Top Monsoon Destinations Near Kolkata To Make The Most Of The Weather

We don't think anything is better than going to a beach to have a rain dance session with your friends during monsoons. If that's your vibe too, then pay a visit to Mandarmani. It has one of the longest driveable beaches in India. Dotted with huge swinging palm trees, peaceful seashores and beaches, it can act as a quiet seaside weekend destination located along the Northern end of the Bay of Bengal. Not only that, but it also has Chandaneswar Shiv Temple, Amarabati Park, Marine Aquarium & Regional Centre, Ramakrishna Vivekananda Mission and Math, and Shankarpur Beach. This simply implies that one can easily carve out a 3-day-long trip to Mandarmani, exploring all these beautiful places.

Distance from Kolkata: 171.5 km

How to Reach: By car, it will take you around 4.5 hours to reach Mandarmani. If you're travelling by air, Kolkata airport is the nearest. Plenty of buses are also available every hour from Esplanade, Birati and Barasat. Another alternative is travelling by train, where you can travel from Kolkata to Digha and then hire a taxi from there.

Shantiniketan acts as a gateway to rural retreat and livelihood, something very different from urban city life. It is located near Bolpur town and is well-connected to Kolkata by road and rail. Rabindranath Tagore established his back-to-nature school in Shantiniketan in 1901, later expanding it into the Viswa Bharati University. Famous locations in the area include the Rabindra Bhavana Museum and the Uttarayan complex. The Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary, known for its resident deer and other smaller animals is also worth paying a visit. 

Distance from Kolkata: 160.9 km

How to Reach: The nearest railway station is Bolpur and the nearest airport is in Kolkata. You can also drive directly from Kolkata to Shantiniketan, which will take you approximately 4 hours to reach.

The Sonajhuri Forest is famously known for the 'Sonajhuri Haat', or the weekly market where local artisans and craftsmen sell their handcrafted items. People from all across West Bengal visit this market to get their hands on these handicraft items, which you probably won't find anywhere else. The forest in Sonajhuri is considered to be a great monsoon retreat for nature lovers, surrounded by the Kopai River. Apart from that, you can also visit Tagore’s Ashram, where Rabindranath Tagore spent some time and composed some of his greatest works. Bonerpukur Gram, located adjacent to the forest, is where you can get a glimpse into the lives of the tribals, and the Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary is where you go for birdwatching as it's filled with a large variety of colourful birds, including parrots, ducks, kingfishers and woodpeckers. 

Distance from Kolkata: 163.4 km

How to Reach: You can either rent a car or take your own car to reach Sonajhuri Forest and enjoy a scenic road trip. The closest railway station is Bolpur station. 

If you want to opt for a staycation just to relax and take in the calm, visiting the Raichak group of resorts can be one of the best ideas during monsoon. Raichak is located right beside the serene Hoogly River with immaculate views, as it spreads over 100 acres of integrated lifestyle destinations comprising of the Ganga Kutir (a boutique resort), Anaya (spa by L’occitane), The Ffort Raichak (resort hotel), Country homes, Club Rio, Specialty restaurants, Footloose (sports bar and lounge) and other several activity zones. You can book your weekend retreat with your friends and family, enjoy a relaxing spa, enjoy the breathtaking sunset view, take a dip in their luxury swimming pools and dance your night away!

Distance from Kolkata: 53.2 km

How to Reach: If you wish to drive down to Raichak on the Ganges on your own, it will take you about 2.5 hours. Otherwise, you can take the bus to Prativa Nagar Bankura and then take the taxi to Raichak.

Another great option for you to enjoy the monsoon rains by staying in a cosy villa is Vedic Village. It is very near to Kolkata airport and combines natural beauty with outdoor fun and unbeatable indoor luxury. Sprawling over 150 acres of fertile farmland greenery, clean lakes, coconut trees and flora, it's a haven for migratory birds, butterflies, squirrels and exotic species of plants. For accommodations, it entails extraordinary villas and private homes, plus premium hotel rooms for you to choose from. It also has a private Sanjeeva Ayurvedic Spa for a relaxing evening.

Distance from Kolkata: 23.6 km

How to Reach: From the Newtown Bus Stand, you can take the K1 bus to its last stop called Hathishala. From there, you will find autos and motor vans that will drop you to Vedic Village. Alternatively, you can also drive down to Vedic Village on your own, which will take you 1.5 hours from Kolkata.

Digha is a beach town situated on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, with the most scenic and untouched beaches for ocean lovers. Two of the famous ones there are Talsari Beach and New Digha Beach. They have set up a Marine Station, which is also known as the Aquarium of Zoological Survey of India, with the largest built-in aquarium in India. It has three kinds of creatures: species of conservative importance, local and curious species, and freshwater species. Apart from that, you can visit a temple in Chandaneswar as well that is located six to eight kilometres from Digha to get a taste of some mythology and folklore. 

Distance from Kolkata: 183.7 km

How to Reach: The fastest way to reach Digha from Kolkata is by Cab, which takes approximately 4 hours. The cheapest way to reach Digha from Kolkata is by bus, which will cost you INR 145, directly from Esplanade.

Nothing beats experiencing the magic of monsoon in a hill station. Kurseong, located in the heart of Darjeeling, is a stunning hill station known as the 'Land of White Orchids'. It has unbeatable mountain views, making it a must-visit monsoon destination. You can go for a trek up to Dow Hill and make a stop at the charming Chimney, named after a brick chimney constructed during the British era. The nearby Makaibari Tea Estate is open to tourists and local visitors and is definitely a must-visit. Load up on cups of Darjeeling tea and plates of steaming hot momo in the rain. Also, don't forget to experience a ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a true marvel of engineering.

Distance from Kolkata: 606.8 km

How to Reach: Bagdogra Airport is the nearest airport to travel by air. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a shared cab to cover the approximately 40-kilometre journey up the hill. Alternatively, you can take a train to New Jalpaiguri Railway Station and then take the road. The scenic drive to Kurseong takes about two to three hours, offering breathtaking views of the Eastern Himalayas.

Puri is a place that experiences a tropical climate with high humidity throughout the year. It receives heavy rainfall and experiences strong winds. If you visit Puri during the monsoon, do not miss the opportunity to experience the Rath Yatra, which takes place in July. Visiting the Jagannath Temple also brings a sense of calmness within. You must also make it a point to visit the Chilika Lake for vibrant greenery and a refreshing ambience.

Distance from Kolkata: 498.2 km

How to Reach: You can take a direct bus to Puri from Kolkata, which will cost you INR 330. Alternatively, you can opt for a direct bus, which will cost you INR 616.

Sonar Bangla Taki will give you a taste of living in Greece in beautiful cottages. It makes for a perfect spot for spending a few days with your loved ones, relishing the calming atmosphere around and waking up to the chirping of birds with a majestic view of river Ichamati. It has a set of luxurious hotels with exciting activities and amazing food. The amenities include a swimming pool, children's activities, indoor games, a golf cart, a park and three cafes. In the evening, you can also opt for a boat ride, services for which are available at the shore of the Ichamati River.

Distance from Kolkata: 71.9 km

How to Reach: You can take the Hasnabad local train from Sealdah station to Taki Road station, which takes two hours. From Taki station, you can go to the jetty ghat, hire a rickshaw, and then hire a river cruise boat to reach Taki. You can also drive to Taki directly, which will take you about 4.5 hours.