Tourist Places to Visit in Kolkata
Kolkata is both fascinating and chaotic! The City of Joy has a lot to offer those who are prepared to explore, from its bustling corners to its always changing marketplaces. There is something for everyone, whether you are a literary student or someone who enjoys learning about other cultures in depth.
Here is a list of all the top sites to visit in Kolkata if you have any upcoming travel plans. Some locations, however iconic, are hidden from the city's tourist crowd and nonetheless call for a visit.
Tourist Places in Kolkata:
1. Victoria Memorial, Kolkata
A massive structure built of White Makrana marble is located in Kolkata, West Bengal (India), and is known as the Victoria Memorial. The Queen Victoria Memorial Museum in Kolkata, which was constructed between the years 1906 and 1921 in her honor, is currently open and run by the Ministry of Culture.
First Marquess Curzon of Kedleston, George Curzon, and Viceroy of India during the reign of Queen Victoria proposed building a monument in her honor. It cost about 1,05,00,000 rupees to build the museum. In the year 1921, it was made accessible to the public.
The Victoria Memorial Hall was created in the Indo-Saracenic revivalist style, which combines Mughal and British aesthetics. The structure has dimensions of roughly 103 by 69 meters and rises to a height of 56 meters. Redesdale and David Prain were the architects who created the garden at the Hall. Motherhood, wisdom and study, justice and charity, etc. are displayed on the North Porch as well as the Angel of Victory image on the Hall's dome.
Victoria Memorial, an enormous white structure, is one of Kolkata's most popular tourist attractions, and with good reason. It is named for Queen Victoria and is now a museum, making it ideal for history enthusiasts. Visit this location if you ever want to take a stroll through our history and consider how far India has come since its colonial era. Evenings feature light and sound performances. A number of artworks, artifacts, sculptures, and literature are also used to illustrate the time period of India's freedom movement. We advise investing at least 3 to 4 hours in learning about the history of our nation.
The Victoria Memorial Hall, which is devoted to Queen Victoria, is comparable to the Taj Mahal, which is Shah Jahan's memorial to Mumtaz Begum and was a magnificent beauty with a wonderful history.
Victoria Memorial Hall Visiting Timings :
|
Victoria Memorial Hall Entry Fee :
| Entry Fee for Indians – Rs 20 /- |
| Entry Fee for Foreigners – Rs 200 /- |
| Free for school Children – 12 yrs ( in uniform ) |
Victoria Memorial Hall Visiting Timings : ( For Garden)
| 5:30 am to 7 pm |
Victoria Memorial Hall Entry Fee : (For Garden)
| Daily Ticket | Rs 4 /- per person |
| Monthly Ticket | Rs 100 /- per person |
| Yearly Ticket | Rs 1000 /- per person |
Light & Sound (Son-et-Lumiere) regular event :
Timings : (Ticket Counter Open at 12:30 pm)
| October to February | Bengali 6:15 pm – 7pm | English 7:15 pm – 8 pm |
| March to June | 6:45 pm – 7:30 pm | 7:45 – 8:30 pm |
Entry Fee :
| Child (above 3 years) – Rs 10 /- |
| Adults – Rs 20 /- |
How to reach Victoria Memorial Hall?
| BY Train : Howrah Railway Station – 7 km |
| BY Air : Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport – 22 km |
| BY Road : Kolkata Bus Station – 20 km |
2. Howrah Bridge, Kolkata
It would be an understatement to suggest that Howrah Bridge is among the best spots to see in Kolkata. Howrah Bridge, an unofficial symbol of the city, is worth a visit if you want to spend some time by yourself with nothing but the ocean in front of you. At dawn and dusk, you can sit here and meditate or just watch the fisherman at work.
- Touchmekissmee - Did you know that the bridge has been renamed Rabindra Setu in honor of Rabindranath Tagore?
3. Park Street, Kolkata
Go to Park Street if sharing pictures of breakfasts with your besties is your favorite activity. because the cafes and restaurants here are the most photogenic! People now congregate on Park Street to unwind in the evening. This area is home to everything from famous clubs and pubs to fine dining establishments.
Fact: The country of India's first independent nightclub is located on Park Street.
4. New Market, Kolkata
The nicest clothing, jewelry, and other products may be found at New Market, which was built by the British in 1874. A popular destination for young people in Kolkata, the market has a tangle of stalls with about 2000 of them. This market is ideal for you if you have the ability to haggle and a keen eye for merchandise.
Pro tip: If you find it difficult to shop in busy areas, avoid the location on weekends. Visit the malls in Kolkata.
5. Babu Ghat, Kolkata
While Princep Ghat is among the most well-known sites to visit in Kolkata, Babu Ghat is a less crowded location that also has beautiful vistas. It is ideal for photographers and deserves a visit before it gets too busy because it offers a wonderful perspective of the famous Howrah Bridge.
Location: BBD Bagh, Strand Road
6. Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Kolkata
The temple is devoted to Bhavatarani, the "saviour of the universe" and a manifestation of Goddess Kali. It is one of the oldest and most significant temples ever constructed and is visited by pilgrims from all over the world.
Rani Rashmoni, who lost her husband and inherited enormous money, constructed the temple. It was the final thing she completed before departing on a trip to Varanasi, and she got the idea to create this temple in a dream.
Location: Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Kolkata
7. College Street, Kolkata
There is no better location than College Street to buy books in Kolkata. College Street, one of the best destinations for young people to visit in Kolkata, is comparable to Delhi's Daryaganj, with the exception that it is open seven days a week.
College Street has everything, from used books to school materials. Be sure to bargain and wear relaxed attire and sneakers.
8. Kumortuli, Kolkata
Perhaps one of the liveliest and most lavish holidays observed in Kolkata is Durga Pujo. This event takes place on a large scale and lasts for more than ten days, with everything from the pandals to the delectable food offered on the final day. Although everyone should put seeing the grandeur of this celebration in the city on their bucket list, if you consider yourself to be more creative, we advise visiting Kumortuli to see how the Durga idols are produced.
A roughly 300-year-old pottery village, the area comes alive in the weeks leading up to the festival. The area's around 150 families work assiduously to complete each idol during the celebration.
9. Indian Museum, Kolkata
The Indian Museum is among the oldest in the world, having been founded in 1814. Its 35 galleries are crammed with priceless Mughal paintings, skeletons, fossils, Egyptian mummies, and other holy objects, among other historically significant objects. The largest multi-use museum in the entire Asia-Pacific region is this one.
- Park Street in Kolkata, India
- Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- Entry Fee: For Indians, it is $10; for foreigners, it is $150.
10. Alipore Zoo, Kolkata
One of the top tourist destinations in Kolkata, especially if you're visiting with kids, is the Alipore Zoo. The zoo, which is the oldest in the nation, is home to spectacular animal, bird, and reptile species. The one-horned rhinoceros, white tigers, zebras, Swinhoe's Pheasant, and numerous migrating birds can all be seen in this area.
- Location: Kolkata's Alipore Road
- Timings: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Entry Fee: < 5 years old – ₹10, >5 years old – ₹30
11. South Park Cemetery, Kolkata
If you enjoy all things eerie and creepy, check out South Park Cemetery. This location, which is among the most haunted in India, is equally stunning and unsettling. The cemetery, created by the British in 1767, is a survivor of its architectural style. There are several places in the cemetery that are worth viewing if you stroll around it throughout the day.
Due to the odd situations that have occurred in the past, the location is closed at night and admission is not allowed.
12. Old Chinatown, Kolkata
This area, which is the sole Chinatown in all of India, is a refuge for tourists who wish to sample the cuisine of this Asian nation. Chinese traders who came to work on the ports resided here, and the area developed as a result. While some of the stalls still provide traditional Chinese appetizers like pork sausage, prawn crackers, momos, and fish ball soup, the area may have lost some of its authenticity.
- Timings: 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
13. Eden Gardens, Kolkata
There is no way you can miss the Eden Gardens if you love cricket. This is a well-liked tourist destination in Kolkata. When cricket fans enter the building, they have very happy recollections of matches they have played and won here. This stadium, which can accommodate an amazing 66,349 spectators at once, is the second-largest cricket venue in the entire globe.
- Location: Kolkata's B.B.D. Bagh
- Timings: 5:30 AM to 11:30 PM are the hours.
14. Marble Palace Mansion, Kolkata
The Marble Palace Mansion in North Kolkata was constructed around 1835. This property features a zoo full of unusual and rare bird and animal species, as well as very rare paintings. The property's stunning artwork and architecture are worth a visit.
15. M.P. Birla Planetarium, Kolkata
The Birla Planetarium is the second-largest planetarium in the world and is located on the renowned Chowringhee Road, close to the Victoria Memorial and St. Paul's Cathedral. On July 2, 1963, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru built the majestic Birla Planetarium in Kolkata, the city of delight. One of India's three planetariums, this one. The Birla Planetarium, also known as Taramandal, routinely hosts a variety of shows and programs in Hindi, English, Bengali, and other regional languages. Birla Planetarium is a planetarium as well as having an electronics lab and an astronomy gallery with a selection of artwork and model astronomies.
A fascinating method to pique your interest in science and the motion of the planets is to pay a visit to the Birla Planetarium. People go from all over the world, especially astronomy enthusiasts, to see the incredible performances put on here. Here, you can take a tour of the planets and learn interesting facts about them and the other amazing celestial bodies that exist in our world. The fact that the audience is silent during the performance speaks everything about the captivating power of these performances. The hallway has pictures of well-known astronauts and other celestial bodies on display. Following the show, one can take a look at them.
Timings: 12:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Time Required: 2-3 hrs
Entry Fee: INR 40/-
Birla Planetarium Location
The planetarium is conveniently reachable by cab along VIP road and is situated around 18 kilometers from the airport. It is around 5 kilometers from the train station and is easily accessible by taxi via Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose Marg.
The Birla Planetarium's history
The Birla Planetarium was established in September 1962, and the building's official opening was performed in July 1963 by Pandit J. L. Nehru, the Indian Prime Minister at the time. It was the first planetarium to be built in India and the second in a Commonwealth nation, making it a significant development in the fields of education, research, and the fostering of a scientific temperament. Here, shows like "Zodiac Signs and Stars" on the different constellations in the sky, "Journey to Antarctica," and "New View of the Solar System" are regularly held and offer a lovely blend of teaching with magnificent visuals.
Birla Planetarium's building design
The Birla Planetarium's architecture is undoubtedly one of its remarkable features. The Birla Planetarium's architectural design, which was inspired by Sanchi Stupa, is extremely recognizable even from a distance. The Birla Planetarium's zenith is adorned with a beautiful dome that sparkles white brilliantly. The dome's diameter is 23 meters, and it can hold up to 688 people. The planetarium's on-site projector, which is made by Carl Zeiss, wonderfully enhances the program's stunning graphics. One may readily compare it to a little Colosseum because columns have been placed all around the space. The planetarium complex is graced with well-kept gardens.
16. Town Hall, Kolkata
Town Hall's history
A public lottery raised a total of Rs. 700,000 for the construction of Kolkata Town Hall by British architect Colonel John Garston. Although development started in 1807, the building wasn't finished until 1814, over seven years later.
The primary reason for building such a brilliantly artistic structure was to provide the Europeans with a location to organize their different social functions. A special committee was established to oversee the management of the hall, which was only partially available to the general public, under predetermined terms and conditions.
Visitors may pay to view the paintings and statues on the main floor, while the upper floor is only accessible to members.
Following restorations over the ensuing thirty years, the Town Hall was placed under the administration of the Calcutta Municipality in the year 1867. India gained independence in 1947, and that year we saw the Town Hall's decline. Although there were calls for its demolition, money was generated for its repair through the sale of paintings and outside assistance.
The public was then fully allowed access at that point. Within the Town Hall's walls, memorable events took place like Rabindranath Tagore's 50th and 70th birthday celebrations, the revelation of Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose's wireless communication experiment, and talks by Amartya Sen.
Activities in Town Hall Kolkata
Due to the rich history of Town Hall, a careful and intricate tour is required. The three main activities that may be done at the Town Hall are all beautiful experiences in their own right. These consist of:
1. Museum
Kolkata Panorama, a museum housed in the Town Hall, first welcomed visitors in the year 2002. The name speaks for itself. It offers you a bird's-eye view of Kolkata and a chronological summary of the city's rich history.
About 19 enclaves in the museum reflect Kolkata's social, political, and socioeconomic development, the independence movement, as well as the city's illustrious intellectual history.
2. Library
In order to create a reference library, the Calcutta Municipal Corporation bought all of P. T. Nair's publications about Kolkata in 1999. The Ministry of Library Services opened this library in 2004, and in 2007 it was finally merged with the Town Hall collection.
Entry Fee and Timings of Town Hall Kolkata
- Location: B.B.D Bagh, Kolkata
- Timings: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Entry Fee: ₹10 per head
17. Princep Ghat, Kolkata
Princep Ghat, which is situated beside the Hooghly River, is the ideal location to spend your evenings. After nightfall, the area is completely illuminated, so you may bring food and spend some time leisurely exploring the grounds. The Princep Ghat is a Greek-style structure positioned in a prime location directly underneath the Second Hooghly Bridge.
- After 6:00 PM is the ideal time to visit.
18. Birla Mandir, Kolkata
The Birla Mandir is another popular attraction in Kolkata that you should not skip. This Lord Krishna shrine, which bears the name of the Birla family who commissioned it, was constructed entirely out of white marble stone and took 26 years to finish.
- Location: Ballygunge, Kolkata, Chowdhury Avenue
- Timings: 5:30 am to 11:00 am and 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm are the hours.
19. Science City, Kolkata
In recent years, one of Kolkata's most popular tourist destinations has become the Science City. This government-run facility, which was established in 1997, is the biggest in the nation. The center's well-known exhibits, such as The Aquatic World, The Jurassic World, and The Time Machine, are a favorite with students.
Science City Kolkata Entry Fee for General Visitors
| Entry | Rs. 60.00 per person |
| Evolution of Life – A Dark Ride | Rs 40.00 Per Person |
| PANORAMA ON ‘HUMAN EVOLUTION | Rs 60.00 Per Person |
| Combined Rates for ‘Dark Ride’ and ‘Human Evolution: | Rs 80.00 Per Person |
| Science on a Sphere new | Rs 40.00 Per Person |
| Space Theatre: | Space Theatre is closed for upgradation |
| 3D Theater: | Rs. 30.00 Per Person |
| Time Machine: | For ongoing modernization work, this ride remains suspended temporarily |
| Road Train: | Rs. 20.00 Per Person |
| Cable Car: | Rs. 48.00 |
Science City Kolkata Entry Fee for Organized Group
| Entry | Rs. 50.00 per person |
| Space Theatre: | Space Theatre is closed for upgradation |
| 3D Theater: | Rs. 25.00 Per Person |
| Cable Car: | Rs. 38.00 Per Person |
Science City Kolkata Entry Fee for Organized School Groups
| Entry | Rs. 30.00 per person |
| Evolution of Life – A Dark Ride | Rs 40.00 Per Person |
| PANORAMA ON ‘HUMAN EVOLUTION | Rs 60.00 Per Person |
| Combined Rates for ‘Dark Ride’ and ‘Human Evolution: | Rs 80.00 Per Person |
| Science on a Sphere | Rs 40.00 Per Person |
| Space Theatre: | Space Theatre is closed for upgradation |
| 3D Theater: | Rs. 30.00 Per Person |
| Cable Car: | Rs. 28.00 Per Person |
Science City Kolkata Entry Fee for Under-Privileged Groups
| Entry | Rs. 5.00 per person |
| Science on a Sphere | Rs 5.00 Per Person |
| Space Theatre: | Space Theatre is closed for upgradation |
| 3D Theater: | Rs. 10.00 Per Person |
| Cable Car: | Rs. 28.00 Per Person |
For Below Poverty Line(BPL) Families(Submit a photocopy of BPL card and photo identity)
NB: Entry of BPL card holders @Rs.5/- per head on production of BPL cards.
How to Get to Kolkata's Science City
By Road: Local buses, minibusses, and taxis can take you from most sections of the city to Science City with ease. The hassle-free solution is to use a taxi service like Ola, Uber, etc. If traveling from Sealdah by local train, disembark at Bidhan Nagar station and board a bus bound for Ruby Hospital. On the route, directly across from ITC Sonar Bangla, is Science City.
Nearest Metro Station: Rabindra Sadan Metro Station is the closest station. It takes 15 minutes to travel 6.6 kilometers to get to Science City from the metro station. From Rabindra Sadan Metro station, call a taxi.
20. Fort William, Kolkata
Fort William was built in 1696 and has had a number of uses throughout history. At the moment, the Indian Army owns the fort. You can stroll across the grounds and admire the fort's imposing construction.