18 Most Famous Tourist Places In Kolkata

Kolkata, the City of Joy, enrich with its heritage, traditional food, and culture and with the people, called “Bengalis”. In Kolkata, there are plenty of tourist places with rich architecture.

Job Charnock arrived and started the journey of Kolkata and created the history of the city. There was three small fishing village, namely Sutanuti, Kalikata and Govindopur in 1690 when East India Company arrived in Kolkata. During the Independence movement, “Calcutta” became the epicenter of anti-British activity.

Today Kolkata is of 4.5 million people. There are many tourist places in Kolkata that are enriching Kolkata tourism. Kolkata is the cultural capital full of heritage. Take a look at those best tourist spots in Kolkata. The funny part is Kolkata is one of the cheapest cities. So you can visit some of the famous places in Kolkata at a cheap price.

Before you make a plan here is some Most Famous Tourist places In Kolkata:

 18 Most Famous Tourist Places In Kolkata:

1. Victoria Memorial:

Victoria memorial is one of the great attractions of Kolkata, situated in the heart of Kolkata. It covers around 57 acres of land. It is made of white marble. This marvelous structure was built to celebrate 25 years of rule over India of Queen Victoria. It is an accurate replica of the Victoria Memorial of London.

Victoria Memorial is an iconic structure that represents the joyful part of Kolkata. There is a big statue in the hall room of the memorial and a museum where you can see the dresses and used items of that period. Also, you can see cannon, guns, swords of some historical personalities. There are a sixteen feet tall bronze statue on ball bearings at the top of the complex, which is the symbol of victory, that increase the grandeur of the memorial. The light, sound, and mountain show of the memorial are very attractive and gives a great immense to almost 20 lacks annual visitors.

This is one of the Most Famous Tourist places In Kolkata.

Location:

Victoria Memorial Hall, 1, Queen’s Way, Maidan, Kolkata, West Bengal 700071.

Entry Fee:

30 rupees for Indian visitors and 200 rupees for foreigners.

Timing:

Except for Monday, every day from 5.30 am to 6.15 pm for the garden and 10 am to 5 pm for the museum.

2.Fort William:

In Kolkata, Fort William is one of the most attractive historical places. It is situated on the eastern bank of the Hoogly river. This historical structure was build by the East India Company and named after King William III. It was built-in 1696 and spread over around 70 acres.

It is known as the “Black Hole of Kolkata” because once it was used as a temporary jail for prisoners of that era. But today Fort William is the property of the Indian army. It is used as the headquarter of the Eastern command. There is a capacity of 10000 army personnel in Fort William.

Apart from the power and intelligence of the Indian army, Fort William has a great significance in architecture. It is a must visited place in Kolkata. This is one of the Most Famous Tourist places In Kolkata.

Location:

Fort William, Hastings, Kolkata

Entry Fee:

Free Entry

Timings:

10 am to 5:30 pm

3. Howrah Bridge:

Howrah bridge, ‘Harbour Bridge of India’ is an iconic landmark of Kolkata. It is built over the river Hoogly. This massive bridge is made of steel. It saves the connection between two major cities, Kolkata and Howrah, and is one of the busiest bridges in Kolkata. It carries 100000 vehicles of daily traffic and countless pedestrians. It is the sixth-longest cantilever bridge.

The official name of this Bridge is ‘Rabindra Setu’. It is named after Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. The unique part of the Howrah bridge is it has not a single number of nuts or bolts. It is termed as the ‘oldest but the busiest’ place in Kolkata. It is among the great places to visit in Kolkata in the evening. It is a graceful view to see the lit bridge sparkling in the dark.

Kolkata Sightseeing is incomplete without the marvelous view of Howrah Bridge. This is one of the Most Famous Tourist places In Kolkata.

Location: 

Jagannath Ghat, 1, Strand Road, Kolkata

Entry Fee: 

No entry fees. It is open to all.

Timings: 

N/A

4. Alipur Zoo:

Alipur zoo or Calcutta Zoo is a great attraction of Kolkata. It is also called the Zoological Garden of Alipur, which is the oldest zoological garden in India. It attracts every category of tourists from all across the nation. It is a treasure for enthusiasts nature and animal lovers. This zoological garden is spread over an area of 46 acres and operating since 1876.

It is the home of many exotic animals, such as Royal Bengal Tigers, Asian Elephants, White Tigers, Leopards, Kangaroo, One-horned Rhinoceros, Giraffes, Zebras, Antelopes, many kinds of deers, reptiles such as different kind of snakes, crocodiles, many types of bird species such as ostrich, emu, peacock, Cassowary, Swinhoe’s Pheasant, Macaos, Lorikeets, Lady Amherst’s Pheasants, Hornbills, etc. It is more popular for once being the home of the ‘Adwaita’, Aldabra giant tortoise which had died in 2006 at the age of 250-years.

Alipur zoo becomes more crowded in the winter season. Although people of all ages visit and enjoy this zoological garden, it is mostly famous among children and teenagers. No doubt this zoological garden with numerous numbers of species bring a smile to every person’s face who visits the zoo. This is one of the Most Famous Tourist places In Kolkata.

Location: 

Belvedere Road, Lake Place, Alipore, Kolkata 700025

Entry Fee:

 Rs 30 for adults and Rs 10 for kids below 5.

Timings: 

9 AM – 5 PM

5. Indian Museum:

Indian Museum of Kolkata is the ninth oldest museum in the world. It is also the largest in India. This is one of the Most Famous Tourist places In Kolkata. It is known as ‘Jadughar’. It is founded in the year 1814. It has a magnificent collection of fossils, skeletons, contemporary paintings, Egyptian mummies, armors, antiques, and an exquisite collection of ornaments.

There are 35 galleries in the Indian museum, which have been divided into six categories, namely- Zoology, Geology, Anthropology, Archaeology, and Economic Botany. There is also a library present on museum premises. Museum has an amazing collection and it takes us back in time to witness our fascinating past.

Location: 

27, Jawaharlal Nehru Rd, Colootola, New Market Area, Dharmatala, Taltala, Kolkata

Entry Fee:

Rs 20 for Indians, and Rs 500 for foreigners.

Timings:  

10 am to 5 pm

6. Kalighat Kali temple:

51 Shakti Sthals of India, Kalighat Kali Temple is one of them, located in Kolkata. This temple is constructed 200 years ago by Sabarna Roy Chowdhury. This temple is dedicated to Ma Kali. According to mythology, the toe of the right foot of Sati ma fell into this place during Shiva’s Tandava. It is one of the most visited temples in India.

It is said that a Dasanami monk, Chowranga Giri at first worshipped ma Kali with great austerity. From then, it became a religious center. This is one of the Most Famous Tourist places In Kolkata.

Location: Anami Sangha, Kalighat, Kolkata

Entry Fee: Free Entry

Timings: 5 am to 2 pm, and 5 pm to 10:30 pm

7. Dakkhineswar kali temple:

Dakkhineswar kali temple is one of the most famous shrines in India. It is situated on the eastern bank of the Hoogly river. This temple is constructed by Rani Rashmoni in1855 and is dedicated to Ma Kali. This temple is also known as the Ma Bhabatarini temple.

It is a very peaceful and quiet pilgrimage place. This temple is famous for its association with great Ramkrishna Paramahansa and Ma Sarada Devi. People also bathe in the holy river Ganga. People also take a ferry ride to go to Belur Math. This is one of the Most Famous Tourist places In Kolkata.

Location: 

Dakshineswar, Kolkata

Entry Fee: 

Free Entry

Timings: 

6 am to 12:30 pm, from 3 pm to 8:30 pm

8. Belur Math:

Belur Math is one of the most visited temples of Kolkata, founded by Swami Vivekananda. This is one of the Most Famous Tourist places In Kolkata. But it is such a temple where no religious offering is made. Even fruits, flowers, and sweets are not offered. Belur Math is the headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission and Ramkrishna Math. It is placed on the western bank of the Hooghly river and spread over 40 acres of land. People from different states and countries visit this place.

This temple symbolized secularism. The chief disciple of this temple is Ramkrishna Paramahansa. This temple is not only known for the unity of all religions but also it is known for its amazing architecture. This place has a deep feeling of peace where visitors can feel inner peace and get mental satisfaction. This pilgrimage site is one of the best Kolkata tourist places for people. 

Location:

Belur, Howrah, West Bengal

Entry Fee:

Free Entry

Timings:

9 am to 11 am, and 4 pm to 6 pm

9. Rabindra Sarovar:

Rabindra Sarovar is one of the famous tourist places in Kolkata, formerly known as ‘Dhakuria Lake’. The environment of this lake is very quiet and peaceful. This lake is the home of migratory birds of different countries, especially Siberia and Russia. It is also home to various aquatic animals such as fishes, turtles, etc.

People also love to do morning walks, jogging, yoga on the premises of Rabindra Sarovar and in its fresh air. It is a recreational spot. This is one of the Most Famous Tourist places In Kolkata.

Location:

Southern Avenue, Golpark, Tollygunge, Dhakuria, Lake Gardens, Kolkata

Entry Fee:

Free

Timing:

N/A

10. Birla Planetarium:

At present, Birla Planetarium is the largest planetarium in Asia and the second largest planetarium in the world. It is situated at the famous Chowranghee road of Kolkata near to the church St. Pauls Cathedral and Victoria memorial. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru set up Birla Planetarium on 2nd July 1963. It is also known as ‘Taramandal’.

There are an astronomy gallery and an electronic laboratory in Birla Planetarium. That has many paintings and astronomical paintings. Many shows and programs are organized in various languages, including Bengali, English, and Hindi in Birla Planetarium.

People who have an interest in science, especially in space science or astronomy, visit this place from all over the world. Show about planets and their unknown, but interesting factors, pictures of famous astronauts and other celestial bodies attract people. A visit to the Birla Planetarium is really graceful and mesmerizing. This is one of the Most Famous Tourist places In Kolkata.

Location:

Cathedral Road, near Victoria Memorial, Kolkata

Entry Fees:

Rs 100.

Timing:

Hindi Show: 12 pm and 3:45 pm

English Show: 1:15 pm

Bengali Show: 2:30 pm and 5 pm

11. Birla Mandir:

Birla Mandir is a popular and attractive Hindu temple of Kolkata, founded by the famous Birla family. Dedicating Lord Krishna and Radharani, This temple is constructed. It is famous for its amazing architecture, situated in Ballygunge, Kolkata.

This temple is a perfect epitome of craftmanship and engineering genius. This temple is made of pearl white marble. Artists from Agra, Muzaffarpur, and Mirzapur sculpt the walls of this temple.

Although the chief deity of this temple is Lord Krishna, gods like Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Lord Hanuman, Lord Vishnu, and his ten avatars and Goddess Durga adore in this temple. Janmasthami celebration of this temple is very famous. This magnificent sculpture and amazing pattern of architecture enrich the Tourism of Kolkata. This is one of the Most Famous Tourist places In Kolkata.

Location:

29, Ashutosh Chowdhury Avenue, Ballygunge, opposite Ballygunge post office, Kolkata.

Entry Fee:

Free of cost

Timing:

5 am to 11 am and 4 pm to 9 pm

12. Chowrangee:

Chowringhee is the epicenter of recreational activities and shopping in Kolkata. The official name of Chowringhee is Jawarharlal Nehru Road. It is the paradise for any shopaholic. There are various shops, hotels, restaurants, malls, and boutiques in the Chowringhee area. There are also some heritage buildings placed in Chowringhee. At night you can also find some night owls in the pubs and nightclubs in Chowringhee.

People love to visit Chowringhee not only to explore the shops and malls, but it is also famous for the accessibility of its delicious street foods. This is one of the Most Famous Tourist places In Kolkata.

Timing: 24X7

13. Park Street:

Park street is a very famous place in Kolkata for marketing.  It is also a major route in Kolkata. The official name of Park Street is Mother Teresa Sarani. It is said to Park Street never sleeps. It has many pubs, hotels, restaurants and night clubs. It is the biggest place to hangout in Kolkata. At Christmas, Park Street is decorated with some beautiful and eye-catching decorations. It is also a great place for marketing. From Saree to Dokra items, everything is available in this place. This is one of the Most Famous Tourist places In Kolkata.

Timing:

24X7

14. South Park Street Cemetery:

 South Park Street Cemetery is a famous heritage site of Kolkata. Archaeological Survey of India maintains it. It is an 18th-century non-church cemetery, opened in 1767. It is among the most haunted places to visit in Kolkata. It is a very attractive tourist place in Kolkata. This is also one of the Most Famous Tourist places In Kolkata.

Location:

52, Park Street, opposite Assembly of God Church, Kolkata

Entry Fee:

No entry fees

Timing:

9 AM to 5 PM

15. Sovabazar Rajbari:

Shobhabajar Rajbari is one of the most attractive tourist places in Kolkata. This palace is the property of the Shobhabazar royal family. Raja Nabakrishna Deb founded it in 1772. It is a Saat Mahala palace and has a long courtyard. Its amazing architecture attracts visitors. Durga puja of Sovabazar Rajbari is a major attraction. This is one of the Most Famous Tourist places In Kolkata.

Location:

67C, Raja Naba Krishna Street, Kolkata

Timing:

4 pm to 5 pm

16. Botanical Gardens:

Botanical Garden, also known as Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden is placed on the western banks of Ganga river, in Shibpur, Howrah. Now, this garden is under the supervision of the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India. There is a stunning landscape of nature in the Botanical Garden. It is a paradise for nature lovers.

Botanical Garden is the home to 12,000 living perennial plants. Thousands of dried out plants have been collected from all across the globe. The big attraction of the Botanical garden is the widespread and huge Banyan tree. This is one of the Most Famous Tourist places In Kolkata.

Location:

Shibpur, Howrah, West Bengal

Entry Fee:

Rs 10 for Indians and Rs 100 for foreigners

Timings:

10 am to 7 pm

17. Calcutta Jain Temple:

Calcutta Jain Temple or Pareshnath Jain Temple is one of the most famous tourist places in Kolkata. This temple is dedicated to four Jain Tirthankaras. The beautiful sculpture of this temple attracts tourists from all over the world. There is a shop in the temple complex from where tourists can buy souvenirs. This temple is mostly visited by the followers of Jainism. Presently, a tourist from other religions also is visiting this temple. This is one of the Most Famous Tourist places In Kolkata.

Location: 

Badridas Temple Street, Kolkata

Entry Fee: 

No Entry Fee

Timings: 

6.00am to 10am and 5pm to 8pm

18. Prinsep Ghat:

Princep Ghat is one of the oldest and most famous places in Kolkata. You must visit the memory of James Princep, Princep Ghat. This memorial is famous for its Greek and Gothic inlays. This is also one of the famous places in Kolkata to visit at night. It has an amazing view of the riverside with lush greenery. It is a perfect picnic spot on the bank of the river Hoogly. In this place, one can spend quality time with a partner or family.

It presents a mesmerizing view of the sunset with the background of the Second Hoogly Bridge. It is a perfect spot for an evening walk. In this place, you find a lot of street food in Kolkata, from Papdi chat to famous 50-year-old ice-cream. One can take a ferry ride or “Pramod Yatra” from here. In 2002, from Princep Ghat to Kadamtala ghat, the river was inaugurated. This is one of the Most Famous Tourist places In Kolkata.

Location: 

Fort William, Hastings, Kolkata

Entry Fee: 

Free Entry

Timings: 

8 am to 8 pm

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