The Ultimate Travel Guide to Kolkata
Kolkata is the "City of Joy". Anyone who travels to Kolkata can find the beauty and charm of the city of joy. Every corner of Kolkata is full of interesting places. It is rich in tradition and history. We have traveled to many places to explore, experience and write about them. This Kolkata Travel Guide will give you a better idea of Kolkata’s tourist attractions, special attractions and all the offbeat destinations that are only known to a few locals or travelers! This Kolkata travel guide is perfect for taking you to the city for the first time.
Kolkata is not as big as Mumbai or Delhi, but it is well known for its people, culture and glorious past. As we all know, Kolkata formaly Calcutta was the capital of India on the British era. The city has a 300 years old rich history. The British had built some amazing buildings, monuments and today the colonial-era architectures attracts many travelers and historians, Kolkata exhibit them with pride.
Some of the famous writers, poets, artists, freedom fighter, worker of literature are born and brought up in this living city. Even today, there is no doubt that the cultural hub of India, Kolkata is famous for it’s cultural activity. All foodie’s will difinitly fall in love with Kolkata for it’s cheap, tasty, and varities of street food. The Bengalis (people of Bengal) love their food and also love to treat their guests with their traditional dishes. And if you think that Kolkata food is all about fish curry and rice, I request you to visit Kolkata and test Bengali foods.
How to reach Kolkata
By Air: Although Calcutta is located in West Bengal, it is in the eastern part of India. Kolkata has the Netaji Subhash Chandra International Airport, which connects to other cities in India by flights. The distance from Esplanade, the heart of the city, to Kolkata Airport is about 16 km.
By Train: India is famous for its extensive railway network. Anyone can go anywhere in India by train. Kolkata has 3 major railway stations - Howrah, India’s busiest station, Sealdah and Kolkata Railway Station. A large number of trains from almost all parts of India connects these three stations.
Travel around Kolkata
Traveling around Kolkata is very easy as there are plenty of options to get from one part of the city to another.
Metro: Metro is the best mode of transport, but the problem in Kolkata is that the metro line is not yet wide. It only runs through a certain area, and although it has been expanded, it is not enough to cover the whole city. Metro is the cleanest, fastest and cheapest means of transportation in Kolkata. Tickets start at Rs 10 to Rs 25. You can download Kolkata Metro Route Map to make your journey hassle free
Local bus: Local bus in Kolkata is very convenient and easily accessible. Government-powered AC buses are good in this case but limited. Local buses are a form of cheap transportation.
Yellow Taxi, Ola and Uber: Iconic Yellow Ambassador Taxi is one of the most famous symbols of Kolkata. Before Ola Uber came to India, they were the main form of city cab service. Every traveler is keen to drive around the city in a yellow taxi at least once. Many passengers complain that taxi drivers try to get maximum fare from them when they realize that the passengers are not locals. And this accident happens especially with foreigners. All these taxis have meters, so you have to pay according to the meter reading.
There are pre-paid taxi counters at Howrah Station, Sealdah Station, Santragachi Station, Airport and other major places from where you can get taxis to anywhere in Kolkata at a prescribed rate. This is a good form of travel, as you do not have to bargain with the taxi driver here.
Finally, you cann book a cab from the Uber and Ola that will take you anywhere in Kolkata.
Rickshaws: For short distances, there are rickshaws that will take you around. You can still find hand-pulled rickshaws only in Kolkata. But some people try to avoid this rickshaw ride.
Local Trains: Local train network in this city is far more comprehensive and convenient than the metro. You can travel to almost any part of the city in a cheap price. Please note, the trains become really crowded during the morning between 9-11 AM and in the evening between 6-9PM. During this time most of the office goers travel.
Tram: The Kolkata tram is the oldest, electricaly operating train system in Asia. Once, the trams used to the main mode of journey in Kolkata. But with modern times, no one has opted for trams instead of fast transportation options. Yet, some tram routes are still operating in Kolkata, mainly as it is a part of Kolkata heritage. A tram ride in Kolkata is a delightful experience and you can take a tram ride just to get a feel for it.
The best time to visit Kolkata
Kolkata has a tropical climate with warm weather nearly all year round. The city mostly has three types of seasons – summer, monsoon and winter with very small autumn and spring. Summers are relatively hot and humid. Monsoons are going to be wet and humid. Winters are cold with clear skies.
The best and comfortable time to visit Kolkata is between the months of October to March.
October and November: It’s autumn with clear blue skies and warm weather. At this time the humidity varies between 74% -78%. If you go to Kolkata at this time, you can feel, the biggest and most crazy festival of Bengalis, Dura Puja. Most of the time Durga Puja is celebrated in October (sometimes it is late September as well).
December to March: December to mid-February is the winter season in Kolkata, when the climate remains cold and less humid. This is the best time to visit Kolkata. Various colorful fairs and festivals are held in Kolkata in this time spent. The Kolkata Book Fair is one of the largest book fairs held in January.
April to May: These are the summer months and Kolkata is quite hot and humid during this time. Sweating is the most common problem you will encounter while exploring the city, which can be quite taxing during the day.
June to September: Normally the rainy month, but for the last few years the monsoon has gone away in mid-July. The weather is hot and humid and rain can spoil your outdoor plan. If you plan to visit Kolkata between June and September, bring a rainwear or umbrella.
Places to visit in Kolkata
1. Victoria Memorial
Victoria Memorial is one of the most elegant and magnificent monuments situated in the heart of Kolkata. Many visitors from all over the world come to witness, the white marble structure built by the British in Kolkata. It was built to commemorate the 25-year reign of Queen Victoria in India. 57 Extensive across the area, the white marble structure is surrounded by 21 beautiful well-maintained gardens.
Victoria Memorial is also one of the favorite destinations of the people of Kolkata as well. In winter you will see hundreds of people spending their time on the garden of Victoria Memorial. There is also a museum with 3900 paintings and 28394 other antiques artefacts.
Timings: The Garden remains open from 6:00 AM to 6.00 PM everyday. The Victoria Memorial Hall (museum remains open between 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The Museum remains closed on Mondays and National Holidays.
Entry Fee: INR 30 for Indians and INR 100 for foreign visitors of SAARC countries and 500 Other foreign Visitors.
Nearest Metro Station: Rabindra Sadan and Maidan Metro
2. Kalighat Temple
Kalighat Temple is one of the most adored temples of Kolkata. Many people in Kolkata believe that Goddess Kali is the guardian and well wishers of the city. It is often considered that the name of the city Kolkata has came from Kalighat, but it dose not have any historical avidance. Kalighat Temple is one of the 52 Shakti Peet has of Hinduism, when Lord Shiva performing the Rudra Tandav after Sati’s self immolation, right foot of Devi Sati fell here.
The idol inside the temple is made of black stone. An interesting feature of Goddess Kali in the Kalighat temple is the long elongated tongue made of pure gold.
Many devotees visit Kalighat Temple every day to offer their pray and seek blessings from the divine Goddess. You should take extra care of your belongings while you visit the temple. Don't buy Puja offerings from the vendors unless you wish to pray inside the temple.
Timings: The temple is open from 5 AM to 2 PM and 5 PM to 10.30 PM everyday
Entry Fee: Nil
Nearest Metro Station: Both Kalighat Metro and Jatin Das Park Metro
3. Howrah Bridge
Howrah Bridge is probably the most iconic structure in Kolkata. Placed across the Hooghly River, it forms the gateway and connecting both two important city, Howrah and Kolkata. Howrah Bridge is the fourth busiest bridge in the world where thousands of people commute to and from Kolkata every day. 1528 feet long and 62 feet wide Howrah Bridge is a balanced cantilever Bridge.
If you are entering to Kolkata from Howrah Railway Station, you have to cross the Howrah Bridge to enter Kolkata. Howrah Bridge looks amazing in the evening from a boat ride on the Hooghly River.
4. Dalhousie Square
Kolkata is actually a old city of ancient India. It was the first to publish a Page 3 newspaper in India. India's first authentic Italian restaurant has opened in Kolkata, as well as the first metro line. And the Dalhousie area bears witness to many of these firsts.
During the British era Dalhousie Square area was called the “White Town”. After the Battle of Plassey, the British moved the capital of Bengal to Calcutta and established it as the “Second City of the Empire”. Colonial architecture in the Dalhousie Square area proves that the dream of Second City of the Empire was successful. In the vicinity of Dalhousie Square you can visit the Raj Bhavan, the GPO, and take some rest at the Lal Dighi to prepare yourself for next destinations. St. John’s Church is also a famous tourist attraction in this area. While visiting Dalhousie Square you can hear the glorious history of the area.
5. Indian Museum
In the year 1814 The Indian Museum was established. It is the largest and oldest multipurpose museum not only in India but also in the Asia Pacific region, and ninth oldest museum in the world. The museum has a collection of contemporary and old paintings (including Mughal paintings), Buddha patterns, Egyptian mummies and ancient sculptures. You can also find a huge collection of antiques, ornaments, fossils and skeletons and many more. Currently, there are 35 galleries in the museum.
Opening Time: Opened on all days of the week except Monday
Timings: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (March to November) and 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM (December to February)
Entry Fee: INR 50 (For Indians Adults) INR 20(For Children below 5 years) INR 500 (For foreign tourists) INR 100 (Camera Charges)
Nearest Metro: Esplanade and Park Street Metro.
6. Kumartuli
If you know a little about Kolkata, then you must have heard about the famous Durga Puja of the city. Kumartuli is the place where the Durga and other idols are made out of clay and other media. Komartuli was formed in the early eighteenth century, when "Koumors" or potters settled in the area. The lanes and mazes of Kumartuli are very busy with the idol makers working on their craft through out the year. You can visit Kumartuli and know the idol makers process, however, be careful not to damage the statues while moving.
During your boat ride to visit Howrah Bridge you can ride a steamer from Howrah to Ahiritola. Ahiritola is nearest jetty to the Kumartuli.
Nearest Metro: Sovabazar Metro
7. Mallick Ghat Flower Market
The Mallick Ghat Flower Market is located just below the Howrah Bridge. It is the largest, chaotic, and loud flower market of Kolkata. Photographers love to ramble around this mark for a great snap. At around 4 AM vendors started to arrive in this market with various flowers. The market is obvious place to visit and explore a colourful and raw Kolkata without any pretensions.
8. St. Paul’s Cathedral
There are elegant and beautiful St. Paul’s Cathedrals right next to the Victoria Memorial, Birla Planetarium and Nandan. In the eastern region it is the first Episcopal Church. The completely white church looks glorious and the architecture is observable. Anyone can enter this church and spend some time in peace. Don’t take photographs inside the church as it is prohibited.
Nearest Metro: Rabindra Sadan Metro and Maidan Metro Station
Timings: 10 AM to 6 PM
9. Prinsep Ghat
You will surely enjoy the view of the beautiful Ganges at Prinsep Ghat, as it is located beside the banks of the Hooghly River or Ganga. The white structure with the second Hooghly Bridge at the background looks mesmerizing. Prinsep Ghat is one of the finest examples of colonial architecture and one of the largest monuments to the river.
You can walk around the Prinsep Ghat and sit on the huge lawn around the structure. Hand-operated boats are also available, you can book one and spend an hour or two on the Hooghly River. There is a railway station for the circular railway in Kolkata named Prinsep Ghat Railway Station
Entry Fee: Nil
How to reach: There is no metro station nearby. Take a ferry ride from Howrah cross the river to reach Princep Ghat. Otherwise, You can take a Uber, Ola or the yellow taxi.
10. Dakshineswar Temple
Dakshineswara Kali Mandir is one of the oldest, most famous and most revered temples in Kolkata. In 1855, Rani Rasmoni (Rani Rashmoni Das) established this sacred temple and appointed the highly revered religious ascetic Sri Ramakrishna Dev as the main pandit of Dakshineswara Temple.
The Dakshineswara Temple is located on the banks of the Hooghly River, about 20 km from central Kolkata. The famous Balur Math is situated on the opposite side of the temple. Every day a lot of pilgrims visit Dakshineswara temple. I suggest you to visit the Dakshineswar Temple and Belur Math together. There are motor boats available on the bank of the Hooghly river, you can take one to visit Belur Math.
Nearest Metro: Dakshineswar Metro Station.
Entry Fees: Nil
11. Belur Math
Belur Math is the headquarters of Ramkrishna Math and Mission and represents the idea of Universal faith. Swami Vivekananda, the famous disciple of Sri Ramkrishna, was established Belur Math. At the age of 30, Swami Vivekananda represented India and Hinduism in the World Parliament of Religions (1893). The Belur Math is also located on the banks of the Hooghly River and is considered a "Symphony in Architecture" due to its combination of Hindu, Islamic and Christian religious sentiments.
Belur Math is a quite place where you can sit, meditating and feel the charm and peace.
Entry Fee: Nil
12. Botanical Gardens, Shibpur
The glorious presence of Botanical Gardens or Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden on the west bank of River Hooghly at Shibpur, will definitely amaze you. The vast area of 273 acres is covered with about 12000 perennial plants. The park has been open to the public since 1786, and is named after the famous Indian scientist, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose, who first claimed that, tree’s also have life. The Great Banyan Tree is one of the main attraction and it attracts many visitors, is the colossal banyan tree. This tree creates the world’s second largest canopy. Botanical Garden is like a breath of fresh air near Kolkata. Wear comfortable jungle boots, because there are a lot of walking.
Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM everyday except Mondays
Entry Fee: INR 10 (for Indians) and INR 200 (for foreigners)
13. Collage Street
Collage Street is a 900 metre long street in Central Kolkata. It is Also known as Boi Para (Book Town). It is the paradise of book lovers. The name comes from the presence of numerous colleges and universities like Calcutta University, Calcutta Medical College, Presidency University, Sanskrit College and University, City College of Commerce and Business Administration, Goenka College of Commerce and Business Administration etc. The Indian Coffee House has been located here, attracting the city’s intellectuals for decades. College Street is the largest book market in Asia, and the largest secondhand book market in the world.
14. Khiri the Valley of Flowers
The Valley of Flowers Khirai is located in the upper reaches of Kansai (River Kansabati) near Khirai railway station in the Panskura region of India.
If you visit Kolkata in winter, if you are a flower lover then you must love this new place. Most of the vendors of Mallick Ghat Flower Market come to this area to sell their flowers.
How to reach: Take the train from Howrah to Panskura or Khirai
Besides all this above places Kolkata has a lot more to explore. You will also enjoy The Mother House, John’s Church, Eco Park, Niko Park, Science City, Brila Planetarium, Birla Temple, Maidan, New Market, Chinese Kali Temple, the Coffee House and many more.
Where to stay in Kolkata?
You will find hotels of various ranges and types all through the city, according to your tast.
If you want to stay in the city center where you can observe the city in its full form, stay close to Esplanade, Park Street or Sudder Street.
Hotels near New Town and Chinar Park, are nearest to the Kolkata International airport. Most popular 5 star hotel brands are located in Biswa Bangla Sarani. There are few options for hostels in Kolkata also. You can all this holels in Google or you can Book Directly.
What to eat in Kolkata?
As i mentioned earlier, Kolkata is a paradise for food lovers. wheather you are a vegetarian or non-vegetarian, you will get a lot of varities in Bangali cuisine. The street food in Kolkata is one of the best and cheapest. From the restaurant to street food you will find Not only Bengali food but also other cuisine as well. Some famous street food of Kolkata includes Egg Chicken Rolls, Phuchkas (Panipuri / Golgappa), Bhelpuri, Papri Chat etc.
While you Kolkata visit, you must have to taste the Bengali cuisine. Bengali food is not only about fish and rice, but much more. But it is definitely about sweets and lots of sweet dishes. Bengalis love their sweet food and no Bengali food is ever complete without incomparable rasgolla and misti doi (sweet yoghurt).
Some of the best places to have Bengali food are:
- Bangorashana, South Kolkata
- Koshe Kosha, Ripon Street
- Kalapata
- Bhojohori Manna
- Oh! Calcutta
- 6 Ballygunge Place
Biriyani & Kebabs:
- Oudh
- Bar-B-Q Nation
- India Resturant, Khibirpore
- Aminia
- Arsenal
- Sabir
For Chinese
- Mainland Chaina
- Budha Bites
Continental
- Peter Cat, Park Street (One of my favourites)
- Moulin Rouge, Park Street
- Mocambo, again at Park Street
- Barbeque Nation
Hope you will enjoy your trip to Kolkata. Comment below for any suggestions or any questions.
Thank You.