Day 1
Colonial Monuments Tour
10:00 AM – 02:00 PM
Kolkata is not a city, its an emotion. In order to get hold of the city, it becomes inevitable to reach and check-in your hotel in Dharmatal as early as possible to make the most of the first day.
Your first tourist spot will be not very far. Just hop on a yellow cab and reach the oldest museum of the country, the Indian Museum in Dharmatala. Built in 1814, this museum showcases some ancient and unique collections of antiques, armours, paintings and artefacts of cultural and historical significance.
It opens at 10:00 AM for public.
Time duration: 1 – 1.5 hours is bare minimum.
Mode of Transport: Any form of public vehicle.
After this, head towards the first Anglican Church in Asia, built in 1847 – St. Paul Cathedral. Just 1.5 kms from the Indian Museum, St. Paul Cathedral has a striking architecture. It closes by 12:00 PM and opens again at 03:00 PM.
Time duration: 30 – 45 minutes.
Mode of Transport: Plenty of buses are available, but a walk along the Chowringee Road takes you back in time to British period.
Your 3rd tourist spot should be the iconic landmark of the city – Victoria Memorial, in close proximity. It was built in 1921 to keep alive the memory of Queen Victoria. Photographers and historians would love to spend long hours here. This is most common icon of the city.
Time duration: 1 – 1.5 hours.
Mode of Transport: 10 – minute walk.
Luncheon, Fort and Ganga Ghat
03:00 PM – 07:00 PM
After covering 3 major landmarks, it will be time for lunch. One can find ample restaurants in this area. Sone of the prominent and well known outlets are – Kasturi and Koshe Kosha restaurants in Taltala. Their service is unique and offers mouth-watering Bengali delicacies.
Price range: Rs.500 – 800 for two.
After satisfying your hunger, next stop will be Fort William – one of the first structures built by the British East India Company in 1702. The fort is of immense historical importance and is now under the Indian Army. Some part of the fort is open for public. No entry fee for tourists and it closes by 05:30 PM.
Time duration: 45 – 60 minutes
Mode of Transport: Yellow cabs will drop you readily.
Post this, time for some walk in the famous Maidan, the largest park in the city. Ideal location for photoshoots. One can view the skyline of Kolkata. It is also considered the “Lungs of Kolkata”. Tram rides, race course, statues and monuments and many other activities can be enjoyed here.
Time Duration: 30 – 45 mins
Last sightseeing stop for the day and undeniably the most beautiful location – Prinsep Ghat. Just 500 meters from Fort William, this is a popular recreational spot for localities. The river bank of the Ganga is used for boat rides, evening walks and enjoying the close-up view of Hooghly Bridge. Very popular place for film shooting with illuminated gardens and fountains. One can spend as long time as they feel like here.
That will be it for sightseeing activities. Head towards your hotel and get ready for some night life experience at Park Street area. Shopaholics can look to spend some time in the New Market area to satisfy your shopping experience.
That will be it for sightseeing activities. Head towards your hotel and get ready for some night life experience at Park Street area. Shopaholics can look to spend some time in the New Market area to satisfy your shopping experience.
Also read: Best area to book hotel in Kolkata
Day 2:
North Calcutta Excursion
08:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Today is the day to see the most of the city – from North Kolkata to South Kolkata. So begin your day by 8 o’clock in the morning and head for Eden Gardens – the oldest cricket stadium in India. Experience the grandeur and nostalgia (if die-hard Indian cricket fan). If lucky, you can get a glimpse of the Prince of Calcutta – Sourav Ganguly.
Time duration: 30 – 45 minutes
Mode of Transport: Yellow cabs will be preferable option.
Next stops will be 1 km from the stadium and they will make you understand the history of the city in much better way – Lal Dighi, the water tank existing before the British era, and Dalhousie Square, the British administration centre. With many historic buildings along the 2-km stretch, history buffs and architecture lovers will love to spend long time here. Photography enthusiasts will also find this place interesting.
Time duration: 1 – 1.5 hours
Mode of Transport: Public vehicles are available easily else OLA / UBER is a convenient option.
500 meters apart is the Millennium Park. The park is situated strategically at an equal distance from Hooghly Bridge and Howrah Bridge which gives a surreal experience. Ferry rides are available from this point to get across the river. Ideal place for families as it offers children rides and eating joints.
Time duration: 25 – 30 minutes will be enough to get the feel of the place
Mode of Transport: A 10-minute walk.
After a quiet start to your day, embrace for some hustle and bustle at the iconic Mullick Ghat Flower Market. This is over 130 years old flower market and is located right at the entrance of the Howrah Bridge. This place is very popular among the photographers to shoot the architectural Howrah Bridge. Buy your loved ones the best flower.
Time duration: 30 – 45 minutes
Mode of Transport: Buses going towards Howrah is the cheapest.
If feeling exhausted and tired, get yourself some brunch at nearby shops. Very popular among the localities is Deshbandhu Mishthan Bhandar for some kachori, samosa and mishti on the other side of the busy street.
Price range: Rs. 150 for two
Revolutionary’s residence tour
01:00 PM – 05:00 PM
After this, head towards Jorasanko Thakurbaari, the home of the greatest poet and a Nobel laurate – Rabindranath Tagore. It is now called a museum which showcases the letters, poems, photos of Rabindranath Tagore in his lifetime. It is closed by 4:30 PM. A light and sound show is organised in the evening, after 6:30 PM.
Time duration: 60 minutes is an ideal time to spend here.
Mode of Transport: Yellow taxi
To get to the next destination, you got a chance to enjoy the Kolkata Metro from Girish Park Metro Station to Rabindra Sadan Metro Station. Then walk along the Elgin Road or hire a rickshaw and reach Netaji Bhawan, the house of Indian nationalist and freedom fighter – Subhash Chandra Bose. Relatively small house and won’t take much time to see all of it. It is closed by 04:30 PM. Readers have a chance to scout for more information about the national leader at the souvenir shop.
Time duration: 45-60 minutes.
Mode of Transport: Metro (Girish Park to Rabindra Sadan) and auto rickshaw.
It will already be late for lunch, hence treat yourself with amazing delicacies at Azad Hind Dhaba, just 900 meters away at Ballygunge.
Price range: Rs. 500 – 600 for two
Tram journey , Shopping and Dinner
06:00 PM – 09:00 PM
After satisfying your hunger, enjoy the laziness of the city with a tram ride from Kalighat Tram Depot to Gariahat Tram Depot. This journey will consume 45-60 minutes. All you need to do is to sit back and cherish the moment whilst travelling on the oldest operating tram network in Asia.
Time duration: 60 minutes.
Mode of Transport: Yellow taxi from the dhaba to Kalighat tram depot.
After the tram ride, you got only one thing to do in Gariahat – shop till you drop. A paradise for shopaholics, Gariahat has a vast varieties of items at ridiculously cheap rates. An endless assortment of shops makes it difficult resist your temptations. This place is very popular place in Kolkata. You can find plenty of options for snacks, sweets and street food. Stay as long as you can
Later reach Dhakuria, Selimpur for delicious dinner in a soothing ambiance at the Tandoor Park.
Price range: Rs. 900 – 1000 for two
Get an OLA/UBER to return to your hotel and that will be enough for the day!
Also read: Central Kolkata Itinerary
Day 3:
New Kolkata Outing
09:00 AM – 12:00 PM
After seeing the colonial societies of Kolkata, be prepared to explore the contemporary areas. Have a heavy breakfast and head west to east of Topsia to revive some scientific concepts at Science City, the largest science centre in India.
Tickets are mandatory for entrance and separate tickets are to be purchased to enjoy the activities inside the premise. Kids will love to spent long hours here. Adults too have enjoyable moments.
Time duration: one should look to spend here at least 120 minutes.
Mode of Transport: OLA/UBER will save some time.
After an insightful expedition, next stop will be a fun-filled adventure at Nicco Park, an amusement park, located opposite Salt Lake Stadium. Entry fees varies according to number of rides and attractions you want to choose. Ticket prices vary as per the plan you choose. Nicco Park is a popular tourist and family attraction and attracts young crowd. Food court is available inside the premise and many options are available to give yourself a treat.
Time duration: Stay as long as you want.
Mode of Transport: Any public vehicle will get you here.
Shopping and Wax Museum Visit
03:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Shopping for shopaholics at the Salt Lake City or Bidhannagar will be a memorable experience. City Centre Salt Lake is the most happening place in the area.
The last destination is a newly opened Mother’s Wax Museum, located in New Town, on the outskirts of the city. 10 km from Salt Lake, the museum has gained immense popularity since 2014. It showcases wax statues of popular celebrities. Tickets are mandatory and it closes at 7:30 PM.
Time duration: 30 – 45 mins.
Mode of Transport: Hire a cab for a round trip to take you back to hotel from the museum.
Advisory Note:
Kolkata Airport is just 20 mins drive from New Town area. For travellers leaving Kolkata by flight, it is recommended to check-out from your hotel at Park Street and hire a cab for whole day. After sightseeing for the day is over, booking a hotel at New Town will be convenient. Other option available is to book a cottage at Eco Tourism Park opposite Mother’s Wax Museum. This will enable to catch your flight next day without any concern.
Travellers taking the train back from Kolkata can return to the hotel in Dharmatala and board the train next day without any trouble.
