Kolkata Travelers Recommend

As well as housing a string of historical must-sees, the sprawling Indian city of Kolkata—formerly known as Calcutta—has plenty more up its sleeve, from river cruises and ambient temples to literary quarters, hectic markets, and gritty backstreets. Here are our tips for discovering West Bengal’s multifaceted capital in two jam-packed days.

Day 1: Hit the Sights and Nighttime Scene

**Morning:**Begin by exploring Kolkata’s top landmarks, from the Victorian buildings from its time as the British Raj capital to recently built attractions. Take a half- or full-day tour of must-sees such as the Victoria Memorial and Writer’s Building, visit the Parshwanath Jain Temple, and view the Howrah Bridge across the River Hooghly.

**Afternoon:**With the star sights covered, experience the “real” Kolkata: the poorer neighborhoods synonymous with the city. Guided slum tours take in areas normally overlooked by visitors, while tours of the Mother House—once the headquarters of the charity-giving Catholic nun Mother Teresa—reveal how her care for Kolkata’s poor continues today.

**Night:**Now’s the time to unwind and discover the city’s culinary scene and nighttime buzz. Head out on a guided evening food walk to sample local snacks and Bengali dishes in the popular haunts of Park Street and College Street. Be sure to arrive hungry—most tours include generous tastings.

Day 2: Backstreets, Bazaars, and Culture

**Morning:**Go off-grid today and lose yourself in Kolkata’s hectic markets. Choose a tour that incorporates the maze-like New Market, Burra Bazaar (Burrabazar), and flower market. Some market-tour options also cover sights missed by standard itineraries, such as Princep Ghat and a Hooghly ferry ride, to give you a wider take on the city.

**Afternoon:**Explore Kolkata’s multifaith heritage with a tour of its eclectic religious sites, including the Hindu Dakshineswar Kali temple and Nakhoda Mosque. Alternatively, a guided walk along bookstall-lined College Street showcases Kolkata’s literary leanings, while a tour of Black Town—historically home to wealthy Bengali residents—spotlights its mansions and courtyards.

**Night:**Conclude your Kolkata stay with a sundown River Hooghly cruise: passing temples, markets, ghats—flights of steps leading to the river—and the Howrah Bridge, all illuminated by the sunset. For another memorable finale, book a dining experience at a local’s home and savor a home-cooked meal as you chat about Kolkata life.

Home to 14 million people and the capital of West Bengal state, Kolkata—formerly known as Calcutta—marries a rich array of British colonial-era monuments with the teeming cultural milieu of old and modern India. From its hectic markets and Raj mansions to ventures farther afield, here’s how to get the best out of three days in Kolkata.

Day 1: Colonial and Modern

Your first day in Kolkata is ideal for viewing the city’s major sights, from its Victorian architecture—remnants of its time as capital of the British Raj—to its contemporary landmarks.

Trace the city’s colonial past on a half-day walk around imperial-era buildings including the Victoria Memorial, Governor’s House, and Writer’s Building—all constructed during British rule. Many of these colonial-themed tours include lunch at a local restaurant, letting you sample the city’s rich Bengali cuisine during a breather from sightseeing.

Alternatively, choose a more comprehensive, full-day tour covering both colonial and modern Kolkata. Unpick the city’s faiths at the Parshwanath Jain Temple and Magen David Synagogue, and visit Mother Teresa’s Mother House. Once home to the 20th-century Catholic nun who devoted her life to Kolkata’s poor—work that still continues today—it also houses her tomb.

Day 2: Temples, Tigers, and the Taj

Use today to take a wider look at India’s West Bengal province. Perhaps ride a ferry to the temples of Ganga Sagar, an important Hindu pilgrimage and humanitarian center on Sagar Island in the Ganges river delta. Or head for Mayapur, a sacred Ganges city and headquarters of the Hare Krishna movement.

History buffs, meanwhile, might fancy exploring Bishnupur’s 17th-century terracotta temples and sculptures. If you’re keen to see wildlife, though, take a day trip to Sundarban National Park, west of Kolkata. This coastal mangrove reserve has an educational center on the mangrove ecosystem, as well as watchtowers for spotting its elusive Bengal tigers together with water monitors, crocodiles, wild boar, and other species.

Alternatively, if you’ve never seen Agra’s Taj Mahal, use Kolkata as a base for visiting this glorious mausoleum. Private day trips to Agra include round-trip Kolkata-Delhi flights, round-trip Delhi-Agra transport, and a guided Taj tour.

Day 3: Deeper Dive into Kolkata

Kolkata’s urban poor are known for their friendliness—hence the nickname City of Joy. Get a sense of this spirit on a guided slum walk, exploring areas not usually visited by tourists, to see firsthand the challenges faced by its inhabitants.

Another option today is to tour Kolkata’s morning markets—experiencing the incredible commotion of the flower market, Burra Bazaar (Burrabazar), and more. Other ideas include neighborhood tours that showcase Kolkata’s multicultural and arts heritage. Explore Black Town, whose mansions are associated with wealthy Bengali residents, or stroll College Street—aka Book Street—whose literary stalls draw the city’s intellectuals.

Finish your time in Kolkata with a Hooghly River cruise or evening food tour, sampling popular street snacks and dishes to truly feel like a local. Or end your day by dining in a Kolkata home, enjoying a traditional Bengali dinner prepared by your host and chatting about city life.

Flanking the River Hooghly in West Bengal, Kolkata is India’s 2nd-biggest city and pulsates with energy and color against a backdrop of British colonial architecture, teeming streets, and pockets of extreme poverty. Unpeeling all these layers could take weeks, but here’s how to get the most out of this extraordinary city in just one day.

Morning: Explore the Sights

Known as Calcutta during its time as India’s British imperial capital (1773 to 1911), Kolkata has a rich heritage that’s now intertwined with its reputation as the nation’s intellectual and cultural capital. Use the morning to get acquainted with its key colonial landmarks, such as the Governor’s House, Victoria Memorial, and the churches and museums that stand as testament to its period of British rule. Alternatively, widen your lens with a tour that also takes in the city’s contemporary sights, such as the chaotic New Market bazaar, the flower market, and Howrah Station—India’s busiest railway station.

Afternoon: See Kolkata Closer Up

While poverty is a feature of Kolkata, the city is also known as the City of Joy for the indomitable spirit of its residents. This afternoon, look beyond the sights to experience the slums where an estimated third of the population lives. Opt for a guided tour to discover the hardships of its inhabitants and see how they strive to overcome their conditions with small-scale industries and strong communities. Alternatively, touch on the life story of Mother Teresa—the Catholic nun who cared for Kolkata’s destitute—by visiting Mother House, to see the continuing work of her Missionaries of Charity and visit her tomb.

Night: Take in a Cruise and Cuisine

After a busy day, slow the pace with a sunset cruise along the River Hooghly. Float by silhouetted temples, colonial-era buildings, and crowded ghats—stairways descending to the river—and admire the illuminated Howrah Bridge and skyline as you enjoy onboard tea and refreshments. Or spend the evening discovering Kolkata’s culinary repertoire. Sample popular local snacks on a street food tour, or seize the chance to meet and eat with a local by visiting a Kolkatan’s private home to observe them cooking, learn about their lives, and share a classic Bengali dinner.

Kolkata has a food scene unlike anywhere else in India. Here, you can find Bengali classics, from fish curries to saccharine sweets, alongside dishes that reflect centuries of migration from across India and beyond. Don't miss these culinary experiences on your next visit to Kolkata.

Must-Try Dishes

While Kolkata is chock-full of things to eat and drink, the Bengali capital is best known for its desserts; so much so, in fact, that people visiting from other parts of India are always expected to return with a box or three of Bengali sweets. Popular sweet items include rasgula, dumplings made of curd and semolina drenched in sugar syrup and the easier-to-transport sandesh, sweet semi-hard cakes. For a savory snack, it's worth trying phuchka, a popular roadside snack that features hollow, bite-sized crisp balls stuffed with mashed potatoes and chickpeas. For something more substantial, opt for a kathi roll (meat or vegetables wraps) or a plate of machher jhol, the region's quintessential fish curry.

Must-Do Experiences

• Pick out an assortment of Bengali desserts at a sweet shop.
• Take a private tour through Uptown Kolkata to try local seafood, sweets, and spiced tea.
• Go on a street food tour through South Kolkata’s Vivekananda Park to sample local snacks.
• Learn to cook your own Bengali fare by taking a cooking class in the home of a local.

The capital of India under British rule, Kolkata is known for its colonial-era architecture. But, this large city also offers plenty of attractions that will keep younger travelers engaged and entertained. For families traveling to Kolkata, here are some of the best attractions and activities.

Highlights

• Go stargazing at MP Birla Planetarium, where 30-minute shows focus on the wonders of space.

• Enjoy thrills at Nicco Park amusement park, which features about 35 rides as well as other attractions, such as a 4D movie theater, bowling alley, water park, live shows, and games.

• Spark your kid’s imagination at Science City, where hands-on exhibits focus on everything from the Earth and space to evolution and the science behind everyday occurrences.

• Let little ones run free in the Maidan (Esplanade), one of Kolkata’s largest urban green spaces.

• Book a private sightseeing tour of Kolkata, so you can explore the sights at your own pace and enjoy an itinerary personalized to suit younger travelers.

• Picnic amid giant centuries-old banyan trees, examine succulents in the cactus house, and go boating in a lake filled with giant lily pads at the sprawling Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden.