside the temple.

Timings: The temple is open from 5 AM to 2 PM and 5 PM to 10.30 PM

Entry Fee: Nil

Nearest Metro Station: Both Kalighat Metro and Jatin Das Park Metro

Howrah Bridge

The most iconic structure of Kolkata is perhaps the Howrah Bridge. Built across the Hooghly River, it forms the gateway to Kolkata connecting the city to Howrah Station. The Howrah Bridge is said to be the fourth busiest cantilever bridge in the world with thousands of people travelling across the bridge while entering and leaving Kolkata. The bridge is 1528 feet long and 62 feet wide.

If you are coming to Kolkata by train, you might have to cross the Howrah Bridge to enter Kolkata. You can get a great view of the iconic bridge from a boat ride on the Hooghly River.

Dalhousie Square

Kolkata is actually a city of many firsts. It was the first city in India to have a Page 3 newspaper. It was the first city in India to have an authentic Italian restaurant (not your Dominos Pizza and Pizza Huts), the city was the first to have a metro line as well. And many of these firsts bear testimony in the Dalhousie area.

Dalhousie Square area was known as the “White Town” during the British era. After the Battle of Plassey, the British shifted the capital of Bengal to Calcutta and built it with the aim of making it the “Second City of the Empire”. They were successful and it is evident by the presence of a number of colonial architecture in the Dalhousie Square area. Walk by the Raj Bhavan, explore around the GPO, take a peek into the Company stables and rest your feet by the Lal Dighi. You can also visit the St. John’s Church area as well. And while you walk along the area, listen to the interesting tales from the past.

Indian Museum

Indian Museum was founded in 1814 and is the largest and oldest multipurpose museum not only in India but also in the Asia Pacific region. In Kolkata, it is fondly known as “ Jadughar ”. The Museum contains a collection of contemporary as well as old paintings (Mughal paintings are also present), Buddha relics, Egyptian mummies and ancient sculptures. The museum also has a rare collection of antiques, ornaments, fossils and skeletons and many more. Currently, there are 35 galleries in the museum.

Opening Time: Opened on all days of the week except Monday

Timings: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (March to November) and 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM (December to February)

Entry Fee: INR 20 (For Indians) INR 500 (For foreign tourists)

Nearest Metro: Park Street Metro

If you are reading about Kolkata, then you must have heard about the famous Durga Puja of the city. Kumartuli is the place where the Durga idols are made. The place is the residence of the “kumors” or potters who had settled down in the area during the early eighteenth century. Before the Durga Puja (held in October), the lanes and mazes of Kumartuli becomes busy with the idol makers working on their craft. You can visit Kumartuli and see the idol makers working. But be careful as you walk so as not to harm the idols in any way.

Nearest Metro: Sovabazar Metro

Mallick Ghat Flower Market

Just below the Howrah Bridge, the chaotic and loud market of flowers, the Mullick Ghat Flower Market is located. It is the largest flower market of Kolkata and is obviously a photographer’s delight. The market starts at 4 AM in the morning as the flower sellers from the nearby areas pour in with their merchandise – various flowers in this case. The market is overcrowded, dirty and completely chaotic, but this is where you see a colourful and raw Kolkata without any pretensions.

St. Paul’s Cathedral

Just near the Victoria Memorial stands the elegant and beautiful St. Paul’s Cathedral. It is considered to be the first Episcopal Church of the eastern region. The church built in all-white looks majestic and has a beautiful architecture. You can enter the church and sit there quietly for some time. photography is not allowed inside the church.

Nearest Metro: Rabindra Sadan Metro.

Timings: 10 AM to 6 PM

John’s Church

St. John’s Church is one of the oldest churches to be built in Kolkata. It is not only a religious site, but also has immense historical importance. The church is a repository of old historic documents related to Kolkata. The land on which the church was built was initially a burial ground. The garden around the church still has a number of graveyards, the most significant of them being the tomb of Job Charnock, who is believed to be the founder of Kolkata.

Timings: 8AM to 5PM

Location: 2/2, Council House Street. The church is located near Raj Bhavan

Princep Ghat

Princep Ghat or Prinsep Ghat is one of the most beautiful places in Kolkata where you can simply sit and enjoy. Located beside the banks of the Hooghly River, the pristine white structure with the second Hooghly Bridge at the background looks just majestic. The Princep Ghat is one of the best examples of the colonial architecture and one of the grandest monument built to access the riverfront.

You can visit Princep Ghat and sit around the huge lawn surrounding the structure. You can also take a boat ride on the Hooghly River. There is a railway station by the same name, which is a stop for the circular railway in Kolkata.

How to reach: There is no metro station nearby. If you are coming from Howrah, take a ferry ride across the river to reach Princep Ghat. Otherwise, Uber, Ola and the yellow taxi of Kolkata will bring you here from anywhere in Kolkata.

Dakshineswar Temple

Another famous and revered temple of Kolkata, Dakshineswar Kali Temple is one of the oldest in Kolkata. It was founded by Rani Rashmoni in 1855, Ramkrishna Deb, the highly revered religious ascetic used to be the main pandit of Dakshineswar Temple.

Dakshineswar Temple is located about 20 km from central Kolkata at the banks of the Hooghly River. On the opposite bank of the temple is the famous Belur Math. Dakshineswar Temple receives a lot of visitors almost every day. You can visit the Temple and Belur Math together. Ferry services are available from Dakshineswar Ferry Ghat to Belur Math Ghat.

Belur Math is the headquarters of Ramkrishna Math and Mission and represents the idea of Universal faith. The mind behind Belur math was Swami Vivekananda, the famous disciple of Sri Ramkrishna, who had taken the message of Hinduism to the western world. Belur Math is also located on the banks of the Hooghly River and is regarded as “Symphony in architecture” as it combines Hindu, Islamic, Christian and Buddhist architectural elements to symbolize the unity of religion.

Belur Math is quite a serene place where you can spend some time sitting and meditating. The peace in the Belur Math campus would be quite a pleasant experience.

Mother House

The Mother House is the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity that was founded by Mother Teresa. The house served as the Mother’s residence since1953 till her death in 1997. Her body was laid to rest in a tomb inside the house. You can visit the tomb and a small museum displaying her personal belongings.

Location: Ripon Street

Entry Fee: Free.

Botanical Gardens, Shibpur

Botanical Gardens or Acharya Jagadish ChandraBose Indian Botanic Garden is located on the west bank of River Hooghly at Shibpur. The garden covering a huge area of 273 acres was established in 1787. The garden contains about 12000 perennial plants. The main attraction of Botanical Gardens is the colossal banyan tree known as the Great Banyan Tree. This tree forms the second largest canopy in the world. Botanical Garden is like a breath of fresh air near Kolkata. There is a lot of walking to be done here, so wear comfortable shoes.

Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM everyday except Mondays

Entry Fee: INR 10 (for Indians) and INR 200 (for foreigners)

Eco Park, New Town

All these long, I had told you mainly about heritage places in the city. If you want to see the modern Kolkata, then a visit to Eco-park in New Town is a must. Eco Park or Eco-tourism Park is an expansive urban park designed to promote ecotourism in the city. The park has been built across a huge area of 480 acres and has a number of interesting gardens and places.

The most interesting attraction of the Ecopark is the Seven Wonders of the World where replicas of the Seven Wonders of the World are built across the park. There are various gardens like the tea garden, butterfly garden, mask garden, fruit garden, rose garden etc inside the park. A huge water body surrounds the park and boating facilities are also available there. Ecopark is a great place to spend time as well as to get some knowledge about Kolkata and Bengal.

Just near the Gate No.3 at Eco Park stands the Mishti Hub, a novel concept wherein most of the famous sweets shops in Bengal are found under one roof. Here you will get some of the best sweets of Kolkata, all under one roof. This is just the place to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Timings: During summer between 2.30 PM to 8.30 PM. For Sundays and Holidays, the park remains open from 12 PM to 8.30 PM. During the winter season (November – February) between 12 PM to 7.30 PM. For Sundays and Holidays, the park remains open from 11 AM to 8.30 PM. The Park remains closed on Mondays.

Entry Fee: Rs.30 per person. Inside the park, individual activities have individual rates.

Things to do in Kolkata

Where to stay in kolkata.

In Kolkata, you will find hotels of various ranges and types all through the city. A google search on the best places to stay in Kolkata will give you areas near Esplanade and Sudder Street. Infact, Sudder Street is the first choice of most of the foreign tourists visiting in Kolkata.

If you want to stay in the heart of the city where you can see the city in her full form, then stay near Esplanade, Park Street or Sudder Street.

If you want to stay somewhere near the airport, then try for hotels near New Town and Chinar Park.

Kolkata does not have the hostel culture developed yet, but there are a couple of hostels in the city. You can check out Offbeat CCU.

Kolkata Travel Guide | What to eat in Kolkata?

Kolkata is a foodies’ paradise. The Bengalis love their food, be it vegetarian or non-vegetarian. The street food in Kolkata is one of the best. Kolkata food has Bengali cuisine influence all right in its street food and snacks, but you will get food from other regions here as well. Street food of Kolkata includes lip-smacking rolls, phuchkas, bhelpuri, papri chat etc.

While in Kolkata, you must taste the Bengali cuisine. Bengali food is not only about fish and rice, but much more. But it is definitely about sweets and lots of sweet dishes. Bengalis love their sweet treats and no Bengali meal is ever complete without the quintessential rosogolla.

Some of the best places to have Bengali food are:

• Kasturi (our personal favourite)
• 6, Ballygunge Place
• Bhojohori Manna
• Oh! Calcutta
• Mitra Café (only for snacks and treats)

Other well-known restaurants of Kolkata that you might try out

For Biriyani & Kebabs:

• Indian Restaurant at Khidirpore
• Shiraz Golden restaurant

For Chinese

• Mainland China
• Buddha Bites
• Any restaurant at Chinatown in Tangra

Just remember, Chinese in Kolkata is mostly Indianized Chinese that has evolved catering to the taste of local population. You might not get authentic Chinese experience here. But even then, this Chinese version is also just too good!

Continental

• Peter Cat, Park Street (One of my favourites)
• Moulin Rouge, Park Street (I absolutely love the ambience here. This place still has a piano that is played in the evening)
• Mocambo, again at Park Street
• Barbeque Nation

Kolkata Travel Guide | Interesting places to visit near Kolkata 

From Kolkata, you can make a day trip or 2 days trip to a few places like Sunderbans, Shantiniketan and Mandarmani. Each of the places has its own speciality and will be a different experience.

For day trips near Kolkata, you can visit Chandannagore (erstwhile French Town), Bandel Church, Hooghly Imambara and others.

What are the best places for shopping in Kolkata?

Kolkata has a lot of interesting shopping places. Kolkata has different markets for different items. The New Market, Esplanade Market and Gariahat market are shopper’s paradise. You will get clothes, shoes, fashion items, jewellery, food and household items in all these markets.

New Market happens to be one of the most favourite places for Kolkata shoppers even in the times of glitzy malls and high-end shops. As a child, we were told that at New Market, you get almost everything. We still believe in that till date. For all things Bengali and traditional, visit the Dakshinapan Market at Gariahat.

College Street is the market place for book and education items. Again, it was said that if you do not get a book in College Street, perhaps that book never existed. You just need to look for it.

And if you are looking for Malls, then there are South City Mall at Prince Anwar Shah Road, City Centre at Salt Lake, City Centre II at New Town, Acropolis near Ruby etc.

Kolkata Travel Guide (FAQs answered)

Q. How many days are required?

The number of days depends on what you would like to do in the city. Usually Kolkata serves as a stop for travellers before travelling further to Darjeeling and northeast India. Minimum of 2 days are required to explore Kolkata and cover the important places to visit in Kolkata.

Q. How is the mobile connectivity and Internet?

Kolkata is the capital city of West Bengal and has proper mobile and internet connectivity.

If you are a foreign toursit arriving at Kolkata and looking for a Sim Card, you can check Sims Direct .

Q. Is Kolkata expensive?

Well, Kolkata can be as cheap or expensive as you want it to be. Generally, Kolkata is not an expensive city to live. You can probably break the cost of your travel in Kolkata in the following way:

Accommodation: This cost is as per your choice. You will get rooms at hotels at as low as Rs500 while there are expensive 5-star properties as well. In general, the cost of accommodation can be between Rs1500 to Rs3000 for a good budget hotel.

Food: Food can be quite cheap here. Within Rs500 you will get all the three meals and more.

Transport: Public Transport is cheap in Kolkata compared to other Indian metros. If you can travel by public transport, then you can reduce your cost to a considerable amount.

Q. What about the nightlife in Kolkata?

It might not be as happening as in Mumbai, but Kolkata has an active nightlife. There are some amazing bars, pubs, clubs and lounges that are hosts to the thriving party scene of the city. Most of the nightlife in Kolkata is concentrated in the Park Street area. If I had to name a few, then they would be:

• Someplace Else , Park Street – one of the most famous pubs in the city
• Roxy , Park Street – upscale cocktail bar
• Shisha Bar , Camac Street
• Tantra , Park Street – stylish lounge
• Nocturne , Theatre Road – Nightclub

And yes, Kolkata is absolutely safe at night. I have travelled after midnight in the city without any problem.

A few things you should be aware of while visiting Kolkata

• Please be wary of over-friendly taxi drivers on your arrival, be at the airport or railway station. I am not saying that they are bad person, but they will usually try to extort a larger amount for taxi fare, more so if you are a foreign tourist. I would suggest you go to the prepaid counter at the airport or railway station and take a taxi to your hotel or accommodation. At other times, ask the yellow taxi drivers to go by the meter.
• Be easy about the street food you eat. You might get a stomach problem if you are not careful.
• Also, watch out for the water you drink. Don’t just drink water from anywhere, especially tap waters.

There are lots more things to do in Kolkata, a lot more places to visit. This Kolkata Travel Guide is designed for first-timers in the city which will help you get acquainted with the city. If you are visiting Kolkata and have any questions, please feel free to ask us in your comments or just send us a mail.

Pin this for a later read!

Agni Amrita

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28 comments.

Hoping to go to this city soon, came across your site while looking up details. Helpful and lots of info, thanks so much !

A must visit place in Kolkata, the collection is huge and it will take 1-2hr to see all the sections properly. They also exhibit different art, paintings, photographs, and other collectibles from time to time. Please watch my presentation on the archeological section of Kolkata Museum

Thank you for mentioning about your collection here. Hope you will have more visitors.

Kolkata is my Favourite place i was born in kolkata thank you for sharing this lovely blog

Thank you Rahul!

Great blog and very interesting information. Do you have any good recomendation for hotels around “Esplanade, Park Street or Sudder Street”, for a Solo travellers where luxary is not a requirement

Very Nice explanation . Can I get any pdf version of this guide details?

Sure. How do I send it?

This is a great post. One of my favorites was being respecful with the culture. I always love being totally present in the moment and be aware of what I’m living.

Very great content. Nice reading this blog.

Very good explanation of every topic .It describe the culture and life style of kolkata.

The post is informative. You explain every traveling guideline in an informative manner.

Thank you so much.

You well explain. Very useful information. This information make my journey easy.

Good blog with genuine information. Thanks for writing.

Thanks for sharing this valuable information. I am planning to visit kolkata in next navratri. This info would help me a lot

Dear Team Excellent report. My heartfelt thanks to you. I am planning to visit Kolkatta next month with my daughter for about 4 days. Now i have a good idea to plan my trip. Thank you once again.

Regards Ram

Hello Ram! Thank you so much for stopping by our blog. Hope you have a great time in Kolkata with your daughter. And do let us know how your trip went

It’s very helpful to learn in advance about the best behavior at the place you plan to visit. Thanks for the great tips and useful advice.

Thank you so much!

Lots of hard work done. Great Job!

You have done a good job. Travellers will find your blog very useful. Keep on doing Best wishes

Thank you so much! Glad that you liked it!

It was nice reading your blog. Marvelous work!. A blog is brilliantly written and provides all necessary information. Thanks for sharing this useful post with us.

Thank you for your kind words.

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• india tourism
• best time to visit kolkata

Best Time to Visit Kolkata

Kolkata is one of the more renowned cities of the eastern part of India. Also called the cultural capital of the country, it offers visitors myriad experiences within its vast area. Like most parts of India, Kolkata too has three seasons – warm summers, a moist monsoon and pleasant winters. Being a coastal city though, with a typical tropical climate, winter is the best time to visit Kolkata.

If you’re planning a trip to Kolkata, choose the winter months between October and February for your vacation. Of course, the weather is perfect for visiting, but it is also when the city comes alive, with festivals and celebrations dotting every street corner. The temperature is pleasant, the markets are filled with fresh fruits and vegetables, and Kolkata throws open its doors to welcome visitors. You can also make short trips from Kolkata to nearby places just before winter hits the region.

Avoid summers as the weather is hot and humid, and the monsoon, even though a lovely spell by itself, is not the best season to visit Kolkata.

Plan for a winter holiday in Kolkata this year and get ready for a fabulous time in a city that is rich with tradition and ancient heritage. The city’s quaint charm will make sure that you have one of the best holidays ever.

Summer Season (April-May)

Kolkata is a tropical city, and its summers are hot and humid. Evenings could get slightly cooler with the sea breeze, but it doesn’t do much to take away the humidity. When the day temperature hovers between 30° C and 40° C, you will find it quite uncomfortable to head out and explore the city. This sweaty time continues until May when the city gets a few thundershowers. It’s best to avoid the city between April and May.

Monsoon Season (June-September)

Kolkata awaits the arrival of the monsoon eagerly. The hot and humid season is now over and the city turns into a beautiful, languid place to enjoy at one’s leisure. The monsoon hits the city properly by end-June or early July, and that is when the city receives the maximum rainfall. Days and night are cooler now, but the torrential rain can severely hamper your sightseeing plans. You should visit Kolkata in the rains only if you enjoy the season.

Winter Season (October-March)

Kolkata is beautiful from autumn to winter when the weather turns pleasant and the city invites visitors into its warm embrace. This is also when the city explodes in various festivals, chief among them the popular Durga Puja, Laxmi Puja and Kali Puja. The city looks beautiful and foodies will rejoice at the seemingly unending opportunity to relish the taste of Bengal.

Kolkata in Summer (April to May)

Temperature: Avg. of 40 degrees high to 30 degrees low

Weather: A typical tropical climate means Kolkata during summer is hot and humid. Daytime temperature has been known to touch 45°C, making it scorching hot to step outside. Nights are no better – even though the temperature drops a bit, it never goes below 30°C and it gets very humid. Additionally, Kolkata is a crowded city and traveling in the heat with people pressing in from all sides makes it a rather uncomfortable and unpleasant experience.

Significant events: If you are in Kolkata round about mid-April you will get to participate in the Bengali New Year – Poila Boishakh. It marks the first day of the Bengali calendar and is a time for much celebration. People are decked up in their finery, shops are buzzing with customers and there is a delicious aroma of Bengali dishes in the air. The gods and goddesses of Kolkata are thanked for the success of the previous year and the people pray to them for a good year to come.

Why you should visit now: Summer is off-season in Kolkata, which means low prices all around. If you are traveling on a tight budget, a summer holiday to Kolkata might appeal to you.

Know before you visit: Pack light cotton clothes, linens and other breathable fabrics to make traveling in the heat slightly bearable.

Tips: Plan your sightseeing in the early morning or evening and preferably stay indoors in the hot afternoons. Always keep a bottle of water and an umbrella with you.

Kolkata in Monsoon (June to September)

Temperature: Avg. of 28 degrees high to 20 degrees low

Weather: The much-awaited shower does bring a slight respite to the overbearing heat of Kolkata, but it doesn’t really help much with your sightseeing plans. Yes, you can visit if you are on a tight budget, but the heavy downpour and waterlogging makes moving around the city quite difficult. Interestingly, it rains more during the morning and afternoon. Evenings and nights are pleasant and cool, allowing you to step out and walk about enjoying the freshly-cleansed city in all its beauty. Weather in monsoon of Kolkata is still quite humid, mind you. If you have to travel in the monsoon, avoid July and August as those are the wettest months. The rain peters down by September and you will be blessed with intermittent dry days that will be good for travel.

Significant events: The most-awaited festival of all, Durga Puja, is celebrated in Kolkata around September or October. The 10-day festival signifies the victory of Good over Evil and sees wholehearted participation from every inhabitant of Kolkata. The city is decorated with pandals (large tents) housing beautiful idols of Goddess Durga. People are busy shopping, merry making and flocking on the streets to see the attractive pandals that have been known to attract tourists from all over the world. If you thought Kolkata is crowded, you should see the crowds during this 10-day celebration.

Perhaps Bengalis are the only people who mark the special but underrated bond between a mother-in-law and a son-in-law. Jamai Shoshti is a day that is celebrated sometime in June to enjoy the warmth that these two people share. Of course, it is also another reason to just celebrate life.  Bengalis are big on food and this day is no different. A lavish party is thrown for the son-in-law where he receives gifts and blessings for a long and prosperous life.

Why you should visit now: Kolkata is a beautiful city during the monsoon season, but it doesn’t have many takers. If you are on a tight budget, this is a good time to get some great deals on hotels.

Know before you visit: You will be unable to visit several places in Kolkata because of the incessant rain. Be ready to change plans at a moment’s notice.

Tips: Carry your umbrella and other raingear at all times when you visit Kolkata in the rains.

Kolkata in Winter (October to March)  

Temperature: Avg. of 11 degrees high to 9 degrees low

Weather: Kolkata is best visited in winter when the climate is ideal for sightseeing. The weather of Kolkata in winter is pleasant with temperature staying around 11-15°C and that is what makes this otherwise hot and humid city so welcoming. Nights can get cold, so do carry a thin shawl or jacket with you when you step out at night. If it’s a relaxed holiday that you want, then winter might disappoint you as the city is crowded more than usual in this season. Of course, there are several homestays and resorts on the outskirts of the city that you can book yourself in for an idyllic vacation. 

Significant events: Winter is festival season in Kolkata and if you happen to be visiting, you will see a series of celebrations that keep the city buzzing with revelries.

About twenty days after Durga Puja comes the magnificent Kali Puja, a festival of great magnitude, second only to Durga Puja. Goddess Kali is adorned with flowers and offerings of sweets, rice and lentils are made to appease her. The festival is marked by the chanting of mantras (religious hymns) that go on all night, right up to dawn. Kali Puja coincides when the rest of the nation is celebrating Diwali- the festival of lights. This does not mean that Kolkata does not celebrate Diwali. The festivities are marked by a stunning firework show organised at night and the Howrah Bridge is lit up beautifully.

Kolkata is a city of intellectuals and it pays homage to Goddess Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of learning, through the Saraswati Puja. The streets have richly decorated pandals dedicated to the goddess. The day is considered to be auspicious to begin any study related activity. Children are often encouraged to begin writing on this day.

Talking of learning and wisdom, it is no coincidence that Kolkata is the venue for an annual international book fair. If you are a book lover, then you must try and plan your vacation around this grand event. Besides the book fair, the city of art and heritage also hosts a number of literature festivals and art exhibitions during these few months.

Why you should visit now: While the city itself is gorgeous in winter, it is also the time when it reveals its soul to its guests.

Know before you visit: Many tourists visit Kolkata during winter. Book your tickets in advance to avoid any last minute disappointments.

Tips: It doesn’t get very cold in winter, but carry a thin jacket handy if you’re heading out at night.

If this has kindled your desire to visit Kolkata, then do browse through out special Kolkata Tour Packages. Besides helping you plan your vacation, at Thomas Cook, we can also help with your tickets and hotel accommodation. Allow us to assist you.

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The Best Kolkata Itinerary for 3 days – A mini travel guide

Last Updated on May 9, 2024

This is a short travel guide and a suggestive Kolkata itinerary to prepare you for your first visit to the city of joy.

Kolkata is my city, the city where I grew up in. Kolkata, formerly called, Calcutta is the cultural capital of India, and a gateway to the eastern part of the country. Like any other big city of India, Kolkata can be overwhelming and confusing, and takes time to grow on you.

So, if you have a short time to see Kolkata, you need to plan well ahead. No worries, that’s exactly why I am writing this post.

The post contains affiliate links for tours, hotels etc. This means if you make any purchase through the links in the post, I may get a commission without any additional cost to you.

Short on time? Save a quick glance of Kolkata in 3 Days

You can jump to the detailed itinerary and tips here .

A Brief Overview

Kolkata is one of the four original metropolitan cities of India. If you are travelling to India, it's a convenient entry or exit point as it has one of the busiest international airports in the country. It is also the gateway to the North-East region of India.

Want to extend your trip beyond Kolkata? Escape to the Eastern Himalayas for the unforgettable views of Kanchenjunga – the world's third highest peak.

Kolkata used to be the capital during the British colonial period. It was the nucleus of various social reforms during the 19th century spearheaded by luminaries in the field of art, science, and literature. This is often referred to as the Bengal Renaissance because of the deep impact it had on Indian society.

Interestingly Kolkata was also the center of India’s struggle for freedom from British imperialism.

Kolkata’s history is also checkered by tragedies like the Calcutta riots, partition, and the great Bengal famine of 1945.

This small introduction is necessary to understand the culture of Kolkata and the nature of the people there.

You will find some of the friendliest people in the city. Many of them are highly educated, culturally rooted, and politically opinionated .

You will also notice the poverty, and social inequality that stares at your face like nowhere else (except maybe in Mumbai). A series of political changes at the state and national level since British rule has led to Kolkata's economic downfall.

The city lives in its past glories, and a sense of nostalgia resonates everywhere.

Now before I take you on a virtual journey through my city, I'd like to share the best travel sites for vacationing in India.

Sites I Recommend For Your Kolkata Trip

🏨 Booking.com  for the best hotel prices (Price match and free cancellations)

🛏️ Look out for hostels in Kolkata on Hostelworld

🚗Get discounts on package tours and special experiences with Viator

💸Secure your vacation with travel insurance from Visitors Coverage

🚶🏼‍♂️ Free walking tours on Freetour

Kolkata Itinerary for 3 days – At A Glance

Kolkata has somehow earned the reputation of being filthy and overcrowded. Having lived in multiple big cities all over India I can say it’s partially true, but completely unfair. Large parts of Kolkata are just as dirty as large parts of Mumbai.

Some of the heritage areas of North and Central Kolkata are dirty, like Kumartuli (the potter’s town), Barabazaar (the big market), Sobhabazaar (where you find the centuries-old residential buildings of the affluent), etc. The historic Kalighaat Temple is not somewhere I would take a first-time visitor to on a 3-day trip if I were the guide.

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I’d recommend starting with the Esplanade and Maidan area, which happens to be one of the most well-planned parts of the city. This is where you will find the famous Victoria Memorial, Indian Museum , wide tree-laden walkways leading to St. Paul’s Cathedral, Birla Planetarium , and Prinsep Ghat.

The next day you can tread into North Kolkata, which is like Old Delhi or Old Hyderabad. Here you will find red-tainted colonial buildings, hand-pulled rickshaws, and a bucket-load of nostalgia. 

You can spend the whole of day two visiting the cultural precincts of old Kolkata or head further North to the New Town . It is the newest part of the city, well-planned, glamorous, and aspirational, with decorated highways, an amazing modern architectural complex, and many parks.

On the third day, you can do an excursion to Dakshineswar Kali temple and Belur Math . Let me take you on this virtual tour over three days in Kolkata.

Day 1 in Kolkata – Explore the heart of the city

Arrive early at the airport and freshen up at your hotel for a long day. I’d recommend you stay near Esplanade and Park Street because they’re in the heart of the city.

Besides you will have access to the best restaurants and nightlife, Metro station, and bus connectivity. Hopefully, you will be able to start your trip by 11 a.m.

Alternatively, I recommend these walking tours in Kolkata on your first day.

• Kolkata in Detail & Food Hopping – A free walking tour
• 3-Hour Heritage Walking tour that covers entry fees and pick-up and drop

Visit Indian Museum

Start your day with a trip to the Indian Museum, the largest museum in the Asia Pacific and one of the oldest in the world. Founded in 1814 by the Asiatic Society, this multipurpose 3- 3-storied museum houses galleries of art, archaeology, geology, and industrial and zoological collections.

You will find a vast collection of rare artifacts, fossils, etc., including a 4000-year-old Egyptian mummy. It’s a great way to start your trip. But have a time-check because we have a lot to see today!

Opening time: 10 am to 6 pm, closed on Mondays and National Holidays

Victoria Memorial

From Indian Museum, take a cab to Victoria Memorial.

Established in 1901, this is one of the most beautiful buildings in the country. This white architectural masterpiece was made in memory of Queen Victoria, soon after her death. It is a fusion of European and Mughal architecture that draws great inspiration from the Taj Mahal.

The resplendent garden of Victoria Memorial remains open from 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. You can see budding artists painting, families playing in the parks, lovebirds looking to steal some private moments, and shutterbugs all around.

The hall of the Victoria Memorial houses an exquisite collection of original paintings, western and Indian, rare photographs, and manuscripts. You will also find artwork made by prisoners of the Alipore Jail.

Shopping and Lunch at Esplanade

After exploring the two largest and most historic landmarks of the city, you must have realized that it’s late in the afternoon and you’re tired. Take a short cab ride to Aminia, one of the best restaurants in this area. There are many other restaurants and eateries here.

After lunch, you can head to New Market for shopping . Formerly called Hogg Sahib’s Market in the name of its founder, New Market is one of the oldest and best shopping destinations in India. A vast area of shops inside a red brick building is one of the heritage areas to explore and shop to your heart’s delight.

From fashionable garments and jewelry to cakes and rare herbs, you will find everything under the same roof. Near the Esplanade metro station, there is a long line of street hawkers selling all kinds of stuff like watches, sunglasses, perfumes, etc.

St Paul’s Cathedral

So, after a lunch and shopping break, we can continue with the city tour and reach St Paul’s Cathedral. It is one of the most austere churches I have seen in India. Located at a walking distance from the Victoria Memorial the church stands adjacent to the Birla Planetarium .

If you have time, I strongly recommend you visit the planetarium for a show with kids, but you may not be able to accommodate it in a 3-day itinerary.

Besides the British, Kolkata has been home to Jewish, Armenian, Scottish, and Portuguese communities as well. It's one of those rare cities where you can visit the places of worship of more than 8 different religions – Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, Tao, Jews, and maybe even more.

I highly recommend exploring these in a Church Walking Tour here .

Prinsep Ghat

Next on our list today is the Prinsep Ghat, another beautiful white building located at the riverfront. This is an ideal place to visit in the evening to watch the sunset and enjoy the cool evening breeze of the Ganges.

It is one of the most romantic destinations in Kolkata so photographers throng here for pre-wedding photo shoots and sunset shots.

It’s my favorite place in the city and I have a full article dedicated to the Prinsep Ghat of Kolkata . You will find the old circular railway line, the colorful boats sailing in the river, and the stunning sunset at the Second Hooghly Bridge, aka, Vidyasagar Setu.

On the other side of the sunset is the iconic Howrah Bridge , the only cantilever bridge in India.

Millennium Park

Now if you have the energy to walk 2 km along the beautified riverfront with trees, blossoms, and fountains on both sides, you can reach the Millenium Park.

This will give you a closer view of the Howrah Bridge . This is just a small recreation park where you can spend time admiring the river. However, you can skip this if you are tired.

Birla Mandir

The last stop in our day will be the Birla Mandir, a temple dedicated to Hindu God Krishna and his consort Radha. This is a beautiful white temple located in Ballygunge, about 6.5 km from the Prinsep Ghat, so take a cab from here or at Millennium Park.

It’s a magnificent piece of architecture made of marble and sandstone. The Birla family, an illustrious business family based out of Kolkata commissioned this temple in 1970. It took 26 years to complete this temple and it was finally opened in 1996.

Dinner at Ballygunge

You can have your dinner at 6 Ballygunge Place, one of the most famous multi-cuisine restaurants in Kolkata. This is located just 650 meters away from the temple. There are many other options for fine dining in the area like Spice Craft, Kasturi, etc.

Day 2 in Kolkata – North Kolkata and Beyond

On Day 2 we will start early after a healthy brunch and head to north Kolkata. You may be lodged at the heart of the city, but its soul lies in the narrow, dreary alleys of North Calcutta.

It’s a good idea to visit the West Bengal Tourism Information Bureau, located in BBD Bag before you begin your exploration for the day. It will give you an idea of all the places of attraction and help you plan your day.

If you plan to visit the Marble Palace, you need to collect a pass from WB tourism compulsorily.

Marble Palace (optional)

Marble Palace is a 19th-century palatial mansion that was established in 1835 by Raja Rajendra Mullick, the wealthiest Bengali merchant of his time. This is private property, so you need prior permission from the West Bengal Tourism bureau .

Built in the neoclassical style of architecture, this is a great place for lovers of art and architecture. It has a humble collection of paintings, but you can cover this place in less than 30 minutes.

Open timings: 10 am to 3 pm, closed on Mondays and Thursdays

Mullick Ghat flower market (optional)

A rather unique experience in Kolkata is a visit to the Mullick Ghat flower market. It is believed to be the largest flower market in Asia and is especially exciting for tourists from the West. The chaos, the crowd, and the cacophony leave up to the Indian stereotype quite well.

On a serious note, the market has great historic and cultural significance, so it's a good place to include in the itinerary.

Make sure you reach there early in the morning (around 6 am) to catch the spectacle of fresh flowers being cut and prepared for the sale. Else, you may as well skip it and start your day with the Marble Palace instead. 

I highly recommend this guided tour for a trip to the flower market.

Jorasanko Thakurbari – The ancestral house of Rabindranath Tagore

If you don’t know about Rabindranath Tagore, you should certainly read up. He is the first non-European Nobel Laureate but that’s just the tip of the iceberg called Tagore. He is the shining star of Bengal Renaissance, the one who is fondly remembered for his countless musings that Bengalis hum and recite in their everyday lives.

Jorasanko Thakur Bari is the ancestral home of Tagore and has galleries dedicated to his life and works in India and abroad. The highlights of this house are the separate galleries funded and maintained by the government of China, Japan, the US, and Hungary in his honor.

Depending on your interest you can spend 1-2 hours here and also come back in the evening for a light and sound show.

Open Timings: 10:30 am to 5 pm, closed on Mondays

Kumartuli – The Potter’s colony

Our next stop is Kumartuli, the potter’s colony located 2 km away from Jorasanko. This is a 300-year-old settlement of potters, the skilled artisans who bring life to mud and make exquisite sculptures.

They make famous idols for Durga Puja that is sent across the pandals in Kolkata as well as other parts of West Bengal.

Many of these artists are called to UK and USA for making idols for religious festivals. While Durga Puja is the grandest of all, the artists are busy throughout the year making idols for various cultural and religious festivals.

As the saying goes, “baro mashe tero paarbon”, meaning Bengalis celebrate 13 festivals in 12 months of the year. No wonder the potters have a busy life.

Biswa Bangla Flyover

From here you can take a cab and drive straight to New Town. While North Calcutta is the cultural precinct of Kolkata, it also comes with its own baggage of all the bad things people might have told you about the city. Old roads, narrow (often stinky) alleys, and dilapidated buildings.

New Town is a complete antithesis. The Biswa-Bangla Flyover leading to Eco Park symbolizes the aspirational side of the city’s character. Kolkata has long been romanticized for its past. People here like to lie back and reminisce about their golden past without any ambition for the future.

The ride over the Biswa Bangla flyover somehow shows the ambitious side of the city, but that too is wrapped in nostalgia. Traditional artwork, statues of Bengali icons of the past, and quotes about Bengali heritage adorn the roads. You will come across the striking Biswa Bangla Gate, aka, the Kolkata Gate which has a floating cafe on it.

You can stop at any of the amusement parks in this area – the older ones like Science City or Nicco Park, the latter ones like the Aquatica, or the newest one like Eco Park.

In fact, the older travel guides will tell you to visit the Botanical Garden , that houses the oldest Banyan tree in the world. Sure, that was one of the best places in Kolkata when I was growing up, but I'm going to recommend my favorite now.

Eco Park , a theme park spread over 480 acres is the biggest urban park in India. You can hire a bike or electric vehicle, or even get a ticket to an electric toy train to explore the huge park. With a nominal entry fee of only Rs. 30 per person, this huge green oasis is segmented into a large number of thematic sections.

There is a large artificial lake for boating and water sports, which is bordered by a beautiful lakefront promenade lined by coconut trees, a butterfly garden, a fruit orchard, a meadow of wild flowering plants, and a rose garden are some of the notable spots for natural beauty.

There's also a sculpture garden showcasing sculptures of 19th and 20th-century legends, a mask garden with a large display of traditional masks, “Biswa Bangla Haat” which is a supermarket for authentic artwork from West Bengal’s cottage industries, and Rabi Aranya, a forest dedicated to Rabindranath Tagore’s literary pieces.

However, the most famous highlight of Eco park is the Seven Wonders Park which has beautiful replicas of the Colosseum of Rome, The Great Wall of China, Christ Statue of Rio, and other man-made wonders of the world. Entry to some sections is free while some like the seven wonders park require additional fees.

Nightlife on park street

If you have the energy you can go clubbing in Park Street or simply take a food tour at night . I am not partisan at all when I say Kolkata is a foodie's paradise.

Day 3 in Kolkata – A Spiritual Excursion

This is your last full day in Kolkata. You can explore various other places inside the city or you can take a day trip to two of the most famous places near the city, the Dakshineshwar Temple and Belur Math. In fact this excursion is one of the top things to do in Kolkata.

You can either go there in the morning and return in the afternoon or spend the morning in Kolkata and visit Dakshineswar in the late afternoon. I’d suggest the latter because sunset at Ganges in Belur Math is a sight to behold.

Start early with a breakfast at BBD Bagh, aka Dalhousie Square. This place is also known for the best street food in Kolkata. The street food here is cheap and hygienic as per WHO standards. I'd recommend the traditional Luchi alur-dom or Luchi chholar dal followed by a Bengali sweet for breakfast. You can also go for Bread-omelet, Kachuri, etc.

BBD Bag is the old business hub of Kolkata, which has most of the government offices – the Writer’s Building, the General Post Office, the Reserve Bank of India, and all state headquarters of all the nationalized banks.

Also known as Dalhousie Square this place is named after three freedom fighters – Binoy, Badal, and Dinesh. You can spend the morning loitering around the streets of BBD Bag, admiring the colonial architecture, and enjoying the street food.

Want to bring the taste of India to your home? Check out this massive list of Best Street Food in India and their recipes at home.

College Street

If you are a book-lover then skip BBD Bag and head straight to College Street in the morning. This is the largest area dedicated to bookstores where you can find everything from college textbooks to the rarest books on the planet.

Also known as “ boi-para ” meaning book mart, it is the largest second-hand book market in the world. This is a center of eminence frequented by students, academicians, researchers, and bibliophiles.

It was named so in 1817 when the Hindu College was founded by British officer David Hare which later came to be known as the Presidency University. College Street now houses most of the best colleges in Kolkata namely the University of Calcutta, Calcutta Medical College, Sanskrit College etc. 

Another attraction of College Street is the Coffee House. It is just an old unit of the Indian Coffee House chain of restaurants but has a nostalgic value. Some of the greatest intellectuals of the 20th century including Subhash Chandra Bose, Rabindranath Tagore, Amartya Sen, and Satyajit Ray frequented the coffee house to discuss their ideas over a cup of coffee.

It’s just this romanticism, otherwise, neither the ambiance nor the coffee here is great now.

Dakshineswar Kaali Bari

After breakfast and some stroll, it's time for a day trip. Head to Dakshineswar Kaali Temple, one of the most revered temples in India. Photography is not allowed inside the temple premises. You will have to leave your footwear and electronics in a secure locker outside.

Built in Navaratna style, Dakshineswar is an architectural treasure. Commissioned by Rani Rashmoni Devi in 1855, this temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali.

It was home to priest Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa and his wife Sarada Devi. He was the teacher of Swami Vivekananda, and it is in this temple that he advocated the unity of all religions. This huge complex is peaceful and vibrant at the same time, a must-visit place when you are in Kolkata.

The best time of the year to visit Dakshineswar is during the Kali Puja which happens at the time of Diwali in India.

If you are staying longer, I recommend a guided day trip to Bishnupur – a land of terracotta temples and unmatchable textile heritage.

Take a ferry across the river to reach Belur Math on the opposite side of Ganga. It was established by the world-renowned spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda. He formed the group Ramakrishna Mission, a group of monks dedicated to the service of humanity.

The temple of Belur Math is an architectural amalgamation of religions across the world, symbolizing unity in diversity.

Swami Vivekananda spent years as a wandering monk with his fellow brothers serving the poor and sick people all over India before he formed Belur Math.

It is home to the monks of Ramakrishna Mission which conducts humanitarian work in India and abroad. Durga Puja is the most prominent religious celebration in Belur Math.

Along with Hindu festivities, Belur Math also celebrates Buddha Jayanti and Christmas Eve. Watch the sunset at the Ganga-ghats and return to the temple to experience the mesmerizing evening “aarti”. 

This marks the end of our 3-day tour of Kolkata on a spiritual high. This is the best that I can fit realistically into a 3-day Kolkata itinerary, although there are many more places to explore.

The mega-city Kolkata can be quite overwhelming for a first-time visitor. If you have only a day or two in Kolkata as a first-time visitor, I recommend one of these full-day organized tours.

• Full day tour with lunch
• Full day photography tour of Kolkata

Where to stay in Kolkata?

I recommend you stay in the heart of the city near Esplanade and Park Street. However, if you are more interested in a serene location away from the city center, yet close to the newer attractions like Eco Park, you can choose to stay in Salt Lake or New Town. Here are some recommendations.

Hotels in Luxury Range

• Taj Bengal $$$$

A heritage 5-star hotel located in Alipore conveniently close to prime tourist attractions like Victoria Memorial, Kalighat, and the business district of Kolkata.

• Oberoi Grand $$$$

Another fantastic property close to major tourist zones as well as shopping areas like New Market. It is accessible via the subway (metro stations) of Esplanade and Park Street.

• ITC Sonar Bangla $$$$

An exquisite luxury hotel located near Science City and has easy access to the Newtown region.

Hotels in 4-star and 3-star category

• Elgin Fairlawn $$$ – Located near the Indian Museum
• Fairfield by Mariott $$$ – Located in Newtown (close to Ecopark, Wax Museum and other new attractions)
• The Park Suites $$ -Located in the throbbing Park Street

Check out more options for Kolkata hotels here .

How many days are required to visit Kolkata?

You require atleast 3 days to explore Kolkata to be able to appreciate the diversity and culture of this city. It's a large populous mega city of India, so you will also face traffic congestion that will slow you down. Hence it will be difficult to see both north and south Kolkata in less than 3 days.

What is the best time to visit Kolkata?

The best time to visit Kolkata in winter which begins in December and ends in early February. The weather is beautiful to enjoy walking in the sunny afternoons and stroll around the Christmas markets in the evening.

If you want to experience the famous Durga Puja of Kolkata , you will need to plan your trip around October/ The exact dates vary every year, so look up the dates online before planning. Avoid the time between late May and early September because of the hot summer followed by incessant rains.

Check the best places to visit in winter in India .

How to travel in Kolkata?

Kolkata is the only city in India where you can find an electric tram network . So, it is an amazing eco-friendly mode of transport within the city. However, many routes are currently non-functional.

The Kolkata Metro is the fastest mode of commute and is amazingly cheap. You can also take yellow taxis for hire or use Ola and Uber for private transport.

Bus connectivity in Kolkata is the best in India based on my personal experience. You can use this official website to check bus routes for planning your intra-city commute.

Related Readings

Thank you for reading the massive post. I hope it inspires you to visit my city and explore the culture of West Bengal .

Don't miss the list of best places to visit in West Bengal with family . Here are a few more travel stories you might love.

• A trip to Digha From Kolkata
• Hidden Gems of North Bengal
• Complete guide to experiencing Durga Puja in Kolkata
• A Trip to Henry's Island From Kolkata

Liked the post? Please share with your friends and family, and plan the trip now. Or you can save this guide to plan later.

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29 Comments

What a great, thorough guide! I appreciate all of your insights and will keep this blog pinned for a future reference. Kolkata definitely has a lot of history, culture, and architecture I’d love to explore.

Thank you so much. Hope you enjoy Kolkata as much.

Thanks for sharing so much information! this post is very well detailed I have to admit that my favorite part is when you describe the Kumartuli. I am so much in love with pottery and handy-crafts.

India is one of my favourite countries to explore and yet I have not visited Kolkata, even though I’m fascinated by its rich history. Thank you for providing such a comprehensive guide, I personally would be heading straight to college street. The idea of the largest second hand book market in the world fills me with anticipation!

Ahaa wish I had seen this before my trip but I had a fabulous time, was in Kol for 3 days and visited most places mentioned here and then some more.. loved what I saw, ate and explored..

Thanks Aarti. Glad that you enjoyed Kolkata and hope to see you again in my city 🙂

An extensive guide and wonderful insights. Kolkata is clearly a blend of historical and modern architecture, mixed with traditional cultural and modern twist..

Thanks for including a little bit of history about this city. I think I’m going to have to start adding short historical paragraphs about the places I cover. I didn’t know that the name had changed! India has been on our list for a while and it was great to get a glimpse of your City. Thanks!

An exhaustive guide to Kolkata! Well-done, Sinjana! I am yet to visit the Jorasanko Thakurbari! That’s a nice picture of Belur Math!.

Great post, Kolkata has so much to explore. I love the details and makes it easy for a first-timer to explore the city with confidence.

What a great post! I learned so much about Kolkata and what it has to offer!

Very interesting post. I was surprised that a lot of the architecture looked so European. I have a few friends that have visited and have reported back what a lovely place it is.

Thanks for the detailed information and tips. I loved your pictures. So much to see in this stunning city! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks Anita for reading and sharing your views

I had no idea there were so many historic and beautiful sites to see in Kolkata. I would love to see this place someday and follow the itinerary you’ve recommended.

I haven’t visited India yet, but Prinsep Ghat seems like a lovely place to wander along the water and watch the sunset. What’s your favorite dish in this foodie’s paradise?

It is so amazing! I’m from Kolkata and have visited all this places. But never like a trip to Kolkata .Few of my friends are planning to visit Kolkata from Ranchi. I’m so lazy to make a itinerary for them that’s why I went through your article. Its so perfect. I’m definitely going to follow this with my friends.

Thank you so much Tarumita. I wish you a fantastic trip and hope you come back to the blog for more ideas.

The report is Thoroughly professional. I am planning to visit Kolkatta next month along with my daughter for 3 to 4 days. Excellent guidance you have given. I dont need to refer any other report.

Thanks and Regards Ram

Thank you so much. I hope you have a great trip and the weather cools down a little bit by then.

Thank you so much for this article. A great guide for the first time visiter with complete insight.

Thank you for giving this more information about the Kolkata and its places, I really Liked It , I want visit the Kolkata and its places , As soon as possible, Thank you

Thanks a lot Kalakar

Thanks a lot dear Sanjna for the selfless tour guide of Kolkata. Its my first and long awaited tour at my late sixties.

Thank you so much for the comment. I hope you have a great time. Wish you a very happy Durga Puja. Reach out to me through comments or mail if you need anything while in Kolkata

Well articulated and informative. Thanks for sharing .planning my visit to kolkata end of Dec with my son and found this very useful for my travel plan. Written in 2020 this article is still useful for us in end of 2023. Thanks a lot .

Thank you so much Saranya. Even though I originally published it earlier, I update my itinerary posts every year. All the information in the article is current.

Ma’am how much do the yellow taxis charge per KM???

Prepaid taxis in kolkata charge is rs. 25 for the first 2 km and then 12 per km. besides that you can also hire no refusal taxis , uber and ola.

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Kolkata (Calcutta)

India’s third-largest city is a daily festival of human existence, simultaneously noble and squalid, cultured and desperate, decidedly futuristic though still in transition. By its old spelling, Calcutta readily conjures images of human suffering to most Westerners – although that's not a complete picture of this 330-year-old metropolis. Locally, Kolkata is regarded as India’s intellectual, artistic and cultural capital. Although poverty is certainly apparent, the self-made middle class drives the city's core machinery, a nascent hipster culture thrives among its millennial residents and its dapper Bengali gentry frequent grand colonial-era clubs.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Victoria Memorial

The incredible Victoria Memorial is a vast, beautifully proportioned festival of white marble: think US Capitol meets Taj Mahal. Had it been built for a…

Botanical Gardens

Despite being an awkward journey by public transport, Kolkata’s lovely 109-hectare Botanical Gardens makes for a great place to escape from the city’s…

Set very attractively amid palms and manicured lawns, this large religious centre is the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission, inspired by 19th-century…

Kumartuli Idol-makers

Countless clay effigies of deities and demons immersed in the Hooghly during Kolkata’s colourful pujas (offering or prayers) are created in specialist…

Marble Palace

Built in 1835 by a raja from the prosperous Mallick family, this resplendent mansion is as grand as it is curious. Its marble-draped halls are overstuffed…

Tagore’s House

The stately 1784 family mansion of Rabindranath Tagore has become a shrine-like museum to India’s greatest modern poet. Even if his personal effects don’t…

Indian Museum

India's biggest and oldest major museum celebrated its bicentenary in February 2014. It's mostly a lovably old-fashioned place that fills a large…

A vast expanse of green in the heart of the city's brick-and-mortar matrix, the Maidan is where Kolkata's residents congregate for walks, spirited cricket…

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Best Season to Visit Kolkata

October to february is best season to visit kolkata, peak season in kolkata, october to january is peak season in kolkata, kolkata weather, minimum temperature in kolkata, maximum temperature in kolkata, present temperature in kolkata, winter season:.

Winter is probably the most awaited season in Kolkata. The winter months in Kolkatta are December to February. The temperature in winter sinks down to 13�C at this time. With pleasant days and cool mornings, winter is the most preferred season in this city. In these 3 months, you can enjoy lots of music festivals are on and different fairs and various craft and handloom exhibitions (Saras Mela, Bidhannagar Mela, Book Fair, etc) to see and even buy the latest traditional and local artwork. Spend Christmas in Park Street and experience the grand celebration.

Summer Season:

The summer season extends from first week of March to June. While summer in this region is noted for excessive humidity. The city of Joy normally known as a Summer city, which has different kinds of summer weather like Sweaty summer, rainy summer, sweaty and rainy summer, breezy summer and chilled summer. Temperature in Kolkata is usually around 41�C. During summer you can enjoy the festival like Poila Boishakh, Jamai Shashti.

Monsoon Season:

June to September is monsoon season in Kolkata. The climate remains wet throughout as the town receives around 1582m average rainfall. Monsoon months are blessed with heavy rainfall. Major festivals in Kolkata are Durga Puja (the city is known all around the world for its famous Durga puja celebrations. Pooja is conducted in the month of September/October, this is known as the best time to see city of Joy) & Kali Puja (Kali puja celebrate after Durga Puja is again one of the biggest festivals in Kolkata). The city is very enthusiastic & active during this festive period where you can enjoy culture & Cuisine.

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Kolkata has a tropical wet and dry climate so the best time to visit Kolkata is between the months of October and March .

• Summer (March-May) is the hottest season with temperatures ranging between 30°C and 40°C. This is the worst time to visit Kolkata as the scorching sun makes it difficult to travel outdoors.
• Winter (November to February) provides cool climate to the city with the temperature hovering around 9°C to 11°C. This is a good time to visit Kolkata as the weather is cool and occasional rainfall makes the evening very pleasant.
• Monsoon (June to September) provides a major portion of the annual rainfall and heavy showers occur during this season. Though the weather is cool the humidity levels rise. This is also the time for the major celebration in Kolkata – Kali Puja (festival of Dussehra) spreading across 9 days of festivities and religious functions in October.

Kolkata is a beautiful cultural city which is best visited during the post monsoon and winter months. While summers are hot and uncomfortable, the monsoons are humid. Winter in Kolkata is mild and provides the best weather for enjoying outdoor travel.

Events & Festivals in Kolkata

It is worth scheduling a visit to Kolkata during one of their fairs or festivals that are held on a grand scale as the city is the most colourful and liveliest at this time. Be prepared for throngs of tourists, both local and foreigners, during this time.

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One of the great urban centres of India , Kolkata is – to its proud citizens – equal to any city in the country in charm, variety and interest. The showpiece capital of the British Raj was the greatest colonial city of the Orient. People from all over the world came seeking fortune during its trading boom in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Their descendants are still noticeable in the city's cosmopolitan mix of communities. Despite this, there has been a rise in Bengali nationalism over the last twenty years, and in 2001 the city was officially renamed Kolkata (its precolonial Bengali name).

The best travel tips for visiting Kolkata

Best things to do in kolkata, best areas to stay in kolkata, best restaurants and bars, how to get around, what is the best time to visit kolkata, how many days do you need in kolkata, how to get here, tailor-made travel itineraries for india, created by local experts.

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Since Indian Independence, mass migrations of dispossessed refugees caused by twentieth-century upheavals within the Subcontinent have tested the city’s infrastructure to the limit.

The resultant suffering – and the work of Mother Teresa in drawing attention to its most helpless victims – has given Kolkata a reputation for poverty that sells the city short.

Although it undoubtedly faces huge challenges, they are no greater than in other cities of comparable size in India and around the world.

In fact, though Kolkata’s mighty Victorian buildings stand peeling and decaying, and its central avenues are choked by traffic, the city exudes a warmth and buoyancy that leaves few visitors unmoved.

Kolkata is expanding rapidly, with shopping malls, hip cafés and restaurants, and satellite towns springing up all around the city.

The downside of all this development, however, partly resulting from the huge increase in traffic, is some of the worst air pollution in the world, with one of the most chaotic road systems in the country.

Rough Guides tip: Planning a trip to India? Perhaps our local experts in India can help you!

Victoria Memorial architectural monument and museum at Kolkata © Shutterstock

From The stately Indian Museum to the green expanse of the Maidan, here are the best things to do in Kolkata.

#1 Relax at The Maidan

One of the largest city-centre parks in the world, the Maidan – literally “field” – stretches from the Esplanade in the north to the racecourse in the south.

It is bordered by Chowringhee Road to the east, the Strand and river to the west and Raj Bhavan to the north, the former residence of the British governors-general and the viceroys of India until 1911. It's now the official home of the governor of Bengal.

This vast open area, the lungs of Kolkata, stands in utter contrast to the chaotic streets of the surrounding city.

It was created when Fort William, now home to the military headquarters of the Eastern Command, was laid out near the river in 1758; Robert Clive cleared tracts of forest to give its guns a clear line of fire.

Originally a haven for the elite, today the Maidan is a favourite spot for ordinary citizens.

#2 Wander along Esplanade and Chowringhee Road

The 46m column of Shahid Minar (Martyrs’ Memorial) towers over the busy tram and bus terminals and market stalls at the northeast corner of the Maidan, known here as Esplanade.

It was originally built in 1828 to commemorate David Ochterlony, who led the East India Company’s troops to victory in the Nepalese Wars of 1814–16.

On the east side of Esplanade, the once-elegant colonnaded front of Chowringhee Road is perpetually teeming with hawkers and shoppers.

Behind the facade the Victorian Grand Hotel (now the Oberoi Grand), its palm court inspired by the famous Raffles of Singapore, maintains a hint of colonialism.

#3 Buy some snacks at New Market

The single-storey New Market has barely changed inside since it opened in 1874 and has plenty of old-world charm.

Beneath its Gothic red-brick clock tower, the market stocks a vast array of household goods, luggage, garments, textiles, jewellery, knickknacks and books as well as meat, vegetables and fruit and a booming flower market.

Chamba Lama sells Tibetan curios, silver jewellery and bronzes while Sujata’s is known for its silk, and Nahoum & Sons is a renowned Jewish bakery and confectioner.

Further up the corridor, condiment stalls offer dried fruit, miniature rounds of salty Bandel cheese (both smoked and unsmoked) and amshat, blocks of dried mango; the produce, poultry, fish and meat market nearby is unmistakeable by its aroma.

Coolies, hoping for commission, eagerly offer assistance to any shopper who shows even a flicker of uncertainty.

#4 Be wowed by the Indian Museum

The stately Indian Museum is the oldest and largest museum in India, founded in 1814. Visitors come in their thousands, many of them referring to it as the jadu ghar or “house of magic”.

The main showpiece is a collection of sculptures obtained from sites all over India, which centres on a superb Mauryan polished-sandstone lion capital dating from the third century BC.

One gallery houses the impressive remains of the second-century BC Buddhist stupa from Bharhut in Madhya Pradesh, partly reassembled to display the red-sandstone posts, capping stones, railings and gateways.

Carvings depict scenes from the Jataka tales of the Buddha’s many incarnations.

Along with a huge collection of Buddhist sculptures, dating from the first to the third centuries, you’ll also see stone sculpture from Khajuraho and Pala bronzes, and archeological finds from other sites.

#5 Take in the Victoria Memorial

The dramatic white-marble Victoria Memorial at the southern end of the Maidan, with its formal gardens and watercourses, continues to be Kolkata’s pride and joy.

Other colonial monuments and statues throughout the city have been renamed or demolished, but attempts to change the name of the “VM” have come to nothing.

This extraordinary hybrid building designed by Sir William Emerson, with Italianate statues over its entrances, Mughal domes in its corners, and elegant open colonnades along its sides, was conceived by Lord Curzon to commemorate the empire at its peak.

However, by the time it was completed in 1921, twenty years after Victoria’s death, the capital of the Raj had shifted to Delhi .

The main entrance, at the Maidan end, leads into a tall chamber beneath the dome.

The 25 galleries inside still contain mementoes of British imperialism including statues of Queen Mary, King George V and Queen Victoria.

Victoria Memorial in Kolkata from Maidan © Shutterstock

#6 See the mights iron-trussed roof of St Paul’s Cathedral

Close to the Victoria Memorial, beyond the Birla Planetarium, stands the Gothic edifice of St Paul’s Cathedral, erected by Major W.N. Forbes in 1847.

Measuring 75m by 24m, its iron-trussed roof was then the longest span in existence.

For improved ventilation, the lancet windows inside extend to plinth level, and tall fans hang from the ceiling.

The most outstanding of the many well-preserved memorials and plaques to long-perished imperialists is the stained glass of the west window, designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones in 1880 to honour Lord Mayo, assassinated in the Andaman Islands.

The original steeple was destroyed in the 1897 earthquake; after a second earthquake in 1934 it was remodelled on the Bell Harry Tower at Canterbury Cathedral.

#7 Bask in the work at the Academy of Fine Arts

South of the cathedral, the Academy of Fine Arts is a showcase for Bengali contemporary arts.

As well as temporary exhibitions, it holds permanent displays of the work of artists such as Jamini Roy and Rabindranath Tagore.

#8 See some Indian classical music at the Cultural Centre: Rabindra Sadan, Nandan and Sisir Mancha

Immediately south of the Academy of Fine Arts, the Cultural Centre features the large auditorium of Rabindra Sadan which, occasionally and especially in winter, features programmes of Indian classical music.

Next door, Nandan, designed by Satyajit Ray, is a lively film centre and pays homage to the rich tradition of Bengal’s film-making. Also within the complex, Bengali theatre is celebrated with its own auditorium, Sisir Mancha.

#9 Peruse the gallery of art and antiquities at the Asiatic Society

Close to Chowringhee Road, the Asiatic Society, established in 1784 by Orientalists including Sir William Jones, houses a huge collection of around 150,000 books and 60,000 manuscripts, some dating back to the seventh century.

The society has a reading room open to the public as well as a gallery of art and antiquities that holds paintings by Rubens and Reynolds, a large coin collection and one of Ashoka’s stone edicts.

#10 Wander through Park Street Cemetery, Kolkata’s oldest

The disused Park Street Cemetery is one of the city’s most haunting memorials to its imperial past.

Inaugurated in 1767, it is the oldest in Kolkata, holding a wonderful concentration of pyramids, obelisks, pavilions, urns and headstones, beneath which many well-known figures from the Raj lie buried including Sir William Jones of the Asiatic Society.

The epitaphs make poignant reading.

#11 Seek out The Last Supper by Johann Zoffany inside St John’s Church

Of the eighteenth- and nineteenth-century British churches dotted around central Kolkata, the most interesting is St John’s, just south of the GPO.

Erected in 1787, it houses memorials to British residents, along with an impressive painting of The Last Supper by Johann Zoffany, in which prominent Calcuttans are depicted as apostles.

In the grounds, Kolkata’s oldest graveyard holds the tomb of Job Charnock, the city’s founding father, one of the few colonialists still cherished among Bengalis.

Charnock earned eternal notoriety for marrying a Hindu girl he saved from the funeral pyre of her first husband.

St. John's Church, Kolkata © Shutterstock

#12 Visit Eden Gardens in Kolkata

Eden Gardens, the imposing site of the world-famous cricket ground (officially known as the Ranji Stadium), lies near the river close to Chandpal Ghat and has been described as the “Coliseum of Cricket”.

Watching a test match here is an unforgettable experience as the 66,000-seat stadium resounds to the roar of the crowd.

Next to the stadium, towards the river, the pleasant palm-fringed gardens are a picture of tranquillity with a Burmese pagoda set against a little lake.

#13 Stumble across the synagogues of BethEl and Magen David

Now protected monuments, the synagogues of BethEl and Magen David are reminders of the once flourishing community that played such an important role in the commercial life of the city.

While the Jewish community has all but disappeared from Kolkata, the two synagogues remain lovingly preserved.

Buried in the heart of a busy electrical goods market, BethEl’s exterior, emblazoned with the Star of David, hides an immaculate, lofty hall with aisles awaiting a lost congregation.

A short distance away, Magen David’s church-like appearance is similar. Both feature striking stained glass, common throughout the synagogues of India.

#14 Be wowed by a lavish collection of statues at the Marble Palace

The ornate Marble Palace holds a lavish collection of statues, European antiques, Ming vases, and paintings by Rubens and Gainsborough.

To join one of the free guided tours of this extraordinary pile, get a pass from the tourist offices at BBD Bagh or Shakespeare Sarani.

To the north of Marble Palace, Sonagachi’s warren of lanes is one of Kolkata’s red-light districts.

#15 Cross Howrah Bridge

One of Kolkata’s most famous landmarks (officially called Rabindra Setu, though few people use this new name), Howrah Bridge is 97m high and 705m long.

It span the river in a single leap to make it the world’s third longest cantilever bridge.

Erected with a maze of girders during World War II in 1943 to give Allied troops access to the Burmese front, it was the first bridge to be built using rivets.

Joining the streams of pedestrians who walk across it each day is a memorable experience.

Vidyasagar Setu, the second Hooghly bridge, built 3km south to relieve the strain, was 22 years in the making.

It’s a vast toll bridge with Spaghetti Junction-style approaches high enough to let ships pass below.

Howrah Bridge in Kolkata © Shutterstock

As soon as you arrive in Kolkata, taxi drivers are likely to assume that you’ll be heading for Sudder St, near New Market, where you’ll find a heady mix of travellers, businessmen and Bangladeshis in transit.

As the main travellers’ hub in Kolkata and close to all amenities, the area is a sociable place to stay, with numerous hotels, though if you’re after more luxury, you may have to look further afield.

Note that budget hotels in Kolkata are generally pretty poor quality: it is well worth spending a bit more here to avoid the grottiest rooms.

This is a backpacker centre for travellers. There are lots of hotels and budget guesthouses to pick from, including some real rotters.

Outer Kolkata

Home to the more luxury address in Kolkata and big brand hotels, but not very close to any of the city's main points of interest.

Near the Airport

There is a choice of hotels on Jessore and VIP Roads, including some business hotels. Handy for catching flights, not so good for seeing sights.

Browse the best hotels in Kolkata.

Although locals love to dine out, traditional Bengali cooking was, until relatively recently, restricted to the home.

However, some excellent restaurants now offer the chance to taste this wonderful fish- and seafood-based cuisine.

You’ll also find several good south Indian restaurants, numerous joints offering varying standards of Western cuisine, as well as rich Muslim cooking and the not-to-be-missed kati roll (parathas stuffed with chicken, mutton, paneer, egg or spiced potato, spiked with chilli and lime, and rolled in a sheaf of paper).

Park Street

Renamed as Mother Teresa Sarani – though few locals use this name – Park Street is packed with restaurants, cafés and bars, and has long been the hub of cosmopolitan and even hedonistic Calcutta.

Restaurants and cafés around Sudder St cater for Western travellers.

Roadside chai shops and street food stalls around BBD Bagh are extremely popular for lunch.

Near Maidan

Once famous for its live music, including a renowned jazz club now sadly gone, the western end of the Mother Teresa Sarani strip, near Maidan, continues to support some of the liveliest nightlife in the city.

Chinatown at Tangra

Chinese, spiced and cooked to local tastes, is also popular: the city has a rich tradition including its own Chinatown at Tangra on the road to the airport.

St Paul's Cathedral in Kolkata © Shutterstock

From the Metro system to human-drawn rickshaws, it is easy to get around Kolkata . Here’s how to do it.

India’s first and Kolkata’s pride and joy, provides a fast, clean and efficient way to get around.

The river is also used for transport, with the ghats near Eden Gardens at the hub of a ferry system.

You can beat the traffic by jumping on one of the frequent ferries from Chandpal Ghat to Howrah station, though they’re crowded at rush hour.

By metered taxi

Metered taxis remain the most convenient mode of transport and radio cabs (private taxis) provide more comfort at a price.

Kolkata supports a vast and complicated bus network. The a/c Volvo buses run on several useful routes including from Esplanade to the airport and between Tollygunge (via Gariahat) and the airport.

These are commuter buses, so getting on with luggage mid-route can be a problem when the buses are full.

By private minibus

There are private brown and yellow minibuses which travel at inordinate speeds.

Their destinations are painted boldly in Bengali and English on their sides and route numbers are occasionally visible.

Kolkata’s cumbersome trams, barely changed save for a lick of paint since they started operating in 1873, have been largely phased out.

Certain routes linger on and a “new” model has been introduced with high glass windows.

Female travellers can take advantage of the rush-hour women-only coaches.

By rickshaw

Despite efforts to ban them, Kolkata still has human-drawn rickshaws, though they’re only available in the central areas of the city, especially around New Market.

Most of the rickshaw-pullers are Bihari pavement-dwellers, who live short and very hard lives.

Some pullers supplement their meagre income by acting as touts and pimps. Haggle for a realistic price but feel free to give a handful of baksheesh too.

The ferry system provides a pleasant alternative to the city’s manic roads. The most useful ferry terminal is Chandpal Ghat near Eden Gardens.

A short taxi ride from Sudder St, from where, along with Howrah station, you can get ferries downriver to Shibpur for the Botanical Gardens and upriver to Shobabazaar, useful for visiting Kumartuli.

Statue of Rabindranath Tagore at Rabindra sadan in Kolkata © Shutterstock

The climate of Kolkata is at its best during the short winter (Nov–Feb), when the daily maximum temperature hovers around 27°C, and the markets are filled with fresh vegetables and flowers.

Before the monsoons, however, the heat hangs unbearably heavily; the arrival of the rains in late June brings relief, but usually also floods that turn the streets into a quagmire.

After a brief period of post-monsoon high temperatures, October and November are quite pleasant; this is the time of the city’s biggest festival, Durga Puja.

Find out more about the best time to visit India.

To get a good sense of the city's rich heritage, visitors typically need at least 3 to 4 days in Kolkata.

This gives them enough time to visit sites such as Victoria Memorial, Indian Museum, Howrah Bridge, and exploring vibrant neighbourhoods like Park Street and South Kolkata.

Additionally, it provides ample time to indulge in the city's renowned street food, experience the bustling markets, and soak in the cultural ambiance that Kolkata has to offer.

Tombs of South Park Street Cemetery in Kolkata, India © Shutterstock

Kolkata is one of India's most visited cities, so there is no shortage of ways to get here. The easiest, depending on where you come from of course, is by plane.

Netaji Subhash Bose International Airport Kolkata’s airport 20 km north of the city centre, is officially called Netaji Subhash Bose International Airport, but is still universally known by its old name of Dum Dum.

Prepaid taxis, Express Volvo a/c coach services and the Metro all connect with the city centre.

Kolkata has three main railway stations: Howrah, Kolkata and Sealdah, with two others, Santragachi and Shalimar, as subsidiary hubs.

Howrah Howrah – the point of arrival for most major trains from the south and west – stands on the far bank of the Hooghly, 2 km west of the centre.

To reach the central downtown area, traffic has to negotiate Howrah Bridge – the definitive introduction to the chaos of the city.

Find out how to get to India .

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• Best Time to Visit

Best Time To Visit Kolkata

Is peak season, what to expect.

• Winter months
• Dip in temperatures - cool winter breeze
• Peak festive season - Durga Puja, Diwali etc
• Pleasant days, cold nights
• Perfect weather for sightseeing
• Temperatures ranging from 13-27 degree Celsius
• Costlier resorts and homestays

is Moderate Season

• Onset of monsoon
• Heavy showers and thunderstorms
• High humidity
• Temperatures ranging from 26-32 degree Celsius
• Budget-friendly stays

is Off Season

• Hottest time of the year
• Sweltering days and evenings
• Temperatures ranging from 31-40 degree Celsius

Book Your Trip to Kolkata

Travel options to reach kolkata.

Flight To Kolkata Airport

5 Cheapest Options

Train to Howrah Jn

17h 35m . One way

Hyatt Regency Kolkata

₹ 6,500 Per night

The Park Kolkata

₹ 8,400 Per night

ITC Royal Bengal - A Luxury Collection Hotel

₹ 7,200 Per night

THE WESTIN KOLKATA RAJARHAT

₹ 6,299 Per night

The Oberoi Grand

₹ 8,550 Per night

Novotel Kolkata Hotel and Residences

₹ 6,055 Per night

Hotel Aauris

₹ 4,750 Per night

Best Time to Travel Kolkata!

Dive into the precious heritage of Kolkata. You will love regional festivals, street food and sightseeing. Come and relish the culinary delights of Kolkata.

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

What are the popular things to explore in kolkata.

The most loved tourist places to explore in Kolkata are Dakshineshwar Kali Temple, Maidan and Belur Math. You will have an amazing time exploring these places and come back home with a bag full of memories.

How is the weather of Kolkata in peak season?

The weather of Kolkata in peak season is cool weather. It means you can easily plan a trip in this season for maximum fun during this season.

What is the best time to visit Kolkata?

Ideally the best time to visit any place is considered when the weather conditions are delightful. For Kolkata, you can choose to go in October, November, December, January, February and March which is the peak season and April and May which is the moderate season. Both will serve you well to unwind from your tedious routine.

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• Kolkata Travel Guide Expert Tips For A Smooth Journey

Kolkata Travel Guide: Expert Tips For a Smooth Journey

Web Desk Updated: Mar 19, 2024 10:22 AM IST

Experience Enchanting Kolkata

Nicknamed India's Cultural Capital, the bustling metropolis of Kolkata offers an evocative immersion into history, art, literature and delectable food.

As a prominent port city on the Ganges delta facing the Bay of Bengal, Kolkata served as the prosperous capital of British India for over a century until 1911 nurturing iconic institutions, architecture and even a unique dialect of the Bengali language widely prevalent today. Though it grappled with post-independence economic decline and civic challenges of overpopulation, Kolkata retains an old-world romantic charm wonderfully juxtaposed against vibrant pockets of cosmopolitan modernity.

By understanding key facets of the city before arriving, you can better navigate and appreciate your journey through Kolkata's chaotic canvas bringing alive nostalgic stories of the past while looking optimistically towards the future.

Kolkata's Tropical Climate

Straddling the Tropic of Cancer, Kolkata experiences a hot tropical wet and dry climate with seasonal variations across the year.

Weather Patterns

Summer (March - June)

Hot and humid weather with temperatures rising over 40 C by May. Afternoon tropical thunderstorms accompanied by strong hot winds.

Monsoon (June - September) Torrential rainfall starting June with high humidity around 80%. Umbrellas and raincoats are a must during the wet months!

Winter (November - February)

Pleasantly cool with temperatures lowering below 15 C. Light woolens, jackets needed especially near the breezy Hooghly riverside.

Post monsoon autumn in October and pre-monsoon spring by March are wonderful weatherwise to explore Kolkata leisurely.

Iconic Transport of Kolkata

As the first city in Asia to operate a metro suburban rail, underground mass transit system and electric trams, Kolkata retains much of its vintage transportation pillars with trams and iconic yellow Ambassador taxis though new routes are expanding.

Quintessential Kolkata Rides

Yellow Ambassadors Streamlined Hindustan Motors manufactured taxis made iconic by Bollywood legends

Metro Rapid transit route under construction to cover key parts of city

Handpulled Rickshaws Human powered three-wheeler rides through thinner lanes

Ferries Scenic Hooghly river crossings to reach Howrah district

Tram Slow paced rides along select fixed routes since 1902

Immersive Cultural Panorama

As a pioneering crucible for 19th century Bengal Renaissance movement encompassing literary, social and artistic genres, Kolkata strongly reflects a cultural upheaval from stagnant ideas towards progressive intellectual philosophies relevant today.

Literary Identity

Home to first Nobel Laureate in Literature Rabindranath Tagore

Schools attract luminaries Kalighat Painters, Satyajit Ray

Flourishing book publishers along College Street 'Boipara'

Food and Festivity

Street food mecca aromatic phuchkas, sweet rasgullas

Bustling riverside ghats Spiritual palpable especially Durga Puja

Pioneer of Indian cinema Legendary actors to fancy South Kolkata theaters

Architectural Allure

Kolkata's buildings offer exemplary expressions of imperial grandeur, civic reconstruction and religious harmony standing proudly through decades of history.

Best Historical Sites

• Victoria Memorial Grand white marble tribute to British Queen
• Howrah Bridge Architectural cantilever marvel over Hooghly River
• Marble Palace Opulent Victorian mansion with priceless art
• Nakhoda Mosque Captivating indoor red brick beauty
• College Street Educational bookstores along presidency university

Culinary Temptations

Food forms an integral fabric to neighborhood identity with pocket streets known for specialized fare to be savored at leisure under twinkling fairy lights.

Bengal's Signature Dishes

• Mishti Doi - Sweetened yogurt tempered with cardamom
• Kosha Mangsho - Slow cooked mutton curry
• Chingri Malai Curry - Succulent prawns in creamy coconut gravy
• Bhapa Ilish - Steamed Hilsa wrapped in banana leaves
• Sandesh - Fluffy milk curd delicacy shaped into sweet dessert

Where to Feast

Tea Shops Strong aromatic brews with deep fried fritters

Sweet Shops Rosogolla, Misti doi, curdled stacks and more!

Restaurants Continental, Mughlai cuisine with meat and vegetable platters

Streetside Roll, phuchka, jhalmuri stalls stuffed with mixtures

Best Time for Kolkata Trip

Visit Bengal's epicurean gem during winter months between November-March when balmy sunshine and open azure skies make exploration pleasant across sidewalks scattered with vivid orange shimul flowers.

The holiday fervor is also palpable with ornate idols under pandals, cultural performances and delectable specialties. Though expect crowds and hotel costs to correspondingly peak.

I hope this primer helps you discover and immerse into the City of Joy's rich legacies interwoven with modern landscapes for an outstanding journey through the dynamic, dreamy and delicious Kolkata.

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Ultimate Kolkata Travel Guide | 25 Best Things to Do in Kolkata

This post may contain affiliate links. Never leave home without travel insurance . Click for the insurance finder tool.  

In this Ultimate Kolkata Travel Guide, I’m going to share 25 Best things to Do in Kolkata.

Despite Kolkata (aka Calcutta) being once the capital city of India , the thought of visiting Kolkata always intimidated me.  From other travelers and Indians, I’d talked to,  I got the impression it must’ve been the armpit of India ~ poverty and disease-ridden, old, crumbling… Hence, it took my third trip to muster the courage to make it to India’s former capital.

The moment my airport taxi hit the road, I immediately sensed I’d like … no, love this charming, historical, and utterly unique city!

Delhi and Mumbai fell in my eyes; Kolkata beat them with its charm, friendliness, and an old colonial character, completely reframing my experience of an Indian city.  I experienced Kolkata culture shock but it was not what I expected. If you ask me about all the cities I’ve visited, Kolkata is one of my top Indian gems and a city worth spending time in!

This Ultimate Kolkata Travel Guide includes:

25 Best Things to Do in Kolkata Where to Eat in Kolkata Useful Information for Travelers Travel Tips for Solo Travelers Getting Around in Kolkata Where to Stay in Kolkata

Table of Contents: Ultimate Kolkata Travel Guide | 25 Best Things to Do in Kolkata

• 1 Kolkata Travel Guide
• 2.0.1 1. Esplanade
• 2.0.2 2. Mullick Ghat Flower Market
• 2.0.3 3. Howrah Bridge
• 2.0.4 4. Howrah Station
• 2.0.5 5. Kumortuli
• 2.0.6 6. Khalighat Temple
• 2.0.7 7.  Tour of the Colonial Architecture
• 2.0.8 8. City Tour by West Bengal Tourism Department
• 2.0.9 9. College Street (aka Book Market)
• 2.0.10 10. Sealdah Station
• 2.0.11 11. Kolay Market  | Burabazzar
• 2.0.12 12.  Kolay Market laborers
• 2.0.13 13. Indian Museum
• 2.0.14 14. New Market
• 2.0.15 15. Jorasanko: the Childhood home of Rabindranath Tagore
• 2.0.16 16. Bowbazar & Marble Palace
• 2.0.17 17.  Mother Theresa’s Tomb
• 2.0.18 18. Day Trip to Sundarbans
• 2.0.19 19. Durga Puja Festival
• 3 Top Attractions of Kolkata (Watch Kolkata Travel Guide Video )
• 4.0.1 20.  Kolkata Food Walk
• 4.0.2 21. Decker Lane
• 4.0.3 22. Mohan Bhandahar
• 4.0.4 23. Ganesh Chandra Avenue (in Bowbazar)
• 4.0.5 24. Makhan Lal Das & Sons
• 5.0.1 25. Fairlie Place (Railway Booking Center for Foreign Tourist Quota Tickets)
• 5.1 Communication: Internet and Indian SIM Cards
• 6 Is Kolkata Safe for Solo Travelers?
• 7.0.1 From the airport
• 7.0.2 Types of Transportation in Kolkata
• 7.0.3 Book bus and train tickets in advance
• 8.0.2 What are your best things to do in Kolkata recommendations for this Kolkata Travel Guide?
• 8.0.3 Related Posts
• 8.1 India Travel Videos: India for Solo Travelers (WATCH THIS BEFORE YOUR TRIP!)

Kolkata Travel Guide

25 best things to do in kolkata.

Kolkata is the capital of India’s West Bengal state. and formerly the capital of India when it was under the British Raj in 1773.  Today it’s a city with a traditional soul, colonial architecture, cultural festivals, lots of car honking and street food . So come along. I’m going to show you my favorite highlights of this unique city.

1. Esplanade

The Esplanade district is a buzzing district that is very Raj-esque in architecture and history. Colonial architecture is present as well as a bit of every man’s shopping area. It’s also the crossroads where you can find a lot of transportation from long-distance buses to trolleys. Nearby hotspots: BBD Bagh, Indian Museum.

2. Mullick Ghat Flower Market

Mullick Ghat Flower Market in Kolkata’s biggest and busiest flower market . Flowers are an essential part of life in the city and are sold for temple prayers, wedding decorations and festivals. Arrive 8 am in the morning to see the flower sellers haggle, negotiate and transport their bundles. Unlike what you see in photos, there are very few female vendors.   The majority of transactions occur between men.

Getting there: It’s next to Howrah Bridge on the opposite side of Howrah Station.

3. Howrah Bridge

Spanning the width of the Hoogly River , you have Howrah Bridge , a steel and iron landmark bridge connecting central Kolkata (and the Mullick Ghat Flower Market ) to Howrah Station . Early in the morning, you can see people going to their daily worship, and taking a bath in the river. A great place for people-watching, you’ll see daily commuters, travelers and work porters transport goods and big bundles of goods at all times of the day.

When you come to India, you will see a lot because India is truly amazing.  Getting There : sandwiched between the  Mullick Ghat Flower Market and Howrah Train Statio n. You can take one of the many buses en route to Howrah Station and have them drop you near the flower market.

4. Howrah Station

Howrah Station is Kolkata’s second railway station and one of India’s largest ! It’s said that an estimated two million people arrive and depart by Howrah station each day.

Note: Getting from the airport to Howrah Station should take at the least 45 minutes, but expect it to take over an hour if you’re traveling during peak traffic hours or during a festival. It’s further than Sealdah Station and you have to cross the river.

Read Ultimate Guide to Indian Trains

5. kumortuli.

Kumortuli or the potter’s colony of Kolkata was by far one of the most fascinating highlights of the city for me. The colony is known for their production of clay idols of Hindu gods and goddesses. I visited before the big Kali festival, so many sculptors were busy at work sculpting Kali goddess statues.

There are hundreds of potter shops and their work supplies Kolkata and is exported throughout India.

It was helpful to be accompanied by a guide I had for a half-day tour with Viator . While much of Kumortoli seems self-explanatory, wandering the shops alone might have felt a little awkward for me.  Having a guide helped me to get closer to my camera.

6. Khalighat Temple

Khalighat temple is the main pilgrimage temple for devotees of Kali. Being the main site, it’s very busy.   There are street vendors and touts trying to usher you in and sell you places to park your shoes and it’s a little too nutty for me now.  If you come at night, there are a lot of festivities where you’ll see a lot of people here and there are a lot of shops to go to.

Read Things to Do in Sikkim, Yuksom

7.  tour of the colonial architecture.

Kolkata was once ruled by the British Raj, so the colonial architecture is a feature of the city.  The most well-preserved architecture is in the BBD Bagh area, which houses government institutions and it’s best to hire a guide or take a city tour in order to understand what to see.

I took a half-day city tour with Viator to learn about Kolkata’s history, see its colonial architecture in the impressive BBD Bagh district, visit the sculptor colony of  Kumortoli and witness the madness of  Burrabazaar /Kolay Market . The tour also took me into the more local pockets of the city.   I got my own personal driver and having an English-speaking guide to share insights into the landmarks was invaluable!  Although I don’t think we were able to cover everything that was mentioned on the website’s itinerary, we covered a helluva lot in a matter of a short time and it was a solid city tour.

8. City Tour by West Bengal Tourism Department

Alternatively, the West Bengal Tourism Department ( www.wbtdc.gov.in ) offers a Kolkata day tour for 450 rupees.  The itinerary doesn’t mention the obvious places mentioned in your guidebook, but depending on your focus or budget, it’s still a viable option. I was unable to take this tour–the office was not easy to find –and it was best to book in person.  But it provides additional sightseeing to your stay.

9. College Street (aka Book Market)

College Street is also known as  Boi Para (aka Book Market ), Asia’s largest book market,  a shining testament of the reading culture of the people of Kolkata. You’ll find every imaginable type of text, in many languages from Bengali to Dutch. First and rare editions from Bengali authors Rabindranath Tagore (see his works ) and Jibanananda Das and more you will find here.

10. Sealdah Station

There are two main train stations in Kolkata  ( Howrah Station & Sealdah Station ). Sealdah Station is one of the busiest railway stations in India. It’s located centrally in the city and one you’d ideally like to arrive in due to that fact. Meanwhile, Howrah Station is further crossing the river, past Howrah Bridge. What defines Sealdah for me is that it’s a stone’s throw from Kolay Market . While I wouldn’t say it was the BEST thing to do, it is a place I wanted to list here because travelers will have to pass through one of these stations. This would be an easier station to arrive at if your hotel was located in the heart of the city.

Getting There from the airport: The station is not accessible via metro. You will need to take either, a city bus or an airport taxi to Sealdah Station.

11. Kolay Market  | Burabazzar

Opposite Sealdah Train Station, Kolay Market is a bustling wholesale market that sells vegetables in wholesale bundles. It is HUGE. Produce comes in from all parts of India and then gets auctioned off and goes back out. Some parcels of produce can weigh up to 400 Kg and four to five persons carry this from the main road off the truck and into the market.

Read Best Things to Do in Darjeeling

12.  kolay market laborers.

So if the sheer quantity of produce in Kolay Market doesn’t impress you maybe this will. .. The Kolay Market laborers that unload and transport those heaping bundles work in long shifts and sleep nearby so they can be the first to unload trucks that arrive. Some bundles might take one man, while others may require 4 or 5. They earn about 500 Rupees  a day. How’s that for a day’s hard work?

13. Indian Museum

Indian Museum (aka the Magic House .) founded in 1814, it is the oldest museum in India and the most impressive one I’ve seen yet. It’s a spacious museum of artifacts, anthropology, and interesting zoology exhibitions. Highly worth the 50Rs to enter. Admission: 150 rupees for foreigners. 50 rupees if you want to take a camera inside. Website :

Getting there: Between Park and Esplanade metro stations.

14. New Market

New Market , otherwise known as the Hogg Market, is a covered shopping area with over 2000 shops selling anything from clothing to sweets and spices. It’s interesting to see what stocks Kolkata’s kitchens and you’ll definitely get to see some of it.

Being vegetarian it’s definitely hard for me to see all these chickens (and butchers right next door, de-feathering and chopping them up). But put in this context it makes me realize that everyone has to survive in their own way.  While a majority of India is vegetarian due to religious and dietary reasons, there’s still a meat-loving society as well.

Getting there: You can reach it either through Park or Esplanade metro stations, slightly closer to Esplanade. From Chowringhee Road, take a left onto Chowringhee Place, then right onto Betram Street.

15. Jorasanko: the Childhood home of Rabindranath Tagore

If you want to understand a bit about why Kolkata loves literature, visit Jorasanko . Nestled in Bowbazar is the childhood home of Rabindranath Tagore. Rabindranath Tagore is the Bengal poet laureate famous for being the first non-European Nobel Prize winner of Literature. He is one of the icons of Calcutta, next to Mother Theresa.

16. Bowbazar & Marble Palace

Bowbazar ( The Black Town of Northern Calcutta ) is the heart of the Bengal community with its hidden residential villas and palaces. Many wealthy, high-status families lived there once, with Victorian mansions and this is where the arts thrived. The ostentatious Marble Palace is one example. I wasn’t able to take photos there so I did not include it in my video, but it is a 19th-century unique neo-classical palace constructed by art lover and philanthropist, Raja Rajendra Mullick.  The palace is built of all marble with kitschy collectibles, along with a rock garden, a lake and a zoo.

17.  Mother Theresa’s Tomb

Mother Teresa devoted her life to the sick and poor in Kolkata. You can visit Mother Teresa’s tomb, room, church, and school at The Mother House Of The Missionaries Of Charity   Interested in volunteering in Kolkata? Read more about volunteering for the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata .

Tip: Visit Mother Theresa’s tomb

18. Day Trip to Sundarbans

Looking for a day trip tour to Sundarbans ? Sundarbans is a UNESCO World Heritage because it’s the largest mangrove site in the world, where you can spot deer, many bird species, various fauna, and if you’re lucky you might spot a Bengal Tiger!

19. Durga Puja Festival

Durga Puja Festival is an annual Hindu festival celebrating the female goddess warrior Durga. The festival is celebrated big-time by Bengali, Assamese, Odia, and Maithals. Thus, it is a huge festival in Kolkata, where  Durga Puja artists bring the festival to life through their craft of creating Durga floats, and statues and adorning the goddess with lights, so there are many puja tours around town, celebrating highly decorated Durga pandals (aka temporary structures).

Read How to Plan your first trip to India

Top attractions of kolkata (watch kolkata travel guide video ), where to eat in kolkata.

Kolkata is a foodie capital best known for its street food . What Bangkok is to Thailand , or Osaka is to Japan, is what Kolkata is to India …for me. It is a street food kitchen of the country.  While Indian foods range by the region and it might be unfair to other cities like Mumbai or Delhi , you’ll find street food galore walking down certain blocks of this Bengali city.

Read more on Best Street Foods in Kolkata .

20.  kolkata food walk.

If you feel timid about trying new foods, highly recommended is the Kolkata Food Walk . It’s a tour run voluntarily by local foodies, where you get to taste the best and most mouthwatering street food in Kolkata at scandalously inexpensive prices.   You’ll pay for the foods you try and you’ll get to try a lot! Come with an empty stomach.  This is an exceptional food tour run strictly by volunteers, so a donation is suggested; please, tip your guide well!

For food tour options, check out this 15 Taster Private Food Tour and  Evening Food Walk Tour

21. Decker Lane

In the BBD Bagh district, you’ll find Decker Lane, a street that is like a buffet line of street food vendors.  You’ll find food hawkers line the sidewalk with samosas to chai, Chinese noodles, chat, and … a stroll down this street is like a walk down a buffet line. For a few rupees (costing anywhere from 5 to 45 cents USD), you can have a mouthwatering feast.   When in Kolkata, eating street food is a must.

22. Mohan Bhandahar

Mohan Bhandahar  was a sweet shop where I had kachori sabzi . The shop was made famous by the Bollywood film Piku and was visited by Amitabh Bachchan. You’ll see photos of the star there. But the kachori sabzi is literally finger licking good.

Read 26 Best Bollywood Films to Excite Wanderlust

23. ganesh chandra avenue (in bowbazar ).

Right off Ganesh Chowk Metro, you’ll be welcomed by Broadway Hotel (the hotel I stayed at) and Ganesh Chandra Avenue in the Bowbazar district and several street food hawker stalls which line both sides of the street selling things from jhal muri to Hakka Chow mein (influenced by Chinese immigrants).

24. Makhan Lal Das & Sons

Makhan Lal Das & Sons is a 200-year-old sweet shop known for their hand-crafted sweets, and popular Bengal desserts (such as Ras Malai, Jol-Bhora,   Malai Chumchum, Chocolate Misti, etc… )and their 2rs Shondesh . I visited their Ballygunge location, although it’s original shop is inside Notun Bazar of the Jorabagan and that is where they sell the 2Rs shondesh.

Read:  Street Food Safety Tips

Useful information for travelers, 25. fairlie place (railway booking center for foreign tourist quota tickets).

If you’re booking onward travel via railway and your hotel or travel agency can’t book it for you (aka the trains you want are full), you’ll be directed to  Fairlie Place . Fairlie Place is the official railway booking center and the place where you can check on and reserve foreign quota train tickets (generally, a few train seats on each train are reserved for foreign tourist travel and if your train is booked full, there’s a chance there may be a seat open if you’re a foreign traveler.  Doors open around 8A or 9A.   Location: Strand Rd, Fairley Place, B B D Bagh, Kolkata. Is a 15-minute walk from the Mullick Ghat flower market .

You can see schedules and book trains and VIP/long-distance buses/flights on your own online, but trains aren’t easy. You’ll need to register with the IRTC and then register at  Make My Trip and link the two accounts together. I can’t remember what type of credit card is accepted; just that a Visa (what I don’t have) is okay.

|All Photos & Videos Copyright ©GRRRLTRAVELER

Read Best things to do in Pelling, Sikkim

Communication: internet and indian sim cards.

A data plan with internet is essential for me as a travel blogger. Many budget guesthouses in Kolkata do not have WiFi and internet cafes are not common. My first day, I went shopping for a place to buy SIM cards. While my hotel was keen to offer advice about getting a SIM from the shop around the corner, it was actually not easy to find. So I went to the official Vodaphone store on Esplanade street. It’s a few blocks from the subway and near a tech mart on the corner.

Read more about Getting an Indian SIM and mobile hotspots, USB internet sticks, etc .

Is Kolkata Safe for Solo Travelers?

There are many things that give Kolkata its charm and character . It’s by far one of my favorite cities, but as I mentioned I was initially intimidated visiting here.

Firstly, while Kolkata has its history with Mother Theresa’s work, you won’t find sick people all around the streets (and no more than you would see in India; India, I’ve noticed can have human anomalies I’ve never seen before like a three-legged calf ). Kolkata is no more or less dirty than any other city in India. It’s well-maintained and I found it more charming than Mumbai  (which actually felt dirty to me) or Delhi . But like any city, sanitize your hands before you eat.

I found Kolkata to be one of the more friendly cities with more gentlemen and less staring. It could be because I’m Pacific Asian and can pass as Tibetan , Sikkimese  or Nepalese , but I still think I come across as a tourist. Touts and scams are not high here. In fact, Kolkata was one of the most laid-back urban Indian cities I’ve traveled to.

With most Indian cities, I’d say for women, to be back to their hotels by around 10 pm (although I have stayed out later for filming).  Indian society as a whole is conservative. There is an idea that gauges a woman’s decency or impropriety, by how late she is out at night.  An Indian woman out on the streets past 11 pm might be considered morally loose, which can be a problem for women returning from work late at night .  For tourists, it’s hit or miss , but generally, Indian men may consider foreign female travelers as more morally loose than their own women.  Keep street smarts about you everywhere you go in general.

Packing Tips for India

Getting around kolkata, from the airport.

It’s best to take the prepaid taxis and book it from the taxi counter inside.  They will give you a ticket which you’ll give the driver.

Note: There is only one ATM inside the airport in arrivals, but there is also a money changer.  If the ATM is down, you might be directed to one outside the airport. Keep in mind, once you leave the airport, you cannot come back in.

Tip: Save time, stress and book a private airport transportation

Types of Transportation in Kolkata

Getting around Kolkata isn’t so difficult. Aside from the standard Ambassador taxis, you can get around using the city bus, tram or metro.

The metro is the easiest and inexpensive way to get around most sightseeing parts of the city. There are places the metro can’t reach that the city bus can, such as Mullick Ghat Flower Market and Howrah Bridge.   If you’re using the bus, ask locals or an officer to help you find one and hail it… sometimes you have to flag it down) or an auto-rickshaw (maybe even a shared one! For intrepid travelers on a budget , keep your eyes peeled for  shared autorickshaws . Used by locals, the shared rickshaw drops passengers along a certain route. Often you’ll notice them waiting around gathering passengers and you can ask if they’re going to your location. The driver won’t leave until he has a full vehicle and locals are typically charged a fraction of the normal cost. Travelers still might pay a tourist price but it’s worth the experience, being squished between Indian passengers as you witness how many can pile into your car.

Read Complete Guide to Transportation in India

You’ll see old blue   cable car trams and these are often headed to the BBD Bagh area , which is known as the government area, where you’ll also see much colonial architecture.

As I mentioned in this list, there are two main train stations — Sealdah Train Station and Howrah Station. Read more on  taking Indian trains and getting a foreign tourist quota .

Book bus and train tickets in advance

Book your Kolkata trip tickets in advance. I used 12GoAsia to book transportation for my Thailand trip .

Where to stay in Kolkata

At the time of research on Booking.com  and countless websites and blogs, many decent budget hotels in Kolkata went around the price range of $14-30. The less central you are, the cheaper it can get. However, one thing to note is accessibility to transportation and city highlights. Hostels aren’t a term  in India, but recently, a hip and boutique hostel chain opened up for modern travelers (wifi available). Note: Service Tax On Room Tariff in Kolkata @ 8.4% for Hotels

Backpackers Park- Affordable hostel with great location. Mixed and women’s dorm facilities, shared kitchen and serves breakfast on the premises.  16 minute walk to the Grand Esplanade Metro station.

Check out more hostels: list of top hostels in Kolkata

Broadway Hotel – This hotel takes you back into time. Kolkata’s oldest hotel since 193t, I stayed here. It was in an ideal location for me, across the street from Chandni Chowk metro station . An old Ambassador-styled hotel with an attendant in the lift, the rooms feel spacious, clean, and comfortable. It can feel very antiquated to some, but it’s part of the interesting charm. You also get the daily Kolkata newspaper delivered to your door. There’s an Art Deco-styled restaurant which tends to be popular with guests and locals.  Front desk receptionists are helpful. Watch my video (below) and read my review .

Midrange Boutique

Calcutta Bungalow   2.1 miles from the city center his two star bed & breakfast has the look and feel more of a 3 star boutique! 9.4 ratings on booking.com, it is adorable! Cute, heritage aesthetic and architecture this hotel transports you back in time. Airport shuttle available for extra fee.

Fairfield by Marriott is 7.5 miles from Sealdah Railway Station and in a great location of New Town. With an 8.5 rating the facilities offer a great value with a budget price! For the price, it’s a steal.

Elgin Fairlawn Kolkata is a private enclave that takes you back in time, with English/Irish breakfasts and a faint taste of the colonial period. Located in the heart of downtown Kolkata. Next to the Indian Museum and a stone’s throw from New Market

 The Grand Oberoi – For those looking for pampering,  The Grand Oberoi is located in the heart of the Esplanade area next to the Indian Museum. If you want to know where celebrities go, you’ve found it. It has its own gated driveway with uniformed valet and bellhops to give you colonial hospitality.

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Note: This post has affiliate links that help me maintain my site. This is at no extra cost to you and I only recommend services I would use. My half-day city of a tour of Kolkata was sponsored by Viator as an effort to help make some of my Kolkata filming possible. As always, my opinions are my own

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Best Time To Visit Kolkata

• Fort William
• Botanical Gardens Kolkata
• Nicco Park Kolkata
• Eco Park Kolkata
• Rabindra Sarobar
• Prinsep Ghat
• Paul's Cathedral Kolkata
• Jorasanko Thakurbari (Tagore House)
• Birla Planetarium
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Best Time to Visit Kolkata

Kolkata, the City of Joy, is a captivating destination with a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant street life. The city experiences a tropical wet-and-dry climate, which splits the year into distinct seasons. The best time to visit Kolkata is during the winter months, from November to February . During this period, the weather is pleasantly cool and comfortable, making it ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities. Daytime temperatures typically range from 15°C to 29°C (59°F to 84°F), while nights can be cooler. This is also the time when the city celebrates several festivals, including the famous Durga Puja, though it falls in October or late September, depending on the lunar calendar.

The onset of spring in March brings warmer weather, leading to the hot and humid summer from April to June, with temperatures often soaring above 35°C (95°F). The monsoon season follows from July to September, bringing heavy rains that can cause waterlogging and traffic disruption. While the lush greenery and overcast skies of monsoon have their own charm, visitors may find it inconvenient to explore the city thoroughly. Therefore, visitors are advised to plan their trip during the winter months when the climate is at its most amiable, and the cultural calendar is bustling with activity, providing an immersive experience of Kolkata's vibrant lifestyle.

Monthwise temperature in Kolkata

Explore Places to Visit Near Kolkata by Type

Other Suggested Reads for Kolkata

• About Kolkata Tourism
• Places To Visit in Kolkata
• Things to do in Kolkata
• How to Reach Kolkata
• Kolkata Tourism History
• Food in Kolkata
• FAQS about Kolkata
• Kolkata Tourist Map

Places To Visit In Kolkata

Top hotel collections.

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Must Visit Places in Kolkata

Victoria Memorial

Fort William Kolkata

Howrah Bridge

• Filter (79)
• Garden & Park (9)
• Amusement & Theme Park (4)

1. Victoria Memorial

4 km from city center 1 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

The Victoria Memorial is a large marble building, which is considered to be the pride of Kolkata. Built between 1906 and 1921, it is dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria. Now, it is a museum and a popular tourist spot under the Ministry of Culture.

2. Fort William Kolkata

3 km from city center 2 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Fort William is a fort built in Kolkata on the eastern banks of the River Hooghly, the major distributary of Ganges. The magnificent structure is spread over 70.9 acres and is embellished with hundreds of arched windows that overlook lush green gardens. Meticulous stonework adorns the surface of the building.

3. Belur Math

7 km from city center 3 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Belur Mutt is the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, founded by Swami Vivekananda. Situated on the west bank of Hooghly River, the temple is prominent for its architecture that embraces Hindu, Christian and Islamic styles and stands as an icon of unity of all religions.

4. Howrah Bridge

2 km from city center 4 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Located over the Hooghly river in West Bengal, Howrah Bridge or the Rabindra Setu is the main connection between Howrah and Kolkata. It is a cantilever bridge and is regarded as one of the busiest ones among them.

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5. Birla Planetarium

3 km from city center 5 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

The Birla Planetarium in Kolkata, is the largest planetarium in Asia and the second largest planetarium in the world. It is a single-storeyed circular structure designed in the typical Indian style whose architecture is designed on the Buddhist Stupa at Sanchi. 

6. Indian Museum

2 km from city center 6 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

The Indian Museum is one of the oldest museums of the world boasting some of the most exquisite collections of ornaments, fossils, skeletons, antiques, armors, mummies and stunning Mughal paintings.

7. Marble Palace Mansion

2 km from city center 7 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

The Marble palace near the Chorbagan in North Kolkata built in 1835 by Rajendra Mallick is famed for its art collection of masterpieces by Reuben and paintings by various renowned international artists such as Reynolds, Van Gogh and Rembrandt.

8. Mother House

3 km from city center 8 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

This is the place where the Tomb of Mother Teresa is present. It is maintained by her missionaries and followers who have continued to promote her legacy.

9. Science City Kolkata

5 km from city center 9 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

One of its kind in India, the Science city was inaugurated on 1st July 1997. It is a major attraction for the residents of Kolkata as well as for the people visiting Kolkata. It is one of the finest and the largest science museums in the world and provides a fun way of learning science.

10. St. Paul's Cathedral Kolkata

4 km from city center 10 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Said to be the first cathedral built in the overseas territory of the British Empire, St. Paul's Cathedral is a Anglican cathedral located in Kolkata. Also said to be the seat of the Diocese of Calcutta, it is a very fine example of Indo-Gothic style of architecture.

127 km from city center 11 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Tucked between Mandarmani and Shankarpur, Tajpur is a small town set on the Bay of Bengal's tranquil shore, just 170 kms from Kolkata. Considered to be a serene secret of West Bengal, the virgin beach is hidden away from view and is still untouched by commercialization and tourism. The highlight of the pristine beach are the hundreds of red crabs that are found on the shores, which also give a perfect crimson colour to the beach.

12. Birla Mandir Kolkata

4 km from city center 12 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

The glowing structure that adorns the streets of Kolkata is the popular Hindu Temple, Birla Temple. Dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radha, the temple is perfect specimen of craftsmanship.

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13. Eden Gardens

3 km from city center 13 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Popular as the largest cricket stadium in the India and the second largest in the world, the Eden Gardens can seat 66,000 spectators. It is set amidst an adjoining garden where Eden- related to the one-time Governor of Aukland and her sister would stroll during the evenings. 

14. Jorasanko Thakur Bari

1 km from city center 14 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Currently located on the Rabindra Bharati University campus in Jorasank, Jorasanko Thakur Bari is the house in which the first non-European Nobel laureate and poet, Rabindranath Tagore was born.

15. Birla Industrial & Technological Museum

4 km from city center 15 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Being the first scientific and industrial museum in India, Birla Industrial and Technological Museum (BITM) is one of the prime attractions of Kolkata. It is famous for its galleries and 3D shows.

16. Rabindra Sarovar

7 km from city center 16 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

The erstwhile Dhakuri lake is an artificial tank spread over 75 acres and is home to various migratory birds from Siberia and Russia. The lake is surrounded by gardens, children's park an auditorium, making it a popular recreational spot perfect for idyllic picnics making it one of the unique places to visit in Kolkata.

17. Kalighat Temple

6 km from city center 17 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Kalighat Temple, one of the 51 Shakti Sthals of India, is one of the most visited Kali temples in India. The spot is where the toes of Sati's right foot fell during Shiva's Rudra Taandav naach.

18. Shobhabajar Rajbari

3 km from city center 18 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

The Shobhabazar Rajbari is one of the grandest Bengali style houses ever built. It was build by the Royal family of Shobhabazar in Kolkata, and the grandeur is only palpable to the eye.

19. Botanical Gardens in Kolkata

45 km from city center 19 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

The Botanical Gardens of Calcutta were founded by Robert Kyd in 1787. Protected by the Botanical Survey of India, it stretches over 109 hectares. A Banyan tree in the garden, of more than 330 m circumference, known as The Great Banyan, is the largest tree in the world. The Botanic Gardens of Kolkata were later renamed Acharya Jagadish Chandra Indian Botanic Garden.

20. Nakhoda Mosque

1 km from city center 20 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Placed in the Chitpur area in the Burrabazar business district, Nakhoda mosque is one of the busiest Mosques of Kolkata and dates back almost a century. The prayer hall has a seating capacity of 10000, and the domes and minarets have been constructed in keeping with the Fatehpur Sikri style of architecture.

21. Alipore Zoo

5 km from city center 21 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

The Alipore Zoo, also known as the Calcutta Zoo or the Zoological Garden of Alipore, is the oldest zoological park to have been established in India and is a major tourist attraction in Kolkata. It attracts tourists from all across the nation who visit the zoo to explore the wildlife that happily thrives here and to enjoy themselves.

22. Sabarna Sangrahashala

12 km from city center 22 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Designed, developed and maintained by Sabarrna Roy Choudhary Paribar Parishad to preserve and display the heritage of one of the well known families of Bengal- The Sabarna Roy Choudhary family.

23. Eco Tourism Park, Kolkata

11 km from city center 23 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Eco Tourism Park is an expansive urban park designed to promote eco tourism in the city. It is the biggest urban park in India and occupies over 475 acres of land. The beauty of the location increases ten folds because of a water body that surrounds the park and forms an island in the middle.

24. Calcutta Jain Temple

4 km from city center 24 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Pareshnath Jain Temple is a temple complex dedicated to four Jain Teerthankaras. The complex is a beautiful arrangement of these shrines and draws tourists from all over the world. The architecture of the temples consists of intricately carved marbles and glass work. It is indeed one of the few temples that have a charismatic vibe.

25. Nicco Park, Kolkata

6 km from city center 25 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Nicco Park is an amusement park frequently visited for entertainment and recreational purposes. It is also called the "Disney Land of West Bengal: and attracts visitors in large numbers throughout the year. The park functions efficiently on solar energy that causes no pollution.

26. Prinsep Ghat

4 km from city center 26 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Prinsep Ghat, located on the banks of River Hooghly, is a majestic structure famous for its Greek/ Gothic inlays. IWith the magnificent Howrah Bridge in the background, watching the sunrise or sunset and taking a long walk in the cool air on the banks of the river are some of the preferred recreational activities here.

27. Aquatica

10 km from city center 27 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Aquatica is a water theme park and resort in Kolkata having many exciting themed rides, slides, entertainment and recreational activities for all their guests. The water park occupies over 75000 square feet of area and provides for a pleasant respite from the scorching summer heat. They provide lockers for the visitors to keep their belongings securely.

28. Park Street

1 km from city center 28 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Park Street is a major access route in Kolkata, also officially known as Mother Teresa Sarani. The street begins at Chowringhee Road or JL Nehru road and stretches till Park Circus crossing. It is said that Park Street never sleeps and is always bustling with activities. It is one of the major hangouts in the city as it has a number of pubs and restaurants.

29. Chowringhee

3 km from city center 29 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Chowringhee, also officially known as Jawaharlal Nehru Road, is a happening hub and frequently visited by locals for recreational activities and shopping. It is one of the few localities in the city with top end boutiques, hotels, malls, shops and restaurants.

30. ISKCON Kolkata

3 km from city center 30 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

ISKCON Radha Krishna Temple is a highly spiritual place for the devotees focusing on spreading the teachings of Lord Krishna. It is not restricted to any one particular religion as such and welcomes enthusiasts or people interested in learning about these teachings with open arms. The temple is a serene complex that houses beautifully ornamented idols of Goddess Radha and Lord Krishna.

31. South Park Street Cemetery

3 km from city center 31 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

South Park Street Cemetery is an 18th-century non-church cemetery, one of the earliest in the world. It is one of the largest burial grounds and a heritage site in Kolkata and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. Most of the tombs in the South Park Street Cemetery are aesthetically beautiful and very attractive.

32. Sonajhuri Forest

143 km from city center 32 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Away from the mell pell of the city lies a hidden gem in the state of West Bengal. Considered to be one of the most clean forests in India, Sonajhuri Forest is a great retreat to be close to nature. The Sonajhuri Forest is replete with lush green trees that has blooming flowers. This place is picturesque with quite a number of mesmerizing places to see and explore.

33. St John's Church

2 km from city center 33 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

St John's Church is one of the oldest churches in Kolkata that was built during the reign of the British Kingdom when the city was the capital of British India. It is a splendidly well-maintained structure that draws history and architecture buffs for its uniqueness and ancient features.

34. Barrackpore

22 km from city center 34 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Barrackpore was the first place where Britishers set up their cantonment and later spread their rules in India. This place is of great historical significance as it was also the first place where the spark to attain I from Britishers was lit. Not to stop at that, this place is also home to some of the most mesmerizing and green parks which are perfect to spend some time lazing around? and relaxing.

35. Jhargram

141 km from city center 35 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Jhargram is small city located in the state of West Bengal with a rich historical and cultural background. Surrounded by dense forests this place is mystical. A perfect place to spend few days in the lap of nature surrounded by friendly tribal population, you are bound to be mesmerized not only by its picturesque beauty but by the gregarious people who inhabit this place.

36. Baabur Haat

8 km from city center 36 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Dominated by natural fishing lakes or bheris, responsible for producing some of the tastiest fish in West Bengal, Babur Haat is a nature paradise. Fishing is one of the more popular activities here. You can also go on a short picnic trip to the nearby local village grounds.

37. Kamarpukur

81 km from city center 37 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

A cluster of small villages, Kamarpukur is nestled between Vishnupur and Tarakeshwar. Birthplace of a pious and sagacious saint, Sri Ramkrishna Paramhansa, this village is perfect getaway from the pell-mell of the cities. In this village you will be able to enjoy the pleasures of simple rural life.

48 km from city center 38 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Situated on the bank of river Roopnarayan, Deulti provides for an ideal picnic spot. If you are a bird lover, keep an eye (read ear) for the chirps of different birds, while you take a walk on the clay paths of the villages. 

39. Hooghly Riverfront

60 km from city center 39 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

The very picturesque Hooghly Riverfront is situated along two banks of River Hooghly in West Bengal- Kolkata in the East and Howrah on the West. The mighty river offers mesmerising sunrise and sunset views. After the beautification of the East promenade in 2011, the spot has become a major tourist attraction.

3 km from city center 40 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Also known as the Brigade Parade Ground, Maidan is the largest urban park in Kolkata. The humongous stretch of land includes the famous Eden Gardens, several football stadiums and the Race Course Kolkata.

41. Central Park

5 km from city center 41 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Also known as Banabitan, Central Park is the second largest urban park after Maidan, situated in Bidhannagar, Kolkata. Built around an expansive lake, the park also has a rose garden. Another attraction is its beautiful butterfly garden.

42. Millenium Park

2 km from city center 42 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Spread over an area of 2.5 kms on the banks of River Hooghly in Kolkata, Millenium Park is a privately owned park situated on the Strand Road. The park has beautiful landscaped gardens and numerous slides and swings for kids.

43. Deshapriya Park

6 km from city center 43 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Deshapriya Park is situated in the Kalighat area of South Kolkata and is used for playing outdoor games like cricket, football etc., both by amateur and professional players. In addition to that, Durga Puja is celebrated on a large scale where several pandals are set up in the premises for the celebrations.

44. Safari Park

7 km from city center 44 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Situated near Gariahat Golpark, Safari Park is one of the relatively smaller parks in Kolkata. The park also has a lake on the outskirts that is ideal for early morning walks and evening strolls. A smaller area on the side is also used as a cricket coaching for young kids. The park is buzzing with activity at all times of the day.

45. Mohor Kunja

4 km from city center 45 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Also known as Citizen's Park, Mohor Kunja is an urban park in Kolkata situated in the premises of Maidan. The highlight of the park are the several musical fountain concerts held in it. It also has well-paved walkways for evening and morning walks and an amphitheater to hold cultural events.

46. Elliot Park

3 km from city center 46 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Inaugurated in 2004, Elliot Park is one of the relatively newer parks to have been developed in the city. The park has a joggers' stretch of 1.5 km besides the lush green vegetation, swings for children and water fountains.

47. Gitanjali Sports Complex

7 km from city center 47 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Located at Kasba in Kolkata, Gitanjali Sports Complex is the newly established stadium in the city. Running for a length of 57.5 metres, the stadium has a massive seating space for 4000 people. Besides, it has a separate area for indoor games and a gymnasium.

48. Kishore Bharati Krirangan

9 km from city center 48 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Kishore Bharati Kirangan is a multi purpose stadium situated in the south Kolkata neighbourhood of Santoshpur. With a seating capacity of 12000 people, the stadium is mostly used for football and sometimes other sports as well.

49. Salt Lake Stadium

5 km from city center 49 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Known as Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan, Salt Lake Stadium is an international multi-purpose stadium in Bidhannagar, Kolkata. The stadium takes pride in being the largest stadium of the country, it can accommodate upto 1,20,000 people.

50. Rabindra Sarobar Stadium

7 km from city center 50 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Rabindra Sarobar Stadium is situated in the centre of the city of Kolkata in Rabindra Sarovar. Believed to be the oldest stadiums of the city, the stadium has a seating capacity of 20,000 people and host some of the important football matches.

51. Mohunbagan Stadium

0 km from city center 51 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Mohunbagan Stadium is the oldest and the first stadium in the country. It is also the place of inception of the very famous Mohunbagan Club. The stadium is considered the best in Kolkata as its emerald green grass cover is imported from Brazil.

52. Netaji Indoor Stadium

2 km from city center 52 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Officially named as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Indoor Stadium, Netaji Indoor Stadium is a multi-purpose indoors stadium in Babughat, Kolkata, opposite the Eden Gardens. The fully air-conditioned stadium is used to host various domestic and international events.

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The Best Time to Visit Kolkata, India for Weather, Safety, & Tourism

The best times to visit Kolkata for ideal weather are

November 12th to March 4th

based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.

Kolkata Travel Guide

Temperature.

• Perceived Temperature
• Rain and snow
• Humidity and wind
• The busiest and least popular months
• Overall travel experience by time of year

Other Kolkata Travel Info

Weather in kolkata.

Average temperatures in Kolkata vary somewhat. Considering humidity, temperatures feel hot for most of the year with a fair chance of precipitation about half of the year. The area is less temperate than some — in the 30th percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above . If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Kolkata, the hottest months are May, April, and then June. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally early June where highs are regularly around 99.1°F (37.3°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 80.8°F (27.1°C) at night.

Kolkata Temperatures (Fahrenheit)

Kolkata temperatures (celsius), “feels-like” temperatures.

The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.

Kolkata Perceived Temperature (F)

Kolkata perceived temperature (c), average kolkata temperatures by month.

Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.

Show Fahrenheit

Show celsius, precipitation (rain or snow).

If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Kolkata are December, November, and then January. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around mid January. For example, on the week of January 15th there are no days of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in mid July with an average of 4 days of significant precipitation the week of July 16th.

Chance of Precipitation

The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in Kolkata.

Snow on the Ground

The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Kolkata (in).

Average Rain and Snow by Month

Show inches, show centimeters, humidity and wind.

Kolkata has some very humid months, with other comfortably humid months. The least humid month is March (52.1% relative humidity), and the most humid month is July (80.4%).

Wind in Kolkata is usually extremely calm . The windiest month is May, followed by April and June. May’s average wind speed of around 6.1 knots (7.1 MPH or 11.4 KPH) is considered “a light breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in early to mid May where average top sustained speeds reach 12.2 knots, which is considered a moderate breeze.

Relative Humidity (%)

The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Kolkata.

The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.

Average Wind Speeds

Show wind speeds.

All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.

Show Relative Humidity by Month

Is it safe to travel to kolkata.

Our best data indicates this area is somewhat safe, but with extra warnings in a few regions. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are travel warnings and regional advisories for India; exercise a high degree of caution and avoid some areas. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories . This advisory was last updated on Dec 01, 2023.

The Busiest and Least Crowded Months

The busiest month for tourism in Kolkata, India is January, followed by July and September. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit Kolkata in November. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.

Estimated Tourism by Month

Most popular months to visit, overall kolkata travel experience by season, spring (march through may).

Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel very warm. Highs range from 99.1°F (37.3°C) and 89.2°F (31.8°C) with warmer temperatures in the later months. Rain is somewhat common with 2 to 7 days of significant precipitation per month. Spring is the slowest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for deals.

Summer (June through August)

The middle-year months have very comfortable weather with high temperatures that are quite warm. These months see the most precipitation with 12 to 18 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the busiest season for tourism in Kolkata, so lodging and other accommodations may cost more than usual.

Fall (September through November)

Fall daily highs range from 93°F (33.9°C) and 84.3°F (29.1°C), which will feel very nice given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a significant amount: 1 to 12 days per month. Tourism is fairly slow during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be lower priced.

Winter (December through February)

Weather is perfect this time of year in Kolkata to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 89.2°F (31.8°C) and 76.2°F (24.6°C). On average, it rains or snows a smalll amount: consistently 1 times per month. These times of year are the second busiest with tourists.

Best Times to Travel › India › Kolkata, India

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The Best Time to Visit Kolkata, India

India › Best Time to Visit Kolkata Updated: January 13, 2022 By Santorini Dave

• Best Hotels in Kolkata
• Where to Stay in Kolkata

When is the Best Time to Visit Kolkata?

• Kolkata Hotel & Neighborhood Map

The best time to visit Kolkata is between November to mid-March. This is the dry season which coincides with lower temperatures (12°C to 29°C). It is also peak tourist season, so booking rooms and travel tickets in advance is advisable.

The Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, India. The best time to visit Kolkata is from November to March.

• Best Time for Sightseeing : Like most Indian cities, the extreme heat and heavy rain are 2 vital factors when planning travel. It is hot throughout the year, but more bearable from December to February, and even surprisingly chilly overnight. The heat and humidity become uncomfortable between March-end and May in the build-up to the monsoon, which is from June to September. The rain and heat linger in October, so the best months for sightseeing are November to mid-March.
• Best Time for Weather : The dry winter lasts from November to mid-May, but during April and May, temperatures and humidity rise to uncomfortable levels. The heat continues throughout the wet season from June to September, when water-logging is rampant and cyclones are not uncommon. The best weather can be found between November and mid-March.
• Best Time for Honeymoons : Kolkata is not an obvious place for a honeymoon – Darjeeling is far more romantic. But November to mid-April avoid the worst of the heat and rain in the city, so it’s an ideal time to enjoy some alone time.
• Best Time for Nightlife : The trendiest pubs and clubs are along fashionable Park Street and the best time to enjoy them is during the dry months of November to April.
• Best Time for Saving Money : May to October. Kolkata is not a major tourist destination, but hotel rates will still be cheaper during the hotter and wetter months. Avoid major festivals like Diwali.

Kolkata Travel Seasons

• High Season (November to February and around Durga Puja in September/October) : During the winter, there’s day after day of warm weather, without being nearly as hot or humid as the rest of the year. It can even be surprisingly chilly overnight, plummeting quickly after dark to as low as 12°C on average. Kolkata is not a major tourist destination, so it’s less affected by large numbers of visitors and higher hotel rates around the Christmas/New Year period. However, the city is overwhelmingly busy and the streets are even more crowded than usual during the major festival of Durga Puja over 5 days during September/October (see later).
• Shoulder Season (March to mid-May) : The short period after the dry winter and before the monsoon starts. Temperatures increase to a year-high average of 36°C and still an uncomfortable 25°C overnight. Humidity is very high but at least it’s not raining very much (yet).
• Low Season (mid-May to October) : This is when the monsoon has hit the city, pummelling the streets with rain that quickly causes water-logging. Every year or so, cyclones pass through, which local authorities are poorly equipped to deal with. The heat and rain may linger deep into October.

Kolkata Weather by Month

• Kolkata Weather in January : The dry season is now in full swing, so it’s a great time to visit. It’s the second-driest month after December and average temperatures are a pleasant 26°C during the day and 12°C overnight, when locals are covered in multiple layers of woolens. The fruits and vegetables at the various markets are at their freshest and tastiest.
• Kolkata Weather in February : Triple the rain of the previous month, but still in the dry season and not enough downpours to affect travel plans. Pleasant 29°C on average during the day and still a coolish 16°C at night.
• Kolkata Weather in March : Some rain but nothing as bad as the next few months. Temperatures (and humidity) start to rise quickly and noticeably to the equal second-highest of the year: 34°C. Overnight, average temperatures have dramatically increased by 5 degrees.
• Kolkata Weather in April : End of the dry season with just a few days of rain. Average daytime/overnight temperatures rise to highs of 36°C/24°C. More rain later in the month, but no monsoon or cyclones expected yet. Even locals may now be noticeably suffering from the uncomfortable level of humidity.
• Kolkata Weather in May : Start of the wet season later in the month: temperatures are high and the humidity is oppressive. By now, be alert for cyclones. In May 2019, Cyclone Fani forced the evacuation of about 1 million people from the city and nearby coast.
• Kolkata Weather in June : The monsoon season has well and truly started, so expect heavy rain for hours at a time. This is made worse by the second-highest overnight temperatures of 26°C on average. Roads will quickly get water-logged and remain so, even outside top-end hotels, and travel plans may be affected. Remain alert for possible cyclones.
• Kolkata Weather in July : Only slightly less rain (total of 303mm) than August, but still uncomfortably hot and humid at 33°C/25°C on average during the day and night. Walking around is difficult because of flooded roads and no umbrella will be adequate.
• Kolkata Weather in August : The highest rainfall of the year, usually with cyclones. Temperatures remain stable but the humidity drops a little during the peak of the monsoon.
• Kolkata Weather in September : Still as hot and sticky as August, but a slight drop in rainfall (239mm) heralds the oncoming dry season. By now, flooding is probably extensive in many parts of the city and locals are heartily fed up with the rain.
• Kolkata Weather in October : Slight drop in average daytime and overnight temperatures to 32°C/23°C, but most noticeable is the significant fall in average rainfall to 110m. Rain may linger deep into this month, while temperatures, especially overnight, start to drop.
• Kolkata Weather in November : Tourists may find some relief as the average temperature drops a few degrees to 30°C during the day, but overnight, it is a far more comfortable 19°C (which locals regard as downright cold). As the wet season has finished, average rainfall drops dramatically and won’t affect travel plans.
• Kolkata Weather in December : The dry and relatively cooler season is well underway. Second-lowest average daytime temperatures of the year (still a balmy 27°C) and a surprisingly chilly 13°C overnight. Virtually no rainfall.

Kolkata Holidays, Events, and Festivals by Months

India has the world’s second-largest population of Muslims (after Indonesia). Dates for these 4 major festivals change each year according to the Islamic calendar. Each is a public holiday when some government offices and tourist attractions may close.

• Eid-al-Fitr – The end of Ramadan is celebrated with up to 3 days of feasts, music, and dance at mosques and homes.
• Eid Mulid-un-Nabi (Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday) – Celebrated with prayers and parades.
• Muharram/Ashura – Start of the Islamic New Year.
• Eid al-Adha/Zuha (Bakr-Id) – Celebrates Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son. Animals, mostly goats, are slaughtered and shared with families and the poor.

Kolkata in January

• New Year’s Day (1st) – Celebrated by families and friends. Usually some concerts around the city.
• Lohri (13th) – Traditional harvest festival dedicated to fire and the Sun God and celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs. Public holiday so some government offices and tourist attractions may close. “Til rice” or sweet rice mixed with jaggery and sesame seeds is the traditional dish of the festival.
• Makara Sankranthi (14th or 15th) – Similar to Lohri, but celebrated more in Western India and Varanasi, marking the end of winter with lots of kite-flying.
• Republic Day (26th) – Commemorates the adoption of the country’s constitution on January 26, 1950. Huge parades in Delhi, less restrained elsewhere. National holiday when all government offices and many tourist attractions close.
• The Dover Lane Music Conference (changeable, late January) – Major celebration of traditional music attracting notable Indian artists. Over several days in many locations.
• International Kolkata Book Fair (changeable, late January to early February) – Asia’s largest book fair is held across 12 days. Over 600 stalls and numerous local and internationally-known writers attend.
• Saraswati Puja (changeable, January/February) – Major Hindu festival dedicated to Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning. Many locals, particularly students and artists, dress in yellow and make offerings. Has morphed into something resembling Valentine’s Day. (Celebrated as Vasant Panchami in other parts of India.)
• Chinese New Year (changeable, January/February) – Celebrated by the Chinese minority with verve for about a week in old Chinatown (home to more Muslims than Chinese these days).

Kolkata in February

• (Maha) Shivaratri (changeable, February/March) – Day of fasting as a dedication to Lord Shiva, with ceremonies in temples. Public holiday, when some government offices and tourist attractions may close.
• Holi (changeable, February/March) – Vibrant commemoration of the start to spring. Almost everyone – including unsuspecting foreigners – is doused with colored water and/or powder. The local version is different and called Dol Purnima.
• Kolkata International Photography Festival (late February to early March) – One week when amateurs and professionals meet, learn, and snap away.

Kolkata in March

• Chaitra Navratri (changeable, September/October) – The beginning of the new year as per the Hindu calendar. The 9th night is celebrated as Rama Navami.
• Rama Navami (changeable, March/April) – Celebrates Lord Rama’s birth. 9 days of music, dance, fasts, and feasts, and reading of the Ramayana (epic). One day is a public holiday when most government offices and some tourist attractions may close.
• Mahavir Jayanti (changeable, March/April) – Celebrates the birth of Lord Mahavir, the most revered teacher of Jainism. Colorful festivities in temples and offerings to the poor. Public holiday, when some government offices and tourist attractions may close.
• Easter (changeable, March/April) – Celebrated by the Christian minority. A few businesses may close on Good Friday.

Kolkata in April

• Vaisakhi (usually 13th or 14th) – Another festival related to the onset of spring, as well as the start of the New Year according to the Sikh calendar. Abundant music, dance, wrestling, and wearing of traditional costumes.
• Ambedkar Jayanti/Bhim Jayanti (14th) – Celebrates the birth of late Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, a leading historical figure. Public holiday, when some government offices and tourist attractions may close.
• Poila Baisakh/Bengali New Year (around mid-April) – Homes are decorated and people visit their families and friends. Also, cultural events around the city.

Kolkata in May

• Vesak/Buddha Purnima (changeable, April/May) – Solemn festivals at temples marking the birth and death of Gautama Buddha, founder of Buddhism. Public holiday, when some government offices and tourist attractions may close.

Kolkata in July

• Raksha Bandhan/Rakhi (changeable, July/August) – Hindu festival marking the importance of families, especially siblings. Commonly called Brother and Sister Day, where sisters tie colorful strings (Rakhis) on their brothers’ hands, and brothers give gifts in return.

Kolkata in August

• Independence Day (15th) – Celebrates India’s independence from Britain in 1947. The Prime Minister gives a rousing speech from the Red Fort. Patriotic time, with government buildings suitably decorated and ceremonies held, especially in Delhi. Also, a time for families to get together. National public holiday when all government offices and many tourist attractions close.
• Parsi New Year (17th August) – Celebrated by Parsis who follow the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism.
• Janmashtami (changeable, August/September) – Celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna with offerings, fasting, and decorations on buildings. Public holiday, when some government offices and tourist attractions may close.
• Ganesh Chaturthi (changeable, August/September) – Up to 10 days of celebrations for the birth of the highly-revered elephant-headed God, Ganesha.

Kolkata in September

• Navaratri (changeable, September/October) – Nine days of passionately celebrating the battle of Goddess Durga over a demon, or Lord Rama over Ravana. Some celebrate with traditional dancing, others by fasting. In Kolkata, with fireworks, colorful parades, and cultural events. The 9th day is Dussehra.
• Durga Puja /Dussehra (changeable, September/October) – Ten days of passionately rejoicing the victory of Durga over Mahisasura, and the general battle of good over evil. Begins on the same day as Navratri. Temples and homes are lit up, fairs and stalls run all night, and streets become hopelessly clogged with traffic and devotees. National public holiday, when most government businesses and some tourist attractions close.

Kolkata in October

• Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti (2nd) – Sombre occasion commemorating the birthday of the country’s founding father, Mahatma Gandhi. National holiday, when all government offices and many tourist attractions close.
• Lakshmi Puja (changeable, October/November) – Around the full moon after Durga Puja, with 5 days honoring the all-important Goddess of Wealth, Lakshmi.
• Kali Puja (changeable, October/November) – Celebrated on the same day as Lakshmi Puja. Lord Shiva’s partner, Goddess Kali is honored through nighttime prayers.
• Karaka Chaturthi/Karva Chauth (changeable, October/November) – Venerating Lord Shiva and the Goddess Parvati, it’s a social occasion for families and friends. Also, fasting and other special ceremonies among married women to wish for long and healthy lives for their husbands.
• Diwali (changeable, October/November) – Major festival of lights, candles, and fireworks. Crowded time for travel because it’s celebrated by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs. One day is a national public holiday, when government businesses and some tourist attractions may close.

Kolkata in November

• Kolkata International Film Festival (mid-November) – India’s largest film festival attracts films and actors from across the country and elsewhere for about 8 days.
• Jazzfest Kolkata (changeable, November/December) – Three days of foot-tapping music for and by aficionados. Also, blues and more contemporary music.

Kolkata in December

• Christmas Day (25th) – Celebrated by all Christians and most tourists. Public holiday, when some government offices and tourist attractions may close. Most appealing along the westernized shopping district of Park Street. Called Boro Din by Bengalis, the day is observed in a traditional and unique way.
• New Year’s Eve (31st) – Celebrated by most Indians, and all tourists, but perhaps not as boisterously as in the West.

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Best Time to Visit Kolkata 2024: ✔Temperature, Activites List

Budget Hotels > Travel Blog > Destinations > Kolkata > Best Time to Visit Kolkata 2024: ✔Temperature, Activites List

Located on the eastern bank of the River Hooghly, Kolkata is known as the cultural capital of India. The city has a tropical wet and dry climate, marked by three major seasons in a year – summer, monsoon, and winter. You can expect hot and humid weather for the most part of the year. When it comes to sightseeing and outdoor activities, the months from October to February are the best time to visit Kolkata. This, however, doesn’t mean you will not have a good time if you plan a trip and check in at one of the hotels in Kolkata at any other time of the year. In fact, you can experience Kolkata in different ways in different seasons.

Want to know more about the best season to visit Kolkata? Here’s everything you need to know about the seasons in the city and a list of activities ideal for each.

Kolkata in Summer (March to June)

Summers in Kolkata are hot and humid, making it uncomfortable to go out in the sun. March brings in the summer spell that continues unabated till mid-June. Temperatures soar during this period; May being the hottest month of all. During the months of April to June, the city enjoys occasional rains, which are sometimes accompanied by thunderstorms or hailstorms locally known as Kal Boishakhi . They bring much relief from the heat and humidity. With the sun blazing down, April to June is not the best time to visit Kolkata.

• Maximum Temperature: 33 to 36 degree Celsius
• Minimum Temperature: 20 to 26 degree Celsius

Things to Do in Kolkata in Summer

Best Time to Visit Kolkata

Despite the hot and humid weather, there are a few attractions you can visit and activities you can engage in during your summer trip to Kolkata. Here are our suggestions:

• Shop, eat, and watch a movie at the shopping malls in Kolkata – South City Mall, Quest Mall, Acropolis Mall, Forum Courtyard, etc.
• Chill out with a glass of beer at the best pubs in Kolkata – Monkey Bar, Aqua, The Irish House, The Grid, Someplace Else, Roxy, etc.
• Take a long trip to the hill stations near Kolkata – Ajodhya Hills (340 km), Simultala (360 km), Siliguri (560 km), etc.
• Unwind at the water parks in Kolkata – Aquatica, Wet O Wild, Aqua Marina, etc.
• Enjoy a date with a book at Oxford Bookstore
• Visit some of the night-time attractions – Princep Ghat, Vidyasagar Setu, Howrah Bridge, etc.
• Take a midnight heritage tour or guided ghost tour
• Enjoy dinner at the dhabas open till late – Azad Hind Dhaba, Jai Hind Dhaba, Sharma Dhaba, etc.
• Watch the starts at Kolkata Astronomy Center
• Plan a weekend trip to the beaches near Kolkata – Bakkhali Beach (125 km), Mandarmani Beach (170 km), Shankarpur Beach (175 km), etc.
• National Children’s Theatre Festival (First week of June)
• Basanti Durga Puja (usually in March)
• Poila Boisakh or Bengali New Year (14 th January)
• Rabindra Jayanti cultural programs (early May)

Kolkata in Monsoon (July to September)

Monsoon in Kolkata starts by June end or early July with the arrival of seasonal south-west rains. You can expect the temperature to come down, but the humidity levels remain high even in this season. Heavy showers and thunderstorms characterize Kolkata monsoons that continue till September. July and August are when the city receives maximum rainfall.

The rains get less intense and the mercury and humidity levels take a dip in September, and thus the month offers pleasant sightseeing conditions. September also marks the beginning of the best season to visit Kolkata. 

• Maximum Temperature: 31 to 32 degree Celsius
• Minimum Temperature: 25 to 26 degree Celsius

Things to Do in Kolkata in Monsoon

While incessant rains can be annoying, there are a few fun things you can do in Kolkata during monsoons. Indoor activities and attractions are recommended for this season, but you can also step out to enjoy the rain-drenched city. Here are our top suggestions:

• Visit one of the monsoon getaways near Kolkata – Gangani (140 km), Bagriposi (220 km), Tajpur (170 km), Mukutmonipur (260 km), etc.
• Plan a long trip to the waterfalls near Kolkata – Whistle Khola Waterfall, Changey Waterfall, etc.
• Indulge in local food at the best restaurants in Kolkata – Aminia, 6 Ballygunge Place, Oudh 1590, Rendezvous, etc.
• Walk through the rain-drenched streets and enjoy the famous street food of Kolkata at Deshapriya Park, Vivekananda Park, Park Street, Sham Bazaar, etc.
• Visit a few indoor attractions like museums, temples, churches, and gaming zones – Science City, Birla Planetarium, Marble Palace Museum, St. Paul’s Cathedral, etc.
• Enjoy pandal hopping during Durga Puja , the biggest festival of Bengal (September-October)
• Rath Yatra (usually in July)
• Vijayadashami celebrations, particularly Sindoor Khela for women (September-October)

Kolkata in Winter (October to February)

October heralds in the post-monsoon season in Kolkata. Clear days, comfortable nights, and a drop in temperature make this period conducive to tourist activities. Winter lasts for mere two-and-a-half months, starting in mid-November till January. Kolkata enjoys a mild winter; January being the coldest month of the season. February also witnesses salubrious weather, though the chill goes missing from the air. Apart from the agreeable weather conditions, the local celebrations and festivities during winters make it the best season to visit Kolkata.

• Maximum Temperature: 26 to 32 degree Celsius
• Minimum Temperature: 13 to 22 degree Celsius

Things to Do in Kolkata in Winter

Sightseeing, fun activities, adventurous things, festivities – name it and you can enjoy it all in the winters. Here’s a handpicked list of things to do besides visiting the top tourist places in Kolkata .

• Shop till you drop at New Market, Park Street, and Barra Bazaar
• Take a tram ride to explore the city vintage style
• Spend a day at the Calcutta Book Fair (Starts on the last Wednesday of January)
• Take part in cultural festivals and other annual events
• Dover Lane Music Festival (January)
• Saraswati Puja (January-February)
• Itihaas Utsav or International History & Heritage Exhibition at Barisha (February)
• Kali Puja and Diwali (October-November)
• Kolkata International Cinema Festival (November)
• Nandikar’s National Theatre Festival (December)
• Kolkata Christmas Carnival at Park Street (last week of December)

Also Read- Top 34 Things to do in Kolkata

From age-old heritage attractions to new-age pubs and restaurants, you will find it all in Kolkata. The best way to go about is to prepare an itinerary based on the time of your visit. Now that you have all the necessary details about the best time to visit Kolkata, go ahead.

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Best time to visit Kolkata , India

Our verdict

The best time to visit Kolkata is January-February

In the summer months, temperatures tend to get to a maximum of around 42℃ (108℉). The weather in the winter, especially around January, can reach a minimum of 13℃ (56℉).

The longest days between sunrise and sunset in Kolkata are usually in May, so if you want to get the most out of your daytime activities, be sure to plan your visit around this time. You don’t want to get wet on your holiday, do you? Well if you’re trying to avoid the rain, then steer clear of Kolkata in August. Head over there in January instead if you want to increase your chances of not being rained on.

Continue reading to find out loads more about when to travel to Kolkata, then use the handy tools below to search for the best flight and hotel options that are right for you.

Quick links: Fast facts / Seasons / Average temperatures / Monthly climate / FAQs / Map

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Kolkata seasons

Before you continue, it’s important to know when the seasons are in Kolkata as they might be different to yours depending on where in the world you’re travelling from. Kolkata is in the Northern Hemisphere, so the seasons fall during these months:

Average temperatures in Kolkata

If the temperature is a big factor for you to help you decide when to visit, the chart below shows the average minimum and maximum temperatures in Kolkata for each month side-by-side so you can easily see the difference in weather throughout the year. To see the temperatures in both Celsius (°C) and Fahrenheit (°F), hover or tap the shaded boxes on the graph.

Kolkata climate by month

If you already have a rough idea about which months you might want to travel, the section below shows a detailed breakdown of the climate in Kolkata for each month so you can see if it all suits your wants and needs. Scroll down, or use the quick menu below to jump to your preferred month.

Kolkata in January

• Average temperature: 21℃ (70℉)
• Average high temperature: 27℃ (81℉)
• Average low temperature: 16℃ (60℉)
• Average humidity: 44%
• Average sunny days: 29 days
• Average rainfall: 3mm (0") over 2 days

What to pack: If you’re heading to Kolkata in January, make sure you pack t-shirts for the daytime and maybe a light jumper for the evenings as it cools down a bit.

Add visitor or local insider tips >

Kolkata in February

• Average temperature: 24℃ (76℉)
• Average high temperature: 31℃ (88℉)
• Average low temperature: 19℃ (66℉)
• Average humidity: 42%
• Average sunny days: 25 days
• Average rainfall: 11mm (0") over 3 days

What to pack: If you’re heading to Kolkata in February, make sure you pack t-shirts for the daytime and maybe a light jumper for the evenings as it cools down a bit.

Kolkata in March

• Average temperature: 28℃ (83℉)
• Average high temperature: 36℃ (96℉)
• Average low temperature: 22℃ (72℉)
• Average humidity: 48%
• Average sunny days: 24 days
• Average rainfall: 12mm (0") over 6 days

What to pack: If you’re heading to Kolkata in March, make sure you pack t-shirts, shorts and sun protection for the day, and maybe a very thin sweater for the evenings if you're a cold frog.

Kolkata in April

• Average temperature: 32℃ (90℉)
• Average high temperature: 39℃ (102℉)
• Average low temperature: 26℃ (79℉)
• Average humidity: 56%
• Average sunny days: 21 days
• Average rainfall: 35mm (1") over 7 days

What to pack: If you’re heading to Kolkata in April, make sure you pack t-shirts, shorts and sun protection.

Kolkata in May

• Average temperature: 33℃ (91℉)
• Average high temperature: 39℃ (101℉)
• Average low temperature: 28℃ (83℉)
• Average humidity: 61%
• Average sunny days: 20 days
• Average rainfall: 53mm (2") over 9 days

What to pack: If you’re heading to Kolkata in May, make sure you pack t-shirts, shorts and sun protection.

Kolkata in June

• Average temperature: 33℃ (90℉)
• Average high temperature: 37℃ (99℉)
• Average low temperature: 29℃ (84℉)
• Average humidity: 65%
• Average sunny days: 13 days
• Average rainfall: 66mm (3") over 16 days

What to pack: If you’re heading to Kolkata in June, make sure you pack t-shirts, shorts and sun protection.

Kolkata in July

• Average temperature: 30℃ (86℉)
• Average high temperature: 33℃ (92℉)
• Average low temperature: 28℃ (81℉)
• Average humidity: 76%
• Average sunny days: 5 days
• Average rainfall: 135mm (5") over 25 days

What to pack: If you’re heading to Kolkata in July, make sure you pack t-shirts and shorts.. It stays warm all day and night.

Kolkata in August

• Average temperature: 29℃ (85℉)
• Average high temperature: 33℃ (91℉)
• Average low temperature: 27℃ (80℉)
• Average humidity: 80%
• Average rainfall: 137mm (5") over 25 days

What to pack: If you’re heading to Kolkata in August, make sure you pack t-shirts and shorts.. It stays warm all day and night.

Kolkata in September

• Average temperature: 29℃ (83℉)
• Average high temperature: 32℃ (90℉)
• Average humidity: 81%
• Average sunny days: 6 days
• Average rainfall: 107mm (4") over 23 days

What to pack: If you’re heading to Kolkata in September, make sure you pack t-shirts and shorts.. It stays warm all day and night.

Kolkata in October

• Average temperature: 27℃ (81℉)
• Average low temperature: 24℃ (74℉)
• Average humidity: 73%
• Average sunny days: 15 days
• Average rainfall: 68mm (3") over 15 days

What to pack: If you’re heading to Kolkata in October, make sure you pack t-shirts and shorts.. It stays warm all day and night.

Kolkata in November

• Average temperature: 25℃ (76℉)
• Average high temperature: 30℃ (86℉)
• Average low temperature: 20℃ (68℉)
• Average humidity: 58%
• Average sunny days: 26 days
• Average rainfall: 34mm (1") over 3 days

What to pack: If you’re heading to Kolkata in November, make sure you pack t-shirts and light clothing.

Kolkata in December

• Average temperature: 22℃ (71℉)
• Average low temperature: 17℃ (62℉)
• Average humidity: 47%
• Average rainfall: 5mm (0") over 1 days

What to pack: If you’re heading to Kolkata in December, make sure you pack t-shirts for the daytime and maybe a light jumper for the evenings as it cools down a bit.

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President Biden’s visit to Seattle expected to cause traffic troubles, flight delays

President Biden to visit Seattle

SEATTLE — President Joseph Biden is flying to Seattle on Friday, May 10 after a two-day visit to San Francisco.

He will fly up on Friday after participating in two campaign receptions in the Bay Area that same day, and land in Seattle some time after 5 p.m.

The White House confirmed that Biden will participate in campaign receptions on Friday and Saturday.

The President is expected to stay in Downtown Seattle, and traffic is expected to be extremely congested during his visit.

There will likely be intermittent closures of freeways and streets, affecting the flow of buses and cars in both Downtown Seattle and around the region, according to the Seattle Department of Transportation.

“While the President’s exact travel route and timing are not published in advance, travelers can still plan ahead by anticipating delays and temporary road closures,” SDOT said in a blog post .

SDOT said its engineers can adjust the timing of traffic signals within Seattle based on expected closures and any needed re-routing.

To complicate matters, there’s a Mariners game at 6:40 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at T-Mobile Park as well as a 7 p.m. concert at Climate Pledge Arena on Friday. In addition, the State Route 520 Bridge will be closed this weekend, along with I-5 lane reductions. You can find that information here.

One way you can keep tabs on potential traffic concerns is to sign up for King County Metro Transit alerts and watch for X posts from King County Metro , SDOT Traffic , and WSDOT Traffic .

A representative for King County also confirmed Biden would be flying in to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and not Boeing Field, so drivers should expect delays from SeaTac to Downtown Seattle.

Those taking flights from Sea-Tac around the time of Biden’s arrival and departure will also be affected.

Alaska Airlines sent a statement to KIRO 7 News about Biden’s visit:

“Air Force One is scheduled to arrive at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Friday. Security protocol requires all air traffic at SEA to stop at least 30 minutes before the arrival of the presidential aircraft. All airlines could experience potential delays during this time including Alaska and Horizon flights. Additional flight impacts could also happen when Air Force One departs on Saturday. We appreciate the understanding and patience of our guests during these high-security events.”

A representative for the Seattle Police Department said:

“We have been working with our federal, state, county, and local partners to coordinate the public safety response to the visit. Though we can’t speak to specific allocation of resources, SPD will be providing additional staffing during the visit.”

President Biden was last in Seattle in April 2022, as part of a trip to Seattle and Portland, marking Earth Day.

©2024 Cox Media Group

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Hay Festival of Literature and Arts 2024 travel guide – things to do, hotels and more

Bound for the literary festival here’s how to spend your time in hay-on-wye, article bookmarked.

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The town of Hay-on-Wye is bracing for a crowd of book lovers to descend on the Powys community for the Hay Festival of Literature and Arts later this May .

Celebrating creativity, literature, writing and words, the second-hand book capital of the world is set to host the annual Hay Festival for the 36th year.

For 2024, guest speakers include novelists Colm Toibin and Jeanette Winterson, actor Lenny Henry , and comedians Julian Clary and Sara Pascoe. Gary Lineker, Dame Judi Dench, Miriam Margolyes and Stephen Fry are also set to pop up in Britain’s leading town of literature during the 11-day gathering.

This year’s programme is bursting with more than 600 events – there are eight stages in the free-to-enter Dairy Meadows festival site, performances all week at St Mary’s Church, and even the festival’s first-ever Sports Day.

Aside from flipping pages, catching a stand-up set and getting crafty with the kids, there will be plenty of outdoor adventures, plates of local produce and, of course, bookshops to browse in historic Hay-on-Wye.

Here’s everything you need to know about where to stay, how to get there and what to do when the chapter ends for bibliophiles headed to Hay Festival.

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When is Hay Festival 2024?

This year’s edition of the Hay Festival of Literature and Arts spans 11 days, from 23 May to 2 June, and tickets are available to book at hayfestival.com .

The best of bookshops

Richard booth’s.

The creator of Hay – a beloved town of books – as we know it is immortalised in his own  Richard Booth’s Bookshop . Booth opened his first bookshop in Hay-on-Wye in 1961, and his love of second-hand literature led to the establishment of the Hay Festival of Literature and Arts by Peter Florence in 1988.

The Poetry Bookshop

Open since 1979, The Poetry Bookshop houses the “most comprehensive” selection of new, second-hand and antiquarian poetry in the UK and is a top hit with lovers of stanzas by John Keats, William Wordsworth and Carol Ann Duffy.

North Books

Newcomer North Books on Castle Street hosts author events, book clubs and craft groups, and is bursting with nooks for reading. They also hold “bookshop breakfasts” for out-of-hours access to the seriously stocked shelves.

In 2023, bookshop and community centre Gay on Wye opened on Lion Street as a sanctuary for LGBT+ literature and queer storytelling.

What to do in Hay-on-Wye

Hay market day.

Held in the centre of Hay every Thursday for more than 700 years, Hay Market welcomes 40-plus independent traders in craft, cheese and record stalls, often complete with live music and street food.

Canoe on the River Wye

If the Welsh weather isn’t matching up to your wild swimming plans, a cagoule-wearing paddle of the River Wye with  Wye Valley Canoes  starts from £35 per person.

Hike the Brecon Beacons

Step outside the festival for two-foot tours of the Brecon Beacons National Park (Bannau Brycheiniog) to escape the crowds, or walk the 136-mile Wye Valley route and pass through Hay as you border hop between Wales and England.

Paraglide off the top of Hay Bluff

For a different kind of cliffhanger,  Crickhowell Paragliding  has tandem floats off the top of Hay Bluff and over the peaks and troughs of the Brecon Beacons from £185.

Where to eat and drink

Inside the festival, street eats meet jugs of Pimms and sweet treats, with everything from coffee shops to woodfired pizzas and sheep’s milk ice cream.

As for the town’s top spots...

The Old Black Lion

For elevated pub grub and old-world charm, the  Old Black Lion  B&B is a historic haunt on the Welsh borders. Think jazz nights and traditional Sunday roasts wrapped up with spoonfuls of indulgent treacle sponge.

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Hotel Amenities

Health & wellbeing, hay distillery.

This mico-distillery sells locally sourced Wild Knapp and Dr Beaky’s gin, biodynamic wine and creative cocktails from a shop and tasting room in the centre of Hay.

Make it Michelin guide quality with a weekend visit to Chapters restaurant on Lion Street for seasonal local menus of pickles, purees and sustainably sourced fish.

Artistraw Cider

Just outside of Hay, natural cider makers Tom and Lydia at  Artistraw Cider  offer tastings and tours from £40. The cidery and orchard is full of apple and perry pear trees with views of the Black Mountains – dreamy for sips of cider on a summer day.

Where to stay

Follow the festival vibe to By the Wye for riverside glamping in eco-friendly safari tents and treehouses built for a cwtch . There’s woodland wellness massages, scavenger hunts and bespoke hampers of local produce for traditional Welsh flavours at the rustic Herefordshire spot.

Two-night stays for five adults from £370.

Duke’s Farm

For cosy holiday cottages in the Black Mountains, three barn conversions at Duke’s Farm sleep couples or families looking for mountain views, oak timbers and fireside armchairs (perfect for curling up with a good book).

Four-night stays for two adults from £284.

Kaya at Blackhill Farm

Hunker down at Kaya at Blackhill Farm for glamping in a Dark Sky Reserve away from all the action. Tucked between the Wye Valley and Brecon Beacons, there are yurts kitted out with all the home comforts, firepits for keeping warm and stars for gazing.

Two-night stays for two adults from £315.

The Old Cider House

In the heart of Hay-on-Wye, The Old Cider House has been renovated with a Japanese flair that spills into the furnishings, with hospitality from hosts Simon and Kazuko, and sushi-centric dinner menus. It’s also the ideal base to explore Hay Market and the riot of bookshops on Castle Street.

How to get there

From central London , it’s a four-hour drive to Hay-on-Wye, but with 185,086 tickets sold for last year’s event, expect attendance to be high and the roads to be busy.

The nearest railway station is at Hereford (21 miles from Hay) and Great Western Railway services depart from London Paddington via Newport for a five-hour journey to Hay.

A festival bus service will run between Worcester, Hereford and Hay for the duration of the festival, with an adult day return costing £14. A regular shuttle bus will also operate between the festival site and the town centre from 8am to 11.15pm; £5 per day.

Read more on Hay Festival 2024: Our guide to this year’s highlights

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When Is the Best Time to Visit London?

By Sarah James

The English capital is one of the most touristed cities anywhere in the world, with nearly 19 million arrivals in 2023—but when is the best time to visit London? While many choose to travel here during the summer to make the most of the many of the destination's parks, rooftop bars, and outdoor activities, all four seasons have something unique to offer for the traveler heading to London . Below, we break down when to visit for the best weather, the best rates, and more.

A version of this article originally appeared on Condé Nast Traveller UK .

When is the best time to visit London?

When you choose to come to London really depends on what you’re looking for during your trip. If you’re hoping for good weather, a visit during the summer ( June , July, or August) means you’re more likely to see sunny and warm days. (That said, remember that this is Britain : Rain or cooler days are possible even during months that might be more traditionally sunny elsewhere.)

If you want to see the city at its most sparkly and magical, the best time to visit London is during the festive period, between late November and the end of December . The autumnal months of September and October bring with them gorgeous leaves, Sunday roasts, and cozy pubs. Whereas spring is the season for nature lovers as blossoms and wisteria begin to flower across the city.

Is there a rainy season in London?

There’s certainly a rainy “season” in London, but not in the same way as they do in tropical climes . The city sees rain throughout all four seasons, but the months with the most average amount of rainfall are November (66.63mm), October (65.07mm), and December (57.05mm), according to Met Office data. January has the most days of rainfall, with 11.53 days on average.

Spring is the season for nature lovers to visit London as blossoms and wisteria begin to flower across the city.

What is the warmest month in London?

According to Met Office data collected between 1991–2020, July is the warmest month in London with an average temperature of 23.89 degrees Celsius (or about 75 degrees Fahrenheit). August is not that far behind, with an average temperature of 23.40 degrees Celsius (although August has considerably more rain than July on average).

Which month has the most hours of sunshine in London?

July is the sunniest month in London, according to Met Office Data, followed by June, then May, then August.

When is the cheapest time to visit London?

Although London remains busy with tourists all year, January and February are historically the quietest months in the capital and, therefore, can offer the best opportunities to save money and to bag deals. Avoid the February half term (a period of school holidays), the exact dates of which change annually.

January and February are historically the quietest months in London, when you get the best chances to save money and score deals.

When should you visit London for Christmas activities?

If you’re looking to visit London during the festive period, you’ll want to time your trip when the Christmas lights have begun to sparkle, holiday markets have opened, and fun events are taking place. Most big light displays—such as those on Oxford and Regent Street—happen in the second week of November, while Christmas markets kick off toward the end of the month. We’d recommend timing your visit toward the end of November or the beginning of December to get the best of London’s festivities without the busiest crowds.

When is the best time to avoid the crowds in London?

Speaking of crowds, London can be very busy with tourists during peak travel times. If you’d rather plan a more peaceful visit, consider traveling during the week (as in, not the weekends) and outside of school holidays (in the UK, these take place at Easter and during the end of July through to the beginning of September, with shorter school term breaks in February, May, and October).

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