Places to visit in Kolkata – Located on the banks of river Hooghly, Kolkata (also rendered as Calcutta) is the second-largest city of India and the capital of West Bengal.
The port of Kolkata is India’s oldest operating port. Kolkata is also known as the ‘cultural capital of India.’
It is a 350-year old metropolis with perpetually an ongoing festival of human existence. Kolkata, in its true sense, is the culture and artistic hub of the nation.
Vivid streets, the chaotic hustle of the indomitable self-made middle class, bustling creativity make the city unique.
With an attractive juxtaposition of the millennial hipster culture and the old colonial-era magic, you can stop admiring the city’s beauty.
The former British capital of India, the city, will baffle you with its diversity. Do not miss out on these things while in Kolkata-
01 Marvel At The Architecture Of The Victoria Memorial Palace
Built in the Indo-Saracenic revivalist style (a style that uses the best British and Mughal elements with Venetian, Egyptian, Deccani, and Islamic architectural elements) between 1906 and 1921, this architectural grandeur is absolutely breathtaking.
This opulent structure is built with white marble in the memory of Queen Victoria. An absolute must-visit to relish the essence of the Victorian era.
02 Watch A Beautiful Sunset At The Prinsep Ghat
Arguably the most romantic place in the city, Prinsep Ghat is the oldest ghat build in Kolkata under the British Raj.
Situated on the banks of river Hooghly, it is an idle place for a romantic escapade. You can enjoy the various street food of Kolkata in the vicinity.
03 Do Not Forget To Take A Tram Ride
Get an essence of the old-world charm of Kolkata by enjoying a tram ride. Kolkata is one of the few places where the tram is still functional, and it helps thousands of passengers to commute daily.
History of the Tram :
1873–1901: Horse-drawn trams
1900–1951: Electric trams
1951–1990: Nationalisation
1990–present: Later developments
04 Gape A Panoramic View Of The Howrah Bridge
Howrah Bridge or the Rabindra Setu is a cantilever bridge located over the Hooghly river and is the main connection between Howrah and Kolkata.
The unique fact about the bridge is that it is built only with rivets and without the usage of a single nut or bolt.
At the Kolkata end of the bridge terminated by the vibrant and colorful Mallick Ghat, Mallick Ghat is one of the largest flower markets in Asia.
You can see a myriad of hues and distinctive fragrances as you enter the market.
05 Seek For The Almighty At Dakshineshwar And Kalighat
For those who want to drown their body and soul in purity, a sanctum should definitely visit Dakshineshwar located on the banks of Hooghly River and Kalighat in the suburbs of Anami Sangha.
These are two prominent Hindu temples in the city where the deity worshipped is ‘Ma Kali’ or goddess Kali. These temples are flooded with pilgrims throughout the year.
Here are some more places to visit in Kolkata
06 Visit The Indian Museum
Behold and wonder at the largest and oldest museum of India. Marvel at the sprawling collection of antiques, fossils, Mughal paintings, ornaments, artifacts.
It’s a treat to history lovers and anybody for that matter.
07 A Haunted Escapade In The Park Street Cemetery
For an aesthetically pleasing and soothing as well as spine-chilling experience, you cannot afford to miss out on the famous Park Street cemetery.
A heritage site in Kolkata, the cemetery is built in Gothic and Indo-Saracenic style.
08 Enjoy A Ferry Ride
A visit to Kolkata would be incomplete without taking a ferry ride at the iconic ghats of the city. This ride is even more magical at night.
No written document can justify the experience one has at night in the waters of Hooghly River as you go along to watch the Howrah Bridge light up.
A mesmerizing and soothing experience, and you well deserve it.
09 Visit Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanical Garden
Do not forget to soak yourself in the serenity of the garden. It harbors The Great Banyan, which itself attracts tourists from all over the world.
It is 250 years old and has a circumference of over 330 meters. The garden also has a huge collection of orchids, palms, and bamboos.
Kolkata is a myriad of beautiful architectural marvels, beautiful bridges, a few of the best markets in India, the best street food, holy places, art, culture, and smiling faces.
These are a few of the places to visit in Kolkata. The city has much more to office.
You may also want to read: City Of Nawabs – Lucknow.