New To The City? Check Our List Of Tourist Places You Must Visit In Kolkata

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We all know Kolkata boasts of rich culture and history making it one of the most amazing places to travel to. Well, if you're planning to visit the City of Joy soon, then make sure you visit these tourist places for a true taste of Kolkata. Actually, even if you reside here and haven't visited these places, now is the time!

Victoria Memorial

A trip to Kolkata is incomplete without a visit to Victoria Memorial. This iconic white marble structure is more than just a pretty monument. Commissioned by then Viceroy of India Lord Curzon, the memorial was set up in honour of Queen Victoria. Built using white Makrana marble, the monument is surrounded by lush green lawns and comprises a gallery that traces the city's colonial era history, including the queen's personal belongings. Besides, you also get to gorge on Kolkata street food just outside the premises.

Howrah Bridge

How can you come to Kolkata and not catch a glimpse of the iconic Howrah Bridge? It's one of the busiest and most important places because it connects the major cities of Kolkata and Howrah. The best way to enjoy it is to either take a boat ride during sunset or go on a late-night drive along the bridge. You can also sit at the several ghats or walk along the bridge (there's a separate footpath only for those who wish to walk) while enjoying stunning views of this structure.

Belur Math

Take a break from the chaos and head to the serene and peaceful Belur Math, founded by Swami Vivekananda. Walk along the banks of the Hooghly and you'll spot the Ramakrishna Mandir and also the temple of Ma Sarada Devi. You just cannot miss the aarti at sunset while you're here. It's a sight for the sore eyes and ideal for the meditative soul. Also, check out Swamiji's two-storeyed house and the Ramakrishna Museum displaying all his belongings. 

Dakhineshwar Temple

This marvel is often compared to the architectural style of Sacré-Cœur, courtesy the multi-tiered arches and turrets. Built in 1855 by Rani Rashmoni in the Indian navaratna style, the twelve-spired Dakhineshwar Temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali and comprises a sprawling courtyard flanked by 12 smaller temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Mystic saint Ramakrishna Paramhansa served as a priest here and the temple is still home to his room and the Panchavati Garden where he meditated under the congregation of five sacred trees. Take a dip in the Ganga, go for a boat ride or gorge on street food outside.

St. Paul's Cathedral

Believed to be the biggest cathedral in the city, St. Paul's must definitely be on your list of tourist places to visit in Kolkata. This white structure with sky-high towers took 10 years to build. Stained glass windows, high ceiling, artistic pews and chairs and walls adorned with mural paintings and placards make up the inside of the cathedral. There's a box where you can drop your prayer petitions. Photography is prohibited inside but you can click pictures of the structure from outside.

Birla Planetarium

We're sure you must have visited Birla Planetarium at least once if you've grown up and attended school here. It was so fascinating, right? This iconic structure boasts of state-of-the-art, full dome high-resolution digital projectors to create an impression of the cosmos, an exhibition gallery, information circular corridor and a souvenir shop called AstroCorner. Their shows are all about science and astronomy making it a must-visit for science nerds.

Indian Museum

This one is for all you history buffs out there. You can't leave the city without visiting the largest and oldest museum in the Asia-Pacific region - the Indian Museum. get a glimpse into the rich history, tradition and culture of our country in the form of paintings, sculptures, relics of Buddha, Egyptian mummies and exquisite collections of ornaments, fossils, skeletons, antiques, armors, and Mughal paintings housed in the 35 galleries inside the museum.

Marble Palace

Built in 1835, Marble Palace in Jorasanko is steeped in history thanks to an eclectic collection of art and antiques from Europe - think chandeliers, clocks, urns, Rubens and original Raja Ravi Verma artwork. Built using Italian marble by Raja Rajendra Mullick Bahadur (one of the richest merchants and landlords of Bengal), Marble Palace's architecture is an amazing blend of Neo-classical and traditional Bengal with open courtyards, Belgian glass mirrors, marble floors and wall panels. Make sure you take the necessary permissions a day in advance and hire a tour guide for a better understanding of the place and its history.

Jorasanko Thakurbari

No trip to Kolkata is complete without visiting Nobel laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore's house. The Jorasanko Thakurbari is a must-visit for tourists and city folks alike. You can also visit the room where he breathed his last. Most of the house has been turned into a museum and is quite well-maintained. You'll find artifacts related to Tagore from across the world as well as memoirs, paintings, photographs, handwritten letters, books and a lot of other valuable belongings.

Nakhoda Masjid

This architectural marvel is a piece of history you wouldn't want to miss. Inspired by Akbar's tomb in Sikandra, Nakhoda Masjid is believed to be the largest mosque in the city located on Zakaria Street. The gateway to the masjid is inspired by the Buland Darwaza in Fatehpur Sikri for which several granite stones were brought from Tolepur. With three domes, two 151-feet high minarets and 25 smaller ones, Nakhoda can accommodate 10,000 people inside it's prayer hall. Best part? You get to end that beautiful visit with kebabs and a range of delish food from Zakaria Street!

Princep Ghat

There's nothing that can beat the experience of watching the sunset while on a nouko ride at Princep Ghat. With Vidyasagar Setu in the foreground and the river flowing below, the stunning sunset view here will leave you awestruck and overwhelmed at the same time. It's a photographer's paradise. Watch out for the huge white structure on your way to the ghat

Sovabazar Rajbari

Sovabazar Rajbari is another iconic heritage building that deserves a visit especially during Durga Puja. It's one of the oldest royal houses in Bengal. Built by Raja Nabakrishna, the building is famous for its grand Durga Puja celebrations and also for retaining Bengali culture and tradition at a time when European culture dominated the country and city.