Posted 07 November 2022 in Culture and Heritage

These seven reasons are enough to entice you to a Kolkata trip

Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal and is situated on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River. 'Eden Gardens,’ located in Kolkata, is the third-largest cricket stadium globally. In India, the first metro train ran in Kolkata; apart from this, this is the only city where 'tram' still runs on the roads. India's most extensive and luxurious library is also present in Kolkata; if there is any busiest railway station in India, then it is Howrah Railway Station. The city here is famous for being the oldest port in India. Kolkata has been called one of the major tourist destinations due to its diverse cultures.

A singularly vital centre of history, art, and culture in India, Kolkata is a city everyone needs to experience at some point in their lives.

Reasons to visit Kolkata

When it comes to vacation inspiration, here are our seven reasons that are enough to entice you to a Kolkata trip:

1. Former capital

Kolkata is rich in history, having served as the capital of British India for more than a century. It was home to the headquarters of the British East India Company and became the capital of British colonies in the subcontinent under the British Raj. This era's impact may be recognized throughout the city's architecture and culture.

2. Dynamic markets

Kolkata offers some of India’s busiest and oldest marketplaces. Whether you are shopping for flowers at Mallik Ghat or vintage books at College Street, Kolkata's bustling bazaars will delight you with their wide choice of economic staples and curios.

3. Exceptional architecture

From the majestic colonial-era Victoria Memorial to the ever-busy Howrah Bridge, Kolkata has always lured tourists across the globe. If we throw light on the significant buildings of Kolkata, which were built back during the British times and are still standing strong due to their unique and strategic architectural planning. With a mix of antique cathedrals, synagogues, temples, medieval castles, and colonial buildings, Kolkata’s architecture pulls off many old-world buildings in the significant places of the town.

4. Uniquely cosmopolitan

As home to substantial numbers of Chinese, Armenian, Jewish, and other immigrant communities, Kolkata is notably cosmopolitan among Indian cities. Each of these groups has contributed to Kolkata’s social, historical, political, cultural, and architectural progress, creating a unique combination of cultures that will entertain visitors.

5. Food

Everyone who enjoys different cuisines should visit Kolkata at least once. Home to excellent street cuisine, mouthwatering Bengali sweets and pastries, old Indo-Chinese restaurants, and a range of renowned eateries, Kolkata is among India’s top venues to taste fantastic food.

6. Trams

Kolkata is India’s only city with a functioning tram network. The oldest in Asia, Kolkata’s tram system is a spectacular and fascinating experience tourists are bound to enjoy. Immersed in an ancient world of magnificence and travelling through some of the most ancient portions of the city, these breathtaking rides are every bit worth a visit to Kolkata.

7. Historic Rail Network

Kolkata features one of India’s most historic railway networks. The city’s ever-busy train terminals handle more people than most others in India, a source of immense fascination to tourists. The Howrah Junction Railway Station, constructed in 1854, is India's oldest and busiest railway station. With 23 functioning platforms, it also claims the most considerable train-handling capacity among railway stations in the nation.

Things to do in Kolkata

Enjoy a Tram Ride

As we already mentioned earlier, Kolkata claims to be the only city in India and one of the few in the world where you may ride electric trams. Explore this dynamic city on a tram tour and see how it has maintained a link to its history despite its modernity.

Location: In the Maidan, near the Esplanade Tram Depot.
Timings: 06:30 to 21:30 hours; every day

Relish a sumptuous breakfast at Tiretti Bazar

If you are a connoisseur who likes to eat Chinese food, Tiretti Bazar is a destination you must not miss out on visiting. This is one of the very few locations in Kolkata where you can enjoy authentic Chinese cuisine early in the morning. Momos, buns, sausages, rice balls, chicken balls, meatball soup, pork pies, breaded pig fillets, fish, siu mai and spring rolls are some of the sumptuous dishes at Tiretti Bazar.

Location: Sun Yat-Sen Street
Best Restaurants: Golden Joy, Big Boss, Beijing, Kafulok, Kim Ling, and Fung Fa

Visit the famous temples in Kolkata

Whether you are religiously inclined or not, you need to tour the city’s temples on your one-day vacation. You may offer prayers at these temples or stroll about, taking in the peaceful feelings and visually feasting on their architectural beauty. Check out our list of the notable temples in Kolkata:

Dakshineswar,
Kalighat Temple
Belur
The Badridas Temple
The Minto Park ISKCON Temple

Take a trip to the mall

Shopaholics, we have got excellent news for you. One of the fascinating things to do in Kolkata is shop. It surely helps that the city features a range of marketplaces to obtain anything from apparel to jewellery and even home décor goods. Some of the most significant shopping places in Kolkata include:

Brand-new store: The store is open from 1100 to 2100, from Monday to Saturday. Tourists as well as locals can purchase gems, apparel, housewares, and luggage.
Hatibagan market: The timings are from 0900 to 2200 hours. The market remains closed on Sundays. One can buy clothes, home décor and jewellery from the market.

Taking a walk around the Botanical Gardens

When you seek things to visit in Kolkata in one day, you cannot leave behind the Botanical Gardens. About 12,000 plant and tree species call this massive garden, which spans 109 hectares, home. The main attraction of this park is the Great Banyan, a gigantic banyan tree that is regarded as the largest banyan tree in the nation.

Location: Shibpur, Howrah
Timings: 08:00 to 18:00 hour; every day
Entry Fee: ₹ 10

Kolkata has a lot more to offer its tourists. Its warmth, vivacity, and countless attractions all work together to make it a one-of-its-kind destination. Come, fall in love with the spirit of Kolkata.

Having a good time at night is a great way to end the day

If you wonder what to do in Kolkata at night, you may consider visiting one of the bars, where you can have a good time with your friends. Backstage, Perfect Place In Town, The Junction, Aqua, Shisha, and several other places are among those on the list.

Kolkata travel tips

Kolkata, an essential entry point to the northeastern section of India, is readily accessible by aircraft from any major city in India or even further away. Moreover, the city is well-connected to all major Indian cities by an efficient railway network and a complex system of highways and arterial roads that pass-through Kolkata.

How to fly to Kolkata?

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport is the airfield that links Kolkata with other significant metropolitans in the country. It also serves frequent flights to and from Southeast Asia and European nations. Travellers may use public transportation like buses and private cabs to reach their location from the airport. Also, a few trains link the airport to the railway station in Dum Dum through a new rail connection. You can find the best suited IndiGo flights to Kolkata routes and get the best deals and discounts.

How to reach Kolkata via rail?

Kolkata is linked to the rest of the country through an integrated railway network, with which passengers may quickly enter the city on a budget. Sealdah (SDAH) is among the busiest railway stations in India and handles long-distance trains from all areas of the nation over three terminals. From the train terminals, prepaid taxis are typically accessible everywhere in the city. Major railway stations in Kolkata: Kolkata Chitpur (KOAA), Kolkata Santragachi Junction (SRC), Kolkata Howrah (BDJ), Bidhan Nagar Road (BNXR), Dakhineswar (DAKE), Belgharia (BLH), and Dum Dum Junction (DDJ)

How to drive to Kolkata?

Kolkata has seamless linkage with other major metropolitan centres through a network of motorways and expressways. NH 12 and NH 16 are two of the essential thoroughfares that pass-through Kolkata. Esplanade Bus Station is the central interstate bus station for individuals who like to travel by bus. In addition to the Esplanade Bus Terminal, the city's interstate bus terminals are Babughat Bus Stand and Tollygunge Tram Depot Bus Stand.

When is the best time to go to Kolkata?

The ideal time to visit Kolkata is during the fall and winter months between October and February when the weather is pleasant and there are several celebrations to enjoy. This is the time of year when the most significant number of travellers arrive, particularly around Durga Puja. Kolkata, which has an eastern tropical climate, has mild winters and hot, humid summers that are a little bit wet.

Plan your vacation to Kolkata

Kolkata is a city that makes for an enticing holiday, as you get to see the colourful festivals and lip-smacking local dishes. Along with this, the plethora of shopping the city offers is fantastic. Kolkata, also known as the 'City of Joy,’ will undoubtedly rock your holidays.