We all love nothing more than relaxing on a long weekend where we can truly get a break from days that operate like clockwork. If you see a long weekend en route, you must make the most of it. Luckily, in a city like Kolkata you don’t have to travel far and wide to find weekend getaway options where you can mellow out. Let’st take you over some of your best options.
If you’re up for a thrilling and wild adventure, then you have to plan a trip to the Sundarbans. Being the world’s largest mangrove forest, it was declared a UNESCO Heritage Site. Located in close proximity, it is one of the best weekend getaway destinations from Kolkata.
The Sundarbans is home to a plethora of bird and animal species, especially the Royal Bengal Tigers. If you get on top of the Sudhanyakhali watch tower, you’ll get to spot tigers (if you’re lucky), spotted deer, and wild boars. And if you want to treat the Bear Grylls in you, you can spend a night boating through the groves in the Matla river.
Kolkata To Sundarbans Distance: 130 km, 5 hours by road.
Best Time To Visit: September to March.
Things To Do In Sundarbans: When you’re in the Sundarbans, you can also go birdwatching at Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary, explore Sagar island, and visit Netidhopani lake. If you visit the sanctuary beach of Kanak, you can spot the cute Olive Ridley turtles laid across the beach shores.
Also read: Exciting Things To Do In West Bengal
Resting by the Sundarbans is the small beach town of Bakkhali. On your visit to this town, you are sure to find many baks or red-beaked seagulls, which is why the place is named Bakkhali.
With a vast alluring beach in place and a thick forest outlining it, Bakkhali gives you a complete countryside vibe. If you are looking to spend a calm and peaceful in the laps of mother nature, then this is where you should be heading. Apart from walking by the beach you could also cycle around and check out the wind farms, or take a boat and explore the nearby islands.
Kolkata To Bakkhali Distance: 125.1 km, roughly 4.5 hours by road.
Best Time To Visit: October to March.
Things To Do In Bakkhali: There’s a lot to see in the beach town of Bakkhali like Henry island, Fraser Wind Park, Jambu Dwip, Crocodile Breeding Centre, and Bishhalakshmi.
Also read: Unique Things To Do In Northeast India
Tajpur is a town, that offers you a quiet getaway from the everyday chaos with the sound of the beach waves in the background. Away from city life, this small town lies by the appealing Bay of Bengal. And as it is a new place to be added on the tourist maps, it is not yet fully explored, meaning less crowd!
What makes Tajpur beach stand out from the rest, is the inverted crescent shape and the lovely crimson color. If you’re wondering why it has a crimson color, it's the abundance of red crabs on the beach. A great way to spend an evening here is to hog on some delicious seafood from the shacks or to laze around on a hammock, chugging a chilled drink and watching the sunset.
Kolkata To Tajpur Distance: 172.3 km, approximately 4 hours by road.
Best Time To Visit: October to February.
Things To Do In Tajpur: You can try some adventure sports like snorkeling or coastal biking among others, explore the local villages, and check out the pisciculture activity practiced in Tajpur.
Also read: Best Places For Camping In Northeast India
With a history dating back to the year 1862, Shantiniketan was originally the home to the famous poet Rabindranath Tagore. It was only later that, Rabindranath Tagore started off a school here with only 5 students, and later transformed it into a university. Today it is known to be one of the most culturally rich destinations near Kolkata.
It was only because of the university that the town flourished into a unique tourist spot. At Shantiniketan, you can visit the museums and art galleries narrating the legends of Rabindranath Tagore. Spending a weekend here would indeed be a treat for the history buff in you.
Kolkata To Shantiniketan Distance: 162.8 km, roughly 3.5 hours by road.
Best Time To Visit: July to March.
Things To Do In Shantiniketan: Tagore’s ashrama, Amar Kutir, Chattimtala, and Rabindra Bhaban Museum are some of the popular places to visit here. Since you’re planning a weekend getaway, you can also catch the Khoai Mela which is a fair where local artisans sell handicrafts and other items.
Also read: Amazing Luxury Hotels In North East India
Another unspoiled beach town for a perfect getaway from Kolkata is Mandarmani. It is one of the newest additions to the best getaways from the city. And since it is only gaining popularity recently, it remains less crowded than the others and possesses some of the cleanest beaches near Kolkata.
The roads leading to the beaches are outlined by vibrant green paddy fields, making the journey just as beautiful as the destination. Known for its pristine beaches, Mandarmani is all set to offer you some mesmerizing backdrops for your pictures. And what makes this location so special is that it is considered to be one of the longest motorable beaches in India. So get ready to explore the shores of Mandarmani shores
Kolkata To Mandarmani Distance: 170.5 km, roughly 4 hours by road.
Best Time To Visit: December to February.
Things To Do In Mandarmani: Other than getting mesmerized by the scenic views of the beach, you can also try activities like bungee trampoline, paragliding, and other water sports.
Also read: Best Places To Visit In Kolkata
If you’re a party animal, then you can plan your weekend in Digha. It is one of the most popular places in West Bengal and is the go-to choice among locals and tourists. And why would it not be? It has so many amazing attractions spread all over the town.
Even though it attracts so much crowd, it still has many untouched beaches hidden under its embrace. You can plan a trip to Digha any time of the year and you will always find the town to be a colorful fairground. So if you want to spend your days exploring the beaches and sightseeing and nights partying with the locals, then Digha is the place for you!
Kolkata To Digha Distance: 181 km, roughly 5 hours by road.
Best Time To Visit: October to February.
Things To Do In Digha: Some of the prominent attractions in Digha are Shankarpur beach, Aquarium of Zoological Survey of India, Amarabati park, Talsari beach, and Chandaneswar temple. Other than exploring these places, you can also try watersports and have some mouth-watering seafood.
Also read: Best Restaurants In Kolkata For Families
For a religious yet fun weekend, Puri can be your ideal getaway destination. As soon as you read the name Puri, you might have thought of the popular Jagannath Puri temple. That’s right, it houses the majestic shrine of Lord Jagannath, and is one of the most popular places to visit in Eastern India.
Not only is it a great tourist attraction, but also a famous place for weekend breaks. To add to your pleasurable trip, Puri is known for some very scenic beaches. And if you really want to get the best of the spiritual and adventurous side of Puri, then plan a weekend trip during the month of June-July so you can also get a glimpse of the Rath Yatra.
Kolkata To Puri Distance: 495.5 km, 10.5-12.5 hours by road.
Best Time To Visit: October to February.
Things To Do In Puri: One of the must-try at Puri is swimming and exploring the vast sea. If you talk to the local fishermen, they can take you to deeply explore the sea at a very nominal rate. Also visit Udaygiri, Konark temple, Dolphin point, Chilla lake, and Nandan Kanan zoo.
Also read: Odisha Travel Guide
A little away from Digha is the beach town of Shankarpur. If an awesome weekend to you means spending some quality time in an off-beat location, then Shankarpur is the place for you! This town is known for its isolated beaches surrounded by the lush green eucalyptus and casuarina trees.
Not many know about this beautiful town, and so you won’t find much crowd here. You could spend an evening here admiring the sunset and capturing some charming pictures for your insta feed. Shankarpur is also close to many other beaches, so maybe you could spend your weekend beach hopping.
Kolkata To Shankarpur Distance: 172.9 km, 4 hours by drive.
Best Time To Visit: October to March.
Things To Do In Shankarpur: At Shankarpur you can check out other popular places like Tajpur beach, Digha beach, Mohana Watch point, Chandpur beach, and others.
Also read: 1 Day Walking Tour Of Kolkata: Best Places To Cover
Summing Up
These are all our handpicked weekend destinations near Kolkata. There are several just a short drive away from the city. So make a choice among these and start making the most of every upcoming long weekend!
Where Can I Travel From Kolkata?
There are several places to explore near Kolkata, which could be your perfect weekend destination. Some of these are Sundarbans, Tajpur, Digha, Puri, Bakkhali, Mandarmani, Shantiniketan, and Shankarpur.
Which Hill Station Is Near To Kolkata?
Kolkata is in close proximity to many renowned hill stations. Some of these are Siliguri, Gangtok, Kalimpong, Kurseong, and Darjeeling.
Are There Any Beaches In Kolkata?
You can find many beaches and beach towns in Kolkata. Some of the most beautiful beaches to explore are Mandarmani, Bakkhali, Shankarpur, and Puri.
Why Is Bakkhali Famous?
Bakkhali is known for its pristine beaches surrounded by thick mangrove forests. Another key factor that makes Bakkhali stand out is the abundance of red-beaked seagulls.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Bakkhali?
The best time to visit Bakkhali is during the winter, so you can avoid the summer heat and the hurdles of traveling in the rain. So the winter months of October to March are a great time to visit here.
How Many Days Are Enough For Mandarmani?
Mandarmani is famous for its unspoiled and scenic beaches. All in all, to cover the gorgeous beaches and other tourist attractions, you can plan a trip here for 2 to 3 days.
What Is The Famous Food Of Mandarmani?
Being a small beach town, Mandarmani is popular for its fresh seafood. You definitely to try the crabs, lobsters, prawns, and fishes prepared in typical Bengali style.
How Far Is Mandarmani From Digha?
Mandarmani is not too far away from Digha; they are just 30 km apart. If you take the road it will take you about an hour to reach Mandarmani to Digha or vice versa.
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