Narrowing down an itinerary that covers the best things to do in Kolkata exudes the charisma of the West Bengal megacity. It is a huge city (even by Indian standards) with loads to do. The question is just of how to choose!
Culturally Kolkata is an exciting amalgamation of Bengali culture and colonial-era history and architecture. There are bustling markets and famous bazars lining the huge avenues following alongside the famous Hooghly River.
Albeit the population and bustle can feel overwhelming for travellers planning a first time in the city. But Kolkata is worth embracing and the chaos is undeniably part of the city charm.
Here are the top things to do in Kolkata and tips for planning your Kolkata itinerary including where to eat, where to stay and how to get around.
- About Kolkata
- History of West Bengal
- What is the best time to visit?
- Things to do in Kolkata
- Getting there
- Getting around in Kolkata
- Where to eat
- Where to stay in Kolkata
About Kolkata
Kolkata is the old capital of the British Raj and has the third biggest population of any city in India.
Historically, and particularly by its old spelling of Calcutta, the city has something of an unjust reputation of overcrowded suffering and poverty.
Albeit it has had a history of challenges with the rise and fall of colonial-era leadership and monarchy coupled with a heavy population.
But as a result, for travellers today the former capital of British India is a kind of unlikely gentle introduction to the metropolises of India with all the bells and whistles of colonial-era architecture contrasting starkly with new-town Bengali culture and cuisine.
- Read about getting an e-Visa for India, arriving at Delhi International Airport and getting a SIM card for travel in India.
A brief history of Kolkata and West Bengal
Many of the now-touristic things to do in Kolkata today are a result of the history and geographical location of the city.
Kolkata used to be known as Calcutta. The British decided it was a suitable and defendable colonial settlement sometime around 1690. Within a few decades, the newly christened Calcutta was established as a miniature version of London with stately buildings and English churches lining wide boulevards and grand garden parks.
Calcutta was the centre for English trade in India and it became the capital of the British Raj from 1858 after British Crown rule was established.
It remained as the capital of the British India until 1911, when the capital was relocated to Delhi and Calcutta changed to the capital of all Bengal.
After the partition and Indian Independence in 1947, Kolkata was renamed and remained the capital of West Bengal.
Today Kolkata is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal.
- Read our travel guide to Bangladesh.
What is the best time of year to visit Kolkata?
The best time to visit Kolkata is during the winter months from November to February.
In winter, the temperature ranges from around 10°C (50°F) to 25°C (77°F), providing a comfortable and enjoyable climate for sightseeing.
In the summer it can get seriously hot during the daytime.
The Kolkata and West Bengal region experiences heavy rain at times during the monsoon season in July and August. Take extra precaution traveling during this time as it is also the notorious mosquito season in India.
- Read about getting Dengue Fever in India and ending up in hospital in Delhi.
How long do you need to see all the things to do in Kolkata?
You really need 2 – 3 days in Kolkata.
We had three nights with two full days on our second visit and crammed in a lot of things to do in Kolkata into the short time. There are many more things to see if you have more time.
Do you recommend a guide or tour to see all the things to do in Kolkata?
We visited Kolkata independently on two visits. Though for us, Kolkata was not our end destination.
We used Kolkata as a hopping point traveling from Bangladesh to Kolkata, India and then travelled onwards from Kolkata to Mumbai.
If you are visiting to see as many of the things to do in Kolkata as possible, I would recommend booking a day tour with GetYourGuide. Otherwise see below for details on how to get around independently to the city sites.
- Book a day tour of Kolkata online before you travel.
Choosing the best things to do in Kolkata
In no particular order, here are 12 things to do in Kolkata.
1. Victoria Memorial
This is truly the jewel in the crown of things to do in Kolkata.
The Victoria Memorial was commissioned after Queen Victoria’s death in 1901 but wasn’t opened to the public until twenty years later in 1921.
It is a huge marble palace housing a museum with exhibits detailing the history of Kolkata and British India. There are painting, photographs, artefacts, arms and armour.
Or if you aren’t wanting to squeeze in a museum visit the grounds are expansive with gardens and memorials featuring sculptures of Queen Victoria and Lord Ripon.
- Open: 10:00am – 5:00pm except Monday
- Cost: 200 INR
- Location: Queens Way, Maidan
2. St John’s Church Kolkata
The St John’s Church building is stunning. It was the very first public building that was erected by the British East India Company in 1787, and it served as the Anglican Cathedral of Calcutta until 1847.
It is the third oldest Church of Kolkata and the first Anglican Church of the city.
- Open: 8:00am – 5:00pm Monday to Saturday or 10:00am – 4:00pm Sunday
- Cost: Free (donations are appreciated)
- Location: Council House St, Lal Dighi, B.B.D. Bagh
3. Howrah Bridge
This is one of the most iconic things to do in Kolkata. The Howrah Bridge is a huge steel bridge over the Hooghly River commissioned in 1943.
It is one of the longest cantilever bridges in the world and the busiest bridge in India.
Approximately 100,000 vehicles and more than 150,000 pedestrians cross it daily!
4. Mallick Ghat Kolkata Flower Market
Near the southeast end of Howrah Bridge, the Mallick Ghat Flower Market operates in full vibrant colour almost 24 hours a day. It is one of Asia’s largest flower markets operating right on the Mallick Ghat above the Hoogley River since 1855.
The market stays open late into the night but the best time to visit is in the early morning at sunrise when the stall holders receive the freshly cut flowers to prepare for the day.
- Tip: Walk underneath the bridge to Mallick Ghat. The stalls start from here and the flower market ends where the spice market begins.
5. Birla Mandir Hindu Temple
Birla Mandir is a Hindy temple consecrated to the Hindu gods Narayan (Vishnu) and his wife Lakshmi.
This new temple was opened in the 20th century though the history dates back far longer. The ancient Kali temple is Kolkata’s holiest spot for Hindus, and possibly the source of the city’s original name of Kalikshetra.
- Open: 5:30am – 11:00am and 4:30pm – 9:00pm
- Cost: Free (donations welcomed)
- Location: Ashutosh Chowdary Ave, Ballygunge
6. College Street Book Market
Kolkata is home to the world’s largest second-hand book market!
Located in a 500-metre stretch on College Street between Medical College and Mahatma Gandhi Road crossing, the College Street Book Market spans over 1 million square feet.
That’s a lot of books!
The book market has long been associated with the universities, colleges, and learning centres in the area.
7. The Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity
For us this was a highlight of things to do in Kolkata.
The Mother House or Missionaries of Charity was founded in 1950 by Mother Teresa with a single purpose of selfless service towards the underprivileged and poorest of the poor.
The house was the residence of Mother Teresa until her death in 1997. Today the tomb of Mother Teresa and the house of the Missionaries of Charity is a popular site for pilgrims.
We visited in the morning not sure if the house would be open for visitors but on a bit of a special mission of our own.
In 1969 when my father and his brother had driven from London to India (in a Ford Anglia) one of their final stops was at evening charity dinner where they met Mother Teresa.
Fast forward to our visit many years later with our own kids, my uncle asked us to visit again and take his book of Mother Teresa to be signed and a donation for the sisters.
It turned out to be a special visit for us all and I highly recommend of all the things to do in Kolkata to visit the Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity.
- Open: 9:00am – 12:00pm and 3:00pm – 5:30pm
- Cost: Free
- Location: 54A Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose Rd
8. Quest Mall
Quest is one of the largest shopping malls in Kolkata, India.
Albeit shopping malls aren’t usually on our list of things to do in travel but if you have been on the road for a while or simply just want some air conditioning and familiar food Quest Mall is an option!
We had just spent the previous month of travel in Bangladesh and were hankering for some kind of comfort food and a new pair of sandals before braving the long train from Kolkata to Mumbai…
- Open: 11:00am – 10:00pm
9. Dakshineswar Kali Temple
This Kali Temple is one of the largest temple structures in and around Kolkata.
The temple is located above the banks of the Hooghley River in the heart of Kolkata and is dedicated to the mother Goddess Kali for whom the original city of Kolkata was named after.
- Open: 6:00am – 1:00pm and 3:30pm – 7:30pm
- Cost: Free
- Location: Dakshineswar
10. Kolkata New Market
New Market, formally known as Sir Stuart Hogg Market, is an iconic market complex in Kolkata situated on Lindsay Street at Dharmatala.
The market is one of the oldest in the city dating back to 1874 though it was substantially rebuilt after a fire in the 1980’s.
I don’t know about you but for us we always love the experience of the markets and bazars in India for getting a feel of the city.
New Market is a place full of buzz and even if you don’t need to go shopping it is one of the things to do in Kolkata that is well worth a visit.
- Open: 10:00am – 8:00pm except Sunday
11. Fort William
The original Fort William in Kolkata was a huge part of the beginning of the modern(ish) city of Kolkata today.
The fort was named after King William III and was built in 1696 by the East India Company.
Unfortunately, much of the original fort was destroyed when the Nawab of Bengal committed the ‘Black Hole of Calcutta’ and a second Fort William was built by the British in 1758.
The main building of Fort William is occupied by the Indian Army.
But despite being one of the most named things to do in Kolkata, it is not possible to go inside Fort William. However, you can explore the vast grounds at Maidan Park. The park is a huge green space that also have the Victoria Memorial and Dalhousie Barrack.
12. Park Street Kolkata
This was one of the last things to do in Kolkata on our list. Park Street is a famous thoroughfare in downtown Kolkata that was often referred to as the ‘neighbourhood of Englishmen’.
It is an upmarket area of the city that today sees the grand architecture of the colonial era converted to pubs, restaurants and eateries in the hotspot for Kolkata nightlife.
Other things to do in Kolkata
If you only have a couple of days on your itinerary for a first visit, I don’t recommend cramming everything in. It’s up there with Delhi and Mumbai – it’s a huge city!
Some of the other things to do in Kolkata (for your next visit) include:
- South Park Street Cemetery
- Eden Gardens
- St Paul’s Cathedral
- Kalighat Mandir
- New Town Eco Park
- Belur Math
- Birla Planetarium
- Jorasanko Thakur Bari
- Botanical Gardens of Calcutta
Kolkata is a city that has been welcoming tourists for decades. There is a lot to see!
Day trips and things to do further from Kolkata
Although there are plenty of things to do in Kolkata itself, some of the sites are out of the city and require a daytrip or tour.
- Boat ride on the Hooghly River: An expedition on the Lower Ganges or Hooghly River is a great way to experience the culture of West Bengal from Kolkata.
- Sundarbans National Park: Sundarbans is a mangrove forest area in the Ganges Delta near Kolkata formed by the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna Rivers in the Bay of Bengal. It contains the world’s largest area of mangrove forests and is home to the Bengal Tiger.
These day trips are best visited with a guided tour booked online ahead of time.
Getting there
Kolkata is well connected with India by air, road and rail as well as internationally by air.
How to get to Kolkata by air
Currently, there are flights to 15 international destinations and 49 domestic destinations from Kolkata.
There are daily domestic flights with SpiceJet, IndiGo and other national carriers connecting with Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi and many more of the cities in India.
How to get to Kolkata by bus
There are regular bus services for Kolkata from almost any part of India.
It is quite an experience to get a sleeper bus or overnight bus in India!
How to get to Kolkata by train
Kolkata is well connected with the rest of the country by rail.
Howrah Junction is one of the largest railway stations in India and is the terminus of the first Indian Railway system of East Indian Railways.
We travelled onwards from Kolkata to Mumbai by train.
Train is the best way to connect Calcutta with the northern cities of Siliguri and Darjeeling.
- Read about train travel in India.
- Book tickets for India Railways online with 12GoAsia.
Getting around in Kolkata
The Metro is a fast and affordable option within the city, especially for longer distances.
It is well-connected and fast and spans the entire city from north to south. Fares range from ?20 to ?50 INR based on distance, and it helps avoid traffic congestion.
The most iconic way of getting around the touristic things to do in Kolkata is by Ambassador taxi. These
Auto rickshaws are a popular choice for short distances.
Where to eat / Restaurants and cafes in Kolkata
Kolkata is renowned for traditional Bengali style cuisine with an emphasis on fish though there are lots of typically sweet Bengali treats to try too.
- Three Sixty-Three: The restaurant in Oberoi Grand Hotel is as delicious as expected. If you haven’t yet tried Bengali Maacher Jhol (fish curry) yet this is the place!
- Mio Amore Cake Shop: We found this delicious cake shop just opposite the Mother House and stocked up with treats after visiting!
- Peter Cat: Famous for its legendary Chelo Kebab with buttered rice and a sunny-side-up egg.
- The Blue Poppy – This restaurant serves authentic Tibetan cuisine, including momos and thukpa (noodle soup).
Where to stay in Kolkata
Albeit choosing a place to stay in Kolkata is a bit like finding a needle in a haystack. But there is a huge range of accommodation available.
- Budget-Mid-Range: Hotel Golden
We stayed here which was great for our family in a room with two large double beds.
- Budget-Mid-Range: Treebo Globe International
A 3* mid-budget hotel not far from Kalighat Kali Temple with comfortable, clean basic rooms.
- Luxury: The Oberoi Grand
The hotel is an attraction in itself and an icon of the city as it’s the second oldest hotel.
Read more about travel in North India
- Epic 10 Day Rajasthan Itinerary
- What to wear in India as a traveller
- 3 Day Jaipur Itinerary
- Food to try (safely) in India
- Things to do in Jaisalmer
- How to avoid Delhi Belly in India
- How to travel by bus in India
- Overnight train Delhi to Jaisalmer
- Jaisalmer to Jaipur (and Jodhpur too) by overnight train
More about planning for travel in India and beyond
These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere in India.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have insurance before embarking on all the great things to do in Kolkata!