Kolkata, although often associated with poverty, is often overlooked by tourists visiting India. This friendly, intellectual and vibrant city is brimming with history and culture, with many faded remnants of the British Raj’s rule of India from 1757 to 1947.
Kolkata is a demanding city. immersion rather than a quick visit to really get the idea and appreciate, that. Start with places to visit in Kolkata.
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One of the best ways to experience them is best places to visit Kolkata on foot.
- Park Street
- New Market, Kolkata.
- Mullick Ghat Flower Market
- Prinsep Ghat
- The Maidan
- Victoria Memorial
- Mother Teresa’s Mother House
- White Town (Colonial Kolkata)
- Black Town (Bengali Kolkata)
- Grey Town (Immigrant Kolkata)
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1. Park Street : best places to visit Kolkata
Park Street Area, Kolkata, West Bengal 700071, India Kolkata’s famous Park Street (formerly renamed Mother Teresa Sarani) stretches from Chowringhee Road to the Park Circus and is famous for its amusement arcades Location, dining and important historical sites include old colonial residences.
This iconic street is home to India’s first independent nightclub and has been the heart of Kolkata’s nightlife since the glory days of the 60s, when the halls were filled with jazz, pubs and floor shows. Head to Mocambo, Moulin Rouge and Trincas for nostalgia.
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2. New Market, Kolkata : best places to visit Kolkata
One of the best places to shop in Kolkata, New Market is a historic bargain hunter’s paradise, built by the British in 1874. The maze is spread out with over 2,000 stalls, grouped by variety of goods on sale, offering almost anything you can imagine.
The entrance is on the Lindsay Street just before Chowringhee Road. Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 10:30 am to 8:30 pm. Saturday, until 7pm. Closed on Sunday. Those looking for something special shouldn’t miss the service of one of the many guides (known as lovers) that gather around the entrances to the market.
They live and breathe the market and can easily get you to the best products at the best prices. Alternatively, you can take a walking tour of a new market like this one offered by Kolkata Magic.
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3. Mullick Ghat Flower Market : best places to visit Kolkata
The colorful chaos of the Kolkata Flower Market offers great photo opportunities. Over 130 years old, this is East India’s largest wholesale flower market with thousands of florists visiting every day.
The market is dominated by bags filled with long wreaths of marigold flowers, often used in Hindu devotional ceremonies.
Find it along the Strand Bank Road, starting below the Howrah Bridge on the Kolkata side. Join the Hooghly Flower Festival Walking Tour at Kolkata Photo Tours for a memorable immersive experience.
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4. Prinsep Ghat : best places to visit Kolkata
Built beside the Hooghly River during the rule of the British Raj in 1843, Prinsep Ghat is home to one of the city’s most famous columned colonial monuments, dedicated to British scholar James Prinsep.
The Ghat is designed to replace Chandpal Ghat as the main destination of important visitors to the city. Now it is a popular place to relax and take a walk by the river. It is possible to walk from Prinsep Ghat to Babu Ghat, along two kilometers (1.2 mi) of landscaped riverside.
Prinsep Ghat is located next to Vidyasagar Setu, on the Strand between the Water Gate and the Gate of Saint George’s Fort William.
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5. The Maidan : best places to visit Kolkata
Kolkata’s huge urban park, known as Maidan, is where locals spend their free time playing cricket and other sports, or relaxing with a picnic or snack at one of the eateries. Maidan extends far to the south from the Esplanade and is bordered around by the Chowringhee Road and the Hooghly River. In total, it covers an area of about 1,000 acres.
Fort William, Victoria Memorial, Eden Garden Cricket Stadium and Kolkata Racecourse are some of the notable structures inside. In the northeast rim, the Glorious Dead Memorial is a memorial honoring Indian soldiers who gave their lives in World War I.
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6. Victoria Memorial : best places to visit Kolkata
The monumental white marble Victorian Memorial at the south end of the Maidan was completed in 1921 and is currently used as a museum. Built in memory of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, it houses a fine history collection and a gallery from the British colonial era with many impressive paintings, sculptures and books.
The exterior of the building is evocatively lit at night and it is surrounded by a large garden, which is an attraction in itself. The museum is only open from 10 am to 6 pm on weekdays.
Tuesday to Friday and 10am to 8pm Saturday and Sunday (closed on Mondays). Fares are 30 rupees for Indians and 100-500 rupees for foreigners.
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7. Mother Teresa’s Mother House : best places to visit Kolkata
Mother Teresa is highly regarded for founding the Missionaries of Charity and dedicating her life to helping the sick and outcasts of Kolkata.
Visit Mother Teresa’s Mother house to see her grave, the room she lived in and a small museum dedicated to showcasing her life.
It displays items such as her handwritten letter, spiritual advice, and personal belongings, including saris, slippers, and a crucifix. Mother’s house is a place of silence and contemplation. Many people choose to meditate there when visiting because of its serenity and uplifting energy.
Opening hours are from 8am to 12pm and 3pm. until 6 p.m. every day except Thursday, August 22, Easter Monday, and December 26.
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8. White Town (Colonial Kolkata) : best places to visit Kolkata
Many of Kolkata’s notable British-era buildings are located in the central business district of BBD Bagh, formerly known as Dalhousie Square after Lord Dalhousie ruled India from 1848 to 1856. These include the church of Saint Paul.
André 19th century, from 18th century writers’ Building. (Formerly the administrative office of the British East India Company), the General Post Office, the Greek-inspired Metcalfe Hall (formerly home to the Royal Library) and Town Hall.
Calcutta Walks’ Dalhousie Square boardwalk offers an insight into the neighborhood’s colonial heritage.
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9. Black Town (Bengali Kolkata) : best places to visit Kolkata
Get acquainted with the city’s Bengali heritage as you explore the so-called “Black City” in North Kolkata, an area inhabited by Bengalis during British rule. Many were wealthy landowners and merchants.
Sovabazar is an atmospheric neighborhood in this part of town, with a charming mix of old-world architecture. You can even stay in a perfectly restored 1920s Bengali townhouse. You will agree that Calcutta Bungalow feels like a home away from home.
Wander through the surrounding lanes and you’ll likely spot some eye-catching street art. Sovabazar’s Calcutta Walks “ Star Still Shines’ walking tour was very informative.
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10. Grey Town (Immigrant Kolkata) : best places to visit Kolkata
Located between Black Town and White Town, Gray Town is home to a diverse mix of immigrants – Buddhists, Parsis, Muslims, Chinese, Portuguese, Jews and people from elsewhere. other in India. It’s fascinating to explore the communities that coexist there.
Attractions include the Bow Barracks (apartment buildings that housed military officers during World War I), the Chinese Church built in 1905, the Parsi Fire Temple, and the Magen Synagogue.
David was built in 1884. Calcutta Photo Tours’ Kaleidoscope Culture Tour is recommended to explore the district in depth.
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