You will never find yourself at a loss for things to do in Kolkata (Calcutta), Eastern India. We’ve visited the city several times and never had a dull moment. What can we say? We simply love it!
The East India Company founded the city as a trading post in the late 17th Century. The city grew through the centuries and became the biggest in the region. However, Kolkata is much more than the former capital of British India.
The city played an important role in both World Wars and India’s independence. Today, Kolkata is a vibrant city that attracts people from the rest of the country and the world. The City of Joy offers grand architecture and a fantastic culture.
Get Lost on the Streets of Dalhousie
By the mid-19th Century, Kolkata had two sections. The colonizers lived in the White Town. That is the area around Dalhousie in the center. The city’s biggest palaces and governmental offices are here. Begin your walk in Dalhousie Square.
Walk to the 1803 Raj Bhavan mansion and then to St. John’s Church from 1787. The 1862 High Court of Kolkata is south. The Calcutta Town Hall is near. From there, walk to the coast and then to Millennium Park.
Exit the park and go to the Writers Building. Don’t rush and get lost in the side streets. The Customs House and the General Post Office are next door. Continue to Chandni Chowk. It’s an area with old crumbling buildings and bazaars.
Visit Historic Churches, Mosques and Synagogues
Since the city attracted people of different denominations, there are many temples in Kolkata. From St. John’s Church, walk to the Tipu Sultan Mosque from 1832. It’s at the beginning of the Chandni Chowk Market.
The area around Bara Bazar is full of mosques. Look for the Nakhoda Mosque, the biggest in Eastern India. The Cathedral of the Most Holy Rosary from 1799 is there too. Walk north to see three Synagogues. The oldest is Neveh Shalome from 1831. The other two are Maghen David Synagogue and Beth El Synagogue.
The Armenian Church from 1700 is nearby. Look for the Old Mission Church and the Carey Baptist Church in Dalhousie. It’s the biggest Baptist temple in the city. Don’t forget to visit St. Paul’s Cathedral. The massive Anglican temple is from 1847.
Shop at the New Market
The New Market was created in 1874 for the British. Locals were not allowed. At that time, the fanciest street was Chowringee Road. The market is there, behind the Oberoi Grand Hotel. It’s a massive place with over 3000 shops!
You can buy just about everything. We suggest spending spending time roaming about the market. People from all over the city visit to eat, shop, and socialize. It opens all day long till approximately midnight.
From the market, walk to Janbazar. This area is full of isles, grand mansions, shops, and temples. You will see old crumbling buildings, Indian temples, and shops. Visit the house of the wife of the last Zamindar, Rani Rashmoni.
Meet Locals in the Park Street
Kolkata’s trendiest drag is Park Street. All types of restaurants, shops, bars, and coffee houses line the street. Since it’s got sidewalks, you can walk all along the street. Begin on Park Street Metro. The historic Trincas restaurant is there.
Our favorite bookstore is next door. Oxford Books has a wide selection of books in English. To eat traditional Bengali food, go to Moti Mahal. For sweets, head to Balaram & Radharaman Mullick, opened in 1885. Stop by Manzuma’s Sun Park.
Saint Xavier College opened in 1860. Continue to South Park Street Cemetery. Check out the tall trees and ancient tombs inside this 18th-Century cemetery. Cross the street to see the Scottish Cemetery. Refresh in Flury’s. Opened in 1927, it has the best pastry in the city.
Spend Time in Maidan
Maidan Park is across Chowringee Road. The park is the biggest in India. Look for the Shaheed Minar monument. The 1828 tribute to the commander of the East British Company was dedicated to the martyrs of Indian Independence in 1969.
Military compounds occupy the north of the park. You will see people playing cricket, walking, and chilling. You can rent a horse cart and loop around the park. Fort Williams is next to the river. Visit the Command Museum.
Walk to James Prinsep Ghat from 1841. The views over the river and the park will take your breath away. The Eden Gardens are next to Maidan. You can rest by the lake and check a Buddhist temple.
Learn History in the Indian Museum
The Indian Museum in Kolkata is the biggest and oldest museum in India and Asia! It’s one of the oldest museums in the world. The building is massive and gorgeous. It towers above Chowringee Road next to the New Market.
The building opened in 1875. You’ve got 6 sections to discover set along 35 galleries. Our favorite section is the one dedicated to Indian Art. The most popular amongst locals seems to be the Egyptian section. It’s got a mummy!
The Government College of Arts and Crafts building is next to the museum. You can tour the colonial building. The historic Elgin Hotel is behind the museum. Dominique Lapierre wrote the book that gave Kolkata its nickname ‘City of Joy’ in the hotel.
Visit Victoria Memorial
The Victoria Memorial is one of the city’s most popular attractions and a must see on any visit to India. Most of the postcards from Kolkata feature the massive building. It’s south of Maidan Park. We recommend entering through the gate in front of Maidan.
The British Government built it from 1905 to 1912 to celebrate Victoria, Empress of India. It’s the biggest memorial to any monarch in the world. It’s got 25 galleries. What a shame that not a single gallery is dedicated to the atrocities committed by the Empress.
A 64-acre (26 hectares) garden surrounds the memorial. The whole place is beautiful. Once done with the memorial, walk to the Birla Planetarium. The 1962 masterpiece is the biggest planetarium in Asia and the second biggest in the world. Don’t miss the St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Admire the Historic Bridge
One of Kolkata’s biggest attractions is Howrah Bridge. The steel structure crosses the Hooghly River north of Dalhousie. It replaced a pontoon bridge built in 1874. The one we can see today opened in 1946. It’s the busiest cantilever bridge in the world.
You can take a ferry in Millennium Park and cross to Howrah. From there, take another ferry to Mullick Ghat. There’s a beautiful flower market there, and you can walk along the river north to Jagannath Ghat.
Crossing the river on foot takes less than 15 minutes. It takes you to the Howrah station bus terminal. Howrah Railway station is south. It’s the biggest, oldest, and busiest station in India. The views from the bridge are epic. Killer sunsets guaranteed!
Visit Dakshineswar Kali Temple
One of the most popular places to visit is Dakshineswar Kali Temple. Rani Rashmoni had it built in 1855. She was a noble Zamindar, married to the last ruler of Bengal, and a devotee of Krishna.
It’s a big complex and you need to leave your shoes at the entrance of the main temple. Watch out for cute monkeys. Don’t feed them! The temple has 3 stories, 9 spires, ghats, and an inner altar with a statue of Kali.
The best way to reach the temple is by metro’s blue line. It’s a bit far, so a taxi would take ages. The closest station is Dakshineswar, minutes from the temple. You can take the metro from the Park Street or Esplanade stations in the center.
Take a Boat to Belur Math
From Dakshineswar Temple take a boat to Belur Math. The temple closes before 9 PM, so be sure to have enough time to visit both without rushing. You will see the signs in Dakshineswar directing you to the ferry. It’s next door.
The ferry takes less than 10 minutes, and you travel with the local crowd! Get your camera ready for pictures of both temples. Belur Math is newer. Swami Vivekananda had it built in 1938. He was the disciple of Ramakrishna.
The complex sits on 40 acres (16 hectares) of manicured gardens. There are three main temples, several shrines, and a museum. Approximately at 7:30 PM, there is a beautiful ritual with prayers and light. Cross the river again and hop on the metro back to the center.
Visit the Palaces in Jorasanko Neighborhood
Jorasanko is a neighborhood north of Dalhousie. Take the metro to Mahatma Ghandi station. From there, walk to the Marble Palace, one of the grandest mansions in Kolkata. Raja Rajendra Mullick built it in 1835. From there, walk to Jorasanko Thakurbari.
The home of the Tagore family is now a museum. Shri Bainkunthanath Temple is near. You will see it from the street. It’s an old Hindu temple with lots of sculptures. From there, walk to Pathuriaghata Rajbari, the house of Khelat Ghose.
Don’t forget to check the Sri Ram Chandra Temple and Jorasanko Thakurbari Gate. Get lost in Bara Bazar. Stop by the Ramakrishna Swami Cultural Center. To rest, have a tea at the Indian Coffee House. Take a tuk-tuk to the Bose Institute Museum.
Look for Mud Statues in Kumartuli
Kumartuli is our favorite neighborhood in Kolkata. It’s a tiny area next to the river north of the center. During British Rule, it was part of Black Kolkata, where the locals were allowed to live. Take the metro blue line to Shobhabazar Station.
You will see lots of crumbling old buildings and curvy isles. Walk along the river from Ghopal Ghat to Sovabazar Ghat admiring the buildings. The biggest religious ceremony in the city takes place each October all around Kolkata. It’s amazing!
The beautiful sculptures used in the puja are made here. Get lost in Kumartuli’s streets searching for statues. These are made of hay and mud. You will see several temples along the way. Visit Sovabazar bazaar. The area looks beautiful at night.
Visit Mother Teresa’s House
Mother Teresa was a nun who arrived in India in 1929. She moved to the city in the 1940s and began working with the poor. She founded the Missionaries of Charity and became famous all around the world.
The Mother’s House of the Missionaries of Charity is 10 minutes north of Park Street Cemetery. It opens from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM. You’ve got Teresa’s tomb, her room, and a small museum. It’s actually a very peaceful convent.
Though beloved when alive, Mother Teresa is today a controversial figure in the city. Some considered her evangelization forced conversions and her views linked to colonialism. Others believe she tainted Kolkata’s reputation. Visit and let us know what you think.
Spend Some Time in New Kolkata
Not everything is old in the city. Kolkata today is modern and vibrant. That’s why you must visit Salt Lake and New Kolkata, northeast of the center. Massive lakes were drained in the 1960s to make way for residential buildings.
Hop on a tuk-tuk and discover Salt Lake. It’s full of small lakes, malls, and coffee shops. Mani close to Salt Lake Stadium is the biggest shopping mall. It’s a great place to mingle with well-to-do Kolkatans.
From there, take a taxi to New Kolkata, further east. You will see the city’s highest towers here. Have lunch in Biswa Bangla Gate in the heart of New Kolkata. The restaurant looks like a spaceship on top of the streets.
Go on a Day Trip
Our favorite place near Kolkata is Sundarban. It’s the world’s biggest tiger reserve in the world’s largest delta! We strongly recommend spending at least one night at the Hotel Sonar Bangla. Check out here how to visit Sundarban from Kolkata.
Another fantastic place is Bishnupur. The town is some 100 miles (150 km) from Kolkata. It’s known for its incredible terracotta temples. The temples were built in the 17th Century. We believe you must spend at least a night at the Hotel Annapurna.
If you don’t have time or don’t want to go alone, we strongly recommend this tour. It takes you to Bishnupur with private transportation and a guide. You get to visit traditional weavers too. It includes transportation and takes the whole day.
Where to Stay in Kolkata
The best place to stay in Kolkata is the Lalit Great Eastern Kolkata Hotel. The historic hotel has an unbeatable location, close to Raj Bhavan. It’s got a pool, original art and antiques, and extra comfortable rooms. The service is in a class of its own.
Another of our favorite hotels is the Oberoi Grand Kolkata. The historic property is in New Market. It’s got a fantastic pool in the middle of a lovely courtyard. The rooms are gorgeous, and the onsite restaurants are some of the best in the city.
Our final recommendation goes to the Taj Bengal. The contemporary building is 10 minute walking to the Victoria Memorial. It’s got a lovely garden, a pool, a spa, a gym, and 6 restaurants! The rooms are huge. The best ones on the top floors have fantastic views.
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