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For a quick weekend getaway from Kolkata, then there are a number of fascinating places that are only a few hours away from the city. From Santiniketan, a place established by Rabindranath Tagore, Sundarbans National Park,a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or the royals of Bengal tigers, these places to visit near Kolkata for weekend have their own particular pleasures, be it art, culture, nature, or just the leisure of being close to the place.
10 Places To Visit Near Kolkata For Weekend
There are plenty of beautiful places to visit near Kolkata for weekends that offer a memorable experience:
1. Sundarbans National Park
Photo: Hiroki Ogawa / Wikimedia Commons
Sundarbans National Park, a site of global heritage importance designated by UNESCO, is well known for its unparalleled natural beauty that includes nature’s most spectacular mangrove forests and of course the famed Bengal Tiger. This expansive delta in the southwestern Indian state of West Bengal is encircled by the Bay of Bengal/ It offers boat trips through the twists and turns accompanied by the proud display of salt-water crocodiles or fishing/eel hunting felines.
Location: Bay of Bengal Delta, near Kolkata
Major Attractions: Bengal tigers, Mangrove forests, Boat safaris
2. Santiniketan
Photo: Bodhisattwa / Wikimedia Commons
Located in West Bengal’s Birbhum district is Santiniketan which has been dedicated to education and the arts by India’s first non-European Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, and the famed university of Visva-Bharati. This place has a special combination of education and art; ingenious classes held in the open air, a vast number of drawings and dances based on Tagore’s ideas. Entertainment resorts its visitors by the Baul music and huts with hand made crafts.
Location: Birbhum district, West Bengal
Major Attractions: Visva-Bharati University, Baul music festivals, Poush Mela
3. Mandarmani Beach
Photo: Tarunsamanta / Wikimedia Commons
Mandarmani Beach comes with an extended peaceful sandy shore that makes it a perfect vacation spot. Mild tide, beautiful sunset and mouth watering seafood makes it a good relaxing place. Adventure lovers get into water activities such as jet skiing or beach biking, little ones go for family boat rides or beach picnics. Interesting Mandarmani beach lures many weekenders looking for some freshness with its laid back easy going attitude and colorful local markets.
Location: East Midnapore district, West Bengal
Major Attractions: Beach biking, Seafood, Water sports
4. Bishnupur
Photo: Rahulrvm / Wikimedia Commons
Bishnupur, a historical town, is known for its exquisite terracotta temples, an offering of Bengali architectural supremacy. The beautiful temples are exclusive as they are devoted to artistic details of various Hindu gods. Bishnupur as well has Baluchari saree craftsmen who have such luxurious silk sarees with paintings of mythological stories on them.
Location: Bankura district, West Bengal
Major Attractions: Terracotta temples, Baluchari sarees, Bishnupur Mela
5. Mayapur
Photo: Joydeep / Wikimedia Commons
Mayapur, largely recognized as the birthplace of Lord Chaitanya and a spiritual core, is a latent calming place for spiritual getaways. The visitors can sightsee the ISKON temple, relax at the river banks, and join in the local customs making it the perfect place for a tranquil religious experience. The place promises the best experience with the blend of spiritual and scenic charm.
Location: Around 135 km from Kolkata
Major Attractions: ISKCON temple, Riverside views, Cultural programs
6. Digha Beach
Photo: Pinakpani / Wikimedia Commons
With a smooth coastline, clean sands and mild waves, Digha Beach is a well-accepted weekend retreat among the beachgoers. The beach is equipped with various sports like parasailing and banana boat ride along its coast with kiosks offering seafood and handicrafts. Other outing places are Marine Aquarium and Amarabati Park which make it a suitable destination for children.
Location: East Midnapore district, West Bengal
Major Attractions: Marine Aquarium, Seaside markets, Water sports
7. Taki
Photo: Biswarup Ganguly / Wikimedia Commons
Renowned for its picturesque river views along the India-Bangladesh border, Taki has something different to offer with its Ichhamati River boat rides and village excursions. This quiet little place full of countryside beauty is an amazing cultural retreat close to Kolkata. The place promises a unique experience and is one of the most surreal places to visit near Kolkata for the weekend.
Location: North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal
Major Attractions: Boat rides on the Ichamati River, Durga Puja “Bhashan” ceremony
8. Henry’s Island
Photo: James N Perdue / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Henry’s Island is most popular owing to its pristine beaches, extensive mangroves and sheer peace. Visitors can contemplate the beautiful scenery, watch some migratory birds or spend time in eco-tourism chalets. The beach provides an option for peace from typical areas that are usually filled with people hence a perfect place for lovers of nature. One of the most interesting things about this place is the presence of fishing culture and lobsters.
Location: Near Bakkhali, South 24 Parganas district
Major Attractions: Mangrove forests, Birdwatching, Eco-tourism cottages
9. Raichak
Photo: Indianvagabond / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Raichak is a riverside resort notorious for Raichak Fort which is now a five-star hotel. The fort has scenic views of the Hooghly River and the green scenery around which makes it a good place for relaxation. One can go for a cruise in the river, enjoy spas or relax and appreciate nature. Raichak is uneventful yet interesting because of the history attached to it which makes a wonderful weekend excursion.
Location: Near Diamond Harbour, South 24 Parganas district
Major Attractions: Raichak Fort, River cruises, Riverside views
10. Bakkhali Beach
Photo: Pinakpani / Wikimedia Commons
Bakkhali Beach is among the few beaches one shall visit for an offbeat destination with family or even friends due to the calming beach sands and lapping waves. The nearby Frasergunj fishing village presents a closer look at the people and their way of life, Crocodile Breeding Center is another nice place for the nature lovers. Bakkhali is at its best during sunset and glorifies stillness away from the hustle of city life.
Location: South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal
Major Attractions: Crocodile Breeding Center, Frasergunj village, Beach sunsets
Kolkata is a bustling metropolis and a hub of cultural and commercial activities but being exhausted by such hustle- bustle every now and then everyone loves to go for short trips. From the calm waves lapping up the Mandarmani Beach to the friendly strums of Shantiniketan, these places to visit near Kolkata for weekend come as an add-on in the busy city life to break out. So, plan your trip with TripXL!
Cover Photo: CC0 Public Domain / Px Here / Image For Representation Only
