Kolkata, the former capital of British India, marries imperial grandeur with intellectual firepower and a famously warm spirit. Think sweeping marble domes, the last operating trams in India, bookstores spilling onto sidewalks, and a riverfront that glows at sunset. It’s also a city of festivals, with Durga Puja transforming entire neighborhoods into illuminated art installations every autumn.

Food is a love language here—silky mustard fish curries, kosha mangsho (slow-cooked mutton), Chinatown Hakka, iconic kathi rolls, syrupy roshogolla and sandesh. Cafés hum with adda (spirited conversation), from Park Street’s storied institutions to modern roasteries in leafy Ballygunge. Markets are alive at dawn, from the Flower Market below Howrah Bridge to Chinese breakfasts in Tiretti Bazaar on select mornings.

Practical notes: October–March is the most comfortable season. The metro is fast, trams are nostalgic, and app cabs are plentiful. Dress modestly for temples (shoes off), carry small notes for tips and offerings, and book accommodation and trains well ahead during festival periods, especially Durga Puja.

Kolkata

Kolkata is equal parts museum, music room, and open-air kitchen. Start with the Victoria Memorial and Maidan, then trace history at St. John’s Church, BBD Bagh, and the Indian Museum. Cross to the artisans’ quarter of Kumartuli, browse College Street’s miles of bookstores, and watch the city exhale along Prinsep Ghat at dusk.

• Top sights: Victoria Memorial, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Indian Museum, College Street & Indian Coffee House, Marble Palace (permit required; bring ID), Jorasanko Thakurbari (Tagore’s House), Kalighat Temple, Dakshineswar & Belur Math, Prinsep Ghat, Howrah Bridge.
• Neighborhood flavors: Park Street (retro dining and live music), Ballygunge/Hindustan Park (boutique cafés), Tangra (Old Chinatown), Shyambazar (classic Bengali eateries), Esplanade/New Market (heritage shopping).
• Move around: Metro (quick and inexpensive), yellow cabs and app taxis, occasional tram rides for heritage feel. Airport–central Kolkata is ~45–90 minutes depending on traffic.

Where to stay (handy for first-timers):

• Search apartments and homes: VRBO Kolkata (look in Ballygunge, Park Street, or Salt Lake for convenience).
• Hotels (all budgets): Hotels.com Kolkata.
• ITC Sonar, a Luxury Collection Hotel: resort-style greenery, large pool, and celebrated Bengali & pan-Indian dining on the eastern flank of the city. Check availability.
• Hotel Cecil: a central, good-value pick for travelers who prioritize access to Park Street and the museum quarter. See rooms.

How to get to Kolkata (CCU):

• Flights: From major Indian hubs (Delhi/Mumbai/Bengaluru), it’s ~2–2.5 hours; many fares run ~US$45–120 one-way if booked ahead. Search on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• Trains (scenic and budget-friendly): New Delhi–Howrah Rajdhani ~17–22 hours; sleeper berths vary by class. Book on Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Arrival, Riverfront Glow, and Park Street Classics

Morning: Travel day. If flying, aim for an arrival that puts you at your hotel by mid-afternoon; CCU to Park Street/Ballygunge is ~45–60 minutes by taxi depending on traffic. If you’re still shopping for flights, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com for the best timings.

Afternoon: Check in, freshen up, then stroll the lawns around the Victoria Memorial and Maidan for a soft landing—great for photography with the marble gleaming at golden hour. Coffee and an early bite at Flurys (iconic pastries and sandwiches) or Sienna Café (seasonal salads, sourdough, and excellent cold brew) in Hindustan Park.

Evening: Head to Prinsep Ghat for a sunset amble and views of the Vidyasagar Setu. Dinner on Park Street: Peter Cat (the famed Chelo Kebab), Mocambo (retro continental), or Oh! Calcutta (refined Bengali classics—try the smoked hilsa paturi). Nightcap and live music at Trincas or Someplace Else at The Park.

Day 2: Churches, Mother Teresa’s House, and the Museum Mile

Morning: Start with a hearty breakfast at Roastery Coffee House (French toast, shakshuka, and single-origin brews). Walk the colonial core around BBD Bagh (Writers’ Building, GPO exteriors) and tranquil St. John’s Church (Black Hole Monument, Warren Hastings’ era memorials).

Afternoon: Join this meaningful city tour focusing on Kolkata’s Christian heritage and the Missionaries of Charity: Visit Mother Teresa's house and Churches of Kolkata. You’ll see Mother House (her simple tomb and room), St. Paul’s Cathedral, and other historic churches with context about the city’s social service traditions.

Late lunch nearby at 6 Ballygunge Place (classic Bengali thali—shukto, luchi, kosha mangsho) or Bhojohori Manna (homestyle fish curries; try pabda or bhetki).

Evening: Visit the Indian Museum (founded 1814; archaeology to natural history) or catch twilight at the Maidan. Dinner at Arsalan (Kolkata biryani with its signature potato) or Aminia (legacy biryani house). Dessert hunt: Nahoum & Sons (New Market; rich plum cakes) or Balaram Mullick & Radharaman Mullick (mishti doi, baked sandesh).

Day 3: Magic Dawn, Kalighat, and Chinatown Dinner

Morning: See the city wake up on the highly-rated Magic Hour Tour (pre-sunrise markets, local commutes, and quiet ghats). It’s a superb introduction to daily rhythms and candid photo-ops.

Post-tour breakfast near Lake Market—8th Day Café & Bakery (bagels, cinnamon rolls, great filter coffee) or a quick luchi–chholar dal set at a local sweet shop.

Afternoon: Pay respects at Kalighat Temple (keep valuables tucked, shoes off; mind the crowds). Then decompress at the 18th-century South Park Street Cemetery—a hauntingly beautiful slice of history shaded by banyans. Browse handicrafts at Dakshinapan or modern design at Sienna Store.

Evening: Dinner in Tangra’s Old Chinatown at Golden Joy or Beijing (pepper pork, chili garlic prawns, Hakka noodles). Night stroll around Quest Mall precinct if you fancy dessert or late coffee.

Day 4: North Kolkata—Books, Tagore, and Artisan Lanes

Morning: Immerse yourself in College Street, Asia’s biggest book market. Order a classic cold coffee at the legendary Indian Coffee House (balcony seats if available) and wander to Paramount Sherbat for vintage-flavored drinks. If you collect stationery and prints, this is paradise.

Afternoon: Visit Jorasanko Thakurbari (Tagore’s ancestral home and museum; check timings). If you can secure a free permit, detour to the sculptural Marble Palace (carry a passport copy). Continue to Kumartuli, where idol-makers craft Durga and other deities—fascinating year-round, electric before Puja.

Evening: Snack crawl: Mitra Café (mutton kabiraji, fish fry) or Golbari at Shyambazar (deep, dark kosha mangsho with porota). If you’re near the river, watch the city lights from a neighborhood ghat before heading back.

Day 5: Day Trip—Bishnupur’s Terracotta Temples & Silk

Full-day experience (no need to split morning/afternoon/evening): Head out with a guided excursion to the old Malla Kingdom to see storybook terracotta temples and Baluchari silk weaving. Book the Day trip from Kolkata to Bishnupur for Terracotta Temples and Silk—expect temple clusters like Rasmancha and Jor Bangla plus time with artisans. It’s a rich window into Bengal’s medieval art and living craft traditions.

Tip: Carry a hat and water; lunch is typically arranged locally with simple, delicious thalis.

Day 6: Flower Market Sunrise, River Ferries, and a Feast of Bengali Flavors

Morning: Rise early for the Mullick Ghat Flower Market under Howrah Bridge—a blaze of marigolds and jasmine at dawn. If you’re here on a day when vendors are active, detour to Tiretti Bazaar for Chinese breakfast (pork buns, momos) before crowds thin.

Afternoon: Ride a ferry to Belur Math (serene Ramakrishna Mission headquarters) and onward or by taxi to Dakshineswar Kali Temple. The river breezes and temple bells offer a contemplative counterpoint to the city’s bustle. Return south for a late lunch—try Kewpie’s (homestyle Bengali set meals served on banana leaves) or Oh! Calcutta if you missed it earlier.

Evening: Cap the day with a guided feast: Bengali Nights Kolkata Food Tour with 13+ Tastings. Expect puchkas, kathi rolls, fish fry, sweets, and stories that connect dishes to neighborhoods. Come hungry, pace yourself, and say yes to mishti doi.

Day 7: Last Sips and Souvenirs, Then Departure

Morning: Leisurely breakfast at Blue Tokai or 8th Day Café. Pick up edible souvenirs: Balaram Mullick & Radharaman Mullick for sweets (vacuum-pack sandesh varieties), Nahoum & Sons cakes, and boutique teas from local stores. For textiles, browse handloom saris and dupattas around Gariahat.

Afternoon: Check out and transfer to the airport (plan 1.5–2 hours buffer for traffic and security). If you still need tickets or changes, browse options on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Until next time, City of Joy.

Optional add-ons if you have extra time

• Tram heritage focus with a guided museum and ride experience (check availability on dedicated tours, especially around Esplanade).
• Eco Park (New Town) for cycling and lawns, or Science City for families.

Another flexible city overview option (if you prefer a comprehensive guided day instead of DIY): Explore Kolkata- Private Full Day Tour—a good pick to cover highlights efficiently on Day 2 or 3.

Transport note: In-city rides are inexpensive by metro and taxi; cashless payments are widely accepted. During monsoon showers (June–Sept), carry a compact umbrella and expect occasional slowdowns.

Summary: In a week, you’ll taste Kolkata’s layered past and present—colonial boulevards, sacred riverside shrines, hidden coffeehouses, and markets that reward early risers. From Park Street’s live music to Bishnupur’s terracotta poetry, this itinerary balances must-sees with delicious detours.