Discover Kolkata's Top Attractions, Historic Sites & Cultural Experiences

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.

LBB Tip: Here's everything to know about the Victoria Memorial.

Timings: 10 AM - 6 PM

Entry: INR 50 for Indian nationals

How can you visit Kolkata without catching a glimpse of the iconic Howrah Bridge? It's one of the busiest and most significant landmarks, connecting the cities of Kolkata and Howrah. The best ways to experience it are by taking a boat ride at sunset or enjoying a late-night drive across the bridge. You can also relax at the various ghats or stroll along the bridge on the footpath, taking in the stunning views of this magnificent structure.

LBB Tip: Learn more about the Howrah Bridge here.

Timings: Open 24 hours

Entry: Free

Take a break from the chaos and head to the serene Belur Math, founded by Swami Vivekananda. Stroll along the banks of the Hooghly River, where you'll find the Ramakrishna Mandir and the temple of Ma Sarada Devi. Don't miss the aarti at sunset—it's a breathtaking sight and perfect for those seeking a meditative experience. Be sure to visit Swamiji's two-storeyed house and the Ramakrishna Museum, which showcases his personal belongings.

LBB Tip: Want to learn more? Check out our page on Belur Math here.

Timings: 6:30 AM –11:30 AM, 4 PM–8:30 PM

Entry: Fees

This marvel is often compared to the architectural style of Sacré-Cœur, thanks to its 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 features a sprawling courtyard flanked by twelve smaller temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Mystic saint Ramakrishna Paramhansa served as a priest here, and the temple still houses his room and the Panchavati Garden, where he meditated under five sacred trees. You can take a dip in the Ganga, enjoy a boat ride, or savour street food from vendors nearby.

Timings: 6 AM–12:30 PM, 3:30 PM–7:30 PM

Entry: Free

Believed to be the largest cathedral in the city, St. Paul's should definitely be on your list of places to visit in Kolkata. This striking white structure with its soaring towers took ten years to complete. Inside, you'll find stained glass windows, a high ceiling, artistic pews and chairs, and walls adorned with mural paintings and placards. There’s also a box where you can drop your prayer petitions.

LBB Tip: Photography is prohibited inside but you can click pictures of the structure from outside.

Timings: 10 AM - 6 PM

Entry: Free

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.

Timings: 11:30 AM - 6 PM

Entry: INR 120 per person

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. Experience the rich history, traditions, and culture of our country through an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures, relics of Buddha, Egyptian mummies, and exquisite items such as ornaments, fossils, skeletons, antiques, armor, and Mughal paintings, all housed within the museum's 35 galleries.

Timings: 10 AM - 6 PM

Entry: INR 75 per person

Built in 1835, the Marble Palace in Jorasanko is steeped in history, featuring an eclectic collection of art and antiques from Europe, including chandeliers, clocks, urns, works by Rubens, and original paintings by Raja Ravi Varma. Constructed using Italian marble by Raja Rajendra Mullick Bahadur—one of the wealthiest merchants and landlords of Bengal—Marble Palace showcases an impressive blend of Neoclassical and traditional Bengal architecture, with open courtyards, Belgian glass mirrors, marble floors, and wall panels.

LBB Tip: 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.

Timings: 10 AM - 4 PM

Entry: Free

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.

Timings: 10: 30 AM - 4:30 PM

Entry: INR 20 per person

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.

LBB Tip: Best part? You get to end that beautiful visit with kebabs and a range of delish food from Zakaria Street!

Timings: 11 AM - 9 AM

Entry: Free

Nothing beats the experience of watching the sunset while on a nouko ride at Princep Ghat. With the Vidyasagar Setu in the foreground and the river flowing below, the stunning sunset view will leave you awestruck and overwhelmed. It’s a photographer's paradise! Keep an eye out for the large white structure on your way to the ghat.

Timings: 24 hours

Entry: Free

Sovabazar Rajbari is another iconic heritage building that deserves a visit, especially during Durga Puja. One of the oldest royal houses in Bengal, it was built by Raja Nabakrishna and is renowned for its grand Durga Puja celebrations. The Rajbari also played a crucial role in preserving Bengali culture and tradition at a time when European influences dominated the country and city.

Timings: 8 AM - 8 PM

Entry: Free

Another popular spot for stunning views is Rabindra Sarovar, an artificial lake located in South Kolkata that is home to many migratory birds. Enjoy a lovely evening stroll along the pathways and consider checking out the auditorium while you're there. If you get hungry after admiring the scenery, there are stalls selling delicious food within the lake complex.

Timings: 5 AM - 7 PM

Entry: Free

If you are a cricket fan, then of course your trip to Kolkata is incomplete without visiting the famous Eden Gardens stadium. It is the second largest stadium in India and third largest in the world. And not to forget, it's one of the oldest cricket stadiums in the world, opened in 1864. Another piece of history is that this stadium hosted the first World Cup final outside of Lord's.

Timings: 10 AM - 5 PM

Entry: No entry fees for days when there are no matches. However, you are required to purchase tickets to enter the stadium on the day of matches or events.

The Biswa Bangla Gate, made of steel and glass, is a unique and relatively new addition to the city’s architectural marvels. Its facade features toughened glass and laminated silicone sheets designed to withstand gale-force winds, hailstorms, and extreme heat. Additionally, the in-house restaurant is quite popular among those wanting to enjoy a meal with a 360-degree panoramic view of the city.

LBB Tip: Here's everything to know about dining at Biswa Bangla Gate.

Timings: 12 PM–4 PM, 7 PM–10 PM

Entry: INR 100 per person

Need more reccos for Kolkata? Head to our Kolkata City Guide page here!