Kolkata is often considered the “culture capital of India” due to its rich history of art, literary expression, and architecture. As a result, this vibrant and lively city has plenty to offer to tourists, especially those who want to discover other parts of India, besides Mumbai or New Delhi. If you happen to have a chance to visit, here are the best tourist attractions Kolkata has to offer.
Victoria Memorial Hall
Dedicated to Queen Victoria, which served as Empress of India from 1876 to 1901, Victoria Memorial Hall holds the distinction of being the largest landmark dedicated to royalty. The building is renowned for its impressive marble exterior and mixture of architectural styles, but that isn’t the only reason you should visit. Inside the Victoria Memorial Hall are 25 different galleries containing rare artworks, books, sculptures, and many other artifacts and items.
Calcutta Botanical Garden
Officially named Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden, this green space was established back in the late 18th century. It covers 270 acres of land and provides a home to 12,000 specimens, including both domestic and rare and exotic plants and trees. The garden’s centerpiece is the banyan tree known as The Great Banyan, which has been officially recognized as the largest tree in the world.
Howrah Bridge
Howrah Bridge on the Hooghly River is considered one of the region’s most recognizable landmarks. It has been featured in numerous movies due to its distinctive look while also holding the recognition as the world’s busiest cantilever bridge with daily traffic of 100K vehicles and 150K pedestrians.
Marble Palace Mansion
Built in the early 19th century, Marble Palace is an impressive architectural sight thanks to its marble walls, intricate sculpture, and Neoclassical design. The place remains one of the best-preserved buildings from its period.