Top 10 Things to do in Kolkata

To begin our list, Victoria Memorial is one such location. In 1794-96, Henry Holland designed it as a private residence for the Duke and Duchess of Kent. It was one of the first buildings in London to have a steel frame, allowing for large, uninterrupted spaces.

Later, in 1887, it was opened to the public as a museum. The memorial is a substantial structure. Its design has been described as "Edwardian neoclassical architecture," and it houses a museum. The memorial is approached from the east via a large driveway lined with statues of people from various eras on the Maidan, a large park in the heart of Kolkata. The memorial is currently maintained by the Victoria Memorial Hall Trust, a government-run organization.

Kalighat Temple is one of the iconic places in Kolkata and also the most popular temples in Kolkata. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali, who is the Hindu goddess of death and destruction. The temple is located on the banks of the Hooghly River in Kolkata. The temple is said to be over 2000 years old and is one of the most visited temples in India. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali. The temple witnessed numerous pilgrims and devotees each and every day.

The Dakshineswar Temple is yet another important Hindu temple in Dakshineswar. It is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali and people consider it as a very sacred place. The temple was built in 1848 by Rani Rashmoni, a Bengali philanthropist, in honour of Sri Ramakrishna, who was a frequent visitor to her home. Just on the opposite side of Hooghly River, the temple provides a tranquil atmosphere throughout. 

The temple has an architectural style that combines both Hindu and Muslim elements. It has a large complex that includes a Kali temple, a Shiva temple, and a Radha-Krishna temple.
The temple is a popular place of pilgrimage for Hindus. It is visited by many pilgrims every year, especially during the Hindu festival of Durga Puja.

Another interesting place to visit is the Science City which is a science museum in Kolkata and located in the eastern part of the city, near the EM Bypass. The museum is a part of the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) system.

The museum was established in 1995, and it is the largest science museum in India. The museum has a collection of over 1,500 exhibits, including a working model of a human body. The museum also has a planetarium, which has a seating capacity of 350 people. The science museum has many modern equipment which will entice you the whole time.

Princep Ghat is a famous ghat in Kolkata on the banks of the Hooghly River. It is a popular tourist spot and is often visited by locals and tourists alike. Princep Ghat was built in 1799 by the British East India Company. It was originally named "Ganges Ghat" but was renamed "Princep Ghat" in honour of the Prince of Wales (later King George V). The place is a common place for tourists and to have a perfect time. Often tourists take a boat-ride in the Hooghly River and witness the surreal vibe of the whole Hooghly bridge. Although the best time to visit is during sunset as it enlivens the beauty of the place more profoundly. 

Belur Math is the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission. It is located on the west bank of the Hooghly River, Belur, West Bengal, India which was founded in 1897 by Swami Vivekananda.

The Math was originally established as a monastery for the monks of the Ramakrishna Order. It soon became a centre for religious and cultural activities. Vivekananda spent the last years of his life here, and his ashes are interred in the math's Samadhi Mandir.

Today the place is visited by many devotees and tourists to witness the magnificence of the place. People are found to spend their most time gazing at the Hooghly River and humming prayers.

If you do not enjoy Bengali cuisine while visiting Kolkata, you are definitely missing out on a major part of the itinerary. Kolkata has some of the biggest food chains, but if you want to experience the authenticity and taste the real Kolkata, go for the street foods and many more. Each component has its own definition, making it difficult to choose your favourite. North Kolkata has a wide variety of pakoras known as 'chop,' as well as the iconic Golbari Kosha Mangsho (a dark mutton curry), while Central Kolkata has the best Fish Kaviraji (deep fried fish cutlet covered in egg batter) and a cup of coffee in the Coffee House located next to the iconic Presidency College and Mita Café are both iconic. South Kolkata is all about the delectable rolls and puchkas or golgappa, luchi mangsho (Fluff bread and meat), macher paturi (Fish served with mustard sauce) and many more that you can never get enough of.  To complete your taste bud, finish with the popular rosogolla and sondesh which is available in  every sweet shop in Kolkata. 

Bengal is known for its iconic sarees such as zamdani, balchuri, gorodh, and tant, which play an important role in defining Bengali culture. These are some of the traditional sarees that Bengalis still wear close to their hearts. And if you want to buy some of the best, always go to East Kolkata, Gariahat, where you will find several boutiques selling this magnificent. Not only that, but both New Town in Esplanade and Gariahat are well-known for their street shopping, where you can find some of the cheapest and highest-quality products ranging from modern to ethnic wear. These markets also sell some homegrown foods, which is always a treat.

Bengal is known not only for its rich culture and heritage, but also for the eminent personalities who have helped shape Kolkata's true image. Names like Rabindranath Tagore, Aurobindo Roy, Satyajit Ray, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose, and Swami Vivekananda are some of the iconic figures whose voices can still be heard on Kolkata's streets. Among these, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Botanical Garden is the best to visit. It is the second oldest botanic garden in India, after the Calcutta Botanical Garden, and is located in Howrah, West Bengal. Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose, a Bengali polymath, founded the garden in 1876. The garden is home to over 12,000 plant species, including orchids, bamboos, and medicinal plants. There is also a herbarium and a research laboratory.

If you are a fan of Rabindranath Tagore and Bengali literature and above all want to know more about the great Rabindranath Tagore, Jorasanko Thakur Bari is the place for you! Jorasanko Thakur Bari is a palace in the neighbourhood of Jorasanko in north Kolkata. It is the ancestral home of the Tagore family, and is now a museum dedicated to the life and works of Rabindranath Tagore. The palace was built in 1847 by Thakur Dwarkanath Tagore, the grandfather of Rabindranath Tagore. It is a large, sprawling complex, with a number of buildings, including the main palace, an auditorium, a temple, and a number of outbuildings.

It was here that he wrote many of his most famous works, including Gitanjali, and where he held his famous annual Tagore festivals. Over 700 of his paintings are displayed in this area. After the death of Rabindranath Tagore, the palace was turned into a museum in his memory. It is now maintained by the Rabindra Bharati University with an aim of imparting quality education.