Things To Do In Kolkata
It is not a city you can whiz through. Its rich heritage needs to be discovered layer by layer. So before you pack your bags, here’s a list of places that should be on your ‘Bucket List’ before you fly.
Things to do in Kolkata
Belur Math and Dakshineshwar
Away from the chaos and the hustle bustle of the city, these temples are located on the banks of the Hooghly River. It is clean, peaceful and a perfect place to relax. It was founded by Swami Vivekananda and is not the headquarters of the Ramkrishna Math religious organization. The temple incorporates architecture and designs from Hinduism, Islam and Christianity.
There is no entry fee to enter the premises. You can commute between the two places on a ferry by walking to the river pier on either bank of the River, the cost for which is INR 10 per person.
Timings – 6 AM to 12 PM and 4 PM to 9 PM
Marble Palace
Built in 1835 by a King from the prosperous Mallick family, this magnificent mansion is as grand as it is curious. Its marble adorned halls are seething with dusty statues of thinkers and dancing girls, game trophies, fine paintings and many other fascination objects. The estate is still maintained by the Mallick family, hence it is a private property.
To enter, you need prior written permission from West Bengal Tourism or India Tourism. Entry in this mansion is free (but tips are expected by the staff guides).
Timings – 10 AM to 4 PM
Victoria Memorial
The spectacular Victoria Memorial is a vast, beautifully proportioned festival of white marble. Dedicated to Queen Victoria, the memorial (which is now a museum), was built using a combination of English and Mughal design. There are magnificently photogenic views across reflecting ponds from both ends of the building. The specially designed structure of the memorial is itself is the main attraction of the place. Every year. thousands of the tourists
Gallery Entry Ticket – INR 200 (for Foreign Tourists)
Timings – 10 AM to 5 PM
Indian Museum
Indian Museum is one of the most momentous, and the first museum to be founded in India. The huge museum has collections and galleries straddling many different subjects; Archaeology, art, geology, and even an exhibition on Egypt (and a mummy) can be found in the museum.
Entry Fee – INR 150
Timings – 10 AM to 5 PM
A Boat Ride from Prinsep Ghat
Prinsep Ghat was built in 1841 on the banks of Hooghly River. Today, it is an atmospheric milieu which demonstrates magnificent views of the Vidyasagar Setu. If feeling adventurous (or romantic!), do go for a sunset river cruise on traditional small wooden boats coxed by local fishermen. There are stalls of mouthwatering delicacies near the pier which you just cannot miss!
Boat Ride – INR 500 per ride (make sure to bring your bargaining skills to action)
Hop on for a Tram ride
Operated by Calcutta Tramways Company (CTC), Kolkata Tram is India’s only operating tram network. The origin of Kolkata Tram dates back to the year 1873, when a 3.9 km tramway service was introduced between Sealdah and Armenian Ghat.
Riding the tram ride is truly a fantastic experience. More than 100 years old, Kolkata Trams bear an old-world charm that bounds every visitor to become a photographer. So, make sure you carry your camera before setting off for a joy ride!
Science City
An amusement park of sorts, Science City is a perfect mix of fun and knowledge. It houses many wondrous and unusual activities like a Space Theatre, Time Machine, Artificial Birds and Dinosaurs, Musical Fountains and Cable Car rides. Science City offers an enthralling experience for children and adults alike. Also pro tip, if you want your hair to stand up like a porcupine (irrespective of the length of your hair), you know where to go!
Entry Fee – INR 40
Timings – 9 AM to 8 PM
Science City, Largest science center in the sub-continent
Biswa Bangla Gate
A trip to Kolkata is incomplete if you do not bring back a piece of Bengal. Biswa Bangla promotes social enterprise and works with local craftsmen & weavers to create quality handicrafts. The collection includes stoneware, pottery, dolls, masks, perfumes, sarees, embroidery, sauces, teas, honey et al. Do pick up a tube (100 ml) of Nalen Gur (liquid date palm jaggery), an essential ingredient in the preparation of Bengali sweets. There are five showrooms in Kolkata – Park Street (Beside Oxford Bookstore), Dakshinapan shopping centre, New Town – Rajarhat (at Central Mall), Domestic Airport and International Airport.
Eco Tourism Park
Eco Tourism Park is an extensive urban park designed to promote eco-tourism in the city. It is the biggest urban park in India and occupies over 475 acres of land. The beauty of the location increases ten folds because of a water body that surrounds the park and forms an island in the middle. It is an expansive urban park designed to promote eco-tourism in the city. It is the biggest urban park in India. The beauty of the location increases ten folds because of a water body that surrounds the park and forms an island in the middle.
The highlight of the park is replicas of the Seven Wonders of the World which includes Christ the Redeemer, Taj Mahal, the Colosseum, the Eiffel Tower, the Great Wall of China, while others are under construction.
The Park also includes various activities such as:
Gaming Zone – INR 50 per person for 1 hour
E-Byke – INR 150 per person for a 10-minute ride
Toy Train – INR 150 per person for a round which lasts about 25 minutes
Cycling – INR 150 per person (there are various options available such as Baby Cycling, Solo Cycling and Duo Cycling and prices vary for each category)
Boating – INR 50 – INR 300 depending on the type of boats and number of people and the amount of time one wants to go boating for
Various other activities such as Paint Ball, Land and Water Zorbing, Archery, Rifle Shooting, etc.
Entry Fee – INR 30
Timings: Tuesday to Saturday – 2:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Sunday & Holidays – 12 Noon to 8:30 PM
Mondays Closed
Other places to visit in Kolkata include:
Botanical Garden
Eden Gardens (the famous cricket stadium)
Mother’s Wax Museum
Birla Planetarium
Birla Mandir
Nicco Park & Wet-O-Wild (Amusement Park and Water Rides)
Where to Eat in Kolkata
Kolkata Street Food
This had to be Number 1! There are plenty of things to do in Kolkata, but if you are a food lover, there’s nothing more gratifying than hitting the sidewalks for a bite of Kolkata Street Food. We have listed down some of the best places for street food which offers a wide variety of mouthwatering snacks such as pav bhaji, rolls, chilla, dal pakoras, puchkas, jhaal muri, ghoogni, bhel puri, kulfi, and the list can go on!
Vardaan Market (the pavement outside the market)
New Market (roadside stalls)
Ram Mandir (roadside stalls)
Golpark Crossing (specialty, Fish Fry)
Nizam’s, New Market (specialty, Rolls)
Anamika, New Alipore (specialty, Rolls)
Street food in Kolkata, the stupid food from the Indian subcontinent
Bhojohori Manna
Kolkata is situated in the West Bengal state of India, so there’s no doubt that there are some restaurants serving marvelous Bengali food. Bhojohori Manna was one of the best. Be sure to order the crab curry and the mochar ghonto (curried banana flower).
Arsalan
Consistently popular with locals, this central branch of Kolkata’s best biryani house is high ceilinged and attractively modern without being fashion-conscious. It has distinguished itself for its authentic Mughlai cuisine. It offers a variety such as mutton biryani, Hyderabadi biryani, chicken biryani and more. Other specialties include Arsalan’s chicken chaanp and its many kabab options.
Flurys
Flurys is Kolkata’s fabled tearoom located on Park Street, which was established under the British Rule in 1927. It continues to emanate Old World charm with a lavish spread of luxurious cakes, indulgent pastries, rich puddings and, a special Flurys pride, some of the best single-origin chocolates outside of Europe. Just as stylish and chic today, 90 years after its founding, Flurys is the perfect location to catch up over a traditional English cream tea or grab a refreshing break from the summer heat with an iced coffee with ice cream. It also serves its popular English breakfast, on weekends.
English Breakfast in Kolkata at Flurys Restaurant
Ballygunge Place
Housed in a 100-year-old bungalow decorated with pictures of old Kolkata, 6 Ballygunge Place provides the perfect spot for a multi-course Bengali meal. Highlights on the menu include the Kasha Mangsho, a traditional Bengali spicy mutton curry dish as well as the Daab Chingri, which are prawns cooked in mustard (a favorite among Bengalis) and cooked inside a hollowed-out coconut. Must visit for Bengali Cuisine lovers.
Where to Shop in Kolkata
Kolkata is a shopper’s paradise! From weddings to books, everything that you can think of, is available here at astonishingly low rates. We have listed down some of the best places to shop in Kolkata:
New Market – Everything, literally!
Gariahat Market – Street Shopping
Quest Mall – Luxury Brands
College Street – Books
Burra Bazar – Wedding Paradise
Colorful shopping in Kolkata
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