Top Historical Places in West Bengal

Known For : Victoria Memorial Fort William Kolkata Belur Math

Kolkata, India's second biggest city, is a perpetually ongoing festival of human existence, concurrently luxurious and squalid, refined and frantic, pointedly futuristic, while beautifully in decay. A vibrant 350-year-old metropolis located on India's Eastern Coast, the capital of West Bengal thrives on contradictions and imposing spectacles; nothing is commonplace in this city. Famously known as the City of Joy, Kolkata is, in every sense, the artistic, cultural and intellectual capital of the country. Kolkata's streets are vivid, hectic, chaotic, and yet, brimming with life and creativity. Driven by the indomitable spirit of the self-made middle class, the city has created a beautiful juxtaposition of the old colonial-era charm with the nascent upcoming hipster culture that thrives amongst the city's millennial residents.

Best Time: October to March

79 Kolkata Attractions

Known For : Morgan House Durpin Dara hill Cactus Nursery

Kalimpong is a virgin hill station in West Bengal renowned for its panoramic valley views, Buddhists monasteries and churches and Tibetan handicrafts etc.

Best Time: March to June, September to December

24 Kalimpong Attractions

Known For : Tagore's ashrama Poush Mela Amar Kutir

Known to few, mainly as Rabindranath Tagore's home and now a university, Santiniketan is a small town located in the Birbhum district of West Bengal. The town comprises mainly of Visva Bharati University.

Best Time: Mid August to March

15 Santiniketan Attractions

Known For : Tiger Hill Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Batasia Loop

Jaw-dropping locales, mesmerising sunrises, the untouched beauty of the hills, the old-world charm of the past, and the welcoming smiles of the local people all add up to make Darjeeling one of the most beautiful hill stations in Eastern part of India. Spread over a steep mountain ridge, nestled amidst acres of lush green tea plantations, Darjeeling stands at the height of 2,050 meters above sea level, thus boasting of cool climes all year round. This scenic hill station is the perfect getaway for a romantic honeymoon and is just around 700 kilometres away from Kolkata.

Best Time: February to March, September to December

31 Darjeeling Attractions

Known For : Rajbari Madan Mohan Temple Sagardihi

Cooch Behar, once the province of Koch dynasty, is a small planned town in North West Bengal Coch Behar makes up as a good option for weekend getaways for the eco-tourists along with those with an inclination towards history and archaeology.

Best Time: Throughout the year

5 Cooch Behar Attractions

Known For : Dakhil Darwaza Gour Firoz Minar

If you are in the mood to revisit your roots, Malda is the picture perfect place for you. Located at the confluence of the rivers Mahanadi and Kalindi, in the interiors of West Bengal, about 350 km from Kolkata, the charming town of Malda is popular not only for its mango orchards but also for its rich history and heritage. Malda literarily has Indian History written into every street and every corner of the city. Mango, silk and jute are popular products of the district. Mulberry plantations and mango orchards occupy a large area.

Best Time: October to November, February to March

14 Malda Attractions

Known For : Chandan Nagar Museum The Patal Bari The Chandan Nagar Strand

Wrapped in the interiors of West Bengal, in the Hooghly District, is the small yet significant town of Chandan Nagar. This small town which could have been in place of present day Kolkata, had history gone as planned, has the most unique and formidable history in perhaps all of India.

Best Time: October to February

6 Chandannagar Attractions

Known For : 108 Shiv Mandir Christ Church Golap Bagh

With a convergence of religion, nature, man-made marvels and the proverbial old world charm, Bardhaman is the ideal fit for a weekend getaway.

Best Time: October to March

14 Bardhaman Attractions

Known For : Netaji Subash Chandra Bose Museum Ambotia Shiva Mandir Tea Gardens in Kurseong

Also known as the 'Land of White Orchids', Kurseong is a hill station located close to Darjeeling famous for its waterfalls, temples and Buddhist gompas apart from the excellent view that the place provides.

Best Time: April to May, August to October

9 Kurseong Attractions

Known For : Susunia Hill Joyrambati Bishnupur

With much historical significance, Bankura is a town famous for its hills and temples and a treat for adventure sports enthusiasts such as trekkers and hikers.

Best Time: October to March

9 Bankura Attractions

Known For : Rasmancha Lalji Temple Susunia Hill

A small town in West Bengal famous for its terracota temples, Bishnupur is famous among tourists, especially for its rich culture including architecture, music and handicraft.

Best Time: October to March

12 Bishnupur Attractions

Known For : The F fort Diamond Harbour Lighthouse at Diamond Harbour

Located only 50 kms away from Kolkata and yet a world apart, Raichak, is a riverside town and is nothing short of a breathe of fresh air in its ultra urban and commercialized surrounding.

Best Time: October to March

8 Raichak Attractions

Known For : Tamluk Chandrakona Jora Masjid

In the interiors of West Bengal is yet another treasure- Midnapore town or Medinipur, as it is locally known. Midnapore combines the beauty of India's multi religion culture with the exuberance of ancient history.

Best Time: October to February

11 Midnapore Attractions