The Best Weekend Getaways From Kolkata

Here are your best options if you are looking for a relaxing break from the chaos of Kolkata. From quiet beach towns to picturesque hill stations, there’s something for everyone on this list of weekend getaways from the City of Joy.

1. Samsing

This small hillside village located 640 kilometers (398 miles) outside Kolkata is ideal for a long weekend getaway. With rich tea gardens, scenic valleys, dense forests and pristine river waters, Samsing is nothing short of paradise for nature lovers. Come here if you are looking to picnic amidst stunning views of nearby hills and the lush greenery of tea plantations.

Samsing, West Bengal, India

Samsing | © Abhijit Kar Gupta / Flickr

2. Rasikbil

Park

Surrounded by dense forests, this eco-tourist spot is ideal for bird-watching. Located a little more than 450 kilometers (280 miles) outside Kolkata, Rasikbil’s prime attractions remain its lake and adjacent bird sanctuary. The area also features a deer park, a crocodile rehabilitation center, a leopard house, and a tortoise rescue center.

Rasikbil, Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India

3. Bakkhali

This quaint seaside village on the southern tip of West Bengal is just about four hours outside Kolkata. Alongside a pristine and quiet beach, Bakkhali is an ideal option for anyone seeking a break by the sea. Along with the well-maintained beach, the area also features a historic Hindu temple—the Bishhalakshmi Temple—as well as a crocodile breeding center.

Bakkhali, West Bengal, India

Bakkhali beach | © Rocksmoker 007 / WikiCommons

5. Digha

Aquarium

One of the state’s most popular beaches, Digha is a guaranteed fun break from Kolkata. A four-hour drive outside the city, the beach town is ideal for quite a few water sports, including parasailing, snorkeling, and water skiing. Other attractions include a century-old Shiva temple and a Marine Aquarium and Regional Centre that showcases the marine biodiversity of the region.

Digha, West Bengal, India

Digha | © Awankanch / WikiCommons

Chandipur

This peaceful seaside town is host to a peculiar phenomenon—where the sea recedes by as much as five kilometers (3.1 miles) every day, only to return to its original form. About four hours outside Kolkata, this beach is home to incredible marine biodiversity and is an excellent getaway if you are looking for a quieter beach than the popular Digha.

Chandipur, Odisha, India

6. Sundarbans National Park

Forest, Park

There are few better options for observing wildlife in the region than the famous Sundarbans National Park, under two hours from Kolkata. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as home to the Royal Bengal tiger, the Sundarbans are likely to thrill any visitor. The park offers a number of guided boat cruises, and treks are available to take visitors through the dense forest.

Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal, India, +91 90079 95888

Sundarbans | © Hiroki Ogawa / WikiCommons

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