Fringing the Hooghly River, the city of Kolkata has a rich lineage in culture, history and cuisine, and a versatile ability to keep up with changing times. The capital of West Bengal and the birthplace of Indian communism, the city has many monikers – some perceive it as the ‘cultural capital of India’, while others know it as the ‘city of processions’ and yet more call it the ‘city of joy’. Through a long association with the British, there is much to show for its years as the showpiece capital of colonised India with its marvellous Victorian architecture which stand tall as testimonials to its past.
Kolkata Travel Guide
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Experience luxury in the City of Joy
These hotels offer luxury, comfort and convenience at a price, and are the preferred choice for those who like to live in style.
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3 mid-range Kolkata hotels that offer comfort without emptying your wallet
Taking the luxury down a notch, without compromising on either comfort or style, these moderate hotels meet all your demands without burning a hole in your pocket.
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Kolkata stays that are perfect for budget travellers
If you are fond of travelling, you probably have a bucket list of places you wish to visit in your life span. If you've been under the impression that seeing them will have to wait until you have enough cash in your card...more
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Popular boutique hotels in Kolkata
If you are looking for a stylish accommodation, then these boutique hotels in Kolkata offer the perfect solution. Offering a mélange of customised services and state-of-the-art facilities, these boutique hotels are nothi...more
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Popular resorts in and around Kolkata
There is no dearth of resorts in the beautiful City of Joy. Whether on a vacation or a business trip, one can easily find resorts in and around Kolkata that meet traveller’s expectations. These resorts offer all the amen...more
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The Oberoi Grand
A stay at The Oberoi Grand in Kolkata places you at the heart of the city, just walking distance from New Market and Shahid Minar, and within close proximity to the Indian Museum and Mohammedan Sporting Ground. Offering ...more
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Restaurants in Kolkata for seafood lovers
If you love your seafood, these restaurants in Kolkata should definitely be on your radar. Known by both locals and tourists for dishing out some of the most sumptuous fishy fare in the city, they do complete justice to ...more
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A guide to the best bakeries in Kolkata
The City of Joy has many pleasant surprises for those searching for bakeries. Your trip to the city is incomplete without a visit to some of the best bakeries in Kolkata. From the century-old Jewish bakery Nahoum and Son...more
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10 popular cafes in Kolkata
From traditional English tearoom to pre-independence era’s coffee shop, the cafes in Kolkata will leave you coming back for more. Devour Continental breakfast at Flurys, savour waffles at Piccadilly Square, grab a quick...more
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Kolkata’s popular north Indian restaurants
If you thought that Bengalis only prefer rice and fish curry for every meal, then it’s high time that you change your perception. A food lovers’ paradise, Kolkata and Kolkatans know how to appreciate and acknowledge othe...more
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The best Italian restaurants in Kolkata
If you wish to relish some authentic Italian fare in Kolkata then the City of Joy has several options for you. All these restaurants have succeeded in alluring guests by doing magic on their palate. Needless to say, the ...more
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Kolkata's most iconic street eats and where to have them
There is a lot more to the culture capital of the nation than Durga Pooja, tram network, football and historical places. The city is a delight for the food lovers and tourists from far flung areas visit this place to sat...more
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The best places in Kolkata for savouring biryani
There are different types of biryani, like Hyderabadi biryani, Lucknowi biryani and Bombay biryani; and then there is Kolkata biryani that is famous for the use of potato and light mix of spices. It is said that Kolkata ...more
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The best sweet shops in Kolkata
Sweet and Kolkata are synonymous—it is as old as the city’s culture. Just as the locals love their share of sweets, travellers would too enjoy the same, especially at sweet shops that are more than a century old. Whether...more
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Visit these 5 cabin restaurants before they shut down
Whether or not you are a foodie, a visit to these 5 cabin restaurants in Kolkata is an experience in itself. For those who don’t know, cabins are private eating areas within the restaurant that are usually segregated by ...more
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Best South Indian restaurants in Kolkata
South Indian restaurants in Kolkata offer an array of delicacies to satisfy the taste buds of food connoisseurs. From idlis and dosas to meen moilee and Malabar prawns, there are endless varieties that one can enjoy at t...more
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Kolkata for the offbeat traveller
If you are the kind of traveller who prefers to travel like a local and enjoys offbeat more than the beaten track—then Kolkata has some of the best options for you. Pray at the pagodas at India’s only existing Chinatown...more
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Romantic escapes in and around Kolkata
Kolkata’s old world charm along with its cosmopolitan culture makes it a great place to visit. While the city boasts a long list of attractions for regular visitors, solo travellers, history buffs and culture vultures, i...more
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Ghosts of a glorious past - Kolkata’s most haunted
A mention of the most haunted places in Kolkata brings alive its fascinating past as well. A city that was much loved by the Mughals, French, British and Dutch, almost every lane has a tale to tell, some with a twist of ...more
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Beach getaways from Kolkata that offer something different
From an array of casuarinas to swaying palms—muddy beaches to a carpet of red crabs—top beach destinations near Kolkata offer a variety of interesting experiences. Beaches near Kolkata make life for those living in the c...more
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Places of worship in Kolkata
Offering prayers in a city steeped in history can be an experience in itself. Kolkata, the City of Joy, is home to some of the most fascinating temples, churches, mosques, and synagogues that display excellent craftsmans...more
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Kolkata free of cost
Thanks to its rich lineage in culture and history, the city of Kolkata has the ability to charm any kind of traveller. From discovering stories surrounding Kolkata’s heritage centre Dalhousie Square to crossing the majes...more
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A heritage walk through Kolkata
Locally regarded as the intellectual and cultural capital of the country, Kolkata retains a feast of dramatic historical architecture, with more than a few fine buildings in photogenic states of semi-collapse. From libra...more
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Places to visit in Kolkata for the culturally inclined
If you’re culturally inclined, there are a slew of places to visit in Kolkata. Popularly referred to as the cultural capital of India, the city is brimming with superb literary, scholarly and artistic sites that stand te...more
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Have sports in mind? Kolkata gets India’s first sports museum
The city of Kolkata is known for reasons more than one. You are looking for a cultural heritage trail, the West Bengal capital has plenty for you; you are into arts and music, Kolkata is to India what Paris is to the wor...more
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Architectural marvels of Kolkata that continue to inspire
While the City of Joy is known as the cultural capital of the country, it is also popular for some architectural wonders that leave everyone awestruck. Whether it’s the grandeur of the iconic Howrah Bridge or the magnifi...more
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10 quintessential Kolkata experiences that you don’t want to miss
Whether it is the Battle of Plassey or execution of Mangal Pandey, Kolkata has several stories to narrate. Steeped in history, it’s a city where the past and the present have a harmonious alliance, and there are some ama...more
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5 Kolkata city experiences that have stood the test of time
From tram rides in the city to boat rides in the Hooghly River, there are numerous experiences in Kolkata that have stood the test of time. Play a match of football like the locals at the 18th century Maidan, marvel at ...more
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Kolkata’s Museum Trail
Kolkata is home to a multitude of museums—right from modern science museums to heritage to the country’s first wax museum, all these are worth visiting. Whether it is the Egyptian gallery at the Indian Museum or the huge...more
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Kolkata for solo travellers
With its dramatic historical architecture, iconic bars, cultural hubs and a tantalising street-food scene, Kolkata is locally regarded as the intellectual and cultural capital of the nation. Packed with gorgeous temples,...more
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Kolkata for returning visitors
Once you’ve covered all the essential sightseeing spots, there are plenty of places to visit in Kolkata that you probably neglected the first time around. Most of these spots elude the tourist trail, but are every bit wo...more
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11 places in Kolkata that parents would love to take their kids to
If you’re travelling with the tots in tow, here’s a list of places to visit in Kolkata that will definitely hold their attention and keep them thoroughly entertained.
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A backpacker’s guide to Kolkata
A feast of culture, heritage and delectable food, there are a plethora of things to do and places to visit in Kolkata for backpackers. With architectural marvels like the Howrah Bridge and Victoria Memoria, a vibrant cul...more
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Wellness retreats in Kolkata
Take a much needed break from the stress of city life by relaxing and unwinding at one of Kolkata’s well-known spas. From exotic pomegranate therapies to traditional Indian treatments—these wellness havens are sure to pa...more
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Kolkata for the discerning shopper
Distancing themselves from the typical sights and sounds of the city, these retail outlets tug at wallets of the city’s elite, and woo them with their stylised interiors, impeccably crafted products and superb service. H...more
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Popular sarees of Kolkata
Kolkata, the land of art and culture, is popular for its traditional Bengali sarees all over the country. Be it the texture, colour, material or the weave—you will simply love them. From the traditional simple cotton Tan...more
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Street shopping in Kolkata
Be it purchasing traditional woven textiles or a bundle of your favourite novels, there are plenty of options for street shopping in Kolkata. Full of colour, sound and the tantalising smells of sizzling food, Kolkata’s ...more
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Stop and shop in Kolkata
Although you might find the shopping scene here to be somewhat limited in comparison to the other Indian cities, Kolkata offers an eclectic array of things to look at and buy. And if you can bargain your way through, you...more
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Oxford Bookstore
For the intellectuals out there, this is a must-visit. It is undeniably the best place to shop for books in Kolkata, and you can even just spend an evening browsing and lounging in there.
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Sabyasachi
Kolkata is also renowned for its fashion designers. Look out for garments by the local talent turned global favourite Sabyasachi Mukherjee.
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New Market
Also known as Hogg's Market, this is Kolkata's oldest and best known market. It's got over 2,000 stalls and is a treat for those who like to hunt for a good bargain.
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Chowringhee Road
A huge variety of pavement vendors line Chowringhee Road from Park Street to New Market, selling just about everything under the sun.
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The 10 best bars in Kolkata
The city is dotted with bars, exclusive clubs and lounges serving an interesting mix of cocktails and a global selection of wines and liquor. Drink up.
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5 iconic bars in Kolkata
Get a whiff of Kolkata’s old-world charm by popping into one of these age-old watering holes
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Underground
The nightclub at HHI has come back in several avatars in the last decade. Now Underground, what adds to the charm of the place are the cosy interiors, the island bar and the happening crowd.
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Aqua
Aqua, the glamorous alfresco bar by the pool at The Park Kolkata is great for lounging, be it summer or winter.
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Roxy
The stylish, sexy, bold cocktail bar, sporting the metal and velvet chic look is a tribute to the swinging 60s.
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Olypub
While many would vouch for the delectable beef steak (the house special), and the ever popular ‘Chicken ala Olypub’ and grilled chicken, the fact is that Olypub is essentially a watering hole
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Mocambo
Considered a European oasis at the time, its continental cuisine, jazz performances and plush Brit interiors have impressed several generations of Kolkatans
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Quick weekend getaways from Kolkata
Weekend is the time when we can take a break from our daily routine and do something fun and relaxing with the whole family or even solo. If you are in Kolkata and in need of a break, you can check these places for a wee...more
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Spend the weekend in these hill stations near Kolkata
Kolkata might not be a hilly terrain but make no mistake about the fact that it has a lot of hill stations around it. These places are beautiful, quaint and offer an amazing opportunity to unwind and relax.
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8 quick getaways from Kolkata
Take a break from the chaotic city life and head out to the countless small towns peppered around Kolkata for a real breather. You could check out French architecture scattered all over Chandannagar or the Basilica at Ba...more
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Long weekend breaks from Kolkata
From misty mornings in Darjeeling to rewarding nature walks in the Sundarbans National Park, there are a range of places to visit near Kolkata during those long weekends. These rejuvenating weekend getaways provide the p...more
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Raigunge Wildlife Sanctuary
Covering an expansive area of about 1.30 square kilometres, this claims to be the second largest bird sanctuary in Asia.
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Purulia
Far from the madding crowd, Purulia, with its fresh green landscape, undulating hills and thick forests, is perfect for a quiet getaway.
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Sunderbans
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sundarbans National Park is a sprawling tangle of mangrove swamp and is the only one of its kind in the world.
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24 hours in Kolkata
Trying to cover the city of joy within 24 hours will mean a busy and tiring day. Follow this guide and you’ll manage to pack in the best of Kolkata within a day
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36 hours in Kolkata
Contemporary narratives of resurgent India frequently sidestep the city of Kolkata, also known as Calcutta, the capital of the state of West Bengal and the seat of power during the British Raj. The city’s political clout...more
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48 hours in Kolkata
Two days in the city of joy is just enough to see the sights and experience the flavours of the city, provided you stick to this guide
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