Kolkata travel blog — The fullest Kolkata travel guide for first-timers

Different from the steady, slowness of Mumbai or the smoky haze of Delhi, the city of Kolkata (former name Calcutta) is a wonderful combination of Indian brilliant features and old British architecture. The city dubbed “The city of Joy”. So, is Kolkata worth visiting, how to visit Kolkata, what to do in Kolkata and how to plan a budget trip to Kolkata for the first-time perfectly? Let’s check out our Kolkata travel blog (Kolkata blog, Calcutta blog) with the fullest Kolkata travel guide blog (Calcutta travel guide, Kolkata tourist guide, Kolkata city guide, Kolkata guide) from how to get to Kolkata, best places to visit, best time to come, what to eat as well as top things to do in Kolkata to help you maximize your trip as follows!

Kolkata is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal and was formerly the capital of India when it was under the British Raj in 1773. Today it is a city steeped in tradition, colonial architecture, cultural festivals, noisy car horns and vibrant street food.

Located on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River about 80 km (50 mi) west of the border with Bangladesh, it is East India’s main commercial, cultural and educational center, while the Port of Kolkata is a long-running port and India’s oldest riverside port and its only major riverside port. The city nicknamed the “City of Joy” is considered the “cultural capital” of India and as of 2019, six Nobel laureates have been associated with the city.

Overview of Kolkata (#kolkata travel blog)

Kolkata city, also known by another name as Calcutta, is the capital of the State of West Bengal, East India, located along the banks of the Hooghly River in the north-south direction with an area of 206.1 km² and a population of over 15 millions of people (The metro area population).

The city’s history begins to be recorded after the East India Company came to do business in Bengal in 1690. Once the capital and leading city of India, Kolkata experienced a period of economic stagnation shortly after India gained its independence in 1947 because of the unstable political situation with the chaotic flow of migrants, the Bangladesh war, the Naxal liberation movement, the constant conflict uprisings. The period from 1960 to 1990 was a period of stagnation for the Indian economy, a series of large factories had to close or reduce payroll and businesses were forced to restructure. The shortage of capital and resources was exacerbated as demand for the products of some of India’s traditional industries dwindled and during this period Kolkata was nicknamed the “dead city”.

It was not until the 1990s that the Indian economy in general and Kolkata in particular recovered thanks to significant economic reforms, especially the “Look East” policy of which Kolkata was the highlight. Therefore, Kolkata is home to many industrial factories of famous Indian corporations, with a wide range of products such as: mechanical engineering, electronics, steel, tanning, textiles, jewelry, and automobiles, railway products, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, tobacco, foodstuffs, jute fiber…

Kolkata is also famous in the world for its rich cultural and artistic heritage. As the ancient capital of India, Kolkata is the birthplace of many artistic and cultural ideas. The city has the traditional type of drama performed in the folk theater, as well as the famous film industry, dubbed Bollywood.

This city is a beautiful blend of classic and modern. A flourishing metropolis, it has preserved its essence in the forms of music, dance and literature. The presence of beautiful buildings, museums, eateries, markets, temples, churches, fortresses and theaters makes Kolkata a place where visitors will always feel that they are running out of time. Visitors come to Kolkata from all over the world to immerse themselves in the city’s heritage!

Kolkata is a chaotic city. Not as big as Mumbai or Delhi, the city thrives on its people, culture and past. Kolkata or Calcutta was the first capital before it was moved to Delhi. The city is almost 300 years old and is an eclectic mix of a glorious decaying past and a promising new future. The British built some amazing buildings during their heyday and today Kolkata flaunts colonial architecture with pride.

It was home to the Indian Independence Movement which aimed to end British rule in India. This revolutionary spirit has defined Kolkata as the city of revolutionaries and intellectuals. It is considered the cultural capital of India, which has produced generations of artists, poets, writers, film producers and Nobel laureates.

Today with a population of more than 15 million, Kolkata is India’s 4th largest city with a diversity of cultures and religions (Hindu (74%) and Islam (23%), the rest being Hindus, Sikhism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Jainism and Pais).

When to come (#kolkata blog)

The best time to visit Kolkata is from October to March. The temperature is cooler and the sky is clear. The weather is mild, even during the coldest months of December and January. If you like festivals, then October is a great time to go. The Hindu festivals of Durga Puja, Lakshmi Puja, and Kali Puja are held around October or November every year.

Getting to Kolkata

Those flying to Kolkata will arrive at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport also known as Kolkata Airport and Calcutta Airport which located 15km away from the city center. Taking a plane is the fastest way to travel because there are direct flights here from Vietnam by Indian airlines. The airport is about an hour north of the city, so you’ll need to make arrangements to get to your hotel.

The opening of direct flight routes between Hanoi/Saigon and Kolkata in about 3 hours by low-cost airline INDIGO, plus a 30-day e-visa at a cost of only $25 is enough to make Kolkata an interesting destination for a short journey to the land of the Ganges civilization.

Getting around Kolkata

Kokata has a budget subway system, but it’s not yet widespread. Kolkata Metro is still under development. Currently, it only has one active line that takes you from North to South. Not sure when they will be operational but there are other lines and stations in the works. Trains are crowded but clean and cheap, with each trip starting at just INR 5.

Kolkata is one of the few remaining cities in India that still have these hand rickshaws in existence. They do it voluntarily so it’s not a form of labor exploitation. It’s more of a novelty than anything and probably best for short distances only.

Where to go and what to do in Kolkata? (#kolkata travel blog)

Many of the most interesting tourist spots in Kolkata are centrally located and easily accessible by foot (if the weather is good) or by taxi. There are a variety of great heritage sites lining the busy streets that recall the city’s glorious past, including museums, churches, temples and remnants of British rule. However, in the city is not only the sights of this period, Kolkata is also known as a cosmopolitan home of all nationalities, Marwaris, Parsis, Anglo Indians, Jews, Armenians and Chinese.

The BBD Bagh area is located north of the city center, surrounded by beautiful and impressive British-Indian buildings, including the Writers Building and Raj Bhavan. To the southeast are the city’s lungs, the vast green Maidan including the garden of Eden and Fort William.

Howrah bridge

Address: Kolkata, West Bengal 700001, India

Construction started in 1935, the Howrah Bridge is the sixth largest largest suspension bridge in the world with total length of 705m, and an important landmark in the tourist monuments of India. This bridge is an engineering wonder that hides a whole world within its large slabs. Near Howrah Station, this legendary bridge provides a travel option for millions of people daily. Visiting the Howrah Bridge is a journey into the classic part of Kolkata. The many markets located here are paradise for adventurers and photographers.

Dakshineswar Kali Temple

Address: Dakshineswar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700076, India
Hours: 6 AM–12:30 PM, 3–8:30 PM

About 20km north of central Kolkata, Dakshineswar Kali is a Hindu temple located in Dakshineswar. It is one of the holiest temples in Kolkata and a sacred pilgrimage site for millions of Hindus worldwide. To come here, you can take a public bus, which is cheap but extremely dusty and dirty and insecure, so most tourists will book an Uber ride from the center of Kolkata, it only costs about 9$ to ride a 7-seater car, of course. The car is relatively old and in winter, the driver does not turn on the air conditioner!

Built in the Navaratna architectural style, Dakshineswar Kali consists of three floors with nine towers distributed on the upper two floors. The spiers are sharp with light pink tones with reddish brown borders, looking from a distance like a large background, not bringing the 3D effect like the Russian onion church. To be fair, standing in for a photo shoot is like taking a picture with a pre-made backdrop!

According to history and legend, the temple was built during 1847-1855 from a religious dream of Rani Rashmoni, a famous Hindu woman and philanthropist in India. That period. And of course, she gave up all her fortune and possessions to build this temple. Currently, her statue is placed in a small temple outside the main temple as a tribute to her.

Dakshineswar Kali Temple is free to enter for visitors. However, according to strict requirements of Hinduism, all must return shoes, bags, phones, cameras at the outside storage area to enter the temple. This restricts most non-Hindu tourists, only taking pictures without praying.

St. Paul’s Cathedral (#kolkata travel blog)

Address: 1A, Cathedral Rd, Maidan, Kolkata, West Bengal 700071, India
Hours: 10 AM–6 PM

The cathedral is a magnificent white structure and is one of the main attractions in Kolkata. It is part of the Anglican Communion. Church of St. Paul’s has beautiful Gothic architecture and the foundation for the church which was laid in 1847. It is the largest church in Kolkata and is also considered the first Episcopal church in Asia. The Cathedral complex also has an internal library along with several types of visual arts.

Another rare place of serenity in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Kolkata is St Paul’s Church, located at 1A, Cathedral Road, Kolkata, right next to the Victoria Memorial. When the British Christians in Kolkata increased significantly, the old church of Saint John could no longer accommodate, the British government considered the option of building a larger church. And that is why Saint Paul Cathedral was started construction in 1839 and completed in 1847. The church was built in Gothic Revival style with its vertical pillars and pointed arches, and is also the first Protestantism church in Asia. Saint Paul’s Church is now the largest church in Kolkata and also the seat of the Diocese of Kolkata. Opening hours are daily from 10am to 6pm.

Botanical garden (#kolkata blog)

Address: Shibpur, Howrah, West Bengal 711103, India
Status: Open (5 AM – 7 AM for Morning Walkers 9 AM – 5 PM for Visitors)

Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanical Garden is also known as Calcutta Botanical Garden. And you don’t have to be a botanist to enjoy its serene beauty: The garden is home to some of the rarest and most interesting plants. Besides a collection of more than 12,000 species of orchids, bamboo and palm trees spread over 109 hectares, the garden is also home to The Great Banyan, which measures 1082.68 ft in circumference. Somewhere on the grounds is also the abandoned but stunning Roxburgh Memorial, which was the residence of the Garden’s first director. This is a must-visit  Kolkata tourist place.

Marble Palace

Among the many highlights of the Kolkata tourist map, the marble palace is one of the most attractive. The 19th-century palatial residence is one of the most beautiful royal palaces, exuding splendor. Many brilliant artistic statues, elegant glassware and wonderful works of art are displayed at the palace.

Belur Math

Address: Belur, Howrah, West Bengal 711202, India
Hours: 6:30–11:30 AM, 3:30–8:30 PM

This beautiful building located on the West bank of the Hooghly River. It is the temple of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, a Hindu religious and spiritual organization. The temple is noted for combining Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist architectural elements to symbolize unity among religions. Belur Math is about 7-8 km north of Howrah Bridge. It’s easy to visit on your own, but if you want to go on a guided tour, then you can book one through Klook.

Mother House (#kolkata travel guide blog)

Address: 54A, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Rd, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal 700016, India
Hours: 9 AM–12 PM, 3–5:30 PM

The life story, the contributions of Mother Teresa, who was honored to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 and many other honors of the world, many people must have heard. And my biggest urge when coming to this Kolkata city is once to visit Mother’s old house, which is also her resting place – house number 54A A.J.C Bose Road, Kolkata.

Mother Teresa came from faraway Albania but chose India as her homeland, choosing the poor Indians to serve her whole life. Being able to go to the house where Mother once lived, seeing with my own eyes her simplicity and austerity, I admire her immensely! The small room about more than 5 square meters where Mother used to live and work from the 1950s until her death in 1997 is surprisingly simple, with no furniture except a small wooden bed, a small wooden table and chair set. Messages are placed next to each other. I can imagine everyone’s emotions when looking at the simple wooden bench, like a student’s bench, without a backrest on which Mother has been working diligently for so many years, the drinking mug, the frayed canvas bag, thin old sweater coats, leather sandals worn down thousands of miles… Mother refused the Nobel Peace Prize money and demanded that it be delivered to the poor in India, Mother always refuse even the most basic comforts. Mother refused all, because she could bear…

Surely Mother’s wish when she died was clear, so her grave was also simply covered with white stone. There is only a cross, candles and flowers and prayers around her grave. A pure and peaceful space in stark contrast to the noisy streets outside… On Mother’s grave, people put a plastic box to hold prayers. I didn’t write down a wish, just wrote a simple “Thank you Mother Teresa! Your life has inspired me so much”, because being here is also a blessing in life!

Indian Museum

Address: 27, Jawaharlal Nehru Rd, Fire Brigade Head Quarter, New Market Area, Dharmatala, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal 700016, India
Hours: 10 AM–5 PM/Monday: Closed

The grandeur and magnificence that the Indian Museum carries in its premises and inside its galleries is not to be found anywhere else. The Indian Museum is the oldest and largest in the country. It was founded in the early 19th century and today boasts many rare items on display. The museum has one of the original Egyptian Mummies along with many rare paintings and artefacts from bygone eras. Visitors of all ages find something to do here as there is something fun for young and old.

Tagore’s house

Address: Ganesh Talkies, 267, Rabindra Sarani, Singhi Bagan, Jorasanko, Raja Katra, Kolkata, West Bengal 700007, India
Hours: 10:30 AM–5 PM/Monday: Closed

Coming to Kolkata, if you find your way to Tagore House on google map, you will not find it because it is popularly known as Jorasanko Thakurbari – Rabindranath Tagore’s ancestral house built in 1785 spreads over 35,000 square meters. This is where Rabindranath Tagore was born on May 6, 1861, and where he spent most of his childhood and took his last breath on August 7, 1941.

He is recognized worldwide as one of the few comprehensive talents in the world. He is a playwright, poet, musician, novelist, educator, philosopher, and humanist. He composed his first opera – Valmiki Pratibha – at the age of 20. He composed more than 2,000 songs and created the Rabindra – sangeet – an important Bengali musical genre that bears his name. His short stories and novels hold an important place in Bengali literature. And perhaps he is the only poet in the world to have composed national anthems for both countries: Amar Shonar Bangla for Bangladesh and Jana Gana Mana for India. It is interesting that Hinduism is the majority in this second most populous country, but the song “God is the soul of all beings” composed by him in 1911 has been the national anthem of India since 1950.

Rabindranath Tagore is not only a representative cultural representative of India, he is also the first Asian poet to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913, a genius who has left mankind with a large number of graphic works. voluminous and rich. His typical poetry collections that are popular are Gitanjali (Song Offerings), Balaca, Gardener, Fruit picking season, Birthday…In the large house, there is a museum displaying his works and pictures. Admission to the museum is 300 Rupees, and if you want to take pictures of the outside of the building, you have to pay 50 Rupees for a camera.

St John’s Church

Address: 2/2, Council House St, opp. Dewars Garage, Lal Dighi, B.B.D. Bagh, Kolkata, West Bengal 700001, India
Hours: 10 AM–4 PM/Sunday: Closed

Saint John’s Church, was one of the first public buildings built by the East India Company after Kolkata (Calcutta) became the capital of British India. It functioned as the Anglican Church in Calcutta for the city’s modest English community until 1847.

The construction of Saint John’s Church began in 1784, modeled after the Church of Saint Martin-in-the-Field of London. It is the third oldest church in the city, next to the Armenian church and the old Mission Church.

Writers Building

Address: H8FX+GGJ, Binoy Badal Dinesh Bag N Rd, Lal Dighi, B.B.D. Bagh, Kolkata, West Bengal 700001, India

A few streets away from St. John’s Church is the East India Company Building, a very influential company. to the formation and development of the old city of Kolkata, now this is the Secretariat Building of the Government of West Bengal and also the office of the Minister of West Bengal. Under British rule, the East India Company traded mainly in cotton, silk, pepper, tea, dyes and opium. The company also ruled over a large area of India, exercising military power and assumed administrative functions, gradually, pursuing its trade; it effectively functions like a large corporation. The company dissolved on January 1, 1874.

Victoria Memorial

Address: Victoria Memorial Hall, 1, Queens Way, Maidan, Kolkata, West Bengal 700071, India
Hours: 10 AM–5 PM

The most famous landmark in Kolkata is the Victoria Memorial which made of white Markrana marble. This building has a base size of 103m x 69m and is up to 56m high. The building was built between 1906 and 1921 in memory of Queen Victoria (1819-1901) and is now a museum and tourist attraction under the auspices of the Indian Ministry of Culture. In January 1901, following the death of Queen Victoria, 1st Baron of Kedleston, Curzon, then Governor-General of India, proposed the establishment of a memorial to her. He proposed the memorial would be a stately castle, with a museum where visitors can get a glimpse of the wonders of the past.

This monumental memorial, located on the calm banks of the Hooghly River, is the perfect blend of Mughal and European architectural styles. Atop the central arch of the Victoria Memorial is a 4-tall statue of the Angel of Victory with 9m high. Surrounding the dome are allegorical sculptures representing Art, Architecture, Justice and Charity, while above the North porch are for Motherhood, Prudence and Learning. In terms of design, the Victoria Memorial was inspired by the famous Taj Mahal also of India, with a main central dome, four small domes, octagonal base, tall gate, terrace and tower corner.

A little further south is the Victoria Memorial, one of the city’s most famous landmarks. This place is considered the city’s love letter to the Queen of England Victoria – who has never visited this place. The memorial displays not many items except for a piano that the queen never played once, a writing desk in the castle Windsor, and numerous idyllic paintings. However, for the visitors to Calcutta, they were extremely excited about this memorial. Despite the ups and downs of time, the Monument is still kept by the people here until today.

William Emerson (1843-1924), president of the Royal Institute of British Architects was the principal architect of this monumental work, which, along with his other associates, was responsible for the design of the surrounding landscape. As mentioned, this is the most famous scenic spot in this city, so you can buy an entrance ticket (only 20 Rupees/person) but you have to wait in line for a long time. The best time to visit is in the early afternoon when the light is favorable to get better pictures than in the morning.

Mullick Ghat Flower Market – Hawkers Committee

Address: p222, 1, Strand Bank Rd, Fairley Place, B.B.D. Bagh, Kolkata, West Bengal 700001, India
Hours: 5:30 AM–8 PM

Located right at the foot of the famous Howrah bridge is the bustling Mullick Ghat flower market, bustling, and full of garbage. This is considered one of the largest wholesale flower markets in Asia, dating back a century. From dawn, trucks, trailers, motorbikes, bicycles bring all kinds of flowers to the market, where about 2,000 retailers come to trade. In Kolkata in particular and India in general, flowers are widely used in beliefs and festivals. Flowers offered are mainly marigolds, jasmines, lotus flowers and countless other flowers sold in series or by weight… Honestly, if the garbage were better controlled, more civilized, this flower market would be save more beautiful impressions to visitors.

Park Street

Park Street is a paradise for shoppers and foodies. Located in the South Kolkata area, Park Street is one of the places where visitors can find the most legendary eateries, roadside shops and small cafes that date back to the birth of Kolkata. A must try around Park Street iare Jhalmuri, Egg rolls, Chinese and various fish.

Coming here, I often drink tea on Park Street famous for its coffee shops and visit South Park Street Cemetery – a place that still keeps many painful vestiges of the Indian colonial past.

Park Street Cemetery is a very quiet and sacred place with graves, many of which have been remodeled. Around Sudder Road, the Museum of India is the country’s largest (and one of the best) in the country, stocking a wide range of artifacts from archeology to art.

I often go to the Tollygunge Club for a drink, a beautiful but old golf club that still bears the vestiges of imperial times. And in the afternoon I like to visit a racecourse called Maidan, this place is like the Cheltenham Cup in the Indian style that happens every day.

If I have a chance, I still love to visit India’s largest cricket stadium with a capacity of 90,000. The Eden Gardens field was considered a rather scary stadium, especially for trials.

Sundarban National Park (West Bengal)

Address: RVPM+8MW, Kolkata, West Bengal 743370, India

The Sundarbans is an area of mangroves in the Bay of Bengal, spanning the Hooghly River in West Bengal to the Baleswar River in Bangladesh. It is home to hundreds of species of wildlife, the most sought after being the endangered Bengal tiger. Sundarbans is over a hundred kilometers from Kolkata but you can explore it on a day tour.

What and where to eat? (#kolkata travel guide blog)

Experience Bengali cuisine on a fascinating food tour in Kolkata with Avik of A Chef’s Tour and sample more than ten delicious dishes such as Bengali fish curry, slow cooker lamb curry, puchkas and kanda bhaji.

Local Kolkata cuisine is known for its combination of bitter and sweet flavors, extensive use of rapeseed and poppy seeds, as well as freshwater vegetable and fish curries. It is a far cry from the creamy, meat-rich cuisine of North India or the Indian food of Western countries. Bhojohori Manna is one of the city’s most popular places for Bengali home cooking, and it makes for an addictive fish fry (smooth white fish fillet, deep-fried and served with mustard sauce clear sinuses).

Nizam

Address: 23 & 24, Hogg St, near Axis Bank Atm, New Market Area, Dharmatala, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal 700087, India
Hours: 11 AM–11:30 PM

Nizam’s has been open since 1932 and is credited with inventing kathi rolls, a popular Indian street food that originated in Kolkata. In its original form, kathi roll was a grilled skewer of meat wrapped in paratha bread, but the term has expanded to include wraps of similar designs using different ingredients. According to the restaurant’s menu, kathi was invented as an easy way to eat grilled meat. Nizam used to sell kathi kebabs and parathas but the British didn’t like getting oil on their hands, so they came up with the idea to roll kebabs and bread in thin sheets of paper and kathi roll was born.

Arsalan

Address: Marina Garden Court, 191, 7 Point, Park St, Ballygunge, Kolkata, West Bengal 700017, India
Hours: 10 AM–11:30 PM

Arsalan is a Mughlai restaurant known for serving some of the best biryanis in Kolkata. Biryani is a popular Indo-Islamic dish made from long grain rice (such as basmati) seasoned with various spices such as saffron, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, buttermilk and garlic. It can be made with various meats and vegetables in a thick gravy cooked over a low flame in a pot covered with flour.

Peter Cat

Address: Stephen Court Building, 18 A, Park St, opposite KFC Restaurant, Park Street area, Kolkata, West Bengal 700016, India
Hours: 12–11 PM

Peter Cat is a recommended restaurant in Kolkata. They are known for their chelo kebab (385 INR), traditionally a Persian dish made with grilled meat, buttered saffron rice and fried eggs. Peter Cat is home to their chelo kebab which is considered a  “protected product of West Bengal”.

Ganguram & Sons

Address: Survey Park, Santoshpur, Kolkata, West Bengal 700075, India
Hours: 8 AM–10 PM

Ganguram & Sons is featured in the Kolkata travel list. They have been around since 1885 and are known for making some of the best Bengali sweets in Kolkata. One of their most popular sweets is mishti doi (INR 32). It’s a delightful fermented sweet yogurt made by sweetening boiled milk and letting it ferment overnight. The earthen pot is always used to make mishti doi in order to facilitate evaporation through its porous walls and thicken the yogurt.

Don’t forget the Chinese food

Kolkata used to have a vibrant Chinatown thanks to immigrants who began arriving in the late 18th century, first to work in Calcutta’s sugar mills, then under British rule to work in the prosperous port or leather business. While the Chinese population in Kolkata is decreasing as the community sees opportunity in the West, the hybrid cuisine – Chinese dishes combined with Indian spices and cooking methods  that originated here is still alive. popular across the country. Kolkatans are addicted to it: the sweet and spicy chili chicken, and the stir-fried and vegetable noodle dish called Hakka noodles (named for the ethnic group that makes up a large percentage of Kolkata’s Chinese immigrants) is particularly popular.

Finally, see the city from above with the view from the bar on top of the Lindsay hotel, opposite the New Market shopping complex like immersing yourself in this smoky city. Fun, western pop tunes are booming here, and you can grab a beer and some snacks.

Shopping

Shopping in this city is also very attractive, can be bargain. The New Market on Lindsay Road is packed with shops selling clothes, jewelry, home items, and more. It’s also a great place to buy yarn and has many skilled seamstresses who can tailor it to your needs. Dakshinapan Shopping Center, Gariaha Road has many state-owned stores, selling a variety of items at bargain prices, while Swabhumi, near the Hyatt Regency, is both a cultural center and a shopping mall. Shop big selling clothes and jewelry.

The Cottage Central Industrial Store at 7 Jawaharlal Nehru Road, is a very good place to buy handicrafts from all over India at affordable prices.

There are also many shops selling souvenirs, fabrics, silks, jewelry, etc., giving you the opportunity to choose your favorite items at reasonable prices.

Big stores are usually open from 10am to 6pm. Some stores are only open for half a day on Saturdays. Most shops are closed on Sundays, especially around Park Street.

Where to stay

Looking for the best area to stay in Kolkata and many would suggest Park street or Sudder street. These are the general “tourist areas” in Kolkata with many hotels, shops and restaurants, as well as easy access to the Kolkata metro.

Below we recommend more best budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to.

• ITC Royal Bengal, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kolkata (Agoda, Booking)
• ibis Kolkata Rajarhat – An Accor Brand (Agoda, Booking)
• Polo Floatel Kolkata (Agoda, Booking)
• The Oberoi Grand Kolkata (Agoda, Booking)
• The Park Kolkata Hotel (Agoda, Booking)
• Fairfield by Marriott Kolkata (Agoda, Booking)
• The LaLiT Great Eastern Kolkata (Agoda, Booking)
• Novotel Kolkata Hotel and Residences (Agoda, Booking)
• Holiday Inn Kolkata Airport, an IHG Hotel (Agoda, Booking)
• LBD RESORTS & HOTELS KOLKATA (Agoda, Booking)

Check out more top and best hotels in Kolkata on Agoda.com or Booking.com

In general, Kolkata is still quite poor and backward, polluted from water to air, so for a luxurious trip, Kolkata is definitely not the destination. Although in this city, the imprint of poverty is still there, Calcutta is really a vivid picture of the human spirit, very dark, refreshing and profound. However, if you want to know how life has given us more blessings and comfort than others, go to places like Kolkata to see the need to appreciate what we have.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Kolkata you can refer to

• Kolkata Private Car Charter
• 4D3N Sunderbans Cruise from Kolkata
• Cook And Dine Experience With A Local In Kolkata
• Bengali Cook And Dine Experience in Kolkata
• Pocket WiFi (BKK & DMK Airport Pick Up) for India
• 4G SIM Card (IN Delivery) for India from StarRoam
• Kolkata Market Tour
• Kolkata Temple and Spiritual Day Tour
• Kolkata Morning Tour
• Kolkata Food Walking Tour
• Kolkata Heritage Walking Tour
• Street Shopping Walking Tour in Kolkata

Read more India guide here.