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Kolkata Travel Guide: Unique Places To Visit In Kolkata
Kolkata is most deservingly called “The City of Joy”. The people of Kolkata have a knack for festivities and all things fun. They know how to enjoy life. The city is rich in history and culture. Kolkata was the capital of the British Empire for a long time. Buildings in Kolkata’s old part follow British architecture.
Food, art, culture, music, shopping– you name it, and Kolkata has it. Every corner of Kolkata reeks of art and culture. Throughout the year, flocks of tourists gather around Kolkata to indulge in the artistic atmosphere of Kolkata. The old-world charm of this city is really intoxicating. No wonder it’s the city of intellectuals like Rabindranath Tagore, Satyajit Ray, and many more prominent authors, novelists, artists, and directors.
So, let’s dive into the world of art and music through this ultimate Kolkata travel guide that includes unique places to visit in Kolkata, when to visit, how to travel, where to stay, what to eat, etc:
Unique Places to Visit In Kolkata
We’ve divided our Kolkata travel blog into three parts. 1. Shopping 2. Sightseeing and 3. Activities. Let’s dig in:
Delve into the architecture of the Victoria Memorial
Victoria Memorial is one of the most unique places to visit in Kolkata. It is a memorial building near Maidan, Kolkata. It was built in memory of Queen Victoria after she died in 1901. Lord Curzon proposed the idea of a memorial to commemorate the life of Queen Victoria. It is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Kolkata.
The building is made of exquisite white marble which looks gorgeous inside out. The architecture follows the Indo-Saracenic revivalist style and is truly breathtaking. Currently, it is a museum under the governance of the Ministry of Culture, India. You can get on the Metro to reach Victoria Memorial. It’s just a 5-minute walk from Esplanade Metro Station to Victoria Memorial.
Explore St. Paul’s Cathedral
St Paul’s Cathedral is one of the first churches built by the British in Kolkata in 1847. It is just a stone’s throw from the Victoria Memorial so you can visit these two places at once. Its Indo-Gothic architecture is most attractive and fits the surroundings. St. Paul’s was dedicated to Paul the Apostle. The cathedral looks fantastic from a distance and magnificent from up close.
You can take a bus from Haora or Shildah Station or the metro from Rabindra Sadan or Maidan. It’s just a 7-8 minute walk to the Cathedral from Rabindra Sadan. Birla Planetarium, Rabindra Sadan Complex, and Academy of Fine Arts are near St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Howrah Bridge
Howrah Bridge is one of the most unique places to visit in Kolkata. It is considered as the face of Kolkata. No one visits Kolkata and fails to catch a glimpse of Howrah Bridge. This architectural excellence is made of steel. Howrah Bridge connects Kolkata with Hoogly. It is built over the Hoogly River.
Yellow cabs are kind of a legacy of Kolkata. Almost all the movies and pictures about Kolkata feature yellow cabs on them? That’s how famous the yellow cab in Kolkata is. You can easily hire a yellow cab to reach Howrah Bridge after you visit Victoria Memorial and St. Paul’s Cathedral. It will cost you 100 rupees only.
Shop at New Market
So, let’s be honest. Shopping is our first priority when we’re in Kolkata. And when we put the two words “Kolkata” and “shopping” together, the first thing that comes to our mind is its center of shopping- New Market. Kolkata is a shopping paradise for Bangladeshis. We love to shop in Kolkata because of its rich collection and low prices. It has become a trend to shop for your wedding in Kolkata nowadays.
The New Market is actually not so new. It was built around 1873 by the British. The Victorian Gothic architecture of the building is gorgeous. New Market is Kolkata’s most prominent market where you can buy everything from clothing, accessories, and shoes to food, electronics, daily utensils, etc. It is the number one go-to place if you are in Kolkata. The prices are very reasonable, and the collections are exhaustive. But do bargain.
Roam Around Kolkata On A Tram
Trams in Kolkata are an age-old legacy. In 1873, Kolkata introduced trams. And in 1900, they got electrified. electric trams are operating Since 1902 in Kolkata. They are iconic and have heritage value. Trams are eco-friendly and safe to commute to. The hassle-free tram ride attracts tourists who want a relaxing joy ride across Kolkata. You can easily hop on a tram and explore Kolkata.
There are mainly two types of trams in Kolkata right now. AC and Non-AC. AC trams cost 20 rupees and Non-AC trams cost 10 rupees only. You can start the journey from Marquis Street to Gariahat. After reaching Gariarhat and visiting Garihat Market, take another tram to Esplanade. This way you’ll be able to cover the major parts of Kolkata.
Buy Flowers from Mullick Ghat Flower Market
Mullick Ghat Flower Market is a 130-year-old flower market in Kolkata which supplies flowers throughout India and even Europe. This is the biggest flower market in Asia. It is right under the Howrah Bridge over the Hoogly River. Visit the market to soothe your eyes with millions of flowers which is a visual experience.
If you’re a photography buff, then this is the perfect place for some excellent clicks. Visit the market early in the morning around 7-ish. That way you will be able to take a glimpse of untouched and vibrant flowers and 2000 vendors who sell them to the local businesses and temples.
Flip Through Books at College Street
Stretching across 1.5 kilometers, the biggest second-hand book market in the world is also in Kolkata. It’s College Street Book Market– famously called “Boi Para”. Here you can get any book at the most inexpensive price. People also come here to simply sit and read a book.
Most of the stalls here are makeshift ones. Besides, there are a few renowned publishing companies and their book stores on College Street which have been here for a long time.
Spend Some Quality Time At The Coffee House
Who doesn’t know the song “Coffee House Er Shei Adda Ta Aj Ar Nei” by Manna Dey? People of Kolkata believe that Manna Dey based the piece on the Indian Coffee House on College Street, near boi para. That’s why Coffee House is etched into every Bangali’s heart. That’s why it is one of the most unique places to visit in Kolkata.
The place is always loaded with intellectuals, artists, academics, and politicians. It was once the gathering place of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Satyajit Ray, Rabindranath Tagore, Jagdish Chandra Bose, Amartya Sen, Ritwik Ghatak, Aparna Sen, etc.
Go to Jorasanko Thakur Bari
If you’re a fan of Rabindranath Tagore, then you must visit Jorasanko Thakur Bari in North Kolkata. It is the ancestral home of the Tagore family where Rabindranath Tagore was born. He lived a significant part of his childhood here. This is the place where he breathed his last.
It is one of the most unique places to visit in Kolkata as there is only one Thakur Bari in the whole of Kolkata. Intellectuals, politicians, and prominent personalities of Kolkata and all over India gathered here for lavish parties thrown by the Tagores. Thakur Bari shaped the history of Kolkata, and in a broader sense– India, in a way that no other families did.
The land where Thakur Bari is situated was a donation from The Seth family to Tagore’s grandfather Prince Dwarkanath Tagore. Currently, the house falls on the campus of Rabindra Bharati University. You can visit the house and see many portraits and various items belonging to the family.
Walking through the corridors of Thakur Bari is a dreamy experience. Just imagine how many prominent figures throughout history have walked through those same corridors and you’ll shake with excitement.
Visit The Grand Marble Palace
It’s a 10-minute walk from Jorasanko Thakur Bari to Raja Rajendra Mullick’s grand mansion– Marble Palace. Marle Palace is a massive building made of more than 126 types of marble.
It is full of an exquisite collection of statues, sculptures, portraits, mirrors, paintings, furniture, chandeliers, showpieces, and many more. Raja Rajendra Mullick was not just a wealthy tradesman, he had an excellent taste in art and artistry.
The enchanting mansion is private property so pictures are not allowed during the visit. Tourists must collect a permit from the West Bengal Tourism Information Bureau 24 hours before the visit. The palace serves as a residence, a museum, and India’s only private zoo.
Take a walk through Park Street
Park Street is a historic street in central Kolkata where important landmarks like St. Xavier's College, Loreto College, Asiatic Society, South Park Street Cemetery, Française du Bengale, and The Park Hotel are situated. South Park Cemetery is a burial site where the tombs of major figures from the British Empire and some Europeans are. It is a primary tourist spot on Park Street. It is also one of the most haunted places in India, so watch out for ghosts, apparitions, and all things supernatural!
The nightlife of Park Street has always been one of Kolkata’s main attractions since the British Era and it is one of the most unique places to visit in Kolkata. it is a major business and recreation area in Kolkata. Trinca's, Oly Pub, Peter Cat, Mocambo, Blue Fox, and Moulin Rouge are Park Street’s most famous dining and night recreation spots.
It is a tradition of Park Street to decorate itself on Christmas, Diwali, and New Year's.
Stop by Prinsep Ghat
Built in 1841, Prinsep Ghat resides on the bank of the river Hoogly. The Palladian-style porch near the ghat commemorates the celebrated scholar and famous antiquarian James Prinsep. It is one of the oldest recreational places in the city.
People come here to stroll along the river bank, have street food from nearby stalls, and pass quality time with their loved ones. Prinsep Ghat offers them a much-desired calm and peace in the hustle and bustle of the big, noisy city of Kolkata. You can take a boat ride on the river, too.
What Food is Famous in Kolkata?
When it comes to food, Kolkata has a variety of dishes and restaurants for you to try. The most famous food dishes in Kolkata include Macher Jhol, Biryani, Kosha Mangsho, Luchi - Alur Dom, Shukto, Kebab, Mochar Ghonto, etc. Among all the restaurants in Kolkata, Aminia Biriyani serves the best biriyani in town, so don’t forget to check out one of the most unique places to visit in Kolkata.
Fuchka or Panipuri are traditional street foods of Kolkata, and they are mouthwateringly delicious. Besides them, Kolkata has a range of options for street food like Momos or dumplings, Kati Roll, Chhanar Jilipi, Telebhaja, Ghugni Chaat, Dimer Devil, Doodh Cola, Jhalmuri, etc. Try them on your evening strolls and get ready to be exposed to a wide range of flavors.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Kolkata?
The best time to visit Kolkata is during winter when Kolkata weather remains dry and chilly. It is perfect for sightseeing. So try to visit Kolkata from October to March. Kolkata temperature is very hot and humid during summer, so you should avoid visiting Kolkata from April to May as the heat will make you tired and unfit for sightseeing.
Where To Stay In Kolkata?
Bangladeshi tourists prefer to stay at hotels near the New Market area because it's easier to do shopping if they live closer to the New Market. The prices for rooms in Marquis Street are quite reasonable. A medium-range hotel room in Marquis Street costs around 1,000 to 2,000 rupees only. Book at least a week before the arrival to ensure a room because the hotels are usually swamped with tourists throughout the year.
How To Travel To Kolkata?
There are mainly three routes you can choose to travel to Kolkata. Train, Bus, or Plane. Let’s discuss them now:
Dhaka To Kolkata By Train
Maitree Express is an international express train that has made travelling to Kolkata easy, comfortable, and affordable. It starts from Dhaka Cantonment and to Kolkata Station every Sunday and Friday. It takes about 34 hours to reach Kolkata. The fare includes travel tax.
Dhaka to Kolkata train fare:
AC chair car prices start from around BDT 3500
AC cabin prices start from around BDT 2500
Dhaka To Kolkata by Bus
Dhaka to Kolkata route spreads over 333.8 km of roadway. It takes approximately 10-12 hours to reach Kolkata. If you want to travel from Dhaka to Kolkata, you need to buy the tickets in advance. You can buy them on shohoz.com or visit Shyamoli Paribahan, Shohagh Paribahan, Green Line Paribahan, Royal Coach, Desh Travels, or Saudia Coach Service.
Dhaka to Kolkata bus ticket price ranges from BDT 870 - BDT 1900.
Dhaka to Kolkata Flight
If you want to save valuable time and energy, booking a flight is your best option. It takes about an hour for a flight to reach Kolkata. There are 38 flights a week from Dhaka by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Novo Air, US Bangladesh Airlines, and many more. You can find a flight on Flight Expert and book your tickets online.
Dhaka to Kolkata air ticket price starts from around BDT 6,700 in economy class.
To Conclude,
Now you know which are the most unique places to visit in Kolkata. Hope this blog has answered all your questions regarding your visit. Visit flightexpert.com to check for flights from Dhaka to Kolkata. Call us at +88-09617-111-888 or contact us for flight booking and visa processing services.
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By Rahat Muna
July 26, 2022
Thinker & Designer
