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. Chandan Nagar was first under the rule of the Nawabs, then the reigns shifted to the French. With the arrival of the British, Chandan Nagar changed thrones many times between French and British until finally it merged with the State of West Bengal at the time of independence. Owing to a turbulent and colorful history, Chandan Nagar has traces of various national and foreign influences.
Distance from Digha: 201 km
Best Time: October to February
If you wish to spend some time in peace and tranquillity, then Junput is your place. This sea beach adorned with casuarina groves, accompanied by the rhythmic sound of sea waves and gentle breeze form a breathtaking experience. The most famous attraction is the convergence point of rivers Rasulpur and Ganga. Other attractions include the lighthouse and museum of the fisheries department. The best part about your visit to Junput is that other famous weekend gateways like Digha, Mandarmani, Tajpur and Talshree are all located at an hour’s drive. You can choose to drive to Junput, which is located at a distance of about 145 km from Kolkata.
Distance from Digha: 35 km
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. It is also the base for several well-known colleges like the Oriental Institute of Science and Technology, the Midnapore Medical College and Hospital, the Midnapore Law College, etc. This is one of the few towns in perhaps all of India's semi Urban landscape that has so many places to offer in their sheer number.
Distance from Digha: 125 km
Best Time: October to February
The river town of Falta is what constitutes your ideal picnic destination or weekend gateway. Marked by the confluence of river Hoogly and Damodar on the south and river Rupnarayan and Hoogly on the north, this place has developed entirely on the banks of river Hoogly. Known for the beautiful farmhouse- The Bose Bigyan Mandir of famous Bengali scientist Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose. The grounds of this farmhouse allow picnic activities. When if Falta, do not miss the Falta jetty to watch ferries crossing the river and walks along the riverside. You can also go for a boat ride on the river.
Distance from Digha: 118 km
Known For : Mahishadal Rajbari and Goplajew Temple Marine Drive, Haldia Sataku
Often considered as a mere river port assisting Kolkata, Haldia has more to offer to India than just foreign trade. With it's rich collection of heritage locations, temples and local markets, Haldia is geared upto be the next major tourist hub of West Bengal. From marine drives to palaces, Haldia is one of those rare places that combine the beauty of monuments with the bounty of nature. Explore this pristine land of legends, yet to be touched by tourist rush and commercialization.
Distance from Digha: 111 km
Best Time: October to March
Overview Tucked between Mandarmani and Shankarpur, Tajpur is a small town set on the the tranquil shore of the Bay of Bengal, just 170 kms from Kolkata. Considered to be a serene secret of West Bengal, the virgin beach is hidden away from view and is still untouched by commercialization and tourism. Bereft of chaos and cacophony, it provides the perfect escape from the hustle bustle of city life. The highlight of the pristine beach are the hundreds of red crabs that are found on the shores which also give a perfect crimson colour to the beach. Besides, unlike the usual crescent shaped beaches, this one is an inverted crimson in shape. Fringed by dense eucalyptus, tamarisk and casuarina trees, the secluded beach is perfect to just laze on a hammock and spend some time in solitude amidst the sun, sea and sand.
Distance from Digha: 130 km
Known For : Santragachi Jheel River Hooghly Howrah Bridge
Howrah often referred to as the doorway to or the twin city of Kolkata, is a bustling yet appealing town located on the western bank of the mesmerising River Hooghly flowing through West Bengal. One mention of the name and even a non-visitor would immediately envision the image of Howrah Bridge, which is a world-famous attraction that has not only put the town on the world map but has also made Howrah a significant transportation hub of the state. The name is derived from a Bengali word, Haor, which means fluvial swamps and describes the geology of the region which occupies about 1500 square kilometres area of the state.
Distance from Digha: 166 km
Best Time: October - March
Known For : Mandarmani Beach Shankarpur Beach Digha Beach
With more and more money being pumped into beaches all around the world to turn them into synthetic poolsides, Shankarpur gives you the luxury of experiencing the thrill of isolated beaches, calming winds and that typical old world charm. Known for its scenic beauty, the one thing that gives Shankarpur an edge over other beaches of India is its pristine surroundings. Shankarpur is a beautiful beach town in the East Medinipur district of West Bengal. Known by few and visited by even fewer, Shankarpur is the beautiful beach town that affords to give you the you the luxury of the sea, as it's meant to be- calm and boundless.
Distance from Digha: 15 km
Best Time: October to Apr
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. Bishnupur is a town with a rich heritage and a present as rich in culture, art and architecture. Its heritage and an ornamented culture transcends into multiple attractions for the tourists, which can be witnessed in the area's soft corner for classical music, paintings or while you take home a Baluchari sari. The temples that the area is known for include Jorbangla temple, Rasmancha temple, Shyamrai Temple and many more.
Distance from Digha: 199 km
Best Time: October to March
Jayrambati is a quaint village in the Bankura district, popularised as an important pilgrimage point among followers of Sri Ramakrishna for being the place of residence of the Holy Mother Sri Sharada Devi. The village has a certain old-world charm to it and has several small temples all across the village, the most popular one however being the Sri Sri Maitri Mandir devoted to the Holy Mother. The religious aspect of the village is what draws most visitors to the village and is an integral part of the village’s culture.
Distance from Digha: 211 km
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.
Distance from Digha: 180 km
Best Time: October to March
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. With the Hooghly river on its side and the numerous forts that add to its earthen charm, this town manages to be a getaway you will not want to miss.
Distance from Digha: 109 km
Best Time: October to March