West Bengal, India

Kolkata

Kolkata, the former capital of British India, is a city of grand Raj buildings, crowded bazaars, flower markets and a deep literary and food culture.

Kolkata: British Raj Heritage walk in Kolkata with guide
Featured walk: British Raj Heritage walk in Kolkata with guide · Photo supplied by Viator

The city on foot

Kolkata was the capital of British India until 1911. It remains India's cultural capital, home to writers, filmmakers and festivals.

Its centre is best walked with a guide, from Dalhousie Square to the old bazaars and the Hooghly river.

What makes Kolkata distinctive

  • Raj-era architecture
  • The Howrah Bridge
  • The flower market
  • Bengali sweets

Walking tours in Kolkata

Hand-picked guided walks in Kolkata, each rated highly by travellers. Ratings and photos are from Viator; select a tour to see dates, prices and full details, and to book.

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Prices are Viator's lowest "from" price per person, converted to pounds and checked on 29 October 2026. The booking page shows the current price in your currency.

By theme: Food tours in Kolkata · History walks in Kolkata

Compare with other cities: Food tours · History walks

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Main sights

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Neighbourhoods worth wandering

  • BBD Bagh

    The colonial core.

  • North Kolkata

    Old mansions and lanes.

  • Park Street

    Restaurants.

Free self-guided walk

Dalhousie to the river

A free self-guided walk in Kolkata, from Dalhousie Square past the Writers' Building and St John's Church to the Hooghly.

2 km · 5 stops · map and directions

See the walk

Best areas to explore on foot

  1. BBD Bagh

    Colonial buildings.

  2. College Street

    Books.

  3. Maidan

    A huge park.

Practical walking notes

  • Terrain

    Flat.

  • Heat

    Hot and humid much of the year.

  • Traffic

    Very busy.

When to visit

  • Winter

    November to February is best.

  • October

    Durga Puja.

Getting there and getting around

Arriving

  • By air

    Kolkata Airport is about 45 minutes away.

  • By rail

    Howrah and Sealdah stations.

Local transport

  • Metro

    India's oldest metro.

  • Taxis

    Yellow Ambassador taxis.

Questions travellers ask about Kolkata

How many days do I need?

Two or three days.

When is Durga Puja?

Usually October.

What should I eat?

Rosogolla, mishti doi and kathi rolls.

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Sources and review date

This guide was last updated on 2026-10-28. Opening hours, fares and services change; please confirm details with official sources before travelling.