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18 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata to Discover the City

Kolkata, though often associated with poverty, is commonly overlooked by tourists when visiting India. This friendly, intellectual and vibrant city is full of history and culture, with many faded remnants of the British Raj (British rule of India from 1757 to 1947). Kolkata is a city that requires immersion rather than quick sightseeing to really get a feel for, and appreciate, it. Start with these places to visit in Kolkata. One of the best ways to discover them is on a  Kolkata walking tour.

Park Street

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Kolkata's famous Park Street (formally renamed as Mother Teresa Sarani) runs from Chowringhee Road to Park Circus and is renowned for its entertainment, restaurants, and prominent historical landmarks including old colonial mansions. This iconic street was home to India's first independent nightclub and has been the center of Kolkata's nightlife since the glory days of the swinging 60s when venues overflowed with jazz, cabaret, and floor shows. Head to Mocambo, Moulin Rouge and Trincas for a rush of nostalgia.

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One of the top places to go shopping in Kolkata , New Market is a historic bargain hunter's paradise, built by the British in 1874. This sprawling maze of more than 2,000 stalls, grouped together according to the type of goods sold, offers almost everything imaginable. The entrance is on Lindsay Street, just off Chowringhee Road. Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 10:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. Saturday, until 7 p.m. Closed on Sunday. Those who are after something special, shouldn't pass up the services of one of the many guides (known as coolies) that congregate around the market entrances. They live and breathe the market, and can effortlessly lead you to the best goods for the best price. Alternatively, it's possible to go on a walking tour of New Market such as this one offered by Kolkata Magic .

Mullick Ghat Flower Market

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The colorful chaos of Kolkata's flower market presents a fantastic photo opportunity. More than 130 years old, it's east India's largest wholesale flower market with thousands of flower sellers visiting it every day. The market is dominated by sacks overflowing with long garlands of marigolds, popularly used in Hindu devotional rituals. Find it along Strand Bank Road, starting from below Howrah Bridge on the Kolkata side. Take Calcutta Photo Tours' Hooghly's Flower Fest walking tour for a memorable immersive experience.

Prinsep Ghat

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Built beside the Hooghly River during the rule of the British Raj in 1843, Prinsep Ghat features one of the city's best known columned Colonial monuments dedicated to English scholar James Prinsep. The ghat was made to replace Chandpal Ghat as the principal point of embarkation for important visitors to the city. Now, it's a popular place to relax and go for a stroll by the river bank. It's possible to walk all the way from Prinsep Ghat to Babu Ghat, along a 2 kilometer (1.2 mile) stretch of landscaped riverfront. Prinsep Ghat is located next to Vidyasagar Setu, on Strand Road between Water Gate and Saint George's Gate of Fort William.

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Kolkata's massive urban park, known as the Maidan, is where locals go to spend their leisure time playing cricket and other sports, or relaxing with a picnic or snack from one of the food stalls. The Maidan extends south from the Esplanade, and is bordered by Chowringhee Road and the Hooghly River. All up, it covers about 1,000 acres. Fort William, Victoria Memorial, Eden Gardens cricket stadium, and Kolkata Race Course are some of the notable structures inside it. On the northeastern edge, the Glorious Dead Memorial is a monument honoring Indian soldiers who lost their lives in World War I.

Victoria Memorial

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Imposing white marble Victoria Memorial at the southern end of the Maidan was completed in 1921 and currently serves as a museum . Constructed in memory of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, it houses a fine art history collection and a gallery from the British Colonial period including many impressive paintings, sculptures, and books. The building's exterior is evocatively illuminated at night, and its surrounded by a vast garden that's an attraction in itself. The museum is open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (closed Monday). Tickets cost 30 rupees for Indians and 100-500 rupees for foreigners.

Mother Teresa's Mother House

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Mother Teresa is highly regarded for founding the Missionaries of Charity and devoting her life to helping ill and outcast people in Kolkata. Visit the Mother House to see her tomb, the bedroom where she lived, and a small museum dedicated to showcasing her life. It displays items such as her handwritten letters, spiritual exhortations, and personal belongings including saris, sandals, and crucifix. The Mother House is a place of silence and contemplation. Many people choose to meditate there while visiting because of its serene, uplifting energy. Opening hours are 8 a.m. until noon and 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. daily except Thursday, August 22, Easter Monday, and December 26.

White Town (Colonial Kolkata)

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Many of Kolkata's notable British-era buildings are situated in the BBD Bagh central business district, formerly called Dalhousie Square after Lord Dalhousie who ruled India from 1848 to 1856. These include 19th century St. Andrew’s church, 18th century Writer's Building (previously the administrative office of the British East India Company), General Post Office, Greek-architecture inspired Metcalfe Hall (previously home to the Imperial Library), and the Town Hall. Calcutta Walks' Dalhousie Square Walk provides insight into the district's Colonial heritage.

Black Town (Bengali Kolkata)

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Get acquainted with the city's Bengali heritage by exploring what's known as "Black Town" in north Kolkata—the area inhabited by Bengalis during the time of British rule. Many were wealthy landowners and merchants. Sovabazar is a particular atmospheric neighborhood in this part of the city, with a captivating blend of old-world architecture. You can even stay in an immaculately restored 1920s Bengali townhouse. You'll agree that Calcutta Bungalow feels like a home away from home. Walk through the surrounding lanes and you're likely to spot some eye-catching street art. Calcutta Walks' Star Still Shines walking tour of Sovabazar is very informative.

Grey Town (Immigrant Kolkata)

Sandwiched between Black Town and White Town, Grey Town is where an eclectic mix of immigrants has settled—Buddhists, Parsis, Muslims, Chinese, Portuguese, Jews, and people from elsewhere in India. It's fascinating to discover the communities that co-exist together there. Attractions include Bow Barracks (apartment blocks that housed military officers during World War I), a Chinese church built in 1905, a Parsi fire temple, and Magen David Synagogue built in 1884. Calcutta Photo Tours' Culture Kaleidoscope walking tour is recommended for exploring the district in depth.

Indian Coffee House

One of the most historic restaurants in India , the Indian Coffee House on College Street harks back to the days of India's struggle for independence from British rule. It was a popular meeting place for intellectuals, freedom fighters, social activists, revolutionaries, and bohemians. These days college students often hang out there to converse and exchange ideas. Opening hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. College Street is also renowned for having the largest second-hand book market in the world. Go on this Bengal Renaissance Walk conducted by Kolkata Magic if you're interested in the street's history.

Hindustan Park

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This middle-class South Kolkata residential neighborhood has transformed into a trendy locality with its leafy streets now home to buzzing boutiques and cafes. Go there to shop for hip handicrafts, folk art, pottery, and exclusive textiles. Byloom and Sienna Store and Cafe are popular. It's situated near Gariahat Road, about 20 minutes south of the city center.

South Park Cemetery

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Visiting a cemetery isn't usually high on the itineraries of tourists. However, this one is worth seeing, especially if you're interested in India's colonial history! Established in 1767, this poignant grand old British cemetery was used up until 1830 and is now a protected heritage site. Overgrown and disheveled, its tombs are an elaborate mix of Gothic and Indo-Saracenic design and contain the bodies of many remarkable men and women from the Raj era. It's intriguing to spend some time wandering around and reading the stories of their lives on the headstones. One of the people buried there is English trader Job Charnock, who is regarded as the founder of Kolkata. The cemetery is located on Park Street, at the intersection of Rawdon Street. It's open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry is free. There's no cost for phone cameras but you'll need to pay 50 rupees for large digital cameras. Contact Immersive Trails for a guided walking tour of the cemetery.

Dakshineswar Kali Temple

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This old and very popular Hindu temple, dedicated to Bhavatarini ("savior of the universe", an aspect of Goddess Kali), was founded in 1855 by Rani Rashmoni. Widowed at a young age, she very successfully took over her wealthy husband's zamindar (land ownership) business. Apparently, the idea to establish the temple came to her in a dream before a pilgrimage to Varanasi. The temple was made famous by spiritual leader Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, who was appointed as its chief priest. It's situated alongside the Hooghly River on the northern outskirts of Kolkata, making it best accessed by ferry. Opening hours are October to March, daily from 6:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. until 8.30 p.m. April to September, daily from 6:00 a.m until 12.30 p.m and 3:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

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Downriver from Dakshineswar Kali Temple, peaceful Belur Math is set on 40 acres of land and is the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, founded by Swami Vivekananda (a chief disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa). The main shrine, dedicated to Sri Ramakrishna, has unique and distinctive architecture that combines Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, and Islamic styles. It's worth experiencing the evening aarti  ceremony, which beings at sunset. Unfortunately, photography isn't allowed on the premises. Opening hours are October to March, daily from 6.30 a.m. until 11.30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. From April to September, the temple opens at 6 a.m.

Kalighat Kali Temple

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Recommended only for those who are ready for surrounding poverty, surging crowds, filth and pandemonium (otherwise visit Dakshineswar Kali Temple as an alternative), the temple at Kalighat in south Kolkata is dedicated to the city's fearsome patron goddess Kali — the dark mother—and is integral to the city. Hidden in a maze of alleyways, the temple is known for its animal (particularly goat) sacrifices, which although outlawed are still performed regularly inside its enclosure to appease the blood-drinking goddess. Prepare to be approached by pushy temple priests who will try and extract as much money as possible from you. The temple can be easily reached from Kalighat Metro train station. It's open daily from 5:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.

The settlement of Kumartuli, meaning "potter locality" ( Kumar = potter. Tuli = locality), is over 300 years old. It was formed by potters who came to the area in search of a better livelihood. Nowadays, around 150 families live there, earning a living by sculpting idols for various festivals. Most of the idol-making happens from June to January, with the biggest occasion being Durga Puja. There's usually a frenzy of activity around 20 days before the Durga Puja festival begins , in order to get all the work finished. Kumartuli can be entered from Banamali Sarkar Street in north Kolkata. The nearest Metro railway station is Shobhabazar-Sutanuti.

Old Chinatown (Tiretti Bazaar)

Kolkata is the only city in India to have a Chinatown (actually it has two, Old Chinatown in Tiretti Bazaar and newly established Tangra). Many migrants came from China in the late 18th century to work at the old Calcutta port. As the sun rises, the stoves are fired up and knives start chopping to produce the legendary Chinese breakfast that Old Chinatown is notorious for. Feast on fresh delicacies such as momos, dumplings, prawn crackers, pork sausages, and fish ball soup. Unfortunately, the authenticity has waned in recent years. You'll need to get there early as it's only on from 5.30 a.m. until around 8 a.m. Most of the action happens on Sunday mornings. Tiretti Bazaar is on the corner of Bentinck Street and India Exchange Place Road, in the central business district area next to Bow Bazaar. It's near Poddar Court.

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Places to Visit in Kolkata

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Tourist Places to Visit in Kolkata

Here are some of best places to visit in kolkata:, victoria memorial.

It is a beautiful White Marble structure which began making in 1906 and was completed by 1921. While it originally got built with the idea of dedicating a memorial to Queen Victoria of Britain, it has now turned into a museum that attracts numerous people due to its stunning architecture and display. The artistic monument is a mixture of British as well as Mughal form of architecture. Inside the huge fortress is a museum that has 25 galleries featuring sculptures, portraits, national leaders, arms, and armour. Moreover, it has unique, and original  works of William Shakespeare, Omar Khayyam, as well as Arabian Nights. Location: Victoria Memorial Hall, 1, Queens Way, Maidan, Kolkata. Price: -Rs. 30 for Indians, -Rs. 100 for citizens of the SAARC countries, -Rs. 500 for nationals of all other countries. Timing: -From 10 am to 6 pm (Tuesday- Friday)and, -From 10 am - 8 pm (Saturday, Sunday). Best time to visit: October and March.

Howrah Bridge

This one tops the list of places to see in Kolkata, probably because it gets so often portrayed in movies. It was constructed in 1943 replacing the Pontoon Bridge and is made of steel. Due to the immense popularity that the bridge has, tourists from far and wide travel to Kolkata just to visit the amazing bridge. One will be amazed to see the view from the bridge in the evening. The entire river Hoogli seems like an endless lake with the sun going down into the horizon. The suspended bridge ranks 6th amongst the longest bridges in the world. Location: Hooghly RIver, Kolkata. Best Time To Visit: In the Evening.

Botanical Garden

Previously known as the Calcutta Botanical Garden, the garden was established in 1786. It is spread over 270 acres of land. The present name of the garden is Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanical Garden. As the name suggests, the garden is full of plants, trees, and flowers related to the field of botany. At the moment, the garden is a home for over 12000 perennial plants that are still alive. One of the best attractions here is the giant Banyan Tree which forms the second largest canopy in the world. Also, the garden features over 1400 exotic species of plants, and trees. Location: Botanical Garden Road B Shalimar Area Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Botanical Garden, Area, Howrah, West Bengal 711103. Price: -INR 10/- for Indians and -INR 100/- for foreigners. Timing: 10 am to 5 pm, ( Mondays Closed). Best time to visit: October to February.

Top Experiences To Do in Botanical Garden

New Town Eco Park

When you’re looking for your leisure day out; the New Town Eco Park spread over 480 acres is one of the best places to visit in Kolkata. It is a recreational area with ample outdoor activities to enjoy with the family. Some such activities include: Ice Skating- enjoy skating on a layer of ice, in a city that never receives snow. The park features a huge ice-skate arena, and everyone can participate in the same. Kayaking: Yes, it is no surprise that the park also features water sports such as kayaking. Now you don’t have to take outstation trips for this water sport. And Zorbing- not everyone is a fan of the huge zorb ball; however, those who are, simply love it. You can enjoy this sport at the new town eco park. Apart from the above, cruising, taking a walk at the sangraha which is a beautiful art facility in the park, are some more things that one can enjoy. Location: Major Arterial Road(South-East), AA II, Newtown, Kolkata, West Bengal 700156. Timing: -2.30 pm - 8.30 pm (Tuesday- Saturday). -The timing for Sundays and the General holidays are 12 pm- 8.30 pm. Mondays (Closed). Best Time to Visit: Winter, And Springtime.

Best of Darjeeling

Mother Teressa House

The place was the home of India’s most iconic person, Mother Teresa. Because of the great figurine she was, her home now has inevitably become one of the most sought for places to visit in Kolkata. The building can be easily identified because of its grey color, as well as brown windows. The tomb of Mother Teresa lies on the ground floor of the beautiful building that is run by the ‘Missionaries of Charity House’. Some of the major things that the house features are the prayer cards of Mother Teresa, Mother Mary’s medallion, and many souvenirs as well. Location: 54A, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Rd, Ripon Street, Kolkata, West Bengal 700016. Timing: -From 8 pm – 12 pm and -3 pm – 6 pm (except Thursdays). Best time to visit: Around Christmas Time.

Fort William

Fort William is named after King Williams and is one of the most popular places to visit in Kolkata. The site was built in 1696, where the builders used bricks and mortar to make this famous fort. Interestingly, the port has a total of 6 gates, namely; WaterGate, Saint Georges, Treasury Gate, Plassey, and Chowringhee. People who love British architecture will love this place. The gates are an architectural marvel, built by the British. Also, you can get to see the cannons kept on display. These cannons are quite old, and belong to the British. One can easily fall in love with the high roof, wide aisles, and solid structure of this magnificent fort. Location: Maidan, Fort William, Hastings, Kolkata, West Bengal 700021. Timing: 10 am to 5 pm everyday. Best time to visit: Weekdays.

Marble Palace

Marble Palace is an incredibly magnificent maisonette located in Kolkata, along the Babu street, India. As one can rightly guess, the palace is among the few remaining buildings of the nineteenth century.  Built in neoclassical style, the mansion continues to be the residence of the heirs of the King. To give you a scenic background of the mansion, it is surrounded by lush green lawns and beautiful fountains. Galleries run amidst the lawns of the mansion which display artistic statues, portraits, mirrors, chandeliers and paintings created by English, Dutch and Italian artists. It may interest you to know that the mansion also houses a private zoo. Location: Marble Palace located in Kolkata, West Bengal, in India. Timing:  10:00am to 4:00PM, everyday. Best Time To visit: Weekdays.

Dakshineswar Kali Temple

Dakshineswar temple located in West Bengal, India is a commonplace for festivals such as Yatra, Snana, Kalpataru Day, and Kali Puja. Additionally, the temple was started by Rani Rashmoni in the nineteenth century. The temple assumes Bengal architecture, a total of three floors. Little do people know that the total area of the temple complex measures about 54.4bighas and costs Rani Rashmoni around Rs 42, 500 only. The temple is loved by every Bengali and is considered to be an abode of Goddess Kali. The temple was a dream that Rani Rashmoni dreamt before undertaking a pilgrimage to Varanasi. Location: Dakshineswar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700076. Timing: -From 6:00 am to 12:30 (midday),and , -From 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm, every day. Best Time to Visit: 6:00AM to 8:00 PM.

Best of Sikkim

Alipore Zoological Gardens

Alipore Zoological Gardens located in Alipore Kolkata, West Bengal. The gardens occupy a total of over 46 acres and houses close to 1266 animals. This zoological garden is among the oldest zoological parks in India today. The garden serves as a habitat for different species of mammals, reptiles, birds as well as primates. Also known as Calcutta Zoo, It is one of the oldest zoological parks established in India. The Alipore Zoo attracts a flock of tourists from various locations, especially during winters. The Zoo is home to the expired Aldabra giant tortoise 'Adwaita', a tortoise which is almost extinct  (from the year 2006). Nature enthusiasts would love this place due to its abundant and plentiful wildlife. Location: Alipore, Kolkata, West Bengal, in India. Price: -INR.5 (aquarium), -INR.250 (photo) and -INR.30 (zoo). Timing: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm (Thursdays closed). Best time to visit: During morning hours.

Kalighat Kali Temple

It may interest you to know that Kalighat Kali Temple is now over two centuries old. Interestingly, the temple has a highly unique image that differs from most Kali images in Bengal. Kalighat Kali Temple is a popular tourist attraction of Kolkata and is considered as one of the 52 Shakti Peethas of India. Religious inquisitives may be delighted to know that the temple is said to be the site where the toes of the right foot of Sati fell. In the first phase of construction, only the face of the deity was constructed. Later on, the remaining parts of Kali that included the hands, tongue and jewellery were constructed using gold and silver. Location:  Anami Sangha, Kalighat, Kolkata, West Bengal 700026. Timing: -Nitya Puja opens from 5:30 am to 7:am, every day. -The Bhog Rag opens from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm (Sandhya Arti 6:30 pm to 7 pm). Best Time to Visit:  5:30 am to 7:00 am.

Elliot Park

Elliot Park is a huge park that occupies a total area of nearly 90,000 square feet. It may interest you to know that Tata Steel constructed the park. The park consists of several walk-throughs, restaurants, museums as well as outlets. Also, the park is easily accessible as it is located at the center of the city. It would surprise you to know that the site where the Park is located used to be a dump for offal. In recent years, the dumpsite has been transformed into this beautiful park consisting of fountains and a vast expanse of trees and flowers. It also has sitting space and food stalls for visitors. Due to its easy accessibility, a lot of locals are drawn towards visiting this park in the evenings. Location:  Jawaharlal Nehru Rd, Maidan, Kolkata, West Bengal 700071. Time:  6:00 am to 10:00 pm, every day. Best Time to Visit: During Weekends.

Rabindra Sarobar

Rabindra Sarobar is a popular man-made lake, and was previously known as Dhakuria Lake. Today the lake occupies a total area of 300,000 square meters. The lake is surrounded by several trees of different varieties which makes the air around the lake very fresh. You’ll be happy to learn that the lake is close to the Dum Dum airport. It is one of the most attractive and peaceful places in the city making it a common place for people to take walks or meditate. Additionally, it is also a good canvas for people interested in naturalistic photography. Location:  Dhakuria, Rabindra Sarobar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700029. Best Time to Visit: -6:00 am to 4:00 pm, every day (Although visitors are free to visit the lake during night-time, daytime presents a better experience).

Best of Meghalaya

South Park Cemetery

South Park Cemetery is a privately-owned cemetery with a total of 1600 graves. Previously, the South Park cemetery was known as Park Street. The Cemetery has a mix of the Indo-Saracenic as well as the Golic style. You’ll be happy to know that the cemetery has three big restaurants that serve both modern as well as traditional foods. Opened in 1767, it contains a mix of tombs, cenotaphs and mausoleums protected by a brick wall. The cemetery contains a  number of the graves belonging to famous military and political figures like Sir William Jones, Sir Elijah Impey, Walter Landor Dickens (Son of Charles Dickens), and more. Green mosses and ferns cover most of the cemetery and give an eerie setting to the place. Location:  52, Park Street, Opp Assembly Of God Church, Kolkata, West Bengal 700017. Time: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, every day. Best Time to Visit: During weekdays in the afternoon.

Birla Planetarium

Birla Planetarium is India’s biggest planetarium that features the largest projection of the night sky in the dome theatre. The structure has one floor and has a design that agrees with the Buddhist Stupa. It was constructed in 1963 and now serves as a museum. Inauguration of the planetarium was done by the then Prime Minister of India, Sri Jawaharlal Nehru. Birla Planetarium is among the largest planetariums in the continent of Asia. The Birla Planetarium is situated adjacent to St. Paul’s Cathedral and near Victoria Memorial is Kolkata’s landmark. The best fact about this site is that it is constantly upgraded to keep pace with modern technology. Recently in 2017, the planetarium was renovated to incorporate the latest advanced Carl Zeiss Hybrid Projection System. Location:  Paul's Cathedral, 96, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Adjacent To St, Kolkata, West Bengal 700071. Pricing:  INR.80 per show at the Birla Planetarium. Time:  11:30 am, 4 pm and 6 pm, (the Telugu Sky) 12:15 pm, 3 pm, 5 pm, and 8:15 pm. Best Time to Visit: In morning hours.

Eden Gardens

The Eden Gardens is owned by the Cricket Association of Bengal and has a capacity of 66000. It is interesting to know that the gardens hosted the World cup in 1987 after it got renovated to expand its capacity from 40,000 to 94,000. It may shock you to learn that the stadium is now over 150 years old. You may already know that the Eden Gardens has the largest seating capacity in India and third-largest seating capacity in the world. It is often referred to as “cricket’s answer to the Coliseum. For cricket lovers, this place is a must visit. Location:  Maidan, B.B.D. Bagh, Kolkata, West Bengal 700021. Pricing: There is no entry fee to generally visit the stadium. (Tickets depend on the season and the matches held in the stadium). Time:  9:00 am to 6:00 pm, every day. Best Time to Visit: During the afternoon.

Nakhoda Masjid

The Nakhoda mosque has a total capacity of 10,000, and was built at a total cost of Rs. 1,500,000 to be built. Kuchhi Memon Jamat is the architect of this magnificent mosque. It may interest you to know that the mosque has a total height of 151 feet. Additionally, there are 25 smaller minarets ranging from 100 feet to 117 feet in height. The mosque has been named Nakhoda meaning Mariner after the founder of the mosque (Abdur Rahim Osman) who was shipping prince. On any day you would find muslims reverently cleaning the pool and praying in the hall creating a soothing and peaceful religious atmosphere within the mosque. Location: Rabindra Sarani, Chowringhee North, Bow Barracks, Kolkata, West Bengal 700073. Time:  6:00 am to 8:00 pm, every day. Best Time to Visit: Morning before many visitor’s troops in. You get a better view of this ancient yet magnificent and attractive mosque.

Best of Siliguri

Indian Museum

Indian Museum is among the oldest museums in the world. It was established in 1814, by the Asiatic Society of Bengal in Kolkata. The museum has plenty of ornaments, fossils, ornaments, armors as well as mummies. Also, the outstanding structure has a total of four galleries that are not just dedicated to natural history but also zoological information. If you’re in search of deep historical information, then this is among the best places to visit in Kolkata. The Gallery is often referred to as 'Jadughar' by the locals of Kolkata. For the interest of people who enjoy ancient artifacts, the Museum has a vast collection of contemporary paintings, sacred writings of Buddha, antique sculptures, ornaments, fossils, skeletons, mughal paintings etc. Location: 27, Jawaharlal Nehru Rd, Fire Brigade Head Quarter, New Market Area, Dharmatala, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal 700016. Price: INR.30 for Indian citizens and INR.500 per foreigner. Timing:  10:00 am to 5:00 pm every day. Best Time to Visit: In the afternoon.

Prinsep Ghats

Prinsep Ghat was constructed in 1841 and is now among the oldest recreational facilities located in Kolkata. The place also has recreational facilities such as boat rides. Millions of visitors come to the place for a memorable pre-wedding shoot due to the picturesque howrah bridge in the background. The hundreds of flowers and trees in Princep Ghat makes it a perfect destination for you and your lover. It is also an apt place for people who love to be around nature due to the lush greenery around the place. You can organise a picnic, or even camp at the Prinsep Ghats, to enjoy the night around the river Hoogly. Location: Strand Rd, Maidan, Fort William, Hastings, Kolkata, West Bengal 700021. Best Time to Visit: In the evening.

Belur Math is a popular temple with a notable design that exhibits different religions such as Christianity, Hindu, Buddhism, as well as Islam. The different exhibits symbolizes unity in terms of religion. Belur Math serves as the nerve-center of the Ramakrishna movement. The unique feature is that the place looks like a mosque, as well as a temple, and also a church, at the same time. You’ll also notice a statue that sits upon the lotus which is that of Sri Ramakrishna who was the initiator of the Ramakrishna movement. Belur Math is truly among the most preferred places to visit in Kolkata. Location: Belur, Howrah, West Bengal 711202. Timing:  8:30AM to 5:30 pm. Best Time to Visit: Afternoon.

Tipu Sultan Mosque

Tipu Sultan Mosque is among the oldest magnificent mosques of all times. Construction of this capacious mosque ended in 1842, and the place of worship has a staggering capacity of 1000.  Prince Ghulam Mohammed is the man behind the breathtaking design of the Tipu Sultan mosque. Unknown to many, Prince Ghulam was the youngest child of Mr. Tipu Sultan. Despite the fact that this mosque is more than 150 years old, it’s still a huge source of history and heritage. As per the structure of any other mosque, the Tipu Sultan Mosque also has 4 minarets on four corners. In the middle are 16 domes that are painted in green color. Due to the color of the mosque, as well as the intricate carvings, one can spot it from a good distance. Location: 185, Lenin Sarani Rd, Esplanade, Chandni Chawk, Bowbazar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700013. Price: The entry fee is required to gain access into the Tipu Sultan Mosque. Timing: 4:00PM to 6:00PM, evening. Best Time to Visit: 8:00 am to 11:00 am.

Best of Orissa

Science City

Science City is one of the most preferred science centers in the city. The science park is under the management of the National Council of Science Museums with its headquarter located in Kolkata itself. The place holds different types of exhibitions based on multiple science topics. Some of the science topics include Freshwater aquarium - It consists of different types of fishes for one to observe. and Power of ten that explains the micro and macro phenomenon of the universe. Also, Illusions - one of the most interesting activities that teaches the importance of visual perception in terms of placement and motion. In a huge garden area called Live butterfly, lies this butterfly enclave. People can observe the movement of butterflies from one place to another. Location: JBS Haldane Avenue, Basanti Hwy, Kolkata, West Bengal 700046. Price: -INR.60 per person, -Entry fee for students in group INR 30. Time: 9:00 am every day up to 8:00 pm. Best time to visit: During weekdays.

Birla Industrial & Technological Museum

Birla Industrial & Technological Museum is a government-owned museum, constructed in 1954. The museum is science-based and has over 100 staff working there. It falls under the ministry of culture. Some of the available galleries include television, motive power, life science, electricity, children’s gallery, metals, biotechnology, among plenty of others. No wonder tourists rate it as among the best tourist attractions in Kolkata. Location: Birla Industrial and Technological Museum located in West Bengal in India. Timing: -From 9:30AM to 6:00PM during the weekdays and -From 10:30 am to 8:00PM during weekends. Best Time to Visit: During weekends.

Millennium Park

Millennium Park is a popular privately-owned park based in Kolkata along Strand Road. This breathtaking park borders the famous Hooghly river. You’ll be overjoyed to learn that the park extends to up to 2.5 kilometers. Unknown to many, the Millennium Park gets named after the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority. Additionally, the Millennium is just a small part of one of the larger Kolkata Riverside Beautification projects. Some of the activities for the visitors include boat riding, break dancing, toy trains, among other activities. The park is among the most highly rated tourist attractions in Kolkata. Location: Millennium Park situated in Kolkata, along the Strand road. Price:  INR.300-INR.400 (including boating). Timing:  10:00 am to 6:30 pm, every day. Best Time to Visit: Afternoon.

General Post Office

General Post Office is the main post office in West Bengal. The post office’s construction kicked off in 1864 and ended in 1868. It may interest you to know that Mr. Walter B. Grenville was the architect of the post office. The most conspicuous feature of this post office is the domed roof, which goes up to 220 feet. You won’t believe this; the staircase of the eastern part of the post offices comprises pure brass plates. Location: Netaji Subhas Rd, Fairley Place, B.B.D. Bagh, Kolkata, West Bengal 700001. Timing: 10:00AM to 6:00 pm, every day. Best Time to Visit: 3:00PM to 5:00pm.

Best of Sundarban

Writers building.

Writers’ Building is a famous building of West Bengal’s government. The building has a total length of 150 meters and stretches the entire part of the Lal Dighi pond. It may interest you to know that Thomas Lyon was the architecture of this magnificent structure. The building used to serve as the office for junior clerks for the British East India Company. Shockingly, the Writer’s building covers a total area of nearly 550,000 square feet. Location:  Binoy Badal Dinesh Bag N, Lal Dighi, B.B.D. Bagh, Kolkata, West Bengal 700001. Best Time to Visit:  Only during day time.

Shaheed Minar

Shaheed Minar is a tall monument that was constructed in 1828. Unknown to some, the monument was constructed in honor of the late Major General Sir David Orchterlony. Most people wonder how a monument still stands despite being over two centuries old. The secret lies in the design, as well as the materials used to construct it. The construction of the Shaheed Minar started in 1825 and ended in 1828. The monument is 48 meters tall. Location: Bus stop, Dharmtalla, Dufferin Rd, Kolkata, West Bengal 700069. Best Time to Visit: During the daytime.

Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple

Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple is commonly known as Kolkata's Japanese Buddhist Temple. This Buddhist temple is a home to the famous monk, Bhikshu Morita. He is known to be a part in stopping the 1992 communal riots by chanting ‘Nam Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo’, as a cry for peace. While at the temple, you can start a conversation with this monk, and learn about life. Moreover, the temple is quite peaceful, and people looking for a peaceful, as well as calm environment can visit this temple at any time they want. Location: 60, Kabi Bharati, 1, Lake Terrace Rd, Hemanta Mukherjee Sarani, Lake Market, Kolkata, West Bengal 700029. Price: The entry fee is required to gain entry into the temple. Timing: -From 5:30 am to 12:30 pm and -From 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm, everyday. Best Time to Visit: 4:30 am 7:00 pm.

Best of Ranchi

Sabarna Sangrahashala

The Sabarna Sangrahashala was constructed in the memory of the oldest zamindars who resided in Kolkata, known as the Sabarna Roy Choudhury family. The museum was started in 2015 to raise awareness of the essence of proper preservation of sources of historical information. The museum is rich with different historical materials such as publications, journals as well as travelogues. The museum is especially useful for students as well as researchers who are passionate about historical information. Location:  Saptarshi Bhawan, Baro Bari, 67/3, Diamond Harbour Rd, Barisha, Kolkata, West Bengal 700008. Timing: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, everyday. Best Time to Visit:  Weekend.

Wet O Wild is a common entertainment joint with incredible recreational facilities. Some of the fun activities include wave pooling, watching the Niagara falls, swirl riding, body sliding as well as lazy river ride. You’ll also notice a huge tube-like structure that leads to an artificial pool of water. The essence of the tube is to facilitate a particular activity known as tube sliding. Tube sliding suits both kids as well as adults. Location: Street Number 27, Salt Lake Bypass, Sector IV, Kolkata, West Bengal 700106. Pricing: INR. 750. Timing: 10:30 am to 5:30pm, everyday. Best Time to Visit: Weekend.

Nehru’S Children’S Museum

As the name suggests, the Nehru’s Children’s Museum is a special place that is fully dedicated to youngsters. The museum was established in 1972 and has numerous ancient arts and craft equipment for the kids. Additionally, the place provides kids an opportunity to have fun by participating in contests. Some of these contests include Nehru Talent Search contests, learn to live together, Toy train projects as well as the Sishu Bhaban Patrika. Location: 94/1, Chowringhee Rd, Maidan, Bhowanipore, Kolkata, West Bengal 700020. Price: -Above 16 years INR.20 and -Below 16 years INR.10. Timing:  11:00 am to 7:00 pm (except Monday and Tuesday). Best Time Visit: Weekends only.

Aquatica is a popular resort that sits upon a total area of 75000 square feet. The water park features several recreational facilities such as slides and themed rides. You’ll be happy to know that the water resort also features multiple luxurious rooms to accommodate both single travelers as well as large families. Most people visit the resort to celebrate essential events such as weddings, birthdays as well as engagements. The high-quality room services, parking services, and fast internet connection will leave you speechless! It’s one of the best places to see in Kolkata. Location: Kouchpukur,P.O Hatgachia,P.S. :K.L.C, Near Rajarhat Township, Kolkata, West Bengal 700156. Price: On Weekdays- -INR. 900 per adult and -INR.450 for children, On Weekends- -INR 1000 for adults and -INR 500 for kids. Timing: 10:00AM to 6:00PM. Best Time to Visit: Weekends.

People Also Ask About Kolkata

Which are the unique places to visit in kolkata, which are the best places to visit in kolkata at night, which are the best places to visit in kolkata for 2 days, what is kolkata famous for, how can i spend 3 days in kolkata, what is the famous food of kolkata.

Some of the most famous non-vegetarian foods here are Kosha Mangsho, Biryani, Macher Jhol, etc. Vegetarian foods include the puchkas, jhaal moori, luchi, alu dom, ghugni, aloo kabli, etc. The famous Bengali desserts include rasgulla, chamcham, sandesh, mishit doi, and chanar jilipi

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The 46 best photo spots in Kolkata (Calcutta)

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1 Victoria Memorial

2 Howrah Bridge

3 Mullick Ghat Flower Market - Hawkers Committee

4 james prinsep monument, 5 indian museum.

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7 St. Paul Cathedral Church

8 south park street cemetery, 9 jorasanko thakurbari, 10 smaranika tram museum, 11 metcalfe hall, 12 acharya jagadish chandra bose indian botanic garden, 13 eco park, 14 dakshineswar kali temple, 15 eden gardens.

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16 M.P. Birla Planetarium

17 writers' building, 18 nakhoda masjid, 19 belur math, 20 birla mandir, 21 princep ghat, 22 st. paul's cathedral mission college, 23 calcutta bungalow, 24 mother teresa sarani, 25 the mother house of the missionaries of charity.

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26 Shaheed Minar

27 st. john's church, 28 birla industrial & technological museum, 29 fort william, india, 30 academy of fine arts, 31 artsy - coffee & culture, 32 calcutta town hall, 33 st. andrew's church, 34 aakriti art gallery (aag), 35 eco park.

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36 Millennium Park, Kolkata

37 tram depot, 38 gallery gold kolkata, 39 esplanade, 40 calcutta town hall, 41 birla academy of art and culture, 42 candid photography, 43 kolkata wedding photographers - wedding, pre-wedding, engagement, portraits, 44 currency building, 45 services.

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What's the weather like in kolkata (calcutta).

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Kolkata (Calcutta) throughout the year

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Places to visit in Kolkata

Kolkata is blessed with many sightseeing places that offer a unique experience to every visitor. The city has many interesting places to keep its visitors pleasantly engaged. From refreshing gardens, serene lakes, historical buildings, museums, libraries, sports stadiums to ancient temples and churches, there are umpteen number of places to visit in Kolkata .

Making the sightseeing more interesting are the shopping streets, amusement parks and mouth-watering eateries. With all these and much more, a tour to Kolkata is sure to leave every traveller enchanted.

1. Victoria Memorial

Victoria Memorial is the sightseeing place that one cannot miss when in Kolkata. Built in the memory of Queen Victoria, this memorial was opened to the public in 1921. It was designed by the renowned architect of that period, William Emerson, who was the then President of British Institute of Architects.

This place is undeniably one of the finest art museums in the country with a rich collection of paintings on royal British families, lithographs, historical documents and artefacts. With a 184 feet tall structure, spread over 64 acres of land, it presents an impressive architecture as well.

The massive premises of the Victoria memorial consist of manicured lawn and gardens that surround the museum building along with two huge pools in the gardens. The gardens and lawn were designed by Lord Redesdale and David Prain.

The entrance of the museum gates is donned by two lions made out of marble and as one enters the gates, there sits the humongous bronze statue of Queen Victoria. This statue was sculpted in England and was shipped to India.

There are quite a few trivial facts about Victoria Memorial and the most interesting among them is that it took 15 years to complete the building of the memorial and the total cost of construction went up to INR 10, 500, 000, where a major portion of the funds came from Indian princely states.

2. Howrah Bridge

Also called as Rabindra Setu, Howrah Bridge is considered to be the busiest bridge in the world and a fine example of 20th century engineering. A popular place to visit in Kolkata, Howrah Bridge stands over the Hooghly River. Around 705 meters long, this bridge connects Kolkata and Howrah.

It was built in 1874 on two 270 feet tall pillars, without the usage of nuts and bolts. There are two other bridges at other points of the Hooghly River, namely Vivekananda Setu and Vidyasagar Setu.

It is considered as the icon of Bengal’s history and culture as the bridge has witnessed several historical events, both World War I and II included. The bridge was called an architectural marvel at the time of its construction due to its classification as ‘Suspension Type Balanced Cantilever’ type structure, and was the third longest cantilever bridge in the world.

The major amount of high-tension steel required for the bridge’s construction was commissioned from Tata Steel and the entire project cost INR 25 million.

Today, the bridge is considered to be the busiest cantilever bridge in the world as it serves as a gateway to over 200, 000 vehicles and 150, 000 pedestrians every single day.

3. Dakshineswar Kali Temple

Dedicated to Devi Bhavatarini, a form of Goddess Kali, Dakshineswar Kali Temple is a place that attracts hordes of devotees every day. Built in 1847 by the Queen of Janbazar, Rani Rashmoni, this temple stands on the banks of River Hooghly. Spread over an area of 25 acres, this temple is rightly regarded among Hindu devotees who come here to seek Goddess’s blessings and get rid of their problems.

There is both spiritual as well as socio- political significance attached to the history of the temple. When it comes to talking about the architecture, the temple structure was built in traditional ‘nav-ratna’ (nine spires) style which is associated with the Bengal School of architecture. It took 8 years and a staggering amount of INR 900,000 to complete the structure.

The temple became famous among the devotees after Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa took over as the head priest after the demise of his elder brother. Being an ardent devotee of Goddess Kali, he made quite a few changes to socio- religious environment in Bengal.

Rani Rashmoni, the founder of the temple was equally important in getting the reputation of the temple widespread. As opposed to archaic beliefs, she opened the temple gates for every sect of the society, thus breaking the societal barriers of class, caste, creed and religion.

The massive courtyard of the main temple has 12 smaller Shiva temples identical to each other with black stone shivalingas. The Shiva temples represent 12 Jyotirlingas and the temples are constructed in typical Bengal architectural style called ‘Aat- Chala’ (eight eaves). It is here in one of the Shiva temples that Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa attained enlightenment.

4. Nicco Amusement Park

Located in the posh Salt Lake City of Greater Kolkata, Nicco Amusement park is spread across a total area of 40 acres which makes it the largest amusement park of Eastern India and it is best to spend an entire day at leisure to enjoy and have a good time with family here.

It was opened for public in the year 1991 and houses over 35 different attractions which include water rides, amusement rides such as Toy Train, Tilt-a-Whirl, Striking Cars, Paddle Boat, Water Chute, Water Coaster, Flying Saucer, Pirate Ship, River Caves, Cyclone and Moonraker.

The Nicco Park is also certified green park and keeping with the green theme, there is a greenhouse with a variety of plants grown and sold by the Indo-American Hybrid Seeds Limited, an organization which also runs the greenhouse.

The park is run as a joint venture between Nicco Corporation Limited and the Government of West Bengal. The conception of the idea of an amusement park was made by Rajive Kaul, who is the Chairman of Nicco Group, during the 300th anniversary of the founding of Kolkata.

Apart from the fun rides and exhibits, the park also provides educational recreation for kids under which there are quite a few educational exhibits within the park premises along with information on the scientific mechanism behind all rides right at the entrance gates of each ride.

Additionally, there is a solar energy village set up inside the park for children to understand how non-conventional energy sources can be utilized as alternatives instead of fossil fuels thereby making attempts of conserving them.

The Nicco Park has also received numerous awards and recognitions at national as well as global levels. Its river caves have been rated as most popular and innovative rides of 2010 and the giant cyclone was rated as best indigenously manufactured ride of 2007 by the Indian Association of Amusement Parks and Industries.

5. Indian Museum

Built in 1814, Indian Museum in Kolkata is considered to be the oldest museum of the country. Founded by Asiatic Society of Bengal in Kolkata, its founder curator was a botanist from Denmark, Dr. Nathaniel Wallich. It was opened to the public in 1878. With six main sections and over 60 galleries, this museum is the largest museum in the country. It also boasts of being the ninth oldest museum in the world.

A wide collection of Mughal paintings, fossils, armour, mummies, skeletons, ornaments and antiques are displayed here. Not only with a rich collection, this museum captivates visitors with beautiful architecture as well. It was designed by Walter B Grawille, an Italian architect.

6. Kalighat Temple

Out of the 51 Shakti Peeths, Kalighat Temple of Kolkata is considered to be one of the most important. It was earlier a ghat on the old course of River Hooghly, which also led to the name of the city. Kalighat is believed to be the place where Goddess Sati’s right foot toes fell off from her burnt body during Lord Shiva's Rudra Tandava.

There is mention of Kalighat temple in 15th and 17th century literature too. It is said that the original temple, which was a small hut was built during the early 16th century. However, the current structure of the temple is said to be only 200 years old.

The Kalighat temple is located by the banks of Adi Ganga, a small canal which falls into the Hooghly River. It is believed that the route of this canal was the original course or path of the Hooghly River and hence, it is named Adi Ganga where ‘Adi’ means ‘Original’. The presence of archer coins that were popular during the Gupta period, prove the fact that the temple had been present at the same location during Gupta period.

The temple premises houses a couple of smaller temples, one dedicated to Shiva and is called as Nakuleshwar Mahadev Temple and the other temple is dedicated to Radha- Krishna and the locals call it Shyamo- Ray temple. There are few raised platforms in the courtyard of the temple premises to carry out certain activities and also for watching the rituals that take place inside the sanctum sanctorum.

An interesting trivia which relates Kalighat and Kolkata is that, the presiding deity of Kalighat goes by the name ‘Kalika’, and the city of Kolkata is named after her.

7. Alipore Zoological Gardens

Popularly known as the Alipore Zoo or Calcutta Zoo, the Alipore Zoological Garden established and opened in 1876, is the oldest formal zoo of India. The zoo spans a total area of around 46.5 acres and has been home to several indigenous mammals, reptiles and bird species.

It was first established as a project of Indian Natural History, the private menagerie owned by Richard Wellesley, the then Governor General of India in 1800. Later it went on to become the first formal zoo of India.

The set up of the zoological garden was successful in 1875, after 3 failed attempts, in 1842, 1867 and 1873 respectively. The very first collections of the zoological garden came from private collections of the elites and nobility.

The zoological garden is home to around 1266 animals, that are a mix of primates, herbivores and carnivores belonging to 108 different species. Among the avian population, there are exotic pheasants, cockatoos, macaws, storks, and few endangered species like Spoonbill.

The Reptile House of the Alipore Zoological Garden is placed in a special corner, custom designed as per the specific need of each inhabitant, be it snakes, marsh crocodiles or ghariyals. The centrally located water bodies within the zoo premises attract a lot of migratory bird population every year.

The mention of Rai Bahadur Ram Brahma Sanyal, the first Superintendent of the garden becomes a must when Alipore Zoo comes into picture because of his immense contribution towards the captive breeding of animals coupled with his dedication to providing proper nutrition and medical care to the animals. His observations were recorded and published in his book “A Handbook of the Management of Wild Animals in Captivity in Lower Bengal" in 1892.

8. Kolkata Race Course

Boasting of being one of the oldest racecourses in India, Kolkata Race Course is the place where the first ever horse race was conducted. Its beautiful landscape makes it a must place to see on your Kolkata tour . Many of the horse races are conducted during public holidays and over weekends; however the best time to visit this place is during the months of September to March.

The race course is maintained by the Royal Calcutta Turf Club. Established in 1820 for the East India elites as a common place for social gatherings, sports and other amusements, the race course serves the perfect reminder of the colonial era.

The polo ground located adjacent to the race course is said to be the best in India. When there are no horse races organized, the elites of the city settle for polo matches organised by the Royal Calcutta Turf Club.

9. Marble Palace

Another place to visit in Kolkata is the Marble Palace, which was constructed in the year 1835. As the name suggests, it has been built with marble. Built as a private property of Raja Rajendro Mullick, who was a landowner, this palace is often referred as the ‘Palace of Art’.

The family members of the Raja’s family still reside in the palace although one can also visit and admire its beautiful architecture and the rich and artistic collection. It houses a mini zoo where you can spot varied kinds of birds and animals. Its various exquisite oil paintings and original works of renowned painters, sculptures, pictures and other artefacts are worth exploring.

There is a Jagannath temple inside the premises which can be visited only from outside since it is only the family members who have access inside the temple. The specialty of this temple is that it was built even before the palace was built.

The architectural style of the building is a mix of traditional Bengali and Chinese elements and was built with over 120 different varieties of marbles, collected from various parts of the country. The marble pillars, walls and floorings of the mansion have carvings that bear resemblance to one of the earliest wonders of the world, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus.

10. Eco Tourism Park

Spread across 470 acres of land, Eco Tourism Park is a popular place to visit in Kolkata, offering a wide array of recreational choices. Also known as Prakriti Tirtha, it has lakes, museums, garden, amphitheatre, grassland, restaurants, mist house, etc., making it an ideal place to take a break from the monotony of everyday life.

The entire park area is surrounded by 103 acres of water body, giving it an appearance of an island. The three sections of the park are Ecological Zone, Theme Garden and Open Spaces with an array of activities that include zorbing, kayaking, cycling, rowing, paddle boating, speed boat rides, etc. which the visitors can choose to indulge in as per their interests.

There are official conference rooms as well as cottages to rent out for arranging both personal as well as official engagements. The location of the park makes it an absolute destination for a weekend getaway where one can unwind after a hectic work week.

11. Eden Gardens

Being the oldest cricket ground of India, Eden Garden is nothing less than a pilgrimage for cricket fanatics and has been named as one of the most iconic cricket stadiums in the world. It is a place for several historical moments related to the sport.

With a seating capacity of 68,000, it has undergone many improvements since its construction. The first ever first- class match that was hosted in this stadium was in 1917-18. The first test match in Eden gardens was played in 1934 while the first ODI match was played in 1987. It is indeed a place worth visiting in Kolkata.

It is not only the largest cricket stadium in India but the second largest in the world, second to the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia. It is home to the Bengal Ranji Team and IPL team, the Kolkata Knight Riders. Eden garden is famous for being home to the loudest and liveliest audience and has been called ‘The Lords of Indian Subcontinent’ by former Australian captain, Steve Waugh.

The trivial fact about Eden Garden is that it was initially named ‘Auckland Circus Gardens’ but later was changed to ‘Eden Gardens’, after the Eden sisters of Lord Auckland Eden, Emily and Fanny Eden.

12. Jorasanko Thakurbari

A visit to Kolkata is incomplete without visiting the ancestral home of one of its most loved citizens, who also happens to be the first ever Asian to win the coveted Nobel Prize. Jorasanko Thakur Bari, the ancestral home of Rabindranath Tagore, who was a poet and an artist, is a not to be missed destination when in Kolkata.

The Thakur Bari, which literally means, ‘House of Tagores’ has now been converted into Rabindra Bharati University and serves as a centre for Indian Classical Fine Arts and quality education. A portion of the building was converted into a museum in 1961 and is called Rabindra Bharati Museum. It exhibits the life and stories of all members of the Tagore family. It is a palatial ‘red brick’ mansion built on an area of 35,000 square metres.

It wasn’t just Rabindranath Tagore who was a person of importance in the house; all members of the Tagore family were known for their eminence in various walks of life, including the women of the family.

It is interesting to know that the purdah system which was prevalent in pre- independent India was never followed in the Tagore household. The women were equally encouraged to participate in discussions pertaining to politics, culture, art, literature, business and other worldly matters. One gets to get a glimpse of this and understand the family better while cruising through the museum.

Today, Jorasanko Thakur Bari is a must visit hub for all artists and art lovers from across the globe. It remains as popular as it used to be in the pre- independence era when all reformation activities, be it art or cultural, brewed right inside this mansion, including Bengal renaissance and Brahmo Samaj.

13. National Library

The largest library in India, National Library is an important place to visit in Kolkata. Built with the prime objective to preserve, collect and distribute literary materials that are created in India, the National library is a place that will interest everyone.

Spread over 30 acres of land, it is located on the Belvedere Estate in Alipore. This library is now managed by the Dept. of Culture, Ministry of Tourism & Culture, Government of India. Its rich collection consists of books in almost all the prominent languages of the country, varying from Telugu, Sindhi, Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu and many more. The library also has a separate section for children.

14. Mother House

The headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity, which is popularly known as ‘Mother House’ was found by Mother Teresa in 1950, with the motive to serve humanity. As her last resting place, her tomb lies in the same place.

Visitors can also see the house where she has spent most years of her life along with the tomb. It is an important place to visit in Kolkata. A small museum has also been built near the building, showcasing the life of Mother Teresa and whatever minimal utilities she lived with.

The artefacts and exhibits of the museum include handwritten letters of Mother Teresa, her saree, her crucifix and rosary, her worn out slippers and a worn out bowl. Her handwritten spiritual urgings are also placed as exhibits here. They are a reflection of the humility with which she spent her life.

The burial place or the room where Mother Teresa’s tomb is built is used by visitors for offering prayers and meditation. Sometimes, there are pilgrim group masses conducted here in presence of priests however; there is a need of an advanced notification to carry out such requests.

15. MP Birla Planetarium

Among the many famous landmarks and attractions of the City of Joy, Birla Planetarium, which loosely resembles the Sanchi Stupa in design, has its own uniqueness by being the oldest and largest planetariums in Asia, and second largest in the world. It was built in 1962 and had a grand inaugural at the hands of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, who was the then Prime Minister of India.

The idea of building a planetarium in India was conceived by the famous industrialist and philanthropist, Mr. M. P. Birla, the founder of the M. P. Group. He wanted it to not only be a planetarium but also an institute where education on astronomy, astrophysics and cosmology would be carried out.

The institute offers a 10- month course in astronomy on a weekly basis without any charges. The course is conducted during the evenings. Additionally, there are also graded programmes for school kids of all age groups and a detailed post- graduate diploma course in Astronomy and Planetary Sciences for students who majored in Physics and Mathematics.

One of the unique features of Birla Planetarium of Kolkata is that there are live lectures during the shows, which helps visitors to gain additional information, mostly trivial, thus giving them an opportunity to interact with industry experts.

One of the reasons for the popularity of Birla Planetarium is also because of its location within the vicinity of Maidan area and being in close proximity of the Victoria Memorial and St. Paul’s Cathedral, two most iconic structures of Kolkata, being significant in terms of both history and architecture.

16. Belur Math

Belur Math, the headquarters of Ramakrishna Math and Mission is a temple for seekers of spiritual fulfilment and makes it a must visit destination as it follows a non- sectarian and spiritual approach. It is spread across a total area of 40 acres, and is surrounded by palm trees and well maintained gardens.

The temple itself is the representation of one universal faith and is visited by people from all over the world. The Math was conceptualized and founded by the chief disciple of Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekananda during the 20th century. The ideology behind setting up such an institution was ‘selfless service of God in man’.

Due to its impressive architecture, peaceful ambience and historical significance, Belur Math has become a must visit destination when in Kolkata.

It was Swami Vijnanananda, who designed the Belur Math temple, which is built in chunar stone and concrete in an area spanning 32, 900 square feet and 113 feet high. Since it is based on one universal faith, the elements and styles of design are inspired by religious diversity and blend into each other very smoothly. Due to this, the monument appears to be a temple, a cathedral and a mosque when seen from different angles.

Due to the many facets of its design, the monument has also been named as ‘Symphony of Architecture’ by the Ramakrishna Mission. The architect was also a direct disciple of Shri Ramakrishna.

Apart from the central monument, there is a museum which exhibits information and personal belongings of Ramakrishna and others, and temples of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi, wife of the great sage Sri Ramakrishna and all direct disciples of the sage. There is also a Samadhi enclosure which houses a marble plaque with names of 7 direct disciples of Shri Ramakrishna who were cremated there.

Participating in their volunteering services is a good way to be associated with and understand the philosophies of the Mission.

17. Fort William

Kolkata is a treasure trove of history and historical buildings and another must visit place that played a very significant role in India’s history is Fort William. It was named after King William III or William of Orange. The Fort William that now stands strong is the second and new fort which was commissioned by Sir Robert Clive in 1758 and was completed in 1781. The old Fort William was a smaller two- storeyed structure built in 1696 and is known as the infamous ‘Black hole of Calcutta’.

The new Fort William was built after British East India defeated and killed the then Nawab of Bengal, Siraj Ud Daulah in the Battle of Plassey. The new fort was built in a separate area and with a stronger defence structure laid over 5 acres of land. The fort building is octagonal in shape and the irregular star design makes it impassable. Fort William is the only fort in the entire world which could never be besieged.

Today, Fort William acts as the military headquarters of Eastern Command with a capacity to hold around 10,000 army personnel at a time. The fort complex has a museum wherein the exhibits are a collection of utilities or ammunitions or cannons captured during wartime right from medieval to modern day. Among them, a couple of such attractions are the cannons and tanks captured during the Bangladesh Liberation war of 1971.

The fort has a boxing ring, swimming pool, firing range, restaurants, outdoor playground, shopping complex, movie theatre, post office, library and laundry. The access to the fort is restricted for civilians without prior permits however; the Indian Army arranges a special display on 16th December every year, which is celebrated as ‘Vijay Diwas’.

18. Birla Mandir

Birla Mandir of Kolkata is another prominent place to visit in the city. Its impressive architecture with intricate carving and sculpting that has been built at an elevation of 160 feet above the ground, presents a mesmerising sight. Built in white marble, it is spread over an area of 130 acres of land. Started in 1970, its construction was completed in 1996. Also known as Lakshmi Narayan Mandir, Birla Temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha.

Apart from the principal deities, the temple also has statues of other Hindu Gods- Shiva in meditation mode, Goddess Durga and Goddess Shakti.

Built by the illustrious Birla Family of West Bengal, the temple has structural resemblance to the Lingaraj Temple of Bhubaneswar in Odisha and has a huge number of devotees from far off places visiting during the Janmashtami festivities.

Built with a mix of design elements from both traditional and contemporary art, it is considered one of the finest architectural works of the country with fine and intricate artworks adorning the dome, pillars and walls of the temple. The marble walls have pictorial carvings of teachings and verses from the Bhagavad Gita. The entire structure was designed by architect Nomi Bose.

The temple is located on Ballygunge Road in South Kolkata.

19. Science City

Science City in Kolkata, being the largest science centre in the entire Indian subcontinent, is one of the major attractions and is a must visit as it offers one of a kind experience for the visitors. The Science City is a perfect place to experience the blend between Science and Entertainment. It was opened in 1997.

It is a unit of the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) and was started with the single motto of popularization of science. Built on what used to be a dumping ground for more than 100 years, the Science City lies over a 50 acre land. The complex is divided into two portions namely, the Science Centre and the Convention Centre.

Paul Jozef Crutzen and Mr. Jyoti Basu, the then CM of West Bengal had inaugurated the Convention Centre in December 1996. The complete centre was inaugurated by Mr. Indra Kumar Gujral, the then Prime Minister of India in July 1997.

The centre which is equally famous among domestic as well as international tourists has a dedicated section for aquatic worlds that houses some of the most exotic fish and insects. Additionally, this section is also home to Space Odyssey, Dynamotion, Science Exploration Hall, Maritime Centre, Earth Exploration Hall and a sprawling Science Park.

20. Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Botanical Garden

Built in the 18th century, the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Botanical Garden is spread over 109 hectares. With over 14,000 trees, shrubs, creepers and climbers put together, the garden houses 1400 different species of flora. It is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions of Kolkata, with lush greenery and refreshing environment to relax. It has an orchid house, an in-house library, and artificial lakes with the facility of boating as well.

The garden was conceptualized in 1787 by Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kyd, an army officer of the British East India Company. The garden was called East India Company Bagan and has been renamed many times until 2009 when it was named after the famous Indian Scientist, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose.

The Botanical garden has an envious collection of several exotic plants including rare and endangered species, which is conserved into 25 separate divisions. These collectives are placed in glass houses, greenhouses and conservatories depending on the type of environment they need for their well- being.

The garden houses the oldest herbariums of the country which was named Central National Herbarium. It is one of the most extensive herbariums in the entire world with 2.5 million specimens of dried plants. This is maintained by the Botanical Survey of India.

Some of the rarest collections include Victoria Amazonica, a type of water lily, double coconut, Krishnabot and the Shivalinga tree. It is interesting to know that all the artificial lakes inside the garden are interconnected via underground pipes, which are further connected to the river for smooth inlet and outlet of water via sluice gates.

The major highlight of the botanical garden is its 250-year-old banyan tree, occupying an area of 1.89 hectares forming the largest canopy in the world. The tree finds mention in the Guiness Book of World Record, in almost all travel books and is famously called ‘The Great Banyan Tree’.

21. Writers’ Building

Initially built for the clerical and the administrative staff in 1690s, Writer’s Building which is also known as Mahakaran, is now used as the Secretariat of West Bengal Government. The building was named Writers as the junior staff was called writer back then.

The present impressive structure of the writer's building was built during the tenure of Lt. Governor Ashley Eden in 1877. The construction was done in the place of an old building. Located in the heart of the city, its red colour and gigantic structure is impossible to miss when in Kolkata.

22. St. Paul’s Cathedral

St. Paul’s Cathedral is a historical building with religious significance. The foundation to this building was laid out in 1839 while its construction was completed after 8 years.

Designed by Major William Nairn Forbes, the building of the cathedral was built in Indo-Gothic architectural style. However, due to natural calamities, it was destroyed twice. Later in 1934, St. Paul’s Cathedral was again constructed with an architectural resemblance to Bell Harry Tower of Canterbury Cathedral. Its beautiful structure makes it a place worth visiting.

23. Shaheed Minar

Given the history of Kolkata, it is quite clear that there were many wars and rebellions fought here, which makes the city a place of memorials. Located in the Esplanade area of Kolkata, next to the Brigade grounds, stands the Shaheed Minar, which literally translates to ‘Martyr’s Monument’.

It was first constructed in memory of Sir David Ochterlony, who was a Major General of Bengal Artillery in British East India Company. The memorial monument was initially named as Ochterlony Monument and was built to commemorate East India Company’s victory over the Marathas in Delhi in 1804 and Gurkha War in 1816.

Designed by architect J. P. Parker, the monument is mostly a blend of many architectural styles with elements inspired from Middle Eastern and Turkish designs. The ground surrounding the monument has remained witness to several political activities.

24. Aquatica Water Park

Spread across a total area of 17 acres, the Aquatic Water Park in Kolkata is considered to be the largest water themed park of Eastern India. The water park is located in Hatgachia, near Rajarhat township and was built in 1999. To get your dose of weekend getaway when in Kolkata, a visit to this theme park becomes necessary.

As the name suggests, the park’s main attraction is its various themed water rides however, the premises also have resort facilities wherein the guests can select from the deluxe and super deluxe rooms and book themselves a relaxed stay over the weekend and unwind.

When it comes to the themed water rides, there are options for every age group and they include Jungle safari, Black hole, Raft slide, Aqua dance, Niagara Falls, Cyclone, Wave pool, Lazy river, The Family pool, Pendulum and Multi-lane. Among these, the wave pool is the most popular and is rated highest on the demand scale.

In addition to resort and rides, Aquatica Park also offers services for corporate and large-scale events which also include weddings and receptions. There are conference halls, party lawns and an Aqua Hall that are specifically designed to host wedding receptions along with a few large scale corporate events that require a setup of formal sit- down dinners.

The 3 open lawns are named Aqua lawn, which is the largest among the open lawns, Central lawn which is surrounded by the lazy river and the third one is called Niagara Lawn as it has the Niagara fall ride which makes a pretty backdrop.

25. Rabindra Sarobar

An artificial lake which was dug out of a marsh, the Rabindra Sarobar is the second largest water body of Kolkata, spread across 73 acres out of the total green cover of 192 acres which constitutes indigenous flora and vegetation. The lake was made in 1921 and has become a favorite for thousands of morning walkers and joggers of the nearby area.

Considering it as a major environmental and ecological reserve, the Rabindra Sarobar has been named as a water body of national importance and also been declared to be a ‘National Lake’ in 1997. The lake also becomes home to several migratory birds during winter and is a sight to watch. Several birding enthusiasts flock to the lake during this time.

26. Rabindra Sadan

Established in the year 1967 on the Belvedere Street, Rabindra Sadan is one of the oldest cultural hubs and is a prime venue for theatre and several film festivals in Kolkata. It was named Rabindra Sadan in memory of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Being the hub for culture and fine arts, artists from all over the world visit and participate in theatre and performing arts.

It is interesting to know that the foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru in 1961 and the construction was completed in 1967.

The entire complex houses several cultural centres like Rabindra Sadan Stage, Nazrul Academy, Nandan- a fil and cultural centre sponsored by the government, Gaganendra Pradarshanshala, Paschimbanga Bangla Akademi- the official regulatory body of the Bengali language in West Bengal, and the auditorium named Sisir Mancha.

27. Raj Bhawan

Originally built in 1803, across a land area of 27 acres, the Raj Bhavan of Kolkata is the official residence of the Governor of West Bengal. Boasting of an impeccable architecture and surrounded by massive gardens, the Raj Bhavan is accessible to the public only upon producing government photo ID cards. For international visitors, both original and photocopies of passports are a must. Visitors are given guided tours of the building.

The scandalous but interesting story behind the building of the Raj Bhavan dates back to 1799 when the then Governor-General of India Marquess Wellesley decided to have a palatial house to himself as a symbol of his status. It took him four years and around 63,000 pounds to complete the construction, which did not go very well with the treasury of the East India Company. He was finally sent back to England after being accused of improper usage of Company funds.

Designed by architect Captain Charles Wyatt, the structure is built in neo- classical architectural style with baroque overtones. The impressive halls and curved corridors, balconies, throne room, banquet halls, residential suites are worth a visit to get the feel of the colonial opulence.

28. Prinsep Ghat

One of the highlights of one’s Kolkata trip should be a visit to Prinsep Ghat. Located between Fort William’s St. George Gate and the Water Gate, Prinsep ghat was constructed in 1843 using Palladian style architecture with Gothic and Greek inlays. The monument was designed by W. Fitzgerald and named after the Anglo- Indian scholar James Prinsep to honor his contributions to the fields of archaeology, meteorology, and ancient Indian scriptures.

With the Vidyasagar Setu in the background, sunsets from Prinsep Ghat are a sight to revere. Most locals flock here in the evenings and wait till sunset as it offers one of the most beautiful sunset views. One can also take a walk on the newly constructed riverfront that stretches from Prinsep ghat to Babughat and the entire stretch is lined by garden and fountains.

29. Park Street

When in Kolkata, one cannot and must not avoid a visit to Park Street, the nerve centre of the city’s evening recreations and happening night life thereby gaining its reputation as ‘the street that never sleeps’. The park street area is thronged with youngsters and elites alike due to the variety of places it offers.

Apart from being the hub of most prominent landmark heritage buildings of the city, Park Street is also famous for the food, hence, is also called the ‘Food Street’. It is the place where the iconic South Park Street Cemetery is situated, which is considered among the most haunted places of India.

Some of the famous restaurants and nightclubs in the area are Trinca’s, Peter Cat, Moulin Rouge, Mocambo, Blue Fox, Charcoal Grill, Tung Fong, Over the Top and Only Pub. Park Street also offers shopping experience for both street shoppers and elites.

30. Tipu Sultan Mosque

The multi-dome mosque in the heart of Esplanade in the city of Kolkata tells tales of a fallen royal family. The mosque in question is the Tipu Sultan mosque which was built by Prince Ghulam Mohammed Anwar Shah, the youngest son of the legendary and braveheart King of Mysore, Tipu Sultan.

Constructed in the year 1832, the mosque locally known as Tipu Sultan Shahi Masjid is an architectural and cultural heritage with double aisles and tall minarets. It is believed that the family of Tipu Sultan was exiled in the then city of Calcutta after the king was killed.

Forced to live a penniless life after the death of his father, the young prince started saving the stipend he received from the British East India Company and used his enterprising skills to acquire all the land from South to Central Kolkata. He built twin mosques in honor of his father, Tipu sultan and named both the mosques after him.

The mosque might not be very popular but due to its interesting history, is visited by people from far and wide.

Along with these, there are a few more interesting places to visit in Kolkata such as South Park Street Cemetery , Town Hall , Nakhoda Mosque , etc. And if you have a day or two extra, then you can plan a visit to various sightseeing places near Kolkata city. Some of these are Sundarbans National Park, Shantiniketan, terracotta temples of Bishnupur and beaches in Digha and Mandarmani.

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Popular Tourist Places to Visit in Kolkata

• Dakshineswar Kali Temple Kolkata
• Howrah Bridge Kolkata
• Park Street/Food Street Kolkata
• Indian Museum Kolkata
• Victoria Memorial Kolkata
• Birla Temple Kolkata
• Kolkata Race Course
• Eden Gardens Kolkata
• Marble Palace Mansion Kolkata
• Kalighat Kali Temple Kolkata
• Fort William Kolkata
• Writers’ Building Kolkata
• St. Paul’s Cathedral Kolkata
• National Library Kolkata
• Mother House Kolkata
• Eco Tourism Park Kolkata
• Mother's Wax Museum Kolkata
• Nicco Park Kolkata
• Birla Planetarium Kolkata
• BBD Bagh Kolkata
• Science City Kolkata
• Belur Math Kolkata
• Alipore Zoological Gardens Kolkata
• Millennium Park Kolkata
• Shaheed Minar Kolkata
• Aquatica Water Park Kolkata
• Armenian Church Kolkata
• College Street Kolkata
• General Post Office Kolkata
• Kumartuli Kolkata
• Lal Dighi Kolkata
• Misti Hub Kolkata
• Nakhoda Mosque Kolkata
• Netaji Bhawan Kolkata
• Police Museum Kolkata
• Prinsep Ghat Kolkata
• Raj Bhavan Kolkata
• Shobhabazar Rajbari Kolkata
• St. John’s Church Kolkata
• Star Theatre Kolkata
• Town Hall Kolkata
• Tram Museum Kolkata
• Vidyasagar Bridge Kolkata
• Rabindra Sadan Kolkata
• Tipu Sultan Mosque Kolkata
• Rabindra Sarobar Kolkata
• Shantiniketan Kolkata
• Sundarbans National Park Kolkata
• Elliot Park Kolkata
• Wet-O-Wild Kolkata
• Hooghly Imambara Kolkata
• Nehru Children’s Museum Kolkata
• Snow Park, Axis Mall, Kolkata
• Babughat Kolkata
• Mandarmani Beach Kolkata
• Digha Beach Kolkata
• Bandel Church Kolkata
• Maddox Square Park Kolkata
• Muhammad Ali Park Kolkata
• Santosh Mitra Square Kolkata
• Patuli Floating Market Kolkata
• Kolkata Gate / Biswa Bangla Gate
• Maidan / Brigade Parade Ground Kolkata
• Vivekananda Setu / Bally Bridge Kolkata
• Chintamani Kar Bird sanctuary Kolkata
• Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary Kolkata
• ISKCON Radha Govinda Temple Kolkata
• Swami Vivekananda's Ancestral House Kolkata
• Jorasanko Thakurbari / House of the Thakurs Kolkata
• Birla Industrial and Technological Museum Kolkata
• Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Botanical Garden Kolkata
• Nature Park Kolkata

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• Places To Visit In Kolkata

Places to Visit in Kolkata

With its quaint yellow taxis, vintage trams, massive bridges, age-old jazz bars, colonial structures, heritage homes, iconic eateries, Durga Puja festivities, picturesque ghats and boat rides over Ganga -- Kolkata is the city of picture perfect snapshots.

Things To See & Do

Dakshineshwar Kali Temple

Dedicated to goddess kali.

Minimum 2 hours

Suggested Time

Vast Public Park in the Heart of Kolkata

0.5 hours to 1 h...

A Beautiful Pilgrimage Destination

Howrah Bridge

The floating lifeline of kolkata.

15 to 30 minutes

Victoria Memorial

British-era palatial marble museum.

Indian Museum

Treasure-trove of indian history.

Netaji Bhawan

Memorial for freedom fighter subhas chandra bose.

Prinsep Ghat

River hooghly's most famous ghat.

1 to 2 hours

Jorasanko Thakur Bari

Birthplace of rabindranath tagore.

Maulana Azad Museum Kolkata

Celebrating a freedom fighter's legacy.

Dalhousie Square

Kolkata's colonial heritage, best time to visit kolkata, throughout the year, peak season, moderate season.

• Whattoexpect : Cool weather.
• Thingsyou'lllove : Regional festivals, street food and sightseeing.

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

Ramzan As per Islamic Calendar

Eid ul Fitr As per Islamic Calendar

Dussehra September � October

Diwali October � November

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Best places to visit in kolkata.

Set on the opposite side of the Hooghly River, this temple is devoted to Bhavatarini, a manifestation of Parashakti Adya Kali. Rani Rashmoni, a devotee of the goddess Kali as well as a prominent reformer and independence fighter in Bengal, is credited with establishing the shrine. It is among the most revered places to visit in Kolkata.

This museum, one of the most insightful places to visit in Kolkata, is located in New Market, and it features exhibits of precious artwork, fossils, antiques, and more. It is the ninth-oldest museum in the world and is more commonly referred to as "Jadughar." Not to mention, it is among the top 10 places to visit in Kolkata.

The Howrah Bridge is a cantilever structure that carries traffic over the Hooghly River in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is among the most popular places to visit in Kolkata.

This enormous marble palace is one of the most recognisable places to visit in Kolkata. It was constructed between 1906 and 1921. It was built in remembrance of Queen Victoria, the British monarch who served as Empress of India from 1876 until 1901. This is also among the most popular places to visit in South Kolkata.

The magnificent Belur Math , one of the holiest places to visit in Kolkata, is a temple that is found on the western bank of the River Hooghly. It is set on the western bank of the Hooghly River in Belur. It is considered to be the spiritual epicentre of the Ramakrishna movement as a whole. Belur Math should be on your list of places to visit in Kolkata for 2 days.

Best Time to visit Kolkata

The summer season in Kolkata begins in March and lasts all the way through the month of May. The heat and humidity are both at their peak levels, and the temperature is consistently about 40 degrees Celsius. Despite the stifling heat, there are places to visit in Kolkata in summer.

The monsoons typically occur between the months of June and September. Heavy rains fall during the monsoon season, raising the humidity level to its highest point. The greatest time to visit Kolkata is in the months following the end of the monsoon season.

The city experiences winter from the months of November through February. At this time of year, the temperatures that drop to their lowest point typically average around 12 degrees Celsius. This is the perfect time to explore the best places to visit in Kolkata since the temperature is just right and the weather is really lovely.

Places to visit in Kolkata with family & friends

The Tagores made their first home in Kolkata in a building known as Jorasanko Thakur Bari. It is among the most historically insightful places to visit in Kolkata. It was the scene of considerable political and cultural debate throughout India's war for independence, and it was also the location of the conflict. It is also counted among the top places to visit in North Kolkata.

This park, which is 1,000 acres in size, is regarded highly by the city's sports-obsessed population and serves as the city's lungs. Another name for the Maidan is the Brigade Parade Ground. It is India's largest urban public park. You can have a wonderful time here with your family, making it one of the top places to visit in Kolkata.

If you are looking for places to visit in Kolkata in one day, then include this tourist site in your list. This building was once Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s birthplace but is now used as a museum dedicated to his legacy. It is among the most incredible places to visit in Kolkata. This structure is currently being used as the headquarters for the Netaji Research Bureau.

Best Places Kolkata for couples

Dalhousie Square is the name that most people give to the administrative district which is known as BBD Bagh. The vast majority of these buildings were created during the period of time that Kolkata served as the capital of the British Empire. You can have a wonderful time exploring the vintage charm of this area with your partner. It is among the ideal places to visit in Kolkata in evening.

Fort William

If you are looking for unique places to visit in Kolkata, then Fort William should be on your list. It was built at the time that the Bengal Presidency was a part of British India. It has a strategic location on the Ganges River's most significant tributary, the Hooghly River, which runs along the river's eastern banks. It also has no less than six gates.

Park Street

There are plenty of famous places to visit in Kolkata, including Park Street. The city of Calcutta in India is home to a roadway that is known as Park Street. It is home to several spots such as showrooms, schools and colleges as well as restaurants and pubs.

Good Places to visit at Night in Kolkata

This contemporary hotel bar is well-known for its wines and cocktails as well as its stylish and minimally decorated interiors. It is among the good places to visit in Kolkata for enticing drinks.

Someplace Else

The hotel bar exudes an air of yesteryear and is decked out entirely in wood; it serves beer and cocktails and frequently features live entertainment.

The Irish House

This is a lively pub with an Irish atmosphere that serves classic cocktails, beer from the tap, and a global cuisine menu with a unique spin.

Best places to visit near Kolkata

Barrackpore.

If you are looking for nearby places to visit in Kolkata, then you must head to Barrackpore. The Viceroy of Bengal had his country residence or suburban weekend retreat located in Barrackpore, which is a cantonment on the Hooghly River about 20 kilometres north of Kolkata. Barrackpore is located on the Hooghly River. It is also home to several stunning temples.

Mayapur has a border with Nabadwip and is located at the confluence of the Jalangi River and the Bhagirathi River, which are both rivers that flow into the Ganges. This place is quite famous among those who practise the Gaudiya Vaishnava religion.

The town of Bishnupur offers the perfect opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life by exploring the stunning temples built of local terracotta.

You can spend a wonderful time exploring the cultural capital of India with your loved ones. From stunning temples and incredible monuments to winding lanes and bustling markets, Kolkata has plenty to offer. Not to mention, the historic places to visit in Kolkata make this city a top-rated tourist destination in India.

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions about Kolkata

What are the top things to do in kolkata.

Kolkata is an incredibly lively place and is popularly known for its topmost things to do like Dakshineshwar Kali Temple, Maidan, and Belur Math. You will have a great time here, then why wait? Book your trip now!

What are some of the most famous restaurants and eateries to explore in Kolkata?

If you are a foodie, Kolkata is the right place for you. Kolkata has many famous restaurants and eateries for you to explore, some of which are Peter Cat, Park Street, Mocambo, Park Street and Nahoum and Sons @ New Market.

What are the things that you should not miss out on when you are in Kolkata?

If you are a true traveller, you should definitely not miss out on Dakshineshwar Kali Temple, Maidan, and Belur Math when you are in Kolkata to make a funfilled vacay.

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22 famous tourist attractions in Kolkata that you can’t afford to miss

• Travel Tips
• July 12, 2019 in City Tours , Top Picks , Travel Tips
• Places to Visit in Kolkata site seeing in Kolkata

“Calcutta is beautiful. Wherever you place a camera, you get a vision” said the popular writer and director – Pradeep Sarkar, and the man couldn’t have been more right. The second biggest city in the country looks like a fantasy town that came to life straight out of a brilliant novel. The old-colonial era buildings in the former British capital add a certain charm to the city that makes it an absolute treat to a beholder’s eyes. No wonder the busy city is praised by many as the intellectual, cultural, and artistic capital of the country! Book the best hotels in Kolkata and enjoy a luxurious stay in India’s east.

Take a walk in North Kolkata to witness the chaotic lifestyle of the present-day crowd function in perfect harmony against the backdrop of a bygone era. And the food! Don’t miss out on a delightfully gastronomic experience in the alluring food streets of Kolkata. If the hectic city life slightly aches your bones, sit near one of the picturesque Ghats and let the hot tea help you forget the world!

Are you ready to bargain? This is because the shopkeepers at the New Market can convince you to buy anything under the sun, and truly so. With over 2,000 stalls, the  New Market  is a one-stop destination for all your needs. Built by the British in 1874, the market was formerly known as Sir Stuart Hogg Market and was bustling with the upper-class British. Now, in the 21st century, the market has adapted to the classic Indian routine. Even though the market closes around 8 pm, don’t restrict yourself, the tranquility of the brightly light street lights and stalls serving delicious tea and snacks is a sight that will soothe your soul! Go for Kolkata hotels bookings now.

1. Victoria Memorial

The great big, white marble building that stands in the heart of the city is the brainchild of George Curzon, Viceroy of India. It is a vital part of Kolkata tourism. The memorial was built to commemorate Queen Victoria between the years 1906 to 1921. It has now been transformed into a beautiful museum that houses a remarkable collection of ancient artefacts in its 25 stunning galleries. One of the most popular tourist spots in Kolkata, Victoria Memorial receives visitors from all over the globe. The architectural wonder is built in Indo-Saracen revivalist style with a blend of British architecture and methods borrowed from various parts of the world such as Egyptian, Mughal, Venetian, Islamic, and Deccan. It is a good idea to go for Kolkata hotel bookings near the Victoria Memorial.

The memorial is open from 10 am to 5 pm on all days of the week and the entry fee starts from Rs 20. Avail  Tickets for Victoria Memorial  Now.

3. Howrah Bridge

The fourth busiest Cantilever bridge in the world –  Howrah Bridge  is probably the first suggestion you will get when you ask about the best places to visit in Kolkata. The celebrated landmark built upon River Hooghly acts as a gateway to Kolkata and connects the eastern Bank of Howrah to the western banks of Kolkata. The construction of this architecturally brilliant bridge was initiated in 1939 and the bridge was renamed Rabindra Setu to honour the Nobel laureate, Rabindranath Tagore, in 1965. About 90,000 vehicles and hundreds of pedestrians travel on this bridge every day. Go for Kolkata hotel bookings near this milestone.

4. Park Street

Park Street  – “The street that never sleeps” has been the seal of Kolkata’s vibrant nightlife since the 40s. Many popular musicians, artists and writers walked around, wrote, sang, and played in the long-standing, popular nightspots that still have the power to light up the creativity in any artist that walks into them. With plenty of restaurants and pubs, Park Street has forever remained Kolkata’s favourite hangout spot and an integral part of Kolkata tourism. The historical street houses some ancient monuments and buildings from the British era that add to the culture of this unique street. The street has now been officially renamed as Mother Teresa Sarani and was earlier called the Burial Ground Road.

5. South Park Cemetery

Another popular tourist spot in Kolkata, the  South Park Street Cemetery  is unlike any other place in the city. Well-known as one of the earliest non-church cemeteries in the world, it is located on the popular and busy Park Street. The heritage site that’s protected under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is the resting place of many notable personalities. Constructed with a mix of Gothic and Indo-Saracenic styles of architecture, the memorials are constructed with a classic taste and peppered with tombs and sculptures. Even though visiting a cemetery on a trip isn’t for everyone, it is a perfect spot for those who poetically look for beauty in death.

6. Dakshineshwar Kali Temple

Dakshineswar Temple  – The temple of the goddess who is believed “to liberate her devotees from the ocean of existence” – Bhavatarini, a manifestation of goddess Kali, was constructed by a philanthropist called Rani Rashmoni in 1855. The beautiful temple complex built in the classic ‘Nava-Ratna style of Bengali architecture is a popular pilgrimage spot for Hindu devotees. The temple that stands on the calm eastern bank of the Hooghly River was once a residing place of the Hindu mystic – Ramakrishna Paramahansa. It is among one of the most  famous temples in Kolkata . It would be a good idea to go for the best hotels in Kolkata near this historical milestone.

7. Belur Math

On the western bank of the Hooghly River, the historic Belur Math welcomes peace-seekers from all over the world, whether or not they are interested in or follow any religion. As the headquarters of the Ramakrishna mission, the popular pilgrimage spot consists of prayer halls and shrines dedicated to Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi, and Swami Vivekananda. As Sri Ramakrishna’s resting place, a memorial lies within the Math and the swami’s belongings are displayed in his room for the visitors. The excellent architecture and spiritual ambience make Belur Math one of the best places to visit in Kolkata. Check details before  visiting Belur Math  here.

8. Fort William

The monumental fort initiated by the British East India Company and reconstructed by Sirāj al-Dawlah, Nawab of Bengal stands speaking volumes of India’s historical past. Built on the eastern banks of the Hooghly River, presently, the fort serves as the headquarters of the Eastern Command wing of the Indian Army. Named after King William III, the fort stands in front of the largest park in the city – Maidan. A special permit from the Commanding Officer is required to visit  Fort William  and it is open from 10 am to 5 pm on all days of the week! It is no doubt one of the best  historical places in Kolkata .

9. Prinsep Ghat

Built by the British in 1841 on the bank of Hooghly River, the  Prinsep Ghat  is a great place to spend a relaxing evening. Open your picnic baskets or enjoy delicious street food and chai as you sit in front of the silent waters overlooking the Vidyasagar Setu. Boating services are also available at the Ghat and it makes for an excellent spot for romantic dates. The picturesque location boasts of monuments built in elegant Greek and Gothic styles.

10. Old Chinatown

The only such Chinatown in India is home to Kolkata’s ancient market that comes alive during the sunset.  Tiretta Bazaar  crawls with hungry Indians looking for authentic Chinese street food. Once home to hundreds of Chinese merchants, the old market is slightly losing its originality with the struggle to adapt to the modern world. The historical street food destination opens up early in the morning for those looking to have a scrumptious breakfast with a minimal budget.

11. Kumortuli

If you’re looking for the ultimate cultural tour of Kolkata, turn your graze towards the artistic lanes of  Kumortuli . The traditional potters’ quarter is where most of the globally admired Durga idols are sculpted with devotion and perfection for the famous Durga Puja. The skilled potters here depend on their ancestral art of clay idol making for their livelihood. Over 150 families and thousands of artisans work hard in the congested studios to bring out some of the most intricate work ever seen in history. If you have an innate passion for art and untouched empathy for artists, this is the place you have to be.

12. Mother Teresa’s House

Kolkata tourism thrives due to this famous place as well. The tale of the historical and cultural land of Kolkata is incomplete without the moving anecdotes from the life of the humanitarian and Nobel Peace Prize laureate – Mother Teresa.  Mother Teresa’s House  receives hundreds of visitors from all over the world who come here to pay homage to the sacrifice of a great human being and rest amongst the peacefulness of her followers’ beliefs. The place also receives many volunteers who attempt to walk in the path that was charted by Mother Theresa and serve the ones that need other’s help. The missionary remains open from 8 am till 6 pm on all days except Thursdays.

13. National Library

The National Library is where you will find a massive and stunning collection of books from all parts of India. The largest library in the country is the perfect place for book lovers and history buffs. With a collection of over 2.2 million books, it is a delight to just walk around in this library and feel the touch and smell of age-old books that are carefully preserved. As an ancient building that was built as early as in 1836, the library is also popularly rumored to be home to  haunted  spirits that roam the corridors. Well, who can blame them, right?

Know more about  National Library  visiting hours & timings.

14. Piyali Islands

Planning a short trip from Kolkata? Well, Piyali Island definitely deserves your consideration.  Piyali River  is the gateway to Sunderbans, and a bridge over the river will take you to this remote lush green island. It is a source of tranquillity, and perfect for having a good time away from the city. The island is covered by mangrove forests and has a pollution-free environment. Many migratory birds fly to the island so one can see a variety of bird species. There is one tourist lodge that provides nice accommodation for overnight staying and decent dining facilities. Take a walk in the wilderness, enjoy boat rides and relish the village life surrounding the island. If you wish to include this island in your Kolkata sightseeing, do plan them with these points in mind: –

• It is located 72 km away from the main city, nearby the Piyali River.
• It will take around 2 hours if you are travelling by car. If you are travelling by train, get down at South Barasat Station, from where trekkers can take you to the destination.
• The best time to visit the island is during the winter season if you are a bird watcher.
• Prices for boating starts from Rs 100.

15. Shantiniketan

The abode of learning-  Shantiniketan  was brought into light by Rabindranath Tagore, one of the famous poets of India, and will evoke many childhood memories. From his songs to his poems, this place gives us a nostalgic environment. The Vishva Bharati Campus is the most famous place in town, where the students are the guides who show you around for a nominal fee. The university brings in many students as it provides conjunction of cultures. Famous alumni of the university include our former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, filmmaker Satyajit Ray and economist Amartya Sen. Shantiniketan is a paradise for shoppers. You can find many beautiful handmade products like leather bags, jewellery, terracotta etc. at pocket-friendly prices. The place is humble and has many temples, melas, gardens and institutes which brief up the historical times. Shantiniketan is perfect for a short trip from Kolkata.

Located near Bolpur in Birbhum district, about 163 km away from Kolkata, it is well-connected via trains and roads. The journey by train is shorter and scenic. It is a 3-hour drive by road. E-rickshaws called Toto are available at reasonable price within the town. You might prefer to explore the town on foot.

The best time to visit is from September to March when the town hosts fairs and festivals. One can also visit in December during the Poush Mela which is a celebration of music and crafts.

16. Calcutta Botanical Garden

Ranked number one in Kolkata’s tourism list, the  Calcutta Botanical Garden  is one of the oldest gardens in India and one of the best things to do in Kolkata is to explore it. It was founded by the East India Company in 1787 to cultivate plants for commercial purposes. Located on the west bank of the Hooghly River about 8 km away from the main city, the garden covers an area of about 273 acre which has approximately 12000 flora species from all over the world. The main attraction of the garden is a Banyan tree, covering an area of 3 acres, and is about 250 years old. The landmark gives an appearance of huge foliage than a single tree and is the second largest canopy in the world. One can find an abundance of beautiful palm trees, bamboos, orchids and other colourful flowers too. Refresh your mind with the thriving greenery of the ever-growing flora. A visit to the garden is a must if you are travelling to Kolkata.

You can easily reach it via the metro or bus. If you are taking the metro, get down at Tollygunge station and book a cab till the garden. If you choose to drive, parking facilities are available. Best time to visit is during the winter season, i.e., October to March when the weather is just right for strolling. The Ticket charges are Rs. 5 per person, and if you are carrying a camera, an extra Rs. 10 is charged. They are closed on Mondays and can be visited between 10 am to 5 pm on all other days of the week.

So, are you all set for your trip to the City of Joy? You can take you pick depending on your taste, budget, and accommodation. The city is best for tourists during the Durga Puja if you want to feel the festive pulse and during winter, when exploring is a pleasure and you can dig into a variety of dishes at famous restaurants or at street stalls.

17. Birla Planetarium

Located on the Chowringhee Road close to the Victoria Memorial and St. Paul’s Cathedral is the Birla planetarium which is the largest planetarium in Asia and the second largest in the world. Catering to the city of joy – Kolkata, the Birla Planetarium is an outstanding structure established by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on 2nd July 1963. It is locally famous as Taramandal and among the best places to visit in Kolkata. The Birla Planetarium often hosts many shows and programs in Hindi, English, Bengali, and other regional languages. Another noteworthy feature of this place is that it also has an electronics laboratory and an astronomy gallery with a collection of paintings and astronomical models.

Note: – Ideal place for science lovers

It is open from 12:00 AM to 6:30 PM It has an entry fee of INR 40. Avail tickets for  Birla Planetarium  today.

18. Alipore Zoo

The Alipore Zoo is the oldest zoological park to have been established in India which has been operating since 1876 and is a major tourist attraction in Kolkata, West Bengal. It is also known as the Calcutta Zoo or the Zoological Garden of Alipore. It is home to various animals like Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian Elephant, the Great Indian One-horned Rhinoceros, White Tiger, Grant’s Zebra, Antelope, Deer and more. At the same time, the zoo is also the home to various attractive birds like Macaws and Lorikeet, colourful and flamboyant birds like Swinhoe’s Pheasant, Lady Amherst’s Pheasant and Golden Pheasant, large birds like Ostrich, Emu, Hornbills and more. During the winters, the Alipore Zoo also witnesses a few migratory birds like the Sarus Crane. The zoo attracts tourists from all over the world who come to visit and explore the wildlife comprised in it.

Note:-  The zoo can be visited from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Closed on Thursday).

-There is an entry fee of INR 25 for Adults and INR 10 for kids below 5 years of age.

– Ideal place for animal lovers and photographers. Avail  Tickets for Alipore Zoo  here.

19. Science City

The science city is a perfect blend of education with fun. Being one of its kind in India, the Science City is one of the finest and the largest science museums in the world and providing a fun way of imparting knowledge about science to people. It is running since 1st July 1997 and has emerged as a major attraction for the people of Kolkata as well as for the tourists in Kolkata.

There is also a separate area designed for aquatic creatures. The area provides with a detailed description of the various fishes and insects in the aquatic world. Many unique and rare fishes can be seen in these aquariums. The ground floor of the science city comprises of some optical illusions which are very interesting to look at. Tornado, the energy ball, ocean waves and quicksand are a must-watch. Time Machine is a common favourite amongst all the visitors. It gives one the opportunity to travel to outer space from where you can travel back in time and enter the age of dinosaurs by being a part of the artificial Jurassic Park.

– The timings are 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM 

– The cost to enter is INR 50 per head. Avail  Tickets for Science City Kolkata  here.

– Located at the crossing of the EM Bypass and the JBS Halder Avenue in Kolkata.

20. Indian Museum

The Indian Museum is the ninth oldest museum of the world and largest in India. It is located in Kolkata – the city of joy. Founded in the year 1814, it a centre of multidisciplinary activities ever since. It is also called ‘Jadughar’, comprising the finest collection of contemporary paintings, sacred relics of Buddha, Egyptian mummies and ancient sculptures. The Indian Museum also hassome of the most exquisite collections of ornaments, fossils, skeletons, antiques, armours, and stunning Mughal paintings.

– The timings are 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM on Tuesday to Sunday in the months of March to November and 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM in the months of December to February.

– The entry fee for Indians is INR 10 per head and foreigners INR 150 per head. Learn more about  Indian Museum, Kolkata  here.

21. Eden Gardens

The  Eden Garden  is a beautiful, well-maintained cricket stadium located in Kolkata’s B. B. D. Bagh area, near State Secretariat and Calcutta High Court. It is the homeground of cricket in Kolkata. Its foundation was led in the year 1864 by Governor- General Auckland, who named the place after his sisters Emily and Fanny Eden. Stretched over 50 acres, this cricket stadium has the capacity to seat about 66,349 people and is the second largest stadiums in the world.

– The entry fee is based on events and matches being played

– Sport lovers’ paradise

22. Marble Palace Mansion

The  Marble Palace  is situated near the Chorbagan in North Kolkata. It was constructed by a famous artist Rajendra Mallick in 1835. The place is well-known for its art collection of masterpieces by Reuben and paintings by various renowned international artists such as Reynolds, Van Gogh and Rembrandt. The Palace also consists a zoo with many animals and rare birds.

– You can visit the place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

– You will have to pay an entry fee of INR 15 per head.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kolkata

Q. What are the things to do in Kolkata?

A. There is much that Kolkata has to offer. Some of the places worth seeing are Victoria Memorial, Fort William, Nakhoda Mosque, Pareshwanath Temple and many others

Q. What is a good time to visit Kolkata?

A. The very best time to visit Kolkata is between the months of October to March. The climate is pleasant during this period and you can also take in the festivities of the grand Durga Pooja celebrations if you time it right.

Q. What is the best food that you can eat here?

A. A trip to Kolkata is incomplete if you do not taste the Roshogollas. The best place for those is K.C. Das. Mouth-watering sweet Sandesh from Nakur Nandy is another don’t-miss item.

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Top 10 Places To Visit In Kolkata (Calcutta)

Located at the Eastern banks of the Hoogly, Kolkata is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. The city is home to the oldest functioning port in India and is the 3rd most populated metropolitan in India after Mumbai and Delhi. The region came under the Suzerainty of the Nawabs of Bengal under the Mughals and eventually the British who took full control of the city in 1772. The city is also the center of the industrial revolution in India and the birthplace of modern Indian cultural, poetic, artistic and literary movement in between the 19th and the early 20th centuries. The city was also the capital of India under the British and was the nucleus of the Indian Independence Movement. The various blends of cultures have garnered Kolkata as one of the major tourist destinations in India. Here’s the list of the best places to visit in Kolkata .

1. Howrah Bridge

The construction of the sixth longest cantilever bridge in the world, the Howrah Bridge is one of the most famous landmarks of Kolkata. The bridge was originally called the New Howrah Bridge as it was meant to replace an older pontoon bridge on the Hoogly River. The bridge is often considered to be one of the major National Landmarks in India and is also called the Rabindra Setu after the famous Bengali literary figure Rabindranath Tagore.

2. Jorasanko Thakurbari

Jorasanko Thakurbari or the House of the Thakurs is the ancestral residence of the Tagore family. The mansion was built during the 18th century by Prince Dwarkanath Tagore the grandfather of Rabindranath Tagore. The place now houses the Rabindra Bharathi University and a museum that contains the various articles and articles that depict and describe the life and times of the Tagores.

3. Park Street

Park Street is also called Food Street and the Street that never sleeps by the locals due to the various restaurants and pubs located in the area. The place was one of the top night life spots during the 70’s and the 80’s. The street is one of the major attractions in Kolkata and is visited by a huge number of tourist and local crowds.

4. Indian Museum

The Indian Museum in Kolkata is the largest and the oldest museums in India and was established in 1814. The museum contains 6 sections which are further split in 35 galleries and contain a plethora of various antiquities, artifacts, paintings and mummies etc. The museum was established by a Dutch botanist under the British, Dr. Nathaniel Wallich and is one of the oldest museums in the world.

5. Victoria Memorial

Victoria Memorial is located on the plains at the banks of the River Hoogly and was completed in 1921. It is dedicated in the memory of Queen Victoria and is currently a museum. After the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, Lord Curzon commissioned the construction of this memorial and is built in a unique architectural blend of Mughal and British styles. The museum contains 25 galleries that house various antiquities and artifacts.

6. Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary

The Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary is located at the foothills of the eastern Himalayas and is one of the major strongholds for the rare one horned Indian Rhino. The forest reserve is spread across an area of 216.51 square kilometers and is home to a huge variety of flora and fauna. The various animal species found here are the Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian Elephants, Sambar, Indian Bison and wild boar etc.

7. Birla Temple

The construction of the temple began in 1970 and took 26 years to complete. Birla Temple is one of the several Birla temple landmarks that are located in various major cities across India. The temple was commissioned by the Industrial Birla Family of India and is dedicated to Lord Krishna and his consort Radha. The temple is built in carved white marble and is spread across an approximate area of 130 acres of land.

8. Calcutta Racecourse

The Royal Calcutta turf club was founded in 1847 in the British India and was the 1st horse racing organization in India. The Calcutta or the Kolkata Racecourse was established in 1820 and is one of the oldest horse race courses in the country. The races are operated between the months of July to September and November to March on Saturdays or any other public holidays.

9. Eden Gardens

The arrival of the British in India, gave the country its most favorite sport Cricket. Eden Gardens are a massive capacity cricket ground and is often called a Cricket Colosseum. The Eden Gardens are the largest capacity cricket ground in the country and the 3rd largest in the world. The Stadium is one of the most iconic cricket grounds in India and is home to the Kolkata Knight Riders cricket club in the Indian Premier League.

10. Marble Palace Mansion

The palatial mansion was built in 1835 by Raja Rajendra Mullick and is a residence for his descendants till date. The architecture of the Marble Palace Mansion is neoclassical and is considered the best preserved sites of this style of architecture. The palace also houses a museum which contains various antique furniture and old paintings. The nearby zoo called the Marble Palace zoo is also a must visit.

The birthplace of the Bengali Renaissance in India, Kolkata is one of the most industrialized and culturally developed cities in the country. Kolkata is often compared to the cities in western countries due to its development under the British. The above-mentioned places are just a handful of the tourist places you will discover in Kolkata, but should not be missed on your visit to this bustling metropolis.

More Tourist Destinations In West Bengal:

• Top Attractions In Darjeeling
• Top Attractions In Kamarpukur
• Top Attractions In Gokarna

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• Howrah Bridge
• Jorasanko Thakurbari
• Park Street
• Indian Museum
• Victoria Memorial
• Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary
• Birla Temple
• Calcutta Racecourse
• Eden Gardens
• Marble Palace Mansion
• Things to do in Kolkata
• Best Time to Visit Kolkata
• Weekend Getaways from Kolkata
• Hill Stations Near Kolkata
• Resorts in Kolkata
• Picnic Spots Around Kolkata
• Haunted Places in Kolkata
• Monuments in Kolkata
• Honeymoon Destinations Near Kolkata
• Theme Parks in Kolkata
• Cooch Behar
• Barrackpore
• Murshidabad
• Mindapore (Medinipur)
• Shantiniketan
• Sunderbans Wildlife Sanctuary
• Gorumara National Park
• Buxa Tiger Reserve
• Beaches in West Bengal
• National Parks in West Bengal
• Hill Stations in West Bengal

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Tourist Places to Visit in Kolkata (2024): Timing, Entry Fee

Budget Hotels > Travel Blog > Destinations > Kolkata > Tourist Places to Visit in Kolkata (2024): Timing, Entry Fee

Kolkata is equal parts chaos and charming! From its busy corners to its ever-evolving markets, the City of Joy has plenty on offer to tourists who are ready to explore. Whether you are a literature student or a person who likes to dive deep into different cultures, there is something for everyone.

If you are planning to visit the city anytime soon , here is a list of all the best places to visit in Kolkata. While some are iconic, there are some places that are hidden from the touristy crowd of the city and still demand a visit.

Tourist Places in Kolkata:

1. victoria memorial, kolkata.

Victoria Memorial | #1 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

An imposing white monument, Victoria Memorial is one of the most visited places in Kolkata, and for all good reasons. Named after Queen Victoria, it now serves as a museum and is perfect for history buffs. If you ever feel like taking a walk down our past and reflect on how long India has come from its colonization days, visit this place. There are light and sound shows held in the evening. The era of India’s freedom struggle is shown not only through the light and sound show but through a series of paintings, artifacts, sculptures and books. We would recommend spending at least 3-4 hours to gain knowledge about our country’s past.

• Museum – 10:00 am to 05:00 pm; closed on Mondays and National Holidays
• Gardens – 05:30 am to 06:15 pm; every day
• Museum – ₹20 for Indians; ₹500 for foreign nationals
• Gardens – ₹10 per person

2. Howrah Bridge, Kolkata

Howrah Bridge | #2 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

To say that Howrah Bridge is one of the top places to visit in Kolkata would be an understatement. An unofficial emblem of the city, Howrah Bridge merits a visit if you want to spend some time alone with just the ocean in front of you. Sit here in silence or simply observe the fishermen go about their work at dawn and dusk.

• Trivia : Did you know that the bridge has been renamed after Rabindranath Tagore and is now called Rabindra Setu.
• Places to Stay: Hotels near Howrah Bridge

Explore recommended places to stay in Kolkata at best price

3. Park Street, Kolkata

Park Street | #3 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

If posting photos of brunches with your bffs is your favorite thing to do, head to Park Street. Because this place has the most instagrammable cafes and restaurants ! Park Street has become a hub for people who want to chill out in the evening. From high-end restaurants to iconic clubs and pubs , this place has them all.

• Trivia : Park Street is also home to India’s first independent nightclub. 
• Places to Stay: Hotels near Park Street

4. New Market, Kolkata

New Market | #4 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

Built by the British in 1874, New Market is the place where all the shopaholics go to get the best of clothes, jewelry, and other items. One of the places to visit in Kolkata for youngsters , the market is a maze of stalls and has around 2000 of these. If you can bargain and have a good eye for items, this market is perfect for you.

• Pro Tip : If you cannot shop in crowded spaces, avoid the place during the weekends. Check Malls in Kolkata
• Places to Stay: Hotels near New Market

5. Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Kolkata

Dakshineswar Kali Temple | #5 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

The temple is dedicated to Bhavatarani, an aspect of Goddess Kali and ‘the savior of the universe’. One of the oldest and most important temples to have ever been built, it receives pilgrims from all over the world.

The temple was founded by Rani Rashmoni, who lost her husband and was left with a vast amount of wealth. The idea of building this temple came to her in a dream and this was the last thing she did before going on a pilgrimage to Varanasi.

• Places to Stay: Hotels in Dakshineswar

6. Kumortuli, Kolkata

Kumortuli | #6 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

Durga Pujo is perhaps one of the most vibrant and extravagant festivals to be celebrated in Kolkata. Spanning over 10 days, everything from the pandals to the delicious food served on the final day, this festival happens on a grand scale. While witnessing the splendor of this festival in the city should be on everyone’s bucket list, if you are more of a creative person, we recommend go and watch how the Durga idols are made in Kumortuli.

A potter’s community which is around 300 years old, the place buzzes with life in the weeks preceding the festival. Over 150 families reside in the area and toil away diligently to complete all the idols for the festival. You can take a walk through the place and talk to the potters and get a better idea of how these beautiful idols are made.

7. Babu Ghat, Kolkata

Babu Ghat | #7 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

While Princep Ghat is one of the most famous places to visit in Kolkata, if you want to visit a place which is not much crowd and offers scenic views, visit Babu Ghat. Offering a stunning view of the iconic Howrah Bridge, it is perfect for photography enthusiasts and merits a visit before it gets too crowded.

• Location: Strand Road, BBD Bagh

8. College Street, Kolkata

College Street | #8 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

If you want to shop for books in Kolkata, there is no better place than College Street. One of the top places to visit in Kolkata for youngsters , College Street is akin to Daryaganj of Delhi, the only difference being that this street is open throughout the week.

Everything from course books to second-hand novels can be found at College Street. Don’t forget to haggle and wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

9. South Park Cemetery, Kolkata

South Park Cemetery | #9 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

Fan of everything spooky and haunted, visit South Park Cemetery. One of the most haunted places in India , this place is equal parts beautiful and equal parts eerie. Established in 1767, the cemetery was founded by the British and is a remnant of their architectural style. Take a walk through the cemetery during the day and you will find plenty of spots that are worth admiring.

However, by night the place is shut down and entry is prohibited because of the strange incidents that have happened in the past.

10. Old Chinatown, Kolkata

Old Chinatown | #10 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

The only Chinatown in all of India, this place is a haven for people who want to taste the delicacies of this Asian country. The place evolved after Chinese traders who came to work on the ports settled here. While the place may have lost its authenticity, there are some stalls that still serve authentic Chinese appetizers like pork sausage, prawn crackers, momos and fish ball soup.

• Timings : 10 am – 8:30 pm

11. Indian Museum, Kolkata

Indian Museum | #11 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

With its foundation laid down in 1814, the Indian Museum is one of the oldest in the world. Its 35 galleries are filled with historically significant items like stunning Mughal paintings, skeletons, fossils, Egyptian mummies, and other sacred items. This is the largest multi-purpose museum in the whole of the Asia-Pacific region.

• Location: Park Street, Kolkata
• Timings: Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Entry Fee: ₹10 for Indians, ₹150 for foreigners
• Places to Stay: Hotels in Indian Museum

12. M.P. Birla Planetarium, Kolkata

Birla Planetarium | #12 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

In the list of places to visit in Kolkata, one cannot ignore the majestic Birla Planetarium. Inaugurated in 1963 by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the planetarium has exhibition corners, several galleries, a library, and a very impressive theatre room with high-end projector screens. It is a great place to introduce astronomy to children.

•   Location: Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Kolkata
• Timings: 12:30 PM to 6:30 PM
• Entry Fee: ₹100 per head

13. Alipore Zoo, Kolkata

The Alipore Zoo is one of the major tourist attractions in Kolkata, especially if you are travelling with children. The zoo is the oldest in the country and houses amazing species of animals, birds, and reptiles. You can spot the one-horned rhinoceros, white tigers, zebras, the Swinhoe’s Pheasant, and many migratory birds here.  

• Location: Alipore Road, Kolkata
• Timings: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
• Entry Fee: <5 years old – ₹10, >5 years old – ₹30 

14. Town Hall, Kolkata

Town Hall | #14 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

This architectural brilliance is a beautiful example of the Roman Doric construction in the country. You can spend your time looking at the statues of kings, queens, and important British officials in this well maintained historical gem. Fun fact- The ceilings of the building are 30-feet high!

• Location: B.B.D Bagh, Kolkata
• Timings: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Entry Fee: ₹10 per head
• Places to Stay: Hotels in B.B.D Bagh

15. Eden Gardens, Kolkata

Eden Garden | #15 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

If you are a cricket fan, there is no way you can miss the Eden Gardens. This is one of the popular visiting places in Kolkata. Cricket fans get really fond memories of matches played and won here when they step into the building. This is the second-largest cricket stadium in the world and can house an impressive 66,349 spectators at a time. 

• Timings:  5:30 AM to 11:30 PM

16. Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Kolkata

jawaharlal Nehru Road | #16 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

If you want to experience Kolkata at its best, pay a visit to the Chowringhee road. Located in Central Kolkata, this is a favourite hangout spot for locals and tourists. The street is lined with small and big shopping complexes and stores. Strolling in the street in the evenings is a great way to enjoy the local culture and people.

• Pro Tip: Do not hesitate to bargain here! 

17. Jorasanko Thakur Bari, Kolkata

Jorasanko Thakur Bari | #17 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

Do you have an affinity for poetry and Rabindranath Tagore? Then you must check this place out. This is the ancestral home of late Tagore and the house has three separate galleries filled with paintings, personal items of the Tagore family, including his books and manuscripts. The house is surrounded by a lush garden and is a peaceful spot in the middle of the city.

• Location: Rabindra Bharati University campus, Jorasanko, Kolkata
• Timings: Tuesdays to Sundays from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM

18. Marble Palace Mansion, Kolkata

Marble Palace Mansion | #18 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

Located in North Kolkata, the Marble Palace Mansion was built in the year 1835. This property houses very rare paintings and also has a zoo that is filled with rare and exotic species of birds and animals. You can visit the property for its beautiful architecture and paintings.

19. Prince Ghat, Kolkata

Prince Ghat | # 19 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

Located along the river Hooghly, Princep Ghat is a perfect place to spend your evenings. The surroundings are fully lit up post-sunset and you can pack some food and spend a relaxed time enjoying the grounds. The Princep Ghat is a Greek-style building located in a strategic place right under the 2 nd Hooghly Bridge.

• Best time to visit: After 6:00 PM

20. Birla Mandir, Kolkata

Birla Mandir | #20 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

Another of the famous places in Kolkata you should not miss is the Birla Mandir. Named after the Birla family who commissioned it, this abode of Lord Krishna, made completely of white marble stone, took 26 years to be built. 

• Location: Chowdhury Avenue, Ballygunge, Kolkata
• Timings: 5:30 AM to 11:00 AM and 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM

21. Science City, Kolkata

Science City | #21 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

The Science City is one of the top tourist places in Kolkata in the recent past. Inaugurated in 1997, this government-run centre is the largest in the country. Students love visiting the centre and exploring its popular exhibits like The Aquatic World, the Jurassic World, and the Time Machine.

• Location: East Topsia, Kolkata
• Timings: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
• Entry Fee: ₹60
• Places to Stay: Hotels near Science City

22. Fort William, Kolkata

Fort William | #22 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

Fort William was constructed in the year 1696 and has served a variety of purposes in the past. Right now, the fort is the property of the Indian Army. You can visit the grounds and enjoy the majestic architecture of the fort.

• Places to Stay: Hotels near Fort William

23. Kalighat Kali Temple, Kolkata

Kalighat Kali Temple | #23 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

The original name of the city Calcutta originated from the term ‘Kalighat’. Kalighat is one of the oldest neighbourhoods of Kolkata and houses the famous Kali Temple that devotees flock to. Surrounded by shopping streets, the temple is located in a busy and crowded part of this city.

• Places to stay: Hotels near Kalighat Kali Temple

24. St. Paul’s Cathedral, Kolkata

St. Paul’s Cathedral | #24 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

This is one of the first cathedrals built by the Britishers in India. Located in the heart of the city, St. Paul’s Cathedral is built in an indo-gothic style and is an impressive structure you should not miss visiting. The cathedral complex is serene and calm and the building leaves you feeling relaxed.

• Entry timings: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

25. Belur Math, Kolkata

Belur Math | #25 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

Belur Math is located on the banks of the river Hooghly and is the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math. You can see Swami Vivekananda’s room here and the old shrine. This is a perfect place to get away from the everyday hustle and bustle and calm your mind.

• Location: Howrah District, West Bengal
• Places to Stay: Hotels near Belur math

26. Mother House, Kolkata

Mother House | #26 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

Mother House is a small building that houses Mother Theresa’s Tomb. There are also many photos, personal belongings, and articles displayed here. If you are around Rippon Street, definitely visit this beautiful building.

• Timings: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

27. Rabindra Sarovar, Kolkata

Rabindra Sarovar | #27 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

This is an artificial lake located in South Kolkata. This is a common recreational spot for most locals. The perfect time to visit the lake is early mornings or after 5:00 PM. You can spot migratory birds here during the season. The pathway is filled with a park, beautiful gardens, and even an auditorium. 

• Pro tip: Take a long stroll around the lake and gorge on lip-smacking street food outside the lake complex.

28. New Town Eco Park, Kolkata

New Town Eco Park | #28 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

This is the largest park in the country. Spread over 480 acres, the park is complete with a water body and an island in the middle. The park is split into three regions – a themed garden and open spaces, recreational spots, and ecological zones. This is definitely one of the best tourist attractions in Kolkata. 

29. Nicco Park, Kolkata

Nicco Park | #29 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

Are you an adventure lover? The Nicco Amusement park is the place for you then! Located in Bidhannagar, Kolkata, the park is complete with hundreds of rides and games for adults and children of all ages. You can easily spend the whole day here.

• Timings: 10:00 AM to 5:00 AM
• Entry Fees: ₹300 per head

30. Nakhoda Masjid, Kolkata

Nakhoda Masjid | #30 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

The tall minarets and artistic dome of the Nakhoda Masjid, which was built in 1926 by Abdar Rahim Osman, attracts tourists to this busy place of worship. The prayer hall of Nakhoda has the capacity to hold 10000 worshipers at one time and it is considered the Kolkata’s largest masjid. 

• Location : Rabindra Sarani, Chowringhee North, Bow Barracks

31. Birla Industrial and Technological Museum, Kolkata

Birla Industrial and Technological Museum | #31 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

Established in 1959, Birla Industrial & Technological Museum (BITM) is the first science museum in the country. The museum via various interactive programmes and exhibitions is actively engaged in promoting science among the masses especially the youth and children. Its popular shows include Sky Observation, Fun Science, 3D Film, Surprising Chemistry and Mathematics Demonstration.

• Timings: 10 am to 6:00 pm
• Entry Fee: INR 30

32. Pareshnath Jain Temple, Kolkata

Pareshnath Jain Temple | #32 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

Parshwanath Temple or Calcutta Jain Temple is a major tourist attraction of Kolkata. Built by Rai Badridas Bahadoor Mookim in 1867, this beautiful temple complex attracts visitors from across the country for its divine aura, intricately carved marbles and gorgeous glasswork. Visitors are advised to meditate here while the quietude and calm of the place immerse you in it.

• Timings: 6 am to 10 am & 5 pm to 8 pm
• Places to Stay: Hotels in Pareshnath Jain Temple

33. Millennium Park, Kolkata

Millennium Park | #33 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

Located along the Hooghly River, on Strand Road, Millennium Park is a gift from the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA). Besides being known for a variety of flora and pretty lights, the park has loads of things to do for people of all age groups. While the tiny tots can have fun at the kid’s zone which has multiple rides, adults can enjoy boat rides and long walks. The park also has a food court that offers a range of cuisines.   

• Timings: 10 am to 6:30 pm
• Entry Fee: INR 10

34. ISKCON Temple, Kolkata

ISKCON Temple | #34 of 34 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

ISKCON Kolkata is the first ISKCON centre in the country, established in 1972 by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Also referred as Sri Sri Radha Govind Mandir, the organisation popularises the teachings of Lord Krishna based on the sacred  Bhagwad Geeta  and  Vedas . When here, do savour the 100% Satvik meal prepared by volunteer devotees.

• Timings: 4:30 am to 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Apart from these places, there is Mother Teresa’s House which also merits a visit. Of course, Kolkata has plenty of attractions worth seeing and if you have enough time on hand, explore the city in its tram (or on foot), you will be surprised and in awe. Which is your favorite place in the City of Joy?

Looking for hotels in Kolkata , Budget Hotels in Kolkata , Couple Friendly Hotels in Kolkata

Places to Visit in Kolkata Video:

Frequently Asked Questions About Kolkata:

Q: What are the most loved shopping places in Kolkata?

A: New Market, Chandni Chowk, Burrabazar, Gariahat Market and Hatibagan Market are the most popular places to visit in Kolkata for shoppers. Malls like South City, City Centre I and II, Quest, Acropolis and more are great for finding branded everything. Park Street is also quite popular, especially for designer stuff.

Q: What are local markets in Kolkata famous for?

A: Kolkata's markets are known for a variety of sarees including Laal Paad, Tant, Kantha and Baluchari or Swarnachari. Moreover, you can find Solapith handicrafts, Kalighat paintings, conch shell bangles, terracotta artefacts, Putul dolls, Dhokra crafts and jute items in the oldest shopping districts in Kolkata.

Q: Suggest some street food delicacies that are a must-try in Kolkata.

A: A food trail through the streets of Kolkata should always start with the delicious puchkas, followed by churmur, ghugni chaat, aloo chop, peyaji, shingara, jhalmuri and the famous kathi rolls. To end it on a sweet note, try rasgullas or chanar jilipi.

Q: I'm looking for fine dining places in Kolkata. Any recommendations?

A: Aaheli, Alfresco, Bohemian, La Cucina and Asia Kitchen are some of the best restaurants in Kolkata. But we'd also recommend you to try streetside eateries like Sree Hari Mistanna Bhandar, Vien and Mitra Cafe to enjoy authentic flavours of Kolkata.

Q: Where can I go for partying in Park Street, Kolkata?

A: There are many good pubs in Kolkata's Park Street including Someplace Else, The Myx, Hard Rock Cafe, Olypub, Roxy, M Bar Kitchen, Aqua, Tantra, Barf Soda Paani and The Lords and Barons.

Q: What are the main transit hubs in Kolkata?

A: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport is the main air gateway to the city, connecting it to cities across India, Southeast Asia and some in Europe. There are two main railway stations in Kolkata -- Howrah and Sealdah. For inter-city and inter-state buses, Esplanade Bus Station is the main gateway.

Q: How to travel within Kolkata?

A: To get around Kolkata, you can use public transport like CSTC, CTC and WBSTC buses, suburban trains, the very famous yellow ambassador taxis, age-old tram network, auto rickshaws and the latest addition, Kolkata metro.

Q: What is the best time to visit Kolkata?

A: October to February are the ideal months to visit Kolkata, especially if you are interested in sightseeing and outdoor activities. However, you can plan a trip to the city at any time of the year as it has something or the other to offer in every season.

Q: What are the Kolkata experiences that must not be missed?

A: Do not miss to see the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger at Sunderbans, stop by the famous Victoria Palace, try the local delicacies, explore the largest science museum in the subcontinent, take a ride on the tram, spend a day learning about the local culture in Kumortuli precinct and shop your heart out at the city's age-old street markets.

Q: Are there any good places near Kolkata for a weekend trip?

A: Sunderbans (109 km), Bakhali (132 km), Bishnupur (141 km), Shantiniketan (157 km), Tajpur (174 km) and Digha (180 km) are a few of the most popular weekend getaways from Kolkata.

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• 18 Historical Places In Kolkata That’ll Walk You Through City’s Artistic & Architectural Grandeur In 2024!

23 Mar 2023

Renowned as the ‘City of Joy’, Kolkata has no dearth of the remnants from the time of British Raj that were all about the grandeur of the Victorian-style architecture. Known for its culture, people, food, music, and literature, the city is also rich in its historical heritage. And to witness the charm of its architectural grandeur, head to these historical places in Kolkata that also form an essential part of the city’s tourism.

Top 18 Historical Places In Kolkata

While there are a lot of places to see in the city of joy, its historical attractions are the ones that you must explore first during your trip. Offering a glimpse of the city’s rich history and culture, these historical places in Kolkata are definitely worth a visit!

1. Victoria Memorial

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Located in the heart of Kolkata, the Victoria Memorial was built in memory of Queen Victoria to celebrate her 25 years of rule over India. Known to be one of the famous historical places to visit in Kolkata , it is spread over 57 acres of land, housing 21 lush green gardens, 28,394 artefacts, and 3,900 artistic paintings. The intricate memorial not only bears testimony to the British rule in India but also stands out as an example of advanced and exceptional architecture.

Famous For: Exemplary architecture Location: Victoria Memorial Hall, 1, Queen’s Way, Kolkata Timings: 10 am to 5 pm Entry Fee: INR 20 for Indians, and INR 200 for foreigners

Must Read: 23 Reasons Why I Would Rather Be From Kolkata Than Anywhere Else In The World

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2. Fort William

The mighty edifice of Fort William is one of the famous historical sites in Kolkata. Built in the year 1696, the fort gets its name from King William III and is spread over 70.9 acres. Meticulous stonework adorns the surface of the building, and it took as long as ten years to complete it. Today, Fort William is the property of the Indian Army, and has a capacity of accommodating up to 10,000 army personnel.

Famous For: Its meticulous stonework Location: Fort William, Hastings, Kolkata Timings: 10 am to 5:30 pm Entry Fee: Free Entry

Suggested Read: 24 Picnic Spots Near Kolkata: Escape From The City Rush For A Day’s Retreat

3. Howrah Bridge

The iconic landmark of the City of Joy, Howrah Bridge measures about 1500 ft long and 71 ft wide. Set majestically over the Hooghly River, it is one of the renowned historical places in Kolkata . There are a total of 8 lanes of road, bicycles, and pedestrians also known as Rabindra Setu. The Bridge is a massive steel structure which is considered as one of the longest cantilever bridges of its type in the world. It is also regarded as one of the busiest ones among them as it carries a daily traffic of over 100,000 vehicles and countless pedestrians. What makes this bridge unique is the fact that it was built without a single nut or bolt and is held together by rivets.

Famous For: Being one of the longest cantilever bridges in the world Location: Jagganath Ghat, 1, Strand Road, Kolkata Timings: NA Entry Fee: Free entry

Suggested Read: 101 Places To Visit In India Before You Turn 30

4. Belur Math

There are many places of historical importance in Kolkata and Belur Math is the most famous one. Serving as a pilgrimage site, and the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, it was established by Swami Vivekananda and the temple spans over forty acres of land on the west bank of the Hooghly River. The temple is noted for its excellent architecture, which skillfully and artistically fuses Hindu, Christian, and Islamic motifs together as a symbol of unity of all religions.

Famous For: Stunning architecture Location: Belur, Howrah, West Bengal Timings: 6 am to 11:30 am, and 4 pm to 7 pm Entry Fee: Free Entry

Suggested Read: Don’t Call Yourself A Kolkatan If You Can’t Get These Right!

5. Marble Palace

Built in the 19th century, the Marble Palace in North Kolkata is one of the best renovated royal family palaces in India. This palatial mansion is one of the most visited historical places in Kolkata that bears testimony to fine artistic statues, sophisticated glassware, and striking paintings of illustrious artists from the time of the British Raj.

Famous For: Elegant Infrastructure Location: 46, Muktaram Babu Street, Jorasanko, Kolkata Timings: 10:30 am to 4 pm Entry Fee: Free Entry

Suggested Read: 60 Best Places To Visit In Kolkata That Reflect Its True Art

6. Tagore’s House

For lovers of history and Bengali literature, the Jorasanko Thakur Bari or the Tagore’s House is one of the favorite historical places in Kolkata . The home of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s house is now converted into a museum and there are about 700 paintings exhibited in this ancestral home. The museum also houses three different galleries, manuscripts, books, and other antique items.

Famous For: Birthplace of Rabindranath Tagore Location: Girish Park, Chittaranjan Avenue, Kolkata Timings: 10 am to 5 pm Entry Fee: INR 10 per person, and INR 5 for students

Suggested Read: Visit These 11 Haunted Places In Kolkata And Discover Their Real Ghost Stories

7. Indian Museum

One of the prominent historical places near Kolkata is the Indian Museum which is considered as the ninth oldest museum of the world and largest in India. Popularly known as ‘Jadughar’, it unveils some of the finest collection of historical importance ranging from contemporary paintings, a sacred relic of Buddha to the Egyptian mummies. In addition to these, the Indian Museum also boasts of some of the most exquisite collections of ornaments, fossils, skeletons, antiques, armours, and stunning Mughal paintings.

Famous For: Exquisite collections of ornaments, antiques and things of historical importance Location: 27, Jawaharlal Nehru Rd, Colootola, New Market Area, Dharmatala, Taltala, Kolkata Timings: 10 am to 5 pm Entry Fee: INR 20 for Indians, and INR 500 for foreigners

Suggested Read: 29 Super Romantic Places In Kolkata For Couples Hit By Cupid’s Bow

8. Birla Planetarium

Kolkata’s Birla Planetarium is a circular shaped structure designed on the lines of Buddhist Stupa, and Sanchi styles that was established by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1963. One of the most-visited historical places in India , this planetarium hosts a spectacular sky show which is screened every day. Interestingly, Birla Planetarium makes use of equipment which is quite old and is no longer used in the newer facilities.

Famous For: Largest planetarium in Asia Location: Cathedral Road, near Victoria Memorial, Kolkata Timings: 11 am to 7 pm Entry Fee: INR 40 per person

Suggested Read: Shopping In Kolkata: A Guide To Help You Spend Money On The Right Item!

9. Prinsep Ghat

Of all the historical places near Kolkata , the Prinsep Ghat is one of the well-known attractions. This magnificent memorial is inspired by Greek, and Gothic styles of architecture, and is built along the banks of the Hooghly River. Considered to be one of the finest places to visit in Kolkata at night, the setu is lit with dazzling lights throughout the place which also serves as a popular picnic spot for all.

Famous For: Greek and Gothic style architecture Location: Fort William, Hastings, Kolkata Timings: 8 am to 8 pm Entry Fee: Free Entry

Suggested Read: 6 Luxurious Villas In Kolkata Which One Must Visit And Enjoy A Relaxing Stay!

10. Shaheed Minar

Formerly known as the Ochterlony Monument, this 18th-century monument is one of the major points of interest in the city. It was erected in the bygone era to show gratitude to the martyrs who fought for the country’s independence. No doubt, this 48-meter high monument is a major landmark in the city and absolutely impossible for anyone to miss.

Famous For: Dedicated to the martyrs of Indian freedom movement Location: Dharmtalla bus stop, Dufferin Road, Kolkata Timings: 10 am to 5 pm Entry Fee: Free Entry

Suggested Read: 21 Surreal Hill Stations Near Kolkata For A Rejuvenating Weekend Getaway

11. Dakshineswar Kali Temple

Image Credits: Aenic for Pexels

Kolkata is a destination that has some of the most stupendous architectural marvels hidden in its lap. One of such marvels is Dakshineswar Kali Temple that is not only known for its structure but also the old-world charm that it exudes. Sitting on the eastern banks of River Hooghly, Dakshineswar is dedicated to Goddess Bhavatarani, who happens to be the reincarnation of Goddess Kali. It is often believed that Goddess would help the devotees walk the path of liberation and aid them in achieving redemption. One can observe the Nava-Ratna style adorning this historic masterpiece in Kolkata.

Famous For: Its marvelous architecture Location: Dakshineswar, Kolkata, West Bengal Timings: 6 am to 12:30 pm Entry Fee: Free entry

Suggested Read: 17 Enchanting Road Trips From Kolkata You’d Love To Take

12. Writers Building

Image Credits: Matt Stabile for Wikipedia

Every historic building in Kolkata, obviously, has an interesting historical fact attached to itself. And for Writers Building, that interesting fact is that it got its fame for being the first ever three storied building in Kolkata! The building got its name for being a residence of the junior writers that were a part of the East Indian Company. Construction of this building was started as early as 1690 and is popularly known as ‘Mahakarn’. This is the place where the important documents and records of the Government of West Bengal are archived. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most prominent amongst the many Kolkata historical places.

Famous For: Collection of important historical documents Location: Binoy Badal Dinesh Bag N, B.B.D. Bagh, Kolkata Timings: 8 am to 6 pm Entry Fee: Free Entry

13. Town Hall

Image Credits: Sujay25 for Wikipedia

When it comes to historical or heritage buildings in Kolkata, Town Hall is one of the top names that come in mind of many. This structural marvel is the finest example of colonial architecture that is spread all across the city. Apart from being a treat for the eyes, this structure also has a historical significance latched to itself. It was in Town Hall that some of the most important meetings and gatherings were held during the British era. One can witness these meetings being painted on the walls. The Doric style architecture has surely made its impact on the Indian minds.

Famous For: Exquisite colonial architecture Location: Esplanade Row W, B.B.D. Bagh, Kolkata, West Bengal 700001 Timings: 10 am to 5 pm Entry Fee: Free Entry

Suggested Read: Durga Puja In Kolkata: A Guide To Feel The Joy Of This Festival

14. Nizam Palace

Image Credits:Gonzo Goone for Wikipedia

Disclaimer: The image is for representation purposes only.

Initially named as ‘Galstaun Park’, Nizam Palace is among those historical places in Kolkata that is standing tall, strong, and proud for centuries now. Constructed in the early years of the 19th century, Nizam Palace was visited by the famous King Edward VIII. This Palace has witnessed a lot of history. It was once used as a hospital when World War II was being fought. This Palace was built under the command of J.C. Galstaun as a tribute to his lovely wife and then named it ‘Galstaun Park’ in the year 1933.

Famous For: Its historical background; built under the command of J.C. Galstaun as a tribute to his wife. Location: 236, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Rd, Sreepally, Bhowanipore, Kolkata Timings: 10 am to 10 pm Entry Fee: INR 65 per person

Suggested Read: 40 Thrilling Weekend Getaways From Kolkata You Must Visit

15. Botanical Gardens

Image Credits: Biswarup Ganguly for Wikipedia

Botanical Gardens offer the perfect blend of natural and historical vibes to visitors. Also named as the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Botanical Garden, this reserve is spread over 109 hectares of land and is home to around 1200 species of plants. Built in the 18th century, this Garden is home to a massive banyan tree that acts as a perfect canopy to beat the summer heat. One can observe a million dried specimens of plants and trees from various corners of the world. There are also an orchid house with several types of orchids preserved in it.

Famous For: Lush greenery and rich flora Location: Shibpur, Howrah, West Bengal Timings: NA Entry Fee: INR 10 per person

Suggested Read: 10 Best Churches In Kolkata That Beautifully Reflects The Spiritual Essence

16. Eden Gardens

Image Credits: JokerDurden for Wikipedia

This historical place in Kolkata calls out to all the cricket fans out there in the country. Eden Gardens happens to be the oldest cricket stadium that is still standing proud. In the year 1864, Eden Gardens was considered as the first cricket stadium of the country. Set by the British during 1841, Eden Gardens is one of the most important historical marvels that is sitting on the floor of Kolkata. It is not only the oldest but also the biggest stadium in the country and can hold around 80,000 people at one time.

Famous For: Oldest cricket stadium Location: Maidan, B.B.D. Bagh, Kolkata Timings: NA Entry Fee: Prices start at INR 400

17. Birla Temple

Image Credits: Ankur P for Wikipedia

Owned by G.D. Birla, Birla Temples are spread all over the country and attract pilgrims from various corners. One such Birla temple is located in Kolkata and has now become a historically significant marvel. Birla temple is one of the most revered temples in Kolkata. Dedicated to Lord Lakshmi Narayana, the construction of this temple started in the year 1970 and took approximately 26 years to complete. Built completely in white marble, this eye-catching structure is around 160 ft tall. The perfect blend of spirituality and the architectural beauty can easily be embraced in this idyllic spot.

Famous For: Remarkable & eye-pleasing architectural design Location: 29, Ashutosh Chowdary Ave, Ballygunge, Kolkata Timings: 5:30 am to 11 am and 4:30 pm to 9 pm Entry Fee: Free entry

Suggested Read: Explore These 12 Temples In Kolkata For A Spiritual Enrichment

18. St. Paul’s Cathedral

Image Credits: Ankitesh Jha for Wikipedia

St. Paul’s Church is another one of the historical places in Kolkata that is a must visit. It is one of the most awe-inspiring churches in Kolkata. Also known as the first Eposcopal Church of the Eastern World, this beauty is around 247 feet tall and leaves the jaws dropped to the ground. The building was inaugurated in the year 1847 and is considered as one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture. The best time to visit this marvel is during Christmas when the building lights up and the festivities are at a full swing.

Famous For: A fine example of Gothic architecture Location: Cathedral Rd, Maidan, Kolkata Timings: 9 am to 12 pm, 3 pm to 6 pm Entry Fee: Free entry

Further Read: 9 Best Beaches Near Kolkata Which Are The Ideal Getaway For A Relaxing Vacation

Dreaming of a vacation already? Plan your holiday in Kolkata and witness the charm of these historical places in Kolkata to relish the true essence of the City of Joy. All of these places will surely leave you in awe of craftsmanship from a bygone Era!

Disclaimer: TravelTriangle claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own rights to any of the images and do not wish them to appear on TravelTriangle, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Historical Places In Kolkata

Which are the top historical food places in Kolkata?

Tiretta Bazaar at the Sun Yat Sen Street, Nahoum & Sons Jewish Bakery in the New Market, Gangurams in the Bow Bazaar, and Peter Cat in Park Street are some of the top places to eat in the city of joy.

Which are the best historical sites near Kolkata?

While there are many significant historical sites in and around Kolkata. The best ones are - Kolkata Gateway and Hooghly Imambara. They are certainly the best places to visit near the city for treating the history buff within.

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Home » Lifestyle » Travel » 20 amazing places to visit near Kolkata for a short vacation

20 amazing places to visit near Kolkata for a short vacation

If you wish to take a short break from Kolkata or are done with sightseeing in the city, then, Kolkata has some amazing tourist places to visit nearby, from the culturally rich Shanti Niketan to serene beaches and national parks. These places near Kolkata attract tourists with their natural beauty, history, art and culture. Here are the top tourist places to visit near Kolkata for a short vacation.

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See also: Top 15 unique places to visit in Kolkata

Places to visit near Kolkata #1: Sundarbans

One of the best tourist places near Kolkata is Sundarbans. Around 109 kms from Kolkata, this is the largest mangrove forest in the world. Sundarbans is known for the royal Bengal tigers, waterways and aquatic species. A large part of the mangrove has been turned into a national park. Sundarbans National Park is accessible only via boat to Sajnekhali Island, the entrance to the national park. You can take a wildlife boat safari in Sundarbans National Park since the tiger reserve has islands, waterways, creeks and canals. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is an ideal place to enjoy wildlife. This national park has other enclosures too such as crocodile and turtle farms along with wildlife museums and watchtowers. The flora of the forest includes Sundari trees that give the forest its name. The forest has approximately 30,000 spotted deer and around 400 royal Bengal tigers. You can also see Olive Ridley turtles, king crabs and Batagur baska, an endangered turtle species. Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary, near the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve, is the best place for birdwatching and another one of the places near Kolkata worth visiting. Here you can spot exotic birds such as Caspian tern, osprey herring gull, spotted bill pelican, paradise flycatcher and Asian dowitchers, a rare winter bird.

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Places to visit near Kolkata #2: Bishnupur

One of the closest tourist places near Kolkata is Bishnupur, in the Bankura District of West Bengal. About 135 kms from Kolkata, Bishnupur has a glorious past that is reflected in its rich architecture and handicrafts such as pottery and weaving. It has beautiful terracotta temples and terracotta pottery, which are the main attractions. The terracotta temples were built during the 17th and 18th centuries by the Malla dynasty rulers. The temples are designed with detailed carvings of scenes from Lord Krishna’s life and Hindu epics. Some of the renowned temples include the Jorbangla Temple, Rasmancha Temple and Shyamrai Temple. Rasmancha Temple is the oldest brick temple, dating back to the 1600s and has an elongated pyramidal tower surrounded by hut-shaped turrets. The Pancha Ratna Temple has an octagonal-shaped middle shikhara, whereas the other four are square and the walls are designed with carvings depicting Lord Krishna’s life. Also worth visiting is the Jorbangla Temple built in 1655 AD from laterite bricks. It has the appearance of two thatched huts joined together with a single tower.

Places to visit near Kolkata #3: Santiniketan

Santiniketan is another one of the nearby tourist places, situated almost 164 kms from Kolkata. It is famous for the Vishwa Bharati University founded by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Santiniketan has developed into a town and has become a well-known tourist place near Kolkata. The university has the concept of open-air education. The university has many beautiful paintings, murals, frescos and sculptures by Binod Bihari Mukhopadhyay, Nandalal Bose and Rabindranath Tagore. The Uttarayan complex has five buildings, which are heritage buildings. This is the complex where Tagore lived. It now has a museum and an art gallery. The Upasana Griha (prayer hall) is designed with picturesque coloured glass windows. Kala Bhavan is considered to be one of the best visual arts colleges in the world. It has wall paintings, sculptures, frescoes, and murals of famous artists. Here, a tourist can visit the Deer Park in Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary, 3 kms from the university. The best time to visit Santiniketan is during festivals and fairs like Basant Utsav in March, Joydev Mela in January and Poush Mela in December. During these events, the famous Baul singers would enchant you with their performance. Santiniketan is also a centre for traditional handicrafts such as batik, pottery, weaving and embroidery, making it one of the best tourist places near Kolkata for those interested in learning about the region’s rich culture and heritage.

See also: All about Victoria Memorial Kolkata : An iconic marble structure of the British era

Places to visit near Kolkata #4: Barrackpore

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Barrackpore, 30 kms from Kolkata, was at the heart of the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny. There are many places to visit in this historic town such as Shivshakti Annapurna Temple, a replica of the Dakshineswar Kali Temple. This 700-year-old Kali temple was the meeting place for freedom fighters. Shaheed Mangal Pandey Udyan, a garden named after freedom fighter Mangal Pandey, is located in Barrackpore. Some of the most popular activities here include having a picnic and going on a boat ride on the Ganges River. Besides the garden, the Vijayanta Memorial is also popular among tourists. The Bartholomew Church is a charming gothic-style structure that is worth a visit. The Gandhi Museum or the Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalay is one of the research centres in India. This museum has five galleries, a study centre and a massive library. Gandhi Museum has a huge collection of photographs and personal items of the Mahatma. Jawaharkunja Garden is popular amongst tourists for its serenity and calmness, making it an ideal picnic spot. So, if you are a history buff, Barrackpore is one of the best nearby places to visit for you.

Places to visit near Kolkata #5: Diamond Harbour

Diamond Harbour, located in the southern suburbs of Kolkata, is one of the most popular places to visit near Kolkata for a weekend trip or a fun day out. Diamond Harbour is a tranquil getaway as it has a serene atmosphere, far away from the crowded city. This charming destination near Kolkata (50 kms) is ideal for a leisure trip. Formerly known as Hajipur, Diamond Harbour is located at a point where River Ganges takes a southward turn to converge with the sea. Besides natural beauty, tourists can explore the remains of a Portuguese fort and a lighthouse here. One can also take a ferry ride to Haldi in the vicinity of Diamond Harbour.

Places to visit near Kolkata #6: Bakkhali

Bakkhali is a small beach town located on the West Bengal coast, about 125 kms south of Kolkata and is one of the best tourist places near Kolkata. Bakkhali is one of the several deltaic islands in the southern part of West Bengal. This crescent-shaped beach is 8 kms long and extends from Bakkhali to Frasergunj. Bakkhali beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in India. It is secluded and relatively unexplored, thus, an ideal spot for relaxation. This beach is famous for its stunning sunrise and sunset. Do visit the crocodile breeding centre and see crocodiles in their natural habitat. This farm has the greatest number of estuarine crocodiles in the country. Henry Island is another place to visit, about half an hour from Bakkhali. The surrounding greeneries look soothing from the watchtower. You can also walk to Henry Island through the sections of forests. JambuDwip is located near a Reserve Forest and is home to many water birds. Frasergunj, barely 2 kms from Bakkhali, has sky-high windmills. These windmills are a landmark that run in a straight-line setting and are a sight to enjoy. All in all, if you are a nature lover, Bakkhali will definitely serve as one of the best places to visit around Kolkata.

Also check out the top 10 travel places in India

Places to visit near Kolkata #7: Mayapur

Mayapur is a religious and cultural destination on the banks of the Ganges River. Around130 kms north of Kolkata, Mayapur is a pilgrim city with special significance for followers of Lord Krishna. Mayapur has the global headquarters of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness). The beautiful ISKCON premises has temples, educational institutions and common spaces for collective prayer and meditation. It’s regarded as the birthplace of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, a 15th-century spiritual leader. A memorial dedicated to Srila Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON, the Pushpa Samadhi Mandir is one of the most visited places. It is at the confluence of the river Ganges where people come for a holy dip. For some peaceful moments, you can sit by the river and watch the mesmerizing sunset or enjoy the boat rides in the Ganges and the divine aarti in the evening. Whether you want to satisfy your religious appetite or want to enjoy a serene cultural experience, Mayapur is one of the most incredible places near Kolkata you can choose to visit.

Places to visit near Kolkata #8: Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary

Chintamoni Kar Bird Sanctuary is located in Narendrapur. This tourist place is situated about 9 miles from Kolkata’s city centre, in the district of South 24-Parganas. This bird sanctuary is one of the top bird sanctuaries in India, making it one of the greatest nearby tourist places for birdwatchers. It has a wide variety of butterflies, birds, ferns and orchids. Spreading over a lush terrain of about 17 acres, Chintamoni Kar Bird Sanctuary is home to a variety of birds, such as the Indian pond heron, the scaly breasted munia, white-throated kingfisher, common hawk, cuckoo, the emerald dove and the bronzed drongo. This sanctuary is also home to many butterflies such as red base jezebel, the peacock pansy and the striped tiger. Chintamoni Kar Bird Sanctuary is an orchard covered with local fruit trees; many over a hundred years old.

Places to visit near Kolkata #9: Chandannagar

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Ami Chandannagar Bolchi (@amicgr)

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Chandannanagar (formerly called Chandernagore) is a corporation city and former French colony, located 35 kms north of Kolkata. Worth visiting are places like the City Museum, The Sacred Heart Church and the French Cemetery that are testimony to the architectural skill of the French. The Chandernagore Strand and Chandernagore Museum are popular tourist attractions. The Chandannagar Museum has a variety of pre-independence French and British antiquities and archaeological riches from the Gupta period. It has an impressive collection of French artifacts and firearms used in the Anglo-French battle and 18th-century wooden furniture. The Chandannagar strand is the most popular walkway built along the Ganges River with trees and lights. It is said to be the most brilliantly decorated stretch of the Ganges. Another tourist attraction, the Patal Bari, is the ‘underground house that has its lowest floor submerged in the river Ganga’. With its French style, Chandannagar’s 200-year-old Sacred Heart cathedral is a sight to behold. Other attractions include Nandadulal Temple and Bisalokshmi Temple. If you like delving deep into the history Chandannagar should certainly be on your list of nearby places to visit.

See also: 15 world’s best tourist places to visit

Places to visit near Kolkata #10: Digha

Digha is a popular tourist place known for untouched beaches and natural beauty. It is one of the best places to visit near Kolkata for families looking to spend a delightful weekend together. This tourist place has great beaches, high-tech research centres, museums, temples and scenic views. A tourist must visit the New Digha Beach, Mandarmani Beach, Shankarpur Beach, Amarabati Parand and the Marine Aquarium of the Zoological Survey of India. Only 2 kms from the Old Digha beach, the New Digha beach is one of the most sought-after tourist places in the town. The sea is at least a mile away from the shore, which has many casuarina trees. The New Digha beach is popular for its glorious sunrise and sunset. Talsari Beach is another serene beach that has palm trees and is an ideal spot to spend some peaceful moments with loved ones. Children will love to visit the largest in-house aquarium in the country, the Marine Aquarium and Research Centre. Here you can see sea anemones, rays, lobsters, crabs and sharks. Near Digha, merely 8 kms on the West Bengal-Odisha Border, Chandaneswar Temple is believed to be hundreds of years old and is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is worth visiting.

Places to visit near Kolkata #11: Piyali Island

Piyali Island is widely considered to be one of the best places to visit near Kolkata, particularly for those seeking an amazing weekend getaway. Surrounded by the Matla and Piyali rivers, it lies near the marvellous Sunderbans and features dense forests, pristine beaches, and rich wildlife. Situated not more than 70 km away from Kolkata, this gorgeous island offers a lot to see and do. You can enjoy activities like picnicking and boating at Piyali Dam. Tourists have a lot of fun visiting the fishermen’s villages and indulging in the mouth watering local food. Also, you can take relaxing strolls across the lush mangrove forests and expansive paddy fields.

Places to visit near Kolkata #12: Kamarpukur

Another one of the remarkable tourist places near Kolkata is Kamarpukur, which is renowned for being the birthplace of Ramakrishna, an eminent personality who spearheaded the Indian education system. The small village has a spectacular landscape featuring beautiful riverbeds, thick forests, and far-reaching meadows. It is dotted with ancient temples, dargahs, shrines, and lovely lakes. Some of the most popular temples to visit here include Mukundapur Temple, Yogi Shiva Temple, Gopeshwar Temple, and Jairambati Temple. For some tranquillity, you should also head to the banks of Damodar River and Talpukur Tank. Moreover, don’t miss out on shopping for local handicrafts and attending amazing meditation and yoga sessions at Ramakrishna Math. If you are a birdwatcher or wildlife enthusiast, pay a visit to Deer Park.  

Places to visit near Kolkata #13: Navadvipa

Consisting of 9 islands separated by Ganges River’s tributaries, Navdvipa is counted among the most beautiful places to visit around Kolkata. This place holds immense religious significance as it is closely associated with Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the incarnation of Lord Krishna. With stunning landscapes, it is home to fertile riverbeds and dense forests. These lush forests of pomegranate, jackfruits, and mangoes house several species of wildflowers and exotic birds. When in Navadvipa, don’t forget to visit its iconic temples like Radha Rani Temple, ISKCON Temple, Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, and Sri Mahaprabhu Math. Also, don’t forget to visit Purbasthali Bird Sanctuary for witnessing hundreds of bird species and its wetlands.

Places to visit near Kolkata #14: Bardhaman

Located at the banks of Damodar River, this Mughal-era town is a grand symbol of the glorious times of the Raj. Bardhaman, one of the best places to visit near Kolkata, is an important landmark of the Independence struggle, art, and culture. It is popular for the vast and scenic paddy fields that give it the name of the ‘rice bowl of Bengal’, wildlife sanctuaries, historic temples, and gardens. Some of the must-visit attractions in Bardhaman include Deer Park, Tomb of Sher Afghan, the 19-century Curzon gate and Krishnasar Lake. 

Places to visit near Kolkata #15: Henry’s Island

Named after a European traveller, this stunning island is perfect for people looking to escape the chaos of the city. The azure waters and pristine white sands at the island’s beaches offer a tranquil break. Due to its proximity to the Sunderbans, the island houses crocodiles, snakes, and deer and thick mangroves and marshlands. Henry’s Beach is one of the best places to visit for its secluded charm, watersports, and thousands of crabs. During your visit to this island, don’t miss out on enjoying traditional Bengali food and seafood at the local shacks. Definitely visit the Henry’s Island watchtower at the Sundari Tourist Complex to savour panoramic views of the lush surroundings.

Places to visit near Kolkata #16: Tajpur

Situated in Medinipur along the Bay of Bengal, this coastal town near Kolkata is renowned for its breathtaking beauty. It serves as a significant center for pisciculture and aquaculture, boasting numerous fish farms. The area is adorned with miles of pristine, unexplored beaches, accompanied by enchanting eucalyptus forests, charming resort villages, and delightful seafood shacks. Take the opportunity to immerse yourself in the captivating fishing villages and indulge in thrilling water sports like kayaking, parasailing, and water zorbing. Ensure you explore the secluded Tajpur Beach and the Mandarmani Beach, known for their vibrant population of red crabs. Additionally, don’t miss the chance to visit Shankarpur, a picturesque fishing harbor with serene beaches shaded by casuarina trees.

Places to visit near Kolkata #17: Mandarmani

Located on the outskirts of Kolkata, Mandarmani is a charming resort town known for its stunning natural beauty and sandy coastlines. Offering luxurious accommodations and excellent amenities, it serves as an ideal destination for a relaxing getaway. Escape the city’s hustle and bustle and immerse yourself in the picturesque surroundings of Mandarmani. Notably, this beach holds the distinction of being the longest motorable beach in India, providing an exhilarating experience with high-speed rides along the coastline. Indulge in the ultimate thrill while enjoying the serene ambiance of this wonderful destination.

Places to visit near Kolkata #18: Jhargram

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Nestled in a picturesque landscape adorned with rolling hills and lush forests, Jhargram beckons as the perfect offbeat vacation destination. Enriched by a significant tribal population, the district boasts a culturally diverse tapestry, complemented by captivating palaces and temples. Steeped in history, Jhargram witnessed the capture by Akbar’s army in the 15th century, adding historical significance to its allure. Immerse yourself in the vibrant folk dances and rituals of aboriginal tribes like Santals, Bhumijs, and Sabars, featuring performances such as Bhuang, Chang, and Jhumur. Explore the regal charm of the Jhargram Royal Palace, once a strategic seat for Akbar’s army and now elegantly transformed into a heritage hotel.

Places to visit near Kolkata #19: Murshidabad

Formerly the seat of the Nawab of Bengal, Murshidabad, nestled along the banks of the Hooghly River, stands as one of West Bengal’s premier destinations. Once the capital of Bengal before the rise of Calcutta, this town has been a cradle for various arts and crafts, contributing to its historical significance. Renowned for its sericulture, Murshidabad has been a hub for producing world-class silk, adding to its cultural tapestry. The town’s allure lies in its unparalleled beauty, featuring quaint ‘jheels’ or lakes that transform into winter hotspots with the arrival of migratory birds. Witness the enchanting spectacle of pristine blue lakes adorned by colorful, exotic birds at their edges. Murshidabad is also adorned with vibrant gardens, where rows of fragrant flowers meet meticulously sculpted statues and fountains, creating a serene haven.

Places to visit near Kolkata #20: Cuttack

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Cuttack stands as a vibrant cosmopolitan city, offering a myriad of fascinating attractions for tourists seeking a delightful escape from Kolkata. Renowned on the global stage, Cuttack is celebrated for its exceptional local handicrafts, intricate silverwork, cultural vibrancy, lively festivals, and delectable street food. The city comes alive with a kaleidoscope of festivities, and among the most famous are Baliyatra, the exhilarating kite festival, and the grandeur of Durga Puja. These festivals provide a captivating glimpse into the rich cultural tapestry of Cuttack. To truly savor the authentic flavors of this land, plan your visit during these festive occasions, when the city is adorned with vibrant celebrations, making it an enchanting destination for cultural exploration and immersion.

Nearest hill station to visit from Kolkata: Siliguri

Located on the banks of the Mahananda River, Siliguri is the closest hill station from Kolkata (around 580 kms). It is also known as the Gateway to Northeast India. Here a tourist can enjoy the view of the snow-capped Himalayas. Siliguri has various places of interest and importance such as The ISKCON Temple, Sepoy Dhura Tea Garden, Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, Science City, Coronation Bridge, Salugara Monastery and Madhuban Park. The Salugara Monastery was built by Tibetan Buddhist Monks, following the teachings and example of the Dalai Lamas, and is known for its 100 feet tall stupa. The huge Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, between the banks of Teesta and Mahananda, has leopards, tigers, elephants and birds and provides opportunities for trekking and bird watching. Jeep and elephant safaris are available for tourists to venture into the forests. One of the nearest visiting places to Siliguri is the Coronation Bridge in the town of Sevoke, about 25 km from Siliguri. It was built to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth and King George VI. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is one of the few mountain railways that are operational. It is 200 years old and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site a few years back. The train ride between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling passes through the beautiful landscape. For adventure seekers, the trek to Sandakphu is a must as it is the highest point in West Bengal.

Is Bardhhaman a tourist place near Kolkata worth visiting?

Bardhhaman is one of the best places to visit near Kolkata. It is popular for the paddy fields that give it the name of the ‘rice bowl of Bengal’. It also has wildlife sanctuaries, historic temples and gardens. Places worth visiting are Deer Park and Krishnasayar Park and Lake. Places like 108 Shiva Temple, Tomb of Sher Afghan, Konkaleshwari Temple, Christ Church, Curzon Gate and Burnpur Nehru Park are other popular tourist attractions.

Which are the romantic places in Kolkata for a couple to visit?

Millennium Park, the lovely landscaped garden along the Hooghly River, is one of the most romantic places in Kolkata. Rabindra Sarobar (Dhakuria Lake), an artificial lake in south Kolkata is also a favourite of the couples. Princep Ghat is one of the oldest recreational spots in Kolkata and this romantic place has Greek and Gothic-style architecture. Eco Park covers a huge area of 480 acres, the biggest park in India, surrounded by a huge water body that has an island in the middle. Elliot Park is also a romantic place in Kolkata.

Which is the best time to visit Kolkata and nearby tourist places?

The winter months between October and February are the best to visit Kolkata and its nearby tourist places. The weather is ideal for visiting and the city comes alive with festivals and celebrations at this time of the year.

Which hill station is near Kolkata?

Some of the best hill stations to explore near Kolkata include Siliguri, Ajodhya Hills, Simultala, Netarhat and Darjeeling.

Which beach is near Kolkata?

Digha undoubtedly claims its spot as the most frequented beach near Kolkata. Positioned approximately 183 km away, Digha is renowned for its vast waves and resounding thunders. The natural allure of this locale, adorned with swaying casuarinas and palm trees, offers truly breathtaking vistas.

Which is the nearest snowfall place from Kolkata?

Gangtok emerges as one of the premier hill stations in close proximity to Kolkata, embodying a sense of divinity and pristine beauty. The awe-inspiring sight of the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kanchenjunga is bound to fill your heart with pure joy in Gangtok. Additionally, Pedong stands out as another enchanting hill station, graced with splendid views of nature's grandeur.

Has it ever snowed in Kolkata?

No, Kolkata has never witnessed snowfall.

Which is the coldest place near West Bengal?

Some of the coldest places near Kolkata include Kurseong, Lava, Kalimpong, Lolegaon, Sittong, Darjeeling and Takdah.

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Dhwani is a content management expert with over five years of professional experience. She has authored articles spanning diverse domains, including real estate, finance, business, health, taxation, education and more. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, Dhwani’s interests encompass reading and travelling. She is dedicated to staying updated on the latest real estate advancements in India. Email: [email protected]

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