top travel bloggers in kolkata

Embarking On Journeys: Top 7 Travel Bloggers in Kolkata

Home » Blog » Embarking On Journeys: Top 7 Travel Bloggers in Kolkata

In the ever-evolving realm of influencer marketing, travel has emerged as a frontrunner, captivating audiences with captivating tales of exploration and discovery. Kolkata, a city steeped in culture and creativity, has birthed a cadre of travel bloggers whose stories have resonated far beyond the city’s boundaries. Here are the top 7 travel bloggers in Kolkata who have mastered weaving compelling narratives through their journeys.

SAYAN BAKSHI

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sayan Bakshi (@theorangeepistles)

Sayan Bakshi shares his travel adventures and delves into grooming and fashion tips. His collaborations with both big and small brands highlight his versatility. Sayan’s creativity shines through in his content, making him a go-to source for travel inspiration.

NIVRITY DAS

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nivrity Das (@nivrity_das)

Nivrity Das, a Kolkata-based blogger, extends her expertise beyond beauty and lifestyle, bringing her unique and creative perspective to travel diaries. Her exploration of West Bengal showcases the hidden gems through visually stunning and informative travel stories, earning her the top spot among Kolkata’s travel influencers.

PRIYA PRIYAMBADA

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Priyambada Nayak (@priya_priyambada)

Living life on her terms, Priya Priyambada has carved her niche in the blogging industry. Her travel stories blend valuable insights and creativity, covering everything from weekend getaways to historic adventures. For a mix of information and artistic flair, Priya’s blog is a must-follow.

SAPNA BAKSHI

View this post on Instagram A post shared by SAPNA BAKSHI (@sapnaabakshi)

Sapna Bakshi, a travel and lifestyle blogger, injects vibrancy into our feeds with engaging and authentic content. Her creative prowess is evident in her blogs, offering a unique perspective on the best of travel. Follow Sapna for an immersive journey that might inspire your next vacation.

RUDRITA CHATTERJEE

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rudrita Chatterjee (@rudritachatterjee)

Rudrita Chatterjee, another Kolkata-based blogger, transforms her travel stories into enchanting fantasies. Not only does she share her travel experiences, but she also provides tips, tricks, and guides to her followers. Rudrita’s uniqueness in content has garnered her a substantial follower base.

SHREYASHI DEBNATH

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shreyashi Debnath Gupta (@shreyashidebnathofficial)

Blogger, entrepreneur, and traveler Shreyashi Debnath is a versatile force. With a passion for fashion, lifestyle, and travel, Shreyashi creates realistic and engaging content. Her four years in the blogging world have earned her appreciation, evident in her growing follower base.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dolon Dutta Chowdhury (@poutpretty)

Dolon, a Kolkata-based blogger, unfolds the beauty of her journeys in the most creative way possible. Her detailed travel guides offer a comprehensive view of the places she visits. Dolon’s blog is a treasure trove for travel enthusiasts, from the planning process to the best places to explore.

Kolkata’s travel blogging scene is brimming with creativity and diversity as these influencers continue redefining the exploration narrative. Each blogger brings a unique perspective, making them not just storytellers but also guides for those seeking adventure.

How did these bloggers gain popularity?

These bloggers gained popularity through their unique content, brand collaborations, and a dedicated approach to sharing valuable insights.

Do these bloggers focus only on travel, or do they cover other topics?

While travel is a primary focus, many bloggers also delve into areas like lifestyle, fashion, and grooming, adding depth to their content.

How can I connect with these bloggers?

You can connect with these bloggers through their social media profiles, where they actively share their experiences and engage with their followers.

Are these bloggers open to collaborations?

Many bloggers have collaborated with big and small brands, indicating their openness to partnerships. Contacting them through their social media channels is an excellent way to explore collaboration opportunities.

Sapna Verma

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Best Kolkata Travel Guide for the first timers

Kolkata , West Bengal

Last Updated on: Jan 4, 2023  

Well, what can we say about Kolkata ? It is our hometown, a place that we love dearly. To be honest, only after we became travel bloggers, did we understand the beauty and charm of the “City of Joy” , a sobriquet that is given to Kolkata. Kolkata is rich in heritage and is full of interesting places interspersed in every corner of the city. We have travelled to many places and written about them as well. But somehow, we have not yet written anything about the places to visit in Kolkata. Maybe we were hit by the ‘ hometown syndrome ’! Nevertheless, we have now written this Kolkata Travel Guide that will tell you about the tourist places in Kolkata , special attractions and all the offbeat places that are known only to the locals! This Kolkata Travel Guide is just perfect for your first time visit to the city.

Kolkata is a chaotic city. Not as big as Mumbai or Delhi , the city thrives on its people, culture and past. Calcutta, as it was known earlier was the first British capital before it was shifted to Delhi. The city is almost 300 years old and is an eclectic mix of the splendid decaying past and the promising new future. The British had built some amazing buildings during their heydays and today Kolkata flaunts the colonial-era architecture with pride.

Kolkata or Calcutta is known as the cultural hub of the country. The vibrant city has produced some of the best writers, poets, performing artists and works of literature. Even today, there is no doubt that Kolkata is the hub of all the cultural activity of the country. Kolkata is also a foodie’s paradise. The Bengalis (people of Bengal) love their food and also love to treat their guests with sumptuous dishes. And those who told you that Kolkata food is only about Maach-Bhaat (fish and rice), then they are absolutely wrong.

We can actually go on and on about the place that is so dear to us. But let me just stop here and write about the places to visit in Kolkata, places to eat and other interesting facts about the city. For foreign nationals visiting Kolkata for the first time, the city can give you quite a shock. Kolkata can be quite overwhelming for the first-timers , for that matter, you can say this for any Indian cities. But Kolkata will gradually grow on you. For no reason, the Kolkata is known as the city with a heart! You need to stay here to believe that.

Kolkata Travel Guide | How to reach Kolkata?

Kolkata is located in West Bengal in the eastern part of India. Kolkata has an international airport (Netaji Subhash Chandra International Airport). The distance of Kolkata airport from Esplanade (considered to be almost in the heart of the city) is about 16 km.

Otherwise, Kolkata is well connected with other cities of India by flights all through the day.

India has an extensive railway network and one can travel anywhere in India by train. Kolkata has 3 important railway stations – Howrah, Sealdah and Kolkata Terminus, Howrah Station being the busiest of all. All the three stations are well connected by trains from almost all the parts of India.

I would not suggest travelling by bus, if the distance is more than 200 km. nevertheless, buses are available to Kolkata from the neighbouring towns.

Kolkata Travel Guide | How to get around Kolkata?

Getting around Kolkata is not very difficult. There are plenty of options to move around the city.

Metro: I always suggest Metro as the best mode of transport, but the problem in Kolkata is that the metro line is not yet extensive. It runs only through a particular area, and though it has been extended, it is not enough to cover the entire city. However, new metro lines are being laid. But we are not quite sure when they will be operational. Metros are clean, fast and cheaper mode of transport in Kolkata. Ticket price starts from Rs 10 to Rs.25.

Local Buses: Local buses in Kolkata are a bit of a challenge. Not that you will have a problem communicating, but getting on and off the local buses are a bit tough. However, the government-run AC buses are better in this respect. Local buses are quite a cheap form of transport.

Yellow Taxis, Ola & Uber: Kolkata is also known for its iconic yellow Ambassador taxis. Once they used to be the main form of cab services in the city. And it was always a great deal of excitement for us as children to hop on a yellow taxi and drive around the city. But the yellow taxis do have a bad reputation. If the taxi drivers understand that you are not a local, he will try to extort the maximum fare from you. And this especially happens with foreigners. Be aware, that all these taxis have a meter and you have to pay according to the meter reading.

There are pre-paid taxi counters at Howrah Station, Sealdah Station and Airport from where you can get taxis to anywhere in Kolkata at a prescribed rate. This is a good form of travel, as you do not have to bargain with the taxi driver here.

Finally, there is the Uber and Ola that will take you anywhere in Kolkata.

Rickshaws: For short distances, there are rickshaws that will take you around. Kolkata is the only city that still has hand-pulled rickshaws . But the rickshaw pullers do it voluntarily and it is the sole decision of the rider whether they want to sit on a hand-pulled rickshaw. As a child, I would enjoy these rickshaw rides, but now, hand-pulled rickshaws are a strict no for me.

Local Trains: Kolkata has a local train network that is far more extensive than the metro. They are a cheaper mode of travel and you can travel to almost any part of the city. But a word of caution, the train becomes really crowded during the morning between 9-11 AM and in the evening between 6-9PM. This is the time when mostly office goers commute.

Trams in Kolkata

The Kolkata tram is the oldest operating electric train system in Asia. Once, the trams used to connect every part of the city. But with modern time and faster transport options, trams have almost become redundant. Yet, some tram routes are still working in Kolkata, mainly because it is a part of our heritage. A tram ride in Kolkata is a pleasant experience and you can take a tram ride only to get a feeling of it. I think it is no longer a practical mode of transport.

Kolkata Travel Guide | What is the best time to visit Kolkata?

Kolkata has a tropical climate with warm weather almost all through the year. The city mainly has three types of seasons – summer, monsoon and winter with very small autumn and spring. Summers are quite hot and humid. Monsoons are going to be wet and humid. Winters are cold with clear skies.

The best time to visit Kolkata is between the months of October to March.

October and November: This is the autumn season with clear blue skies and warm weather. Humidity is still there though. This is one of the best time to visit Kolkata as Durga Puja, the largest and craziest festival of the Bengalis are celebrated in October (sometimes it is late September as well).

December to March: December to mid-February is the winter season when the weather remains cold and less humid. This is the best time to visit Kolkata. This is the time when various fairs and festivals are held in Kolkata. Kolkata Book Fair, one of the largest book fairs is held in the month of January.

April to May: These are the summer months and Kolkata is quite hot and humid during this time. Perspiration is the most common difficulty you will face and exploring the city during the day time can be quite taxing.

June to September: Usually the monsoon months, but for the last 2 years, monsoon have been pushed to mid-July. Weather is hot and humid again and rain can play spoilsport in your outdoor plans. But nowadays travellers brave the rain and go out all right. So carry a rainwear or umbrella if you are visiting during this time.

Kolkata Travel Guide | Top Tourist Places to visit in Kolkata

As I said earlier, Kolkata is a mélange of the old and new. A part of the city is the old and decaying one trying to hold on to its past. Here the roads are congested, houses are old and joined to other and there are numerous alleys and boulevards. This part is definitely the older Calcutta. The other part is the swanky modern one with flyovers and malls and modern offices and apartment – the new Kolkata.

Victoria Memorial

One of the most elegant and grand monuments located right in the heart of Kolkata, the Victoria Memorial is a must-visit attraction of Kolkata. The white marble structure is perhaps one of the most opulent structures to be built by the British in Calcutta. Victoria Memorial was built to commemorate Queen Victoria’s 25 years of rule over India. Spread across an area of 64 acres, the white marble structure is surrounded by well-maintained gardens.

Victoria Memorial is one of the favourite destinations of the Kolkatans as well. Come winter, and you will see hundreds of people on the lawns of Victoria Memorial. There is a museum as well that houses a number of antique items.

Timings: The Garden remains open from 5.30 AM to 6.15 PM everyday. The Victoria Memorial Hall (museum remains open between 10AM to 5 PM. The Museum remains closed on Mondays.

Entry Fee: INR 30 for Indians and INR 200 for foreign visitors.

Nearest Metro Station: Maidan Metro

Kalighat Temple

Kalighat Temple is one of the most revered temples of Kolkata and Goddess Kali is considered to be the guardian deity of the city. It is often said that the name of the city has been derived from Kalighat, but this fact is historically inaccurate. Kalighat Temple is believed to be one of the 52 Shakti Peethas of Hinduism. The right foot of Devi Sati fell here while the Rudra Tandava of Lord Shiva.

The idol inside the temple is made of black stone. An interesting feature of the Goddess Kali of Kalighat temple is the long protruding tongue, made of pure gold.

The Kalighat Temple is always busy with devotees flocking down to offer their prayers and seek blessings from the divine Goddess. Be careful of your belongings while you visit the temple. Buy Puja offerings from the vendors only if you wish to pay offerings inside the temple.

Timings: The temple is open from 5 AM to 2 PM and 5 PM to 10.30 PM

Entry Fee: Nil

Nearest Metro Station: Both Kalighat Metro and Jatin Das Park Metro

Howrah Bridge

The most iconic structure of Kolkata is perhaps the Howrah Bridge. Built across the Hooghly River, it forms the gateway to Kolkata connecting the city to Howrah Station. The Howrah Bridge is said to be the fourth busiest cantilever bridge in the world with thousands of people travelling across the bridge while entering and leaving Kolkata. The bridge is 1528 feet long and 62 feet wide.

If you are coming to Kolkata by train, you might have to cross the Howrah Bridge to enter Kolkata. You can get a great view of the iconic bridge from a boat ride on the Hooghly River.

Dalhousie Square

Kolkata is actually a city of many firsts. It was the first city in India to have a Page 3 newspaper. It was the first city in India to have an authentic Italian restaurant (not your Dominos Pizza and Pizza Huts), the city was the first to have a metro line as well. And many of these firsts bear testimony in the Dalhousie area.

Dalhousie Square area was known as the “White Town” during the British era. After the Battle of Plassey, the British shifted the capital of Bengal to Calcutta and built it with the aim of making it the “Second City of the Empire”. They were successful and it is evident by the presence of a number of colonial architecture in the Dalhousie Square area. Walk by the Raj Bhavan, explore around the GPO, take a peek into the Company stables and rest your feet by the Lal Dighi. You can also visit the St. John’s Church area as well. And while you walk along the area, listen to the interesting tales from the past.

Indian Museum

Indian Museum was founded in 1814 and is the largest and oldest multipurpose museum not only in India but also in the Asia Pacific region. In Kolkata, it is fondly known as “ Jadughar ”. The Museum contains a collection of contemporary as well as old paintings (Mughal paintings are also present), Buddha relics, Egyptian mummies and ancient sculptures. The museum also has a rare collection of antiques, ornaments, fossils and skeletons and many more. Currently, there are 35 galleries in the museum.

Opening Time: Opened on all days of the week except Monday

Timings: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (March to November) and 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM (December to February)

Entry Fee: INR 20 (For Indians) INR 500 (For foreign tourists)

Nearest Metro: Park Street Metro

If you are reading about Kolkata, then you must have heard about the famous Durga Puja of the city. Kumartuli is the place where the Durga idols are made. The place is the residence of the “kumors” or potters who had settled down in the area during the early eighteenth century. Before the Durga Puja (held in October), the lanes and mazes of Kumartuli becomes busy with the idol makers working on their craft. You can visit Kumartuli and see the idol makers working. But be careful as you walk so as not to harm the idols in any way.

Nearest Metro: Sovabazar Metro

Mallick Ghat Flower Market

Just below the Howrah Bridge, the chaotic and loud market of flowers, the Mullick Ghat Flower Market is located. It is the largest flower market of Kolkata and is obviously a photographer’s delight. The market starts at 4 AM in the morning as the flower sellers from the nearby areas pour in with their merchandise – various flowers in this case. The market is overcrowded, dirty and completely chaotic, but this is where you see a colourful and raw Kolkata without any pretensions.

St. Paul’s Cathedral

Just near the Victoria Memorial stands the elegant and beautiful St. Paul’s Cathedral. It is considered to be the first Episcopal Church of the eastern region. The church built in all-white looks majestic and has a beautiful architecture. You can enter the church and sit there quietly for some time. photography is not allowed inside the church.

Nearest Metro: Rabindra Sadan Metro.

Timings: 10 AM to 6 PM

John’s Church

St. John’s Church is one of the oldest churches to be built in Kolkata. It is not only a religious site, but also has immense historical importance. The church is a repository of old historic documents related to Kolkata. The land on which the church was built was initially a burial ground. The garden around the church still has a number of graveyards, the most significant of them being the tomb of Job Charnock, who is believed to be the founder of Kolkata.

Timings: 8AM to 5PM

Location: 2/2, Council House Street. The church is located near Raj Bhavan

Princep Ghat

Princep Ghat or Prinsep Ghat is one of the most beautiful places in Kolkata where you can simply sit and enjoy. Located beside the banks of the Hooghly River, the pristine white structure with the second Hooghly Bridge at the background looks just majestic. The Princep Ghat is one of the best examples of the colonial architecture and one of the grandest monument built to access the riverfront.

You can visit Princep Ghat and sit around the huge lawn surrounding the structure. You can also take a boat ride on the Hooghly River. There is a railway station by the same name, which is a stop for the circular railway in Kolkata.

How to reach: There is no metro station nearby. If you are coming from Howrah, take a ferry ride across the river to reach Princep Ghat. Otherwise, Uber, Ola and the yellow taxi of Kolkata will bring you here from anywhere in Kolkata.

Dakshineswar Temple

Another famous and revered temple of Kolkata, Dakshineswar Kali Temple is one of the oldest in Kolkata. It was founded by Rani Rashmoni in 1855, Ramkrishna Deb, the highly revered religious ascetic used to be the main pandit of Dakshineswar Temple.

Dakshineswar Temple is located about 20 km from central Kolkata at the banks of the Hooghly River. On the opposite bank of the temple is the famous Belur Math. Dakshineswar Temple receives a lot of visitors almost every day. You can visit the Temple and Belur Math together. Ferry services are available from Dakshineswar Ferry Ghat to Belur Math Ghat.

Belur Math is the headquarters of Ramkrishna Math and Mission and represents the idea of Universal faith. The mind behind Belur math was Swami Vivekananda, the famous disciple of Sri Ramkrishna, who had taken the message of Hinduism to the western world. Belur Math is also located on the banks of the Hooghly River and is regarded as “Symphony in architecture” as it combines Hindu, Islamic, Christian and Buddhist architectural elements to symbolize the unity of religion.

Belur Math is quite a serene place where you can spend some time sitting and meditating. The peace in the Belur Math campus would be quite a pleasant experience.

Mother House

The Mother House is the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity that was founded by Mother Teresa. The house served as the Mother’s residence since1953 till her death in 1997. Her body was laid to rest in a tomb inside the house. You can visit the tomb and a small museum displaying her personal belongings.

Location: Ripon Street

Entry Fee: Free.

Botanical Gardens, Shibpur

Botanical Gardens or Acharya Jagadish ChandraBose Indian Botanic Garden is located on the west bank of River Hooghly at Shibpur. The garden covering a huge area of 273 acres was established in 1787. The garden contains about 12000 perennial plants. The main attraction of Botanical Gardens is the colossal banyan tree known as the Great Banyan Tree. This tree forms the second largest canopy in the world. Botanical Garden is like a breath of fresh air near Kolkata. There is a lot of walking to be done here, so wear comfortable shoes.

Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM everyday except Mondays

Entry Fee: INR 10 (for Indians) and INR 200 (for foreigners)

Eco Park, New Town

All these long, I had told you mainly about heritage places in the city. If you want to see the modern Kolkata, then a visit to Eco-park in New Town is a must. Eco Park or Eco-tourism Park is an expansive urban park designed to promote ecotourism in the city. The park has been built across a huge area of 480 acres and has a number of interesting gardens and places.

The most interesting attraction of the Ecopark is the Seven Wonders of the World where replicas of the Seven Wonders of the World are built across the park. There are various gardens like the tea garden, butterfly garden, mask garden, fruit garden, rose garden etc inside the park. A huge water body surrounds the park and boating facilities are also available there. Ecopark is a great place to spend time as well as to get some knowledge about Kolkata and Bengal.

Just near the Gate No.3 at Eco Park stands the Mishti Hub, a novel concept wherein most of the famous sweets shops in Bengal are found under one roof. Here you will get some of the best sweets of Kolkata, all under one roof. This is just the place to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Timings: During summer between 2.30 PM to 8.30 PM. For Sundays and Holidays, the park remains open from 12 PM to 8.30 PM. During the winter season (November – February) between 12 PM to 7.30 PM. For Sundays and Holidays, the park remains open from 11 AM to 8.30 PM. The Park remains closed on Mondays.

Entry Fee: Rs.30 per person. Inside the park, individual activities have individual rates.

Things to do in Kolkata

Where to stay in kolkata.

In Kolkata, you will find hotels of various ranges and types all through the city. A google search on the best places to stay in Kolkata will give you areas near Esplanade and Sudder Street. Infact, Sudder Street is the first choice of most of the foreign tourists visiting in Kolkata.

If you want to stay in the heart of the city where you can see the city in her full form, then stay near Esplanade, Park Street or Sudder Street.

If you want to stay somewhere near the airport, then try for hotels near New Town and Chinar Park.

Kolkata does not have the hostel culture developed yet, but there are a couple of hostels in the city. You can check out Offbeat CCU.

Kolkata Travel Guide | What to eat in Kolkata?

Kolkata is a foodies’ paradise. The Bengalis love their food, be it vegetarian or non-vegetarian. The street food in Kolkata is one of the best. Kolkata food has Bengali cuisine influence all right in its street food and snacks, but you will get food from other regions here as well. Street food of Kolkata includes lip-smacking rolls, phuchkas, bhelpuri, papri chat etc.

While in Kolkata, you must taste the Bengali cuisine. Bengali food is not only about fish and rice, but much more. But it is definitely about sweets and lots of sweet dishes. Bengalis love their sweet treats and no Bengali meal is ever complete without the quintessential rosogolla.

Some of the best places to have Bengali food are:

• Kasturi (our personal favourite)
• 6, Ballygunge Place
• Bhojohori Manna
• Oh! Calcutta
• Mitra Café (only for snacks and treats)

Other well-known restaurants of Kolkata that you might try out

For Biriyani & Kebabs:

• Indian Restaurant at Khidirpore
• Shiraz Golden restaurant

For Chinese

• Mainland China
• Buddha Bites
• Any restaurant at Chinatown in Tangra

Just remember, Chinese in Kolkata is mostly Indianized Chinese that has evolved catering to the taste of local population. You might not get authentic Chinese experience here. But even then, this Chinese version is also just too good!

Continental

• Peter Cat, Park Street (One of my favourites)
• Moulin Rouge, Park Street (I absolutely love the ambience here. This place still has a piano that is played in the evening)
• Mocambo, again at Park Street
• Barbeque Nation

Kolkata Travel Guide | Interesting places to visit near Kolkata 

From Kolkata, you can make a day trip or 2 days trip to a few places like Sunderbans, Shantiniketan and Mandarmani. Each of the places has its own speciality and will be a different experience.

For day trips near Kolkata, you can visit Chandannagore (erstwhile French Town), Bandel Church, Hooghly Imambara and others.

What are the best places for shopping in Kolkata?

Kolkata has a lot of interesting shopping places. Kolkata has different markets for different items. The New Market, Esplanade Market and Gariahat market are shopper’s paradise. You will get clothes, shoes, fashion items, jewellery, food and household items in all these markets.

New Market happens to be one of the most favourite places for Kolkata shoppers even in the times of glitzy malls and high-end shops. As a child, we were told that at New Market, you get almost everything. We still believe in that till date. For all things Bengali and traditional, visit the Dakshinapan Market at Gariahat.

College Street is the market place for book and education items. Again, it was said that if you do not get a book in College Street, perhaps that book never existed. You just need to look for it.

And if you are looking for Malls, then there are South City Mall at Prince Anwar Shah Road, City Centre at Salt Lake, City Centre II at New Town, Acropolis near Ruby etc.

Kolkata Travel Guide (FAQs answered)

Q. How many days are required?

The number of days depends on what you would like to do in the city. Usually Kolkata serves as a stop for travellers before travelling further to Darjeeling and northeast India. Minimum of 2 days are required to explore Kolkata and cover the important places to visit in Kolkata.

Q. How is the mobile connectivity and Internet?

Kolkata is the capital city of West Bengal and has proper mobile and internet connectivity.

If you are a foreign toursit arriving at Kolkata and looking for a Sim Card, you can check Sims Direct .

Q. Is Kolkata expensive?

Well, Kolkata can be as cheap or expensive as you want it to be. Generally, Kolkata is not an expensive city to live. You can probably break the cost of your travel in Kolkata in the following way:

Accommodation: This cost is as per your choice. You will get rooms at hotels at as low as Rs500 while there are expensive 5-star properties as well. In general, the cost of accommodation can be between Rs1500 to Rs3000 for a good budget hotel.

Food: Food can be quite cheap here. Within Rs500 you will get all the three meals and more.

Transport: Public Transport is cheap in Kolkata compared to other Indian metros. If you can travel by public transport, then you can reduce your cost to a considerable amount.

Q. What about the nightlife in Kolkata?

It might not be as happening as in Mumbai, but Kolkata has an active nightlife. There are some amazing bars, pubs, clubs and lounges that are hosts to the thriving party scene of the city. Most of the nightlife in Kolkata is concentrated in the Park Street area. If I had to name a few, then they would be:

• Someplace Else , Park Street – one of the most famous pubs in the city
• Roxy , Park Street – upscale cocktail bar
• Shisha Bar , Camac Street
• Tantra , Park Street – stylish lounge
• Nocturne , Theatre Road – Nightclub

And yes, Kolkata is absolutely safe at night. I have travelled after midnight in the city without any problem.

A few things you should be aware of while visiting Kolkata

• Please be wary of over-friendly taxi drivers on your arrival, be at the airport or railway station. I am not saying that they are bad person, but they will usually try to extort a larger amount for taxi fare, more so if you are a foreign tourist. I would suggest you go to the prepaid counter at the airport or railway station and take a taxi to your hotel or accommodation. At other times, ask the yellow taxi drivers to go by the meter.
• Be easy about the street food you eat. You might get a stomach problem if you are not careful.
• Also, watch out for the water you drink. Don’t just drink water from anywhere, especially tap waters.

There are lots more things to do in Kolkata, a lot more places to visit. This Kolkata Travel Guide is designed for first-timers in the city which will help you get acquainted with the city. If you are visiting Kolkata and have any questions, please feel free to ask us in your comments or just send us a mail.

Pin this for a later read!

Agni Amrita

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28 comments.

Hoping to go to this city soon, came across your site while looking up details. Helpful and lots of info, thanks so much !

A must visit place in Kolkata, the collection is huge and it will take 1-2hr to see all the sections properly. They also exhibit different art, paintings, photographs, and other collectibles from time to time. Please watch my presentation on the archeological section of Kolkata Museum

Thank you for mentioning about your collection here. Hope you will have more visitors.

Kolkata is my Favourite place i was born in kolkata thank you for sharing this lovely blog

Thank you Rahul!

Great blog and very interesting information. Do you have any good recomendation for hotels around “Esplanade, Park Street or Sudder Street”, for a Solo travellers where luxary is not a requirement

Very Nice explanation . Can I get any pdf version of this guide details?

Sure. How do I send it?

This is a great post. One of my favorites was being respecful with the culture. I always love being totally present in the moment and be aware of what I’m living.

Very great content. Nice reading this blog.

Very good explanation of every topic .It describe the culture and life style of kolkata.

The post is informative. You explain every traveling guideline in an informative manner.

Thank you so much.

You well explain. Very useful information. This information make my journey easy.

Good blog with genuine information. Thanks for writing.

Thanks for sharing this valuable information. I am planning to visit kolkata in next navratri. This info would help me a lot

Dear Team Excellent report. My heartfelt thanks to you. I am planning to visit Kolkatta next month with my daughter for about 4 days. Now i have a good idea to plan my trip. Thank you once again.

Regards Ram

Hello Ram! Thank you so much for stopping by our blog. Hope you have a great time in Kolkata with your daughter. And do let us know how your trip went

It’s very helpful to learn in advance about the best behavior at the place you plan to visit. Thanks for the great tips and useful advice.

Thank you so much!

Lots of hard work done. Great Job!

You have done a good job. Travellers will find your blog very useful. Keep on doing Best wishes

Thank you so much! Glad that you liked it!

It was nice reading your blog. Marvelous work!. A blog is brilliantly written and provides all necessary information. Thanks for sharing this useful post with us.

Thank you for your kind words.

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35 Unique Things to Do in Kolkata (2024) – Your Ultimate Kolkata Travel Guide

By: Author Sophie Pearce

Posted on Last updated: January 1, 2024

Categories INDIA , KOLKATA

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for details.

Are you looking for all the amazing and unique things to do in Kolkata? I was in your shoes before I went.  

There seems to be so much to do in this Mega City, it’s hard to get your bearings and you can get totally lost in these city streets and struggle to find the highlights!  

Kolkata is the old capital of the British Raj and has the third biggest population of any city in India.  

So expect big crowds, roaring traffic, grandeur colonial architecture and a labyrinth of bazaars with the holy Hooghly river connecting it all.  

I hadn’t heard or read great things about Kolkata to be honest. I knew there was poverty and from what I heard it was chaotic and dirty. But, I’m never one to judge a place before I have been myself.  

So I jumped headfirst into the fray.

The result? I absolutely fell in LOVE with this amazing city and already want to return.  

So, in this ultimate Kolkata travel guide, I am going to not only be going through the absolute best things you can do in this city.  

But also I’ll be covering how to get around, where to stay, top foodie places, important travel tips and some itinerary suggestions too!  

A brief history of Kolkata in West Bengal  

I think to really understand the mix of colonial architecture and culture here in Kolkata, you have to know the history of the city and its humble beginnings.  

That way, a lot of what you’re seeing will make more sense and you can understand why the city is a melting pot of cultures!

Kolkata used to be known as Calcutta and was a city that was originally developed by the British East India Company in the 17th century.  

During this time it was the centre for English trade in India and the British controlled many major villages in the regions of Calcutta.

Most of the officers were stationed at Fort William in the biggest village which had a presidency.

Later, it was established as a city and it became the capital of British India from 1711 controlled by the British East India Company.  

Then, eventually, it became the capital of the British Raj from 1858 after British Crown rule was established.

At this time, all of India became part of the British Empire. In 1911, the capital of the British Raj switched over to Delhi on the orders of King George V, so Calcutta changed to the capital of all Bengal.  

After the Indian Independence, in 1947, Kolkata remained the capital of West Bengal and still is the capital of the state to this day.  

Today, the vibrant city of Kolkata has over 4.4 million residents and that’s a whopping 24,000 people per square kilometre making it one of the most densely populated cities in India and the world. It’s also classed as a Mega City as it stretches out over 205 square kilometres (79 square miles).

What is the best time to visit Kolkata?

The best time to visit Kolkata is hands down in the winter season from around October – March.

Here is when it will not be as humid from monsoon or hot from summer;

July – September: Monsoon season. Although I visited in early October, the monsoon seemed to run a little later this year. So, it was on and off heavy rains on my visit, and the city suffered floods.

The drainage system here cannot handle all the water so you’ll be wading in polluted water sometimes. Not fun.  

October – March: Wintertime. Probably the best time to be here as the temperatures won’t be as hot and you’ll get the most sunshine! Plus, you may visit for festivals and holidays like Kali Puja and Diwali!  

April – June: Summers are brutal in India, I used to live in Delhi so I know the heat and have been really sick from it too. Many cities face temperatures up to the late 40s up to the 50 degrees Celsius mark.

As you’re by the sea the breeze may be a reprieve. But, during these times, I highly suggest air-conditioned cabs, staying hydrated all day with water and electrolytes, sticking to shaded areas etc.

Don’t take risks, sunstroke is not a great travel buddy.

How long do I need to visit Kolkata?  

It’s a HUGE city and there are so many things to do in Kolkata you’ll be spoiled for choice. I originally had planned 3 days for my visit.

But as I loved the city so much and wanted to explore it even further, I instantly extended my stay by two more days.  

I would suggest a minimum of 3 days to explore Kolkata.

This means you’ll have enough time to do everything you want at a comfortable pace. Any less time and I think you’ll try and shove too much in.

I would personally split your travel itinerary up by certain areas and aim to hit a couple of sites per day.  

My go-to strategy is to pin everything I want to look at on Google Maps. Then I look at ‘groups’ of those pins and aim to hit those sections so I’m not flying around all areas of the city. This makes the best use of your time.  

The next step, look at opening times for attractions (I include most of them below). These will be your main restrictions.

See what those are and then plan anything that doesn’t have an opening time before/after those.  

This itinerary has a Google Map I’ve made for you below with pins for all the things to do on this list. You can steal this and use it to plan your trip and itinerary!  

Tours of Kolkata  

When I landed in Kolkata, I had heard that the West Bengal Government-run guided tours of the city for a cheap fee. But, when I enquired at the desk, they weren’t running due to Durga Puja.  

If you would rather enquire for yourself you can do so here. It’s a bus tour that will take you around the main sites.

Failing that, there are plenty of tours you can book for Kolkata online if you wanted to do a half-day tour, day tour, food tour, or temple tour.

Click here and book the below Kolkata tours;

• Full day city tour with lunch
• Complete day tour

Is Kokata safe?  

100% YES, if you use caution and common sense like you would in any city.  

I know that a lot of people panic when they visit India as they think that it’s really dangerous, dirty and you’re going to be attacked on every street corner.

But, having visited 22 of 29 states in India most of them by myself as a solo female traveller, it really is just about being wary and keeping your wits about you.  

I’ve had my fair share of scams, stresses, and scares, but nothing too major. The hospitality in India is out of this world and people are really friendly.  

Don’t go out late at night alone, don’t ask men for directions and follow them down a dark alleyway, don’t tell strangers where you’re staying, wear clothes that respect the culture, learn about customs and traditions and what not to do.  

Drinking isn’t really condoned so if someone offers, be cautious.

Drugs aren’t really common either apart from Bhang Lassi (religious cannabis) which I do not recommend drinking alone.

From my years of personal experience in India now, Indian men don’t need a lot to be encouraged. A smile or a friendly face can do it.

So, make your feelings plain and stand your ground. Don’t be afraid to say NO or refuse to give out your phone number or social media details if you don’t feel comfortable doing so.    

I know you can’t avoid everyone and everything and meeting locals is one of my favourite parts of travel. I’ve made lifelong friendships in India from being open.  

Just always keep your wits and be on your guard is all. Keep these numbers handy just in case;

• 24 hours tourist help line in 12 languages: 1800-11-1363
• Womens helpline: 1091
• Police: 100

35 unique things to do in Kolkata  

So, let’s start this EPIC list of all the amazing things to do in Kolkata!

I’ve tried to group them into certain sections so you can easily organise your itinerary.

It includes colonial sites, cultural attractions, foodie things, shopping streets, market bazaars, and even things to do in Kolkata at night.   So, there is definitely something on this list for everyone!

Colonial things to do in Kolkata

1. visit victoria memorial.

This is truly the jewel in the crown of Kolkata attractions and this marble building is a marvel of colonial architecture.

The Victoria Memorial was commissioned after Queen Victoria’s death in 1901, but wasn’t opened to the public until twenty years later in 1921.  

It’s a huge domed building made from Makrana marble and massive quarries were made in Rajasthan to procure it.  

There are two parts to this attraction, the gardens which surround it and the Gallery Museum inside.  

The gardens open at sunrise and are a gorgeous way to spend a morning. You can take some of the many walking routes and admire the memorial from the reflection lagoon.

Or, you can enter the museum from 10 am that has 26 galleries and over 30,000 items in its exhibits.  

Better yet, come back in the evening to watch a light and sound show on the grounds.

Did you know that the Victoria Memorial was painted black during World War II and was funded by Indian royalty?

The gardens open from 5.30 am-5 pm. The museum is open from 10 is – 5 pm. The light and sound show start from around 6 pm, more info here. Completely closed on Mondays.

Click here to read more amazing facts about the Victoria Memorial !

2.   Step inside St John’s Church

St John’s Church was the very first public building that was erected by the British East India Company in 1787.  

The lands were kindly donated by Maharaja Bahadur and the funding for its construction was raised by a public lottery!  

The architect was James Agg who based it on St-Martin-in-the-fields in London.  

At the time, the stone was a very rare material in India, and the ones they used to build the church were actually stolen from the ancient city of Gour (Gauda)! They were then shipped down the Hooghly River.  

In the graveyard, you can see tombs of some notable people in the city such as Job Charnock.

He is often seen as the founding father of Kolkata! He was one of the first administrators of the British East India Company who landed here in 1690.

He tragically died two years later but his tireless work united villages here that eventually became the Indian trading post for the English.

Also on the grounds, you can see a memorial dedicated to the ‘smothered’ of The Black Hole of Calcutta.

A tragic incident where over 100 British officers were kept in a small cell and only 20 survived (more below).  

Inside the church are some beautiful stained glass windows, a pulpit, and architecture! While we were here it was being renovated but it was still incredible to see.  

There is also a small museum that houses old artifacts from members of the British East India Company.  

Warren Hastings’s original chair is kept here, he was the first English governor of the presidency at Fort William and laid the foundation stone of this church.

St. John’s Church is FREE to visit but donations are always appreciated. Opening times are 8 am – 5 pm Monday to Saturday. 10am – 4pm Sundays.

3. Admire the Writer’s Building

The Writers Building was constructed in 1777 and was the principal administrative office for writers of the British East India Company.  

Over time since Thomas Lyon designed it, the building has undergone many improvements and extensions and is now 150 metres long with 13 blocks!

It was home to the Fort William college and during the British Raj it served as the building for writers of the secretariat.  

One of the most notable events that happened in this building was when Lieutenant Colonel NS Simpson, the Inspector General of Prisons, was assassinated.  

Simpson was infamous for his harsh treatment of Indian Prisoners. So three Bengali freedom fighters infiltrated the building dressed as Westerners and shot him.

The busy area of BBD Bagh is named after them. Nowadays it is the home of the State Government of West Bengal.  

Although you cannot go inside, it is still a marvel to look at from the outside!

4. Enter St Paul’s Cathedral

Due to the growing numbers of British and European citizens in Kolkata, St John’s Church was getting far too small to cater to those wanting to worship.  

So, the city decided to build a brand new church that could cater to the masses. The founding stone of the church was laid in 1839 and the Gothic building was completed in 1847.  

It is regarded as an architectural wonder and the very first Episcopal Church of the Eastern world. It’s 247 feet in long and 81 feet wide, so it’s mesmerising to take in.

As well as the outside looking pretty. If you pop inside the church, you’ll be in for a treat.  

Inside there are multiple memorial statues, a beautiful nave with stained glass windows, and a bell from the old bell tower.  

I loved sitting under the cooling fans in here for a while, it was so peaceful.

As it’s the diocese of Kolkata, you can see all the notable seats with coats of arms inside.  

Fun fact: There is a legend that the first Bishop Wilson is buried somewhere beneath the church in a vault. But, to this day no one has found any evidence of it.  

St Paul’s Cathedral is FREE to visit but donations are accepted. Open daily from 10 am – 6 pm. No photos are allowed inside.

5. Look around the Indian Museum

The Indian Museum was opened in 1814 by the Asiatic Society, making it the oldest museum in all of India.

It’s set inside a wonderful colonial building that has two floors, six sections, and 35 galleries full of historic, rare, and unusual artifacts.

You can take in some antiquities sourced from Egypt, or look at prehistoric ruins and fossils on display, admire old coins or visit the art gallery.  

It was really interesting at first, but after around an hour, I got a little bored.

Some of the exhibits are dated and I saw a lot of similar stuff in the British Museum back home.  

But I have to admit it was a great place to come with the rain pouring down, so I didn’t mind the distraction!

There is no air conditioning (just fans) so it gets really hot and sticky inside. Just letting you know now.  

Tickets for Indian nationals tickets are 50 rupees, for foreigners it’s 500 rupees! You will also need to buy a photo pass for photography.

The Indian Museum is open from 10 am-6.30 pm Tuesday – Friday and 10 am – 8 pm Saturdays and Sundays. It’s closed on Mondays and public holidays. See here for more.

6. Visit the infamous Fort William at Maidan Park

I’ve mentioned Fort William a lot in this post. That’s because this place was really the beginnings of the city as we know it today.  

Job Charnock arrived on the shores of Calcutta in 1690 and in just two years he united three villages in the area. After that, Fort William was born in 1696 by the East India Company.  

It was named after King William III and took ten years to complete. It then became the seat of the presidency of Bengal in British India.  

This was the original Fort William or the ‘Old Fort William’ as it is now known.

Unfortunately, it was partially destroyed when the Nawab of Bengal temporarily sacked the city and committed the ‘Black Hole of Calcutta’.

A second Fort William was then built by the British in Maidan in 1758 and it’s now occupied by the Indian Army.  

The Old Fort was eventually restored and used as a customs house. This is now where the General Post Office (GPO) stands.

Although you cannot go inside Fort William you can walk around and see it on the grounds at Maidan Park.  

It’s a huge green space that also has the Victoria Memorial, Dalhousie Barrack, the Command Museum, and The Water Gate.

7. Take a look in the GPO (General Post Office)

If you want to see where the Old Fort William stood, you only need to visit the GPO or General Post Office which is a gorgeous piece of architecture in itself.  

On the steps outside of the GPO you can see brass lines that lead down. This marks the boundaries of the first Fort William and is the only piece that remains.  

A sign on the wall outside of the GPO marks the alley of the site of the guardhouse.

This held the dungeon where the infamous Black Hole of Calcutta happened. Although it does mark a grisly past, the GPO itself is a marvel.

This huge domed building with giant columns was designed by Walter B. Grenville in 1864. Inside you can visit the GPO Postal Museum that has original stamps and postal memorabilia from the time!

The museum is FREE, non-flash photography is allowed and it’s open from 11 am – 4 pm every day

8. Go palace and mansion hopping

Did you know that there are hundreds of old mansions and palaces dotted around Kolkata? Most of these have been repurposed into government buildings but some are completely abandoned!  

They’re often known as the Forgotten Palaces of Calcutta and a whole book was written about them by Joanne Taylor. My tour guide in Kolkata was a historian who contributed to this book!

Most of the mansions were built by members of the British East India Company or wealthy businessmen.  

Although there are many dotted around the city which is crumbling and serve merely as facades, they give you an idea of the grandeur of the time.  

One of the best-preserved of these mansions that you can actually visit today is the Marble Palace.

This neoclassical building was constructed in the 19th century by Raja Rajendra Mullick, a wealthy Bengali businessman. It is filled with amazing statues and paintings. It’s well worth checking out.  

The Marble Palace opens at 10 am and closes at 3 pm but is closed on Mondays and Thursdays. It’s completely FREE to visit!

9. Visit India’s oldest high court

The Calcutta High Court claims the title of India’s oldest high court and was built on permission by Queen Victoria in 1862.  

But this incredible red and white Neo-Gothic building was built ten years later in 1872. Although the city is no longer called Calcutta, the Calcutta High court still retains the original name.

Today, this High Court makes a striking impression on the strip and has a long line of Chief Justices.

Its remit covers the whole West Bengal area, Port Blair in the Andaman Islands, and Jalpaiguri too!  

You cannot go inside the High Court Building. But, it’s a nice photo opportunity.

10. Metcalfe Hall

Finally, our last colonial building in this list takes us to Metcalfe Hall which can be found on Strand Road.  

It’s built in the British Imperial Style with elements of the Neoclassical from the Corinthian pillars at the entrance.  

A fun fact about this museum is that it used to be the Calcutta Public Library! Lord Metcalf, the then Governor-General, transferred over 4,600 books from Fort William College.

Today, this museum is a little bit of a hidden secret and so that’s why you HAVE to go.

You can visit the hall and see its various exhibitions including rare artifacts donated by the Asiatic Society.

There are antique hand-drawn rickshaws, old boats, and galleries that celebrate the life of the people in the city.

Entry is FREE. The Metcalfe Hall is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm, and is closed on Mondays. 

Cultural things to do in Kolkata

11. visit kalighat temple – shakti peetha.

Kalighat Temple is one of the most famous temples in Kolkata and is dedicated to the blood-thirsty warrior goddess Kali.  

It’s also famous due to the fact it is home to a Shakti Peetha. If you’re not aware of what Shakti Peethas are, I’ll give you a short overview.

In the ancient texts, it reads that Lord Shiva’s wife Shakti died. Shiva was so upset and enraged he carried Shakti’s body with him everywhere he went, mourning her and performing his dance of destruction.  

Eventually, he was causing so much chaos, Lord Vishnu cut Shakti’s body up into 51 pieces and they fell all over India.  

Where each of these pieces fell, a temple is set up as a place of worship. Kalighat Temple is where Shakti’s right toe fell.

Many people come on a pilgrimage to Kolkata to visit this temple. You can find thousands of people every single day. Even more around festival times.  

Queues can take hours so Brahmin’s (higher caste priests) usually charge a ‘VIP’ fee for tourists. Although it sounds like a tourist trap, many locals do this to skip long queues.  

We felt like the 300 rupees was a good deal. It saved so much time and it included an offering, entering the temple, being blessed, and receiving our red-yellow thread or Kautuka. I still wear mine now!

Although photos are not allowed inside the temple of the idol, I saw this mural painted outside which gives you an idea of what it looks like.  

Kalighat Temple is FREE (although I do recommend the VIP fee), open dawn until dusk

12. Admire the clay statues in Kumartuli  

One of my favourite areas of Kolkata can be found in the potters quarter of Kumartuli.  

When the British East India company were here, they split up “Black Town” or the Indian quarter of Calcutta by trade.

There were wine traders, carpenters, chicken sellers etc. The Potters of Kumartuli were located in Barabazaar.

Although many of the old trades have disbanded with time, the karigars of Kumartuli still remain.

A long tradition of potters settling here started with Durga Puja that celebrates the Hindu warrior Goddess Durga.

A Raja asked for an idol to be made of the Warrior Goddess after she came to him in a dream in the 19th century and ever since it has become an annual tradition.  

Kumartuli is a labyrinth of streets that has over 500 workshops. Although the potters make idols of many Gods and Goddesses all year, the best time to visit is around Durga and Kali Puja.  

In the build-up to the festivals, people are asking for many idols to be made and so the potters will showcase their best work.  

Fun fact: the statues are made from clay that is taken from the Ganges river (Hooghly). During Durga Puja they immerse the statues into the river. So, the statue does a full cycle and Hindus believe the Goddess has returned to nature.

It’s FREE to visit but they may charge a voluntary donation during festival times. Click here to read my complete guide about the incredible potters quarter

13. Cross over the bustling Howrah Bridge

There are many iconic bridges in Kolkata, but none so famous as Howrah Bridge or Rabindra Setu.

It sounds weird, but I was so excited to see this bridge for myself.

I had heard about it long before my visit to West Bengal and it’s almost a tourist attraction in its own right.

It was commissioned all the way back in 1871 by the British but wasn’t built until 1935. It stretches over 705 metres, required 23,000 tons of steel and it’s the busiest cantilever bridge in the entire world.

Approximately 100,000 vehicles and 150,000 pedestrians cross it each day! That’s not including the cows that roam here.  

So, you must join the crowds and cross for yourself!  

If you are wondering, there are a total of 4 bridges on the Hooghly River connecting Kolkata to Howrah.

The others are the second Hooghly Bridge, which kind of reminded me of a grey Golden Gate Bridge, Bally Bridge (Vivekananda Setu), and New Bally Bridge (Nivedita Setu).

14. Visit the world’s biggest Banyan Tree  

One of the top attractions in this city is The Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden. It’s the oldest botanical garden in all of India and was commissioned by Colonel Robert Kyd in 1787.  

The only reason why this was created was to cash in on some of the tropical plants and trees like teak wood and spice trade!  

This is actually where the English first started growing tea from China, so one of India’s biggest exports had its humble beginnings here.  

The most famous resident in the whole park is The Great Banyan Tree which is the widest Banyan tree in the whole world.

It’s over 250 years old and its circumference is over 4 acres! It survives without the main trunk and it has over 3,770 aerial roots.

Read my post with my top tips for the Botanical Gardens in Kolkata

15. Marvel at Parashnath Jain Temple in Kolkata  

One of the most impressive temples that I visited in Kolkata was the Parashnath Jain Temple or Calcutta Jain Temple.  

Jain is an ancient Indian religion that has a supreme principle of ahimsa (non-violence, peace, and charitable deeds) . They also have three guiding principles of the right belief, knowledge, and conduct.  

The temple complex is actually split into four separate temples and was built in the 19th century by Ray Badridas Bahadur in honour of Parashnath.  

The most amazing part of this temple is the fact is was made of thousands of mirrors, jewels, and glass. Some even call it the temple of a million mirrors!

The work is truly exquisite inside and out and you could spend hours in this serene place admiring the architecture.  

Fun fact: There is an eternal flame inside the temple that burns with ghee. Apparently, it has been burning since it opened in 1867!  

It’s FREE to enter and is open daily from 6 am – 10 am then from 5 pm – 8 pm

16. See life on the Ghats of the Ganges

The Hooghly River in Kolkata is actually a river that falls off of the River Ganges. So many people in the city refer to it simply as ‘Ganga’.  

The Ganges river is important in Hindu religion as many believe it is personified as the Goddess Ganga.  

So, it plays a huge part in the local culture of the city. People believe if you wash in the Ganga, the water is pure and you’ll be cleared of your sins.  

There are temples lined up along the Hooghly River with ghats or stairs that lead down to the water.  

Every day you’ll see locals praying, meditating, washing clothes, and even drinking this water.  

Visiting is a great way to not only learn about Hindu culture but also see the local life on the waterways.

17.   Visit Dakshineswar Kali Temple  

Another famous temple in Kolkata is the Dakshineswar Kali Temple.

Despite the name, it’s actually dedicated to Bhavatarini, an aspect of Kali rather than the warrior goddess herself.  

In pictures, it almost looks like an etching or 2D drawing due to the trippy line patterns on the architecture of the domes! Or maybe that’s just me, haha. Either way, it’s awesome to look at.   

It was built by Rani Rashmoni in 1855 who was a devotee of Kali.  

Inside there is the main Bhavatarini temple on nine domes, then outside there are shrines dedicated to Shiva here and a temple for Rada-Krishna.

If you’re on a temple trail, this is quite close to Belur Math as a next stop.

But, you will need to cross the river to access it. The local ferries here have a direct connection over the water. Ticket prices are 6 rupees ahead.

Or, click here to book a Kolkata temples tour which includes this one

18. Visit Kolkata for Durga Puja!  

Durga Puja is celebrated all over the world for those of the Hindu faith, but it is a huge and famous celebration in Kolkata.  

Many people from around the world visit the city during this time and it has huge events going on for 10 days. It’s all about celebrating the warrior goddess Durga.  

The city goes a little crazy around this time. So, you’ll find roads are blocked off, buses and taxis are packed to the rafters and people will walk the streets all night.  

There will be raucous music, street parades, and people singing and praying in the streets.  

Temples will be rammed, attractions and shops may be closed. It really is a big deal here.

During this time, I would highly recommend booking a quiet hotel. It’s a 24-hour party and you may struggle with the endless noise.  

I stayed at the Oberoi Grand and made sure I had an indoor-facing room away from the road.

Pandals of Durga Puja  

Although it would be a bit of a scrum and you may be queuing for hours, one of the best ways to see and experience Durga Puja is to visit the many ‘Pandals’.

Pandals are a series of temporary altars that are created for the festival and usually draw many talented artists to create them.  

The city even has a competition for the best Pandals and so you’ll find those big companies shed a LOT of money to sponsor these.

Pilgrims during Durga Puja will walk the streets all night, queueing to visit and giving offerings to the Goddess here.  

We actually visited one the day after Durga Puja and it was completely empty!

I couldn’t believe the size of it. Seriously, It was like a HUGE temple in itself.

The Pandal we went to had massive gold hands, faces of the goddess, and lotus flowers the size of elephants! I couldn’t get over the epic details and talent.  

It’s definitely something I would recommend seeing if you find yourself in Kolkata during the festival. But, if you don’t like mass crowds, I would do what we did and wait til the next morning when it’s emptier.  

19. Check out College Street Book Market

Did you know that the world’s largest second-hand book market is right here in Kolkata? You can find it on College Street and it even has the nickname Boi Para or “Book Town.”

Although I loved being here over Durga Puja, I was gutted that it was closed over the festival and if we went there no stalls would be open!  

It spans over 1 million square feet and has long been associated with the universities, colleges, and learning centres in the area.

You can find rare books here, including first editions at dirt cheap prices. So keep your eyes peeled for a bargain that you could make a fortune on back home.  

A highlight of any visit here is meant to be the old Indian Coffee House. It has been the haunt of many famous writers including Rabindranath Tagore. So, sip on a chai and watch the chaos of the market.

The nearest tram stop for College street is Esplanade Tram Depot

Markets to visit in Kolkata  

20. visit mullick ghat flower market at sunrise.

Every morning, thousands of flower sellers come to Mullick Ghat to sell their freshly cut blooms by the kilo! All the while they will be bartering and making sales with locals.  

Lots of colour, chaos, petals and people await you and you’ll experience the sights, smells and sounds of this amazing market.

The best time to visit is at sunrise as this is when the flowers are freshest. So, you’ll get to see all the nice colours and the best of the bunch!  

It can be a bit of a maze making your way around. But, that’s part of the fun. You’ll see lots of conversations and money being passed around too.  

This is one of the top things that I would recommend in Kolkata. So don’t miss out!  

Click here to read more reasons why you should visit the Mullick Ghat Flower Market and top tips

21. Explore the labyrinth of New Market in Kolkata  

Another market that should be on your list is New Market. It’s a huge space that’s mainly undercover and has everything you could need from an abattoir to saaris!

As it was monsoon around here, we were pretty much ice skating on the floors and much of it was flooded. So, we were wading through dirty, murky water with entrails and eggshells floating around.

It was NOT very pretty. But, some of the markets were amazing to see like the fruit and spices stalls. Also, there were bright and colourful clothes and jewellery to admire.

We found some unexpected delights in here like the Lalit Great Eastern Bakery.

Where they sell off their amazing (quite expensive cakes) from their hotel here for dirt cheap prices. I got a mouth-watering chocolate brownie for 50 rupees!  

Although the market is undercover, there are some great food stalls around the outside too.  

We stopped off at an Islamic eatery outside. Many of the local hole-in-the-wall restaurants in India are associated with different religions due to eating requirements and cooking traditions.

For example, many Hindus don’t eat meat but Muslims do. So, there are different restaurants.  

We treated ourselves to chai and some buttered toast here as a snack and the owners were so friendly. It was only 12 rupees (15p) each!  

22. Go Shopping on Esplanade

Another colonial area is Esplanade which still uses the old shopping street buildings from years ago.  

It’s a huge area that connects with Park Street another famous shopping street. So, it’s a great place to start out.  

Esplanade has lots of mainstream Western stores like Nike and Puma, some Indian chains like Bata, and huge shopping malls. But, that’s not really the fun part about this street.

The fun part is seeing all the amazing stalls that have been set up on either side of the Esplanade and   trying to battle through the crowds here.

You’ll have guys selling sunglasses, shampoo, toys, clothes, fake designer wallets, vanity mirrors, everything you could think of really!  

My hotel, the Oberoi, was in the middle of this street. So I passed it pretty much every day.

The same sellers would be shouting at me to buy something and each day I’d still say no lol. It became a little thing.

Dark tourism things to do in Kolkata  

23. visit the mother house of the missionaries of charity.

One of the main attractions in the city is to visit Mother Teresa’s tomb in Kolkata.  

It sits in the Mother Teresa Memorial home and, although it does sound a little morbid, it’s a nice little tomb to celebrate her life.  

Inside you can visit the museum to learn all about her life’s work. People often call her Saint Teresa here.  

She came from Albania and taught in a convent in Kolkata for many years. But she was so moved by the poverty in Kolkata she started to provide charity to the city.

She eventually won the Nobel Peace Prize for her work and she rubbed shoulders with the likes of Gandhi in her time.

After the museum, you can pay respects to her tomb and even visit her bedroom which has been preserved. Inside the room are her desk and original appointment book, her writing chair, and her telephone.  

On the day of her death, she attended mass. Then she came back and died in her bed.

After your visit there is a small café outside that has some nice souvenirs if you’d like to take something home to remember your visit.  

Entry is FREE but it is by donation. All proceeds will be donated to the missionaries of charity. You will need to take your shoes off to see the tomb.  

Opening times vary throughout the week and it’s closed on Thursdays.

24. Learn about the Black Hole of Calcutta  

I have always heard about the Black Hole of Calcutta, but I didn’t really have any idea what it meant really. It sounded something similar to the Bermuda Triangle but that wasn’t the case at all.  

The Black Hole of Calcutta was a tragedy that took place for three days starting on the 20th June 1756. It started with the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daulah, taking over the Old Fort William with his army.  

He then proceeded to shove over 146 men and women into a small dungeon in the fort.

This room was only around 4.3 × 5.5 metres or 14 × 18 feet. Many of the European men and women in here died of heat exhaustion and suffocation. Only 23 men survived.  

It was a terrible tragedy and it was wildly beefed up in the newspapers back home in the UK.

This was in the hope that the British would send a relief effort to rescue the men and send their armies from Madras to recapture Calcutta. Which they did and Siraj was overthrown and killed in the Battle of Plassey.

You can visit a memorial dedicated to the ‘smothered’ in St John’s Church and what remains of   the Old Fort William at the General Post Office.

25. Get spooked at South Park Street Cemetery  

Another fascinating place that is hidden away in South Park Street Cemetery.  

Often labelled as the most haunted place in all of Kolkata, there are 1600 gothic tombs that make up the graveyard. Established in 1767, it was used for European members of society, mainly the officers of the British East India Company and their families.  

It fell into disuse around 1790 and was completely abandoned in 1830. Today, it is maintained by the Archeological Survey of India.

Similar to Highgate Cemetery in London , the are lots of elaborate gothic tombs built around here. They’re all covered in green moss and there are ancient fern trees too.  

Some notable tombs are a bust of Henry Derozio, a radical Indo-Portuguese thinker, Walter Landor Dickens, Charles Dickens’ Son, and Sir William Jones, the founding father of the Asiatic Society.

Look out for the tomb shaped like a pineapple core! It was made for Rose Alymer who was just 17 years old when she died of Cholera. Walter Savage Landor, a famous poet, was in love with her and wrote a poem for her tomb.

The graveyard is open from 10 am – 5 pm and costs 50 rupees per person to enter. You must sign a guestbook. A kind volunteer here took us on a really informative tour and we tipped him for his time.  

Read my post on South Park Street Cemetery with what to expect when visiting

Foodie things to do in Kolkata

26. go on a kolkata street food tour  .

Kolkata is known for its street food, so if you’d rather go on a street food tour, there are a few that take place each evening.  

You’ll try a range of famous Kolkata street foods like;

• Fish Curry (Macher Jhol)
• Kolkata Biryani (yes each place has their own version in India and it’s almost criminal to just call it ‘Biryanai’)
• Mutton Curry (Kosha Mangsho)
• Phuchka – similar to Gol Gopan or Pani Puri
• and… so much more! (There are vegetarian options for those that do not eat meat)

So, make sure you book your food tour here to learn all about them

27. Try Hot Kati Rolls  

If you’re feeling peckish and looking for foodie ideas, you have to try one of Kolkata’s famous Hot Kati Rolls.  

There are many dotted around the city, but the original is a ‘hole-in-the-wall’ (quite literally) counter that can be found on Park Street. It’s the ultimate street food and can be compared with a kebab back home.  

You’ll get a wrap, filled with hot chicken, onions, spices, some unidentifiable sauce, and it will be all wrapped up and fried on the counter!  

It is absolutely delicious, ridiculously cheap at 50 rupees and crowds of locals come here to eat each evening.  

There are no seats inside as it’s just a street food counter, but just nearby you can sit down and enjoy.

28. Wander down Park Street

Park Street in Kolkata is a famous shopping street but it’s also the place where you can find some of the most amazing restaurants and bars in the city!

As well as the Hot Kati Roll, you have some of the most famous restaurants dotted along here like Peter Cat.  

We wanted to get in here but unfortunately, the waitlist was over an hour and we were already hungry.  

So, we popped into the famous Mocambo instead that has been open since 1956. It used to be on what was known as ‘Cabaret Row’ back then and singers used to belt out covers of US pop stars of the era.  

The whole vibe in here is vintage with low light, red tassel lampshades and the waiters are all in their historic finery.  

It serves up a great mix of classic Kolkata dishes like its famous grilled Beckty, a Bay of Bengal delicacy. Plus, it has a range of European classic dishes too.  

I had the Beckty sizzler and washed it down with a minty Mojito. It was absolutely fantastic and great value for money too!  

29. Try Sugar Cane Juice

Sugar Cane Juice can be found all over India but I found so many stalls selling it in Kolkata. So, you must try it if you get the chance.

We were watching them make it outside of Kalighat Temple. Essentially they run sugar cane through a press and then juice it!  

The result is a rather green-looking but refreshing sweet drink that will cool you down with the heat. Just be careful as they often mix it with local water.  

30. Sample the original Rasgulla

Every state has a sweet that they are famous for. Indians have a massive sweet tooth and so you’ll always find a famous shop in every city serving up sickeningly sweet sugary treats.  

In Kolkata, they are famous for Rasgulla and it’s almost a crime not to try it while you’re here!  

Rasgulla was invented right here in the city by Nobin Chandra Das in 1868. It’s a spongey syrupy dumpling made of chhena and semolina dough.

Now, it’s not only popular in Bengal but all over India too. I have tried Rasgulla many times in India, but they really are something special in this city.

The most famous sweet shop to try in Kolkata is K. C. Das. People queue up to buy boxes of the desert to take home. So, you must try some to see if they live up to the hype.  

Things to do in Kolkata at night time  

31. go on a hooghly river cruise  .

One thing I really wanted to do in Kolkata was a river cruise. Kolkata has the roaring Hooghly River, or Ganga, snaking through it and it brings together many of the cities main attractions.

We were recommended to book with Vivada Cruises who are a highly rated day cruise company in the area. We were not disappointed!

We opted for the 3-hour evening cruise, which included chai, snacks, and a stop at Belur Math for the evening aarti.

Not only were we treated to the most amazing colourful sunset over the river, but we also got to see a lot of the local life on the river and wave to people under the Hooghly Bridge.

It was an unforgettable experience and those ‘snacks’ were pretty much a whole meal. We were so stuffed we couldn’t eat another bite!

It only cost 1,000 rupees plus GST which is incredible value for money. They also do a lunch and dinner cruise for 1,500 rupees + GST.

Click here to read my full review of my Hooghly River Cruise

32. Visit Belur Math Temple Complex

One of the highlights of my evening cruise was a visit to Belur Math . It’s a HUGE temple complex that spans 40 acres on the banks of the Hooghly River.  

It’s the Headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission who is a spiritual organisation.  

It was founded in the 19th century by Sri Ramakrishna, known as the Prophet of the Modern Age, and his chief disciple Swami Vivekananda, a forward thinker, and religious leader.  

Although there are 4 temples, plus education and medical centres in Belur Math, the Sri Ramakrishna Temple is the jewel in its crown.

Here, we got to see the magical evening aarti. Where the priests of the temples lead the local pilgrims in prayer.  

Women must observe in one section and men must be on the other as is the custom. You’ll quickly be ushered on by security if you end up in the wrong place.  

You can also buy all sorts of books with the teachings of Swami Vivekananda in the library afterward.

33. Watch the sound and light show at the Victoria Memorial  

If you’re looking for something unique to do in the evenings, why not visit the Victoria Memorial for a sound and light show?

By day, this incredible building is gleaming white in the sunshine, but after the sun sets it’s lit up beautifully against the night sky in all different colours.

In the memorial gardens, there is a sound and light show that has a magic water fountain with music and commentary.

One show is in Bengali and one show is in English, so make sure you get the right time!

34. See the city light up at night  

Something that I really didn’t expect to love so much was the city lit up at night time.

Although the colonial architecture is lovely in the day, it really comes alive at night when it’s all lit up.

The Howrah Bridge is also lit up and many of the buildings on the Hooghly come alive in different colours, so they make an amazing reflection on the river.

After our cruise, we were in for a real surprise as they had a street parade as part of the celebrations.  

We got to see all sorts of Durga floats, heading down the strip. Some were decorated with massive idols and others had dance troops performing scenes from sacred texts.

Kolkata at night time is really something special and you don’t know what surprises you may find!  

Day trips from Kolkata  

35. visit the sundarbans national park  .

The Sundarbans National Park is a treasure in West Bengal and is somewhere you should definitely visit if you’re in the area.

It’s a huge mangrove forest and bio reserve that is also inhabited by tigers. It spreads over both Bangladesh and India on the Ganges Delta.  

Personally, I would recommend a two-day one night trip as a minimum. Day trips are possible from Kolkata but depart at 4 am!

I went on an overnight trip to the Sundarbans with Sundarbans Chalo !

They are a budget tour company but came highly recommended and the value for money was crazy.

My trip cost 4500 rupees (£48 /$56 USD) which is a total bargain. This included;

• Return transfers to the Sundarbans (4 hours each way)
• A sunset cruise 
• A double room with private bathroom
• All meals (2 lunch, 2 breakfast and 1 dinner, tea & snacks) 
• A cultural dance performance
• A full 8 hour day cruising on the Sundarbans
• All my permits, photograhpy and entrance fees too.

You can’t really turn your nose up at that!

The things you absolutely cannot miss in the ‘City of Joy’  

I know that 35 things to do is a LOT and maybe you just want to prioritise the most important attractions.  

So, I’ll suggest some of the MUST DO sites to limit down your options;

• Victoria Memorial
• Mullick Ghat Flower Market  
• Kalighat Temple  
• Howrah Bridge
• The Mother House  
• South Park Street Cemetery  
• Dakshineswar Kali Temple

My top travel tips for Kolkata  

1. plan to stay connected  .

Buying an Indian SIM card in Kolkata: Getting an Indian SIM card for your phone is really simple. You can even do it on arrival at Kolkata Airport.

I would recommend an Airtel SIM for West Bengal and the North East. You’ll get packages where you’ll receive 1GB per day for 30 days. It’s recommended as it has the most signal.  

Use a WiFi hotspot: Failing that, you can stay connected with a WiFi Hotspot . I use Keepgo to stay online without the fuss of buying a SIM card.  

2. Don’t forget travel insurance

While you think of it, if you haven’t yet, make sure you have travel insurance!  

It’s always a necessary thing to have for peace of mind. I always use World Nomads for their reliable policies.

3. How to get exchange money in Kolkata  

I have never actually exchanged British currency in India itself. I’ve always just rocked up and got my money out of an ATM when I got here.  

I always use SBI, or State Bank of India as they give you FREE withdrawals and I’ve never had an issue with International Cards.

I know that sounds reckless to some but I really hate having to exchange money in India. I’ve been ripped off in the past.  

My biggest tip would be to NOT use the services at the airport. They have ridiculous rates.

Go to a currency converter in the city and use the ‘Currency Converter’ app to check the rates for the day. Then see what exchange they will give you.  

4. Prepare for some uncomfortable sights

Kolkata is a densely populated city and has a lot of poverty, so you can expect to see sights that may make you feel uncomfortable.

It cannot be avoided and many times I feel totally helpless as I wish I could help in some way.

More than 24% of India’s people live below the poverty line.

But, there are ways that you can support the people in the city. Supporting local businesses, buying products from people who are selling on the street, giving any money you can, and donating to organisations like the Missionaries of Charity all help to improve livelihoods.  

5. Always remember to haggle and look out for scams

Although I found that Kolkata had a lot fewer scams than the likes of Delhi, it wasn’t completely immune. Especially with things like transport.

Yellow Ambassador Cabs were an awesome way to get around. But, I found they were constantly overcharging.

At one point, a local even got involved and told him he was ripping us off (thank you to whoever you were!). My biggest advice here is to make sure the meter is switched on. Or, agree on a price before you get in.  

The same goes for auto-rickshaws (three-wheeled tuk-tuks), it was always a hassle to get a good price! So, there are a few ways to get around it.

I would use Uber for cabs, as it’s cheaper and you get a fair price. Or, get the metros and trams which are far more economical.  

The buses here looked like a death trap to me.   I’ll go through some more transport options below;  

How to get around Kolkata while you’re here

Getting from kolkata airport to kolkata city.

When you land at the airport, if you haven’t already scheduled a pickup, you have some choices.

All the locals gravitate over to the Pre Paid Taxi counter owned by the Bidhannagar City Police.

It’s an awesome service with cheap non-air-conditioned ambassador city cabs. They are a union, so you’ll pay a fixed price and get given a receipt/ticket that you’ll hand to the driver.  

But, they only take cash, so make sure you have rupees on you.

For me, a ride from the airport to my hotel on Esplanade in the centre cost 300 rupees! If I booked a transfer with my hotel directly they charged 4000.

If you’d prefer, there is both an Uber and an Ola (a competing app) counter here but it’s more expensive.  

Both counters will give you access to a WiFi hotspot so you can book one if you don’t have data.  

Then you just wait out at their collection point. You do need the app on your phone to use the service. So, make sure you have it.  

Click here to get a special discount on your first ride with Uber.

Transport options in Kolkata  

While you’re in the city, there are plenty of ways to make your way around.   As one of the most populated cities in India, you’ll find the city has thousands of buses, trams, ferries, rickshaws, taxis, and even an underground metro to help everyone get moving!

By Bus: Buses were plentiful here, but they were also crazy. They would zoom around the city shouting for passengers, while locals chased after the bus and hopped on.

Same as most of India, but I really struggled with the local language here (Bengali). So, I didn’t even attempt it. But, it is a cheap way to get around if you know where the bus is headed.

By Tram: Kokata is famous for its trams and its the only tram network in the whole of India. So, if they are running you must hop on. Unfortunately for us, these were under construction on our visit.

By Metro: The underground metro in Kolkata is really cheap and efficient. But, it only has one line that runs through the central spine of the city.

You pay per kilometre and tokens start out at 10 rupees for 5 kilometre and max out at 25 rupees for 25 kilometres. It’s quick but there’s no air con so it’s pretty sweaty.  

By Rickshaw: You can get private and shared rickshaws here. Private will be the more expensive option. Always make sure that you haggle for a price before you get in or ask for the meter to be switched on. At night, if you’re in a private rickshaw, DO NOT allow anyone else to get in.

By Taxi / Uber: Yellow ambassador cabs are king in this city and they are plentiful but can rip you off! I preferred Uber, click here to read my article on how to use it with a discount code.

By ferry: The Hooghly River is the way that many people travel around the city. There are public ferries that run every 15-20 minutes throughout the day until around 9 pm at night. Tickets cost 6 rupees a journey and have many stops along the river.

A small note on hand pulled rickshaws in Kolkata

Kolkata is the only city in India where hand-pulled rickshaws are still running.  

Although I struggled morally to see it and it’s not something I would personally support. I understand it’s their livelihood and they’re struggling for trade. Many live hands to mouth.  

So, if you feel like it, you can use them for short journeys. They would be more than happy to have you.  

Outside Kalighat temple I simply tipped them without a ride as I felt heartbroken to see them ask so many for work and everyone pass by.  

Where to stay in Kolkata  

I stayed in the beautiful Oberoi Grand Kolkata. This was like an oasis to return to after a hot sweaty day out exploring in the monsoon!  

Their hotel is almost an attraction in itself and an icon of the city as it’s the second oldest hotel.

You can stay in one of their beautiful deco-like rooms with four-poster beds and it has a gorgeous washroom with a bathtub.

I would highly recommend booking a room indoor facing as the traffic is quite loud, especially during festivals.

Their delectable buffet breakfast at ThreeSixtyThree comes included and they have a refreshing pool with free smoothies!  

Click here to book your stay at Oberoi Grand for the night

Heading to North East India? Read more of my articles!

Top things to do in North East India

A complete guide for Hornbill Festival

Longwa Village travel guide

Best places to visit in Arunachal Pradesh

Top things to do in Dirang

My ultimate Tawang travel guide

How to find the double-decker root bridges in Meghalaya

A complete travel guide for Guwahati

Kamakhya Temple guide

A complete Kaziranga Safari guide

Majuli Island tips

My top North East India travel tips

Save these things to do in Kolkata for later!

Thursday 8th of December 2022

Nice post,Kolkata is full of beauty and culture.

Sophie Pearce

Hi Survi, yes I completely agree! Sophie x

Leandro Starling

Sunday 27th of September 2020

I agree with you

Tuesday 6th of October 2020

Thanks Leandro! Sophie x

Sameer Patel

Friday 6th of March 2020

Great post, Kolkata is one of the most beautiful city and has the third biggest population of any city in India. You are a great travel blogger, thanks for sharing an interesting article with us. Keep share more!

Saturday 7th of March 2020

Hi Sameer, I completely agree with you! Kolkata is one of the most amazing cities :) more to come ! Thank you for reading. Sophie x

Top 5 Bengali Travel Vloggers or Youtubers in Kolkata

Best travel youtubers in kolkata.

Are you fond of watching travel videos? Are you from West Bengal? There are many Bengali travel Youtube channels that are owned by the best travel Youtubers in West Bengal . These Youtubers are passionate travelers and videographers. They have been sharing their travel experiences with their visitors for years. Many of them already have a large number of subscribers and viewers. You must watch their videos to know about their travel journey and places of attractions in and outside West Bengal. Let’s discuss these travel vloggers or travel Youtubers:

Top Travel YouTubers in Kolkata

Read More – Top 10 Places To Visit in Kolkata at Night

Ruma Dey Baidya – Top YouTubers in West Bengal

Ruma Dey Baidya started traveling at the age of 20. Travelling , recording videos and vlogging on Youtube have been her passion since her childhood. So, she is famous among the best travel YouTubers in Kolkata  & West Bengal . You can visit her Youtube channel ‘ Ruma Dey Baidya – HolidayStory ’. This channel has more than 69k subscribers.

Ruma Dey Baidya is not a solo traveler so you would find her traveling in groups. And, the most amazing thing is, that she prefers to do budget travel, as it allows her to cut down on her expenses. It is well-known that memories can change over time, so she started recording her travel stories. Her YouTube channel has various travel videos recorded by her. The number of views of these videos is growing rapidly. Her channel is one of the top Bengali YouTube channels.

If you are fond of traveling, try to watch all the videos on the channel ‘Ruma Dey Baidya – HolidayStory’. These videos are amazing and would surely make you want to visit those places. Her channel includes many videos related to the West Bengal tour.

Some of the amazing videos on this channel are – ‘Kolkata Food Tour’, ‘Indian Train Artist’, ‘Kolkata Events’, ‘Tourist Places Near Kolkata’, and ‘Shopping in Kolkata’. All these videos will give you a good idea about things to do when you visit West Bengal. Want to know about more top Youtubers in West Bengal? Continue reading!

Read More –   Top 10 Best Online Travel Booking Apps In India

Somjit Bhattacharyya – Best Bengali YouTuber

Somjit Bhattacharyya is among the top travel Youtubers in West Bengal . His channel ‘ Somjit Bhattacharyya ’ has more than 462k subscribers. This channel is one of the most popular travel channels. The channel is able to present the content with a compelling storytelling approach that captures the attention of the viewers. These travel stories are narrated in the Bengali language. This attracts most Youtube viewers from West Bengal and Bangladesh.

Somjit Bhattacharyya travels to Kolkata and other parts of India and records videos of his trips. The channel not only includes videos of tourist spots but also other events in Kolkata such as Durga Puja and Book Fair. Somjit is a  storyteller who captures the attention and explains every detail. He is one of the top 10 YouTubers in West Bengal .

The Bengali Youtubers takes you to India’s Heritage sites. He shows us natural heritage such as the Kashmir valleys and Himachal’s majestic mountains, Puri beaches, Puri tea gardens, Darjeeling tea gardens, and royal Bengal Tigers. He also covers festivals such as Durga Puja and Jagaddhatri Puja. Gangasagar Mela . Amarnath Yatra. Poush Mela. Shantiniketan.

Top videos of this channel, Somjit Bhattacharya are ‘Spiti Valley’, ‘Leh Ladakh Tour Guide’, ‘Chandipur Tour’, ‘Kinnaur’, ‘Kolkata Durga Puja 2021’, ‘Mousuni Island 2022’, ‘Bagda Beach’, ‘Udaygiri Khandagiri Tour’, ‘Digha Mohona’, ‘Digha Talsari Beach’, ‘Sikkim Tour 2021’, ‘Zoji La Pass’ and ‘Puri Sea Beach Gandhi Park’.

Debarshi Bhaumik – Best YouTuber in Kolkata

Debarshi Bhaumik is one of the famous travel Youtubers in West Bengal . His channel, ‘ Hop On ’ has been streaming with exotic travel videos. All the videos on this channel are in the Bengali language. This channel has more than 14k subscribers. 

Read More – 10 Best Indian Travel Vloggers on YouTube

Debarshi Bhaumik has been traveling around the world for years. And, through his channel ‘Hop On’, he has been sharing his entire travel experiences with his viewers. Since these videos are in Bengali, most of their viewers are from West Bengal and Bangladesh.

Top videos of this channel are ‘Leh Local Sightseeing’, ‘Manali to Jispa via Atal Tunnel’, ‘Kolkata to Ladakh via Car’, ‘Preparations of Kolkata to Ladakh via Car’, ‘Bullet Train To Mount Fuji’, ‘Kolkata to Tokyo’, ‘Iceland Ring Road Trip’, ‘Kolkata Drone View’ and ‘Follow Me To Australia’.

Subhajit Maity – Travel Youtuber in West Bengal

Subhajit Maity is the owner of the famous Youtube channel ‘ Passionate Jeet ’. This channel has more than 829 subscribers. This channel is in the Bengali language. 

The main motto of the Passionate Jeet channel is “Do what you love, do it!” Subhajit Maity feels happier spending his time following his passion and creating happiness for others rather than working in a 9-5 job. He has been sharing his travel videos with all of us so that we can know about various traveling places in a better way.

Subhajit Maity is a Bengali guy who loves to make good content. This makes him among the best travel Youtubers in West Bengal . Top videos on his channel are ‘Yumthang Valley’, ‘Sunday Ride’, ‘Henry’s Island Near Bakkhali’, and ‘Visit The Bengal’. 

Read More – 8 Best Traditional Bengali Cuisine Restaurants in Kolkata

Raj Chanda – Kolkata YouTubers list

Raj Chanda is among the best travel Youtubers in Kolkata, West Bengal . His channel ‘ Raj Chanda ’ provides interesting vlogs, such as tour vlogs, lifestyle vlogs, cycle vlogs, and so on. The first episode of this channel is ‘the Kolkata to Kedarnath Roadtrip series by car’. This vlog shows us traveling from Kolkata to Aurangabad, which is approximately 510 km. Try watching this episode. We hope you enjoy this episode. 

This channel also has a video to show how to reach Gangani from Santragachi Station. Gangani, also known as the ‘Grand Canyon Bengal’  is found in Garhbeta, Paschim Medinipur District, West Bengal, India. It can be found on the bank of Shilabati. A small nullah surrounded the boundary of the former town. 

From this channel, you will understand that you can take the Rupasi Bangla Express or the Purulia Express to Garbeta Station in the morning. Buses can also be taken from Howrah or Kharagpur, as well as Midnapore.

There is also a street food in Kolkata video on this channel. In this video, Raj Chanda shared his experience at a small momo shop in Chatakole, near Dum-Dum junction. This video explains that you can find 7 kinds of momos in one shop. This video will give you all the details about the new momo hub.

Hope you liked this content. Stay happy, stay healthy 🙂

Read More –

• Top 10 Best Tour Operators / Travel Agency in Kolkata
• Top 10 Best Comfortable Cars For Travelling in India
• Top 10 Best Indian Travelling Books To Read
• 10 Best Places in Kolkata For Unmarried Couples
• 10 Best Travel and Tourism Management Colleges in India

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Ultimate Kolkata Travel Guide | 25 Best Things to Do in Kolkata

This post may contain affiliate links. Never leave home without travel insurance . Click for the insurance finder tool.  

In this Ultimate Kolkata Travel Guide, I’m going to share 25 Best things to Do in Kolkata.

Despite Kolkata (aka Calcutta) being once the capital city of India , the thought of visiting Kolkata always intimidated me.  From other travelers and Indians, I’d talked to,  I got the impression it must’ve been the armpit of India ~ poverty and disease-ridden, old, crumbling… Hence, it took my third trip to muster the courage to make it to India’s former capital.

The moment my airport taxi hit the road, I immediately sensed I’d like … no, love this charming, historical, and utterly unique city!

Delhi and Mumbai fell in my eyes; Kolkata beat them with its charm, friendliness, and an old colonial character, completely reframing my experience of an Indian city.  I experienced Kolkata culture shock but it was not what I expected. If you ask me about all the cities I’ve visited, Kolkata is one of my top Indian gems and a city worth spending time in!

This Ultimate Kolkata Travel Guide includes:

25 Best Things to Do in Kolkata Where to Eat in Kolkata Useful Information for Travelers Travel Tips for Solo Travelers Getting Around in Kolkata Where to Stay in Kolkata

Table of Contents: Ultimate Kolkata Travel Guide | 25 Best Things to Do in Kolkata

• 1 Kolkata Travel Guide
• 2.0.1 1. Esplanade
• 2.0.2 2. Mullick Ghat Flower Market
• 2.0.3 3. Howrah Bridge
• 2.0.4 4. Howrah Station
• 2.0.5 5. Kumortuli
• 2.0.6 6. Khalighat Temple
• 2.0.7 7.  Tour of the Colonial Architecture
• 2.0.8 8. City Tour by West Bengal Tourism Department
• 2.0.9 9. College Street (aka Book Market)
• 2.0.10 10. Sealdah Station
• 2.0.11 11. Kolay Market  | Burabazzar
• 2.0.12 12.  Kolay Market laborers
• 2.0.13 13. Indian Museum
• 2.0.14 14. New Market
• 2.0.15 15. Jorasanko: the Childhood home of Rabindranath Tagore
• 2.0.16 16. Bowbazar & Marble Palace
• 2.0.17 17.  Mother Theresa’s Tomb
• 2.0.18 18. Day Trip to Sundarbans
• 2.0.19 19. Durga Puja Festival
• 3 Top Attractions of Kolkata (Watch Kolkata Travel Guide Video )
• 4.0.1 20.  Kolkata Food Walk
• 4.0.2 21. Decker Lane
• 4.0.3 22. Mohan Bhandahar
• 4.0.4 23. Ganesh Chandra Avenue (in Bowbazar)
• 4.0.5 24. Makhan Lal Das & Sons
• 5.0.1 25. Fairlie Place (Railway Booking Center for Foreign Tourist Quota Tickets)
• 5.1 Communication: Internet and Indian SIM Cards
• 6 Is Kolkata Safe for Solo Travelers?
• 7.0.1 From the airport
• 7.0.2 Types of Transportation in Kolkata
• 7.0.3 Book bus and train tickets in advance
• 8.0.2 What are your best things to do in Kolkata recommendations for this Kolkata Travel Guide?
• 8.0.3 Related Posts
• 8.1 India Travel Videos: India for Solo Travelers (WATCH THIS BEFORE YOUR TRIP!)

Kolkata Travel Guide

25 best things to do in kolkata.

Kolkata is the capital of India’s West Bengal state. and formerly the capital of India when it was under the British Raj in 1773.  Today it’s a city with a traditional soul, colonial architecture, cultural festivals, lots of car honking and street food . So come along. I’m going to show you my favorite highlights of this unique city.

1. Esplanade

The Esplanade district is a buzzing district that is very Raj-esque in architecture and history. Colonial architecture is present as well as a bit of every man’s shopping area. It’s also the crossroads where you can find a lot of transportation from long-distance buses to trolleys. Nearby hotspots: BBD Bagh, Indian Museum.

2. Mullick Ghat Flower Market

Mullick Ghat Flower Market in Kolkata’s biggest and busiest flower market . Flowers are an essential part of life in the city and are sold for temple prayers, wedding decorations and festivals. Arrive 8 am in the morning to see the flower sellers haggle, negotiate and transport their bundles. Unlike what you see in photos, there are very few female vendors.   The majority of transactions occur between men.

Getting there: It’s next to Howrah Bridge on the opposite side of Howrah Station.

3. Howrah Bridge

Spanning the width of the Hoogly River , you have Howrah Bridge , a steel and iron landmark bridge connecting central Kolkata (and the Mullick Ghat Flower Market ) to Howrah Station . Early in the morning, you can see people going to their daily worship, and taking a bath in the river. A great place for people-watching, you’ll see daily commuters, travelers and work porters transport goods and big bundles of goods at all times of the day.

When you come to India, you will see a lot because India is truly amazing.  Getting There : sandwiched between the  Mullick Ghat Flower Market and Howrah Train Statio n. You can take one of the many buses en route to Howrah Station and have them drop you near the flower market.

4. Howrah Station

Howrah Station is Kolkata’s second railway station and one of India’s largest ! It’s said that an estimated two million people arrive and depart by Howrah station each day.

Note: Getting from the airport to Howrah Station should take at the least 45 minutes, but expect it to take over an hour if you’re traveling during peak traffic hours or during a festival. It’s further than Sealdah Station and you have to cross the river.

Read Ultimate Guide to Indian Trains

5. kumortuli.

Kumortuli or the potter’s colony of Kolkata was by far one of the most fascinating highlights of the city for me. The colony is known for their production of clay idols of Hindu gods and goddesses. I visited before the big Kali festival, so many sculptors were busy at work sculpting Kali goddess statues.

There are hundreds of potter shops and their work supplies Kolkata and is exported throughout India.

It was helpful to be accompanied by a guide I had for a half-day tour with Viator . While much of Kumortoli seems self-explanatory, wandering the shops alone might have felt a little awkward for me.  Having a guide helped me to get closer to my camera.

6. Khalighat Temple

Khalighat temple is the main pilgrimage temple for devotees of Kali. Being the main site, it’s very busy.   There are street vendors and touts trying to usher you in and sell you places to park your shoes and it’s a little too nutty for me now.  If you come at night, there are a lot of festivities where you’ll see a lot of people here and there are a lot of shops to go to.

Read Things to Do in Sikkim, Yuksom

7.  tour of the colonial architecture.

Kolkata was once ruled by the British Raj, so the colonial architecture is a feature of the city.  The most well-preserved architecture is in the BBD Bagh area, which houses government institutions and it’s best to hire a guide or take a city tour in order to understand what to see.

I took a half-day city tour with Viator to learn about Kolkata’s history, see its colonial architecture in the impressive BBD Bagh district, visit the sculptor colony of  Kumortoli and witness the madness of  Burrabazaar /Kolay Market . The tour also took me into the more local pockets of the city.   I got my own personal driver and having an English-speaking guide to share insights into the landmarks was invaluable!  Although I don’t think we were able to cover everything that was mentioned on the website’s itinerary, we covered a helluva lot in a matter of a short time and it was a solid city tour.

8. City Tour by West Bengal Tourism Department

Alternatively, the West Bengal Tourism Department ( www.wbtdc.gov.in ) offers a Kolkata day tour for 450 rupees.  The itinerary doesn’t mention the obvious places mentioned in your guidebook, but depending on your focus or budget, it’s still a viable option. I was unable to take this tour–the office was not easy to find –and it was best to book in person.  But it provides additional sightseeing to your stay.

9. College Street (aka Book Market)

College Street is also known as  Boi Para (aka Book Market ), Asia’s largest book market,  a shining testament of the reading culture of the people of Kolkata. You’ll find every imaginable type of text, in many languages from Bengali to Dutch. First and rare editions from Bengali authors Rabindranath Tagore (see his works ) and Jibanananda Das and more you will find here.

10. Sealdah Station

There are two main train stations in Kolkata  ( Howrah Station & Sealdah Station ). Sealdah Station is one of the busiest railway stations in India. It’s located centrally in the city and one you’d ideally like to arrive in due to that fact. Meanwhile, Howrah Station is further crossing the river, past Howrah Bridge. What defines Sealdah for me is that it’s a stone’s throw from Kolay Market . While I wouldn’t say it was the BEST thing to do, it is a place I wanted to list here because travelers will have to pass through one of these stations. This would be an easier station to arrive at if your hotel was located in the heart of the city.

Getting There from the airport: The station is not accessible via metro. You will need to take either, a city bus or an airport taxi to Sealdah Station.

11. Kolay Market  | Burabazzar

Opposite Sealdah Train Station, Kolay Market is a bustling wholesale market that sells vegetables in wholesale bundles. It is HUGE. Produce comes in from all parts of India and then gets auctioned off and goes back out. Some parcels of produce can weigh up to 400 Kg and four to five persons carry this from the main road off the truck and into the market.

Read Best Things to Do in Darjeeling

12.  kolay market laborers.

So if the sheer quantity of produce in Kolay Market doesn’t impress you maybe this will. .. The Kolay Market laborers that unload and transport those heaping bundles work in long shifts and sleep nearby so they can be the first to unload trucks that arrive. Some bundles might take one man, while others may require 4 or 5. They earn about 500 Rupees  a day. How’s that for a day’s hard work?

13. Indian Museum

Indian Museum (aka the Magic House .) founded in 1814, it is the oldest museum in India and the most impressive one I’ve seen yet. It’s a spacious museum of artifacts, anthropology, and interesting zoology exhibitions. Highly worth the 50Rs to enter. Admission: 150 rupees for foreigners. 50 rupees if you want to take a camera inside. Website :

Getting there: Between Park and Esplanade metro stations.

14. New Market

New Market , otherwise known as the Hogg Market, is a covered shopping area with over 2000 shops selling anything from clothing to sweets and spices. It’s interesting to see what stocks Kolkata’s kitchens and you’ll definitely get to see some of it.

Being vegetarian it’s definitely hard for me to see all these chickens (and butchers right next door, de-feathering and chopping them up). But put in this context it makes me realize that everyone has to survive in their own way.  While a majority of India is vegetarian due to religious and dietary reasons, there’s still a meat-loving society as well.

Getting there: You can reach it either through Park or Esplanade metro stations, slightly closer to Esplanade. From Chowringhee Road, take a left onto Chowringhee Place, then right onto Betram Street.

15. Jorasanko: the Childhood home of Rabindranath Tagore

If you want to understand a bit about why Kolkata loves literature, visit Jorasanko . Nestled in Bowbazar is the childhood home of Rabindranath Tagore. Rabindranath Tagore is the Bengal poet laureate famous for being the first non-European Nobel Prize winner of Literature. He is one of the icons of Calcutta, next to Mother Theresa.

16. Bowbazar & Marble Palace

Bowbazar ( The Black Town of Northern Calcutta ) is the heart of the Bengal community with its hidden residential villas and palaces. Many wealthy, high-status families lived there once, with Victorian mansions and this is where the arts thrived. The ostentatious Marble Palace is one example. I wasn’t able to take photos there so I did not include it in my video, but it is a 19th-century unique neo-classical palace constructed by art lover and philanthropist, Raja Rajendra Mullick.  The palace is built of all marble with kitschy collectibles, along with a rock garden, a lake and a zoo.

17.  Mother Theresa’s Tomb

Mother Teresa devoted her life to the sick and poor in Kolkata. You can visit Mother Teresa’s tomb, room, church, and school at The Mother House Of The Missionaries Of Charity   Interested in volunteering in Kolkata? Read more about volunteering for the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata .

Tip: Visit Mother Theresa’s tomb

18. Day Trip to Sundarbans

Looking for a day trip tour to Sundarbans ? Sundarbans is a UNESCO World Heritage because it’s the largest mangrove site in the world, where you can spot deer, many bird species, various fauna, and if you’re lucky you might spot a Bengal Tiger!

19. Durga Puja Festival

Durga Puja Festival is an annual Hindu festival celebrating the female goddess warrior Durga. The festival is celebrated big-time by Bengali, Assamese, Odia, and Maithals. Thus, it is a huge festival in Kolkata, where  Durga Puja artists bring the festival to life through their craft of creating Durga floats, and statues and adorning the goddess with lights, so there are many puja tours around town, celebrating highly decorated Durga pandals (aka temporary structures).

Read How to Plan your first trip to India

Top attractions of kolkata (watch kolkata travel guide video ), where to eat in kolkata.

Kolkata is a foodie capital best known for its street food . What Bangkok is to Thailand , or Osaka is to Japan, is what Kolkata is to India …for me. It is a street food kitchen of the country.  While Indian foods range by the region and it might be unfair to other cities like Mumbai or Delhi , you’ll find street food galore walking down certain blocks of this Bengali city.

Read more on Best Street Foods in Kolkata .

20.  kolkata food walk.

If you feel timid about trying new foods, highly recommended is the Kolkata Food Walk . It’s a tour run voluntarily by local foodies, where you get to taste the best and most mouthwatering street food in Kolkata at scandalously inexpensive prices.   You’ll pay for the foods you try and you’ll get to try a lot! Come with an empty stomach.  This is an exceptional food tour run strictly by volunteers, so a donation is suggested; please, tip your guide well!

For food tour options, check out this 15 Taster Private Food Tour and  Evening Food Walk Tour

21. Decker Lane

In the BBD Bagh district, you’ll find Decker Lane, a street that is like a buffet line of street food vendors.  You’ll find food hawkers line the sidewalk with samosas to chai, Chinese noodles, chat, and … a stroll down this street is like a walk down a buffet line. For a few rupees (costing anywhere from 5 to 45 cents USD), you can have a mouthwatering feast.   When in Kolkata, eating street food is a must.

22. Mohan Bhandahar

Mohan Bhandahar  was a sweet shop where I had kachori sabzi . The shop was made famous by the Bollywood film Piku and was visited by Amitabh Bachchan. You’ll see photos of the star there. But the kachori sabzi is literally finger licking good.

Read 26 Best Bollywood Films to Excite Wanderlust

23. ganesh chandra avenue (in bowbazar ).

Right off Ganesh Chowk Metro, you’ll be welcomed by Broadway Hotel (the hotel I stayed at) and Ganesh Chandra Avenue in the Bowbazar district and several street food hawker stalls which line both sides of the street selling things from jhal muri to Hakka Chow mein (influenced by Chinese immigrants).

24. Makhan Lal Das & Sons

Makhan Lal Das & Sons is a 200-year-old sweet shop known for their hand-crafted sweets, and popular Bengal desserts (such as Ras Malai, Jol-Bhora,   Malai Chumchum, Chocolate Misti, etc… )and their 2rs Shondesh . I visited their Ballygunge location, although it’s original shop is inside Notun Bazar of the Jorabagan and that is where they sell the 2Rs shondesh.

Read:  Street Food Safety Tips

Useful information for travelers, 25. fairlie place (railway booking center for foreign tourist quota tickets).

If you’re booking onward travel via railway and your hotel or travel agency can’t book it for you (aka the trains you want are full), you’ll be directed to  Fairlie Place . Fairlie Place is the official railway booking center and the place where you can check on and reserve foreign quota train tickets (generally, a few train seats on each train are reserved for foreign tourist travel and if your train is booked full, there’s a chance there may be a seat open if you’re a foreign traveler.  Doors open around 8A or 9A.   Location: Strand Rd, Fairley Place, B B D Bagh, Kolkata. Is a 15-minute walk from the Mullick Ghat flower market .

You can see schedules and book trains and VIP/long-distance buses/flights on your own online, but trains aren’t easy. You’ll need to register with the IRTC and then register at  Make My Trip and link the two accounts together. I can’t remember what type of credit card is accepted; just that a Visa (what I don’t have) is okay.

|All Photos & Videos Copyright ©GRRRLTRAVELER

Read Best things to do in Pelling, Sikkim

Communication: internet and indian sim cards.

A data plan with internet is essential for me as a travel blogger. Many budget guesthouses in Kolkata do not have WiFi and internet cafes are not common. My first day, I went shopping for a place to buy SIM cards. While my hotel was keen to offer advice about getting a SIM from the shop around the corner, it was actually not easy to find. So I went to the official Vodaphone store on Esplanade street. It’s a few blocks from the subway and near a tech mart on the corner.

Read more about Getting an Indian SIM and mobile hotspots, USB internet sticks, etc .

Is Kolkata Safe for Solo Travelers?

There are many things that give Kolkata its charm and character . It’s by far one of my favorite cities, but as I mentioned I was initially intimidated visiting here.

Firstly, while Kolkata has its history with Mother Theresa’s work, you won’t find sick people all around the streets (and no more than you would see in India; India, I’ve noticed can have human anomalies I’ve never seen before like a three-legged calf ). Kolkata is no more or less dirty than any other city in India. It’s well-maintained and I found it more charming than Mumbai  (which actually felt dirty to me) or Delhi . But like any city, sanitize your hands before you eat.

I found Kolkata to be one of the more friendly cities with more gentlemen and less staring. It could be because I’m Pacific Asian and can pass as Tibetan , Sikkimese  or Nepalese , but I still think I come across as a tourist. Touts and scams are not high here. In fact, Kolkata was one of the most laid-back urban Indian cities I’ve traveled to.

With most Indian cities, I’d say for women, to be back to their hotels by around 10 pm (although I have stayed out later for filming).  Indian society as a whole is conservative. There is an idea that gauges a woman’s decency or impropriety, by how late she is out at night.  An Indian woman out on the streets past 11 pm might be considered morally loose, which can be a problem for women returning from work late at night .  For tourists, it’s hit or miss , but generally, Indian men may consider foreign female travelers as more morally loose than their own women.  Keep street smarts about you everywhere you go in general.

Packing Tips for India

Getting around kolkata, from the airport.

It’s best to take the prepaid taxis and book it from the taxi counter inside.  They will give you a ticket which you’ll give the driver.

Note: There is only one ATM inside the airport in arrivals, but there is also a money changer.  If the ATM is down, you might be directed to one outside the airport. Keep in mind, once you leave the airport, you cannot come back in.

Tip: Save time, stress and book a private airport transportation

Types of Transportation in Kolkata

Getting around Kolkata isn’t so difficult. Aside from the standard Ambassador taxis, you can get around using the city bus, tram or metro.

The metro is the easiest and inexpensive way to get around most sightseeing parts of the city. There are places the metro can’t reach that the city bus can, such as Mullick Ghat Flower Market and Howrah Bridge.   If you’re using the bus, ask locals or an officer to help you find one and hail it… sometimes you have to flag it down) or an auto-rickshaw (maybe even a shared one! For intrepid travelers on a budget , keep your eyes peeled for  shared autorickshaws . Used by locals, the shared rickshaw drops passengers along a certain route. Often you’ll notice them waiting around gathering passengers and you can ask if they’re going to your location. The driver won’t leave until he has a full vehicle and locals are typically charged a fraction of the normal cost. Travelers still might pay a tourist price but it’s worth the experience, being squished between Indian passengers as you witness how many can pile into your car.

Read Complete Guide to Transportation in India

You’ll see old blue   cable car trams and these are often headed to the BBD Bagh area , which is known as the government area, where you’ll also see much colonial architecture.

As I mentioned in this list, there are two main train stations — Sealdah Train Station and Howrah Station. Read more on  taking Indian trains and getting a foreign tourist quota .

Book bus and train tickets in advance

Book your Kolkata trip tickets in advance. I used 12GoAsia to book transportation for my Thailand trip .

Where to stay in Kolkata

At the time of research on Booking.com  and countless websites and blogs, many decent budget hotels in Kolkata went around the price range of $14-30. The less central you are, the cheaper it can get. However, one thing to note is accessibility to transportation and city highlights. Hostels aren’t a term  in India, but recently, a hip and boutique hostel chain opened up for modern travelers (wifi available). Note: Service Tax On Room Tariff in Kolkata @ 8.4% for Hotels

Backpackers Park- Affordable hostel with great location. Mixed and women’s dorm facilities, shared kitchen and serves breakfast on the premises.  16 minute walk to the Grand Esplanade Metro station.

Check out more hostels: list of top hostels in Kolkata

Broadway Hotel – This hotel takes you back into time. Kolkata’s oldest hotel since 193t, I stayed here. It was in an ideal location for me, across the street from Chandni Chowk metro station . An old Ambassador-styled hotel with an attendant in the lift, the rooms feel spacious, clean, and comfortable. It can feel very antiquated to some, but it’s part of the interesting charm. You also get the daily Kolkata newspaper delivered to your door. There’s an Art Deco-styled restaurant which tends to be popular with guests and locals.  Front desk receptionists are helpful. Watch my video (below) and read my review .

Midrange Boutique

Calcutta Bungalow   2.1 miles from the city center his two star bed & breakfast has the look and feel more of a 3 star boutique! 9.4 ratings on booking.com, it is adorable! Cute, heritage aesthetic and architecture this hotel transports you back in time. Airport shuttle available for extra fee.

Fairfield by Marriott is 7.5 miles from Sealdah Railway Station and in a great location of New Town. With an 8.5 rating the facilities offer a great value with a budget price! For the price, it’s a steal.

Elgin Fairlawn Kolkata is a private enclave that takes you back in time, with English/Irish breakfasts and a faint taste of the colonial period. Located in the heart of downtown Kolkata. Next to the Indian Museum and a stone’s throw from New Market

 The Grand Oberoi – For those looking for pampering,  The Grand Oberoi is located in the heart of the Esplanade area next to the Indian Museum. If you want to know where celebrities go, you’ve found it. It has its own gated driveway with uniformed valet and bellhops to give you colonial hospitality.

12 Tips to finding Hotels in India

What are your best things to do in kolkata recommendations for this kolkata travel guide, related posts.

How to Eat with your hand in India

5  Essential Travel Tips for India

Tips on Indian Culture

 Staying at Indian Ashrams

Choosing the Right Yoga  School

Note: This post has affiliate links that help me maintain my site. This is at no extra cost to you and I only recommend services I would use. My half-day city of a tour of Kolkata was sponsored by Viator as an effort to help make some of my Kolkata filming possible. As always, my opinions are my own

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Kolkata travel blog — the fullest kolkata travel guide for first-timers.

Different from the steady, slowness of Mumbai or the smoky haze of Delhi, the city of Kolkata (former name Calcutta) is a wonderful combination of Indian brilliant features and old British architecture. The city dubbed “The city of Joy”. So, is Kolkata worth visiting, how to visit Kolkata, what to do in Kolkata and how to plan a budget trip to Kolkata for the first-time perfectly? Let’s check out our Kolkata travel blog (Kolkata blog, Calcutta blog) with the fullest Kolkata travel guide blog (Calcutta travel guide, Kolkata tourist guide, Kolkata city guide, Kolkata guide) from how to get to Kolkata, best places to visit, best time to come, what to eat as well as top things to do in Kolkata to help you maximize your trip as follows!

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Kolkata is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal and was formerly the capital of India when it was under the British Raj in 1773. Today it is a city steeped in tradition, colonial architecture, cultural festivals, noisy car horns and vibrant street food.

Located on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River about 80 km (50 mi) west of the border with Bangladesh, it is East India’s main commercial, cultural and educational center, while the Port of Kolkata is a long-running port and India’s oldest riverside port and its only major riverside port. The city nicknamed the “City of Joy” is considered the “cultural capital” of India and as of 2019, six Nobel laureates have been associated with the city.

Overview of Kolkata (#kolkata travel blog)

Kolkata city, also known by another name as Calcutta, is the capital of the State of West Bengal, East India, located along the banks of the Hooghly River in the north-south direction with an area of 206.1 km² and a population of over 15 millions of people (The metro area population).

The city’s history begins to be recorded after the East India Company came to do business in Bengal in 1690. Once the capital and leading city of India, Kolkata experienced a period of economic stagnation shortly after India gained its independence in 1947 because of the unstable political situation with the chaotic flow of migrants, the Bangladesh war, the Naxal liberation movement, the constant conflict uprisings. The period from 1960 to 1990 was a period of stagnation for the Indian economy, a series of large factories had to close or reduce payroll and businesses were forced to restructure. The shortage of capital and resources was exacerbated as demand for the products of some of India’s traditional industries dwindled and during this period Kolkata was nicknamed the “dead city”.

It was not until the 1990s that the Indian economy in general and Kolkata in particular recovered thanks to significant economic reforms, especially the “Look East” policy of which Kolkata was the highlight. Therefore, Kolkata is home to many industrial factories of famous Indian corporations, with a wide range of products such as: mechanical engineering, electronics, steel, tanning, textiles, jewelry, and automobiles, railway products, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, tobacco, foodstuffs, jute fiber…

Kolkata is also famous in the world for its rich cultural and artistic heritage. As the ancient capital of India, Kolkata is the birthplace of many artistic and cultural ideas. The city has the traditional type of drama performed in the folk theater, as well as the famous film industry, dubbed Bollywood.

This city is a beautiful blend of classic and modern. A flourishing metropolis, it has preserved its essence in the forms of music, dance and literature. The presence of beautiful buildings, museums, eateries, markets, temples, churches, fortresses and theaters makes Kolkata a place where visitors will always feel that they are running out of time. Visitors come to Kolkata from all over the world to immerse themselves in the city’s heritage!

Kolkata is a chaotic city. Not as big as Mumbai or Delhi, the city thrives on its people, culture and past. Kolkata or Calcutta was the first capital before it was moved to Delhi. The city is almost 300 years old and is an eclectic mix of a glorious decaying past and a promising new future. The British built some amazing buildings during their heyday and today Kolkata flaunts colonial architecture with pride.

It was home to the Indian Independence Movement which aimed to end British rule in India. This revolutionary spirit has defined Kolkata as the city of revolutionaries and intellectuals. It is considered the cultural capital of India, which has produced generations of artists, poets, writers, film producers and Nobel laureates.

Today with a population of more than 15 million, Kolkata is India’s 4th largest city with a diversity of cultures and religions (Hindu (74%) and Islam (23%), the rest being Hindus, Sikhism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Jainism and Pais).

When to come (#kolkata blog)

The best time to visit Kolkata is from October to March. The temperature is cooler and the sky is clear. The weather is mild, even during the coldest months of December and January. If you like festivals, then October is a great time to go. The Hindu festivals of Durga Puja, Lakshmi Puja, and Kali Puja are held around October or November every year.

Getting to Kolkata

Those flying to Kolkata will arrive at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport also known as Kolkata Airport and Calcutta Airport which located 15km away from the city center. Taking a plane is the fastest way to travel because there are direct flights here from Vietnam by Indian airlines. The airport is about an hour north of the city, so you’ll need to make arrangements to get to your hotel.

The opening of direct flight routes between Hanoi/Saigon and Kolkata in about 3 hours by low-cost airline INDIGO, plus a 30-day e-visa at a cost of only $25 is enough to make Kolkata an interesting destination for a short journey to the land of the Ganges civilization.

Getting around Kolkata

Kokata has a budget subway system, but it’s not yet widespread. Kolkata Metro is still under development. Currently, it only has one active line that takes you from North to South. Not sure when they will be operational but there are other lines and stations in the works. Trains are crowded but clean and cheap, with each trip starting at just INR 5.

Kolkata is one of the few remaining cities in India that still have these hand rickshaws in existence. They do it voluntarily so it’s not a form of labor exploitation. It’s more of a novelty than anything and probably best for short distances only.

Where to go and what to do in Kolkata? (#kolkata travel blog)

Many of the most interesting tourist spots in Kolkata are centrally located and easily accessible by foot (if the weather is good) or by taxi. There are a variety of great heritage sites lining the busy streets that recall the city’s glorious past, including museums, churches, temples and remnants of British rule. However, in the city is not only the sights of this period, Kolkata is also known as a cosmopolitan home of all nationalities, Marwaris, Parsis, Anglo Indians, Jews, Armenians and Chinese.

The BBD Bagh area is located north of the city center, surrounded by beautiful and impressive British-Indian buildings, including the Writers Building and Raj Bhavan. To the southeast are the city’s lungs, the vast green Maidan including the garden of Eden and Fort William.

Howrah bridge

Address: Kolkata, West Bengal 700001, India

Construction started in 1935, the Howrah Bridge is the sixth largest largest suspension bridge in the world with total length of 705m, and an important landmark in the tourist monuments of India. This bridge is an engineering wonder that hides a whole world within its large slabs. Near Howrah Station, this legendary bridge provides a travel option for millions of people daily. Visiting the Howrah Bridge is a journey into the classic part of Kolkata. The many markets located here are paradise for adventurers and photographers.

Dakshineswar Kali Temple

Address: Dakshineswar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700076, India Hours: 6 AM–12:30 PM, 3–8:30 PM

About 20km north of central Kolkata, Dakshineswar Kali is a Hindu temple located in Dakshineswar. It is one of the holiest temples in Kolkata and a sacred pilgrimage site for millions of Hindus worldwide. To come here, you can take a public bus, which is cheap but extremely dusty and dirty and insecure, so most tourists will book an Uber ride from the center of Kolkata, it only costs about 9$ to ride a 7-seater car, of course. The car is relatively old and in winter, the driver does not turn on the air conditioner!

Built in the Navaratna architectural style, Dakshineswar Kali consists of three floors with nine towers distributed on the upper two floors. The spiers are sharp with light pink tones with reddish brown borders, looking from a distance like a large background, not bringing the 3D effect like the Russian onion church. To be fair, standing in for a photo shoot is like taking a picture with a pre-made backdrop!

According to history and legend, the temple was built during 1847-1855 from a religious dream of Rani Rashmoni, a famous Hindu woman and philanthropist in India. That period. And of course, she gave up all her fortune and possessions to build this temple. Currently, her statue is placed in a small temple outside the main temple as a tribute to her.

Dakshineswar Kali Temple is free to enter for visitors. However, according to strict requirements of Hinduism, all must return shoes, bags, phones, cameras at the outside storage area to enter the temple. This restricts most non-Hindu tourists, only taking pictures without praying.

St. Paul’s Cathedral (#kolkata travel blog)

Address: 1A, Cathedral Rd, Maidan, Kolkata, West Bengal 700071, India Hours: 10 AM–6 PM

The cathedral is a magnificent white structure and is one of the main attractions in Kolkata. It is part of the Anglican Communion. Church of St. Paul’s has beautiful Gothic architecture and the foundation for the church which was laid in 1847. It is the largest church in Kolkata and is also considered the first Episcopal church in Asia. The Cathedral complex also has an internal library along with several types of visual arts.

Another rare place of serenity in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Kolkata is St Paul’s Church, located at 1A, Cathedral Road, Kolkata, right next to the Victoria Memorial. When the British Christians in Kolkata increased significantly, the old church of Saint John could no longer accommodate, the British government considered the option of building a larger church. And that is why Saint Paul Cathedral was started construction in 1839 and completed in 1847. The church was built in Gothic Revival style with its vertical pillars and pointed arches, and is also the first Protestantism church in Asia. Saint Paul’s Church is now the largest church in Kolkata and also the seat of the Diocese of Kolkata. Opening hours are daily from 10am to 6pm.

Botanical garden (#kolkata blog)

Address: Shibpur, Howrah, West Bengal 711103, India Status: Open (5 AM – 7 AM for Morning Walkers 9 AM – 5 PM for Visitors)

Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanical Garden is also known as Calcutta Botanical Garden. And you don’t have to be a botanist to enjoy its serene beauty: The garden is home to some of the rarest and most interesting plants. Besides a collection of more than 12,000 species of orchids, bamboo and palm trees spread over 109 hectares, the garden is also home to The Great Banyan, which measures 1082.68 ft in circumference. Somewhere on the grounds is also the abandoned but stunning Roxburgh Memorial, which was the residence of the Garden’s first director. This is a must-visit  Kolkata tourist place.

Marble Palace

Among the many highlights of the Kolkata tourist map, the marble palace is one of the most attractive. The 19th-century palatial residence is one of the most beautiful royal palaces, exuding splendor. Many brilliant artistic statues, elegant glassware and wonderful works of art are displayed at the palace.

Address: Belur, Howrah, West Bengal 711202, India Hours: 6:30–11:30 AM, 3:30–8:30 PM

This beautiful building located on the West bank of the Hooghly River. It is the temple of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, a Hindu religious and spiritual organization. The temple is noted for combining Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist architectural elements to symbolize unity among religions. Belur Math is about 7-8 km north of Howrah Bridge. It’s easy to visit on your own, but if you want to go on a guided tour, then you can book one through Klook.

Mother House (#kolkata travel guide blog)

Address: 54A, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Rd, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal 700016, India Hours: 9 AM–12 PM, 3–5:30 PM

The life story, the contributions of Mother Teresa, who was honored to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 and many other honors of the world, many people must have heard. And my biggest urge when coming to this Kolkata city is once to visit Mother’s old house, which is also her resting place – house number 54A A.J.C Bose Road, Kolkata.

Mother Teresa came from faraway Albania but chose India as her homeland, choosing the poor Indians to serve her whole life. Being able to go to the house where Mother once lived, seeing with my own eyes her simplicity and austerity, I admire her immensely! The small room about more than 5 square meters where Mother used to live and work from the 1950s until her death in 1997 is surprisingly simple, with no furniture except a small wooden bed, a small wooden table and chair set. Messages are placed next to each other. I can imagine everyone’s emotions when looking at the simple wooden bench, like a student’s bench, without a backrest on which Mother has been working diligently for so many years, the drinking mug, the frayed canvas bag, thin old sweater coats, leather sandals worn down thousands of miles… Mother refused the Nobel Peace Prize money and demanded that it be delivered to the poor in India, Mother always refuse even the most basic comforts. Mother refused all, because she could bear…

Surely Mother’s wish when she died was clear, so her grave was also simply covered with white stone. There is only a cross, candles and flowers and prayers around her grave. A pure and peaceful space in stark contrast to the noisy streets outside… On Mother’s grave, people put a plastic box to hold prayers. I didn’t write down a wish, just wrote a simple “Thank you Mother Teresa! Your life has inspired me so much”, because being here is also a blessing in life!

Indian Museum

Address: 27, Jawaharlal Nehru Rd, Fire Brigade Head Quarter, New Market Area, Dharmatala, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal 700016, India Hours: 10 AM–5 PM/Monday: Closed

The grandeur and magnificence that the Indian Museum carries in its premises and inside its galleries is not to be found anywhere else. The Indian Museum is the oldest and largest in the country. It was founded in the early 19th century and today boasts many rare items on display. The museum has one of the original Egyptian Mummies along with many rare paintings and artefacts from bygone eras. Visitors of all ages find something to do here as there is something fun for young and old.

Tagore’s house

Address: Ganesh Talkies, 267, Rabindra Sarani, Singhi Bagan, Jorasanko, Raja Katra, Kolkata, West Bengal 700007, India Hours: 10:30 AM–5 PM/Monday: Closed

Coming to Kolkata, if you find your way to Tagore House on google map, you will not find it because it is popularly known as Jorasanko Thakurbari – Rabindranath Tagore’s ancestral house built in 1785 spreads over 35,000 square meters. This is where Rabindranath Tagore was born on May 6, 1861, and where he spent most of his childhood and took his last breath on August 7, 1941.

He is recognized worldwide as one of the few comprehensive talents in the world. He is a playwright, poet, musician, novelist, educator, philosopher, and humanist. He composed his first opera – Valmiki Pratibha – at the age of 20. He composed more than 2,000 songs and created the Rabindra – sangeet – an important Bengali musical genre that bears his name. His short stories and novels hold an important place in Bengali literature. And perhaps he is the only poet in the world to have composed national anthems for both countries: Amar Shonar Bangla for Bangladesh and Jana Gana Mana for India. It is interesting that Hinduism is the majority in this second most populous country, but the song “God is the soul of all beings” composed by him in 1911 has been the national anthem of India since 1950.

Rabindranath Tagore is not only a representative cultural representative of India, he is also the first Asian poet to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913, a genius who has left mankind with a large number of graphic works. voluminous and rich. His typical poetry collections that are popular are Gitanjali (Song Offerings), Balaca, Gardener, Fruit picking season, Birthday…In the large house, there is a museum displaying his works and pictures. Admission to the museum is 300 Rupees, and if you want to take pictures of the outside of the building, you have to pay 50 Rupees for a camera.

St John’s Church

Address: 2/2, Council House St, opp. Dewars Garage, Lal Dighi, B.B.D. Bagh, Kolkata, West Bengal 700001, India Hours: 10 AM–4 PM/Sunday: Closed

Saint John’s Church, was one of the first public buildings built by the East India Company after Kolkata (Calcutta) became the capital of British India. It functioned as the Anglican Church in Calcutta for the city’s modest English community until 1847.

The construction of Saint John’s Church began in 1784, modeled after the Church of Saint Martin-in-the-Field of London. It is the third oldest church in the city, next to the Armenian church and the old Mission Church.

Writers Building

Address: H8FX+GGJ, Binoy Badal Dinesh Bag N Rd, Lal Dighi, B.B.D. Bagh, Kolkata, West Bengal 700001, India

A few streets away from St. John’s Church is the East India Company Building, a very influential company. to the formation and development of the old city of Kolkata, now this is the Secretariat Building of the Government of West Bengal and also the office of the Minister of West Bengal. Under British rule, the East India Company traded mainly in cotton, silk, pepper, tea, dyes and opium. The company also ruled over a large area of India, exercising military power and assumed administrative functions, gradually, pursuing its trade; it effectively functions like a large corporation. The company dissolved on January 1, 1874.

Victoria Memorial

Address: Victoria Memorial Hall, 1, Queens Way, Maidan, Kolkata, West Bengal 700071, India Hours: 10 AM–5 PM

The most famous landmark in Kolkata is the Victoria Memorial which made of white Markrana marble. This building has a base size of 103m x 69m and is up to 56m high. The building was built between 1906 and 1921 in memory of Queen Victoria (1819-1901) and is now a museum and tourist attraction under the auspices of the Indian Ministry of Culture. In January 1901, following the death of Queen Victoria, 1st Baron of Kedleston, Curzon, then Governor-General of India, proposed the establishment of a memorial to her. He proposed the memorial would be a stately castle, with a museum where visitors can get a glimpse of the wonders of the past.

This monumental memorial, located on the calm banks of the Hooghly River, is the perfect blend of Mughal and European architectural styles. Atop the central arch of the Victoria Memorial is a 4-tall statue of the Angel of Victory with 9m high. Surrounding the dome are allegorical sculptures representing Art, Architecture, Justice and Charity, while above the North porch are for Motherhood, Prudence and Learning. In terms of design, the Victoria Memorial was inspired by the famous Taj Mahal also of India, with a main central dome, four small domes, octagonal base, tall gate, terrace and tower corner.

A little further south is the Victoria Memorial, one of the city’s most famous landmarks. This place is considered the city’s love letter to the Queen of England Victoria – who has never visited this place. The memorial displays not many items except for a piano that the queen never played once, a writing desk in the castle Windsor, and numerous idyllic paintings. However, for the visitors to Calcutta, they were extremely excited about this memorial. Despite the ups and downs of time, the Monument is still kept by the people here until today.

William Emerson (1843-1924), president of the Royal Institute of British Architects was the principal architect of this monumental work, which, along with his other associates, was responsible for the design of the surrounding landscape. As mentioned, this is the most famous scenic spot in this city, so you can buy an entrance ticket (only 20 Rupees/person) but you have to wait in line for a long time. The best time to visit is in the early afternoon when the light is favorable to get better pictures than in the morning.

Mullick Ghat Flower Market – Hawkers Committee

Address: p222, 1, Strand Bank Rd, Fairley Place, B.B.D. Bagh, Kolkata, West Bengal 700001, India Hours: 5:30 AM–8 PM

Located right at the foot of the famous Howrah bridge is the bustling Mullick Ghat flower market, bustling, and full of garbage. This is considered one of the largest wholesale flower markets in Asia, dating back a century. From dawn, trucks, trailers, motorbikes, bicycles bring all kinds of flowers to the market, where about 2,000 retailers come to trade. In Kolkata in particular and India in general, flowers are widely used in beliefs and festivals. Flowers offered are mainly marigolds, jasmines, lotus flowers and countless other flowers sold in series or by weight… Honestly, if the garbage were better controlled, more civilized, this flower market would be save more beautiful impressions to visitors.

Park Street

Park Street is a paradise for shoppers and foodies. Located in the South Kolkata area, Park Street is one of the places where visitors can find the most legendary eateries, roadside shops and small cafes that date back to the birth of Kolkata. A must try around Park Street iare Jhalmuri, Egg rolls, Chinese and various fish.

Coming here, I often drink tea on Park Street famous for its coffee shops and visit South Park Street Cemetery – a place that still keeps many painful vestiges of the Indian colonial past.

Park Street Cemetery is a very quiet and sacred place with graves, many of which have been remodeled. Around Sudder Road, the Museum of India is the country’s largest (and one of the best) in the country, stocking a wide range of artifacts from archeology to art.

I often go to the Tollygunge Club for a drink, a beautiful but old golf club that still bears the vestiges of imperial times. And in the afternoon I like to visit a racecourse called Maidan, this place is like the Cheltenham Cup in the Indian style that happens every day.

If I have a chance, I still love to visit India’s largest cricket stadium with a capacity of 90,000. The Eden Gardens field was considered a rather scary stadium, especially for trials.

Sundarban National Park (West Bengal)

Address: RVPM+8MW, Kolkata, West Bengal 743370, India

The Sundarbans is an area of mangroves in the Bay of Bengal, spanning the Hooghly River in West Bengal to the Baleswar River in Bangladesh. It is home to hundreds of species of wildlife, the most sought after being the endangered Bengal tiger. Sundarbans is over a hundred kilometers from Kolkata but you can explore it on a day tour.

What and where to eat? (#kolkata travel guide blog)

Experience Bengali cuisine on a fascinating food tour in Kolkata with Avik of A Chef’s Tour and sample more than ten delicious dishes such as Bengali fish curry, slow cooker lamb curry, puchkas and kanda bhaji.

Local Kolkata cuisine is known for its combination of bitter and sweet flavors, extensive use of rapeseed and poppy seeds, as well as freshwater vegetable and fish curries. It is a far cry from the creamy, meat-rich cuisine of North India or the Indian food of Western countries. Bhojohori Manna is one of the city’s most popular places for Bengali home cooking, and it makes for an addictive fish fry (smooth white fish fillet, deep-fried and served with mustard sauce clear sinuses).

Address: 23 & 24, Hogg St, near Axis Bank Atm, New Market Area, Dharmatala, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal 700087, India Hours: 11 AM–11:30 PM

Nizam’s has been open since 1932 and is credited with inventing kathi rolls, a popular Indian street food that originated in Kolkata. In its original form, kathi roll was a grilled skewer of meat wrapped in paratha bread, but the term has expanded to include wraps of similar designs using different ingredients. According to the restaurant’s menu, kathi was invented as an easy way to eat grilled meat. Nizam used to sell kathi kebabs and parathas but the British didn’t like getting oil on their hands, so they came up with the idea to roll kebabs and bread in thin sheets of paper and kathi roll was born.

Address: Marina Garden Court, 191, 7 Point, Park St, Ballygunge, Kolkata, West Bengal 700017, India Hours: 10 AM–11:30 PM

Arsalan is a Mughlai restaurant known for serving some of the best biryanis in Kolkata. Biryani is a popular Indo-Islamic dish made from long grain rice (such as basmati) seasoned with various spices such as saffron, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, buttermilk and garlic. It can be made with various meats and vegetables in a thick gravy cooked over a low flame in a pot covered with flour.

Address: Stephen Court Building, 18 A, Park St, opposite KFC Restaurant, Park Street area, Kolkata, West Bengal 700016, India Hours: 12–11 PM

Peter Cat is a recommended restaurant in Kolkata. They are known for their chelo kebab (385 INR), traditionally a Persian dish made with grilled meat, buttered saffron rice and fried eggs. Peter Cat is home to their chelo kebab which is considered a  “protected product of West Bengal”.

Ganguram & Sons

Address: Survey Park, Santoshpur, Kolkata, West Bengal 700075, India Hours: 8 AM–10 PM

Ganguram & Sons is featured in the Kolkata travel list. They have been around since 1885 and are known for making some of the best Bengali sweets in Kolkata. One of their most popular sweets is mishti doi (INR 32). It’s a delightful fermented sweet yogurt made by sweetening boiled milk and letting it ferment overnight. The earthen pot is always used to make mishti doi in order to facilitate evaporation through its porous walls and thicken the yogurt.

Don’t forget the Chinese food

Kolkata used to have a vibrant Chinatown thanks to immigrants who began arriving in the late 18th century, first to work in Calcutta’s sugar mills, then under British rule to work in the prosperous port or leather business. While the Chinese population in Kolkata is decreasing as the community sees opportunity in the West, the hybrid cuisine – Chinese dishes combined with Indian spices and cooking methods  that originated here is still alive. popular across the country. Kolkatans are addicted to it: the sweet and spicy chili chicken, and the stir-fried and vegetable noodle dish called Hakka noodles (named for the ethnic group that makes up a large percentage of Kolkata’s Chinese immigrants) is particularly popular.

Finally, see the city from above with the view from the bar on top of the Lindsay hotel, opposite the New Market shopping complex like immersing yourself in this smoky city. Fun, western pop tunes are booming here, and you can grab a beer and some snacks.

Shopping in this city is also very attractive, can be bargain. The New Market on Lindsay Road is packed with shops selling clothes, jewelry, home items, and more. It’s also a great place to buy yarn and has many skilled seamstresses who can tailor it to your needs. Dakshinapan Shopping Center, Gariaha Road has many state-owned stores, selling a variety of items at bargain prices, while Swabhumi, near the Hyatt Regency, is both a cultural center and a shopping mall. Shop big selling clothes and jewelry.

The Cottage Central Industrial Store at 7 Jawaharlal Nehru Road, is a very good place to buy handicrafts from all over India at affordable prices.

There are also many shops selling souvenirs, fabrics, silks, jewelry, etc., giving you the opportunity to choose your favorite items at reasonable prices.

Big stores are usually open from 10am to 6pm. Some stores are only open for half a day on Saturdays. Most shops are closed on Sundays, especially around Park Street.

Where to stay

Looking for the best area to stay in Kolkata and many would suggest Park street or Sudder street. These are the general “tourist areas” in Kolkata with many hotels, shops and restaurants, as well as easy access to the Kolkata metro.

Below we recommend more best budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to.

• ITC Royal Bengal, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kolkata ( Agoda , Booking )
• ibis Kolkata Rajarhat – An Accor Brand ( Agoda , Booking )
• Polo Floatel Kolkata ( Agoda , Booking )
• The Oberoi Grand Kolkata ( Agoda , Booking )
• The Park Kolkata Hotel ( Agoda , Booking )
• Fairfield by Marriott Kolkata ( Agoda , Booking )
• The LaLiT Great Eastern Kolkata ( Agoda , Booking )
• Novotel Kolkata Hotel and Residences ( Agoda , Booking )
• Holiday Inn Kolkata Airport, an IHG Hotel ( Agoda , Booking )
• LBD RESORTS & HOTELS KOLKATA ( Agoda , Booking )

Check out more top and best hotels in Kolkata on Agoda.com or Booking.com

In general, Kolkata is still quite poor and backward, polluted from water to air, so for a luxurious trip, Kolkata is definitely not the destination. Although in this city, the imprint of poverty is still there, Calcutta is really a vivid picture of the human spirit, very dark, refreshing and profound. However, if you want to know how life has given us more blessings and comfort than others, go to places like Kolkata to see the need to appreciate what we have.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Kolkata you can refer to

• Kolkata Private Car Charter
• 4D3N Sunderbans Cruise from Kolkata
• Cook And Dine Experience With A Local In Kolkata
• Bengali Cook And Dine Experience in Kolkata
• Pocket WiFi (BKK & DMK Airport Pick Up) for India
• 4G SIM Card (IN Delivery) for India from StarRoam
• Kolkata Market Tour
• Kolkata Temple and Spiritual Day Tour
• Kolkata Morning Tour
• Kolkata Food Walking Tour
• Kolkata Heritage Walking Tour
• Street Shopping Walking Tour in Kolkata

Read more India guide here .

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Best places to visit in Kolkata

Table of Contents

Best places to visit in Kolkata: An insider’s guide 

Guest post by Kolkata local Bedabrata Chakraborty .

Kolkata is known as The City of Joy. It’s the capital of West Bengal and a blend of sights, sounds, feels, and colours. Some parts of the city are modern while some are steeped in history. It could therefore be a little overwhelming to first time visitors to Kolkata.

In fact, I am a Kolkata lad and yet, at times, I wish there is some clearer direction in the eclectic mix. So, for the benefit of anyone curious about Kolkata tourism, here are my top tips about things to do in Kolkata. I have tried to include the best places to visit in Kolkata from my perspective as a local. But I’m always open to discovering more places.

Where to stay in Kolkata

A favourite place to stay in Kolkata is The Fairlawn Hotel, a historic property that exudes charm and is brilliantly located among the shops and cafes of Sudder Street, and close to Park Street and the top tourist attractions. The Lalit Great Eastern is a slick hotel built on the site of a historic property. It has a nice outdoor pool and some of the rooms are grand indeed! You can never go wrong with a Taj hotel of course and the Taj Bengal is perfect example — a beautifully designed hotel, it’s also landmark in Kolkata.

Historical places in Kolkata

Kolkata, or Calcutta as it was called then, was the capital of India for most of the British rule. It therefore boasts beautiful colonial architecture — and most are functional and well-maintained to this day. While the capital was moved to Delhi in the year 1911, Kolkata is visibly steeped in history. There are many temples mosques, churches, museums, parks, and river-fronts that, combined, make Kolkata a traveller’s delight.

Art and culture

Given the high standards of educational and intellectual pursuits in Kolkata, the city is called the cultural capital of India. The esteemed poet and philosopher, and the first Nobel Laureate from India (as well as Asia), Rabindranath Tagore, and the Oscar winning film director Satyajit Ray both hail from this city. Kolkata is still the hub for music, arts, and theatre in India. Classical artists have to go through the rite of passage of performing before audience in Kolkata in order to establish themselves at the national level.

Handloom and handicraft

Kolkata is a treasure trove of beautiful cotton and silk handloom and handicrafts that are manufactured in the towns and villages of Bengal. The taant sari, Baluchari sari, khaddar fabrics and sholapith (Indian cork) and terracotta sculpture pieces are must-buys. Most of these items are still sold at traditional markets where you chat up the seller over a cup of tea.

The food and cuisine of Kolkata is legendary

Kolkata is the hub for the most delectable sweets and desserts in India. The biryani in Kolkata is a unique style of Mughlai cooking that is not available elsewhere in India. The street food of Kolkata can be fodder for a standalone article. Moreover, Kolkata is still the most affordable city in India in terms of food. You can visit Kolkata just for a gastronomy trip.

Tram cars in Kolkata

Kolkata is the only city in India that has tram cars. Started in the year 1902, it is still a popular mode of transport among locals. In today’s fast paced lives, a leisurely ride in the tram car, meandering through the busy city, is sheer romance. I had my first date in the tram car! From personal experience, it is a well-tested recipe for sparks to fly.

Durga Puja in Kolkata

Durga Puja is an autumnal festival to worship Goddess Durga. While this is a Hindu festival, the celebrations in Kolkata are of grand proportions that break religious boundaries and adopt a secular flavour. The whole city is covered with lights, and marquees are erected in various parks and neighbourhoods to install the Durga idol. The festival lasts for five days. People walk the streets in colourful clothes and the city is awake all five days and nights. The celebrations reach carnival proportions and Kolkata becomes a living art gallery!

In addition to a host of tourist places in Kolkata, there are a host of tourist attractions in the visit that can be reached by bus, cars or local trains. This heading is discussed in more details later in this post. Read this post, a Complete Guide to Durga Puja in Kolkata for everything you need to know to attend. 

If you are a planning a trip, you should keep at least 3 or 4 days on hand for Kolkata sightseeing. While the places are not far, most tourist activity here require some time. Kolkata has a robust public transport city by way of bus, trams, yellow taxis, radio cabs, local trains, metro and ferries across Ganga. One may also choose to rent a car but if you want a more authentic experience, go with the flow. While the local language is Bangla, most people understand and speak a workable amount of Hindi and English so even if you are not conversant in Bangla, you should be fine. Solely based on my personal favourites, below is a list of the most popular places to see in Kolkata.

Victoria Memorial

Dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria, this magnificent marble structure in the heart of Kolkata carries an extensive collection of marble statues, artifacts, oil paintings, and old manuscripts. It is now a museum that also has a dedicated Calcutta gallery. The well-maintained sprawling lawns around the building are called the lungs of the city.

Indian Museum

The Indian Museum bears the honour of being the largest and perhaps the oldest museum in Asia. It has a host of galleries with a rich collection of objects of art and natural history. As a child we loved the dinosaur skeleton and the mummy remains on display here. As an adult, I tend to gravitate towards the ancient art and textile galleries. The Indian Museum is not far from the Victoria Museum so if you are a museum buff, this museum can easily take you the entire day.

Birla Planetarium

The Birla Planetarium is located opposite to the Victoria Memorial. They have regular shows on astronomy, space science and Indian philosophy in connection with stars and planets. The projection is on a spherical ceiling which makes the visual so much more real. The show times are divided as per audio language – English, Bangla, and Hindi. I first visited this place as a six-year-old and was totally awestruck. I visited the Planetarium again last year and it did not fail to engage me as an adult.

St. Paul’s Cathedral

If you are in the Victoria Memorial – Birla Planetarium area, you are in the vicinity of another beautiful building, St. Paul’s Cathedral. The cathedral was completed in the year 1847 and is a great en of example of Gothic architecture in India. I especially love the powerful organ they have been playing here since forever. St. Paul’s Cathedral holds the best Christmas service in Kolkata that I have attended. The sound of the organ bellowing under the high ceilings gave me goose bumps. Because of the surging crowds, the Christmas service these days is restricted to the members of the parish.

Howrah Bridge

Howrah Bridge is iconic to Kolkata. It is a suspension-type, balanced cantilever bridge on the River Hooghly and is adjacent to Howrah Station, the largest and oldest railway station in the city. No wonder it sees heavy traffic and footfall daily. Howrah Bridge is a beautiful piece of industrial architecture and has been featured by the Hindi film industry, aka Bollywood, in a loads of movies since the 1950s. If you are not clicked with Howrah Bridge in the backdrop, others would doubt if you have really been to Kolkata.

Kalighat Temple

The Kalighat Temple ranks high among tourist places in Kolkata. The shrine houses a very unique and abstract idol of Goddess Kali and is considered to be an extremely holy Hindu pilgrimage. The temple in its present form was built in early 1800s in the Chala or Bengal hut style. It is located in the southern part of Kolkata and draws huge number of devotees every day of the year.

Places to visit near Kolkata

In addition to the famous places in Kolkata, there are an endless number tourism options around the city. For covering the popular ones, you would need at least a month. Here is a list of some of the top tourist places to visit near Kolkata. 

Shantiniketan

Shantiniketan, about 165 kilometres from Kolkata, is a university town that was made famous by Rabindranath Tagore. It is the headquarters of Biswa Bharati University. The beautifully designed campus, replete with intriguing wall art, statues, and sculptures, invokes a sense of peace.

Bishnupur temple town has a rich collection of terracotta temples. Built by the Malla dynasty during the 17th century, Bishnupur is about 150 kilometres from Kolkata and was a hub of music and art in previous years. In addition to the grand temples, one can get a feel of the cultural pursuits of Bengal in Bishnupur .

Sunderbans or Sundarban (“Beautiful Forest”) is a mangrove forest area about 100 kilometres from Kolkata. The mangrove forest was formed by the confluence of several rives and the delta they created: Ganga, Meghna (Bangladesh) and Brahmaputra. This place is extremely rich in biodiversity. Sunderbans are home to the famous Royal Bengal Tiger.

READ: Guide to the Sunderbans in India .

Digha Beach

Digha is a beach on the Bay of Bengal. It is about 200 kilometres from Kolkata and takes about four hours to reach. It is a popular picnic spot and draws huge crowd during holiday season.

Darjeeling is the most popular hill station in West Bengal and is part of the Himalayan range. It is an overnight journey from Kolkata. The town was developed as a holiday destination in the British era. Apart from natural beauty of the Himalayas, is an eclectic fusion of British as well as local Bhutia and Nepalese cultures. Taking the “toy train” up to Darjeeling is a special treat. 

Pro-tips from a Kolkata travel expert

Kolkata is close to the sea, which makes it humid except for the winter months. Summer lasts from April until September and may not be comfortable for tourist activities. End of September until March is the best time to visit Kolkata.

Apart from historical places in Kolkata, you could also look out for happening night life in Park Street area. It is a thriving city so all modern amenities and medical facilities are easily available. That said, Kolkata offers old world charm like no other city in India and that keeps drawing us back to this romantic City of Joy time and again.

Insider’s Guide to Kolkata: A guest post by Kolkata local Bedabrata Chakraborty of Delhi-Fun-Dos.

Bedabrata, along with Sundeep, runs the award winning travel and lifestyle blog Delhi-Fun-Dos.com. A favourite of tourism boards and sought after for reviewing heritage properties as well as luxury travel, they have a unique approach. They not only cover popular sightseeing options but also write about local arts, crafts and cuisine.

First time in Kolkata by Mariellen

In 2010, I was hosted by India Tourism on a trip to Kolkata, Darjeeling , and Sikkim . These are my memories of Kolkata.

I traveled for about a year in India, altogether, almost always by myself — with no guide, no group, no tour, no accomplice — before visiting Kolkata for the first time in 2010. But in spite of all that experience, I felt like an India newbie in Kolkata. I found the city overwhelming. In Kolkata I felt out of my depths. The city is so immense and sprawling, with every single inch occupied by something or someone, and most of it in a state of decay.

Luckily I was in Kolkata as a guest of India Tourism, and they took care of everything. I was met at the airport by Shrabani, my guide, and later I met Sattarupa of India Tourism. I stayed in a good hotel (the New Kenilworth), that was centrally located, I had a car and driver, and a guide who listened to me. Shrabani and I spent three days driving around the city as I attempted to get a handle on it.

Kolkata is immensely rich in both history and notoriety. It is known for being home to some of the world’s poorest people and one of the darkest moments in British colonial history (from the British perspective): the Black Hole of Calcutta. But also, it was the capital of the British Raj until 1911; it has spawned some of the 20th century’s greatest Indians, such as Sri Aurobindo, Rabindranath Tagore and Satyajit Ray; and it was the inspiration for Mother Teresa to fulfill her potential as a saintly person.

I went to Kolkata with my imagination filled by mythic images and ideas and I think it will take some time for me to process my impressions. I honestly cannot tell whether Kolkata failed to live up to my expectations; or whether it surpassed them to the point of overwhelming satiation. I can say one thing for sure: I have never been anywhere like Kolkata before. At times it reminded me of Havana, at times London, at times other big Indian cities. But it is very unique and I think I would need to spend more time there to appreciate and understand its positive qualities.

I met the Mother Superior of Loreto Convent School when I was in Darjeeling, and she had been in Kolkata for years. She said, “I love Kolkata!” with genuine affection. I was really surprised and curious, and I asked her why. She explained that Kolkata  is a very human city; it’s not like a city, but more like a very large small town. She said it reminded her of villages in Ireland where she grew up. “The people are so warm and helpful,” she said. She really gave me pause.

The problem with being a tourist is that you get such a superficial experience of a place. You need to live there to really know it. I love Delhi because I have lived there, and I have got to know it. Kolkata is likely one of those places that grows on you; that you learn to love. Like Delhi, it is not that tourist friendly, not a very easy place. But familiarity with such places often breeds affection.

The highlight of my three days in Kolkata was the morning we went to Dakshineshwar Temple and then took a boat ride on the Hoogly River (the lower Ganges) to get to the Belur Math on the other side, downstream. This temple was at the top of my must-see list: I have come across mentions of it in several places, including the book Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramhansa Yogananda, and it has been recommended to me by many people. I was not disappointed. I found it to be a peaceful, calm and yet intensely spiritual place — which is the perfect ‘energetic mix’ for me.

The main temple is dedicated to Kali, the goddess of Kolkata. The complex also includes 10 Shiva lingams and a shallow pit that was used for animal sacrifice. It also houses a small, simple hut where Ramakrishna meditated before starting his mission proclaiming that all religions are all the same.

I lined up to offer flowers to Kali and lit incense to bless the women of my family (including an as-yet-unborn niece!) and I felt very moved, very emotional. I felt the power of the place. From there we negotiated getting a boat to ourselves to go down the river to Belur Math, which is the extremely well-maintained headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission. I loved the peace and order of this place, such a contrast to the chaos and decay of much of the rest of Kolkata.

There is a memorial to Vivekananda and a very unique temple that was designed to represent all the world’s great religions. No photography was allowed, so I didn’t get a picture of the temple, but I did sneak a few snaps, much to the chagrin of my guide, Shrabani. She was understandably worried that she would be blamed for my lapse, so I told her her just to walk away and pretend she doesn’t know me.

Another highlight was the short visit we made to Mother Teresa’s home. This moved me more than I imagined it would. I loved the simplicity of the place, and the easy accessibility of her tomb — where, inexplicably, pictures were allowed. I was also quite fascinated to see her tiny, simple room, where she died under a crown of thorns hung on the wall, a religious artifact she had fashioned herself.

As we were leaving, Shrabani and I were talking to a lovely young nun, wearing the familiar white and blue sari of the Missionaries of Charity, when an old nun, bent over with age walked in, and we all got a start as she bore an uncanny resemblance to Mother Teresa. She also emanated a power that is quite indescribable, but we all felt it. I got chills and really felt moved, for the second time in Kolkata. The first time was at the Dakshineshwar Kali Temple.

The other place I loved in Kolkata was, by chance, across the street from my hotel. One morning just after breakfast I walked over to the Aurobindo Bhavan, without knowing what I would find. Turns out, it was the birthplace of Sri Aurobindo, and it is now a peaceful cultural and meditation centre in honour of the great Bengali thinker and spiritual leader. My teacher, Swami Brahmdev at Aurovalley Ashram near Haridwar is a disciple of Sri Aurobindo’s teachings.

Other highlights of my stay in Kolkata included sampling the famous Bengali sweets — one day, Shrabani and I went to Halidram’s and ate sweets for lunch! — having dinner with Sattarupa from India Tourism at the historic Tollygunge Club, walking around the Victoria Memorial and strolling in the Maidan, and visiting Kumartuli, the area where the figures of Kali and other Hindu gods are made. We walked down several narrow, close streets lined with small workshops where artisans were building the figures that are made of wooden frames, covered with straw and then clay. The final touches are paint and clothing, but when we were there, it was still early in the process. Most of the figures are used during Durga Puja and Kali festivals in the fall.

I also went to a Jain temple, Rabrindanath Tagore’s house, shopping for a Bengali cotton sari, and the Marble Palace — which “apparently” houses two paintings by Rubens (among a jumble of other trash and treasures). I saw one called the Marriage of St. Catherine, but I have no idea whether this a real Rubens or not. The collection is housed in an old mansion, and the whole thing has an “it and I have decayed together” air about it, a line from Great Expectations, if you don’t know your Dickens.

No pictures were allowed here either — come to think of it, no pictures were allowed just about everywhere I went! But I walked away from my guide and took a few anyway. I cannot justify breaking the rules … except to say that my intentions were not dishonourable and I have always treated rules as suggestions.

Kolkata is the centre of the tea trade in India. India Tourism arranged for me to meet a tea master. Unfortunately I missed the tea auctions, which have been taking place in Kolkata for at least 150 years, but I had a very nice and informative time at the offices of Contemporary Tea Company, whose tea gardens are in Assam (Diksam Estate). The tea master taught me how to taste tea and I discovered it’s a lot like wine tasting.

I also visited the Botanical Gardens, famous for one of the world’s largest banyan tree, which is estimated to be about 250 years old. The trunk died and rotted away many years ago; all that’s left are the aerial roots.

In retrospect, I cannot believe I packed in so much into two-and-half days!  But no wonder I felt so tired, sweaty and grimy at the end of each day. I spent so much time running around, but perhaps not enough time just sitting still and getting to know Kolkata. I don’t regret it. It’s just too bad there wasn’t enough time for me to get a better sense of the people, the place and the culture.

I never got to Kalighat and the main Kali temple. My guide felt it was too crowded and unpleasant. I could have insisted, they would have taken me there … but as always in India I try to be very aware of the signs and signals, and they seemed to be gently dissuading me. Also, I felt completely satisfied with my puja at the Dakshineshwar Kali temple. So, in the end, on my last morning in Kolkata, I chose to go to Sri Aurobindo Bhavan instead. I’m sure Swamiji would be pleased.

While in Kolkata, I was a guest of India Tourism. But as always, views expressed are my own and are in no way influenced by accepting a press trip. 

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About Mariellen Ward

Professional travel writer Mariellen Ward is the founder of award-winning Breathedreamgo. Mariellen has a BA in Journalism and has been travel writing and blogging since 2005. She has won many awards, including a National Tourism Award from Incredible India Tourism, and writes for some of the world’s leading publications including BBC Travel and NatGeo Traveller India.

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• 24 Influential Travel Bloggers Of 2024 Who Fuel Our Wanderlust

24 Dec 2021

We all have heard at least one of our colleagues talk about ditching it all to travel the world, but how often do people make a career out of being on a permanent or partial vacation? Not many. These are some influential social-media-savvy travellers and digital nomads who’re inspiring people to do what makes them happy and venture into the unknown. So, here is our list of 24 top travel bloggers in India and let’s see what these top travel bloggers in India have to say about their travel love. FYI: The list is in no particular order and hence, does not indicate the ranking of bloggers.

24 Most Influential Travel Bloggers of India.

From brilliant photographers to solo travellers, these travel bloggers are a true inspiration to the people who love to travel and explore. Check our list of top travel bloggers in India to know more about them.

1. Neelima Vallangi

A brilliant, brilliant photographer and solo traveller, Neelima Vallangi is a true inspiration to budding travellers and explorers. If you’re having a bad day, just go to her Instagram profile and scroll through her feed for some refreshing pictures of heavenly landscapes. Neelima is a trekker, adventurer, and you will mostly find her in the mighty Himalayas.

What prompted Neelima to go on her first journey?

She started her travel journey in 2008. It was her trip to Ladakh with her family when she first witnessed India’s diversity. Her first time in the Himalayas turned into an obsession.

What kind of travel does Neelima like?

Neelima is a sucker for adventure, trekking, and anything that involves travelling to the magnificent Himalayas.

What are Neelima’s top travel experiences?

She has stalked a snow leopard in Ladakh, snorkelled in one of the world’s most pristine coral reefs, hiked for a whole month in Turkey, explored the vast steppes of Mongolia by a truck for weeks, spent a lot of time in the snowfields and slopes of Himalayas.

Blog | Facebook  

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2. Archana Singh

Archana Singh is an award-winning travel writer and speaker. Her impressive storytelling and photography skills have made her travel blog extremely popular around the world. Archana’s social feed is a testimony of her travel adventures and she is definitely one of the travel bloggers you must follow on Instagram . 

What prompted you to go on your first journey?

Thanks to an army background and hostel life, I have been traveling since I was a kid. But one trip that changed my outlook on solo travel was my trip to Europe in 2012. I was a bundle of nerves when I went on that trip, but since then, there has been no looking back.

What’s your favourite travel destination?

Japan. I loved it for the unique mix of culture and modernity it offers. I visited it during the autumn season when the whole country was ablaze with autumn foliage.

What’s that one travel gadget you always keep in your backpack?

Camera either in the form of a mobile phone or a DSLR/GoPro.

Do you have a favorite travel book or a travel movie?

Into the Wild for presenting the true essence of travel and finding oneself while travelling to unknown territories.

A piece of advice for all the wanderlust-ERS out there?

Travel is like an addiction and you can never have enough of it. With every travel, you grow as an individual. My only advice would be to travel with an explorer’s open mind and be adaptable. The humbler and grounded you become, the more love you get in return. Also, travel for the love of travel not just for the GRAM.

A travel quote that always inspires you to travel.

Happiness is only real when shared.

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3. Seema Gurnani

When talking about top travel and food bloggers, Seema Gurnani is the first name that pops up in the minds of individuals. Starting her journey of ‘Panda Reviewz’ in Vijayawada, this award-winning 24-year-old star quit her comfortable job and started to take the road of thrill and excitement. A zeal for exploring the nooks and new tastes is what keeps this young entrepreneur going!

My first, and the most memorable journey till date, was my first solo escape trip to Goa when I had just turned 16. The curiosity and passion to explore new destinations, cultures, and most importantly – the food. This resulted in a lifetime memorable trip.

Your favourite travel destination

Goa and Auroville remain my personal favourites among all the places I have visited in India. In abroad, Melaka (Malaysia) takes the crown. For yet-to-visit destinations, backpacking through Europe remains at the top of my wish list.

One travel gadget you always keep in your backpack

I’m Dora and my smartphone is the arsenal of my exploring tools. From local maps to translating languages, to capturing beautiful memories, to get all the updated information; Everything is possible because of this trustworthy companion.

Your favourite travel book/movie of all time

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Queen, Eat Pray Love

A piece of advice for all the wanderlust-ERS out there

Don’t wait for the perfect moment, take the moment and make it perfect by getting to where you wish to be. If your heart is set to travel, just pack up your bags, head out, and explore what all this planet has to give you that will make the moments and memories of your life.

A travel quote that always inspires you to travel

Travelling is brutality. It forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all that familiar comforts of home and friends. You are constantly off balance. Nothing is yours except the essential things. -air, sleep, dreams, the sea, the sky – all things tending towards the eternal or what we imagine of it.

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4. Ajay Sood

A travel photographer by profession and passion, Ajay Sood is one of the top Indian travel bloggers of India. His Instagram feed is an array of incredible landscapes, people, streets, and architecture. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that he has covered most of the continents during his travel.

I was 9 years old and my parents had to visit my grandparents’ place in Phagwara, which is a town 35km from my hometown, Ludhiana. My grandma was a brilliant cook. So, visiting her was always a treat. I insisted I’ll also come to Phagwara after school gets over. So, I travelled alone as a 9-year old. And, ever since, got hooked on travel.

That destination had remained on my bucket list for decades. It was only in late November 2017, when I finally visited Iceland. The place has all the magic I had expected. It has some of the largest glaciers in Europe you can snowmobile for miles on, craziest eerie ice caves that you can sing in, sprawling natural Jacuzzis (thermal baths) for sipping a chilled beer in arctic winters, Northern lights that remind you of a discotheque, caves filled with centuries-old lava, stunning landscape you can’t get enough of, gigantic waterfalls that inspire awe, and… and a large number of ‘Game of Thrones’ locations.

My iPhone with scores of apps that range from Translate Voice Pro (my go-to app in countries where very few can communicate in English), The Photographer’s Ephemeris (it tells me the sunrise/sunset time and direction of the sun at any spot I plan to shoot in), Night Sky (helps me find the Pole Star during my Astro-photography night outs), and many more.

Do you have a favourite travel book or a travel movie?

My favourite movie is ‘Into the wild’. The biographical story of Christopher from ‘Alexander Supertramp’ to ‘The Magic Bus’ is a story of someone who is a true explorer at heart. My favourite book is ‘Atlas Obscura’. As the foreword of the book mentions it, this book is not for travellers, but for explorers.

Here’s a money-saving travel hack. When abroad, don’t exchange currency. Use ATM. You’ll save around 8%. A travel quote that always inspires you to travel. Leave behind only footsteps. Bring back only memories.

5. Shivya Nath

A prominent name in the travel industry, Shivya needs no introduction. At the age of 23, she quit her comfortable and high-paying corporate job to travel the world. This solo female traveller has packed her life into a backpack and now inspiring people around the world to do what they love. She has travelled in parts of Africa, Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, the Caucasus region and the Indian subcontinent.

How does Shivya like to travel?

Shivya is an offbeat traveller who loves to explore the lesser-explored parts of the world. She likes to go slow while travelling, go under the skin of a place, talk to the locals, and live her stay. She’s usually seen travelling solo in the lesser-known countries and cities of Europe.

Tips to save money for travel?

1. Don’t do unnecessary shopping and find free hobbies to keep you entertained and busy at weekends. 2. Avoid eating out in restaurants and cafes. You can easily save INR 500 to INR 1000 a day. 3. Shivya recommends working online. 4. Sell the things you don’t need. 5. Get rid of that credit card and save for small and budget trips.

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6. Ami Bhat

A restless ball of energy, Ami is a wanderer for life and one of the top Indian travel bloggers. She’s a photography enthusiast and a travel blogger by passion. Ami is a total sucker for heritage destinations, turquoise beaches, and lofty mountains. 

Honestly, I don’t recall my first journey. It was just a natural progression of things. However, my earliest memories of my travel for leisure abroad was with my parents as I toured the Far East (Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and the Philippines). It was our family holiday together and for some reason, though I was just 7, I remember it all.

I don’t have one, I have many and it keeps increasing. For now, Ladakh, Meghalaya, Bhutan, Gold Coast, and Udaipur.

My Camera. I just cannot travel without it.

My favourite movie I would say is Queen.

Travel not to tick off lists. Travel coz you want to enjoy what you see and experience.

Travelling is like Breathing.

7. Nivedith Gajapathy

In 2015, Nivedith Gajapathy quit his Digital Marketing job to explore the world. Other than being a traveller, Nivedith is an experienced collector, foodie, and tech-savvy guy. His blog offers insights into food, culture, and lifestyle of different communities around the world. Nivedith is among the most famous travel bloggers in India, and if you want some serious travel inspiration, you need to follow him on his journey.

I have been travelling with family all my life, but the trip that changed the way I travel was my solo trip to Malaysia, which actually made me realize that it is the journey that matters, not the destination and that’s when I started seriously documenting my experience on social media channels and blog as well.

My personal favourite has been Australia. Although I have just seen 0.1% of this beautiful country, I will be doing a solo 1-month-long trip to Australia again in the near future.

As a tech-freak, half of my baggage allowance goes into gadgets. When I travel, I primarily rely on my phone and DSLR.

My favorite travel movies are Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and EuroTrip.

A piece of advice for all the wanderlust-ERS out there .

Don’t Plan a trip, live it. I prefer doing impromptu trips and that’s where the journey counts.

Travel is the only thing that you buy, that makes you richer.

Wanna Get Paid To Travel? Check Out 10 Lucrative Careers For The Wanderer In You!

8. Umang Trivedi

One of the top travel bloggers of India, Umang Trivedi loves to explore the remote corners of the world. He’s an adventurer, mountain lover and an admirer of unspoiled nature. Umang has conquered mountain peaks like Rupin Pass and Stok Kangri.

For me, the discovery of beautiful landscapes and immersive experiences is very exhilarating. The urge to discover something new and unique, which is not possible in everyday life, prompted me to go on my first journey.

Bhutan would forever remain my favourite travel destination. In fact, I started writing about my travels after paying a visit to Bhutan . The surreal landscapes and friendly people with great hospitality left an everlasting impression on me.

I recently purchased a GoPro and since then, I have always made sure of keeping it. It’s very easy to handle and produces great results for both, photos and videos.

My favourite travel movie would be The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. I love how he takes brave decisions in the breathtaking backdrop of Iceland and then continue to go on adventures that bring him closer to his purpose.

At least once, you should go somewhere unplanned. No bookings, no reservations, no itinerary. Just go and see where the road takes you. I used to plan my itineraries very intricately to not miss out on things. But, since I started travelling in an unplanned manner, I find my travels to be much more fulfilling.

“It’s not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.” – Edmund Hilary.

9. Abhinav Singh

Abhinav has travelled to more than 200 destinations in past 10 years in India and abroad. He was fired from his corporate job of 7 years for travelling too much. After about of depression and anxiety he changed his situation to advantage and became a successful travel blogger within the 1st year of blogging.

My first independent solo trip was to Chennai, Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry in 2010. It was an emotional journey as I was revisiting the place to re-live the special memories I made there some years ago. I loved managing everything on my own. The financial power—thanks to my first job—gave me the ability to do things my way in a new place. The freedom and the new sensory stimulations excited and inspired me. Since then I am hooked.

I have been to more than 200 places in India in the last 10 years and also visited many countries. However, Mumbai remains my favourite place. Ever since I have left it, I go back at least once a year to visit Mumbai. Goa, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh are also close to my heart.

One travel gadget you always keep in your backpack.

I keep it really simple. I can not travel without my DSLR and cellphone. Yes, I am a digital slave.

Your favourite travel book/movie of all time.

My favourite travel books are Rediscovering Dharavi, Hot Tea Across India, To The Ends Of The World, Falling Off The Map, Into The Wild, Motorcycle Diaries.

My favourite travel movies are, Dhanak, Ye Jawani Hai Diwani, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Wild, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Into The Wild.

A piece of advice for all the wanderlust-ERS out there. Stay humble about travel. Do not conquer mountains, love and protect it instead. Do not be in a hurry to travel too much too soon. Enjoy travel at a slow place. And most importantly, be a responsible traveller. Please do not take a ride on elephants, horses or buy plastic mineral water bottles.

A travel quote that always inspires you to travel. India is the one land that all men desire to see, and having seen once, by even a glimpse, would not give that glimpse for all the shows of all the rest of the globe combined. – Mark Twain

36 Most Famous Festivals Of India You Must Experience In 2022

10. Indrani Ghose

Indrani is no ordinary traveller. A fun and courageous wanderer, she’s an ex-Indian Air Force employee, who once dreamt of travelling around the globe. From Singapore to Portugal and Jaisalmer to Guwahati, she has travelled to over 21 countries and 250+ cities till now. She has done many road trips across Europe and Southeast Asia with her family. She is also known as one of the best travel bloggers in India . 

We as a family, place travel as a must-do thing during vacations. I think it is in the genes. My parents have taken us, siblings, out during vacations and now I travel with my family often. For us, travel is another kind of learning experience, something which is impossible to get in schools and colleges.

It is all the Unesco World Heritage sites. Our road trips in different countries have been planned along with the Unesco sites of that country. The last major road trip we did was through Spain and Portugal – 3155kms. We covered 23 sites on this trip alone.

I am not a big fan of tech gadgets but mobiles with google maps, a good camera and a good collection of music have been a constant companion on our road trips.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is my most favourite travel book now.

I am not sure if I am there yet to advise, but I would like to say, travel responsibly. Travellers today travel to the remotest part, popularise it and the next thing we know a horde of tourists marching to the newly discovered destination spoiling it in the process. Respect locals, their lifestyle and their privacy.

“Wherever you go, go with all your heart.” – Confucius

11. Swati & Sam

A software engineer duo, Swati and Sam are among the top Indian travel bloggers in the luxury travel segment. They have travelled to 16 international destinations and to many corners of Indian towns and cities. Now the pair are the go-to travel guides for travellers in and around the world.

It’s difficult to pick one. We love Bali, Maldives, Seychelles, Switzerland and Thailand.

Powerbank is what we need with us on our trips.

Under the Tuscan Sun, Lost in Translation, and Into the wild

Don’t overthink. If budget is a constraint, you can spend your weekends exploring nearby places.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sail. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Taiwan

9 Historical Places In Mauritius To Visit In 2022 That Tells A Great Deal About This Country!

12. Agniswar and Amrita

Two backpackers from Kolkata, Agniswar and Amrita love to explore and look for unconventional experiences and destinations. Amrita is adventurous while Agni always wanted to play safe. Together they’ve faced hailstorms of the Himalayas, did scuba diving 12 metres below sea level, froze during Chadar River trek and even got stuck at a riot in Jammu. They share their stories of adventure and fun on their awesome blog, which makes them one of the most influential Indian travel bloggers.

The travelling bug had bitten us long back. The first trip we took together was way back in 2011 in Goa. We wanted to see the crazy world and Goa seemed to be the best place. One trip followed another and finally on our Amarnath trip, we did find the travellers in us.

Your favourite travel destination.

Northeast India is our favourite destination. We love the rugged and unexplored terrains and the varied cultures and customs of the Northeast lure us the most.

Our Camera, smartphone, and power bank

Our favourite book is Journey to Lhasa – The Diary of a Spy by Sarat Chandra Das. We both love a movie called “The Way Back”.

Travel as if no one is watching you. Travel makes you admire the smaller beauties of life. Do not just tick off your list of things to do. Enjoy a place and experience the culture and cuisines of the place. Travelling is not just about numbers, it is about the experience.

“Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before” – Dalai Lama

13. Prachi & Himadri Garg

Prachi & Himadri Garg are two sisters who have been exploring unexplored India for the last 8 years. Popularly known as Ghoomophirosisters, the two women are among the most famous travel bloggers in India. They have recently been awarded by MP Tourism as their best friend on Social Media in travel awards 2016 and by Gujarat Tourism Board for their services.

In Feb 2007, there was a forecast for a sub-zero temp in Delhi, this pushed us to pack our bags and plan a trip to Shimla. This was our first solo backpack trip as ghoomophirosisters where-in we planned an impromptu trip without any prep. Since then, there has been no looking back.

Our DSLR Nikon-750

Our favourite travel movie is Everest.

Don’t think about the perfect time. Just pack your bags and travel.

“All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost.” – J.R.R. Tolkien

4 Enchanting Islands Near Phi Phi That Will Leave You Awe-Struck!

14. Mayuri Patel

If you want to learn how to travel with your full-time job, Mayuri is the person you should follow. She believes that in every aspect routine is lethal and hence, she keeps a balance of work and travel to make her life sweet and salty. You can follow her adventures on her blog.

I took my first trip in 2011 to Rajasthan. This was the start and those feelings of liberation and seeking new destinations, culture and experiences triggered my travel journey. From that year onward, I started exploring more and more and gradually I fell in love with travelling.

Kasmir, India. It has everything a traveller wants. I am a mountain person and I wouldn’t deny that Kashmir is heaven on the earth .

My Mobile Phone and DSLR.

I don’t watch many movies but I love Dil Chahta Hai and Ye Jawani Hai Diwani. If we talk about books, Azadi Mera Brand by Anuradha Beniwal is my fav.

Don’t plan too much while you leave your home. Don’t live only by guidebooks. Engage with locals who can give you more recommendations about the destinations. Also, put some flexibility in your schedule and go with the flow.

“The most dangerous risk of All – The risk of spending your life not doing what you want on the bet you can buy yourself the freedom to do it later.”

15. Karthik Murali H

A data scientist by profession and a travel my heart, Karthik is among the top travel bloggers of India. His interesting blog talks about travel, lifestyle, and technology. Want some smart travel hacks? An Asian Traveller can be your go-to guide.

I’ve been travelling since my childhood, at least to a min of two destinations per year. Ever since it caught on as a passion and I have begun to explore more and more destinations each year thanks to the lower airfares, more direct flights, it just got a whole lot easier.

Nothing has fascinated me more than the beautiful city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Digital Camera. No mobile cameras can replace the 300 dpi quality of a digicam.

Plan your travel in a way it doesn’t affect your budget a lot. Find low flight fares during sales and book in advance. Don’t compromise on comfort and quality. Travel is not about seeing new places. It’s about being comfortable in your own space wherever you are. Never let go of that.

No amount of education or degrees can teach you the same.

9 Best Hotels In Nashik: Assuring Unmatched Comfort Under Budget

16. Archana & Vidur

This awesome travelling couple is an inspiration to many. While Vidur is responsible for clicking the most gorgeous pictures for TravelMyNation, Archana keeps their travel adventures. Their Instagram profile is where one should go for some real travel inspiration.

I think it was the urge to see what’s out there. Archana and I are both very fond of the outdoors, are curious about wildlife and generally love being on the road. That’s how we started and we haven’t looked back since then.

Your favourite travel destination Of the ones we visited, we love Arunachal Pradesh the most. And in our bucket list are Mongolia and New Zealand.

GoPro Action camera and iPhones

Why We Ride and Into The Wild

Everybody travels now but only a few engage in ecotourism/responsible tourism. Our advice to all the wanderlusts out there is to make sure that they leave very little carbon footprint wherever they go!

A travel quote that always inspires you to travel “I don’t want to know what time it is. I don’t want to know what day it is or where I am. None of that matters.”

Reshma’s itchy feet have made her a popular solo globetrotter. A writer and dream-chaser, she loves to take the roads less travelled on a shoestring budget. Laos, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Bhutan, Thailand, and Cambodia are some of the nations Reshma has ticked off the bucket list.

I had been travelling with friends and family for many years, which I thoroughly enjoyed. But at some point, I felt like planning a trip to travel by myself. So I went on a weekend trip alone, and I loved it absolutely. That trip led to many trips, and solo travel became a part of my life.

Your favourite travel destination .

I find this question really hard to answer every time. I can’t pick just one. So I would choose the Philippines and Bhutan.

It is not exactly a travel gadget, but I always carry my music player.

My favourite travel movie is Into the Wild. When it comes to books, I have many, but I think it is The Motorcycle Diaries.

Sometimes, it is okay to skip a ‘popular attraction’ for any reason, whether you lack time or interest or both. The FOMO while travelling can never be avoided no matter how much you try because the world is just too big and we are going to miss experiencing one thing or the other. So accept that it’s totally fine.

“When no possessions keep us when no countries contain us, and no time detains us, man becomes a heroic wanderer, and woman, a wanderers.” The Wanderers

Royal Enfield India Bhutan Road Trip 2017: An Account Of Our Most Incredible Bike Journey!

18. Sahil Singh

Sahil left his corporate job in 2017 to quench his travel thirst. He’s a big-time foodie and believes in responsible travel. One can say Sahil is a weekend getaway expert.

I use to travel a lot with my family earlier, but in March 2017, I took a life-changing decision to travel with 20 strangers on a Himalayan trek for the first time. This trip changed my perspective about travel.

What’s your favourite travel destination?

Ladakh (going in June), till now – Triund, Bhrigu Lake, Jaisalmer

What’s that one travel gadget you always keep in your backpack?

I call my smartphone my best travel partner, so for its survival, I always carry a power bank.

Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani, Highway, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara

Travel is a beautiful feeling and a great teacher too. You learn a lot from the experiences you gather while travelling. So, just take a break from the mundane lifestyle of cities, plan a small or a long trip to any place of your choice. But, always remember to travel in a responsible manner. Never spoil the dignity of the place you are visiting to especially nature.

A travel quote that always inspires you to travel. “Looking for a sign? Travel, you won’t have this opportunity forever.”

19. Niranjan Das

A nomad, Niranjan has travelled throughout India and covered over 10 countries in Europe and Asia. He believes that life is a travelogue and we all are just nomads.

The inquisitiveness to explore unknown places, languages, cultures and roads were the reason behind my early travels. The reasons remain the same even now, every time I travel.

Cannot pick one, as I love quite a few. Gokarna, Spiti, Rishikesh and Florence heads the list.

More than gadgets, I make sure to carry guide books and maps of the places I travel to.

Motorcycle Diaries and Into the Wild are my favourites.

The world out there isn’t as bad as it is often portrayed. There are strangers who are friendly, there are untrodden roads that take you to gorgeous places and there are unexplored villages that would greet you warmly. Go out and explore every nook and corner of the world.

“Travelling-It leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller”- Ibn Batuta.

6 Adventure Sports In Kochi That Will Let You Challenge Your Fears In 2022!

20. Supriya Sehgal

A wayfarer, Supriya has seen many colours and cultures of India during her travel. She has been contributing to prominent travel magazines and newspapers, including National Geographic Traveller, Outlook Traveller, and Mint to share her knowledge about travel with the world.

I wanted to get out of an expected Bangalore’s weekend rigmarole and explore a state that I hadn’t seen till then. It was the first time after college that I could travel independently, which was a big box to check.

That’s really difficult to answer, but I NEVER get bored of Varanasi.

Phone and battery pack.

Pico Iyer’s Falling off the map and The Sly Company of People Who Care by Rahul Bhattacharya

If travelling is a significant part of your profession, keep an eye on your progress alongside enjoying wandering about. Build realistic financial and skill development goals. This will help to keep the momentum on for a long time to come.

“I love to travel because you may be uncomfortable, hungry, hot and sweaty, cold and shivering…but damn it, you will never be bored.” – Tony Wheeler

Often found travelling through India’s vibrant and gorgeous towns and villages with her father, Arti is a wanderer at heart. One can find a lot of useful travel information on her blog.

I went on my first trip with my mom and dad, and all I can say is that I have only loved travelling ever since.

I love travelling within India. India is truly a wonderland for every traveller and I am no exception. Internationally, my favourite is Japan.

Not gadgets exactly, but a diary and a pen are always my companions on the road.

One of my favourite travel movies is Wild Chronicling Cheryl Strayed.

It’s not mine but a wise person’s advice. It’s a wild, wonderful world, follow your heart and let the adventure unfold!

“As I make my slow pilgrimage through the world, a certain sense of beautiful mystery seems to gather and grow.” – A. C. Benson

Visit Turkey In July To Explore The Ancient Ruins And Turquoise Beaches

A storyteller and rambler, Elita truly believes in the redemptive power of narratives. One can follow her blog Nomadic Thunker to be a part of her travel journeys.

My first journey was a classic scenario. I had office leaves that would lapse if I didn’t utilize them and on the other hand, had friends who wouldn’t make up their minds about the dates we could lock-in. I didn’t want to have to sit at home and do nothing, so I took off for my first solo travel journey.

Arunachal Pradesh. There’s a calm vibe to it.

Not a travel gadget exactly, but I always keep my portable charger with me.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach (it’s not a typical ‘travel’ book but it’s amongst the most beautiful books on journeys of transformation – which is what I associate travel with)

A piece of advice for all the wanderlust-ERS out there.

Be receptive. Mute your prejudices. Search, find, examine and then retell your own stories about people, places, and culture. Because if you’re going to say what ‘everyone else’ is already saying, what are you contributing to?

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” – Mary Oliver

23. Sumit Sharma

Sumit is an online marketer by profession and a traveller by passion. His love for India and its rich culture and heritage is eternal, which has led him to cover more than 15 cities of the nation.

My wanderlust started back in August 2016, when my friends and I travelled to Udaipur & Mount Abu. Udaipur is a really adorable city that casts a magic spell with its fine art, rich culture, and sparkling lakes that mesmerise your senses. In the last 21 months, I have been to more than 15+ Indian cities.

So, my favourite travel destination in India will obviously be Kashmir. It is one of the amazing tourist destinations in India & the real paradise on earth. Travelling to Kashmir is in my bucket list.

There are some essentials that I will not travel without are pen, notebook, and mobile. But nowadays universal travel adapters & portable chargers are my go-to travel gadgets.

“Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara” and “Eat Pray Love”

The skills and experience you gain from travelling can give you life-long lessons. Trust me! With all the ways a trip can make you more of an awesome person, there’s no other way.

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page”.

Udaipur Travel Tips: Know What To Do And Not To Do Before Visiting The City Of Lakes!

24. Revati & Charles Victor

A travel blogging couple from India, Revati and Charles Victor are proving to travel seekers that you don’t need to quit your jobs to travel with one awesome vacation at a time. Their travel blog opens doors to history, culture, flavours, and experiences from places around the world.

While both of us have enjoyed travel from a young age, we planned the trip of a lifetime to Paris after we got married. As someone who speaks French, I had always wanted to visit Paris and Charles is a big patron of the arts, so he could not wait to discover the museums of Paris.

It changes every day, but one favourite we always return to is Paris. Between us, we’ve been there over a dozen times!

Our camera. Currently is the Sony A7RIII

We loved ‘The Way’ which features the walk of Camino del Santiago from France to Spain and we hope to do that 800 km walk someday.

Travel with an open mind and heart, and you’ll always come away richer.

Mark Twain’s, ”Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” It’s such a powerful one.

Whether you are a travel enthusiast or not, these top travel bloggers in India will surely inspire your to travel and explore the magic of travel. Follow them to know about all the travel tips and amazing things you explore around you.

For our editorial codes of conduct and copyright disclaimer, please click here

Frequently Asked Questions About Top Travel Bloggers In India

How much travel bloggers earn in India?

Travel blogging has come out as a trending profession and people can actually 3-4 lakhs per month from a widely read blog.

How to start a travel blog in India?

The first step to start a travel blog in India is by creating a blog or a website. Then start posting your travel experiences along with sharing useful tips for the readers to travel better.

Who are the best travel bloggers in India?

Some of the best travel bloggers in India who are known for sharing their travel stories in the most beautiful way are Shivya Nath, Neelima Vallangi and Archana Singh.

How do Instagram travel bloggers make money?

Instagram travel bloggers can money through various sources like sponsored campaigns with tourism boards, destinations, hotels and airlines. Alongside that, there are other ways like sponsored posts, brand ambassadorship and also marketing consulting.

Who is a travel blogger?

A travel blogger is a person who travels and explore the world to take experiences and write them to earn from various online sources.

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10 Places to Visit in Kolkata + Things To Do

Kolkata, located in eastern India, is renowned as “the City of Joy” and is well-known for its stunning historical architecture and has spread along the banks of the Hooghly River in a straight line.

You can find colonial buildings, museums, art galleries, traditional cuisine, temples, live music, and theatre in Kolkata. It combines classic and contemporary elements. Kolkata is well-known for its theatre and movies. The city is home to Rabindranath Tagore, and every home may be heard playing Rabindra Sangeet. Kolkata is also known to be India’s most chaotic yet lively city. Take a day trip to Sundarbans and see the world-famous Bengal Tigers. Savour the local street food of Kolkata, and enjoy the world-famous Bengali sweets and deserts the Indo-Chinese historic restaurants are a must-visit.

The most convenient way to get to Kolkata is by air. There are connections between the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport and significant cities in India and Abroad.

To help with your trip planning, I’ve added links to the locations on Google Maps. Feel free to click/tap on the links posted below. Then, use the “save” feature on the Google Maps app for easy reference. But before you start ticking goals off your bucketlist, here are travel essentials & discounts you’ll need to check. Pre-book online for a hassle-free trip!

Kolkata travel essentials

Click below to compare rates & read reviews:

Kolkata Hotels Tours + discounts Flights

See also: Two Days in Kolkata: India Solo Travel 101 .

Popular tours & discounts booked by other travelers:

View all travel tips on: Kolkata .

1. Victoria Memorial

Location : Victoria Memorial Hall, 1, Queens Way, Maidan, Kolkata, West Bengal 700071, India . Save on Google Maps .

For more travel inspiration,  follow Detourista on :

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2. St. Paul’s Cathedral

Location : Cathedral Rd, Maidan, Kolkata, West Bengal 700071, India . Save on Google Maps .

3. Nakhoda Mosque (Nakhoda Masjid)

Location : Rabindra Sarani, Chowringhee North, Bow Barracks, Kolkata, West Bengal 700073, India . Save on Google Maps .

4. Bara Bazar

Location : Barabazar Market, Kolkata, West Bengal, India . Save on Google Maps .

5. Writers’ Building

Location : Binoy Badal Dinesh Bag N, Lal Dighi, B.B.D. Bagh, Kolkata, West Bengal 700001, India . Save on Google Maps .

6. B.B.D. Bagh

Location : Kolkata, West Bengal, India . Save on Google Maps .

7. St. Andrew’s Church

Location : 15, Binoy Badal Dinesh Bag N, Murgighata, Barabazar Market, Kolkata, West Bengal 700001, India . Save on Google Maps .

8. Chowringee Road & The Maidan

Location : Sreepally, Bhowanipore, Kolkata, West Bengal, India . Save on Google Maps .

9. Howrah Bridge

Location : Howrah, West Bengal 700001, India . Save on Google Maps .

10. Hooghly River

Location : Kolkata, India . Save on Google Maps .

Where to go near Kolkata

Mahabodhi Temple & Bodhgaya

Location : Bihar, India . Save on Google Maps .

Bodhgaya Travel Essentials

Where to stay

See more : Mahabodhi Temple & Bodhgaya travel tips

Beyond Kolkata

Location : Uttar Pradesh, India . Save on Google Maps .

Varanasi Travel Essentials

Where to stay Tours + discounts

See more : Varanasi travel tips

Taj Mahal & Agra

Agra Travel Essentials

Top discounts

Taj Mahal Fast Track Entry Ticket

3D2N Golden Triangle Tour from Delhi

Taj Mahal and Agra Fort Day Tour from Delhi

See more : Taj Mahal & Agra travel tips

Location : Delhi, India . Save on Google Maps .

New Delhi Travel Essentials

What places have you added to your bucketlist? Have you been to beautiful places in Kolkata that should be on this list? Feel free to share your thoughts!

Places to visit in Kolkata

Kolkata tourist spots, things to do in Kolkata, where to go in Kolkata & more.

Note: Destinations featured above are not listed by rank.

Where to Stay in Kolkata

Click below & search recommended Kolkata hotels/hostels/home rentals within your budget. Remember to set your  min/max price , travel dates, and  sort by review ratings . I often book online with these trusted booking sites below for rock-bottom prices & convenient bookings.

Agoda Booking.com

Book sooner rather than later if you already have your dates set. Cheaper-priced rooms and hotels with high reviews tend to get fully booked faster, especially during busy days like weekends, holidays & peak tourist seasons.

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Kalakar house.

“Top 10 Kolkata Travel Bloggers: Tales from the City of Joy”

1. Sayan Bakshi : @theorangeepistles

    Followers : 938K

    Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/theorangeepistles/?hl=en

Intro : Sayan Bakshi: Renowned for sharing travel, grooming, and fashion tips. Known for collaborations with numerous brands. Creativity boosts influencer marketing. Massive follower base attests to his popularity. Perfect for travel inspiration.

2.Nivrity Das : @nivrity_das

   Followers : 980K

   Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/nivrity_das/?hl=en

Intro : Nivrity Das: Kolkata-based blogger known for diverse content beyond beauty and lifestyle. Specializes in captivating travel diaries, particularly spotlighting West Bengal. Recognized as a top travel influencer in Kolkata for innovative and informative storytelling.

3.Priyambada Nayak : @priya_priyambada

    Followers : 371K

    Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/priya_priyambada/

Intro : Priya Priyambada: Long-time blogger known for her unique travel experiences and valuable content. Offers informative insights from weekend getaways to vacay looks. A must-follow for those seeking a blend of information and creativity in travel.

4.Rudrita Chatterjee : @rudritachatterjee

    Followers : 101K

    Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/rudritachatterjee/

Intro : Rudrita Chatterjee: Kolkata-based blogger renowned for enchanting travel tales and insightful guides. With footprints across the globe, she shares tips and tricks alongside her journeys. Boasts a large follower base due to her dedication and innovative approach to content. A must-follow for those seeking unique and captivating travel stories.

5.Dolon Dutta Chowdhury : @poutpretty

   Followers : 61.4K

    Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/poutpretty/?hl=en

Intro : Dolon: Kolkata-based blogger known for sharing travel secrets in a creative manner. Offers comprehensive travel guides from planning to best places to visit. A go-to source for detailed insights into various destinations.

6.Nikita Agarwal : @pentwister

  Followers : 31.2K

  Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/pentwister/?utm_source=ig_embed

Intro : Nikita: Seasoned globe-trotter sharing stylish travel adventures with her audience. Since 2011, she has built a large following by documenting her journeys, offering useful insights for fellow travelers. From hotel reviews to top destinations, her blog caters to all wanderers. Follow her for timeless travel inspiration.

7.Subhadip Mukherjee : @subhadipindia

     Followers : 7,086

     Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/subhadipindia/

Intro : Subhadeep Mukherjee: Photographer, blogger, and traveler known for his experimental approach to travel content. Highlights unique aspects often overlooked. Offers practical insights for vacation planning. Recognized as a top travel influencer in Kolkata for his creativity, research, and presentation skills. A go-to source for real-time travel guidance.

8.Sandeep Karmakar : @imsandeepkarmakar

      Followers : 473K

      Instagram :

https://www.instagram.com/imsandeepkarmakar/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=4e8056ef-fbd4-4061-bdc5-c34140beafa9

Intro : Sandeep Karmakar is a multi-talented individual with a diverse range of interests and skills. His Instagram profile showcases his journey through captivating visuals and engaging content. From travel adventures to lifestyle moments, Sandeep shares snippets of his life with his audience. With a keen eye for photography and a passion for exploration, he offers glimpses into various aspects of his life, inspiring others to embrace their own journeys. Follow Sandeep for a blend of creativity, inspiration, and positivity.

9. Ritika Jaiswal : @coyvintage

   Followers : 141K

    Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/coyvintage/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=218b741a-7b1d-4206-a25f-94b9068a1cf4

Intro : Coy Vintage is an Instagram profile dedicated to vintage fashion and style. With a curated collection of vintage clothing, accessories, and aesthetic inspirations, it offers a nostalgic journey into the past. From timeless pieces to retro vibes, Coy Vintage celebrates the beauty and uniqueness of vintage fashion. Followers can explore a blend of classic elegance and modern flair, making it a must-follow for vintage enthusiasts and fashion lovers alike.

10. Shreyashi Debnath Gupta : @shreyashidebnathofficial

        Followers : 102K

        Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/shreyashidebnathofficial/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=b3b42dbd-7a1d-413d-bbdf-a2e390e37ace

Intro : Shreyashi Debnath: Versatile content creator sharing diverse interests and talents on Instagram. Follow for captivating photography, fashion inspiration, and authentic storytelling.

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Top 10 Travel Bloggers in Kolkata | Travel blogger from Kolkata | Kolkata Travel Influencers

Such travel bloggers in kolkata who come in the list of famous travel influencers kolkata, if you want to know the names of the top 10 travel bloggers in kolkata and you are also fond of travel like them so you are on the right page right now. as you know, the craze of kolkata travel bloggers & influencers is going on right now, everyone dreams of becoming a travel blogger, and wants to complete it too. travel bloggers, who explore the entire world and share the experience of travel in their own unique way, so that everyone can know the benefits of traveling. that's why the instagram account of all kolkata's travel bloggers and influencers is proof that they are the best travel bloggers in kolkata . today, i will tell you the list of kolkata travel bloggers in instagram, which you may also like..

Related Topic - Fashion Bloggers in Kolkata

Best Travel Influencers in Kolkata that you will definitely love to follow on Instagram

Influencer promotion has brought a huge storm for travel bloggers, they earn money from them and share travel related tips. indian bloggers who are famous in the entire world, in such a way, the travel bloggers of kolkata are also very famous, the most searched on google is kolkata's travel influencers, travel lovers want to know more about them. that is why we have made this article for you today to give information about the top 10 travel influencers in kolkata. all these popular travel bloggers from kolkata, and they are identified by following their passion, that is why these are the best kolkata travel bloggers in instagram today. on hearing the name of a travel blogger, it would seem that it is very easy, but to become a better travel blogger a lot has to be endured and done, today, we have mentioned the names of the top travel bloggers in kolkata who have made this passion a profession in their lives..

Related Topic - Top 10 Instagram Fashion Influencers in Delhi

Here is the list of the top 10 travel bloggers in Kolkata which are the best travel influencers of Kolkata.

1) Sayan Bakshi

2) Sandeep Karmakar

Related Topic - Top 10 Bridal Makeup Artists in Kolkata

3) Nivrity Das

4) Ritika Jaiswal

5) Shreyashi Debnath

Related Topic - Fashion Bloggers in Jaipur

6) Pout Pretty

7) Jiyaa Sarkar

8) Susweta Biswas

9) Shankar Das

10) Nilenjana Sinha

All the top 10 travel bloggers in Kolkata list above have been checked by our team, which you can follow on Instagram. The top 10 names of Kolkata Travel Influencers have been given in view of their popularity. If you are also one of the travel bloggers of Kolkata, and want to add your name to this list, then contact us . All these Kolkata Travel Influencers are famous on social media, and are also known for the best travel tips.

Related Topic - Top 10 Fashion Influencers in Mumbai

Similar Searches: Travel Bloggers in Kolkata, Top 10 Travel Influencers in Kolkata, Travel bloggers of Kolkata, Kolkata Travel Bloggers, Top 10 Travel Bloggers in Kolkata, Kolkata Travel Bloggers in Instagram, Travel bloggers from Kolkata, best instagram travel influencers in Kolkata, female travel bloggers in kolkata, top male travel bloggers kolkata, Kolkata Travel Influencers, top bloggers in kolkata, indian travel bloggers in kolkata.

How to become top travel bloggers and influencers in kolkata kolkata travel bloggers guide....

If you live in Kolkata and have information about travel or are fond of traveling, then you can become a travel blogger in Kolkata . No travel bloggers become travel professionals in starting, traveling is his passion by which he starts to travel blogger. First of all, you have to decide that you will start from where you travel, if possible, choose the short route travel first so that you can take a lot of experience. Also, keep your account active on Instagram and the rest of social media with new travel photos, so that others follow you. As you continue on the journey of travel, and you will post more and more unique travel photos on social media, your fan followings will also grow like other travel bloggers in kolkata. The brands related to travel will contact you, and then you can also earn by travel blogging. Keep in mind that your content should be fresh on social media, and connect with new people as much as possible and keep talking to them. Similarly, one day you too will become the best travel bloggers and influencers in Kolkata .

Related Topic - Top Fashion Bloggers in India

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Welcome to the award-winning sustainable travel blog, published by Shivya Nath.

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My book –  The Shooting Star  – charts my battles and adventures from the cubicle to the road, and from small-town India to remote corners of the globe. It became a national bestseller in just over a month of release!

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Hello! I’m Shivya Nath. In 2011, at age 23, I quit my corporate job with a dream of travelling the globe. Two years later, I packed up my life into a backpack and decided to hit the road indefinitely. I travel slow, seek offbeat and local experiences, stay in a place for a few months or as long as it inspires me, and move on.

I’ve done a solo land journey from Thailand to India via Myanmar, and travelled overland from the Persian Gulf via Iran to Armenia. I’ve lived with a Mayan community in Guatemala, volunteered at a coral reef restoration project in Cuba, lived in a nunnery in Ladakh, and shed my fears and clothes at onsens across Japan. I hope to inspire you to step out of your comfort zone and experience the world – slowly, meaningfully and consciously!

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List Of Top 10 Bloggers In Kolkata 2020

By Surabhi Kedia

| Published on February 22, 2020

The blogging industry has been growing tremendously fast, be it on WordPress, be it on Instagram or be it on YouTube. Many stars like Bhuvan Bam or international celebrities like Shawn Mendes, all of them started out as bloggers on different platforms.

Infact, India and the Indian youth aren’t falling behind on the blogging game either. Kolkata itself has seen a bulk number of bloggers gaining fame and being known for their culture, taste, and skills.

1) Aisha Mahdi

With her blogger name being ‘styleetvogue’, she has 276k followers on Instagram . As her name suggests, she’s a top fashion blogger who also loves to talk about food and beauty. The best part? She’s really regular with her updates and posts. https://www.instagram.com/p/B8EPX28hhz_/

2) Nivrity Das

Keeping her name as her handle ‘nivrity_das’, her work revolves around influencer marketing and content creatio n. She works at TCS and parallelly runs a blog called ‘The Celfie Princess’ where she covers everything from travel to parties to fashion. https://www.instagram.com/p/B8ydkSyn2Bt/

3) Priya Priyambada

With 225k followers on Instagram, she’s known to be the beauty pageant queen in the blogging business . Crowned as ‘Miss Style Odisha’ and ‘Woman for Extreme Cause’, she’s known to be collaborating with many big brands like Gucci. https://www.instagram.com/p/B8dIR1UHosF/

4) Sudeshna

Sudeshna has her own little dream platform called ‘Sudeshnasworld’ where she takes viewers down her own journey. She’s known for mixing health and wellness content with fashion tricks and tips. https://www.instagram.com/p/B8lCNi5Av50/

5) Ritika Jaiswal

Also known as ‘TheBrokeChica’, she loves to cover her travel stories with amazing and soothing clicks. Her most recent trip follows the hashtag, ‘ArabianDays’ and she’s also known to endorse brands like Sonata.

6) Shilpi Saha

Known for her pro-photographer skills, she mixes the right kind of fashion with the right amount of photography. Her content mostly goes along influencer marketing where she is known to support body confidence and freedom of choice among women. https://www.instagram.com/p/B8tdM9HgqY2/

7) Sumelika

While managing her professional career as a doctor, she is a known fashion blogger and dancer. She shares her travel stories; fashion looks and personal styling tips on her blog called ‘My Not-So-Secret Diary’ https://www.instagram.com/p/B7_XnxnnC2a/

8) Rudrita Chattarjee

Her blog covers the best tips which connect to most young girls, be it wearing a boyfriend’s jacket or a giveaway contest . She’s known to do many remakes of trendy looks or portrays the right way to wear specific designs along with sharing healthy recipes on her blog. https://www.instagram.com/p/B8A9MYTBwhv/

9) Nikita Agarwal Manchanda

Known as the ‘pentwister’ , her blog has one of the best structures out there . With fashion, DIY, tech, and food, she doesn’t leave anything behind. She’s also covered travel diaries with her recent visits to Jaisalmer and Sikkim. https://www.instagram.com/p/B8k3t9AlSOW/

10) Chikky Goenka

Known to be behind the ‘Made in Bengal’ initiative, she has been working to support the Bengal fashion industry. Her personal blog called ‘Style o Graph’ shows her love for the Indian Bengali culture and fashion.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8tdS0epnAu/

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Top Kolkata Bloggers list to follow in 2024

Are you looking for the best Kolkata bloggers? Discover a curated list of top Kolkata bloggers who provide engaging content on food, travel, fashion, and more. Get inspired by their unique perspectives and insightful posts about the vibrant city. Explore Kolkata through the eyes of these influential bloggers and uncover hidden gems, tips, and recommendations.

• DA: 60   .   Moz: 5.1 Kolkata

Creating E-impression for learning and discovery

namasteui.com

Lifestylesimplify

• DA: 66   .   Moz: 4.9 Kolkata

The Online Magazine That Suits Men & Women

lifestylesimplify.com

Cosmetics Arena

• DA: 57   .   Moz: 4.7 Kolkata

The Best Blog to Know the Ingredients of Cosmetics

cosmeticsarenas.com

Healthwealthbridge

• DA: 41   .   Moz: 4.5 Kolkata

Health wellness and entrepreneurship for moms .

healthwealthbridge.com

• DA: 39   .   Moz: 4.5 Kolkata

A Place Where You Find Solutions In programming

codespeedy.com

Holidaystourtravel

• DA: 21   .   Moz: 4.5 Kolkata

Travel Tour Blog

holidaystourtravel.com

• DA: 26   .   Moz: 4.4 Kolkata

Internet's popular hindi eMagazine

Beingoptimist

• DA: 57   .   Moz: 4.4 Kolkata

Beingoptimist is an online Tech Blog publication

beingoptimist.com

• DA: 35   .   Moz: 4.4 Kolkata

Technology Simplified

techarx.com

• DA: 14   .   Moz: 4.4 Kolkata

Socialble & Technology Tips Blog

sociablweb.com

• DA: 42   .   Moz: 4.4 Kolkata

Travel, Food and Lifestyle Blog by Kalyan

travtasy.com

Sarkari Requirements

• DA: 51   .   Moz: 4.4 Kolkata

Sarkari Requirements: Online Job Information Portal

sarkarirequirements.com

Cyber Suggest

• DA: 38   .   Moz: 4.2 Kolkata

Tech Blog That Matters

cybersuggest.com

Pikturenama

• DA: 33   .   Moz: 4.2 Kolkata

A travel blog with unusual travel stories

pikturenama.com

Kitchen Of Debjani

• DA: 36   .   Moz: 4.2 Kolkata

A food blog run by a bong financial analyst mom!

kitchenofdebjani.com

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Find A Travel Buddy in Kolkata, Share Costs & Travel Together

How GAFFL Works

Find travel partners, get connected, trip together.

• Find a Travel Buddy
• Travel Buddy Kolkata

What GAFFL Users Are Saying

"It’s really nice to have a platform like GAFFL with lots of travelers wanting to do the same as you, a real beautiful cultural exchange. You can meet people so easily and in a trustful way. We were four girls, from French, German and American backgrounds, without knowing each other from before. We spent an amazing week together, 2000km driving, camping on the way. We saw kangaroos, koalas, penguins and pelicans"

“I have found GAFFL to be an amazing tool for finding similar minded travel partners to embark on an adventure. Through GAFFL, I had organized a trip to Mexico City last month and Quazi joined the trip from Victoria, BC. We spent 14 days of straight exploring, hiking, eating and drinking. Quite an amazing experience - all thanks to GAFFL!”

"I accidentally scrolled across GAFFL and I'm so pleased I did. I met Amaia and immediately decided to road-trip together. We're spending 10 days together and it's great because we have so much in common. Couldn't have done it without GAFFL helping us find one another! It has honestly made NZ so much cheaper to explore as I get to split the costs with someone too​"

Were you looking forward to a trip with your friends, only to find out that they had backed out last minute? Wondering how to find a travel companion online? Even if your family and friends' schedules don't match yours, your vacation doesn't have to be ruined because of it. GAFFL can help you to find the perfect travel companion for your next adventure.

The best way to find a travel buddy on GAFFL is to search for your desired destination and browse through thousands of user-generated trips created by solo travelers around the world.

A good travel companion is someone who has a similar itinerary to you. It's also someone you think you'll get along with.

Every user on GAFFL has a profile where they list their interests. If you and your potential trip mate share some common interests, it’ll make your trip go a lot smoother.

It's also important to have a similar budget in mind. If your travel companion wants to do more activities and eat at expensive restaurants but you can’t afford it, it can lead to an unpleasant trip for the both of you.

When browsing trips on GAFFL, make sure to read through the trip details to learn more about the trip and determine if the activities are something you want to do and can afford.

If you like a trip on GAFFL, simply click 'Connect,' and you'll be able to chat with your travel buddy right away. If you have your own travel plans, you can start your own trip and others can request to connect with you!

Finding the right travel companion online can be difficult for solo travelers. GAFFL, on the other hand, makes it very simple. Use our world-class real-time messaging system to get to know your potential travel partner. Chat with them to see if they'd be a good travel companion for you, and then plan together, meet up with your travel buddy, and start exploring together.

GAFFL is the best website/app for solo travelers looking for travel companions online because we prioritize our travelers' trust and safety. Our multi-step verification process includes social media, phone number, and a valid government ID, so you can be confident in your potential travel companion. With adventurers from over 190 countries, you can connect, chat, and find the perfect travel buddy to meet up with on GAFFL.

One of the things that hold people back is that they don’t have a partner or a best friend to travel with and they feel scared and uncertain to travel alone, especially long-term. GAFFL helps with that!

Another thing that holds people back is the perceived cost of travel. While travel doesn’t have to be expensive, it’s always more affordable when you can share the cost of accommodation and groceries with someone else. Again, GAFFL provides a solution for that!

I think this is a fabulous idea because the things that can get expensive while solo traveling can usually also be easily split between people. If you aren’t a hostel fan, it would be awesome to have people to split hotels and Airbnb with.

If car rental is the cheapest way to get around a destination, it would be ideal to have others to split the costs with. But most importantly it always makes the experience that much more memorable when you have new friends to share it with.

I think GAFFL plays a role by allowing solo travelers to find travel buddies when needed. Though solo travel is a great way to travel, there are some experiences that are better enjoyed with more people (some don’t even allow for solo).

Friends and families are not always available to travel with, and sometimes the interests do not align for travel. Or sometimes you just want to socialize while still being solo most of the time. I think GAFFL helps solve these problems.

We truly believe that the best memories and experiences are the ones that are shared with others. It doesn’t matter if you’ve known someone for an hour or your whole life, when you do something badass together it’s sure to be a time you won’t forget.

Making connections and becoming friends with people all over the world is such a powerful tool to have when traveling. One day maybe you’ll visit your new friend in their homeland. Some of the best trips happen when you have a friend playing tour guide in their country.

GAFFL is a really cool opportunity to enrich your travels with like-minded people who will push you to get out of your comfort zone. No matter what type of personality you have, making new friends on the road is easier than ever.

Solo travel is great. But there are some times that I do not recommend someone travel solo and where I personally try my hardest not to travel solo. Some examples of this relate to safety, like hiking a trail that doesn’t have many people walking it each day, or being in certain destinations where I’ve heard from others that it’s difficult as a solo female.

Other examples relate to expenses, like taking a road trip and renting a car. Situations like these are where I think something like GAFFL is a great idea. With GAFFL, you can find a group to go on that hike with or split that car rental with!

Top Travel Agents in Kolkata | Domestic & International Packages

Kolkata, the city of joy, is a popular tourist destination that attracts visitors from all over the world. With the rise of tourism, several travel agencies have emerged in Kolkata to cater to the growing demand for travel services. In this article, we have compiled a list of the top travel agents in Kolkata to help you plan your next vacation without any hassle.

List of Top Travel Agents in Kolkata

1. thomas cook – kolkata best travel agency.

Thomas Cook is a reputed travel agency in Kolkata with over 150 years of experience in the travel industry. They offer a wide range of travel services, including flight and hotel bookings, visa assistance, travel insurance, and customized tour packages. Thomas Cook has a team of experienced travel experts who can help you plan your trip and make the necessary arrangements.

Address: 31, Chowringhee Rd, Kolkata

Phone: 1800 2099 100

Google Map Link: Get Direction

2. Cox & Kings – Famous Travel Agents in Kolkata

Cox & Kings is a premier travel agency in Kolkata that has been providing travel services for over 250 years. The company offers a range of services, including flight and hotel bookings, visa assistance, travel insurance, and customized tour packages. With a team of experienced travel experts, Cox & Kings ensures that your travel experience is seamless and hassle-free.

Address: 1/1A, Upper Wood Street, Kolkata

Phone: 1800 209 0400

3. SOTC – Leading Tour Operators of Kolkata

SOTC is a high-ranking travel agency in Kolkata that offers a range of travel services, including flight, hotel bookings, visa assistance, travel insurance, and customized tour packages. The company has a team of experienced travel experts who can help you plan your trip and make the necessary arrangements. SOTC also offers group tours and customized packages for families and corporate groups.

Address: 14th Floor, Ideal Plaza, Kolkata

Phone: 1800 209 3344

4. Club7 Holidays – Superlative Travel Agency or Kolkata

Club7 Holidays is a surpassing Kolkata travels agency that offers a range of travel services, including flight and hotel bookings, visa assistance, travel insurance, and customized tour packages. The company has a team of experienced travel experts who can help you plan your trip and make the necessary arrangements. Club7 Holidays also offers group tours and customized packages for families and corporate groups.

Address: 19, Camac Street, Kolkata

Phone: +91 33 4021 1000

5. Riya Travel & Tours – Popular Travels Company in Kolkata

Riya Travel & Tours is a top-drawer tour operator in Kolkata that offers a range of travel services, including flight and hotel bookings, visa assistance, travel insurance, and customized tour packages. The company has a team of experienced travel experts who can help you plan your trip and make the necessary arrangements. Riya Travel & Tours also offers group tours and customized packages for families and corporate groups.

Address: Shakespeare Sarani, Kolkata

Phone: 1800 102 0800

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6. Balmer Lawrie Travel & Vacations – Preeminent Kolkata Best Travel Agent

Balmer Lawrie Travel & Vacations is an ideal travel agent in Kolkata that offers a range of travel services, including flight and hotel bookings, visa assistance, travel insurance, and customized tour packages. The company has a team of experienced travel experts who can help you plan your trip and make the necessary arrangements. Balmer Lawrie Travel & Vacations also offers group tours and customized packages for families and corporate groups.

Address: Netaji Subhash Road, Kolkata

Phone: 1800 22 2040

Unveiling the Top Travel Agents in Kolkata: Your Key to a Memorable Journey

Kolkata has several travel agencies that cater to the needs of travelers. From flight and hotel bookings to customized tour packages, this unparalleled list of travel agents in Kolkata provides a range of services to make your travel experience seamless and hassle-free. Whether you are a frequent traveler or planning your first trip, these travel agencies can help you plan and book your trip with ease.

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Rishav Jain

Rishav is a Digital marketer and blogger who has been publishing extensively on entertainment, food, and shopping topics, with a focus on Online shopping deals and product reviews.

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05 Jan Top 10 Kolkata Bloggers

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Kolkata has a good amount of style quotient and there are many types of Indian bloggers who are helping in the same. That is why now we are going to put some light on some of the top bloggers who hail from Kolkata.

#1. Aishamahdi (styleetvogue)

Instagram Followers–276k

She is a content creator and takes interest in food, lifestyle, fashion, beauty, travel and a lot more. She is one of the best Indian fashion and food bloggers out there. She also has a personal blog which is known as ‘Styleet Vogue’ where she updates her followers about the latest trends in fashion, foodstuffs, lifestyle to name a few. Having 276k followers on her Instagram profile, she makes sure that her followers get updates on lifestyle and fashion on a regular basis.

#2. Nivrity Das (nivrity_das)

Instagram Followers–252k

Nivrity who has love for not just fashion but travel, food, beauty and lifestyle is also a content creator. She has a blog to herself in the name of ‘The Celfie Princess’. She is actively involved in influencer marketing and helps people regarding fashion and lifestyle. Along with being a fashion and lifestyle blogger, Nivrity is also working as an engineer in Tata Consultancy Services. She has 252k followers in her Instagram profile who get constantly updated with new fashion trends.

#3. Priya Priyambada (priya_priyambada)

Instagram Followers–225k

Priya is based in Kolkata but actually hails from Odisha. She is an actor, model and influencer and not to forget, a fashion blogger. She has won many beauty pageants and other recognition titles. She was the winner of ‘Miss Style Odisha and has featured in few calendar shoots. She was also crowned ‘Woman for Extreme Cause’ in Global India Beauty pageant and also appeared in aDabooRatnaniShow. In addition, she has also collaborated with many reputed brands namely Shein, Daniel Wallington, Gucci, Dixton, Brand Factory and many more. With 225k Instagram followers, she keeps her fanbase updated about what’s in trend and various stylish clothing.

#4. Sudeshna  (sudeshnasworld)

Instagram Followers–194k

Being a fashion blogger and a You Tuber, Sudeshnais enthusiastic about fashion, beauty and lifestyle. Her personal blog ‘Sudeshnasworld’ consists of many beauty and fashion tips, health and wellness contents, and many more to provide her followers with the best information possible. She has a good following in her Instagram having 194k followers and she keeps them hooked by uploading various beauty and fashion stuff.

#5. Ritika Jaiswal (thebrokechica)

Instagram Followers–135k

Ritika is an avid blogger who is interested in not just in fashion but also in travelling, lifestyle and beauty as well. Her Instagram has 135k followers who get routine updates on clothing and lifestyle. Her personal blog ‘The BrokeChica’ is also filled with many tips and trends about fashion and lifestyle.

#6. Shilpi Saha (shilpiisaha)

Instagram Followers–117k

Shilpi is a Kolkata-based Fashion Blogger, photographer plus influencer. Her Instagram profile which has 117k followers is filled with suave and chic snaps of her wearing fashionable clothes and other accessories. She keeps inspiring her followers to do what they want and make themselves confident by staying confident in what they wear.

#7. Sumelika  (sumelika)

Instagram Followers–88.2k

A fashionista and one of the popular Indian fashion bloggers , Sumelika also aces in being a You Tuber and a Doctor as well. Her blog which is named as ‘My Not-So-Secret Diary’ is filled with her adventure and travel stories along with fashion trends and personal style. The number of followers in her Instagram profile which is 88.2k stay tuned in her profile just to get the latest posts about fashion and lifestyle.

#8. Rudrita Chattarjee (rudritachatterjee)

Instagram Followers–78k

She is a fashion, lifestyle, travel and beauty enthusiast and last but not the least, a blogger. In her self-made blog, she shares everything related to fashion, food, health and fitness and a lot more. As her Instagram profile has 78k followers, she makes certain that her profile is up-to-date and keep posting new updates for her followers.

#9. Nikita Agarwal Manchanda (pentwister)

Instagram Followers–23.6k

By having 23.6k followers in her Instagram profile, Nikita keeps on sharing her various fashion and lifestyle trends. Being a fashion and lifestyle blogger, she ensures her fans are glued to her posts so that they can get various innovative ideas to change their personality in a good way. Her blog ‘Pen Twister’ is all about her life stories and experiences in fashion and travel.

#10. Chikky Goenka (styleographbychikkygoenka)

Instagram Followers–15.1k

Being a fashion entrepreneur, Chikkyhas the following of 15.1k users on her profile on Instagram. She manages her personal blog ‘Style O Graph’ very elegantly and shares a number of fashion and lifestyle updates with her followers. Interestingly, she was the one behind the ‘Made in Bengal’ initiative to promote Bengal fashion all around the country.

As the influencer marketing is on the rise these days, these aforementioned best bloggers in India are paving way for online business and helping the people by sitting at home. Go pay their sites a visit to make sure you change your life for good.

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