Top tips for Kolkata
The Quick Answer
Table of Contents
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First time in Kolkata? We recommend you stay in New Market or Park Street
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Bringing your whole family to Kolkata? Check out accommodation in Alipore
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Want to sample Kolkata's local flavours? Consider staying in Ballygunge, New Market or Park Street
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Visiting Kolkata to see its history and architecture? You might enjoy Dalhousie or Park Street
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Looking for heritage style accommodation in Kolkata? Consider Bawali
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Hoping to see some live music in Kolkata? We recommend you check out Park Street
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Want to live like a Kolkata local? Try to stay in Ballygunge or New Market
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Coming to Kolkata for business? We suggest you stay in Dalhousie
Kolkata is a big, bustling city with a slightly chaotic charm. It's packed with grand colonial buildings, colourful markets and plenty of history. There’s lots to see, from the Victoria Memorial and Howrah Bridge to temples, old trams and riverside ghats, but it’s also a great city for eating, with excellent Bengali food, street snacks and famously good sweets. It’s busy, noisy and full of character, in a good way!
A Visitor’s Guide to the Neighbourhoods of Kolkata
Credit Google Maps
Kolkata’s neighbourhoods each have a different feel, from busy historic quarters to leafy suburbs and even a rural escape outside the city. Park Street is the easiest all-round base, with restaurants, bars, shops and colonial landmarks. New Market is livelier and more chaotic, centred on the historic market and its thousands of stalls — ideal if you like shopping, street food and being in the thick of things. For a quieter stay, Ballygunge has leafy streets, Bengali restaurants, cafes, galleries and shops. Alipore is greener and more residential, close to Alipore Zoo and within easy reach of the Victoria Memorial, making it a good choice for families and those after a more peaceful base. Dalhousie, around BBD Bagh, is the place for colonial architecture and grand old civic buildings, though it’s much quieter after office hours. For something completely different, Bawali lies outside Kolkata and is known for its old zamindar estates and countryside setting. Stay here for a slower pace rather than sightseeing in the city itself.
Park Street
Ideal for: Foodies, nightlife, live music, colonial history
Park Street is a great base for first-time visitors who want to be right in the middle of Kolkata’s action. This lively central strip is known for its restaurants, bars, cafes and nightlife, but there’s lots of history too, with grand colonial-era buildings, St Paul’s Cathedral and the leafy Maidan nearby. It’s also close to the Victoria Memorial and Indian Museum, making sightseeing easy between meals. Come here for the buzz, particularly after dark, when Park Street’s restaurants and live music venues really come alive. There’s a good choice of hotels too, from well-known luxury addresses to more affordable stays, so it suits a range of travellers.
Pros and cons
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Pros
- very central
- great sightseeing base
- easy to get around
- excellent restaurants
- near Victoria Memorial
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Cons
- traffic can be heavy
- busy & noisy
- can feel hectic
Did you know? Park Street was once known as Burial Ground Road, thanks to the cemeteries along the route. It later became Park Street because it passed the deer park surrounding the home of Sir Elijah Impey, Kolkata’s first Chief Justice.
New Market
Ideal for: Street food, city sightseeing, local atmosphere, shopping
New Market is the ideal spot for those who want to experience Kolkata at its busiest and most colourful. The historic market is the main attraction, with hundreds of stalls selling everything from clothes and leather goods to spices, flowers and sweets. The surrounding streets are packed with old colonial buildings, cafes and street food stalls, while the Indian Museum and Maidan are within easy reach. It’s central, lively and wonderfully chaotic, making it a handy base for visitors who want to explore the city on foot and soak up the atmosphere. Hotels here tend to be more affordable, with mid-range and budget options rather than grand luxury properties.
Pros and cons
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Pros
- walkable to major sights
- great local atmosphere
- very central
- good for shopping
- excellent street food
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Cons
- crowded market streets
- noisy & chaotic
- heavy traffic nearby
Did you know? New Market has survived several major events since opening in 1874, including the devastating Kolkata cyclone of 1897.
Ballygunge
Ideal for: Foodies, local life, cafe hopping, boutique hotels, shopping
Ballygunge is known for its elegant old houses, Bengali restaurants, cafes, galleries and independent shops, with lots of opportunities to eat well and browse. Culture lovers can visit Birla Mandir and the nearby museums, while foodie travellers will find some of the city’s best Bengali cooking around Ballygunge. It’s less hectic than central Kolkata, with a handful of smart boutique and luxury hotels, making it appealing for couples and visitors who prefer a more relaxed base.
Pros and cons
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Pros
- leafy & peaceful
- good cafes
- local atmosphere
- well connected
- great restaurants
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Cons
- less central
- traffic can be heavy
- fewer major sights
- less walkable in places
Did you know? Ballygunge’s name comes from the Bengali word “bali”, meaning sand. The area originally grew around a sand market before becoming one of Kolkata’s most fashionable residential neighbourhoods.
Alipore
Ideal for: Families, wildlife, green spaces, heritage, quiet stays
Alipore is a leafy, upmarket neighbourhood that suits families and those looking for a quieter base away from central Kolkata’s hustle and bustle. It’s best known for its green spaces and attractions, including Alipore Zoo, the National Library and the pretty gardens around the Victoria Memorial just across the Maidan. The area also has a handful of historic buildings and smart restaurants, while the Hooghly River is nearby. Hotels here are more spacious and comfortable, making Alipore a good choice if you’d rather come back to a peaceful neighbourhood after a day of sightseeing.
Pros and cons
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Pros
- near Alipore Zoo
- upscale feel
- family-friendly
- leafy & peaceful
- lots of space
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Cons
- less central
- traffic can be heavy
- fewer restaurants
Did you know? Alipore is home to India’s oldest surviving zoo. Alipore Zoological Gardens opened in 1876 and was once home to Adwaita, an Aldabra giant tortoise that was believed to have lived for more than 250 years!
Dalhousie
Ideal for: Colonial history, architecture, sightseeing, business trips, heritage hotels
Dalhousie is the place to stay if you’re interested in Kolkata’s colonial past and grand architecture. Centred around B.B.D. Bagh, the area is full of imposing historic buildings, including the Writers’ Building, St John’s Church and the General Post Office, with the Hooghly River and Millennium Park nearby. It’s great for history lovers and first-time visitors who want to explore the city’s historic heart on foot. The streets are busy with office workers during the day but much quieter after hours, and hotels here tend to be practical city stays rather than the boutique and luxury options found elsewhere.
Pros and cons
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Pros
- very central
- great for history
- impressive architecture
- good public transport
- walkable for sightseeing
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Cons
- busy on weekdays
- limited nightlife
- quiet at weekends
Did you know? Dalhousie’s famous Writers’ Building was Kolkata’s first three-storey building when it was completed in 1780. It was originally built to house the junior clerks, or “writers”, of the East India Company.
Bawali
Ideal for: Rural escapes, history buffs, couples, slow travel, heritage stays
Staying in Bawali is a completely different experience from central Kolkata. Around an hour south of the city, this former zamindar village is known for its grand old estates, ponds, temples and crumbling colonial-era architecture. The star attraction is the beautifully restored Rajbari Bawali, where you can stay in a heritage property, wander the grounds and soak up the slower pace. It’s not the place to base yourself for Kolkata’s main sights, but it’s ideal for a few restful nights surrounded by history and greenery.
Pros and cons
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Pros
- peaceful countryside
- great for couples
- rich heritage
- beautiful old estates
- easy day-trip from Kolkata
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Cons
- limited restaurants
- few hotels
- requires taxis for getting around
Did you know? Bawali was once part of the Sundarbans, with the area described as a landscape of mangroves and swampland. The village was later transformed by the wealthy Mondal family, who built temples and palaces that earned Bawali a reputation as a ‘temple town’.
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