12 Places You Must Explore in Kolkata

Are you a hodophile who loves to travel so much? Or are you planning a short trip to Kolkata with your friends and family? However, if you are confused about the trip destination in Kolkata! Then do not worry, you are already on the right page. Here we will discuss 12 places you must explore in Kolkata, once you are in the city of joy.

Kolkata has always been a hot spot for all the tourists across the globe including localities. It has a combination of brilliant architecture, rich culture, fascinating art, innumerable monuments which have a history of their own. This is also an ideal place for shutterbugs who can get beautiful pictures through the city. The picturesque buildings, magnificent temples, and other sightseeing places make Kolkata unique from other tourist places in India. Even you can experience the charm of the streets in Kolkata in fewer places. And if you want to know the names of those locations, stay tuned and keep scrolling!!

Victoria Memorial

The first name which comes to my mind is Victoria Memorial. This marvellous white building is placed at the heart of the city. This is the most liked tourism spot in Kolkata. The combination of architectural patterns that built-in Indo-British style and some other methods like Mughal, Islamic, and Egyptian borrowed from various parts of the world.

The purpose of this memorial is to celebrate queen victoria and her achievements. Those who have a special interest in architecture and historical buildings will love this place a lot.

Entry Fees

Travellers	Entry Fees
For Indians	Rs. 20
For Foreign Tourists	Rs 200
For school children (up to 12th)	Free
Army personnel (in uniform)	Free

Entry Timing

The gallery is open from 10 AM to 5 PM on all weekdays except Mondays.

Howrah Bridge

Built upon the Hooghly river, it is considered the gateway of Kolkata. You might be wondering, how a bridge can be a tourists spot? Well, this is one of the longest cantilever bridges in the world that connects Howrah to Kolkata.

This is proof of sound engineering and brilliant architecture in those days in West Bengal. Howrah bridge is also known as ‘Rabindra Setu’ to honour the Nobel laureate, Rabindranath Tagore. 

Entry Fees

For Howrah bridge, no such entry fees or timings are needed. You can feel the charm of it while travelling to the place.

Park Street

If you want to get a glimpse of Kolkata’s vibrant nightlife, you can keep Park Street on your ‘must-go’ list. Multiple pubs and restaurants around the street are more likely to cause a lively effect in the nighttime. If you visit the place during Christmas or around the year-ending time, you will find the whole length of park street has decked up with tuni bulbs, Christmas themed lights.

These lights can cheer your mood up while roaming through the street. Apart from getting the sneak into the busy nightlife of Kolkata, ancient buildings and monuments around the street add to the cultural collection of the place. Localities call it ‘ Mother Teresa Sarani’.

Entry Timing

This place is open all time, as they say, it is a ‘street that never sleeps.’

Entry Fee

No such entry fees are there for park streets.

Dakshineshwar Temple

The presiding deity of this temple is Devi Bhabatarini, a manifestation of Goddess Kali. this is one of the iconic Hindu temples in Kolkata that has a ‘Navaratna’ architectural pattern. It is placed at the eastern ghat of the Hoogly river in the year 1855, established by patroness Rani Rashmoni. And bears a lot of history on its own. The temple carries the religious shrine of priest Ramkrishna Paramahansa dev and his devotion toward the Deity.

Belur Math

Placed at the western bank of the Hooghly river, an ideal place for peace-seekers. It is having prayer halls and is considered an important pilgrimage spot in India. Belur Math is the headquarters of Ramkrishna Mission and its calming and peaceful ambience makes it one of the best places for tourists.

Belur Math Address

Belur, Howrah, West Bengal, 711202, India

Entry Timing

6:00 am to 11:00 am and 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on all weekdays including Sundays.

Entry Fees

No such entry fees are needed.

Prinsep Ghat

You can spend a relaxing and romantic evening if you want to spend quality time with yourself or your partner. Or if you want to choose a spot for opening your picnic box, then Princep Ghat is a ready-to-go option for you. You can sit in front of the silent water and enjoy the street foods of Kolkata or go for a walk on the green lawns. Even you can enjoy boating by looking over the Vivekananda Setu. 

Prinsep Ghat Address

Fort William, Hastings, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700021, India

Entry Fees

No such entry fee is needed here.

Entry Timing

It is open for all the weekdays including Sunday for 24 hours

Kumortuli

This is the ideal place for all the shutterbugs. Photographers from foreign countries also come to the place. This is the place for traditional potter’s quarters. You can roam around the place and explore the intricately detailed clay work. The Durga idols of the famous Durga puja are built-in here. Here you will find over 100 studios of clay workers. You will get the cultural essence of Kolkata lies here. You can visit a few months before the Durga puja to see the skeleton work of Durga clay idols.

Kumartuli Address

Hatkhola, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700005, India

Entry Fees

No such entry fees are needed.

Entry Timing

It is open for all weekdays including Sundays for 24 hours

College Street

This is also known as ‘Boipara’. The area is spread across 1.5 km, the side of the street is decked up with stacks of books arranged over the area.

In college street, you can get into the coffee house and try their signature dishes. This is one of the favourite places for all generations to hang with friends.

College Street Address

Kolkata, Pincode – 700073, West Bengal

Entry Fees

No such entry fees are needed.

Entry Timing

Open for all days for 24 hours.

Birla Planetarium

Locally known as ‘Taramandal’, placed close to the Victoria Memorial. This is a brain child of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. It is an ideal place for those who have a keen interest in Astronomy and related facts. It possesses an astronomy gallery along with the informative, interesting astronomy shows hosted by the administration. They host in various languages like Bengali, English, Hindi, and more.

Birla Planetarium Address

Maidan, Cathedral Rd, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700071, India.

Entry Fees

100 per person (General)

40 per person for students in a group of 25 or more

Entry Timing

All days including Sundays from 12:00 pm to 6:30 pm

Alipore Zoological Garden

This is considered a major tourist attraction, especially during the winter season. Ideal place for animal lovers and home to one-horned reindeer, hornbill, Royal Bengal tiger, and many more. During the winter season, you will also get to see the migratory birds and enjoy your day.

Address

No. 2, Alipore Road, Alipur Zoological Garden, Alipore, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700027, India

Entry Fees

• 10 per person for Children up to 5 years of age group
• 30 per person for Visitors above 5 years of age on Saturdays, Sundays & Government holidays
•  25 per person for Visitors above 5 years of age on other days
•  5 per person for Aquarium
•  250 per hour for Video Camera

Entry Timing

All days excluding Thursday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Botanical Garden

This can be the ideal place for nature lovers and is considered one of the most beautiful places to visit in Kolkata. It comprises a 273-acre garden area that covers almost 12,000 species of plants. You will be amazed by the mesmerizing beauty of this garden at the western ghat of Ganga. Plan a day out to this place with your loved ones and feel the divine ecstasy of nature.

Entry Fees

10/- per adult person for Indian citizens and 100/- per person for Foreigners.

Entry Timing

Open on all days except Monday from 10 AM to 7 PM.

Old Chinatown

Kolkata is the only place to have China Town, located in Tiretti Bazar. This place is a little different from the previous ones. If you are a Chinese street food lover like me, then you should keep this place on your checklist. As it’s only there for a limited time from 5:30 am to 8:30 am, only an early bird can easily avail of these roadside fresh Chinese delicacies like momos, meatballs, fishball soup, dumplings, and many more. And to get a glimpse of the actions in the town, then you need to plan it for Sunday. Enjoy the feast and explore around.

This place is open to all. No such entry fees are there. All you have to do is just be in time!

However, the list has not ended here. There are multiple places to check out in Kolkata to satisfy your wandering soul. Here I have enlisted a few of them.

If you want to plan your vacation and enjoy it to the fullest, you can always count on Kolkata. Even after this, you need some help to plan your trip, you can always count on us. Reach us at……… we will be happy to help you out.

Do not forget to keep an extra mask and sanitiser with you in this COVID era. Wear your mask properly covering your nose and mouth as well. Otherwise, you may need to pay an extra charge from your pocket. Stay safe and happy holidays!

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