The beauty of the cultural capital of India has not been hidden. People from all across the world visit the ‘City Of Joy’, Kolkata to experience life, culture, heritage, cuisine, and history and also stop by all the gorgeous places within the city. The city is full of amusing buildings, museums, temples, and other places that depict colonial-era architecture. But, there's so much beyond that as well that Kolkata has to offer. If you're planning to spend 48 hours in Kolkata for a small trip, we've got you covered. We've listed down an Itinerary that will help you visit all the prominent tourist places in Kolkata and have a wonderful experience.
When you start your first day of sightseeing and exploring in Kolkata, you must start with one of the most popular tourist places in the city, Jorasanko Thakur Bari. This is the birthplace of the renowned poet Rabindranath Tagore. This place was the family house of the poet and was built by his grandfather. This home was named ‘Tagore House’ and was built in the 18th century. Today, it's turned into a museum that shows the life of Rabindranath Tagore, the history and facts of India, and much more.
If you're a lover of history and Bengali literature, you're going to enjoy visiting this place. The museum is divided into three galleries of manuscripts, antiques, and books respectively. Each of the galleries has some of the most interesting items that date back to the 18th or 19th century and portray some interesting facts about India or give you more into the life of Rabindranath Tagore. This is one of the reasons why you need to visit Jorasanko Thakur Bari on day 1 of your 48 hours in Kolkata shenanigans.
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The Marble Palace Mansion is the second place you visit on your first day of the trip to Kolkata. This one is a magnificent palace built by Raja Rajendra Mallick in 1835. As the name suggests, the palace is made out of marble and has a lake, gardens, and stunning interiors. This was the family house of Raja Rajendra Mallick where they lived for a few years.
Today, this palace is known to house some of the greatest art collections from renowned artists like Van Gogh, Reuben, Reynolds, and Rembrandt. You’ll also find an array of Victorian antiques, rare sculptures, paintings, and other different kinds of artifacts displayed in the palace. Besides, it also has a zoo that has some rare species of birds and animals. The Marble Palace Mansion is surely a unique place on the list that you must visit.
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Entry Fee: No entrance fee is needed but prior permission is required. You will have to do this a day prior to your visit itself. You can get the permit at the West Bengal Tourism Office.
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Victoria Memorial is the main attraction in Kolkata, just like the Eiffel Tower is in Paris. It’s a massive white structure made of marble and you won’t be able to take your eyes off it. The building was built all the way back in 1906 to honor the memory of Queen Victoria’s reign in India. Admiring the elegant architecture and the museums here is surely going to be nothing less than a memorable experience.
You will need to keep time apart to explore the museum within the building that showcases artifacts from the Victorian era. The sprawling gardens also add to the beauty of strolling the place. You can choose to visit the gardens early in the morning as the gates for them open as early as 05:30 am.
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The last thing to do on day 1 of your 48 hours in Kolkata trip is, to visit St Paul’s Cathedral. This cathedral was built in 1847 and operates under CNI – Church of North India. It's located in the heart of the city which portrays the colonial architectural influence Kolkata has gone under. The Indo-Gothic architecture of this cathedral is breathtaking and one of the major reasons this cathedral is visited by so many people.
St Paul’s Cathedral was the first Episcopalian church in Asia. It was built under the guidance of Bishop Daniel Wilson to accommodate the growing Christian community of Kolkata. Once you enter the church, you’ll feel the peaceful and calming aura. The beautiful paintings, carvings, tainted glasses, pillars, altar, and everything else within the church are absolutely stunning. And is a good way to end your tour for the day. This cathedral is located right opposite Victoria Memorial Hall and is next to the Birla Planetarium and Academy of Fine Arts.
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Entry Fee: No entry fee is needed
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The next and last day of your trip to Kolkata is going to start with visiting Princep Ghat. This one is a very old and loved tourist place in the city. It's a British-era ghat that was built in 1841, in memory of James Prinsep, that's also where the ghat gets its name from. This ghat has huge trees along the sides, with the backdrop of Howrah Bridge, food stalls along the roadside, and steps that stretch towards the Fort William water gate.
Princep Ghat is the best place to be in the morning when the cool breeze brushes against your face. You can grab breakfast at the food joints and stalls around the surrounding area. Besides, you can also engage in some recreational activities around the bank of the river. You can go boating in the river early in the morning. There are wooden boats and speedboats that you can avail of for a fun boating experience. Princep Ghat is a well-maintained place where photographers love to capture the beauty of nature and the ghat.
Timings: Open all day long
Entry Fee: No entry fee is needed
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Birla Mandir is a majestic complex of three marble-carved temples. This temple was built over a span of 26 years. The construction started in 1970 and lasted until 1996. The temple is devoted to Krishna and Radha, but Lord Shiva, Goddess Durga, ten avatars of Lord Vishnu, Lord Hanuman, and Lord Ganesha are also worshiped here. As you step into the temple's vicinity, you’ll hear the soft chanting of mantras, aarti, or bhajan playing in the background. It simply adds to the spiritual charm of the Birla Mandir.
The temple reaches a high elevation and can be seen from its neighboring area itself. The high walls and pillars of the temple, delicately carved from marble, are very beautiful. Artists from Muzaffarpur, Agra, and Mirzapur sculpted these intricate patterns on the walls of this temple. Silver and Belgian glass is also used in some of the sculptures and makes the temple look even more beautiful.
Timings: Every day from 5:30 am to 11:00 am and 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Entry Fee: No entry fee is needed
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Your second day in Kolkata is going to be the day you explore some place to shop for some things for yourself. There is nothing that you can't find in Gariahat Market. It's surely going to be chaotic to navigate through the bustling streets of this busy market, but the thrill of it all is gratifying.
Exploring the Gariahat market is going to take some time, so make sure you carry your bottles along. You’ll also be surrounded by ample food stalls that sell fresh seafood items, puchkas, and other snacks. It's the best place to try some authentic cuisine from Kolkata. So at the end of your trip to the market, make sure that you’ve treated yourself to a plate of puchkas.
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Entry Fee: No entry fee is needed
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The final place to visit in Kolkata is the popular Dakshineswar Kali temple. It's one of the many Kali temples in the city but is most popular among tourists. This temple is located just alongside the Hooghly River in Kolkata and is a traditional nine-spire Hindu temple. Dakshineswar Kali temple was founded by Rani Rashmani in 1855. It's said that Rani Rashmani saw Kali Mata in her dream and instructed her to build the temple on the banks of the river Ganga.
This temple is a piece of art, with domes that are crafted and carved from the beautiful Bishnupur terracotta tiles. Along the waterfront, there are 12 more temples that depict the 12 avatars of Lord Shiva. You can visit all of these temples and admire their tranquil beauty. The reason that Dakshineswar Kali Temple is last on your listing is because it’s just 30 minutes away from the Airport. It also directly connects to the Dakshineswar train station via a skywalk. So once you're done exploring this last place, you can directly head towards either the airport or the rail station and get home without missing your train or flight.
Timings: Every day from 6 am to 12.30 pm and from 3 pm to 8.30 pm
Entry Fee: No entry fee is needed
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Summing Up
These are all the things you can do in 48 hours in Kolkata. They are a mix of everything that the city has to offer beginning from recreational activities, to museums, grand architecture, and serene beauty. The hospitality of the city is something that you will also experience on this trip. We hope that you like all the places mentioned above and have a good time exploring Kolkata.
What Is Kolkata’s Famous Food?
Kolkata is known for its delicious and spicy cuisine. But their puchkas are probably the most famous food items known by everyone visiting.
Which Is The Coldest Month In Kolkata?
The coldest month in Kolkata is January. The average temperature in the city during this month is 18°C.
Are 2 Days Enough For Kolkata?
Kolkata is a big city with ample places to visit. So ideally, 2 days are not enough, but if that's all you have, you can explore some of the many places in Kolkata.
What Is Unique In Kolkata?
If you're looking for unique places to visit in Kolkata, you can check out the following:
Which Location Is Best To Stay In Kolkata?
If you're going to be exploring this beautiful city, it's best to find a hotel that's located in decent enough proximity to Victoria Memorial. It's easier to travel around and get to other tourist places quickly from there.
How Many Days Are Enough For Kolkata Trip?
Ideally, 4 days in the city are enough to explore it wholeheartedly. It gives you a look at all the places that you must not skip visiting.
