The exuberant capital of West Bengal, Kolkata embraces the night, providing a golden touch to its historical buildings, busy streets, and cultural centres. Commonly referred to as the ‘City of Joy’, evenings in Kolkata are characterised by striking history fused with modernity. Here is a list of the top 10 places to visit in Kolkata in evening for a more great experience of this beautiful city of West Bengal. Be it hanging out by the famous Hooghly River, the franchises of the fast-food chains, or the serene parks, Kolkata offers an after-dark treat to everyone.
10 Places To Visit In Kolkata In Evening
Here’s a curated top-picked list of ten places to visit in Kolkata in evening and make your trip to West Bengal memorable.
1. Prinsep Ghat
Photo: Sbb1413 / Wikimedia Commons
Princep Ghat is a picturesque historical place in Kolkata situated on the banks of Hooghly River and it is fondly visited in the evenings. This structure, built in 1841, presents columns in Greek and Gothic styles, making it a perfect venue for casual walks by many tourists and residents. In the evening, the ghat gets lighted up, lending a calm and serene view with the Vidyasagar Setu as a backdrop. People can go for a boat ride, an ambling walk on the promenades by the riverside, or just enjoy a quiet moment with the sun setting across the river.
Timings: 24*7
Ideal Trip Duration: 1 hour
2. Eco Park
Photo: Radhamadhab Sarangi / Wikimedia Commons
Eco Park is a large urban park located in New Town, Kolkata. It covers an area of around 480 acres providing various activities, making it a favorite hangout for families, friends, and couples in the evenings. It is arranged in thematic sections; the Butterfly Garden, the Japanese Forest, and miniatures of Seven Wonders of the World. People can go for a boat ride on the lake, ride a bicycle, or just enjoy the calm green surroundings. The illumination of the park in the evenings is a sight to behold.
Timings: 2:30 PM – 8:30 PM (closed on Mondays)
Ideal Trip Duration: 2 – 3 hours
3. Rabindra Sarobar Lake
Photo: Abhijit Kar Gupta / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Rabindra Sarobar Lake in South Kolkata gives a calm respite ideal for evening hangouts. The place is well blended with the surrounding greenery and acts as a getaway from the busy urban life. During evenings, the stillness of the lake and its surrounding areas makes the nearby areas strikingly captivating and fully enjoyed by the visitors. This place is also a favourite place for kids and nature lovers with its tranquil walking lanes and boating facilities. Culture and temporary live band performances around Rabindra Sarobar bring a vibrant atmosphere while maintaining its peace.
Timings: 5 AM – 9 PM
Ideal Trip Duration: 1 hour
4. Kolkata Boi Para (College Street)
Photo: Billjones94 / Wikimedia Commons
Kolkata’s Boi Para more commonly known as College Street, is famous for its wealthy history of a book market which is referred to as the largest secondhand book capital of the world. Occupied with an unnumbered amount of bookshops and stalls, it is a paradise for every bookworm as one can obtain limited editions, textbooks, fictional ones and many more at bargain prices. As the day turns into night, the street becomes more active with students, scholars and book lovers lost in discussions.
Timings: 10 AM – 8 PM
Ideal Trip Duration: 1 – 2 hours
5. Quest Mall
Photo: Biswarup Ganguly / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Positioned in the centre of Kolkata, Quest Mall is a leading retail and lifestyle destination that attracts patrons in the evenings due to its contemporary and lively environment. Home to several high-end brands, fashionable stores, and famous restaurants, the mall serves as a great place for shopping and endless amusements. Its highly vertical edifice contains a huge range of international and domestic brands and has one of the best cinemas in the city for film lovers. The aura of sophisticated interiors, fashionable furniture, and delectable food courts make Quest Mall a great place to visit for a fun-filled evening.
Timings: 10:30 AM – 10 PM
Ideal Trip Duration: 2 – 3 hours
6. Nicco Park
Photo: Monish700061 / Wikimedia Commons
Nicco Park, frequently referred to as the ‘Disneyland of the West Bengal state’, is an interesting amusement park in Kolkata where one can spend an enjoyable evening with close family members and friends. Situated at Salt Lake, the amusement park has various ranges of rides and attractions catered for different age groups. From roller coasters to the big Ferris wheel and water rides, the premises of the amusement park include a large expanse of lush, well-maintained green gardens and music fountains.
Timings: 10:30 AM – 7:30 PM
Ideal Trip Duration: 3 – 4 hours
7. Nandan Complex
Photo: Indrajit Das / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Nandan Complex is a cultural hub in Kolkata, mainly associated with films, theatre and the performing arts. Founded in 1985, Nandan has earned an irreplaceable status amongst the cinema enjoyers of the city. The centre organizes daily film shows, festivals and events which draw a large crowd, particularly in the evenings. This is a venue created to encourage the proper viewing of cinema in all its artfulness and therefore audiences come together to watch art houses, documentary films or retrospectives of great directors. Nandan Complex is strategically located alongside Rabindra Sadan.
Timings: 2 PM – 8 PM
Ideal Trip Duration: 1 – 2 hours
8. Birla Planetarium
Photo: Avrajyoti Mitra / Wikimedia Commons
Birla Planetarium, located in the centre of Kolkata, is one of Asia’s largest planetariums and an interesting place for those fond of astronomy. Founded in 1962, it engages visitors with its modern dome theatre, watching interesting shows connected with space exploration and wonders of the outer world. The evening shows in the planetarium are popular among families and students interested in the scientific field of astronomy. The families can enjoy the surrounding gardens without any nuisance.
Timings: 12:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Ideal Trip Duration: 1 hour
9. Salt Lake Stadium
Photo: Vinayaraj / Wikimedia Commons
Salt Lake Stadium, officially named Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, is a famous sports complex located in Kolkata. It is one of the biggest stadiums in India and a classic sports centre in the country, primarily for football. With a seating capacity of over 80,000, the stadium also has a very lively atmosphere during football matches. It is heaven for ardent sports patrons. The fervour of evening games, particularly local teams such as Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, attracts lots of crowds to the stadium.
Ideal Trip Duration: 2 – 3 hours
10. Kumartuli
Photo: শরদিন্দু ভট্টাচার্য্য / Wikimedia Commons
Kumartuli is an artisan’s haven, historically located in Kolkata and is famous for the craftsmen who craft clay Durga idols during Durga Puja. Kumartuli lies along small lanes parallel to the Howrah River and is one of those places where art flourishes and is appreciated by the people and tourists. The nighttime in this region is filled with a lot of activity where many artisans sculpt and mould their masterpieces for the audience to witness the idol-making process.
Timings: 9 AM – 9 PM
Ideal Trip Duration: 1 – 2 hours
Places to visit in Kolkata in evening for a serene outing is an amazing experience. Plan your visit to West Bengal today and visit places in Kolkata in the evening. If you are a history lover, a keen observer, a nature enthusiast or just looking for a calm holiday, places in Kolkata have something for everyone. Plan a trip with TripXL for a memorable experience.
Cover Photo: ABHISHEK CHAKRABORTY / Unsplash