Explore Kolkata

🏛️ Kolkata Travel Guide

Known for: Literature, Durga Puja, street food, colonial architecture, art, and intellectual legacy
Location: Eastern India, West Bengal — on the banks of the Hooghly River

🕒 Best Time to Visit:

• October to March (Winter):
  ✅ Best time to visit — cool weather and major festivals
  ✅ Durga Puja (Oct) is the grandest celebration in the city

• April to June (Summer):
  🔥 Hot and humid, avoid midday outings

• July to September (Monsoon):
  🌧️ Rainy but green — ideal for indoor attractions and museums

🛣️ How to Get There:

• 🛫 By Air:

  • Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) — Well connected domestically and internationally

• 🚆 By Train:

  • Major railway hubs: Howrah Station and Sealdah Station

• 🚗 By Road:

  • Connected to neighboring states and towns via NH2, NH6

  • Buses from Bihar, Odisha, Assam, and Bangladesh

• 🚇 Local Metro:

  • India’s first metro system — connects north-south Kolkata efficiently

🌟 Top Attractions:

🏰 Victoria Memorial:

• Iconic white marble monument dedicated to Queen Victoria

• Houses a museum on British India and Kolkata’s colonial history

• Beautiful gardens, especially in the evening

🛕 Dakshineswar & Kalighat Temples:

• Major pilgrimage spots dedicated to Goddess Kali

• Kalighat is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas

🖼️ Indian Museum:

• The oldest and largest museum in India

• Ancient artifacts, fossils, and Egyptian mummies

🌉 Howrah Bridge (Rabindra Setu):

• An engineering marvel — best viewed at sunrise or lit-up night

📚 College Street & Coffee House:

• Asia’s largest book market

• Visit the iconic Indian Coffee House for Bengali intellectual vibes

🖼️ Kumartuli:

• Artistic neighborhood where clay idols for Durga Puja are crafted

• Great for photography and cultural immersion

🌳 Prinsep Ghat & Riverfront:

• Peaceful promenade on the Hooghly River

• Ideal for sunset walks and boat rides

🎨 Activities to Do:

• Take a tram ride — the only running tram system in India

• Walk through South Park Street Cemetery for a gothic experience

• Attend a theater or music show at Nandan or Rabindra Sadan

• Explore street art, galleries, and heritage buildings in North Kolkata

• Ride a hand-pulled rickshaw in old neighborhoods for a nostalgic journey

🏨 Accommodation:

Luxury:

• The Oberoi Grand – Colonial luxury in the city center

• ITC Royal Bengal, Taj Bengal, Hyatt Regency

Mid-range:

• Kenilworth Hotel, The Astor, The Peerless Inn

Budget:

• Backpackers Park, Zostel Kolkata, The Elgin Fairlawn

🍛 Food & Restaurants:

Must-Try Dishes:

• Macher Jhol (Fish curry)

• Shorshe Ilish (Hilsa in mustard sauce)

• Kosha Mangsho (Slow-cooked mutton curry)

• Kathi Rolls, Puchka (Pani Puri)

• Mishti Doi, Sandesh, Rasgulla

Popular Food Spots:

• 6 Ballygunge Place – Authentic Bengali cuisine

• Oh! Calcutta – High-end Bengali flavors

• Nizam’s or Kusum Rolls – For famous Kathi rolls

• Balaram Mullick & Radharaman Mullick – Legendary sweet shop

• Peter Cat – For sizzlers and Chelo Kebabs

🧑‍🎨 Local Culture:

• Known as India’s intellectual and artistic hub

• Rich legacy of Rabindranath Tagore, Satyajit Ray, Mother Teresa

• Epicenter of Durga Puja, with thousands of pandals, lights, and art installations

• Famous for Adda (long informal conversations), theatre, and poetry

⚠️ Travel Tips:

• 🧣 Dress conservatively at temples and local markets

• 💸 Carry small change — many vendors prefer cash

• 📸 Ask before photographing locals or religious events

• 🧭 Public transport like metro, tram, and ferry are affordable and authentic

• ☀️ Summers are humid — stay hydrated and wear cottons

Booking information