Discover the rich tapestry of Kolkata’s past with our guide to the best historical places in Kolkata. From the majestic Victoria Memorial to the iconic Indian Museum, delve into the city’s captivating history.
Famous Historical Places to Visit in Kolkata
Embark on a journey through time as we unveil the allure of Kolkata’s famous historical landmarks, each bearing witness to the city’s remarkable heritage and cultural evolution.
| Historical Places | Location |
| Victoria Memorial | Queens Way, Maidan |
| Jorasanko Thakur Bari | Rabindra Sarani, Singhi Bagan, Jorasanko |
| Belur Math | Belur, Howrah |
| Writer’s Building | B.B.D Bag |
| Howrah Bridge | Howrah |
| Indian Museum | 27 Jawaharlal Nehru Rd, Dharmatala |
| Town Hall | B.B.D Bag |
| Marble Palace | North-Kolkata |
| Shaheed Minar | Dharmatala Bus Stop |
| Dakshineswar Kali Temple | Dakshineswar |
1. Victoria Memorial
Step into the grandeur of Kolkata’s Victoria Memorial Hall, an architectural masterpiece built in memory of Queen Victoria. This iconic monument, constructed between 1906 and 1921, seamlessly blends Indo-Saracenic and British architectural styles, representing the city’s colonial past. With its sprawling gardens, intricate marble carvings, and a vast collection of artifacts, the Victoria Memorial offers a captivating glimpse into India’s history and the era of British rule.
Location: Victoria Memorial Hall, 1, Queens Way, Maidan, Kolkata, West Bengal 700071
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm, Monday Closed
Ticket price: INR 500/- for foreigners & INR 50/- for Indians
Attractions: Garden, live performances, galleries
Website: https://www.victoriamemorial-cal.org/
2. Jorasanko Thakur Bari
Step into the illustrious world of Jorasanko Thakur Bari, the ancestral home of the renowned Tagore family, where Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore was born and spent a significant part of his life. This architectural gem in Kolkata stands as a testament to Tagore’s legacy and artistic brilliance, offering a glimpse into the cultural renaissance that flourished within its walls.
Location: Ganesh Talkies, 267, Rabindra Sarani, Raja Katra, Singhi Bagan, Jorasanko, Kolkata, West Bengal 700007
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday Closed
Ticket price: INR 20/- for Indians, INR 150/- for foreigners, photography fee INR 50/-
Attractions: Books, journals, paintings, photographs, personalia, crafts and sculptures
Website: https://www.museumsofindia.org/museum/11883/jorasanko-thakur-bari
3. Belur Math
Perched along the banks of the Hooghly River, Belur Math emerges as a symbol of spiritual unity and architectural grandeur, acting as the central hub for the Ramakrishna Math and Mission worldwide. Crafted under Swami Vivekananda’s guidance, its architectural blend of Hindu, Christian, and Islamic elements embodies his vision of universal acceptance. Belur Math’s peaceful environment beckons global visitors, offering solace amidst its serene setting and engaging them in a variety of religious and charitable endeavors.
Location: Belur, Howrah, West Bengal 711202
Opening Hours: 6:30–11:30 am & 3:30–8:30 pm
Ticket price: Free
Attractions: Sri Ramakrishna temple, Swami Brahmananda temple, Swami Vivekananda temple, the samadhi enclosure
Website: https://belurmath.org/
4. Writer’s Building
Set in Kolkata’s center, the renowned Writer’s Building embodies the city’s colonial history, once housing the British East India Company’s clerks. This Calcutta’s historical place‘s striking red brick exterior and Gothic design reflect its journey from 18th-century construction to present-day use as West Bengal’s governmental secretariat.
Location: Binoy Badal Dinesh Bag N Rd, Lal Dighi, B.B.D. Bagh, Kolkata, West Bengal 700001
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm, Sunday/Holiday Closed
Ticket Price: Free
Attractions: Government headquarters, lake-side views
Website: https://www.wb.gov.in/
5. Howrah Bridge
Enter the annals of history to behold the magnificent Howrah Bridge, a famous historical place near Kolkata. Constructed in 1943, this cantilever bridge showcases the city’s resilience and innovation, utilizing rivets instead of bolts or nuts to span the Hooghly River.
Location: Howrah, Kolkata, West Bengal 700001
Opening Hours: Always
Ticket Price: Free
Attractions: Hoogly River, boat and launch rides
Website: https://howrah.gov.in/tourist-place/howrah-bridge/
6. Indian Museum
Enter the majestic halls of the Indian Museum, Kolkata’s oldest and largest repository of cultural treasures, established in 1814. With over 35 galleries, it presents an extensive collection, spanning ancient sculptures to rare manuscripts, providing a fascinating insight into India’s diverse history.
Location: 27, Jawaharlal Nehru Rd, Fire Brigade Head Quarter, New Market Area, Dharmatala, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal 700016
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm, Monday Closed
Ticket Price: Children INR 20/-, Adults INR 75/-
Attractions: Entrance Foyer, Birds & Fish Gallery, Bharhut Gallery, Coin Gallery, Industrial Botany Gallery, Egypt Gallery, etc.
Website: https://indianmuseumkolkata.org/
7. Town Hall
Explore the historical places of Kolkata with Town Hall, a majestic structure built in 1813, showcasing exquisite Georgian architecture. Originally serving as the city’s first monumental structure, it now stands as a testament to Kolkata’s colonial past and cultural significance.
Location: Esplanade Row W, B.B.D. Bagh, Kolkata, West Bengal 700001
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm, Monday Closed
Ticket Price: INR 10/- from Tuesday to Friday, INR 15/- during weekends
Attractions: Doric style of architecture
Website: https://amritmahotsav.nic.in/district-reopsitory-detail.htm?10577
8. Marble Palace
Step into the grandeur of historical places in Kolkata with Marble Palace, an architectural marvel built in 1835 by Raja Rajendra Mullick. Adorned with exquisite marble sculptures, it boasts of being the first private mansion in India to have electric lighting.
Location: North Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm, Monday/Holiday Closed
Ticket Price: Free
Attractions: Parental house of Raja Rajendra Mullick, sculptures, marble floors and walls
Website: https://kolkatatourism.travel/marble-palace-mansion-kolkata
9. Shaheed Minar
Standing tall in the heart of Kolkata, Shaheed Minar, formerly known as the Ochterlony Monument, is a symbol of resilience and sacrifice. Built-in 1828 to commemorate Major-General Sir David Ochterlony’s victory in the Gurkha War, it was later rededicated to the martyrs of the Indian freedom struggle in 1969.
Location: Dharmatala Bus Stop, Dufferin Rd, Kolkata, West Bengal 700069
Opening Hours: 10 am – 5 pm
Ticket Price: Free
Attractions: Ancient Egyptian architecture, Ottoman architecture
Website: https://kolkatatourism.travel/shaheed-minar-kolkata
10. Dakshineswar Kali Temple
Nestled along the banks of the sacred Hooghly River, the Dakshineswar Kali Temple stands as a testament to Kolkata’s spiritual heritage, dating back to its founding in 1855 by Rani Rashmoni. This architectural marvel, adorned with nine spires, is renowned for its association with the mystic saint Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and his disciple, Swami Vivekananda.
Location: Dakshineswar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700076
Opening Hours: 6 am to 12:30 pm, 3:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Ticket Price: Free
Attractions: Temple of Ramakrishna and Ma Sarada Devi
Website: https://www.dakshineswarkalitemple.org/
