Kolkata is the former British capital of India which is a gorgeous city that boasts an illustrious past through marvelous architecture, fascinating art, and declamatory literature of the city. On that note, it has some of the best touristic places to visit in Kolkata and perhaps the entire country which makes it a must-visit on everyone’s vacation.
Every year, the city welcomes tourists who seek to explore all the major places to visit in Kolkata whether it is the magnificent temples, local shopping complexes, historical landmarks, and many other sightseeing or intellectual hubs.
All things considered, this vibrant city invites both locals and tourists to witness its rich history and ancient culture, as well as experience pleasant weather and enticing festivals. Therefore, do not hesitate and plan your visit to this amazing city after reading all of the best places out there down below. This article presents the most famous places to visit in Kolkata and their charm to facilitate your vacation and make it more fun.
Best 20 Places to Visit in Kolkata
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Victoria Memorial
It is an astonishing, gigantic white marble building that stands tall in the heart of the city which is the brainchild of George Curzon, Viceroy of the country. In fact, Victoria Memorial is one of the vital places to visit in Kolkata city. It was built between 1906 to 1921 to commemorate Queen Victoria and it has been transformed into a breathtaking museum that houses a collection of ancient artifacts in its 25 galleries.
Yearly, Victoria Memorial receives visitors from all over the world. The architectural wonder is constructed in an Indo-Saracenic style with a mixture of British architecture as well as methods borrowed from a variety of places in the world like Islamic, Mughal, Egyptian, Venetian, and Deccani.
- Location: Victoria Memorial Hall, 1, Queen’s Way, Kolkata
- Opening and Closing Timing:
Museum – 10:00 am – 05:00 pm
Gardens – 05:30 am -06:15 pm
- Entry Fees:
Museum – ₹20 for Indians; and ₹500 for foreigners
Gardens – ₹10 per person
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Dakshineswar Kali Temple
Originally, the Dakshineswar Kali temple is dedicated to Bhavatarani which is an aspect of Goddess Kali as well as ‘the savior of the universe’. It is one of the oldest and most essential temples to have ever been constructed; therefore, it receives thousands of tourists from all over the globe.
The temple was established by Rani Rashmoni who lost her husband and was left out with a huge amount of wealth. Besides, the idea of building this temple came to her like a dream and it was the very last thing she did before leaving for Varanasi on a pilgrimage.
- Location: Dakshineswar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700076
- Opening and Closing Timings: 6 am to 12:30 pm, from 3 pm to 8:30 pm
- Entry Fees: Free Entry
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Howrah Bridge
This iconic landmark is a massive steel bridge built over the Hooghly River which is regarded among the longest cantilever bridges in the entire world. Additionally, it is known as Rabindra Setu as well and it connects Howrah and Kolkata. It carries the traffic of over 100,000 vehicles daily as well as numerous pedestrians in its grand historic passage. Nonetheless, during night time, the opulence of the bridge comes alive in the night as it is all lit up.
Also, tourists can take a ferry ride on the bridge as it runs from the launch ghat between Kolkata and Howrah. Evidently, the view of the city from the ferry is priceless, to say the least, which makes it one of the best places to visit in Kolkata at night.
- Location: Kolkata, Constructed over Hoogly River
- Opening and Closing Timings: No timings
- Entry Fees: INR 15 to INR 80 depending upon the activities
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Science City Kolkata
The science city is one of the top educational and fun places to visit in Kolkata. Being one of a kind in India, it is one of the largest and finest science museums in the globe that offers an entertaining way of imparting knowledge about science to individuals. Since 1st July 1997, the science city museum has been running and emerging to be a major attraction for the people and tourists of Kolkata.
Besides, there is a separate area designed for the aquatic creatures which provide a detailed description of the several unique insects and fish in the aquatic world. Also, the ground floor has some optical illusions which are very interesting to admire. Besides that, the Tornado, quicksand, energy ball, time machine, and ocean waves should be on the visitors’ bucket list.
- Address: BS Haldane Avenue, Basanti Hwy, Kolkata, WB
- Opening and Closing Timings: 9:00 AM-7:00 PM
- Entry Fees: INR 15 to INR 80 depending upon the activities
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Nicco Park
This amusement park is frequently visited for recreational and entertainment purposes making it one of the best places to visit in Kolkata. Besides, it is called the “Disney Land of West Bengal” as it attracts a large number of visitors throughout the year. Further, the park functions on solar energy efficiently and does not cause any type of pollution.
In the beginning, every aspect of the rides is explained clearly for the visitors to learn. Therefore, they will find boards and charts displayed at the entrance of each ride to illustrate the principles and ensure safety. Moreover, Nicco Park has numerous amusement shows and rides which are not only recreational but educational as well. It is, therefore, one of the desired places to visit in Kolkata for parents and their kids.
- Address: JheelMeel, Sector IV, Salt Lake City, Kolkata
- Opening and Closing Timings: 10:30 AM-7:30 PM
- Entry Fees: INR 200 to INR 650
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Kumartuli
Originally, it was known as Coomartolly which is an iconic potter’s quarter on the northern side of the city. The place has been around for 300 years and it became popular for its expertise with sculpting Indian Gods and Goddesses out of clay. These sculptures are displayed at different festivals in West Bengal throughout the year. Consequently, it is one of the most festive places to visit in Kolkata for creative people.
Additionally, over 150 families are residing in the area who attempt to complete all the idols for the festival as well as exporting them to other countries and communities. The name of the well-known street with the idol merchants is Banamali Sarkar Street. All in all, tourists can walk through the place and talk to the potters to get a better idea of how these great idols are made.
- Address: Hatkhola, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700005, India
- Opening and Closing Timings: 12 AM – 12 AM
- Entry fees: INR 20
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Fort William
It is one of the most attractive historical places to visit in Kolkata. The Fort William stands on the eastern banks of Hooghly river while overlooking Maidan park. Constructed in the year 1696 by the British East India Company, Fort William was named after King William III of England. Nonetheless, during the Plassey war in 1757, the Nawab of Bengal attacked the British in the fort and defeated them. As a result, reconstruction work started in 1758 by Robert Clive who completed it in 1781.
Spanning over an area of 5 sq. km, the fort is currently owned by the army. Also, there are many facilities provided for the comfort of the residents of military personnel. For instance, a shopping mall, restaurants, a cinema hall, swimming pool, laundry, post office, laundry, and so on.
- Address: Fort William, Hastings, Kolkata
- Opening and Closing Timings: 10 am to 5:30 pm
- Entry Fees: Free Entry
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Belur Math
It is the international headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission that was established in the honor of Ramakrishna Paramhansa. Precisely, the concept of Math was completely designed by Swami Vivekananda. It houses the Ramkrishna Sarada Mandir where the regular prayers are taking place.
In general, this monument houses the Old Shrine, the Sri Ramakrishna Temple, Swami Brahmananda Temple, Swami Vivekananda Temple, Holy Mother Temple, the Samadhi Enclosure, Old Math, and the Ramakrishna Museum.
At present, the rooms where Sri Sarada Devi resided have been transformed into a museum that exhibits and displays clothes and articles he used.
- Address: Belur, Howrah, West Bengal
- Opening and Closing Timings: 6 am to 11:30 am, and 4 pm to 7 pm
- Entry Fees: Free Entry
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Indian Museum
This museum is the 9th oldest museum in the world and the largest one in India. Located in the city of joy, the Indian Museum was founded in the year 1814 and it has been a center of multidisciplinary activities ever since. Also, it is called ‘Jadughar’ which comprises of the finest collection of sacred relics of Buddha, Egyptian mummies, contemporary paintings, and ancient sculptures. Besides, the Indian Museum contains a few of the most exquisite collections of fossils, ornaments, skeletons, armors, antiques, and astonishing Mughal paintings.
- Location: 27, Jawaharlal Nehru Rd, Colootola, New Market Area, Dharmatala, Taltala, Kolkata
- Opening and Closing Timings: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Entry Fees: INR 20 for Indians, and INR 500 for foreigners
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Princep Ghat
This majestic structure is famous for its gothic Greek inlays. In fact, its beauty draws both architecture and history buffs in large numbers; however, even locals visit it to absorb the outstanding vibe of the attraction. With the Howrah Bridge in the background, tourists need to watch the sunset or sunrise while taking a walk on the river banks of the river. These are the frequently advised recreational activities here.
On that account, it is one of the preferred places to visit in Kolkata and amongst the best spots for photography, especially in pre-wedding shoots. While exploring the attraction, if one wants to grab a bite, there are multiple food kiosks to pick from that serve delicious local snacks.
- Address: Fort William, Hastings, Kolkata
- Opening and Closing Timings: All days of the week 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Entry Fees: Free entry
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Mother House
Over time, the city’s tourism thrived due to this famous place. Mother House is a cultural and historical monument of the life of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and humanitarian Mother Teresa. This house receives a huge number of visitors from all over the world who come to pay homage to the sacrifice of an amazing human being and rest among the peacefulness of the beliefs of her followers.
Besides, this place receives hundreds of volunteers who try to walk in the path of Mother Theresa while serving the ones that are in need. This is a place of growth and doing good which makes it one of the most peaceful places to visit in Kolkata.
- Address: 54A, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Rd, Ripon Street, Kolkata 700016
- Opening and Closing Timings: 8 AM – 12 PM and 3 PM – 6 PM (closed on Thursdays)
- Entry Fees: Free entry
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Paul’s Cathedral
The St. Paul’s Cathedral is among the must-visit places in Kolkata for those who wish to enrich their historical and architectural knowledge while on their vacation trips. Situated in the heart of the city, this colossal structure brings back memories of colonial times and takes people for a whole new adventure. It should be noted that the best time to visit it is during the Christmas holidays as it looks most beautiful with the garden around it and the surrounding streets bathed in light and festivities.
Further, the building follows an Indo-Gothic style where it has a gigantic nave, a majestic altar, and painting, or carvings depicting great events of Christian history. With that in mind, the cathedral complex houses many memorabilia of past congregants and it has a library where old books of the church still exist donated by Bishop Wilson.
- Address: Maidan, Kolkata
- Opening and Closing Timings: 9 am to 12 pm, and 3 pm to 6 pm
- Entry Fees: Free Entry
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Eden Gardens
Unsurprisingly, it is a stunning well-maintained cricket stadium that was established in 1864 by General Auckland, the Governor. The latter named this place after both his sisters Fanny and Emily Eden. This home ground of cricket in Kolkata is stretched over 50 acres. To be precise, the cricket stadium has the capacity to seat nearly 66,350
people as it is the second-largest stadium in the whole world. This means that Eden garden is one of the ideal places to visit for people who are fond of cricket.
- Address: Maidan, B.B.D. Bagh, Kolkata
- Opening and Closing Timings: 5.30 am to 11.30 pm
- Entry Fees: Free entry
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Alipore Zoo
It is the oldest zoological park in India which has been established in the year 1876. This is one of the joyful places to visit in Kolkata as it is a major attraction for people who wish to explore the wildlife.
It should be noted that this zoo is also called the Zoological Garden of Alipore or the Calcutta Zoo. Moreover, the zoo houses several attractive birds among which Emu, Macaws and Lorikeet, Ostrich Hornbills, Swinhoe’s Pheasant, Lady Amherst’s Pheasant, and Golden Pheasant, and many more. Also, it is known to be the home of a variety of animals such as the White Tiger, Royal Bengal Tiger, Deer, Indian Elephant, Antelope, the Great Indian One-horned Rhinoceros, Grant’s Zebra, etc.
- Address: Belvedere Road, Lake Place, Alipore, Kolkata 700025
- Opening and Closing Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM (closed on Thursday)
- Entry Fees: INR 25 (adults) | INR 10 (kids below 5)
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South Park Street Cemetery
It is among the top places to visit in Kolkata because it is a tourist spot that is unlike any other place in the city. Undoubtedly, this well-known cemetery is considered one of the earliest non-church cemeteries in the globe. Further, the heritage site under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is the resting place of several notable personalities. Besides, it is constructed with a mix of Indo-Saracenic and Gothic style of architecture, whereas the memorials are built with a classic taste and scattered with sculptures and tombs. Even though visiting a cemetery on a vacation is not for everyone, it is an amazing spot for people who poetically look for beauty in death.
- Location: 52, Park Street, Opp Assembly Of God Church, Kolkata
- Opening and Closing Timings: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
- Entry Fees: No Entry Fee
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Tagore’s House
It is the birthplace of the renowned Indian Poet Rabindranath Tagore who is also the first non-European Nobel laureate. Tagore House is an interesting place sprawling in an area of 35,000 sqm and currently serving as a museum where several items related to the poet’s life and works are well-preserved.
In particular, the museum is the highlight of Tagore’s House and it features 3 large galleries that are dedicated to him, his family, and the Bengal Renaissance. These range from intimate family photographs to old musical records and life-sized portraits, as well as Tagore’s evolution as a philosopher and poet. Also, the objects displayed are legendary and unique parts of a collection of 3297 photographs, 2071 books, 208 personal, 770 journals, 53 pieces of furniture, 27 crafts, 16 paintings, and many more.
- Address: Girish Park, Chittaranjan Avenue, Kolkata
- Opening and Closing Timings: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Entry Fees: INR 10 per person, and INR 5 for students
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Marble Palace
It was built in 1835 by Rajendra Mallick as an art collection of Reuben’s masterpieces as well as paintings by several renowned international artists among which Van Gogh, Reynolds, and Rembrandt. On that note, travelers should keep this among the top places to visit in Kolkata.
Moreover, the architectural details are arrayed in over 100 different kinds of marble, giving the palace its unique name. It should be noted that the spacious grounds contain everything including a zoo, a lake, and a rock garden. Inside, however, the gorgeous palace has Mullick’s art collections which give it the feeling of a hoarders’ museum. Also, it contains decorations of Victorian furniture and priceless sculpture as well as kitschy knick-knacks.
- Address: 46, Muktaram Babu Street, Jorasanko, Kolkata
- Opening and Closing Timings: 10:30 am to 4 pm
- Entry Fees: Free Entry
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Botanical Gardens
It is a majestic garden that spreads over a total area of 273 acres. Initially, these gardens were founded in 1787 and they grew in popularity as for their vibrancy to be regarded as one of the most stunning landscaped gardens in the whole country. This is one of the best places to visit in Kolkata as it is a pure delight for nature lovers because of its beautiful land topography and remarkable artificial lakes.
As a matter of fact, it is a home of 12,000 living perennial plants and thousands of dried out ones that have been collected across the world. Not only does it have different plants but also thousands of orchids and astonishing multicolored flowers. In general, the botanical gardens are an ideal place for spending some quiet time in the lap of nature.
- Address: Shibpur, Howrah, West Bengal
- Opening and Closing Timings: 10 am to 7 pm
- Entry Fees: INR 10 for Indians | INR 100 for foreigners
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Rabindra Sarobar
It is an artificial lake/ tank located in South Kolkata, West Bengal. Spreading over 75 acres, Rabindra Sarovar is home to multiple migratory birds from both Russia and Siberia. Also, it is home to many fish species. Beautifly, the lake is surrounded by gardens, a children’s auditorium, and a park, making this place ideal for relaxation, fun, exercise, and contemplation.
Over the years, this place has been developed to encourage community and welfare as it is an ecological reserve. Also, it is a widely known recreational spot for idyllic picnics and daily jogs which makes it one of the best places to visit in Kolkata.
- Address: Southern Avenue, Golpark, Tollygunge, Dhakuria, Lake Gardens, Kolkata
- Opening and Closing Timings: 2.30 pm – 8.30 pm (Tuesday to Saturday)/ 12 pm- 8.30 pm (Sundays and holidays) and closed on Mondays.
- Entry Fees: Free
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Birla Planetarium
It is the largest planetarium in Asia and the second largest in the whole world. Established by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on July 2nd, 1963, Birla Planetarium is an outstanding building structure that is locally known as Taramandal which is among the best places to visit in Kolkata. Sometimes, the Birla Planetarium hosts a variety of programs and shows in English, Bengali, Hindi, and other regional languages. Besides, the structure has an electronics laboratory as well as an astronomy gallery with a collection of breathtaking paintings and astronomical models which makes it a noteworthy feature for this place.
- Address: Cathedral Road, near Victoria Memorial, Kolkata
- Opening and Closing Timings: 11 am to 7 pm
- Entry Fees: INR 80
- Also, check the 10 best places to visit in India.