The Ultimate Kolkata Travel Guide: 4 Days of History, Art, and Street Food

Some cities don't wait to be discovered; they just open their arms and let you in. That's exactly how I felt as we landed in Kolkata one humid February morning. With four close friends and a craving for something real, we traded our daily routines for slow trams, old bookstores, riverside chai, and food that felt like home.

Day 1: Exploring Colonial Kolkata & Riverfront Moments

We began our journey at the Victoria Memorial, a white marble monument surrounded by lush gardens. Walking through its corridors felt like time travel—portraits and echoes of the British Raj whispered stories. Just a short ride away, we entered the peaceful halls of St. Paul's Cathedral, its Gothic towers rising above the city's hustle.

Hungry from sightseeing, we made our way to Esplanade for our first real taste of Kolkata street food. Crunchy puchkas, spicy ghugni, and soft kathi rolls—we jumped on all of it like there was no tomorrow.

In the afternoon, we visited Dakshineswar Kali Temple. Watching devotees light lamps and hearing the temple bells gave us goosebumps. From there, we hopped on a ferry across the Hooghly River—the breeze, the views, and the slow rhythm of the boat grounded us. We ended the day strolling along Prinsep Ghat located near Fort Williams. This place had a vibe of locals enjoying the evening, lovers whispering and tea vendors offering us clay cups of steaming chai.

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Day 2: Literary Lanes & Artistic Vibes

We started the day at College Street which is Asia's largest second-hand book market. We settled into the famous Indian Coffee House, surrounded by students and old-timers, sipping on frothy coffee and nostalgia. I was really looking forward to the next destination which was Kumartuli, the idol-maker's quarter. Clay sculptors shaped goddesses with their bare hands.

Kolkata isn't a place you tick off a list - it's a city you slowly sink into.

For lunch, we went to the famous Biryani joint- Arsalan at Rafi Ahmed Road. By night, Park Street came alive. Neon lights and jazz bars, we soaked in the vintage vibe and had dinner at Peter Cat, ordering their iconic Chelo Kebabs.

Day 3: Museums, Markets & Melodies

Our morning began at the Indian Museum, India's oldest and largest. From Egyptian mummies to ancient sculptures, we thoroughly enjoyed the visit. Next stop was New Market. We almost got lost in sari shops and tasted spicy momos from street stalls. This place looked like a beautiful chaos and we loved every second of it.

Post-lunch, we explored Rabindra Sadan lake and Nandan, where Kolkata's cultural scene thrives. Film posters, poetry readings, and impromptu sitar performances kept us hooked on to them for the next few hours.

From the handmade idols in Kumartuli to the indie film screenings at Nandan, Kolkata's art scene is as layered and expressive as the city itself.

We ended the day at a rooftop café near Maidan while sipping a cold drink and enjoying the famous dhania dosa. The city skyline, old trams below, and the chatter of locals made the moment magic.

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Day 4: Temples, Trams & Tastes of Home

We started early with a tram ride through North Kolkata's narrow lanes - slow, steady, and soulful. Our first stop was Kalighat Temple. The energy here was intense, emotional, unforgettable. Lunch was at the famous Pice hotel which had basic seating, no-frills menu, and food that tasted like someone's grandmother made it. We tried maacher jhol, begun bhaja, and warm rice with ghee.

For our final evening, we returned to Gariahat Market to pick up souvenirs - terracotta sarees, kantha-stitched textiles, and of course, how can one not take sandesh when in Kolkata. We finished with a quiet dinner at this very popular restaurant in Park Street - Mocambo, tasting their heritage menu — Devilled Crab, Fish, Baked Alaska, Risotto, Lamb and Chicken Tetrazzini. It felt like the perfect full circle.

Some cities say goodbye, but Kolkata just keeps going, quietly and meaningfully, as if it knows we'll return.