Kolkata
Kolkata, also known as Calcutta, is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of West Bengal.
It lies on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, 80 km (50 mi) west of the border with Bangladesh. It is the primary financial and commercial centre of eastern India and one of the gateways to northeastern India. Kolkata is the seventh most populous city in India with an estimated city proper population of 4.5 million while its metropolitan region Kolkata Metropolitan Area is the third most populous metropolitan region of India with a metro population of over 15 million. Kolkata is regarded by many sources as the cultural capital of India and a historically and culturally significant city in the historic region of Bengal.
Worth seeing
Kolkata is known for its numerous attractions — palaces, parks and museums — built during and after the 190 years of British rule in India. Built in 1814, the Indian Museum houses large collections that showcase Indian natural history and Indian art. The Marble Palace is a classic example of a European mansion that was built in the city. The iconic Victoria Memorial has a museum documenting the city's history.
Things to do
Take a tram ride in Kolkata. The city has the only active tram service in India and has become an icon of Kolkata. They move slowly on the laid tracks in traffic-jammed streets.
Where to eat
Kolkata has old traditions about eating out. Wilson's Hotel (which later became the Great Eastern Hotel) is credited to have been the first western-style hotel/restaurant in Kolkata, serving what was then forbidden food for Indians, particularly Hindus. One could be treated as an out-caste if caught eating there, but the idea caught on and others followed.
Getting around Kolkata the local way
- Get inBy ferry: There is a ferry terminal ("ghat") opposite the station that can get you to the opposite side of the river.
- Get inBesides, there are various ferry options from Howrah, Serampore and Uttarpara.
- Get aroundThere are four types of rickshaws in Kolkata: human-pulled rickshaws, cycle rickshaws, auto-rickshaws and electric rickshaws.
- Get aroundRickshaws pulled by men are a common sight in Kolkata and they are mainly found in some old localities of Kolkata.
- Get aroundThese rickshaws usually operate over short distances and mainly run on narrow lanes and they are not allowed to ply over main roads.
- Get aroundThey take more fare than cycle-rickshaws.
- Get aroundCycle rickshaws are the most convenient mean of transport in Kolkata.
- Get aroundUnlike auto-rickshaws, they can go to any place in a particular region.
From Wikivoyage: Kolkata, CC BY-SA. Not yet checked by us. Last edited 2026-09.
Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Biswarup Ganguly (CC BY 3.0), Wikimedia Commons.
