Kolkata 5 Day Itinerary

Title: 5-Day Itinerary for Exploring Kolkata, India

Day 1: Arrival & City Orientation

  • Morning: Arrive at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. Check into your hotel (Recommendations: The Oberoi Grand, Park Hotel Kolkata, or ITC Sonar)
  • Afternoon: Visit Victoria Memorial, a stunning marble building housing exhibits from the British Raj era. Take a rickshaw ride in Maidan, Kolkata’s largest park.
  • Evening: Explore New Market (Haat Bazaar), a bustling shopping area with various food stalls and local goods. Try local street food like Rolls and Samosas.
  • Things to Know: Kolkata is famous for its tram network, the only operational horse-drawn tram service in the world! Be sure to take a ride during your stay.

Day 2: Cultural Immersion

  • Morning: Visit the Indian Museum, home to artifacts from archaeology, anthropology, geology, and more. Then, head to Dakshineswar Kali Temple, an important Hindu temple complex on the banks of the Hooghly River.
  • Afternoon: Explore Kumartuli, Kolkata’s potter’s quarter, where idols for Durga Puja are made. Next, visit Mother House (Maa Anandamayee Ashram) and St. Paul’s Cathedral.
  • Evening: Dine at Peter Cat, a popular restaurant serving North Indian and Mughlai cuisine. Try their Mutton Biryani and Chicken Tikka.

Day 3: Exploring North Kolkata

  • Morning: Visit the Dakshineswar Kali Temple again to witness the morning prayers. Then, head to Belur Math, the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission.
  • Afternoon: Take a ferry to Howrah Bridge and visit the nearby Strand Road area for a different perspective of Kolkata’s skyline. Have lunch at Kewpies, famous for their Sandwiches and Chicken Manchurian.
  • Evening: Visit Jorasanko Thakur Bari, the ancestral home of Rabindranath Tagore. End your day with a performance at the Academy of Fine Arts or Nandan, Kolkata’s cultural centers.

Day 4: South Kolkata & Foodie Delights

  • Morning: Visit the Marble Palace, an opulent mansion filled with marble sculptures and artifacts. Then, head to South Park Street Cemetery, one of India’s oldest cemeteries.
  • Afternoon: Explore College Street, home to Kolkata University and numerous bookstores. Have lunch at Kasturi Restaurant, famous for its Bengali Thalis.
  • Evening: Visit the magnificent Kalighat Temple, dedicated to Goddess Kali. Then, head to Park Street for dinner at Flurys or Mocambo, iconic Kolkata restaurants offering Western and Indian cuisine.

Day 5: Departure

  • Morning: Visit the Eco Park, Kolkata’s largest urban park, for a peaceful morning. Then, visit nearby Millenium Park and the Science City for interactive exhibits on science and technology.
  • Afternoon: Spend your final hours shopping for souvenirs at New Market or Gariahat Market, Kolkata’s largest market for local goods.
  • Evening: Depart from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport with cherished memories of Kolkata.