Kolkata India 5 Day Itinerary

Kolkata, India: 5-Day Travel Itinerary

Day 1 - Explore the Heart of Kolkata

Morning:

  • Breakfast at Flury’s (Park Street) - A colonial-era café with a variety of dishes.
  • Visit Victoria Memorial (Victoria Road) - A stunning marble building dedicated to Queen Victoria.
  • Stroll around Maidan (Brabourne Road) - Kolkata’s largest park, home to numerous monuments and activities.

Afternoon:

  • Lunch at Peter Cat (Camac Street) - Famous for its Mughlai cuisine.
  • Visit Mother House (Jharamohan Street) - The headquarters of the Missionaries of Charities founded by Mother Teresa.
  • Explore New Market (New Market Road) - One of Kolkata’s oldest and busiest markets, offering a wide variety of goods.

Evening:

  • Visit Kumartuli (Adi Bagan) - Potter’s Quarter to see the artisans creating clay idols for Durga Puja.
  • Dinner at Oh! Calcutta (Lala Ghara Lane) - Authentic Bengali cuisine restaurant.

Day 2 - Heritage and Culture

Morning:

  • Breakfast at K.C. Das’s (205, North Kolkata) - Try the famous Rosogolla.
  • Visit Dakshineshwar Kali Temple (Hooghly River bank) - A significant Hindu temple complex dedicated to Goddess Kali.

Afternoon:

  • Lunch at Bhojohari Manna (185, Rashbehari Avenue) - Famous Bengali Thalis.
  • Visit St. Paul’s Cathedral (Cathedral Road) - An iconic Anglican cathedral in Kolkata.
  • Explore College Street (College Street area) - Famous for its book market and colleges like Presidency University and Calcutta University.

Evening:

  • Visit Thanthania Lane (Chitpur) - Famous for its street food, especially phuchka and jhaal muri.
  • Dinner at Six Ballygunge Place (Ballygunge Circle) - Offers a variety of Indian and international cuisines.

Day 3 - Art and Knowledge

Morning:

  • Breakfast at K.C. Das’s (205, North Kolkata)
  • Visit the Indian Museum (Jawaharlal Nehru Road) - The oldest museum in India with a rich collection of artifacts.

Afternoon:

  • Lunch at Mocambo (Local Cable Tram Line, Park Street) - An iconic restaurant serving European and Indian cuisines.
  • Visit the Birla Planetarium (Ballygunge Circle) - To learn about celestial bodies and their movements.
  • Explore the Rabindra Sarovar (Rabindra Sarobar Metro Station) - A beautiful park with a lake, dedicated to Rabindranath Tagore.

Evening:

  • Dinner at Fenil (178, Park Street) - Offers authentic Gujarati cuisine.
  • Visit the Academy of Fine Arts (Marquis Road) - To witness contemporary art exhibitions.

Day 4 - Local Life and Markets

Morning:

  • Breakfast at Flury’s (Park Street)
  • Visit the Burrabazar (Near Ahiritola Bus Stand) - Asia’s largest spice market.

Afternoon:

  • Lunch at Nahoum’s & Sons (43, New Market Road) - Famous Jewish bakery in Kolkata.
  • Visit the Taltala area (Taltala Lane) - Witness traditional street theatre.
  • Explore the Gariahat Market (Gariahat Crossing) - One of Asia’s largest market for household goods.

Evening:

  • Dinner at Maach Mishti Mora (48, Bhawanipur Road) - Famous Bengali fish and dessert restaurant.
  • Visit the Howrah Bridge (Howrah Station area) - The busiest cantilever bridge in India.

Day 5 - Day Trip to Sundarbans

Morning:

  • Depart early for a day trip to Sundarbans, UNESCO World Heritage Site. Boat trips are available from Sagar Island or Godhkhali.
  • Spot the Royal Bengal Tigers and explore the mangrove forests.

Evening:

  • Return to Kolkata and have dinner at your preferred local restaurant.

Things to Know:

  1. Kolkata is known for its warmth, both in terms of people and climate (temperature averages 25°C - 35°C throughout the year).
  2. The city is well-connected by air, rail, and road networks.
  3. Rickshaws and taxis are widely available for local transportation. Metro and tram are also convenient options.
  4. Always carry small denominations of Indian currency as change might not be readily available everywhere.
  5. English is widely spoken, making communication easier for tourists.
  6. Respect local customs and dress modestly when visiting temples or religious sites.
  7. Don’t forget to try the local delicacies like fish, biryani, rosogolla, and mishti doi!
  8. Be mindful of your belongings in crowded areas and avoid showing valuables openly.

Enjoy your trip to Kolkata, the City of Joy!