Also read: Cafes in Kolkata

1.Sunderbans

Known for hosting the largest mangrove forests within the world, Sundarbans park is found in the state of West Bengal, India. It’s also a Biosphere reserve where tourists can see ‘Royal Bengal tigers’, roaring rivers, and exquisite estuaries.

2. Victoria Memorial

This building as the name suggests was built in the honor of Queen Victoria of England. It is made up of white marble and was built around in the year 1922. The white marbles light up the beautiful palace and glow during the night. The place has a beautiful garden in front and a perfect place to spend your weekend.

3. Dakhineshwar Temple

It is a temple located at the banks of river Hooghly in Dakhineshwar. It is famous for the deity  “Maa Kali” and was built around 1855. Morning visits to this temple give you a bright start for the day ahead.

4. Science City

If you are a science enthusiast and loves seeing new techniques and innovations this is the perfect place for you. It has a planetarium and a lot of new modern gadgets plus old school science pieces of stuff which will make both the kids and the elder ones fall in love with the place.

5. Nicco Park and Water Park

Who doesn’t like adventure and theme parks and if above it, a water park is added to it, your weekend just got better. An enthralling amount of rides followed by the splash of water, this place is a perfect getaway from your hectic life and enjoy the moments.

6. Howrah Bridge

If you are in Bengal, Howrah Bridge is something that would have a lot of fascinating stories. Built by the Britishers to connect Kolkata with Howrah, this bridge is built on the Hooghly river and the architecture is a prime. In the yesteryears, the bridge would split up into two for the passage of large vessels.

7. Princep Ghat

A place to behold for during Durga Puja, this ghat is one of the biggest in Kolkata. If you want to enjoy a ferry ride, this is the place to be and a perfect place to visit sunrise and the beautiful sunset.

8. Park Street

This place never sleeps and is a delight if you are visiting at the time of Christmas. The street is a crowd puller with many pubs and restaurants located here. It is a fashionable place and a place for the youth to hang out.

9. Eden Gardens

Bengalis are one of the most enthusiastic people when it comes to sports. Eden Gardens is a perfect place to relish that. Called the Mecca of cricket in India, a visit to this place can bring back the fond memories of your childhood.

10. St. Paul’s Cathedral

St. Paul’s Cathedral could be a Church of North India (CNI) Cathedral of Anglican background in Kolkata, state, India, noted for its style of architecture and dedicated to Paul the Apostle. It’s the seat of the Diocese of Calcutta. It’s said to be the biggest church in Kolkata and also the first Anglican cathedral in Asia.

11. Birla planetarium

It is the largest planetarium of the country and the second largest in Asia, a single-storeyed structure which is located nearby to Victoria Memorial. It has a circular shape and is one of the most visited places in the city where you could lose yourself in the space world looking at the sky and stars.

12. State Archaeological Museum

State Archaeological Museum in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) has a collection of rare tools of the primary, Middle and so the Late Stone Ages from Susunia (Bankura) and other pre-historic places. It’s a place where you can see your history and relive it.

13. The Indian Museum

It has the privilege to be the oldest museum in India and the ninth oldest in the whole world. It had been founded by the Asiatic Society of Bengal in Kolkata (Calcutta), India, in 1814. It is the home of some of the best-known artifacts of India, and historians from all around the world visit this place.

14. Mother Wax museum

If you want to meet your favorite stars but cannot, this is the place where you can get to see them, made out of wax. Located in New Town it is one of the modern places built to attract more tourists to the city.

15. Eco Park

Located nearby the wax museum, this place has the seven wonders of the world in their miniature form. Boating and cycling is an activity which would cherish you for days and spending time here wouldn’t be hard as there are a lot of activities which you can do with.

16. The Marble Palace

It was built around 1835 by a wealthy businessman. As the name suggests this place is famous for its marble sculpture, floors, and the walls. It is one of the most elegant houses built in the 19th century.

17. Mother Teresa House

Kolkata is a place where Mother Teresa gave her heart and soul. No wonder a place of hers found its way in this article. It is a place full of serenity and bliss. Mother Teresa’s tomb is located inside the house. One part of the house has the ongoing catholic service while the other has the photos of her.

18. Fort William

Fort William could be a fort in Hastings, Calcutta (Kolkata). It had been built during the first years of the Bengal Presidency of British India. It sits on the eastern banks of the Hooghly River, the most important distributary of the River Ganges.  The fort was named after King William. Ahead of the Fort is that the Maidan, the biggest park within the city.

19. Belur Math

Ramkrishna mission is a name synonymous with West Bengal and Kolkata. Belur math is a temple and the head of all the missions located across the country. It was founded by Swami Vivekananda. Located at the banks of river Hooghly, this place has a charm and calm of its own.

20. Birla Temple

Located on the Asutosh Chowdhury Avenue, this temple is built by the industrialist family Birla in the honor of Lord Krishna. It has a huge gathering at the time of Janmashtami when people from all over the country come and visit this place. 

Some of the well-known places to visit in West Bengal are:

1. Kolkata

Kolkata is one of the largest city in India and the capital of West Bengal. Being the cultural hub of India, it has a rich heritage of diversity and culture. The city has given rise to poets like Rabindranath Tagore, filmmaker Satyajit Ray, cricketer Sourav Ganguly and so on. Some exciting places to visit are the Victoria Memorial, Mother Teresa Wax Museum, Eco Park, Nicco Park, Science City and a lot more. A visit during the springs is best.

2. Darjeeling

Jaw-dropping locales, mesmerizing sunrises, the untouched fantastic thing about the hills, the old-world charm of the past, and the welcoming smiles of the local people all add up to form Darjeeling one in all the foremost beautiful hill stations in Eastern part of India. A summer visit or even a winter visit will give you some soothing memories to cheer for. Sunrise at Tiger Hills and a ride in a toy train is a must.

3. Sunderbans

Known for hosting the largest mangrove forests within the world, Sundarbans park is found in the West Bengal state of India. It’s also a Tiger Reserve and a Biosphere reserve that gives a whole nature’s circle to the tourist right from ‘Royal Bengal tigers’ to roaring rivers and exquisite estuaries. Formed by the delta of India’s two largest rivers Ganga and Brahmaputra, this place is made for nature lovers.

4. Mirik

Mirik is another place located at the banks of a beautiful gigantic lake in the northern part of West Bengal. Amidst the Himalayan Valley, Mirik has more to supply than simply beautiful mountains and lakes. Horse Riding and boating in the lake is a must if you visit this beautiful place.

5. Siliguri

Situated within the Jalpaiguri districts of West Bengal, Siliguri may be a city referred to as the Gateway to North-East India. Located 560 km from Kolkata to the north, Siliguri is the twin city of Jalpaiguri and therefore the third-largest in the province. Siliguri has an international airport. It is also the gateway to enter into the queen hills of West Bengal, Darjeeling.

6. Dooars

The name ‘Dooars’ has emerged from ‘door’ as Dooars is that the gateway to Bhutan. This place is usually filled with forests and wildlife and has a rich flora and fauna. It usually starts at the bank of river Teesta and the name is said to be given by the locals who reside in the flood plain. The fun fact is, the place can be visited at any time of the year owing to its beauty at different times of the year.

7. Kalimpong

If you are visiting northeast India, monasteries must be in your traveling itinerary. Well, Kalimpong is just the place where you can find old Tibetian monasteries, churches as well as some traditional hand-picked handicrafts. Not to mention the scenic beauty of the place is mesmerizing.

8. Kurseong

Generally referred to as the “the land of the white orchids”, Kurseong is a place located in the foothills of Darjeeling. It has the beauty of waterfall, Monasteries as well as the Buddhist gompas. The superb view of the place leaves a memorable experience to traveler.

9. Murshidabad

This small tourist haven in the state is an area that manages to mix the sweetness of the past with the beliefs of the present. This place is famous from the Nawabs of Bengal as well for the Lords of the British Raj. History suggests it to be one of the wealthiest states or provinces in the entire West Bengal.

10. Navadwipa

Blanketed away within the commotion of West Bengal, Nabadwip – Mayapur could be a cluster of nine islands located on the banks of Ganges. This place is one in all those few religious shrines whose spirit of devotion is palpable.

11. Durgapur

Often touted because of the Steel Capital of India, Durgapur is that the embodiment of the quintessential Bengali town. With a complete population of but half 1,000,000, Durgapur is within the Burdwan District of West Bengal, on the bank of the Damodar River. it’s about 170 km from the town of Kolkata.

12. Digha

One of the oldest beaches located along the coastline of Bay of Bengal, Digha is especially popular for its hard rock scenic beauty among the locals as well as of the old traditions and cultures that are being followed there.

13. Bakkhali

Wrapped within the commotion of the province and yet a world in itself, Bakkhali is a tiny beach town located on the West Bengal coast. If you would like to own the right beach getaway that does not include ear ripping music or simply alcohol-laden evenings, Bakkhali is that the place to be.

14. Shantiniketan

Known to few, mainly as Rabindranath Tagore’s home and now a university, Santiniketan is a village located within the Birbhum district of state. The town comprises mainly of Visva Bharati University. The festival of Holi or known as “Dol-Utsav” is celebrated here on a large scale by the students of the university.

15. Kooch Behar

Kooch Behar, once the province of Koch dynasty, could be a small planned town in North province Coch Behar makes up as an honest option for weekend getaways for the eco-tourists together with those with an inclination towards history and archaeology.

16. Bishnupur

A small town in the state famous for its terracotta temples, Bishnupur is known among tourists, especially for its rich culture including architecture, music, and handicrafts.

17.  Bardhaman

With a convergence of faith, nature, man-made marvels, and therefore the proverbial old world charm, Bardhaman is that the ideal suited a weekend getaway. It is also renowned for its sweets especially known as “langcha” and “mihi-dana” which are famous all over the state as well as the country.

18. Purulia

Located along the borders of Jharkhand and West Bengal, Purulia is famous for its natural beauty. Vibrant Hills and river banks make the place a delightful weekend tour with several tourist resorts located at the heart of nature. The place is also famous for its world-famous “Chou Dance”.

19. Malda

If you’re within the mood to revisit your roots, Malda is that the picture-perfect place for you. This place is not only famous for its mango but also its rich culture and heritage.

20. Medinpore

In the interiors of the state is yet one more treasure- Midnapore town or Medinipur, as it is locally known. Midnapore combines the wonder of India’s multi religion culture with the exuberance of ancient history.

As Darjeeling is Famous for its beautiful tea plantations, tourists can see women plucking tea leaves and can have a cup of freshly brewed tea at tea estates.  Another major attraction that makes Darjeeling a unique place to visit is the Toy Train. Established in the year 1881, it is still running and is under the UNESCO World Heritage site. The toy train takes the tourist on a beautiful ride where they can sight the local people, the beauty of the hills and the panoramic view of the place. It shows diversity in culture as the city is filled with people from Tibet, Nepal, Sikkim, etc.

Monasteries, Botanical gardens, a zoo, and the Ropeway cable car (the longest Asian cable car) are some of the major tourist attractions of the place.

Darjeeling ropeway is India’s first cable car system and it gives the experience to witness the numerous tea estates of Darjeeling, the sprawling waterfalls, and the snow-capped Kanchenjunga.

To view the magnificent sunrise over Mount Kanchenjunga, Tiger hill is the best place which is 13km away from Darjeeling.

The weather in Darjeeling is pleasantly cool and perfect during spring, summer, and autumn. Tourists come to enjoy the rains in monsoon and chill in the winter as well. Snow peaks and valleys, tea gardens, amazing sightseeing tours & activities, and great food & stays, all make Darjeeling a favourite tourist attraction spot for travellers.