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Kolkata – The City of Joy – and the capital of West Bengal is a mélange of sights, sounds, feel, and colour. Some parts of the city are modern while some are steeped in history. It could therefore be a little overwhelming to the visitor who is visiting Kolkata for the first time. In fact, I am a Kolkata lad and yet, at times, I would wish there is some direction in the eclectic mix. So, for the benefit of all my friends who are forever curious about Kolkata tourism and keep making plans, here is my two bits worth about things to do in Kolkata. I have tried to include which, in my opinion, are the best places to visit in Kolkata. If you do discover more places, would love to hear about those as well.

Why Visit Kolkata

Historical Places in Kolkata

As the former capital of British India, Kolkata is steeped in history. The city’s well-preserved colonial buildings are still functional today. Notable attractions include:

• Victoria Memorial: A majestic marble structure dedicated to Queen Victoria.
• Indian Museum: Asia’s largest museum with a vast collection of artifacts.
• Howrah Bridge: An iconic symbol of Kolkata and a marvel of industrial architecture.

Art and Culture of Kolkata

Kolkata is often referred to as the Cultural Capital of India. It is the birthplace of notable figures like Rabindranath Tagore, India’s first Nobel laureate, and Satyajit Ray, the celebrated filmmaker. The city remains a hub for music, arts, and theater, with artists seeking validation by performing here. The vibrant cultural scene makes it a haven for art lovers.

Shopping: Handloom and Handicrafts in Kolkata

Kolkata offers a treasure trove of exquisite handloom and handicrafts. Don’t miss buying the famous taant saris, Baluchari saris, khadi fabrics, and terracotta sculptures. Many of these items are sold in traditional markets where you can engage with local sellers over a cup of tea.

Famous Food of Kolkata

Kolkata is renowned for its delectable sweets like Rasgulla and Mishti Doi. The city’s biryani has a distinct flavor, different from other regions in India. Street food is another highlight, and you can enjoy everything from puchka to kathi rolls. Best of all, Kolkata is an affordable destination for food lovers.

Unique Experiences: Tram Ride in Kolkata

Kolkata is the only Indian city with an operational tram system, which started in 1902. A leisurely tram ride through the busy streets of Kolkata offers a nostalgic and romantic experience. It’s the perfect way to slow down and soak in the city’s charm.

Celebrating Durga Puja in Kolkata

Durga Puja is the city’s biggest festival, celebrated with grandeur that transcends religious boundaries. The streets come alive with colorful lights, and elaborate pandals (temporary structures) are erected to honor Goddess Durga. This five-day festival turns Kolkata into a carnival of art, culture, and joy.

Best Places to Visit in Kolkata

If you are planning a trip, you should keep at least 3 or 4 days on hand for Kolkata sightseeing. While the places are not far, most tourist activity here requires some time. Kolkata has a robust public transport city by way of buses, trams, yellow taxis, radio cabs, local trains, metro, and ferries across Ganga. One may also choose to rent a car but if you want a more authentic experience, go with the flow. While the local language is Bangla, most people understand and speak a workable amount of Hindi and English so even if you are not conversant in Bangla, you should be fine. Solely based on my personal favourites, below is a list of the most popular places to see in Kolkata.

Victoria Memorial

Dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria, this magnificent marble structure in the heart of Kolkata carries an extensive collection of marble statues, artifacts, oil paintings, and old manuscripts. It is now a museum that also has a dedicated Calcutta gallery. The well-maintained sprawling lawns around the building are called the lungs of the city. If you are a tad fun-loving, a horse-drawn carriage or tanga ride around Victoria Memorial is highly recommended.

Indian Museum

The Indian Museum bears the honour of being the largest and perhaps the oldest museum in Asia. It has a host of galleries with a rich collection of objects of art and natural history. As a child, we loved the dinosaur skeleton and the mummy remains on display here. As an adult, I tend to gravitate towards the ancient art and textile galleries. The Indian Museum is not far from the Victoria Museum and if you are a museum buff, this museum can easily take you the whole day.

Birla Planetarium

The Birla Planetarium is located opposite to the Victoria Memorial. They have regular shows on astronomy, space science as well as Indian philosophy in connection with stars and planets. The projection is on a spherical ceiling which makes the visual so much more real. The show times are divided as per audio language – English, Bangla, and Hindi. I had first visited this place as a six-year-old and was totally awestruck. I visited the Planetarium again last year and it did not fail to engage me as an adult.

St. Paul’s Cathedral

If you are in the Victoria Memorial – Birla Planetarium area, you are in the vicinity of another beautiful building – the St. Paul’s Cathedral. The cathedral was completed in the year 1847 and is a great instance of Gothic architecture in India. I especially remember the powerful organ that they have been playing here since forever. St. Paul’s Cathedral holds the best Christmas service in Kolkata that I have attended. The sound of the organ bellowed under the high ceilings and I had goosebumps. Because of the surging crowds, the Christmas service these days is restricted to the members of the parish.

Howrah Bridge

Howrah Bridge is iconic to Kolkata. It is a suspension-type balanced cantilever bridge on the River Hooghly and is adjacent to Howrah Station, the largest and oldest railway station in the city. No wonder it sees heavy traffic and footfall daily. Howrah Bridge is a beautiful piece of industrial architecture and has been featured by the Hindi film industry, commonly called Bollywood, in a host of movies since the 1950s. No wonder, if you are not clicked with Howrah Bridge in the backdrop, others would doubt if you have really been to Kolkata.

Kalighat Temple

The Kalighat Temple ranks high among tourist places in Kolkata. The shrine houses a very unique and abstract idol of Goddess Kali and is considered to be an extremely holy Hindu pilgrimage. The temple in its present form was built in the early 1800s in the Chala or Bengal hut style. It is located in the Southern part of Kolkata and draws huge number of devotees every day of the year.

Places to Visit Near Kolkata

In addition to the famous places in Kolkata, there are endless number tourism options around the city. For covering the popular ones, you would need at least a month. Here is a list of some such outside places in random order. Given the sheer number of options and with new tourist spots being developed continuously, this list is by no means exhaustive.

Shantiniketan

Shantiniketan, about 165 km from Kolkata, is a university town that has been made famous by Rabindranath Tagore. It is the headquarters of Biswa Bharati University. The beautifully designed campus, replete with various wall art, statues, and sculptures invokes a sense of peace.

Bishnupur

Bishnupur temple town has a rich collection of terracotta temples in India. Built by the Malla dynasty during the 17^th century, Bishnupur is about 150 km from Kolkata and was a hub of music and art in yesteryear. In addition to the grand temples, one can get a feel of the cultural pursuits of Bengal in Bishnupur.

Sundarbans

Sunderban or Sundarban (“Beautiful Forest”) is a mangrove forest area about 100 km from Kolkata. The mangrove forest is developed on the delta formed by the confluence of Rivers, Ganga, Meghna (Bangladesh), and Brahmaputra, this place is extremely rich in biodiversity. Sunderbans are home to the famous Royal Bengal Tiger.

Digha

Digha is a beach on the Bay of Bengal. It is about 200 km from Kolkata and takes about 4 hours to reach. It is a popular picnic spot and draws huge crowds during the holiday season.

Darjeeling

Darjeeling is the most popular hill station in West Bengal and is part of the Himalayan range. It is an overnight journey from Kolkata. The town was developed as a holiday destination in the British era. Apart from the natural beauty of the Himalayas, is an eclectic fusion of British as well as local Bhutia and Nepalese cultures.

Pro Tips for Visiting Kolkata

Kolkata being closed to the sea is humid except for winter months. Summer lasts from April till September and may not be comfortable for touristy activities. End September till March is the best time to visit Kolkata.

Apart from historical places in Kolkata, you could also look out for happening night life in Park Street area. It is a thriving city so all modern amenities and medical facilities are easily available. That said, Kolkata offers old world charm like no other city in India and that keeps drawing us back to this romantic City of Joy time and again.

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