Top 11 Things To Do in Kolkata (Calcutta), India

By Mark Wiens 64 Comments
Mother Teresa House
Mother Teresa House

Kolkata (Calcutta) is a city located in the West Bengal state, on the Eastern edge of India. It is a huge city that teems with never ending streams of honking traffic, businesses, restaurants and street food, and a share of attractions.

I had an incredible 2 week visit to Kolkata and was able to explore the city and visit quite a few interesting places. Known as the “City of Joy,” here are a few of the top things to do in Kolkata!

1. Mother Teresa House (Above)

Mother Teresa, an Albanian Roman Catholic missionary, did a lot of her work in India, especially right in the heart of Kolkata. Her former home and charity in Kolkata is now known as the Motherhouse, and inside the modest mission is Mother Teresa’s tomb.

After paying respect, you can walk through a small museum that displays a few of her personal belongings, and proceed to go up a flight of stairs to view into the room where Mother Teresa sat at her desk and wrote letters, prayed, and lived.

Price – Free

Things to do in Kolkata
Kalighat Kali Temple

2. Kalighat Kali Temple

Dedicated to the Hindu goddess of Kali, Kolkata’s Kalighat Kali Temple is one of the most visited and sacred sites in the city. The temple attracts thousands of pilgrims and other Hindu devotees each day. Walking to the temple, you’ll pass through a street that’s packed on both sides with religious items for sale.

The line to get in the actual temple and see the statue of Kali is sometimes crazy long, and you have to remove you shoes to get in. However, you can choose to just walk around the outside of the temple, and the interior outer side, with your shoes on.

Be aware of the many scams that are around the temple. When I entered a nice man (who said he was a Brahmin that worked at the temple) tried to take me around the temple for a tour. After about 10 minutes he brought me to the pool room and gave me a flower. He then pulled out a notebook and asked for a donation to the temple. The ridiculous thing was that in the notebook, which was shown clearly visible so that I could see, was a list of other travelers that had donated and the amount. John from USA – 3,000 Rupees, Mark from France – 5,000 Rupees, and so on (clearly absurd and fake donations). He then asked me to write how much I would donate – pressured by what others had given. Having read about this exact scam, I was prepared and walked away.

Price – Free

South Park Street Cemetery
South Park Street Cemetery

3. South Park Street Cemetery

Looking for one of the spookiest things to do in Kolkata? Head on over to the South Park Street Cemetery. Right off the busy (and loud) Park street, I was surprised how quiet and peaceful it was within this decaying ancient cemetery. The cemetery was set up in 1767 and includes around 1,600 tombs.

If the weeping trees and the moss covered tombs aren’t already scary enough, the occasional squawk of a crow will make things a little freakier!

Price – Free, but they’ll ask for an official donation – I gave 30 INR

things-to-do-in-kolkata
New Market

4. New Market (Sir Stuart Hogg Market)

One of the top things to do in Kolkata is explore the Sir Stuart Hogg Market, which is more commonly referred to just as New Market.

Inside the market itself is sort of just like any other market in the world, there are sections for just about anything you could want. But the real beauty of New Market is the chaotic action that surrounds the market on all sides.

Delicious restaurants, Kolkata street food stalls, pushcart transporters, and swarms of people are a few of the interesting things to observe. The action seems to never slow down.

If you are staying in the popular backpacker area of Sudder street, the New Market is just a 1 minute walk away.

Things to do in Kolkata, India
Victoria Memorial Hall

5. Victoria Memorial Hall

Rather than being in West Bengali, when visiting the Victoria Memorial Hall, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to Europe. The iconic structure in Kolkata is dedicated to Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom who is also referred to as the Empress of India.

Along with its British and European architecture, the hall also includes some Mughal Indian design elements. Victoria Memorial is 103 meters in length, 69 meters wide, and 56 meters high.

Victoria Memorial is now open to the public for its surrounding gardens and interior museum.

Price – 8 INR for garden

Mullik Ghat Flower Market in Kolkata, India
Mullik Ghat Flower Market in Kolkata, India

6. Mullik Ghat Flower Market

Located directly under the Howrah Bridge is the bustling Mullik Ghat flower market. The market, which is open all hours of the day, is a lively scene of bright yellow and orange flowers. Vendors and porters continually walk and run up and down the market, auctioning off their stock. Makes a great place to take photos.

Walking across the Howrah Bridge, which is one of the world’s busiest pedestrian bridges, is another one of the top things to do in Kolkata. After browsing and observing the flower market, take a walk across the bridge for great views of Kolkata, the Hooghly River, and the constant stream of people crossing the bridge while carrying giant loads.

Price – Free

Indian Museum - Kolkata
Indian Museum – Kolkata

7. Indian Museum

Kolkata’s Indian Museum is one of the most significant, and the first museum to be founded in India. The huge museum has collections and galleries spanning many different subjects; Archeology, art, geology, and even an exhibition on Egypt (and a mummy) can be found in the museum.

Especially on the weekends, the Indian Museum can be pretty packed – so either go early to avoid the crowds or just enjoy it with the crowds.

Price – 150 INR

Things to do in Kolkata
Belur Math Temple

8. Belur Math

Unlike the chaos and constant scams around the Khalighat Kali Temple, Belur Math is clean, peaceful, safe, and a perfect place to relax.

The Temple, located on the banks of the Hooghly River (branches off from the Ganges), was founded by Swami Vivekananda and is now the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math religious organization. The temple incorporates architecture and designs from Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity.

You can choose to walk around the gardens, and if you choose to enter the temple, you can securely leave your shoes (for free) at the shoe counter. Photography is strictly prohibited at Belur Math and they have plenty of security guards making sure you don’t snap any photos.

I took a taxi from the Sudder street area to Belur Math for 200 INR.

Price – Free

Dakshineswar Kali Temple
Dakshineswar Kali Temple

9. Dakshineswar Kali Temple

On the opposite side of the Hooghly River and a boat ride away is Kolkata’s Dakshineswar Kali Temple. The huge Hindu temple attracts big crowds of worshippers and Hindus that bathe in the adjacent river. Seeing the temple, it almost looked like a painting to me.

The entire compound is sort of like a fair, set up with lots of Kolkata street food snacks, shopping stalls, and plenty of Hindu religious objects for sale.

Note: After visiting Belur Math, I walked down to the river pier and caught a boat upstream to Dakshineswar Kali Temple. On the public boat it takes about 20 minutes and costs just 10 INR per person. Also, heading back to Sudder street, I took a taxi for 300 INR.

Price – Free

Teretti Morning Market
Teretti Morning Market

10. Terreti Morning Market (Bazar)

The first morning I arrived in Kolkata, I woke up quite early, put on my clothes and headed out to find some breakfast – it was about 7:30 am – and there wasn’t anything happening but a few people bathing on the street and a lots of people huddled around fires: no breakfast.

I soon realized India doesn’t wake up too early, especially in the winter.

But there is one local market in Kolkata that’s known for its breakfast, often attracting hungry diners that have just finished a night of partying: Terreti Market (Bazar).

Every morning along Sun Yat-sen Street, both Chinese and Indian vendors set up stalls and serve up a mouthwatering array of momo dumplings, Chinese baozi, and soup noodles. You’ll also find fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and meat. Having breakfast at Terreti Market is one of the top things to do in Kolkata.

Kolkata Street Food
Kolkata Street Food

11. Kolkata Street Food

There are plenty of things to do and see in Kolkata, but as a lover of all things food, there’s nothing more rewarding than hitting the sidewalks for a bite of Kolkata street food.

Vendors are friendly and willing to serve you their delicious creations. From one man run snacks like ghugni chaat and pani puri, to full meals of rice and curry, your taste buds will rejoice. After you’re stuffed, don’t forget to nurse down a cup of chai in a clay cup or slurp down a mango lassi.

Now, here’s a video…

(Note: if you can’t see it, watch 11 things to do in Kolkata here)

Have a great time exploring Kolkata, and take a look at my Kolkata travel guide article for many more useful tips.

64 comments. I'd love to hear from you!

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  • Köln Medyum Hoca

    2 months ago

    Köln’de Gerçek bir sonuç veren en iyi medyumu halu hoca ile sizlerde çalışınız. İletişim: +49 157 59456087 Aşık Etme Büyüsü, Bağlama Büyüsü gibi çalışmaları sizlerde yaptırabilirsiniz.

  • Bremen Medyum Hoca

    2 months ago

    Köln’de Gerçek bir sonuç veren en iyi medyumu halu hoca ile sizlerde çalışınız. İletişim: +49 157 59456087 Aşık Etme Büyüsü, Bağlama Büyüsü gibi çalışmaları sizlerde yaptırabilirsiniz.

  • köln medyum

    3 months ago

    Almanya köln medyumu haluk yıldız hoca sizlere ne iyi medyum hizmeti veriyor…

  • Lehrer

    3 months ago

    En iyi medyumu arıyorsanız hiç çekinmeden medyum hocamızı ziyaret edebilir ve kendisinden bizzat destek alabilirsiniz.

  • eliane thweatt

    5 years ago

    love india and kolkata…going next month before orissa .i have been there and love the flower market and bridge etc…

  • Martin

    6 years ago

    Hi Mark,
    We are off to Kolkata in February 2018 and Migrationology is always the first place to look at when planning a trip. As ever there is so much useful information here. Many thanks
    Martin
    Ps I loved your e-book on Delhi

  • anisha

    7 years ago

    Heyy Mark,
    I was starting a new youtube channel,and am gonna be going back to calcutta for the summer holidays,so I was just brainstorming with my friends about what to do and stuff in kolkata,like what things we can include in the video n yea…
    The thing is,you should definitely definitely put street food TOPMOST cuz that is calcutta’s greaaaatest quality,especially parkstreet food…n the varieties everywhere,you know..chaat,shingara,kochuri,phuchka(paani puri),rolls,biriyani what not…food in the beginning is a really good idea..
    After,I think you should also include college street…like…you know..calcutta…city of books…u know…book fairs…mayeb you should recommend people to visit when there’s a book fair going on…
    Then you could also maybe include the malls…like some of them actually are worth recommending…
    Then you should include the old movie halls…calcutta is an old city…you know…the antique..old…kind of a place..and the movie halls in the north just kind of add in making an impression…
    Then,I ABSOLUTELY absolutely recommend going to the north….that’s where all the old places are…how can you miss that part of kolkata?All the most precious details of calcutta are there,especially the family (daalaans..do u know?)the family temple things…the north deserves a visit..it’s where the essence of old calcutta still lingers..
    Also,you should recommend going to all the best restaurants n stuff u know,like where you get the best rolls,where’s the best biriyani..
    For our foreign visitors,I still have so many people asking me where to get saris and bangles and stuff you know?because after all bengali culture is rich,and a sari is actually really beautiful..you could maybe recommend where to get the best ones from(without being ripped off,because some shop owners tend to do that when they see a foreigner because in a poor man’s way of thinking,a foreigner is a ‘sahib’ u kno,so they automatically assume u have a lot of money and absolutely rip you off..or cheat you…)
    Then you should also include the national library…absolutely deserves a visit…it just…does..
    And after eating your head for so long,I’m kinda sorry…but calcutta is my city,and I really don’t want people missing out..and I think you would understand?
    Sincerely,
    Anisha :))

  • Helen Brown

    7 years ago

    It is really a great and helpful piece of information. I am glad that you shared this
    useful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.

  • Priti

    7 years ago

    Mark your expressions while having the food are so cute haha i loved them and i loved the video. Going to the city tomorrow cant wait to try these Delicious street chaat.

  • Ami PIPALIA

    8 years ago

    Really nice and natural..u could have vsted more places..but I like loved this video…share of other cities too

  • SUSHMITA MUKERJI

    8 years ago

    Nice commentry about Kolkata giving a brief history of many historical places of the city. A glimpse into the street food of Kolkata is also interesting. What would have been more appreciable is to include Jorasanko Thakurbari, the ancestral house of Rabindranath Tagore, Marble Palace and Shobhabajar Rajbari .

  • Jessica

    8 years ago

    Hello Mark! Loved the writeup and especially the video! Short but very informative! As a local of Calcutta, it’s wonderful to see that you have loved the city! Thanks!

  • Smitha G

    8 years ago

    Thanks Mark. I am visiting Kolkata in May’16 for a friend’s wedding. Though I am an Indian, I haven’t seen much of my country since I am from South and India is really huge. Your review was excellent. I feel more acquainted with the city. I now am more confident to explore it on my own. Thank you for visiting India.

  • James bradfield

    8 years ago

    A great list of sites in Kolkata. Another must see and do is a stroll in Millennium park in early evening. It’s on the banks of the Ganga. Entrance near BBD Bagh. Magnificent views of Howrah. Both bridges. A magnificent park.

  • Aneesh

    8 years ago

    being a probashi bengali i never thought of seeing the city much, was always busy in meeting relatives and catching up…..visiting actual kolkata never popped up…….going next month, would definitely strike some off the list

  • sindhu anantha

    8 years ago

    lovely video was feeling lively with family,,,while looking to each street…thanks fr the indivual places.. as very useful fr my son too fr his project,,,looking fwd fr more places…

  • David Adhikary

    8 years ago

    Dear Mark, thanks a lot for this video and quick information. I am planning to go to Kolkata next week with a group of 8. Surely going to follow some of your footsteps. 🙂

  • Seftia Novita Sari

    8 years ago

    Hi,

    I just found your website anyway 🙂
    There is something that I am curious about Kolkata (Calcutta) actually.
    I heard there is a place in that city which looks like Europe city.
    Do you know about that place?

    Your website is great, Mark. 🙂
    I think I will put those places on my list when I visit Kolkata next month.

    • Mark Wiens

      8 years ago

      Hi Seftia, good to hear from you, thank you very much. I think maybe it’s referring to the Victoria Memorial Hall, which is a European designed building. Have a great trip to Kolkata!

  • rem

    8 years ago

    Wow!! This was so nice and helpful for me as I will be going to calcutta for a cousin’s wedding in March. Hopefully I will be able to visit some of the places on your list.

  • Pat

    8 years ago

    Love the food markets and breakfast….any concerns about getting sick!???

    • anisha

      7 years ago

      well not really unless you eat off a street shop which sells the fried kind,just make sure to smell the food well,because in some less known places,the oil they use is either really old or of bad quality..no offense if you’re foreign..(I don’t know if it even sounds offensive,but I’m sorry if it sounds racist or something) then you should really not try out too many of the foods at once,because the calcutta kind of food will definitely clash with your normal diet,especially if u don’t eat a lot of fried,or heavy or rich or spicy food…so just take it easy…
      And then again don’t worry,chances are pretty much nil of getting sick..but yea
      Just kind of take it easy…

  • Janak kumar Yadav

    8 years ago

    Wow, you splendidly summarized all top sites to visit in Kolkata. Insightful content.

  • p777

    9 years ago

    Thanks. This is very helpful as we are planning our first visit to Kolkata next year.

    • Mark Wiens

      9 years ago

      You’re welcome, glad this is helpful, and hope you have a wonderful trip to Kolkata.

  • Agnes

    9 years ago

    Hi All,
    There is a lot more places to hangout too. Ladies out there who love to shop can visit malls like south city mall, Forum mall, Quest mall, mani square malls, city centre 1 & 2. These big malls have movie hall, coffee shops, food court, salon, spa etc etc.. If you are looking for nightlife u can visit park street which is the most happening place in kolkata with loads of restaurants,coffee shops, pubs.. There is alot more stuffs to do during your stay in kolkata!! Hey Mark your article is superb!!

    • Mark Wiens

      9 years ago

      Hey Agnes, thank you very much for reading and also for your extra suggestions. One day my wife and I visited South City Mall, it was very nice – definitely a good place to go shopping and walk around.

  • Manu

    10 years ago

    Hi..
    I am planning to visit Kolkata this September
    For a visitor Like me its ” A ENCYCLOPEDIA OF A KOLKATA”
    because I am going to there for the first time .
    Thanks Mark Wiens..
    Supr GO on…

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hey Manu, great to hear from you, thank you very much. Hope you have a great visit to Kolkata.

    • jas

      10 years ago

      Anyone visiting kolkata in Oct?Can you suggest some nice activities for kids?

  • Indraneil

    10 years ago

    Thanks Mark. Its such an awesome article about Kolkata- the city of joy 🙂

  • Shovon

    10 years ago

    Hi there

    I admire your Guts …really! 🙂
    I am an indian living in europe and my parents stay in kolkata. so I go there at least once a year to visit them. when I was in india (back during the formative years) I would eat the street food happily with no clams . But today (after staying 20 years outside india) I would just NOT venture in the street food arcade that you have tried above 🙂 . I would not know how and when this changed for me (anyway irrelevant) but as I see it , you do have the Guts 🙂

    and did I say , this was a nice site for all us the foodies that we are :).

    Thanks

  • Jaideep Lahiri

    10 years ago

    Mark, loved this video and shared the same on my FB post. Thanks for projecting such a cheery picture OK Calcutta. Foreigners usually get taken aback with the poverty but you chose to show the positives. May your tribe increase!

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hello Jaideep, great to hear from you, and thank you for your support. Despite the poverty and hardships in Calcutta, it’s such an incredible city, I really loved it. Are you from Calcutta?

  • jeremy aruldoss

    10 years ago

    Great video Mark! i’m heading down to Kolkata in early May for a friend’s wedding and I’m sure i will check out the places you mentioned. Have you tried visiting the other areas in West Bengal..

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hey Jeremy, thanks a lot for watching. No haven’t been to other areas of West Bengal, but would love to. Are you going to spend some time traveling around there after the wedding?

    • abhishek

      8 years ago

      Mayapur, Darjeeling, Dooars, Jaldapara (very close to Bhutan) are the places you should visit in West Bengal. Hike to Phalut and you will like it.

  • Melissa Zhiss

    10 years ago

    Thanks so much for your great video! My daughter, who is in 3rd grade, is doing a project on Kolkata and it was helpful to hear the sound and see the sites of the city!

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hey Melissa, thank you for watching, and all the best with your daughters project, glad this was helpful!

  • Emily

    10 years ago

    Ohhhh, this makes me miss Kolkata so much! I lived on Southern Avenue for a year, walking distance away from the Kali Temple. My favorite scam was the guys who would “lead” you to the temple and then ask for money when you arrived. I mean, it was helpful the first time, but after we knew our way there, we weren’t about to pay!

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Haha, I can just imagine that exactly Emily! Cool to hear you lived in Kolkata!

  • Arnab Maity

    11 years ago

    Having born and brought up in the city, I was moved to see your post this morning. Thanks for taking me back to my city through your post. At times, we don’t realize the beauty of our own homes, until a neighbour comes and tells us how beautiful it is, you just did the same. Thanks again for making me relive my moments in the city of Joy

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hey Arnab, you’re welcome, and thank you very much for taking a look. I had a great time exploring your city!

  • Mike@EarthDrifter

    11 years ago

    This brought back a few memories of Kolkata as I spent three days there. The most prominent recollection is my experience at the Kalighat temple. They tried the exact same scam on me. The man’s seriousness was hilarious. I gave him the bag of bananas I’d bought a little while prior, and walked away. I remember the area around the temple to be fascinating as I witnessed some very hopeful (or hopeless souls), like nothing I’ve seen anywhere.

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hey Mike, glad to hear you’re been to Kolkata as well. Haha, nice one with the bananas, perfect!

  • Arti

    11 years ago

    You have certainly seen more in Kolkata now then I have seen in my multiple visits to the city!! The Howrah Bridge is also one of the things that I love in Kolkata. Then there is a science city which is spread in a large area and I love being there!
    This is one fabulous post Mark 🙂

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Thanks for reading Arti. I really enjoyed my stay in Kolkata, it’s such a interesting and old city. I agree, the Howrah Bridge is quite a sight to see!

    • chetana

      9 years ago

      Thanks Mark….you made me love my city even more..But there are some other places too where you should visit once in Kolkata. Hope you come next time for another interesting visit to the city. And your video was awesome.

    • Mark Wiens

      9 years ago

      Hey Chetana, thank you very much. I’m really hoping to visit Kolkata again in the future.

    • proshanta mandal

      8 years ago

      Hey man thanx for the above info. The thing is this is my first visit in this city and I don’t know how to make the best out of my tour. There are so many scams and frauds around the city who always look for fresh visitors so that they can mug and take advantage forcefully.its but frightening for me to go and explore the places alone. If you r from this city and in your free time, can I ask you to do me the favor of showing the city?