Discover Kolkata: Culture, Food & Travel Guide

Kolkata, famously known as the City of Joy, is one of India’s most vibrant cultural destinations. With its rich heritage, artistic spirit, delicious street food, and warm-hearted people, the city feels like stepping into a living museum. If you’re curious about history, festivals, food, and traditions, this Kolkata culture guide will help you explore the city in the best way possible.

Introduction Kolkata

Kolkata: The Cultural Capital of India

Every lane of Kolkata hums with creativity. Art, literature, dance, and music are part of daily life here. In fact, you’ll often find families where at least one member is an artist—whether a singer, dancer, or writer. From a young age, children are encouraged to explore their talents, and the city’s cultural depth is unmatched.

The sweetness in the voices of people here often draws comparison to the famous Bengali sweets—rosogolla, sondesh, and mishti doi—available at every corner of the city.

read our post Solo Travel India! Things to keep in mind while travelling solo.

A Glimpse into Kolkata’s History

Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, was the capital of British India until 1911. Located in West Bengal, eastern India, it has always been a hub of politics, art, and intellectual thought.

The city gave birth to some of India’s greatest minds, including:

  • Raja Ram Mohan Roy – social reformer

  • Rabindranath Tagore – Nobel laureate poet

  • Swami Vivekananda – spiritual leader

  • Jagdish Chandra Bose – scientist

  • Satyajit Ray – legendary filmmaker

  • Mother Teresa – humanitarian and Nobel Peace Prize winner

This mix of revolutionaries, artists, and thinkers makes Kolkata more than just a city—it’s a cultural powerhouse.

 

Top Places to Visit in Kolkata

Victoria Memorial

Here are the must-see landmarks and attractions when exploring the city:

1. Victoria Memorial

  • A majestic museum built during the British era, surrounded by beautiful gardens.

  • Ideal for cultural tours, photography, and family picnics.

  • Timings: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Closed on Mondays & national holidays).

  • Tickets: ₹10 (Indians), ₹150 (Foreigners).

Howrah Bridge

2. Howrah Bridge (Rabindra Setu)

  • Iconic bridge connecting Howrah and Kolkata.

  • Engineering marvel with no support pillars in water.

  • Featured in both Bollywood and Hollywood films.

 

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3. Indian Museum

Indian Museum

  • The oldest museum in India with rare artifacts.

  • Highlights include a preserved Egyptian mummy and dinosaur skeletons.

  • Tickets: ₹20 (Indians), ₹500 (Foreigners).

4. Kalighat Kali Temple

Kalighat Kali Temple

  • One of the holiest temples, believed to be the origin of the city’s name.

  • Situated on the banks of Adi Ganga, it attracts thousands of devotees daily.

5. Belur Math

Belur Math

  • Founded by Swami Vivekananda on the banks of the Hooghly River.

  • Architectural blend of Hindu, Islamic, and Christian styles.

  • A spiritual and cultural hub promoting education, women’s empowerment, and healthcare.

  • This is a must visit temple if you are looking for actual Kolkata places to visit.

6. Nicco Park & New Town Eco Park

  • Nicco Park: Amusement rides, water park, and family fun.

  • Eco Park: Boating, cycling, toy train, and replicas of world wonders.

  • Timings (Eco Park): 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Tickets: ₹30.

 

7. Eden Gardens

Eden Garden

  • Established in 1864, this iconic cricket stadium is the second largest in the world. The fans are passionate about the stadium and the cricket game.

  • A must-visit for sports lovers to feel the electrifying atmosphere.

  • Many great matches has been played in this stadium which is a ‘must visit and feel the vibes’ stadium.

8. Mother House

Mother house i. It is said, when Mother Teresa came to India, this is the place she stayed in and helped people getting recover.
ii. This is a very special place and considered as holy place of pilgrimage and a must visit place in Kolkata.
iii. You can also look at the room where Mother Teresa stayed which is so small that you will wonder how the wise women stayed in such tiny room that also without fan.
iv. The timings for the house is 8am to 12pm, 3pm to 6pm. Thursday off.

9. Indian Coffee House

Indian Coffee House Kolkatai. The cafes which we visit now in everyday lives were not present earlier and there was only one name i.e. Indian Coffee House.
ii. Indian Coffee House has been a famous one, started from Bangalore and gradually dispersed in other major cities.
iii. The aura that Indian Coffee House gives is just as when it was earlier in olden days.
iv. It is used as ‘Adda’ where people gather in group and discuss different social issues, philosophies and various debates.
v. You can easily see that the coffee house does not purely work for profit but rather the things are cheaper here.

10. New Market

Market Kolkatai. Kolkata’s biggest market is the new market in Kolkata which is the cheapest and you can bargain with all your breath.
ii. This is a great shopping destination with decent price be it footwear, clothes, jewellery or any accessory, you can get anything to everything here.

 

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Must-Try Foods in Kolkata

The people of Kolkata has hearts of gold, maybe it is true that the way to heart goes from stomach. Meaning that they are true food lover and loves to eat sweets. If you are a combination of traveler and food lover, this place is must visit. All about Kolkata and its culture includes dishes which are must to have in Kolkata and your journey is incomplete without them. This is all about Kolkata and its culture where people are fond of food, specially sweets! At the time of festivals like Durga Puja, have the most delicious food. Know more about Durga Puja Festival in Kolkata and West Bengal!

1. Roshogullas at Chittaranjan Mistanna Bhandar.

rosogullai. Rasgullas are the round white sweets dipped in sugar water available everywhere in India. But the ‘Rosogulla’ of Kolkata gives you a special treat as they are different and delicious from anywhere else you have eaten. Roshogullas are the speciality of Bengal.

2. Sondesh.

Sondeshi. Sondesh is made from milk and sugar and a very famous sweet of Bengal.
ii. The making of Sondesh started when unsold milk became sour and avoiding its wastage, mixed with jaggery or sugar, a paste is formed called ‘Makha’.
iii. Sondesh holds an important place in Bengal among the food lovers where meal is not complete without sweets.

3. Kosha Mangsho.

Kosha Mangsho

i. Kolkata street food is a spicy Bengali Mutton which has a great velvety gravy.
ii. This is made with great love by the grandmothers and mothers and the meat is juicy, biting into it wants you to eat more and more until you are well fed.

4. Pitha.

Pitha Kolkatai. Pitha is a famous dish made from wheat or rice flour. It can be salty as well as sweet.
ii. Pitha is a whole meal snack which people of Kolkata eat with full heart till their stomach is full.

 

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5. Mishti Doi.

Mishti Doii. The sweet yogurt made with sugar or jaggery originated in Bengal is very common in Bengal and Bangladesh.
ii. ‘Mishti doi’ meaning ‘Meethi Dahi’ is a sweet dish which tastes creamy and contains a pinch of cardamom.
iii. When you travel to Kolkata, Misti doi is must, it is available everywhere in packed packets but must be eaten fresh in Bengal, you will definitely be a fan of it.

6. Puchkas.

Puchka Kolkata Golgappei. The ‘Golgappas’ are also called ‘Puchkas’ and every place has a different name for it.
ii. Bengalis are fond of eating and puchkas are their favourite. Some places have innumerable varieties of Puchka water which is must have.
iii. The Kolkatas street food is amazing and unique because of its spicyness and sweetness in food.

7. Kathi Rolls.

Kathi Rollsi. Another street food is Kathi roll which originated in Kolkata. The kebab wrapped in Parantha rolled is what a Kathi roll is. It is scrumptious with all the sauses and egg or chicken in between.
ii. You can find different varieties of Kathi rolls in the market which will let you eat more and more but your heart will want more of it.

8. Doodh cola.

Kolkata doodhcola i. You will be surprised to have doodh cola drink which is a mix of milk and cola.
ii. It is just milk and cola and shaken well from blender.
iii. The drink seems somewhat odd but tastes really well and very famous in Kolkata.
iv. Doodh cola is a must have drink when you travel to Kolkata.

9. Fish Fry.

Fishfry i. Bengalis have a great love for fish which is also made in special occasions and festivals.
ii. Bengalis are really fond of fish with bhaat i.e. rice.

10. Bengali meal.

Bengali Thalii. When you visit Kolkata, Bengali meal will give you all the answer of the questions why Bengali people loves food. The answer is actually in the meal that you will have when you travel there.
ii. The Bengali thali has all the culture in one thaali contacting all the delicacies.

 

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Kolkata is also a cultural capital of India as it has still preserved the culture of old India. You will see the loud streets, people buzzing on the roads like swarms and feel yourself in a different era. This place is the only one with ‘Trams’ now which are also called ‘light rail’. In 1960s, Trams were an important mode of transport in India. After coming of different vehicles, they were stopped in other parts of India but still exist in Kolkata.

Kolkata Image

The people of this city needs no excuse to be happy and Joyous, they are happy within themselves and know how to celebrate each new day. When you get All about Kolkata and its culture, you feel delighted to know about the city. They are carefree and would be seem not to take any stress or pressure of anything. Visit Kolkata, feel the olden days and live and eat like a Bengali. They believe in living life to the full and people from other places envy them for the airy and blitheful life.