Top 12 Unique Places to Visit in Kolkata

Kolkata, the vibrant metropolis nestled in the heart of Eastern India, stands as the third most populous metropolitan in the country.

As the capital of West Bengal, Kolkata boasts a rich history, having served as a former capital of India and a thriving business hub during colonial times. Known as the ‘City of Joy’, Kolkata has been a cradle of diverse cultures and a repository of a rich heritage.

Renowned scholars and poets like Rabindranath Tagore, Satyajit Ray, and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay have called this city home, their legacies echoing across the world.

In this bustling metropolis, where history intertwines seamlessly with modernity, there lies a treasure trove of unique places waiting to be explored.

If you’re a traveller contemplating a journey to the Eastern part of India, this article serves as your guide to the top 12 unique places to visit in Kolkata and these are perfect for adding to your itinerary when visiting the city.

  1. Victoria Memorial – A Date with A Colonial Past

The iconic Victoria Memorial is a royal tribute to Queen Victoria. This majestic monument, crafted from marble, stands as the world’s largest memorial dedicated to a royal figure.

Nestled against the lush green backdrop of Maidan, the Victoria Memorial showcases awe-inspiring colonial architecture and it remains one of the best places to visit in Kolkata.

Spanning 64 acres, the surrounding grounds and ornamental gardens invite visitors to explore their beauty. Inside the memorial, a museum houses antiques belonging to Queen Victoria, along with a valuable collection of paintings and original manuscripts.

Whether you’re seeking a leisurely stroll, a romantic date, or a captivating history lesson, Victoria Memorial delivers on all fronts.

You can also explore the lush fields of Kolkata’s Maidan, which is situated directly behind the memorial.

Tips

You can reach Victoria Memorial by public (the nearest metro station is Maidan) and private transport and explore the 20th-century monument from within.
Victoria Memorial is open every day from 10 AM to 6 PM.

  1. Coffee House – The Confluence of Adda and Caffeine Rush

The College Street Coffee House is not just about sipping coffee; it’s about the intellectual conversations that have been brewing here for ages.

This place, situated in Kolkata’s intellectual hub, has been witness to political and social discussions for ages.

The cafe culture here, deeply rooted in Kolkata’s intellectual legacy, has hosted revolutionary thoughts and debates.

College Street Coffee House, an iconic hangout for intellectuals and students of the Presidency College, University of Calcutta, and other institutions in College Street, carries the spirit of fierce intellectual discussions.

Coffee House is the place where poetry, films and revolutions were brewed. Celebrities, artists and renowned figures like Satyajit Ray, Amartya Sen, Mrinal Sen, Ritwik Ghatak, Sunil Gangopadhyay, historian Sumit Sarkar and others frequented this place, contributing to its rich tapestry of history over a cup of coffee.
Indulge in the essence of Bengali intellect and ‘adda’ culture in this unique space.

Tips

This place has a legacy of accepting long-term table occupancy without asking you to leave. Although there is a large seating area, getting a free table is the major challenge here. Nevertheless, take a chance and go for it.
Must-try dishes: ‘Chicken Kobiraji’ or ‘Mutton Afgani Cutlet.’

  1. Marble Palace – A Neo-Classical Mansion with a Touch of Elegance

For a taste of old-world luxury, visit the Marble Palace, a testament to opulence in North Kolkata.
Built-in 1835 by Raja Rajendra Mullick, this mansion is a blend of Neoclassical, Bengali, and Chinese architectural styles. The palace, still owned by Mullick’s descendants, houses a museum with a remarkable collection of art and sculpture. This is one of the best-preserved houses of nineteenth-century Kolkata.

Explore the Reception Hall, Painting Room, Sculpture Room, Billiards Room, and Thakur Dalan, each adorned with marble floors and walls.

The museum displays Mullick’s extensive collection, including portraits, statues, and paintings by European artists. Enjoy the peacefully designed gardens in addition to exploring the palace’s numerous rooms and hallways.

The Marble Palace stands as a unique and fascinating destination and entry is free.

Tips

Entry permit is available at West Bengal Tourism Information Bureau at BBD Bag, Kolkata.
Combine the visit with Jorasanko Thakur Bari (the birthplace of poet Rabindranath Tagore) as both places are around 10 minutes walking distance from each other.

  1. Indian Museum – History Book on Steroids

Step into a realm of time travel at the Indian Museum. This museum is like a history book on steroids, complete with mummies and antiquated artefacts.

Founded in 1814, The Indian Museum (known as Imperial Museum of Calcutta before independence) is a massive museum in Central Kolkata and is the ninth oldest museum globally.

This museum houses a vast collection under categories like Art, Anthropology, Archaeology, Zoology, Geology, and Botany. The museum displays antiques, armour, fossils, Egyptian mummies, paintings, and more.

A library at the museum offers access to over 50,000 books, rare publications, and journals. For souvenirs, the Museum Shop provides postcards, photographs, art albums, and children’s books.

Open every day except Monday, the Indian Museum offers a journey through various fields with special exhibitions and events. The entry fee varies from INR 75 for Indians to INR 500 for foreigners.

Tips

During your stay, look for any special exhibitions or events taking place. It can be related to various fields, such as cinema, sculpture, photography, crafts, biological diversity, literature, etc.

  1. Shyambazar Street Art: Walls that Speak

Kolkata, known as the cultural capital of India, showcases its artistic spirit through vibrant street art.
Walking down Shri Aurobindo Sarani unveils an open-air art gallery, with a particular graffiti opposite Hatibagan Pantaloons store.

The walls burst with colours, depicting political statements, cultural symbols, and a myriad of themes. Local artists, driven by passion, turn this stretch into a canvas of self-expression.

For photography enthusiasts, Shri Aurobindo Sarani is a dream come true, offering a kaleidoscope of photo opportunities that capture Kolkata’s street art scene.

  1. Kumartuli – Witness the Goddess Come Alive

Ever wondered about the origin of those magnificent Durga Puja idols?

Well, Kumartuli holds the answer. This ancient neighbourhood in North Kolkata is renowned for its skilled artisans, predominantly potters, who craft clay idols, especially during the preparation for Durga Puja, one of the biggest festivals in Bengal.

As the months leading up to Durga Puja approach, Kumartuli comes alive with creativity and fervour. This creative workshop, where artisans sculpt magic out of clay, offers a unique insight into the making of Gods!

Tips

For a genuine experience, plan your visit a few months before Durga Puja and engage in conversations with the artisans.

  1. Kolkata Tram Museum – Riding the Heritage Tracks

When you mention Kolkata, you automatically think of trams, which for so many decades served as the city’s lifeline before metros were introduced by modern technology.

‘Smaranika’, Kolkata’s tram museum, was founded by CTC with the goal of preserving the city’s vanishing tram legacy and history. It opened to the public in 2014. Located deep within the Esplanade CTC Depot, the little museum and café is close to Kolkata’s oldest shopping place yet far enough away from the traffic congestion.

Smaranika, the tram museum, nestles in a lovely park and has a two-coach air-conditioned tram waggon with CCTV monitoring. There’s an old-world appeal to the wooden decor. A simple café offering tea, coffee, and snacks is located in the first waggon.

Tram models, apparatus, and artefacts are on display at the museum in the second waggon, along with quotes from well-known Bengali authors. You can also witness vintage photos depicting trams from Kolkata’s past. Tramway postcards are available from the museum for INR 5 a piece, or INR 50 for a set of twelve.

The tram museum is open from 1 PM to 8 PM, six days a week. Thursdays are the only days the museum is closed.

Immerse yourself in the history of trams in Kolkata through interactive displays and fascinating exhibits.

Tips

Visit into the small cafeteria within the tram if you’re craving some refreshments. Coffee and some snacks are available for just INR 10. It’s ideal for both a learning day and a day spent with the kids!

  1. South Park Street Cemetery – Silent Narratives of the Past

For the brave souls seeking a touch of the eerie, the South Park Street Cemetery beckons with a faint whisper of the past.

Located near the eastern end of the Park Street area, this 18th-century Christian graveyard houses over 1600 tombs of many of the city’s former colonial rulers.

Among the distinguished tombs are those of Rose Aymler, Henry Louis Vivian Derozio, Charles Dickens’ son, Sir William Jones, David Drummond, and Michael Madhusudan Dutta.

Wandering through this cemetery transports visitors to a colonial era, with weathered gravestones and lush greenery creating a silent narrative.

Tips

Support the graveyard by signing their guidebook or making a small purchase.
The Metro rail system in Kolkata is cheap and efficient. The nearest stop Maidan, a 20-minute walk away.

  1. Nandan – A Haven for Film Buffs

Nandan isn’t just a cinema; it’s an experience. A haven for film buffs, this place has everything from independent films to foreign classics.

Nindan is a government-sponsored film and cultural centre in Kolkata. Designed to encourage cinematic awareness, Nandan boasts large screens housed in an architecturally impressive building.

A main venue for the Kolkata International Film Festival, Nandan offers a cinematic experience from Indian films to international classics. So, if you are a movie buff and visiting Kolkata during the film festival then this is the place for you to enjoy the world cinema!

Occasionally hosting live gigs, Nandan stands as one of the best places in Kolkata to spend quality time with friends or family.

  1. Park Street – A Foodie’s Paradise

Enter the culinary haven of Park Street, one of Kolkata’s trendiest and liveliest areas.

Stretching from the east of the Maidan to Park Circus 7 Point, this street is a foodie’s paradise and a hub for entertainment.

Chic cafes, lounges, restaurants, and trendy bars line the street, offering a diverse range of culinary delights. Park Street is not just about dining; it’s a place to people-watch, enjoy live music venues, and soak in the vibrant nightlife.

You have a plethora of options when it comes to food here, from high-end eateries offering cuisine from around the globe to street food vendors selling chaat and kati rolls.

Taste the city’s diverse flavours and create unforgettable dining memories.

Tips

Indulge in iconic dishes at Peter Cat (Chelo Kebabs, Chicken Steak), Marco Polo (Jumbo Prawns, Pasta), Moti Mahal Delux (Butter Chicken, Mutton Galouti Kabab), and Zen at The Park (Mushroom Sushi, Dimsum).

  1. Princep Ghat – The Hooghly’s Serene Retreat

Imagine sipping ‘chai’ (tea) while gazing at the Hooghly River – welcome to Princep Ghat, a peaceful retreat with Victorian architecture.

Constructed in 1841 in memory of James Prinsep, an Anglo-Indian scholar, this location offers a serene view of the Ganges and the Vidyasagar Setu (Second Hooghly Bridge).

During the evening, witness the sun setting below the horizon, casting hues of orange upon the Vidyasagar Setu. Ample seating allows travellers to relax by the riverside, enjoy fast food from nearby stalls, and marvel at the beauty of the monument and the river.

Tips

Visit during the evening for sunset views, and capture the ghat’s beauty at night while walking on the long pathway of the ghat.

Take a boat ride along the river, explore the James Prinsep Monuent, and visit the flower market at Mullick Ghat.

  1. Eco Park – An Outdoor Retreat with The Seven Wonders of the World

Kolkata is renowned for its large Eco Tourism Park in addition to its rich history and legacy.

Spreading across an area of around 194 hectares in the New Town area of Rajarhat, this urban park has a large number of amenities for everyone. Also known as ‘Prakriti Tirtha’, locals love the park, and frequently spend their weekends there.

Divided into Ecological zones, Theme gardens, and Open spaces, The Eco Tourism Park offers a plethora of amenities. Engage in activities like zorbing, kayaking, cycling, rowing, or enjoy the park’s tranquil ambience.
The most notable section features replicas of the seven wonders of the world. The park is built around a lake that offers boating and balloon rides, among other water sports.

You can also savour some delicious cuisine, which includes Chinese and street food. Within the park, there are resorts that welcome visitors and allow them to take in the nighttime splendour of the area.

The park provides an ideal picnic destination for both adults as well as children, and a great opportunity for an outdoor retreat with resorts for overnight stays.

Tips

The best time to visit Eco Tourism Park in Kolkata is during the months of October to February for pleasant weather and the abundance of festivities add to the city’s charm.

Summary

Kolkata, with its myriad of experiences, seamlessly weaves the threads of history, culture, and modernity.
This article scratches the surface of the multitude of places this city upholds. Each of these 12 unique places invites you to explore, learn, and embrace the unique charm of Kolkata.

As you delve deeper, you’ll discover why Kolkata truly deserves the title of the ‘City of Joy.’

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