The "city of joy," Kolkata, is a popular tourist destination. The city, which is well-known for its arts and literature, has everything visitors might possibly want. However, Kolkata provides a variety of weekend getaways if you want to get away from the city or are through experiencing it.
There are numerous lovely vacation spots within easy driving distance. The tranquil beaches and culturally significant Santiniketan are two of the fantastic weekend getaways Kolkata have to offer. These incredibly cool places close by will take you on a tour of eastern India's natural and cultural splendour.
1. Piyali Island – A Heaven for Birdwatchers
One of the best weekend trips from Kolkata is to the gorgeous Piyali island. It is only 72 kilometres from Kolkata and is a must-see location for bird enthusiasts. This island is well known for offering peace and calm, is home to numerous bird species, and is a nice place to have a picnic.
If you are travelling to Kolkata, you are likely to be looking for options to stay. Well, there are some of the best hourly hotels in Kolkata near the main area. You can easily book these hotels for a few hours in Kolkata online by visiting sites like MiStay.
Location: 75 km from Sundarbans National Park
How to reach: It takes ideally 2.5 hours from Kolkata to reach Piyali island. You can travel by private vehicle or reach Barasat by train. Barasat is the nearest railway station from this island
Best time to visit: October-December
Places to visit near Piyali Island: Dobanki Watch Tower; Netidhopani
Things to do: Witness the rich flora and fauna, explore the surrounding villages and interact with locals
2. Roopark Village
All good things do indeed come in small packages, and Roopark Village is no exception. Tourists can have a lovely and strange experience that takes them closer to nature at this remote tribal location. A journey to this location is renowned for its rejuvenating properties because it is far from the chaotic masses of Kolkata. If you are looking for a relaxing trip, then there are many hourly hotels in Kolkata that can provide the best services. So, you can step into these dayuse hotels in Kolkata.
Distance from Kolkata: 20 km
Best time to visit: July- March
Things to do: Bird watching, visiting the Panchlingeshwar temple and Chandipur beach.
3. Sundarbans
The largest delta in the world, Sundarbans lies 109 kilometres southeast of Kolkata and contains 10,200 square kilometres of mangrove forest. It is dispersed across Bangladesh and India and is situated on the Ganges delta. Sundarbans National Park is the name of the mangrove forest that is located entirely within Indian territory. UNESCO has recognised the national park as a World Heritage Site.
The Sundarbans National Park was designated as the primary area of the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve in 1973, and it was later named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. The Sunderbans area as a whole was designated a Biosphere Reserve in 1989. When you're looking for Couple friendly hotels in Kolkata to stay in, you have a lot of options. You can narrow your search by price, by proximity to tourist attractions, and by a variety of other factors. There are many hotels for unmarried couples in Kolkata that can help you relax with your life partner.
Best time to go: September to April is the best time to visit Sunderban.
Driving distance: 109km
4. Bakkhali – The Most Breathtaking Beaches In India
The mysterious Sunderbans' southwestern most point is where Bakkhali Beach is located. The white beach snuggles up against the forest delta's edges, creating a distinctive tropical fusion. Its name comes from Bak, or the red-beaked seagull, which is common in this area. Put this at the top of your list if you're thinking about taking a weekend getaway near Kolkata.
Staying in Kolkata is also not a problem as there are various hourly hotels in Kolkata to serve these needs. You can enjoy a cool relaxing moment in these dayuse hotels in Kolkata and then move to your home destination.
Location: Village in West Bengal
How to reach: Bakkhali is 138 km from Kolkata. 4-5 hours by road and as well as by train.
Best Time to visit: July to March.
Places to Visit in Bakkhali: Henry’s Island & Jambu Dwip
Things to do: Spend your day away at the makeshift tea stalls, sipping fresh coconut water or hot tea from earthen pots
5. Henry’s Island
Henry's Island, which is located on the western edge of Sunderbans, is named after the British survivors of the region from around a century ago. This island has a beach with a mangrove forestation, which greatly increases the beach's appeal. Due to the area's tranquilly and beauty, it is becoming more and more popular as a weekend retreat from Kolkata.
Distance from Kolkata: 130 km
Best time to visit: October – March
Things to do: Bonfire nights, nature strolls and bird watching.
6. Bishnupur
Bishnupur, which is at 180 kilometres northwest of Kolkata, is well known for its terracotta temples. These terracotta temples, which were constructed in the 17th and 18th centuries, are among the best examples of Bengal's traditional architecture style. The town's illustrious heritage is reflected in the beautiful architecture and handicrafts. The Malla kingdom's capital, Bishnupur, was prosperous in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The Malla monarchs' rule led to the development of Bishnupur's distinctive style of architecture, which features intricate terracotta work. Now if you are coming from Delhi so you can take a rest for 3-4 hours in hourly hotels in Kolkata and then continue your tour.
Best time to go: You can visit Bishnupur throughout the year.
Driving distance: 180.3 km (4 hours 2 minutes)
7. Tajpur – An Unknown Sea Beach
Tajpur is a seashore that is essentially unheard of and does not attract the swarms of people as Digha or even the neighbouring beaches of Mandarmoni and Shankarpur do. One of Bengal's more recent discoveries, Tajpur is steadily gaining appeal as a weekend getaway from Kolkata.
Location: Beachside
How to reach: It lies in the Kolkata-Digha route, 5 km from Chaulkhola. 170 km southwest of Kolkata (22 km from Contai). By road it's a 4-hour journey
Best Time to visit: September to March.
Places to Visit in Tajpur: One can visit other nearby beaches like Mandarmoni, Shankarpur and Junput, and of course the famous Digha
8. Mandarmani
With its beautiful beaches and breathtaking views, Mandarmani is quickly becoming one of the top tourist destinations near Kolkata. The main attraction of the location is its wild and pristine beauty, and what makes a vacation here more unforgettable are the rice fields and tiny ponds along the journey from Kolkata. Now if you are wondering where to stay, then you need not worry as there are many hourly hotels in Kolkata. You can get the best hotels at a decent amount.
Distance from Kolkata: 170 km
Best time to visit: July- March
Things to do: Paragliding, watersports, and walking along the beach to Mohona.
Conclusion
Kolkata is a very popular city in the state of West Bengal. The city is famous for its colonial history, culture and tradition. This city attracts tourists coming from different parts of the country and abroad. Kolkata is known for its many tourist attractions and historic buildings. If you are planning a trip to this city soon, you can take ideas from our above article.