A travel Guide to West Bengal

West Bengal Tourism

West Bengal is a state blessed with natural splendidness. Located in the eastern region of India, this state is rich in culture and heritage. West Bengal tourism offers a wide range of colourful experiences to tourists. Breathtaking mountains, coastal regions, forests and pilgrimage destinations, West Bengal tourist places offer all kinds of experiences to the visitors.

Many places, including the state's capital Kolkata, are blessed with cultural monuments and structures dating back to the colonial era. The state is rich in history and has been home to many civilisations with different ethnicities, religions, cultures, and languages. A splendid experience awaits you in the wildlife sanctuaries, cultural heritages, hill stations, art, and festivals. The Howrah bridge, the Sundarbans, the tea gardens and many other West Bengal attractions give you a look into its vast cultures.

The state is visited by a huge number of tourists every year. West Bengal tours are perfect whether it be a trip with your family, friends, or a romantic getaway. There are hotels in West Bengal as per everyone’s need. And we have the perfect West Bengal travel guide for your plans.

Places to visit in West Bengal

1. Kolkata

Kolkata, the state capital of West Bengal, is India’s second-largest city. This city is a cultural gem and one of the most recommended places to visit in West Bengal. The old colonial charm of this metropolitan city is complemented by its thriving modern culture. You can easily find affordable hotels in Kolkata and book in advance. Many structures in Kolkata are rich with history. The Victoria Memorial in Kolkata with an Angel of Victory at its top consists of 25 galleries with an exceptional collection of artefacts, paintings, and possessions of the queen. For the people with scientific curiosities, Science City and the Birla Industrial & technological Museum is a mind-stimulating place in Kolkata. The nightlife of Kolkata is perfect for young people.

2. Digha

Beaches are a significant part of the West Bengal attractions. Out of all the famous coastal areas, Digha is the most popular one. Spread over the shores of the Bay of Bengal, this beach is extended about 7 km. The casuarina plankton along the way enhances its beauty. With splendid views and relatively untouched areas, this beach is perfect for you to spend a weekend with your family and friends.

3. Darjeeling

Darjeeling is one of the most beautiful hill stations in India and a feather in the crown of West Bengal tourism. The tea gardens of Darjeeling with lush green slopes give you a mesmerising sight to behold. Once you visit this heavenly place, its title of the “queen of hills” will seem perfectly justifiable. The famous Toy Train of Darjeeling is certified by UNESCO as a world heritage site and it still runs. The world-famous Darjeeling tea is a delight for tourists.

4. Mirik

If someone wishes to visit an uncrowded place with great viewpoints, Mirik is just the place. This is one of the must-visit places in every West Bengal tour guide. Its location on the banks of a lake makes it a perfect picnic spot. It’s the perfect place to relax and take in the beauty of the surrounding nature and the lake. There you can enjoy boating, gardens, tea plantation, viewpoints, and horse riding with your family and kids. The serenity of this place, especially at the time of sunset and sunrise, makes it worth visiting.

5. Sundarbans

Sundarbans National Park is another UNESCO-declared national heritage site. For nature and wildlife enthusiasts, it’s the perfect place to visit. Sundarbans National Park is one of the most famous West Bengal tourist attractions. This Tiger Reserve and a Biosphere Reserve is home to the biggest Mangrove Forest in the world and has the largest population of the famous Bengal Tiger. This place is a habitat to astonishing flora & fauna with amazing ecological balance.

Things to do in West Bengal

There’s an abundance of adventurous and amazing things that you can do while visiting West Bengal. These things to do in West Bengal will give you an experience you’ll cherish for the rest of your lives.

Sandakphu Trek

Sandakphu is situated in Darjeeling district at a height of 3636 meters above sea levels. It’s the highest point of Singalila Ridge. Sandakphu is a heavenly place for adventurers and best for trekking. The Sandakphu trek will give a mesmerising view of the Kanchenjunga and the Himalayan Range. This makes the Sandhakphu trek one of the most attractive things to do in West Bengal to adventurous and trekkers.

Hooghly River Cruise

This heritage cruise on the Hooghly river in Kolkata will take you through a 260 km long breathtaking part of Eastern India. This is one of the must-try activities that you can plan while visiting West Bengal. This cruise will let you enjoy a dreamlike view of the famous Howrah Bridge, Kathgola Palace and Hazer Duari. Throughout the cruise, you’ll be able to enjoy monuments, mosques, memorials, and Ghats surrounding you. This cruise is fun for people of all ages.

A farm stay in Darjeeling

A farm stay in Darjeeling is very famous among tourists. The lush greenery of tea gardens in Darjeeling gives you serenity and solace. Farm stay gives you simplicity and a better experience of nature and the untouched beauty of the tea gardens.

Paragliding in Kalimpong

Paragliding in Kalimpong is among the most common adventure activities and gives you a soaring life experience. Kalimpong is a tranquil town famous for its uncanny view of the Himalayan Range. Paragliding in Kalimpong, West Bengal will give you an exhilarating experience of the valleys surrounding you.

Nicco Park

Nicco Park is the best amusement park in Kolkata, West Bengal. Visiting Nicco Park is one of the most fun things to do in West Bengal. You can have a mind-blowing experience on a relaxing weekend. If you’re someone travelling with children, this is the place for you. You and your family will have a fun blast here with adventurous rides, water slides, rain dance, and other activities.

Best time to visit West Bengal

West Bengal is a very diverse state and there’s a lot of exploration for you to do while visiting. And for exploration purposes, the best season to visit West Bengal is the winter season. West Bengal is particularly cool in December and January.

It’s a vast place and the difference in temperature between the Hill regions and the coastal regions can be significant. Although, the best time to visit West Bengal, on the whole, is from October to the end of March or mid-April. In Kolkata, from late April to the end of September it’s monsoon. In Darjeeling, the cool temperature in May and June makes it possible to visit. Due to Monsoon, you should avoid visiting West Bengal in July and August.

How to reach West Bengal

The travel options to West Bengal are very easy and convenient. So the question of how to reach West Bengal is easily answerable. You have the option to reach West Bengal by air, by rail, by sea, and by road.

By Air: West Bengal’s capital Kolkata is a well-connected city. You can board a flight with any airline to the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport from anywhere around the world. There are flights to Kolkata from all the major domestic airports.

By Rail: The visitors can board a train to any of the major railway stations of West Bengal like Howrah, Sealdah, and Kolkata. From the south, west, and central region of the country, the trains enter the Howrah railway station. And from the north region of the country, the trains enter the Sealdah railway station.

By Road: The bus service to Kolkata is available from every major city of the nearby states. There’s vast interconnectedness of many routes and National Highways to reach West Bengal via taxi, bus, car, etc.

By Sea: Even though it’s rare, visitors do have the option of visiting West Bengal by sea transport. There are passenger ships from the Andaman and Nicobar islands to Kolkata and Halida Docks.