City Experiences in Kolkata: A 5-Day Itinerary

  • Day 1: Victoria Memorial Hall
    Starting Point
    Estimated Time: 2 hours
    Estimated Distance: 2.5 km

    Victoria Memorial Hall is a grand marble building dedicated to Queen Victoria. Exhibits inside the museum include books, paintings, sculptures, and manuscripts from the British era. The hall also boasts a beautiful garden, perfect for a morning stroll in the greenery.

  • Day 2: Dakshineswar Kali Temple
    Starting Point: Victoria Memorial Hall
    Estimated Time: 1.5 hours
    Estimated Distance: 10 km

    Located on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, Dakshineswar Kali Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Kali. Built in the 19th century, this temple is famous for its association with Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa. The temple complex has twelve different Shiva temples in a row along the riverbank, creating a beautiful and peaceful atmosphere.

  • Day 3: Howrah Bridge
    Starting Point: Dakshineswar Kali Temple
    Estimated Time: 1 hour
    Estimated Distance: 15 km

    Howrah Bridge is a famous landmark in Kolkata, spanning across the Hooghly River. The bridge is a magnificent example of engineering and architecture, and it’s also considered to be the busiest cantilever bridge in the world. Visitors can walk across the bridge and witness the bustling city life from a unique perspective.

  • Day 4: Park Street
    Starting Point: Howrah Bridge
    Estimated Time: 2 hours
    Estimated Distance: 8 km

    Park Street is a lively, vibrant street located in the heart of Kolkata. It’s the perfect place to indulge in the city’s vibrant nightlife, with a wide variety of bars, clubs, and restaurants serving up delicious local delicacies. Visitors can also explore the area's street markets and boutique shops.

  • Day 5: Indian Museum
    Starting Point: Park Street
    Estimated Time: 2 hours
    Estimated Distance: 4 km

    The Indian Museum is the oldest and largest museum in India, and it’s an educational hub for travelers interested in Indian culture, history, and science. The Museum’s collection includes a rare collection of fossils and antiquities, manuscripts, and ancient coins.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Victoria Memorial Hall (2 hours, $8)
  • Dakshineswar Kali Temple (1.5 hours, $2)
  • Howrah Bridge (1 hour, Free)
  • Park Street Nightlife (2 hours, $10)
  • Indian Museum (2 hours, $5)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $25

Transportation

For traveling between the locations in the itinerary, travelers can use the extensive metro network available in Kolkata. One-day metro pass will cost around $1. Travelers can also hail yellow taxis and auto-rickshaws for traveling short distances.

Useful Tips

For those with extra time, a visit to Howrah Station, one of the busiest railway stations in the world, can be a unique experience. For those with less time, consider cutting short the visit to Dakshineswar Kali Temple.

Airports

The international airport of Kolkata is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU). It is situated approximately 17 km from the city center, and taxi fares cost around $8.

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