As the capital West Bengal, Kolkata is an important city in East India. The city is a cultural and commercial headquarters in the region and the Port of Kolkata is the oldest in the entire country. Visitors will find plenty of places to visit in Kolkata, including the Calcutta Gallery, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Raj Bhavan, which are sure to make any trip to this area extremely memorable. Guests of the city should also sample some of Kolkata's renowned cuisine, check out a cricket match, or plan to visit during Durga Puja, which is a five-day festival that features plenty of music and parades.

Enchanting, Delightful places close to the city

Chandannagore

Located at a distance of 39 kms north of the city, this former French colony still retains the French charm and grandeur. Many buildings in this area are from that era. Among the attractions are the Chandannagore Museum, Chandannagore Church and Patal Bari or the Underground House. The lowest floor of the Patal Bari is submerged in the Ganges.

Nabadwip

At a distance of 114 kms from Kolkata, Nabadwip is a popular beach resort. The Iskcon Temple at Nabadwip is one of the famous religious place.

Diamond Harbour

A popular destination for day trips, Diamond Harbour is about 50 kms to the south of the city. Some of the best-known beach resorts are located in this area.

Murshidabad

This was the last capital city of an independent Bengal. It is at a distance of 182 kms south of the city. Among the main attractions at Murshidabad is Katra Masjid, built by Nawab Murshid Quli Khan in 1724 AD. The place is famous for its silks. Be sure to load up on the finest silks when in town. The Tourist Lodge at Berhampore is an excellent place to stay for the night when visiting Murshidabad.

Shantiniketan

This town famous for the Visva Bharati University set up by Tagore in 1901 is located at a distance of 215 kms from Kolkata. Visva Bharati University is a prestigious centre for learning and culture. Based on the gurukul system, the university offers a wide range of courses. Shanitniketan is also famous for its sarees and leather goods.

Sunderbans

This largest mangrove forest in the world. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a group of 54 islands, which get their name owing to the sundari trees that grow in this region. It is also the home of the Royal Bengal Tiger. Located at a distance of 131 kms, you can either take a bus or a taxi to Sonakhali or Canning or then hire a motorboat into the forest.