Kolkata, which is one of the beautiful cities in India, is located on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River. It is also known as the “City of Joy”. After Mumbai and Delhi, Kolkata is counted as the third most populated metropolis in India. Kolkata is also one of the famous places to visit in India. Some of the popular places to visit in Kolkata include Victoria Memorial, Howrah Bridge, Birla Mandir, Marble Palace Mansion, Eden Garden. To see these beautiful places every year thousands of tourists from India and abroad come to Kolkata.
Let us tell you this city is also the British capital of India, which reflects the splendid past in its appealing art, beautiful architecture, and literature. At the time of British Rule, Kolkata was the center of the Indian independence movement. It was also the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution in India and Indian cultural poetry.
Also, check “Places to Visit in Delhi“
Best Time to Visit Kolkata
If you are planning to visit tourist places in Kolkata, then let us tell you that between October-February is considered as the best time to visit Kolkata. Because the winter season is the best and exciting time to visit Kolkata tourist places. At this time, Kolkata’s most festivals especially Durga Puja organized. If you want to be a part of Kolkata’s famous festivals then you can come here at this time. As per our opinion, don’t even think to visit this place in summers, because at this time the temperature here crosses 45 degrees Celsius. This weather can spoil the fun of your travel.
Famous Tourist Places in Kolkata
There are a number of visiting places in Kolkata, which include forts, temples, parks, and other tourist places. Here we will tell you about the top 10 places to visit in Kolkata during lockdown, which tourists like a lot. Every year a million tourists visit these famous places with their family and friends.
Eden Gardens
Eden Gardens is one of the famous cricket stadiums, which is located near the Calcutta High Court, and was established in 1864. This beautiful and well-maintained cricket stadium is also a popular Kolkata tourist spot. This ground is the home ground of the famous IPL team KKR (Kolkata Knight Riders) and Bengal cricket team.
Eden Gardens covers an area of 50 acres with a seating capacity of around 66 thousand people. Let us tell you, this cricket stadium is the second-largest cricket stadium in the world. Although this cricket stadium hosts many sports, but it is more famous because of the cricket matches played here, which include ODI, T20, and Test matches.
Visiting Time
Must check “Places to Visit in Summer in India“
Calcutta Jain Temple
Calcutta Jain Temple is one of the Kolkata famous places, which is dedicated to four Jain Tirthankaras. It is an important place for Jain followers. The beautiful architecture of this temple is adorned with carved stone and glasswork, which makes this temple one of the best places to visit in Kolkata for couples. Let us tell you that apart from being a famous pilgrimage site, Jain Temple is also among the top Kolkata places to visit. A number of tourists from countries and abroad come to visit this temple every year.
Visiting Time
Botanical Gardens
Botanical Garden, which is located in Shibpur, is the best picnic spot in Kolkata. This garden covers an area of 273 acres and is also known as Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose Indian Botanical Garden. It was built by Colonel Keid in 1787. The Botanical Garden is considered as a peaceful place for all nature lovers, to spend some quality time with their family and friends.
In this garden, you will get a chance to see 12000 living perennial plants. Not only this, but you can also see here several other plants which have been collected from around the world. But this botanical garden is more popular for its huge and widespread Banyan tree, which are also the main attraction of this garden. Along with these banyan trees, stunning orchids and multicolored flowers also play an important role in the beauty of this garden. There is no doubt that this place is one of the best places to visit in Kolkata with friends.
Visiting Time
- 10 am – 5 pm (Monday Closed)
Entry Fee
- Rs 10/person for Indians
- Rs 100/person for Foreigners
- Camera Charges Rs 20
Marble Palace
Marble Palace Haveli is one of the best places to visit in Kolkata for 2 days. It was built by Raja Rajendra Malik in 1835. Let us tell you this palace is counted among the famous ancient attractions of Kolkata. The architecture of this Haveli is unimaginable, which is the main center of attraction for tourists. Along with amazing architecture, there is a museum here, which attracts tourists to itself. In this museum, you will get a chance to see various antique furniture and old paintings.
This palace also has a zoo, which is the house of various rare birds and animals. This zoo here is called Marble Palace Zoo. Marble Palace Haveli has become a popular place to visit in Kolkata for tourists and history lovers. That is why a number of tourists from India and abroad come to visit this place every year. If you think you are a history lover, then must visit this place once.
Visiting Time
- 10 am – 4 pm (Monday Closed)
Also, Read About “Places to Visit in Uttarakhand“
Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary
Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the famous places to visit in Kolkata during corona, which is spread in around 217 sq km. The main attraction of this sanctuary is the rare horned Indian Rhino. Apart from this, in this sanctuary, you will get to see a wide variety of flora and fauna, which includes Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian Elephant, Sambar, Indian Bison, Wild Boar, and various other animal species.
Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary has become a popular place among tourists and nature lovers. So, if you are also planning for a trip to Kolkata with your family or loved ones, must add this place to your itinerary as the best picnic spot in Kolkata.
Visiting Time
Car Safari Charges
- Entry Fee Rs 60/person
- Vehicle Entry Fee Rs 250
- Video Camera Charges Rs 200
- Guide Rs 250
- Vehicle Hiring Rs 800
Elephant Safari Charges
- Entry Rs 60
- Elephant Ride Charges Rs 800
- Guide Rs 100
Park Street
Park Street, which is also known as Mother Teresa Sarani, is one of the famous hangout spots and one of the popular tourist places in Kolkata. At this place, you can visit any time as this place never sleeps. Here you can see bustling all the time. The best thing about this place is, to make this place even better for hangouts, some changes keep happening here.
Park Street is the popular part of the city, which has 5-star restaurants, nightclubs, malls, and several known brand outlets. Here you can enjoy delicious Indian and foreign food, and various other activities. A number of tourists from India and abroad visit this place every year. But at the time of Diwali or New Year Eve, the dazzling and beauty of this place are worth seeing.
Visiting Time
Alipore Zoo
Alipore Zoo, which is also known as the Calcutta Zoo, is among the oldest zoological parks in India. It is also counted as one of the major tourist places in Kolkata. This zoo was established in 1876 and covers an area of 46.5 acres. Most of the wildlife lovers and tourists surely come to see this zoo during their Kolkata trip.
This Zoo is the home of different animal species which include Royal Bengal Tiger, Elephant, One-horned Rhinoceros, White Tiger, Zebra, Antelope, Deer, Swinhoe Partridge, Lady Amherst’s Pheasant, Golden Pheasant, Ostrich, Emu, Hornbills. Not only these, but at the time of winters, you can get a chance to see some migratory birds like the Sarus Crane here. Alipore Zoo is among those unique places to visit in Kolkata, where nature enthusiasts, animal lovers and tourists all can go to visit with their kids and family.
Visiting Time
- 9 am – 4:30 pm (Ticket Counter Timings)
- 9 am – 5 pm (Garden Timings)
- 10:30 am – 5 pm (Aquarium Timings)
- Thursday Closed
Entry Fee
- Up to 5 Years Children’s Charges Rs 10
- Above 5 Years Rs 30 (Sat and Sun)
- Other Weekdays Rs 25
- Video Camera Charges Rs 250/hour
Birla Mandir
Birla Mandir is a famous religious place in Kolkata, which took 26 years to complete. Spread in about 130 acres, this temple is one of the famous visiting places in Kolkata. The main deities of this temple are Radha-Krishna. But you will also see here the idols of ten avatars of Lord Ganesh, along with Lord Hanuman, Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Goddess Durga.
Let us tell you white marble is used to carves this beautiful temple. Birla Mandir has become the most popular place to visit in Kolkata for tourists and pilgrims, where they can spend some time in peace and a pleasant atmosphere with their family or loved ones. As this temple is dedicated to Radha-Krishna, the Janmashtami is celebrated here with great enthusiasm, and to see it devotees and tourists come here from far and wide.
Visiting Time
- 5:30 am – 11 am
- 4:30 pm – 9 pm
Indian Museum
The Indian Museum in Kolkata is one of the oldest museums in the world. In the top 10 oldest museums this museum comes at the 9th position. It is also counted among the most popular top 10 tourist places in Kolkata. In this museum, you will get a chance to see some finest collections which include paintings, relics of Buddha, Egyptian mummies, ancient sculptures, jewelry, fossils, skeletons, antiquities, armlets, and stunning Mughal paintings. Which are enough to attract tourists and history lovers.
This museum has 35 galleries, which belong to six categories namely Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Geology, Zoology, and Economic Botany. For history lovers, there is also a library and bookstore here. We must say, Indian Museum is one of the best Kolkata tourist places for history lovers and tourists. Don’t forget to add this place to your itinerary during the Kolkata trip.
Visiting Time
- 10 am – 6:30 pm
- Monday Closed
Entry Fee
- Indians Adults Charges Rs 50
- Indian Children’s Charges Rs 20
- Foreigner Tourist Charges Rs 500
Birla Planetarium
Birla Planetarium is one of the best places to visit in Kolkata for couples. Let us tell you, this planetarium is the largest constellation in Asia and the second largest in the world. It was established in 1963 by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. It has an electronics laboratory, an astronomy gallery, and a collection of astronomical models, which make this place the best for all science lovers.
In this Planetarium, you will get to see many shows which are organized for tourists in Hindi, English, Bengali, and other regional languages. During these shows, you can get information about the nine planets, and other celestial bodies present in our universe. Seeing these shows while visiting this place is one of the best things to do in Kolkata.
Visiting Time
Entry Fee
- Rs 100/person
- Rs 40 for Students
Some Other Places to Visit Near Kolkata
- Sundarbans
- Mandarmani Beach
- Tajpur
- Dharan
- Bardhaman
- Bishnupur
- Shankarpur
You can also read “Places to Visit in Rajasthan“
