Top 10 Places to Visit in Kolkata and How to Experience it Like a Local, Avoiding the Common Pitfalls That Most First Time Visitors Fall Prey to (2019)

Kolkata got the name City of Joy from Dominique Lapierre’s novel of the same name. It commemorates the indomitable spirit of the city and its people. Kolkata is a dynamic city that has seen many events and changes in its long history. It is a city with character and a soul. Kolkata showcases an unparalleled homogenous amalgamation of the past and the present. The northern part of the city is resplendent with ancient palaces and rich heritage while the southern part of the city boasts skyscrapers and other tenets of vibrant modernity. Follow this BP Guide to explore Kolkata.

History, culture, heritage, picturesque locations, vibrant shopping centres and delicious food- Kolkata has it all. This colourful collage of a city will not fail to impress you and give you the most memorable tour of your life. Explore India’s most important history-the colonial era, immerse yourself in the tales of various cultures and indulge in a shopping spree and lip smacking cuisines.

A multicultural city
Kolkata is not only home to the Bengalis, the ethnic group native to the place, but also to Anglo-Indians, the Chinese, the Armenians and the Baghdadi Jews. The city once serving as the capital of the British colonial empire in India, made it a hub of settlement for various cultures. Each of these cultures coexist all the while maintaining their uniqueness. The area in and around Tiriti Bazaar is known as Old Chinatown and the main centre of settlement for the Chinese immigrants. This place is famous for old Chinese temples, Chinese style of architecture and authentic Chinese cuisine.

You can find the Anglo-Indians in Bow Barracks where they have been living for generations. The Baghdadi Jews have opened many businesses and cultural centres throughout the city. Though most of them emigrated to the state of Israel after its formation in 1948 yet a sizeable population remained in the city and have blended seamlessly in it. Two of the most famous Jewish establishments in the city are Beth El Synagogue and Nahoum’s, a Jewish bakery situated in New Market.

Kolkata has many places of attraction. Bollywood movies that have been shot in Kolkata have shown some of the most popular attractions in the city but there are still some places equally magnificent but not so popular like the ones shown in films. BP Guide helps you plan a tour to these unconventional places so that you may explore Kolkata better and just topically.

Fort William was one of the earliest structures to be built in the city of Kolkata. The English East India Company started building the fort in 1696 and took 10 years to complete. Later, it was renovated in 1758 which led to the formation of two distinct structures of the fort.

Situated on the eastern banks of the picturesque River Hooghly, this establishment served many purposes throughout its existence. It started as a trading post for the British, then a British stronghold in colonized India, a prison and now serves as the headquarter of the Eastern Command of the Indian Army. The myriad roles this establishment played makes its history that much more rich and diverse. Coupled with it, its colossal structure and magnificent architecture is a source of awe to all.

It is the largest planetarium in not just in India but Asia as a whole, and is second largest in the world. The M.P. Birla Planetarium conducts many visual shows and programs on the motion of the planets and astronomical science. It is a museum that attracts many space science lovers from all across the globe. Besides such interesting shows, there are many models of famous astronauts and celestial bodies as well as models explaining the various phenomena of outer space. An hour here will be one of the most interesting hours of your life.

Notwithstanding its contents, Indian Museum on its own is a piece of history, what with it being the oldest museum in the country. Built in 1814, it has 35 galleries showcasing some of the finest sculptures, ornaments, fossils, skeletons, mummies, paintings, armours and antique pieces. A trip down the 35 massive halls of the museum is like visiting various eras of our timeline. To ensure an organized viewing experience, the galleries are divided under 6 major categories namely, anthropology, archaeology, zoology, geology, art and botany. There is also a bookshop selling history books within the premises.

The Marble Mansion is the standing proof of the opulent houses that once adorned Kolkata. Rich landlords as well as colonial masters used to build magnificent houses for themselves as an exhibition of their wealth and stature in society. The Marble Mansion was built by Raja Rajendra Mullick and houses works of art made by some of the most famous international artists like Rembrandt, Van Gogh and Reynolds. It also houses a zoo where many exotic and rare birds and animals are kept.

Shobhabazar Rajbari’s literal translation in English would be the royal palace of Sobhabazar. It is a standing testament to the history, culture and opulence of the royals of Bengal. The palace was built in Bengali style architecture and possessed a grandeur that is still evident today after so many years. The arched columns, the long corridors, the grand bedrooms and many events of importance that took place here, makes this place a must visit.

This 273 hectares spread of greenery is a spot of respite in the chaotic and overpopulated city. It was built during the British rule in 1787 by Colonel Kyd. It has more than 12000 varieties of perennial plants and many preserved plants from across the globe. It also boasts of beautiful orchids and many astounding tropical flowers. The greatest attraction of the garden, though, is the colossal banyan tree. It forms the second largest canopy in the entire world. The greenery of the botanical garden serves a sight for sore eyes.

Situated on the banks of River Hooghly, this is a picturesque recreational place. Here you can take long walks along the riverfront enjoying the cool breeze, be mesmerized by sunrise or sunset or take a boat ride in traditional Bengali boats. The structure itself is famous for its Gothic architecture. Built during the British Rule, it is one of the few structures that has maintained it pre-independence aura. The structure is popular dating site because of it romantic ambiance and a photographer’s delight because of the beauty of its setting. It is also a popular filming location.

Known as the Disneyland of Bengal, Nicco Park is an amusement park consisting of many rides and activities. It is a perfect place to visit for an outing especially if you have kids in your tour group. It has both wet and dry rides. There are also shows conducted within the premise that are not only enjoyable but also educational. There are science shows, a video game parlour and stage shows put up on the premises besides the fun rides. Also, the park is known for being eco -friendly as every electrical equipment is run by solar energy harnessed by the park.

Park Street is the most happening place in the entire city of Kolkata. This street literally never sleeps and you can find it bustling with people whether it is 2 PM or 2 AM. Home to many pubs and restaurants, it is a popular hangout spot, especially for youngsters. It’s a fashionable street where you can find famous 5-star restaurants and nightclubs. Christmas and New Year celebrations in Park Street are legendary and pull crowds from all over Bengal on these two festive days.

The official shopping centre of Kolkata, Chowringhee is a bustling intersection that houses elite boutiques, malls, shops, restaurants, bars, cinemas and other recreational centres. It is a shopaholic’s paradise and the presence of many heritage buildings in the region make it a must visit for photographers and history buffs. Chowringhee is one of the most colourful parts of Kolkata where one can see a menagerie of human life in various stages and statuses. The heritage, history and dynamic nature of this place have inspired many novels, plays and films.

While traveling around Kolkata, one must keep in mind two important things: weather and traffic. Kolkata has a hot and humid climate which requires you to be constantly hydrated. Traffic is sometimes atrocious with traffic jams occurring during rush hours making you stranded for hours. Add to it the city’s affinity towards conducting rallies, processions and demonstrations. Staying hydrated and updated about the traffic should be your prime mantras.

Kolkata has a hot and humid climate and going out means profusely perspiring. Dehydration and dizziness is common in this weather if you are not properly hydrated. It is advisable that you carry a bottle of glucose water with you and sip it as you explore this city. This will not only protect your health but also make the heat and humidity bearable.

Kolkata is one of the most densely populated cities in India and thus no matter how many roads are built, the traffic overwhelms them. Roads can get clogged with traffic during rush hours and so before going out, it is important to check the traffic situation in the area you are travelling to. The city’s traffic control gives regular updates of the traffic situation through local FM channels and digitised hoardings. Besides, news of any procession or rally or demonstration to be held on any road can be found on the official website of Kolkata Traffic Police. Do check them before proceeding.

Local taxis try to fleece visitors taking advantage of their ignorance of the local rates. A quick search on the internet or asking a local would apprise you of the correct fare for a specified distance. If that is too much of a hassle then you can opt for app cabs. App cabs have effectively counteracted the taxi nuisance of Kolkata and have become one of the affordable, quick and safe ways to travel within the city.

This is very convenient as the majority of tourist spots and business centres fall in the vicinity of a metro station. The Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation provides a one-day travel metro card to allow tourists to avail the metro to conduct their tour. In this scheme, you pay and make a metro card that is valid for a day and can be used to travel to and fro the metro corridor. This way you do not have to stand in queue to get your metro tokens thus making movement much smoother.