Cosmopolitan, cerebral, and comfortingly chaotic, Kolkata—once the capital of British India—wears history on its sleeve. Neoclassical facades flank living neighborhoods where bookstalls, sweet shops, and street snacks define daily rhythm. It’s a city that rewards curiosity and lingers in memory through conversations, culture, and cuisine.

Nicknamed the “City of Joy,” Kolkata nurtured Nobel laureates, modern art movements, and a lasting love for cricket and coffee-house debates. Ride a historic tram, cross the Hooghly by ferry, and watch the Victoria Memorial glow at dusk. From Dakshineswar Kali Temple to College Street’s labyrinth of books, the city is a trove of stories.

Practical notes: October–March offers the most pleasant weather; Durga Puja (Sept–Oct) is peak festival time—book early. Dress modestly for temples, carry small cash for markets, and try renowned Bengali sweets like sandesh and rosogolla. App cabs and the metro are convenient; walking reveals the soul.

Kolkata

Kolkata mixes grand British-era architecture with Bengali intellect, art, and food. Highlights include the Victoria Memorial, Indian Museum, Marble Palace (by prior permit), Howrah Bridge, Maidan, Prinsep Ghat, Belur Math, Kumartuli (the potters’ quarter), and the iconic College Street book market.

• Top experiences: sunset boat ride at Prinsep Ghat, early-morning flower market, Kumartuli studio visits, a Bengali food tour, and a heritage tram ride (when operating).
• Neighborhoods to stay: Park Street (dining/nightlife), Ballygunge/Hindustan Park (boutique cafes), and Salt Lake (modern comforts).
• Food to try: kathi rolls, Kolkata biryani, kosha mangsho (slow-cooked mutton), fish paturi, mishti doi, sandesh, and rosogolla.

Where to stay: Browse options on VRBO Kolkata or Hotels.com Kolkata. Standouts: heritage-style Hotel Cecil (good value, central) and ITC Sonar, a Luxury Collection Hotel (resort-like lawns, spa, and acclaimed dining).

Getting there: Fly into Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU). Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Domestic hops from Delhi/Mumbai run ~2–2.5 hours, often $45–$120 USD. Taxis/app cabs to Park Street/Ballygunge take ~45–60 minutes (₹500–800 depending on traffic). Intercity rails arrive at Howrah/Sealdah; check routes on Trip.com trains.

Day 1: Arrival, Park Street Orientation, and Old-World Evenings

Morning: Travel day. If you arrive early, drop bags and refresh at your hotel. Grab a light bite—try a saffron-laced mishti doi and a cup of masala chai from a neighborhood sweet shop.

Afternoon: Stroll Park Street’s arcade-lined sidewalks for an instant feel of Kolkata’s colonial heritage-meets-contemporary energy. Pop into 8th Day Café & Bakery (hand-poured coffee, cinnamon rolls) or Sienna Café (Hindustan Park; seasonal, locally sourced plates and excellent cold brew). Window-shop at New Market’s lanes for leather goods, handicrafts, and the legendary Nahoum & Sons bakery cakes.

Evening: Dinner on Park Street: Peter Cat for the iconic Chelo Kebab (butter-slicked rice, grilled meats) or Mocambo for retro Continental sizzlers and prawn cocktails. For live music and a nightcap, Someplace Else at The Park hosts bands most evenings; or keep it old-school at Olypub for beer and conversation. Sweet finish: nolen gur (date-palm jaggery) sandesh at Balaram Mullick & Radharaman Mullick.

Day 2: Colonial Kolkata, Museums, and the River

Morning: Dive into the city’s story with the Private Full Day Sightseeing Tour of Kolkata (hotel pickup, major landmarks, context from a local expert). Expect Victoria Memorial, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the colonial core. Note: Victoria Memorial and Indian Museum are typically closed on Mondays.

Afternoon: Linger on the Maidan’s green expanse, then head to Prinsep Ghat for neoclassical arches and views of the Vidyasagar Setu. Consider a short boat ride at golden hour—the Hooghly shimmers and Howrah Bridge silhouettes are photogenic. Lunch ideas: Aminia (old-school Kolkata biryani with a subtle potato) or Kusum Rolls (classic kathi rolls—egg, chicken, or paneer).

Evening: Explore New Market’s covered lanes; pick up blue-and-white Kolkata pottery and handloom stoles. Dinner at Trincas (Park Street; heritage dining with periodic live jazz) or Bhojohori Manna (homestyle Bengali thalis—try kosha mangsho and mochar ghonto). Craft beer lovers: The GRID (Topsia) pours reliable IPAs and wheat beers with tandoor snacks.

Day 3: Temples, the Hooghly, and Kumartuli

Morning: Go early to Dakshineswar Kali Temple to avoid crowds and experience morning aarti. Take the ferry downriver to Belur Math, the serene headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission—marble architecture and tranquil gardens invite a contemplative hour.

Afternoon: Head to Kumartuli, the potters’ quarter, where artisans handcraft clay idols for festivals. Many workshops welcome visitors; ask before photographing. For lunch, try Arsalan (rich Kolkata biryani) or Kasturi (Bangladeshi-Bengali specialties; consider ilish fish in mustard if in season).

Evening: Visit Kalighat Kali Temple, one of the Shakti Peethas; dress modestly and beware of touts offering “VIP” shortcuts. Dinner in Ballygunge: 6 Ballygunge Place (elegant Bengali classics—smoked bhetki, chitol muithya) or Oh! Calcutta (fine regional dishes; excellent chingri malaikari). Dessert: mishti doi or baked rosogolla.

Day 4: Dawn on the River, Flower Market, and College Street

Morning: Join the Magic Hour Tour for sunrise vignettes—chai stalls, ferry crossings, and the famed flower market beneath Howrah Bridge.

Afternoon: Wander College Street, Asia’s largest book market. Pause at Indian Coffee House for a classic adda (heated friendly debate) over filter coffee and cutlets. Cool down with sherbets at Paramount—daab (tender coconut) is a local favorite. If you enjoy art, drop by CIMA Gallery or Academy of Fine Arts for current exhibitions.

Evening: If a heritage tram is running along Esplanade–Shyambazar, hop on for a slow, cinematic city glide. Dinner: Mocambo for Continental nostalgia, or Kewpie’s (if open during your dates) for a cozy Bengali set meal served on banana leaves. Night stroll along brightly lit Park Street.

Day 5: South Kolkata Flavors and an Epic Food Tour

Morning: Start with specialty coffee at Roastery Coffee House (Hindustan Park; leafy courtyard, fresh-roasted beans) and a plate of eggs kejriwal (cheesy, chili-laced). Browse designer boutiques and craft shops around Gariahat and Hindustan Park for textiles, indie ceramics, and Kantha embroidery.

Afternoon: Street snacks around Vivekananda Park are classic—puchka (Kolkata’s version of pani puri) is a rite of passage; choose a popular, busy stall and ask for mineral water pani if you’re sensitive. Lunch at Kasturi (mustard-forward Bengali flavors) or Mitra Café (North Kolkata institution; prawn cutlet, moghlai parota).

Evening: Meet your guide for the Bengali Nights Kolkata Food Tour with 13+ Tastings—rolls, chops, biryani, sweets, and more as you weave through beloved local haunts. Arrive hungry!

Day 6: Terracotta Temples of Bishnupur (Day Trip)

Set out on the Day trip from Kolkata to Bishnupur for Terracotta Temples and Silk. This full-day excursion explores 17th-century Malla temples with intricate terracotta panels and introduces you to Baluchari silk weaving. Expect an early start and a late return; carry water, sun protection, and comfortable footwear.

Back in Kolkata, keep dinner light: tomato soup and garlic bread at a neighborhood café, or share a plate of fish fry with kasundi mustard at a local club-style restaurant.

Day 7: One Last Wander, Sweets to Go, and Departure

Morning: Brunch at Sienna Café (seasonal salads, eggs, excellent pastries) or Blue Tokai (dependable espresso drinks). Shop for edible souvenirs: Balaram Mullick & Radharaman Mullick (vacuum-packed sandesh), K.C. Das (rosogolla tins), or Banchharam (variety of mishti). If time allows, a final amble along Prinsep Ghat or a quick peek into the Indian Museum (closed Mondays) for ancient artefacts.

Afternoon: Check out and transfer to CCU. For flights, compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Aim to reach the airport 2.5–3 hours before an international flight (1.5–2 hours for domestic).

Evening: In transit—carry a final box of nolen gur sandesh for a sweet farewell.

Optional/Alternate Tours You Might Love

If you prefer a customizable day in place of Day 2, consider the Explore Kolkata- Private Tour with Lunch for flexible pacing and deeper dives into neighborhoods.

Summary: In a week, you’ll taste, read, pray, and drift through Kolkata’s layered past and present—from museum marbles to river mists, from College Street tomes to Park Street tunes. Come hungry for stories and flavors: Kolkata feeds both.