Kolkata Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Kolkata tours and things to do in India’s cultural capital: marvel at the marble Victoria Memorial, cross the mighty Howrah Bridge, follow the aroma of the city’s legendary street food, visit the Mother House of Mother Teresa, ride vintage trams through colonial streets, and venture into the Sundarbans in search of the Royal Bengal tiger. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
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Explore Kolkata by interest
Whatever brings you to Kolkata — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Top attractions in Kolkata
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Victoria Memorial
Marble grandeur.
Howrah Bridge
Iconic span.
Kalighat Temple
Sacred shrine.
Street Food
Bengal flavours.
Mother House
Mother Teresa.
Sundarbans
Tiger mangroves.
Flower Market
Mullick Ghat.
Heritage Trams
Colonial city.
Day trip awaySundarbans
Tiger mangroves.
City awayVictoria Memorial
Marble grandeur.
Riverside awayDakshineswar
Temple complex.
City awayFlower Market
Mullick Ghat.
City awayFood Streets
Bengali flavours.
City awayMother House
Mother Teresa.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Kolkata visitor asks before booking.
Winter (Oct–Feb)
Cool and pleasant — by far the best time to visit.
The festivals
Durga Puja in autumn is Kolkata’s dazzling highlight.
Summer (Mar–May)
Very hot and humid; sightsee early or late.
Monsoon (Jun–Sep)
Warm and wet, with heavy downpours.
For the Sundarbans
The cool, dry winter is best for boat safaris.
Best overall
October to February is ideal.
One day
A city tour with a food walk.
Two days
Add temples and heritage walks.
Three days
Add a Sundarbans trip.
For history
The Victoria Memorial and colonial city.
For wildlife
A Sundarbans boat safari.
With kids
The landmarks, trams and sweets.
By metro
India’s oldest metro is quick and easy.
Trams & taxis
Vintage trams and yellow taxis are iconic.
On foot
Heritage areas are best explored walking.
By river
Ferries and cruises ply the Hooghly River.
Where to stay
Stay near Park Street or the city centre.
Indian rupee
India uses the rupee; carry cash for markets.
Victoria Memorial
Visit the marble monument and its gardens.
Eat street food
Take a guided tour for the best, safe stalls.
Heritage walk
Explore the colonial lanes with a local guide.
Sundarbans
Plan ahead for a mangrove tiger safari.
Durga Puja
Time a visit for the spectacular autumn festival.
Winter visit
Come October to February for the best weather.
Sundarbans trips
Mangrove safaris sell out — book ahead.
Food tours
Small-group food walks fill up — reserve early.
Heritage walks
Guided walks have limited spots — book ahead.
Durga Puja
Festival-time tours sell out — book well ahead.
City tours
Private city tours fill up — reserve early.
Winter season
October to February is busiest — book ahead.
City tour
Around €20–45 for a Kolkata city tour.
Food tour
About €25–50 for a street food walk.
Heritage walk
Roughly €20–40 for a guided heritage walk.
Sundarbans
Around €60–150 for a Sundarbans trip.
Temple tour
About €20–45 for a temples tour.
How to save
Join group city and food tours to save.
Kolkata through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Cool & dry.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Ideal.
- Best for
- Quiet.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Very hot.
- Best for
- Lush & humid.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Wet.
- Best for
- Durga Puja.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Festive.