Kolkata is a city of layers, each more captivating than the last. As the ‘cultural capital of India’, this city has much to offer. A rich colonial grandeur reminds you of its bygone past. There’s a certain sweet charm in strolling past a local sweet shop, where the warm aroma of freshly made Sandesh and Rosogolla fills the air. Then, there are the hums of lively adda (casual hangouts) around the streetside tea stall. From being a literary hub that nurtured some of India’s most celebrated writers, including Rabindranath Tagore, to housing the first metro rail system in the country, Kolkata is a where history, culture and innovation coexist seamlessly. Whether you’re a foodie, a history buff or an architectural enthusiast, there are numerous places to visit in Kolkata.
How to reach Kolkata
By air: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) is approximately 15 km away from the city centre.
By rail: Howrah Junction, Sealdah Station, and Kolkata Railway Station are the major railway stations.
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The best time to visit Kolkata
Winters (October to March) is the best time to visit Kolkata. The weather is pleasant during this time, with temperatures ranging from 12°C-25°C, making it ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
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Places to visit in Kolkata
Victoria Memorial
One of Kolkata’s top tourist attractions, the Victoria Memorial, is a grand white marble structure surrounded by lush, manicured gardens. Built in the memory of Queen Victoria, this architectural gem is often referred to as the ‘Taj of the Raj’ for its beautiful blend of British and Mughal architectural styles. The monument is home to a vast museum housing over 30,000 artefacts from the colonial era.
Explore our guide to exciting day trips from Kolkata.
Entry fee: INR 30; two ticket counters are the North Gate and the South Gate.
Timing: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm; closed on Sundays.
Nearby attractions: Just a 10-minute walk away is St Paul’s Cathedral, the largest church in the city, known for its Gothic architecture with beautiful stained glass windows.
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Howrah Bridge
Howrah Bridge, often featured in photos representing Kolkata, is the city’s most iconic symbol. As one of the longest cantilever steel bridges in the world, it connects Kolkata to Howrah and is a remarkable testament to the engineering ingenuity of its time.
Nearby attraction: Prinsep Ghat, a 20-minute walk away, is a serene riverfront for peaceful walks, boat rides and stunning views of Howrah Bridge and the Hooghly River.
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Indian Museum
This is the best place for history buffs to visit in Kolkata! Established in 1814, the Indian Museum is the oldest and largest multipurpose museum in Asia-Pacific. Its extensive collection includes ancient sculptures, Mughal paintings, mummies, and fossilised remains, making it a must-visit place for anyone looking to explore the depths of human civilisation.
Entry fee: INR 75
Timing: 10 am to 6 pm. Closed on Mondays and public holidays.
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Science City
A Disneyland for science and tech geeks, Science City is the largest science centre in India and is spread across 2 acres. If you’re travelling with children, this is a great way to merge your vacation with some educative yet fun experience. Divided into multiple galleries, the complex offers an array of immersive experiences ranging from space odyssey and evolution of life to Earth exploration and 3D shows.
Entry fee: INR 70 onwards.
Timing: 10 am to 7 pm
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Eden Garden
Founded in the 1860s, Eden Gardens is India’s oldest cricket stadium and is often called the ‘Mecca of Indian Cricket.’ As the first purpose-built cricket ground in the country, it holds a special place in the hearts of cricket lovers. This is undoubtedly one of Kolkata’s best places to visit for diehard fans. However, on non-match days, you must obtain prior permission from the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB).
Timing: 10 am to 5 pm
Explore our guide to these stunning offbeat places in Kolkata.
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East Calcutta Wetlands
A lesser-known tourist place in Kolkata, the East Calcutta Wetlands is the world’s largest organic sewage management system that naturally purifies untreated sewage and wastewater from the city (without any machines or technology). This expansive network of water bodies, marshes and wetlands holds a prestigious spot on the ‘Wetlands of International Importance’ list, having been designated as a Ramsar site in 2002.
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Dalhousie Square
In the heart of colonial Kolkata, Dalhousie Square is home to several markets and British colonial-era buildings, such as the Writers’ Building, Raj Bhavan (the official residence of the Governor of West Bengal), High Court, General Post Office (the biggest post office in the state), and the Old Currency Building. Each building gives a rich glimpse into different styles of architecture, including neo-classical, Gothic, and Victorian influences. A walk through this historic square is one of the most interesting things to do in Kolkata.
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Dakshineshwar Kali Temple
The majestic Dakshineshwar Kali Temple, one of India’s most revered spiritual sites, stands proudly on the banks of the Hooghly River and is one of the top tourist places in Kolkata. With its towering spires and intricate carvings, the temple is a significant place of worship and an architectural marvel. At its heart lies the central shrine dedicated to Goddess Kali, while 12 smaller shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva surround the temple.
Also read | Walking Through Kolkata’s Kumartuli, Where Maa Durga Comes To Life
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Marble Palace
Built in 1835 with Italian marble by one of Bengal’s wealthiest merchants, Raja Rajendra Mullick Bahadur, the structure features an impressive collection of art, antiques and intricate sculptures. The mansion is characterised by its beautiful staircases, marble flooring and expansive verandahs.
Entry fee: While entry is free, you must get permission from the West Bengal Tourism Information Bureau.
Timing: 10 am to 4 pm
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Nightlife in Kolkata
The city’s cultural pulse keeps its nightlife thriving with the clink of glasses, the hum of live rock performances, the sizzling sound of street food and the grooviest clubs.
- Party hubs of Kolkata: If you’re a party animal looking to experience the nightlight at its best, head straight to Park Street, also called ‘the street that never sleeps’. You’ll find numerous clubs, live music gig venues and street food joints here. Other party hubs include Salt Lake, New Town, Camac Street and Bhawanipur.
- Top late-night clubs: Someplace Else, Tantra (one of the oldest clubs in the city), The Monkey Bar, Hoppipola, Roxy, Underground, Privy, Club Barocks, Light Room and Drunken Teddy.
- Live music performances: TopCat CCU, Jam House, Skinny Mo’s Jazz Club, Hard Rock Cafe, Warehouse Cafe, The Lords and Barons, The Empty Head, What’s In d Name, Broadway Hotel and The Myx.
- Night heritage and ghost walks: Dive into Kolkata’s rich history, haunted past, and vibrant nightlife with a unique twist. Join a night heritage or ghost walk. For a truly enriching experience, check out Calcutta Walks, one of the most popular tour companies in the city.
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Best places to eat in Kolkata
Food is an emotion and a way of life in Kolkata. From street food hubs serving puchka to fine-dining restaurants with a view, there are plenty of places to eat in the city.
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- Iconic eateries for Bengali cuisine: Swadhin Bharat Hindu (one of the oldest joints in the city), Bhojohori Manna, Ilish Truly Bong Restaurant, Kasturi, Himur Heshel, 6 Ballygunge Place, Hotel Tarun Niketan, Aaheli, Cafe Ekant, Mitra’s Cafe, Koshe Kosha, Tarun Niketan, Aami Bangali Restaurant, Bhooter Raja and Peter Cat.
- Popular cafes: Flurys (popular cafe), Mocambo, Art Cafe, The Cafe By The Lane, The Corner Courtyard (a beautiful vintage boutique restaurant), Mr Magpie, Piccadilly Square, Snacking, Travelistan (a travel-themed cafe), Calcutta 64, Bread Box Cafe.
- Coffee shops: Artsy: Coffee & Culture, Roastery Coffee House, Potboiler Coffee House, La Macario, Evabrew, Wise Owl: The Coffee Shop, Blue Tokai, 8th Day Cafe (one of the top coffee houses), Indian Coffee House,
- For beautiful views: Blue & Beyond, The Bridge, Soul: The Sky Lounge, Level Seven, OG By The Lake, Waterside Cafe, SKAI and Kolkata 64.
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Best street food
- Hubs: Park Street, New Market, Dacre Lane, College Street, China Town (for Chinese), Burrabazaar, BBD Bagh aka Dalhousie Square and Vivekananda Park (for puchka) are some of the best places to visit in Kolkata.
- Iconic street stalls: Nizam’s (a 100-year-old street stall for kathi rolls), Zaika, Maharaja Chat (Dilip da’s Puchka Centre), Ah Leung in Tangra (for chow mein), Adi Haridas Modak (250-year-old shop; try kachori and chola dal), Durga Pandit Puchka Stall ( 120-year-old stall in Vivekananda Park), National Economic Restaurant in Shyam Bazaar for special Kolkata cha, Golbari (120-year-old establishment for Kosha Mangasho or mutton), Lalu Bholu Dukan for ghugni (near Hooghly river ghat) and Dadar Pice Hotel (a popular stall for Bengali dishes).
Explore our comprehensive guide to the places serving the best biryani in Kolkata.
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Hotels in Kolkata
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Kolkata offers many hotels, from heritage properties that echo its colonial past to modern luxury resorts. Some top places to stay in Kolkata include Park Street, Main Market, Esplanade, and Salt Lake.
- Luxury resorts/hotels: ITC Royal Bengal, The Oberoi Grand, The Park Hotel, The Lalit, JW Mariott, Novotel Kolkata, Broadway Hotel, Hyatt Recency.
- Heritage stays: Hotel 233 Park Street, The Elgin Fairlawn (since 1783), Calcutta Bungalow, The Corner Courtyard, LalBari: Red Brick Heritage House, Ivy House, Redbrick Residency, Seacom Heritage Court, The Asher Heritage and The Harrington Residency.
- Homestays: Joey’s Nest, Satrangi Homestay Kolkata, MIRRA Homestay, Satguru Homestay, Sukhmani Homestay and Camac West Homestay.
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Also read | 21 Luxury Hotels In Kolkata Worth Your Money For Your Next Visit To The City Of Joy
Best places to shop in Kolkata
Blending its colonial past with local craftsmanship, Kolkata is a shopper’s paradise. The air is alive with the sounds of bargaining as shoppers browse through colourful stalls brimming with everything from traditional textiles to unique handcrafted treasures.
- New Market: One of the city’s oldest and most popular markets. Popular for traditional Bengali sarees, handcrafted jewellery, shoes, bags, etc.
- Gariahat Market: Popular for shopping sarees including cotton, Banarasi saree and Tant saree.
- Park Street: Visit for high-end shopping. Oxford Bookstore is iconic here.
- College Street: One of the largest markets in the world for secondhand books. Popular for rare book collections.
- Bura Bazaar: This bustling wholesale market is a must-visit place in Kolkata. It is popular for textiles, electronics, brass and copperware, and antiques.
- Dakshinapan Shopping Complex: An open-air shopping complex popular for promoting homegrown brands.
- Hatibagan Market: Popular for cotton sarees, garments and textiles.
Popular Malls: South City Mall, City Centre, Quest Mall, Avani Riverside Mall and Mani Square Mall.
Kolkata offers must-buy souvenirs, including Traditional Bengali sarees (Tant and Jamdani), Conch shell bangles, Bengali sweets, brass and copperware, jute products, terracotta figurines, Darjeeling tea, Dokra artefacts, Kalighat paintings (traditional mythological paintings), wooden art and toys, and Putul (puppet) dolls.
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Insider tips for visiting Kolkata
- Kolkata is best experienced on foot. Walking around areas like Park Street and College Street gives you an experience of the local culture.
- The true essence of Kolkata’s cuisine is found in its street stalls. While dining at upscale restaurants is excellent, don’t miss the opportunity to savour the city’s iconic street food.
- If you’re travelling by car or auto, avoid the streets between 9 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 7 pm.
- You can tailor your itinerary based on the kind of experience you’re seeking. North Kolkata offers narrow lanes, old mansions, and temples, while South Kolkata is more modern and cosmopolitan.
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shop the best travel experiences here
(Feature image credit: Kolkatar Chobiwala/Pexels)
This article originally appeared on Travel + Leisure Asia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Four to seven days are enough to explore the main attractions of Kolkata.
Boating on the Hooghly River, a scenic walk along Prinsep Ghat or visiting the East Calcutta Wetlands are the best outdoor activities to do in Kolkata.
Howrah Bridge, Prinsep Ghat, Marble Palace, Victoria Memorial and Dalhousie Square are the best spots for photography in Kolkata.
Visiting the Kalighat temple, exploring the Indian museum, pandal-hopping during Durga Puja or watching a Bengali play are some cultural experiences in Kolkata.
Rabindra Sarobar, Tangra Chinatown, Jorasanko Thakur Bari and Belur Math are some offbeat destinations in Kolkata.
Cycling in Eco Park and boat ride on the Hooghly River are some adventure activities you can do in Kolkata.
With most beaches on the outskirts of the city, some popular beaches near Kolkata are Tajpur, Digha Beach, Henry's Island and Mandarmani.
Howrah Bridge, Victoria Memorial, Fort William, Indian Museum and Tagore’s House are some historical sites to see in Kolkata.
Durga Puja, Christmas, Poila Boishakh and Kali Puja are some festivals you can attend in Kolkata.
Puchka, Kathi Rolls, Shorshe Ilish, Aloo Poshto, Macher Jhol, and of course, Bengali sweets are some foods to try in Kolkata.
You can commute using yellow taxis, app-based cabs, rickshaws or metro.
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An ailurophile, a full-time snacker, an emoji fanatic, and secretly a pahadi - Shaili is mostly found in Mumbai or in the mountains. A passionate animal lover, she's working to strengthen the animal protection movement in India. She's also freelanced with publications like Hindustan Times, Conde Nast, Vogue, GQ, AD, in the past. She loves to spend her free time cafe-hopping and going for long walks.
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