10 Must-See Places to Visit in Kolkata
Kolkata’s unique blend of rich cultural heritage, historical significance and vibrant arts scene makes it a wonderful destination to visit in India! Be sure to check out these places to visit in Kolkata to learn about the city and experience life there.
Kolkata (previously known as Calcutta) has a very rich history and there is so much to learn when you visit! Seriously, there’s a lot to do in this city which is known as the Cultural Capital of India.
For some background, it was made a trading post by the British in the late 17th century and later became the capital of British India. It went on to play an important part in the Indian independence movement. You can easily see the British influence among many of the places to visit in Kolkata.
Since the 19th century, Kolkata has been an intellectual and cultural hub of the country! It is well-known for its arts scene and rich culture which makes it such a unique place to visit in India.
In this post you’ll learn about popular places to visit in Kolkata that will help you experience the culture and history of the city. These are go-to stops for anyone traveling to Kolkata, so be sure to check them out! You can also see tips for planning your trip to India with this Ultimate Travel Guide to India.
This post is all about places to visit in Kolkata.
Top Places to Visit in Kolkata
#1 Victoria Memorial
The Victoria Memorial is like the city’s crown jewel among the places to visit in Kolkata. It’s a huge white marble building that looks like it’s straight out of a fairytale!
It was built in the early 20th century and dedicated to Queen Victoria. It has a museum about India’s colonial past that is super interesting and well-organized. There are paintings, old photos, sculptures, historical artifacts and more things to help you see what life might’ve been like during that time.
There are gardens all around the outside of the memorial where you can find a beautiful spot to relax. At night, they light up the memorial and it’s truly beautiful. The whole area around has a lot of beautiful green space and is close to other tourist attractions.
This is one of the best places to visit in Kolkata that I really recommend everyone to see! Not only does it showcase some history, but it’s also got some stunning architecture.
Hours: 10am – 6pm (except Mondays) and the garden opens earlier from 5:30am – 6pm
Price: 500 INR for foreigners and 30 INR for Indians
#2 St. Paul’s Cathedral
Right across from the Victoria Memorial you will find St. Paul’s Cathedral. It’s a huge, beautiful old church built in the 19th century. After visiting the memorial, it’s worth a stop to go into the cathedral and have a look around.
The cathedral is famous for its gothic architecture. It’s got high ceilings and beautiful stained glass windows. Honestly I mean it when I say it is a BIG cathedral!
There are also beautiful gardens surrounding it where you can relax as well.
Hours: 10am – 6pm or you can attend a mass. For more details about timings and history you can read this article all about the cathedral.
Price: Free
#3 Fort William Area
Fort William is also very near to the Victoria Memorial. The fort was originally built at the beginning of British rule and holds a lot of historical value.
Today, it’s no longer used as a fort and is instead a headquarters for the Indian Army. It’s not open to tourists because it’s a militarized area and has high security. But the area around the Fort is huge which you can explore and they do sometimes have different exhibits, especially related to old war pieces.
If you’re going to be in the area, it’s worth walking by to have a look! Don’t expect to spend a lot of time there since you can’t enter, but still an important piece of history to take in.
Hours: View from outside anytime
Price: Free
#4 Park Street (Best places to visit in Kolkata for food & nightlife!)
If you’re looking for good food or nightlife, Park Street is where you will find all of the best places to visit in Kolkata! It’s a super popular, lively area with a wide range of options to choose from. It’s really where all the action is in Kolkata!
Park Street area is where you’ll also find cool shops, theaters and art galleries if you’re looking to take in some of the culture. And it’s the best place to go for drinks or nightclubs! In general, there’s a lot to do and it’s the perfect area for travelers to spend time hanging out or book a hotel nearby.
Some popular and famous restaurants to check out are…..
- Flurys – Flurys is an iconic tearoom famous for its cakes and pastries
- Peter Cat – This is a long-time favorite for locals and tourists and is famous for its chelo kebabs and sizzlers
- Barbecue Nation – BBQ Nation is popular and is uniquely known for having a grill at each table. There are a lot of veg and non-veg options too!
- Mocambo – This is another iconic restaurant around Park Street that has continental and north Indian food. The devilled crab is really good!
#5 Indian Museum
The Indian Museum is also near the Victoria Memorial. It’s a great stop for a crash course in India’s history and culture! You’ll see ancient sculptures, historical artifacts, mummies (shocking, right!) and all kinds of interesting things from the past.
The museum features different exhibits and sometimes has various cultural performances. There are sections about archaeology, art, anthropology and more. The building is quite big and a beauty within itself too!
Hours: 10am – 6pm (closed on Mondays)
Price: 500 INR for foreigners and 75 INR for Indians
#6 The Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa’s old home)
Whether you’re religious or not, visiting the Mother House is a worthwhile stop. It’s a very simple building where Mother Teresa lived and started her work caring for the poor and sick. Today, it’s a convent and has a museum with interesting photos and memorabilia from her life.
You can see her room and learn about her experiences as well as what life was like for the underprivileged at that time. It’s also where her tomb is kept. The Mother House is very peaceful and calm, and it’s an incredible reminder of the impact one person can have on the world.
Hours: 9am – 12pm and 3pm – 5:30pm
Price: Free
#7 Marble Palace
The Marble Palace in Kolkata is one of the places in Kolkata to visit that requires a permit to enter. It’s a beautiful stunning mansion, so even if you don’t want to get a permit, it’s worth walking by and taking in the beauty!
The mansion was built in the 1800s and is called the Marble Palace because it’s literally full of marble! It’s quite a stunning sight.
If you decide to get a permit from the West Bengal Tourism Information Bureau (you have to go to their office to get it) and go inside, you’ll be on a private guided tour to see art collections, antiques, and even a small zoo in the courtyard.
Otherwise, it’s still a sight to see for anyone who likes art, history or appreciates old houses!
Hours: View from outside any time or obtain permit for guided tour
Price: Free
#8 Jorasanko Thakur Bari (House of the Thakurs)
Combine your stop to the Marble Palace by going just a few buildings over to Jorasanko Thakur Bari. This is the ancestral home of Rabindranath Tagore, a world famous writer and the first person from Asia to win a Nobel Prize for literature. He also wrote the national anthem for India.
The house is now a museum where you can find collections of his personal belongings, manuscripts, paintings and more. The architecture is breathtaking and a stunning example of the traditional Bengali-style mansions.
The Jorasanko Thakur Bari is the perfect place to visit for anyone interested in literature, art, history, or if you just want to pay homage to a cultural legend! During different times of the year, they also have light shows to see at night.
Hours: 10:30am – 5pm (closed Mondays), light shows happen in the evening but differ in timings and are only during certain months of the year
Price: 150 INR for foreigners and 20 INR for Indians
#9 Eco Park
Eco Park is away from the main city hub of Kolkata and is a breath of fresh air! It’s a huge, green park that prides itself in being eco-friendly and has various attractions. It’s essentially an amusement park but focused on nature activities.
There’s a path you can walk or bike along that circles a lake. They have a section that is famous monuments from around the world (like the Eiffel Tower for example), a rose garden, butterfly garden, and play areas for kids.
This is the perfect stop if you’re looking for a break from the city or traveling with kids. They also have boating, toy train rides and a ton of other small attractions. It’s perfect for a picnic or to hang out outdoors. You can even stay in one of the cottages there!
If you have limited time in Kolkata and are more interested in learning about the history and culture, you can leave this stop off your list because it’s not very close to the city hub. But, it is great for families or for time in nature. I visited it when I was staying at a hotel near the airport and it is unique!
Hours: 12:30pm – 8:30pm (closed Mondays)
Price: 30 INR for all adults, but extra cost depending on what attractions you want to do
#10 Howrah Bridge
One of the busiest places to visit in Kolkata is the Howrah bridge! It’s a massive steel bridge that goes over the Hooghly river and is one of the most-used bridges in the world.
It was built during British rule and it is very interesting to see from afar, especially at night when it lights up. The bridge is a part of daily life for so many people and hence, it’s always busy and bustling.
When we traveled to Kolkata, we decided to walk across the bridge. But to be honest, it was quite overwhelming with all of the crowd! I preferred to see its beauty from further down the river. It is totally walkable though and if you’re up for the experience, you’ll see a lot about daily life!
The Howrah Bridge is an icon for Kolkata and is a famous sight to see in the city.
Hours: See or use any time
Price: Free
Being the cultural capital of India, there are endless places to visit in Kolkata! These are some of the most popular spots that are perfect for travelers visiting the city. You might also want to check out this Ultimate India Packing List to tips on what to wear and things to bring!
This post was all about places to visit in Kolkata.
