Things to do in Kolkata
Kolkata, a place that people also refer to as the cultural capital of India, provides tourists with several activities, heritage sites, and cultural experiences. The city has historical monuments, art galleries, old temples, colonial architecture, and crowded markets that leave visitors with many things to do. If you wish to organise your tour, you can see the subsequent list of the top 10 things to do in Kolkata. For comfortable, long-term stays, you can also look into service apartments in Kolkata.
Top Things to do in Kolkata
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Stop by the Victoria Memorial
Victoria Memorial in Kolkata
You can start your Kolkata tour with the Victoria Memorial, one of the city’s most visited monuments. The memorial was constructed between 1906 and 1921 by developers; it was erected in memory of Queen Victoria. It has a marble building that covers an area of 64 acres of gardens. In the interior, you can find a museum where you can view 25 galleries of collections of sculptures, paintings, and manuscripts.
The museum holds works from British artists such as Thomas Daniell and William Daniell. The memorial also contains rare artefacts from the colonial era and portraits of historical figures. You can spend two to three hours exploring the galleries, the central dome, and the gardens. The evening light and sound show narrates Kolkata’s history and provides another attraction for visitors.
Address: Victoria Memorial Hall, 1, Queens Way, Maidan, Kolkata, West Bengal 700071
Architects: William Emerson, Vincent Esch
Founder: Lord Curzon
Established: 1921
Visitors: 5 million annually
Hours: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Nearest Metro Station: Maidan Metro Station
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Explore Howrah Bridge
Howrah Bridge in Kolkata
Howrah Bridge, which is also called Rabindra Setu, links Howrah and Kolkata across the Hooghly River. The bridge was constructed by workers in 1943 and accommodates thousands of motor vehicles and pedestrians every day. You may walk across the bridge and see the river traffic and the crowded city on both sides. The bridge measures 705 meters long, and the construction of the bridge employs no nuts or bolts.
The bridge is still one of the busiest cantilever bridges on the planet. Walking across the bridge in the morning provides you with a glimpse of the sunrise over the river, and in the evening, you get to see the city lights reflect off the water. The bridge also links to the Howrah Railway Station, one of India’s oldest railway stations.
Address: Kolkata, West Bengal 711101
Total length: 705 m
Architects: Mr. Walton of M/s Rendel, Palmer & Triton
Opened: 1943
Visitors: 5 million annually
Hours: 24/7
Nearest Metro Station: Howrah Maidan Metro Station
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Find the Indian Museum
Indian Museum in Kolkata
The Kolkata Indian Museum is India’s oldest and largest museum. It was founded by people in 1814 and has over 100,000 artefacts representing archaeology, art, anthropology, geology, zoology, and botany. You can view the renowned Egyptian mummy, Gandhara Buddhist relics, and the Ashokan pillar in the archaeological gallery. The art gallery houses Mughal paintings, Indian and other Asian decorative art, and textiles.
The zoological gallery houses stuffed animals, as well as rare species, and the geological gallery houses fossils and minerals. The museum itself, which they constructed in the Italian manner, is still an architectural icon. Tourists typically spend three or four hours in the museum to view its six sections and thirty-five galleries.
Address: 27, Jawaharlal Nehru Rd, Fire Brigade Headquarters, New Market Area, Dharmatala, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal 700016
Director: Arijit Dutta Choudhury
Founded: 1814
Famous for: Oldest and largest museum in India and the Asia-Pacific region, with an incredibly vast and diverse collection of artefacts
Hours: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Nearest Metro Station: Park Street Station
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Visit Dakshineswar Kali Temple
Dakshineswar Kali Temple in Kolkata
Dakshineswar Kali Temple is located on the bank of the Hooghly River. The temple was constructed by Rani Rashmoni, a philanthropist, in 1855. The temple is devoted to Goddess Kali, who is revered by the people as Bhavatarini. The temple complex consists of 12 temples that are dedicated to Lord Shiva and a temple for Vishnu for Lord Krishna and Radha. You can get into the central sanctum and pray, after which you may proceed through the temple courtyard.
The temple is also associated with the life of Sri Ramakrishna, a religious head who was the head priest in this place. The devotees and visitors arrive all year round, particularly for festivals such as Kali Puja and Durga Puja. You are also able to take a ferry across the river from Dakshineswar to Belur Math.
Address: Dakshineswar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700035
Opened: 1855
Floors: 3
Deity: Sri Jagadishvari Bhavatarini Kalimata Thakurani
Hours: 6:00 am – 12:30 pm
Nearest Metro Station: Dakshineswar Metro Station
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Visit Belur Math
Belur Math in Kolkata
Belur Math, the residence of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, is located on the western bank of the Hooghly River. Belur Math was established by Swami Vivekananda in 1897. The central temple combines Hindu, Islamic, and Christian styles of architecture, representing the harmony of religions. You can visit the aarti held in the evening that generates a spiritual vibe through chanting and devotional music.
The campus houses the temples of Swami Vivekananda, Sri Ramakrishna, and Sarada Devi. Belur Math has devotees, followers, as well as tourists from all over the world. You can also pair your visit with a boat ride on the Hooghly River.
Address: Belur Math Rd, Belur Math, Howrah, West Bengal 711202
Opened: 1897
Famous for: Global headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission
Deity: Sri Ramakrishna, Sarada Devi, and Swami Vivekananda
Hours: 6:30 am – 11:30 am, 4 – 9 pm
Nearest Metro Station: Dakshineswar Metro Station
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Walk Down Park Street
Walk Down Park Street in Kolkata
Park Street continues to be one of the most crowded and frequented streets in Kolkata. Famous for restaurants, cafes, and nightlife, the street draws locals as well as tourists. You can stroll down the street during the day, drop by bookshops, and halt by at historic cafes such as Flurys. Come evening, the street comes alive with music, food, and live acts in clubs and restaurants.
Park Street also has colonial-era structures and churches that speak of the city’s past. During Christmas and New Year, lights adorn the street, and it is one of the places people go to the most in the city. Individuals go to Park Street to taste genuine Bengali cuisine, continental food, and desserts in abundance.
Address: 12, Salt Lake City, Kolkata
Opened: 1760
Famous for: vibrant nightlife, historic architecture, diverse restaurants, and status as a major cultural and entertainment hub
Hours: 24*7
Nearest Metro Station: North-South corridor
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Visit Science City
Science City in Kolkata
Science City in Kolkata offers an educational and entertainment hub for tourists, students, and families. It was inaugurated in 1997, and it is one of India’s biggest science centres. You can visit areas like Dynamotion Hall, Space Odyssey, Earth Exploration Hall, and Maritime Centre. The Dynamotion Hall features interactive displays, such as a tornado simulator and an energy ball. The Space Odyssey area features a planetarium and 3D theatre that feature shows on astronomy and space science.
The Earth Exploration Hall houses exhibits on the seven continents, and the Maritime Centre is dedicated to shipping and navigation. Ropeway rides and an outdoor science park are also found in Science City. Students and children spend hours studying science concepts through exciting activities.
Address: JBS Haldane Ave, Mirania Gardens, East Topsia, Topsia, Kolkata, West Bengal 700046
Opened: 1997
Area: 49.6 Acres
Famous for: One of the largest and finest science centres in the world
Hours: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Nearest Metro Station: Barun sengupta Metro Station (Science city metro station)
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Visit Marble Palace
Marble Palace in Kolkata
Marble Palace, in North Kolkata, is a 19th-century palace that Raja Rajendra Mullick constructed in 1835. The palace was given its name due to the heavy employment of marble in the walls, floors, and sculptures of the palace. The palace has a neoclassical style combined with traditional Bengali architecture. You can find collections of Western sculptures, Victorian furniture, European paintings and Indian artists’ paintings, and rare antiques inside. The palace is also home to a private zoo featuring peacocks, toucans, and deer.
Permission from the West Bengal Tourism Department is required to visit the palace. Guided tours assist you in visiting the palace’s magnificent halls, galleries, and courtyards. The Marble Palace provides an insight into the life of 19th-century Kolkata’s upper-class families.
Address: 46, Muktaram Babu Street, Raja Katra, Kolkata – 700007
Opened: 1835
Architectural style: Neoclassical architecture
Famous for: Stunning collection of 19th-century art, lavish use of marble, neoclassical architecture, and a private zoo
Hours: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Ticket Price: INR 0
Nearest Metro Station: Girish Park Metro Station
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Spend Time at Kalighat Temple
Kalighat Temple in Kolkata
Kalighat Temple, a temple of Goddess Kali, is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas in India. The temple is situated near the banks of the Adi Ganga, a minor distributary of the Hooghly River. Builders constructed the temple in its present form in the early 19th century. The devotees throng the temple all year round, and occasions like Kali Puja and Durga Puja see huge crowds.
Within the sanctum, you find the idol of Goddess Kali that devotees adorn with jewellery and flowers. Kalighat painting, a well-known form of folk art, also originates from here and relates to the temple. On the street outside the temple, there are small shops selling flowers, sweets, and paintings for tourists and devotees.
Address: Anami Sangha, Kalighat, Kolkata, West Bengal 700026
Opened: 1809
Deity: Hindu goddess Kali
Famous for: one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, or sacred abodes of the Goddess Shakti
Hours: 5:00 am to 2:00 pm, 5 – 10:30 pm
Ticket Price: INR 0
Nearest Metro Station: Kalighat Metro Station
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Walk Around Kumartuli
Kumartuli in Kolkata
Kumartuli, situated in North Kolkata, is an ancient potters’ neighbourhood famous for producing clay idols of Hindu goddesses and gods. Thousands of idols for Durga Puja and other occasions are made each year by artisans in Kumartuli. You can stroll through the congested lanes and observe artists mould, paint, and ornament idols in various stages of production.
Small workshops also exist in the region where artisans maintain centuries-old crafts of pottery and sculpture. People come to Kumartuli as tourists, photographers, and art enthusiasts to observe the artistic process and engage with the artisans.
Address: Abhay Mitra Street, Hatkhola, Kolkata – 700005
Opened: 300 years old
Famous for: intricate, handcrafted clay idols of Hindu gods and goddesses
Hours: 24*7
Nearest Metro Station: Shovabazar Sutanuti and Shyambazar
Conclusion
Things to do in Kolkata provides a well-balanced blend of history, spirituality, culture, and contemporary life. You can explore heritage destinations such as Victoria Memorial, Marble Palace, and Howrah Bridge, spiritual destinations such as Dakshineswar, Belur Math, and Kalighat, cultural centres such as Park Street and Kumartuli, and experience educational destinations such as Science City and Indian Museum. Every destination points out some unique characteristic of the city, ranging from the colonial past and religious beliefs to art, cuisine, and science. You may tailor your tour according to your choice, but visiting all ten sites provides you with a comprehensive experience of Kolkata’s cultural and historical identity.