Unique Places To Visit In Kolkata
Kolkata, often referred to as the cultural capital of India, is a city rich in history, art, and scenic beauty. Places to visit in Kolkata with family It boasts numerous iconic landmarks, cultural institutions, and must-visit attractions that cater to a variety of interests. Places to visit in Kolkata for couples Some of the nation’s most prestigious cultural institutions are located here, including the Academy of Fine Arts, the Victoria Memorial, the Asiatic Society, the Indian Museum, and the National Library of India. Here’s a curated list of top tourist attractions in Kolkata for you to explore based on your preferences.
Things to Do In Kolkata (Calcutta) with Kids
Top Tourist Attraction Places To Visit In calcutta – Unique places to visit in Kolkata
Calcutta / Kolkata, often hailed as the cultural capital of India, is a treasure trove of historical landmarks, cultural institutions, and scenic attractions. The city is home to several nationally significant cultural hubs, including the Academy of Fine Arts, Victoria Memorial, Asiatic Society, Indian Museum, and the National Library of India. Here’s a list of top tourist attractions in Kolkata, offering diverse experiences to explore based on your interests. check the list!
Flower Market (Mullik Ghat) – Kolkata’s vibrant Mullik Ghat Flower Market, also known as Jagannath Ghat Flower Market, is Asia’s largest. With nearly 4,000 vendors, it bursts with colors and fragrances, offering everything from marigolds and jasmine to imported lilies. This bustling market near Howrah Bridge is a photographer’s delight and a must-visit for an authentic Kolkata experience.Built in the year 1855.
Princep Memorial & Riverfront – Prinsep Ghat, built in 1841 during the British era, features a Palladian-style memorial dedicated to Anglo-Indian scholar James Prinsep. A favorite recreational spot, visitors enjoy serene river views, boat rides, and walks along the beautifully landscaped riverfront. The backdrop of Vidyasagar Bridge adds to its charm.
Jorasanko Thakur Bari (Tagore House) – The ancestral home of Rabindranath Tagore, this historic house showcases the legacy of the Tagore family. Restored to reflect its 19th-century charm, it now serves as a museum highlighting Tagore’s life, the Bengal Renaissance, and the Brahmo Samaj movement.The Jorasanko Thakur Bari was built in 1784 by Nilmoni Thakur.
Netaji Bhawan – This historic residence, the former home of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, is now a museum and research center. Known for being the site of Bose’s daring escape in 1941, the house preserves artifacts, including his footprints, and chronicles his journey as a freedom fighter.
Birla Planetarium – Located near Victoria Memorial, the Birla Planetarium is Asia’s largest and one of the world’s most iconic. Its design is inspired by the Sanchi Stupa, and it offers fascinating astronomy shows, making it a favorite for science enthusiasts and families.the planetarium was inaugurated on 2 July 1963
St. Paul’s Cathedral – Completed in 1847, this Gothic-style cathedral is a significant landmark and the largest Anglican cathedral in Asia. Known for its Indo-Gothic architecture, it features a library, memorabilia, and serene surroundings.
Kumortuli – Kumartuli, a potter’s quarter in North Kolkata, is renowned for sculpting clay idols of Indian Gods and Goddesses for festivals in West Bengal and beyond. The artisans also export their creations worldwide. The famous Banamali Sarkar Street houses many idol makers, and the Dhakeshwari Mata Temple is a notable landmark nearby.
Victoria Memorial Hall – A grand white marble structure built between 1906 and 1921, this museum is dedicated to Queen Victoria’s memory. Its beautiful gardens, art galleries, and striking architecture, reminiscent of the Taj Mahal, make it Kolkata’s most popular attraction.
Marble Palace – Built in 1835, this stunning mansion is known for its opulent interiors with marble walls, Victorian furniture, and a collection of Western art, sculptures, and Indian artifacts. It’s a treasure trove for art lovers.
Belur Math – elur Math was established in January 1897, by Swami Vivekananda, Headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math is a symbol of interfaith harmony with architecture blending Hindu, Islamic, Buddhist, and Christian motifs. Its serene riverside campus houses temples, a museum, and the main monastery of the Ramakrishna Order.
Dakshineswar Kali Temple – Situated on the Hooghly River’s eastern bank, this iconic temple was built in 1855 by Rani Rashmoni. Famous for its association with mystic Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, the complex includes 12 Shiva shrines, a Radha-Krishna temple, and a bathing ghat.
Howrah Bridge – A cantilever bridge connecting Kolkata and Howrah, It was inaugurated on February 3rd, 1943, it is an engineering marvel and one of the busiest bridges in the world. Renamed Rabindra Setu, the bridge is an iconic symbol of the city and a cinematic favorite.
General Post Office – A historic landmark in the B.B.D. Bagh area, this iconic structure is Kolkata’s central post office and handles most of the city’s mail.The construction of the majestic structure started in 1864 and was completed in 1868.
Eden Gardens – Known as the “Mecca of Indian cricket,” Eden Gardens is one of the world’s oldest and most iconic cricket stadiums, hosting many historic matches. was established in the year 1864
Howrah Station – The oldest and busiest railway station in India, Howrah Station is a bustling hub with a rich history and architectural grandeur.It was founded in 1854 by contract with East India Company
Writers’ Building – Originally the office of British East India Company clerks, this imposing structure is now undergoing restoration and remains a key administrative and historical landmark.built year 1777
Town Hall – Built in Roman-Doric style in 1813, this heritage structure has been restored and now hosts public functions and events.
Fort William – This historic fort on the Hooghly River features unique star-shaped architecture with gates and a surrounding moat. It remains a key military establishment. Fort William was built in 1696.
Indian Museum – The largest and oldest museum in India, featuring a vast collection of artifacts, including fossils, mummies, and ancient sculptures.built year 2 February 1814.
Greek Orthodox Church – Resembling a Greek temple rather than a church, the Greek Orthodox Church in Kalighat features a striking whitewashed façade, with four Doric columns supporting a grand triangular pediment. Despite its antique appearance, it is one of Kolkata’s newer churches, built in 1925.
Science City – A large science center with interactive exhibits, a planetarium, and various attractions for visitors of all ages, making it an educational and entertaining experience.inaugurated on 1st July,1997
Kalighat Kali Temple – One of the oldest and most revered temples in Kolkata, dedicated to Goddess Kali. It is an important pilgrimage 51 shaktipeeth site for Hindus.The present temple was built by the Sabarna Roy Choudhury family of Barisha in 1809.
Mother House – The headquartIt was established by the Blessed Mother Teresa in 1950, ers of the Missionaries of Charity, founded by Mother Teresa. It includes a museum and her tomb, attracting visitors from around the world.
Jain Temple – The Jain Temple in Kolkata, built in 1867, is a beautifully ornate structure with intricate marble work, stained glass, and peaceful gardens, dedicated to Jain deities.
Magen David Synagogue –
As Muslim students from Elias Meyer School sang the Hebrew peace song Oseh Shalom at Kolkata’s Magen David Synagogue, Ezra Moses, now a Miami resident, was overcome with emotion. “This is where my parents married in 1943—my birthplace,” he murmured. He was among over 50 Jews from India and beyond who returned to witness the restoration and re-dedication of Kolkata’s historic synagogues, Magen David and Beth El.
Jewish Cemetery – Established in 1812, the Jewish Cemetery in Kolkata is located at 45 Narkeldanga Main Road, near the Phoolbagan crossing. According to legend, Shalom Cohen acquired the land from a Bengali friend in exchange for his gold ring. Still active today, the cemetery holds hundreds of graves, but its most intriguing feature is the Geniza—a storage space for abandoned Jewish religious documents.
Alipore Jail Museum – The Alipore Jail Museum in Kolkata, once a prison for freedom fighters during India’s independence movement, was opened to the public in 2022. It showcases colonial-era history through artifacts, documents, and exhibits
St John Church – This stone-spired 1787 church is ringed by columns and contains a small, portrait-draped room once used as an office by Warren Hastings, India’s first British governor-general. It’s on the right as you enter (entry to the main church is via the rear portico). The tree-shaded grounds have several interesting monuments, including the mausoleum of Job Charnock and the relocated Black Hole Memorial. The church is home to an exquisite painting depicting the Last Supper, by 18th-century German artist Johann Zoffany.
Bhukailash Temple, Khidirpur, Kolkata – Unknown to many, Khidirpur is home to one of Kolkata’s oldest temples, featuring a massive Shiva Linga. The expansive Bhukailash Temple Complex, which also includes a grand Rajbari, remains largely unnoticed by the city’s residents. Built in 1781 by Raja Joynarayan Ghosal, the complex originally spanned 108 bighas, encompassing two towering temples and a vast pond. Unfortunately, much of this historic site has been lost to encroachment over the years.
Metcalfe Hall – Major cities around the world have dedicated city museums that showcase their history and evolution. Metcalfe Hall At the turn of the millennium, Kolkata attempted to establish one within the Town Hall, but sadly, it has remained inaccessible for years. While the Victoria Memorial Hall features a Calcutta Gallery, the city still lacks a dedicated museum that fully chronicles its rich past.
Botanical Garden – The Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden, established in 1787 in Kolkata, spans 273 acres and features over 12,000 plant species. Renowned for the Great Banyan Tree, one of the largest in the world, it boasts serene landscapes, rare flora, tranquil lakes, and a rich collection of medicinal plants.
ECO Park – Kolkata’s Eco Park, inaugurated on December 29, 2012, spans 480 acres, making it the city’s largest urban park. It features a lake, themed gardens, an island, and replicas of the Seven Wonders. Popular for boating, cycling, picnics, and kayaking, Eco Park offers a family-friendly escape with lush green spaces and diverse attractions.
Birla Temple – The Birla Temple in Kolkata, inaugurated in 1996, showcases exquisite Rajasthani architecture with intricate marble carvings and sculptures. Dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radha, its serene, illuminated ambiance makes it a popular spiritual and cultural landmark.
College Street- College Street, or “Boi Para,” is Asia’s largest book market and a literary hub in Kolkata. Packed with bookstores and second-hand stalls, it offers everything from rare classics to modern reads and houses iconic institutions like the University of Calcutta and Presidency University.The history of College Street goes back to 1817 when David Hare established The Hindu College
Bow Barracks: A historic Anglo-Indian neighborhood in central Kolkata, Bow Barracks is renowned for its red-brick buildings and colonial charm. Originally built for British soldiers during World War I, it later became a hub for Kolkata’s Anglo-Indian community. The area is especially famous for its vibrant Christmas celebrations, featuring music, decorations, and festive spirit.built year 1918.
Chinese Kali Temple: Located in Tangra, Kolkata’s Chinatown, the Chinese Kali Temple embodies cultural harmony. Maintained by the Chinese-Indian community, the temple blends Hindu and Chinese traditions, with offerings like noodles and rice replacing the usual Hindu offerings, symbolizing a unique cultural fusion.300-yea -old temple.
Kolkata Slums: Kolkata’s slums, such as those in Topsia and Tangra, highlight the socio-economic challenges faced by many urban poor. Despite inadequate facilities, these communities showcase resilience, social unity, and a dynamic informal economy, supported by NGO and government efforts toward improving living conditions.
South Park Street Cemetery: Established in 1767, this historic colonial cemetery features Gothic tombs amidst greenery. It serves as the resting place of notable 18th and 19th-century figures, making it a serene spot for history enthusiasts exploring Kolkata’s colonial legacy.
Rabindra Sarobar: Known as the “lungs of South Kolkata,” Rabindra Sarobar is a tranquil artificial lake surrounded by greenery. Popular for walking, birdwatching, and cultural events, it offers a peaceful retreat for nature lovers and fitness enthusiasts.
Academy of Fine Arts: Founded in 1933, the Academy of Fine Arts is a hub for Indian and Western art. Featuring works by Tagore and Jamini Roy, it regularly hosts exhibitions, theater performances, and cultural events, cementing its status as a cultural landmark.
Nandan Complex: Inaugurated by Satyajit Ray in 1985, the Nandan Complex is Kolkata’s cultural hotspot for cinema and arts. It hosts the Kolkata International Film Festival and screens a mix of films, attracting cinephiles and art enthusiasts.
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