Kolkata (Calcutta) Hotels

South Kolkata is the city’s fanciest quarter and one of the least congested. Equally ritzy are the five-star hotels, theme parks and Bengali gentry housing estates of fast-developing East Kolkata. Further up meanwhile, North Kolkata’s narrow lanes and centuries-old buildings are an ode to romantic dilapidation. The Esplanade is the clogged artery of Kolkata’s fast-beating heart, where the bustling human life flows faster than the nearby River Ganges.

Kolkata's Top 10

Kolkata History

• Fort William – This indestructible British Citadel in Kolkata was built in 1773 and is still in use today.
• Victoria Memorial – A wonderful monument made with Makrana marble in the Italian Renaissance style.
• Race Course – One of the best is Asia, built in 1819.
• Raj Bhavan – Built in 1803 and home to the governor of Bengal, with many rare works of art.
• Tagore House – Birthplace of India’s most well-known modern poet, Rabindranath Tagore.

Kolkata Art & Culture

• Indian Museum – Built in Italian-style architecture in 1877, it includes Buddhist Gandharan art, unique fossils and an Egyptian mummy.
• Marble Palace – Built by Raja Tajendra Mullick in 1840 and now a museum.
• National Library – This stately home in Kolkata was once home to British Viceroys.
• Science City – An exposition park with a space flight simulator, space theatre, a recreated Jurassic forest, butterfly corner and more.
• Kolkata Book Fair – The biggest book fair in Asia is held during the last week of January and first week of February.

Kolkata Shopping

• Rabindra Sarani – A traditional shopping area that brings in lots of crowds.
• Dakshinapan Shopping Complex – A large, open-air shopping area with a lovely courtyard in the middle.
• Fancy Market – Offers a wide selection of foreign and imported goods.
• Central Cottage Industries Emporium – Features wonderful local handicrafts.
• New Market – Kolkata’s most well-known and oldest market area, with more than 2,000 stalls.

Gay & Lesbian Kolkata

• Aqua Cocktail Lounge – A place to find a great hip crowd.
• Olympus Bar – A wonderful place in Kolkata to find something to eat or drink.
• Nandan Theatre – A cultural hub and a popular place to hang out.
• Sam’s Bar – Great place to meet new friends.
• Someplace Else – Offers a great variety of music and live bands on the weekends.

Kolkata, India

Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of West Bengal in India. Situated on the banks of the Hooghly River, Kolkata beckons visitors with its rich history and beautiful architecture, such as the Marble Palace and the Victoria Memorial. Kolkata is an extraordinary location to discover art, culture, history and, most of all, a refreshed spirit.

Kolkata Attractions

• Kali Temple of Dakshineshwar
• St Paul’s Cathedral
• Nicco Park

Kolkata Activities

• Attend Durga Puja, an important fall festival
• See the beautiful Indian Museum of Kolkata
• Tour the Academy of Fine Arts

Kolkata Climate

The summer months of May through August experience hot and humid days, with highs reaching about 104°F (40°C). Winter tends to last for about two and a half months, and temperatures drop to 57°F (14°C) between December and February. The average annual temperature is 80°F (27°C), annual rainfall measures 62 inches (1,575 mm) and the best time to visit is from October to March.

Getting There & Around

The Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, located in Dum Dum to the north of the city, provides both domestic and international flights to Kolkata. Visitors can take trams and buses to reach hotels.

Public transport in the city is provided by Kolkata Metro, which is run by Indian Railways. With its extensive network, travellers are able to get about the city as well as the distant suburbs.

Kolkata Events

If you’re not Hindu, don’t try to enter the temple during Ratha Yatra in June/July. Happily, you can still enjoy the fairs and festivities of the event celebrating the symbolic movement of the chariot of Jagannath.

Kolkata comes to vibrant life for the Durga Puja Festival commemorating the goddess Durga and her trusty lion steed in late-September or early October.

The lavish street fairs that mark Eid are open to all in October/November. Kolkata is the gastronomic capital of Eastern India, so come hungry.

When To Go

Expect plenty of rain if visiting between May and September.

Most tourists arrive in the dry months between November and April, when the heat subsides and a walk around the Esplanade isn’t almost physically impossible.

The coolest months are December and January, when daytime averages still hover around 27°C (81°F).

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