Culture, colonial grandeur and legendary street food
Kolkata is India's former colonial capital and a city of poets, artists and passionate food lovers. Grand British buildings sit beside crowded bazaars and old Bengali neighborhoods. Durga Puja turns it into a giant street festival each year. It suits culture lovers, foodies and independent travelers.
Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.
A grand white marble museum and garden dedicated to Queen Victoria. It holds paintings, maps and artifacts from British India. The surrounding park is a popular place to relax.
Foreigner ticket for museum and gardens, 2026 range.
A giant steel cantilever bridge over the Hooghly River, one of the busiest in the world. Nearby Mullick Ghat Flower Market is full of marigolds and activity. It is a great photo spot.
Free to see; no entry fee.
A famous temple to the goddess Kali on the Hooghly, linked to the saint Ramakrishna. It draws large crowds. The riverside setting is peaceful early.
Free.
India's oldest and largest museum, with Egyptian mummies, fossils, sculptures and coins. The building is a grand colonial hall. It is great for rainy days.
Foreigner ticket, 2026 range.
A 19th century Gothic style cathedral with stained glass and a tall spire. It stands near Victoria Memorial. Services are held regularly.
Entry is free; donations welcome.
A district where artisans shape clay idols of gods and goddesses, especially before Durga Puja. Narrow lanes are packed with workshops. You can watch idols being painted.
Free to wander; give respect and ask before photos.
A mile of bookstalls near the university, with endless used books, textbooks and rare finds. The Indian Coffee House is a famous place for discussion. It is a Kolkata classic.
Free to browse; books vary.
The headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission, a calm riverside temple complex mixing Hindu, Christian and Islamic design. It is a peaceful break. Visitors can walk the gardens.
Free.
The home of Mother Teresa's order and her tomb. A small museum shows her room and belongings. Volunteering is possible via the organization.
Free; donations welcome.
A historic covered market and a lively food street nearby. Shops sell clothes, crafts, spices and sweets. Evenings are busy.
Browsing is free.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it.
Choose how many days you have.
Day one is colonial sights, day two is Howrah and Dakshineswar, day three is College Street, Kumartuli and Park Street.
Former French colony with riverside buildings and a French museum.
22 mi · Train or car, about 1 hour each way
Rabindranath Tagore's university town with crafts and Baul music.
99 mi · Train from Howrah, about 2h30 each way
Mangrove delta famous for Bengal tigers, boat safaris and birds.
62 mi · Car and boat, usually a full day or overnight
Best: October to February. Weather is dry and cooler, with festivals in October and a pleasant winter, while May is hot and June to September is humid and rainy.
Daily high and average, by month
Typical inches per month
Busy season. Higher prices, bigger crowds.
Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.
October (dates follow lunar calendar, around mid to late October)
Giant decorated pandals, parades and street food across the city.
Late January to early February
One of the world's largest book fairs.
April 14 or 15
Bengali New Year, with sweets, new clothes and fairs.
November
Film screenings and special events.
India is rated by governments at roughly normal to increased caution; Kolkata has a reputation as relatively friendly, but traffic, crowds and petty theft need care.
Central areas like Park Street and College Street are walkable, but heat and traffic limit long walks.
The metro, trams, buses and ferries cover much of the city, and the metro is the quickest way to get around.
The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.
Best for: first-timers, nightlife, food
Central with restaurants, shops and metro access.
Best for: business travelers, families
Modern area with hotels and malls.
Best for: food lovers, locals
Residential area with good eateries and markets.
Best for: rail travelers, budget
Near Howrah station and bridge, with simple hotels.
Best for: backpackers, budget
Lots of guesthouses and cheap eats.
| Main airport | Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (CCU), 11 mi from the center |
| To the center | Taxi or app cab takes 40 to 60 minutes depending on traffic; airport buses and metro links exist to some districts. |
| Around town | Take the metro or app cabs for most trips, and use the historic tram or ferry for a local flavor. Yellow Ambassador taxis are classic but check the meter. |
| Ride apps | Uber, Ola, Rapido |
Spiced meat or egg wrapped in paratha, born in Kolkata.
Famous Bengali sweets made from milk.
Bengali fish curry with potatoes.
Crisp hollow shells with spicy tamarind water.
Fragrant rice with meat and a potato, often served with egg.
| Plugs | Types C, D and M, 230 V |
| Tap water | Use bottled water |
| Tipping | Tip about 10 percent at restaurants if no service charge, plus small amounts for drivers. |
| Payments | Cards and UPI are common, but keep cash for street food, taxis and small shops. |
| Etiquette | Dress modestly, remove shoes at temples and some museums, and be polite when bargaining. |
Kolkata grew from three villages that the British East India Company developed from 1690. It was the capital of British India until 1911, which left grand colonial architecture. It became a center of the Bengal Renaissance in literature, science and politics, and gave India several Nobel laureates. The city was renamed Kolkata in 2001.
Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.