Being the pioneer of India, Kolkata has a strong contribution to Indian heritage, culture, and history. But these things do not justify the ultimate beauty of this colorful city. There are more things you can explore while visiting Kolkata. You can make this a really fun trip by doing all these activities. Here is the listicle of top things to do in Kolkata to make your tour memorable:
Enjoy a Heritage Tram Ride
When you are visiting Kolkata, you must take a small ride on this century-old heritage vehicle. This is the only city in Asia where tram service is still available. Although tramcars are still described as one of the important transport mediums in Kolkata, recently it had become very popular among tourists.
Calcutta Tramways Company had introduced a new single coached fully air-conditioned tramcar to grab the attention of tourists. You can also take a ride on it but vintage tramcars are especially recommended.
Explore Kumortuli – Potters’ Colony
It is not unknown to anyone that Durga Puja is the greatest festival in the city of joy. And most of the Durga idol in Kolkata are made at Kumortuli, a well-known potters’ colony. Besides Durga idols, this place had gained popularity with crafting other Hindu God and Goddess’ idols.
Experience the beautiful artistry, get some knowledge about the stages of idol making. It is going to be an enjoyable visit.
Have a Haunted Adventure at South Park Street Cemetery
Are you an adventure freak? Then you will never find a better place than South Park Street Cemetery in Kolkata. Sounds odd but it could be actual fun. This non-church cemetery is now maintained by the Archeological Survey of India and also a heritage of the city. This place gives a mix of gothic and soothing vibe with artistically beautiful scenery. If you are visiting with friends, it could be one of the top things to do in Kolkata today.
Enjoy Iconic Howrah Bridge’s Light and Sound
Howrah Bridge (Rabindra Setu) is undoubtedly one of the iconic places in Kolkata. Known as one of the longest cantilever bridges, Howrah Bridge connects Howrah city with Kolkata. The ferry ride of this place had already been famous among tourists, but now the light and sound show of Howrah Bridge is also fascinating.
Take a ferry ride from Launch Ghat and enjoy the rest of the evening with your loved one while witnessing the magical light and sound show of Howrah Bridge. Do not miss this activity, because it will complete your Kolkata journey. Taking selfies while having a bridge at the background is one of the best things to do in Kolkata at night.
Visit Kolkata’s Famous Museums
The cultural capital of India has some famous museums which are also very popular attractions. From India’s oldest museum, The Indian Museum to newly added Metcalfe Hall, Kolkata can make it a fun yet knowledgeable journey. The museum inside the Victoria Memorial hall is one of the iconic spots. Make a visit to Smaranika, the tram museum if possible, you can also spend some time inside the little cafeteria of the tram museum. Rabindra Bharati Museum (Jorasanko Thakur Bari – the birthplace of Rabindranath Tagore) is another popular tourist attraction, get to know about the old Bengali culture with visiting this place.
Visit Historic Eden Gardens and Salt Lake Stadium
Do you love cricket? Then you have heard about Eden Gardens for multiple time in your life. Eden Gardens is the oldest and second-largest cricket stadium in India. Established in 1864, Eden Gardens carries the history of cricket with it. You should not miss a visit to this stadium when you are in Kolkata. If you are lucky enough to get a chance to watch a live match, do not miss it. You will experience something phenomenal.
Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, popularly known as Salt Lake Stadium is one of the best stadiums in the world, luckily it is also situated in Kolkata. From welcoming football legends like Lionel Messi or Oliver Kahn to arranging the FIFA U-17 World Cup Final, this stadium has written history by itself. Every sports lover deserves a visit to Salt Lake Stadium.
Find the Soul of Kolkata with a Boat Ride at Prinsep Ghat
Prinsep Ghat is not only one of the most attractive places in Kolkata, but it is also one of the oldest ghats built under the British government. You will find a Palladian porch that was built in the memory of James Prinsep. This place has something magical that you could feel the soul of the city here. An afternoon boat riding under the Vidyasagar Setu adds some extra charm. Taking a boat ride is one of the fun things to do in Kolkata with a family that you will remember the entire life.
Get Closer to Nature at Indian Botanic Garden
The Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden, popularly known as the Botanical Garden is one of the best tourist attractions in Kolkata. Spread across a total of 273 acres of land, this place has some picturesque landscapes. The Great Banyan, the largest tree in the world is the main attraction of this botanic garden. This place is highly recommended to nature lovers who want to get closer to mother nature.
Shop Your Heart Out at New Market
When you are visiting the city of joy, you would like to do shopping which is a key part of Kolkata things to do. And no place is better than New Market when it comes to shopping. Located at the heart of Kolkata, New Market is one of the oldest and busiest markets in Kolkata. Though this place is a little noisy, you could have the best deal here. Besides shopping, you can also enjoy some local foods at New Market.
Taste Delicious Street foods and Authentic Bengali Cuisines
Kolkata is heaven for foodies and tasting its unique dishes is one of the offbeat things to do in Kolkata. From Tibetan to South Indian, this city offers every kind of food to travelers. Street foods like Kathi Roll, Fuchka, Churmur, Jhalmuri, or Televaja are simply delicious. Terreti Morning Market is very popular among tourists, where you will find both Indian and Chinese vendors selling noodles, momos and soup. Do not forget to taste Bengali cuisines, especially some mouthwatering fish items at least once when you are in this city. You will easily find some best restaurants like Oh! Calcutta, 6 Ballygunge Place, Bhojohori Manna that serves authentic Bengali cuisines.
Besides these foods, Kolkata is most famous for sweets. Sweets like Kolkata’s Rossogolla, Misti Doi, JolbhoraSondesh are highly recommended. Some of the best confectionery shops in Kolkata are Balaram Mullick & Radharaman Mullick, Girish Chandra Dey &Nakur Chandra Nandy, Chittaranjan MistannaBhandar, and KC Das.
Enjoy a Morning at Mullick Ghat Flower Market
Mullick Ghat Flower Market is a very old (built-in 1855) flower market, situated at the southeast end of Howrah Bridge, a very popular place among tourists. You can make a visit in the early morning to witness hundreds of vendors selling fresh-picked flowers. It could be a delightful experience for you. This place is a little messy and crowed like other markets in India, so you have to be extra careful. https://maps.google.es/url?q=https://travelworldfun.com/
Take a Day Trip to Shantiniketan
Santiniketan is a small town located in the Birbhum district of West Bengal. This place is popular for Rabindranath Tagore’s house and now Viswa Bharati University (which was also founded by the poet himself). It takes almost 3 hours (160 km) to reach Santiniketan from Kolkata by car. So, you can have a small day trip to get the essence of rural Bengal. You will witness the rural Bengali culture and tradition. But the natural beauty of this Kolkata tourist place could add some extra charm on your journey.
What’s next?
Now you know what to do in Kolkata, simply go ahead and plan your journey with total enthusiasm. If you are planning to visit some other cities in India then don’t forget to check our India travel guide.
