The Best Things To See And Do In North Kolkata

North Kolkata is where old Kolkata resides, in its full glory. The charming district is dotted with closely set lanes and hundreds of old world buildings. Comprising of areas like Belgachhia, Shyambazar, Chitpur, Shobhabazar, Maniktala, Jora Sanko etc, the area acts as a major commercial as well as a residential centre of the town. Also situated here is the Sealdah station, one of the largest train hubs in India, and the newly built Kolkata station.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

College Street

Second home to the intellectuals, scholars, academicians, students and book lovers of Kolkata city, College Street is an eminent centre of Kolkata’s literary crowd. It houses Kolkata’s most prestigious and renowned academic institutions like University Of Calcutta, Calcutta Medical College, Presidency College, Sanskrit College, Hare School and Hindu School. Dotted with makeshift bookstalls constructed with bamboo, wood, canvas and sheets of tin on both sides of the road, College Street is a paradise for book lovers. It’s a one of its kind book marketplace in the world, the largest second-hand book market in the world and largest book market in India and a dream for literary locals and tourists alike. Bowbazar, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Born in the 1940s when the Coffee Board set them up, the Indian Coffee House has become synonymous with Kolkata. It’s a favourite destination for hangouts, not only for the students of nearby schools and colleges (Presidency College, Vidyasagar College etc.), but also the office goers and intellectuals of Kolkata. Discussions here range from campus tete-a-tete, study plans, politics, business, sports, films, music, future plans, dreams and almost anything under the sun. The walls are painted, and portraits of greats like Rabindranath Tagore are put up, the marble top tables are still there but the wooden chairs have given way to the new plastic chairs. It’s a great place sip coffee while taking part in a good conversation or just watching time pass by. Price: Budget Opening hours: 9am-9pm Watch out for: Superb conversations 15, Bankim Chatterjee Street, Kolkata, West Bengal, India +91 99 03 41 47 17

Marble Palace

One of the best preserved and most elegant houses of 19th century Kolkata, this structure is famous for the marble floors and walls that give it its name. The palace houses collections of western sculpture and Victorian furniture, as well as paintings by European and Indian artists and other objets d’art. Located next to the palace is the Marble Palace Zoo, the first zoo to open in India. Price: Free Opening hours: 10am-8pm Panchkori Ghosh Road, Barisha, Kolkata, West Bengal, India +91 98 31 51 44 62

Mahabodhi Society of India

A South Asian Buddhist society founded by the Sri Lankan Buddhist leader Anagarika Dharmapala and the British journalist and poet Sir Edwin Arnold. The organization’s self-stated initial efforts were for the resuscitation of Buddhism in India and restoring the ancient Buddhist shrines at Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kushinara. A small, but interesting Theravadan Buddhist temple is located in a historic building. There is a library and shrine room on the second floor. Meditation classes are held every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month. Bankim Chatterjee St, Bowbazar, Kolkata, West Bengal, India +91 33 2241 5214

Howrah Bridge

Bridge

Howrah Bridge is a cantilever bridge with a suspended span over the Hooghly River in West Bengal, India. The bridge is one of two on the Hooghly River and is a famous symbol of Kolkata and West Bengal. It weathers the storms of the Bay of Bengal region, and carries a daily traffic of approximately 100,000 vehicles and possibly more than 150,000 pedestrians, easily making it the busiest cantilever bridge in the world. The third longest cantilever bridge at the time of its construction, the Howrah Bridge is the sixth longest bridge of its type in the world.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.