The City of Joy — as Dominique Lapierre famously called Kolkata. This is the place I consider to be the heart and soul of India. As you go through this list, lose yourself in the spirit of the place and truly feel it. There is nothing more soulful than Bengali culture, traditions, literature, and its people. It’s the perfect balance between contemporary changes and age-old traditions. On one side, I see the restless and chaotic traffic, and on the other, a tram moving at a turtle’s pace, carrying people along. Here are 10 places to visit in Kolkata that introduced me to the city’s pure charm.
Top 10 Places to Visit in Kolkata – The City of Joy
- Howrah Bridge
- Prinsep Ghat
- Science City
- Kalighat Kali Temple
- New Market (Sir Stuart Hogg Market) – Terreti Morning Bazaar
- Victoria Memorial Hall
- Mother’s Wax Museum
- Indian Museum
- Sundarbans
- State Archaeological Gallery
1. Howrah Bridge
The morning hours at Howrah Bridge are filled with untold stories of Kolkata. A boat ride under the bridge is truly enchanting, especially during sunset. Sipping hot tea in a clay cup or the city’s famous masala milk makes you feel as if the day has just begun.
Howrah Bridge is a work of art in itself, and you can easily spend an entire day here without a moment of boredom — from morning till night, watching the city lights reflect on the water beneath the bridge. Leaving this beautiful city behind became even harder. Howrah Bridge is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Kolkata.
2. Prinsep Ghat
On the banks of the Hooghly River stands Prinsep Ghat — one of the oldest ghats built during the British Raj. In my opinion, it offers some of the most beautiful views in the city. The scenery here is unmatched. To truly soak in the city’s atmosphere, you just need to spend an evening here, enjoying authentic Bengali food from the nearby stalls.
Boats sailing on the Hooghly, people sipping coffee, the Palladian porch, and an ice cream stall that has been here for over 40 years — this is Kolkata in its essence. A 2-kilometre-long riverfront stretches from this ghat to Babughat, which lights up beautifully at night and offers a stunning view.
The boat ride from Prinsep Ghat to Babughat completely mesmerised me. If you haven’t visited Kolkata at least once, it’s safe to say your journey will feel incomplete. You must explore these places in Kolkata.
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3. Science City
Visiting India’s largest science centre was a memorable experience. Managed by the National Council of Science Museums, this fascinating centre comes under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
The centre has two main facilities and offers a wide range of attractions for visitors, including the Space Odyssey, Dynamotion, Science Exploration Hall, Maritime Centre, Earth Exploration Hall, and more. My personal favourites were the “Science on a Sphere” display and the Life Evolution car ride — both were as entertaining as they were informative. Making an intellectual subject like science as easy to grasp as a piece of cake was truly fascinating!
4. Kalighat Kali Temple
The first image of Kolkata that always stays fresh in my mind is Durga Puja. As our very own Satyajit Ray once said, “Dominus Omnium Magister” — which means God is the master of all things. In Kolkata, Kali Puja is a very common sight, and not a single day goes by without thousands of pilgrims flocking to the Kalighat Temple. Amid the melodies of aarti and bhajans, there isn’t a single dull moment here.
Idol worship is carried out in all its grandeur — Kali Mata is draped in beautiful silk sarees and adorned with garlands of fresh flowers. Without a doubt, this is one of the most talked-about and significant places in Kolkata.
5. New Market (Sir Stuart Hogg Market) – Terreti Morning Bazaar
Two markets, just 4 kilometres apart, yet offering completely different experiences. Terreti Morning Bazaar wakes up even when the entire city is still asleep — lighting up fires and preparing breakfast for the early risers. One of the countless food streets in Kolkata, this place serves delicious Chinese and Indian dishes! A plate of freshly steamed momos and some mouthwatering manchow soup, and I was set for the entire day.
New Market, on the other hand, was a completely different scene — a reflection of the city’s fast-paced, bustling life. Pushcart vendors, street-side bhaji and ghugni chaat stalls, colourful fabrics, fruit sellers, and so much more! So much was happening in such a short time that I had to keep reminding myself to keep moving to see the entire market. With so much to explore, it felt like I’d be committing a sin if I missed out on any part of it.
In short, I ended up spending an entire day around New Market and Terreti Morning Bazaar.
6. Victoria Memorial Hall
Dedicated to Queen Victoria, this iconic monument offers an experience that feels like a walk through history. Its charm has not faded in the slightest since the day it was built.
The contrasts hidden within Kolkata are also reflected in the architecture of the memorial. This 103-metre-long structure combines grand European architecture with intricate elements of Mughal design. As soon as I stepped inside, I was greeted by the captivating sight of beautiful Western and Indian paintings. Exhibitions are often held here, and each visit feels like a completely new experience. Don’t miss the gallery exhibitions — they are as magnificent as the memorial itself.
I spent hours strolling around the memorial and a few more in its gardens. Some people were enjoying a peaceful morning walk, which added to the charm of the place. The fact that the gardens are so accessible to the public fascinated me. The garden is adorned with bronze and marble statues that felt like history being narrated right before my eyes. This is undoubtedly one of the most popular places to visit in Kolkata.
7. Mother’s Wax Museum
It was my first time visiting a wax museum, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. Located in New Town, this is one of Kolkata’s most visited tourist attractions. From Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa to contemporary figures like Virat Kohli and Angelina Jolie, the museum houses lifelike wax statues of many great personalities.
There is so much to see here. Skillfully sculpted to resemble these famous figures, it was almost impossible to walk through the place without admiring the hard work behind them. The crowd of visitors eager to take pictures with the wax figures is a sight in itself. Without exploring this museum, you would feel left out — it is truly one of the best places to visit in Kolkata.
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8. Indian Museum
For art lovers, this place is a must-visit! It features historical collections, archaeology, art from countries like Egypt, and much more. The place is usually crowded, especially on weekends, so I decided to plan my visit at a time that suited me for a more comfortable experience. This museum is one of the most important in the country and houses many fascinating exhibits!
9. Sundarbans
Holding the title of being the world’s largest river delta and estuarine mangrove, the Sundarbans offers an unmatched wildlife experience. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this natural wonder is located in the coastal region of the Bay of Bengal.
While exploring around 7–8 in the morning, I witnessed several beautiful wild animals stepping out of their homes to roam freely — a truly priceless sight. The unique plant species here also made me aware of the vast natural resources we possess. We often choose to remain unaware of such treasures, but visiting this place replaced every bit of my ignorance with rich knowledge.
One of the most thrilling experiences here was spotting the Royal Bengal tiger in its natural habitat. However, entering the estuarine delta area requires following certain procedures, such as obtaining prior permission from the office of the Field Director of the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve.
Without visiting the Sundarbans, you cannot truly call yourself an explorer of the city. It is a paradise for nature lovers and undoubtedly one of the must-visit places in Kolkata.
10. State Archaeological Gallery
Established in 1962, this gallery houses some rare artefacts and exhibitions. The excavation sites from which these ancient objects were recovered date from the Paleolithic period to the Neolithic period. Most of them are related to the evolution of early humans through to the modern era.
It is one of the most informative experiences, filled with cultural and intellectual enrichment. This is why entry is free for children up to 15 years of age. Through its museums and galleries, Kolkata ensures one of the richest historical experiences.