Top Reasons to Go

Eclectic Architecture: The city is packed with gorgeous temples, mosques, universities, and colonial mansions and monuments.

Walking City: Kolkata is best seen on foot: stroll along the river promenade, walk across the Howrah Bridge, explore the bazaars, or wander around the sprawling Maidan park.

Cultural Capital: Catch an Indian classical music concert; watch a locally produced play; go gallery-hopping or head to the Indian Museum, considered one of the country’s best.

Foodie's Paradise: Kolkatans are obsessive about their food. A visit to a traditional sweetshop an absolute must, as is a sampling ofthe city’s famous fish or Indo-Chinese dishes, created a century ago by Chinese immigrants.

Book Bargains: Kolkata’s winter book fair is one of the biggest in the world, and year-round you can trust the stalls of College Street to surprise you with rare and cheap finds.