25 Best Places to Visit in West Bengal

Imagine a place where you are travelling in a train and listening to the Baul music playing in the background with the complimentary chuckles and hushed tone of conversation of people. A gathering after Durga Puja where ladies in white and red sarees put vermilion on each other’s face and greet each other. Imagine these big beautiful eyed ladies discussing prices of the jewellery worn by them and how their kids are performing excellently in their dance, music and art classes and in their schools. Imagine a group of men gathered outside a drama/dance and music theatre, with one side of the cheek slightly puffed with the deposition of fresh paan (betel leaf) while they discuss the Rabindra Sangeet performance held earlier in the month. Imagine crossing by a narrow lane and start to get the aroma of mustard-cooked fish. Imagine a street full of stalls selling food from almost all the Indian states.

Welcome, you are in West Bengal – a proud witness of the evolution of Indian history and a hub of culture and tradition.

West Bengal, the hub of Indian culture, history and tradition, is a place which will always remind you of the sweetness of sandesh and mishti doi (sweet yoghurt) in your mouth. Not only that, the sweetness of people here will also make you remember its nooks and crannies of the place. In a nutshell, it’s a place that will give you millions of reasons to be there and make some travel memories. If you are also someone like us who delights in taking a deep look into the wonderful places of West Bengal, this blog is the ultimate guide for you to visit the top tourist places in the state.

Must-visit Places in West Bengal at A Glance:

Also Check Out: Popular Tour Packages for West Bengal

Kolkata

Kolkata is the face of West Bengal; it’s like the city offers a glimpse of what the entire state is about. From its elegant British Raj buildings to the sprawling gardens, from its historical colleges to its buzzing nightlife, and delicious food to sweets, Kolkata possesses all the necessary factors to be one of the best places to explore not only in West Bengal but in India. Home to a spawning generation of poets, writers, film producers and Nobel Prize winners, the city is also a cultural capital of the country. Expect to be wooed by the nominal prices of things, the hand-pulled-rickshaws, meandering streets with old-fashioned houses and an innumerable variety of sweets.

Highlights:

• Howrah Bridge
• Jorasanko Thakurbari
• Park Street
• Indian Museum
• Victoria Memorial
• Birla Temple
• Kolkata Racecourse
• Eden Gardens
• Marble Palace Mansion
• Kalighat Temple
• Science City
• Paul’s Cathedral
• Nakhoda Mosque

Shantiniketan

A small town near Bolpur in the Birbhum district, Shantiniketan is known better as the Treasure Trove of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. This small town is home to a university town, Visva-Bharati. Tagore founded an Ashram here in 1863 which became the university later. The Shantiniketan campus is adorned with splendid sculptures, frescoes, murals, and paintings of Rabindranath, Nandalal Bose, Ramkinkar, Binodbehari Mukhopadhyay. It is also popular for its Baul Singers and attending fairs and festivals here like Poush Mela (December) and Basanta Utsav (Holi)( in March) are the top things to do in West Bengal.

Highlights:

• Sonajhuri Forest
• Sonajhuri Market (Sonajhuri Hat)
• Rabindra Bhawan
• Visva Bharati Campus
• Srijani Shilpagram
• Chhatimtala
• Kala Bhawan
• Upasana Ghar or Prayer Hall
• Ballavpur Deer Park
• Kankalitala
• Kopai River

Mandarmani

Mandarmani is indeed one of the best places to visit in West Bengal to spend a relaxing vacation with friends and family members. This weekend getaway destination for people of Bengal is located about 14 kms from Chaulkhola in East Midnapore District. Locally called Mandarboni, the village offers a tranquil atmosphere amidst which the travellers can unwind and loosen their grip. The beach at Mandarmani is the perfect spot to watch the sunrise; one can also enjoy water sports like surfing, jet skiing, banana boat rides, ATV bikes and bungee trampoline here. It is to be noted that several water sports are conducted during the Digha-Mandarmani Festival held here in the month of January every year. The festival also showcases performances by several music bands. For those of you who like to shop, the objects and ornaments made from seashells and oysters are available in plenty here.

Highlights:

• Mandarmani Beach
• The Delta or Mohana

Bishnupur

Known for its ancient temples dating back to the 15th century, Bishnupur is the history lovers’ paradise. Situated in the Bankura District, Bishnupur has some beautiful terracotta temples and a prosperous Baluchari Saree industry which is famous across the globe. It is believed that art and culture flourished here during the reign of the Malla Rulers who were the patrons of painting and music. The famous temples, which are given a status of heritage place stand here as a proof of the gorgeous architecture that this place once was adorned with.

Highlights:

• Jorebangla Temple
• Rasmancha
• Pancha Ratna Temple
• Radha Govinda Temple
• Gate of Old Fort
• Keibul Lamjao National Park
• Loukoipat Ecological Park
• Sarbamangala Temple

Sunderbans

Here is what makes West Bengal eligible for praise, the Sundarban, a major attraction of heritage tourism in West Bengal. Being world’s largest delta and also the largest Mangrove Forest, Sunderban is on the bucketlist of many travel aficionados around the world. It is the River Matla that divides Sundarban Reserved Forest into Sundarban Tiger Reserve (on the east) and Reserved Forest of South 24 Parganas Forest Division. A 5,400 sq km of non-forest, inhabited region along the north and north-western fringe of mangrove forest, Sundarban is bounded by River Muriganga on the west and Harinbhahga and Raimangal Rivers in the east and one can refer it to the centre of wildlife tourism in West Bengal. It is the biosphere reserve that has received the recognition of UNESCO under its Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme in November 2001. Sundarban National Park, forming the core area of Sundarban Tiger Reserve has also received recognition as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987. One of the largest reserves for Royal Bengal Tigers, Sunderban is also home to a variety of birds, reptiles and many more species. Spotting tigers and capturing pictures of birds here are one of the best things to do in West Bengal.

Highlights:

• Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary
• Nearby Villages
• Netidhopani
• Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project
• Mangrove Interpretation Centre

Digha

A sea-side city, Digha is an ideal weekend destination from Kolkata. Digha is extremely popular amidst tourists for its pristine beaches and that is why one must book their tour well in advance, especially on the weekends. This popular coastal town is located in West Medinipur around 200 kms from Kolkata. One of the most popular tourist attractions in West Bengal, Digha is an ideal place to have fun-filled holidays to break the monotony of everyday life. Make sure to try the fried fish that the locals sell, collect sea shells, follow trails left behind by crabs and sip on coconut water while lazing under an umbrella on the beach after a sightseeing tour to nearby places.

Highlights:

• New Digha Beach
• Shankarpur Beach
• Talsari Beach
• Udaipur
• Marine Station/Aquarium of Zoological Survey of India
• Temple at Chandaneswar

Darjeeling

Other than Kolkata, Darjeeling is the place that gives West Bengal its unique identity. A much-celebrated hill-station in India, Darjeeling is the destination that provides the opportunity to unwind amidst the scenic and serene environ. Blessed with tea estates, red rhododendrons, white magnolias, birds of different species, colonial-era buildings and the Toy-Train facility, this hill station in West Bengal is a perfect tourist destination in India. Trekking, river rafting, and bird watching are some of the activities that you can indulge in Darjeeling apart from enjoying sightseeing and the Toy-Train ride. Click here to read more.

Highlights:

• Kanchenjunga
• Sandakphu
• Tiger Hill
• Peace Pagoda
• Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
• Batasia Loop
• Mall Road
• Everest Museum
• Barbotey Rock Garden
• Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary
• Neora National Park

Bankura

Popularly known as the Rarh area of Bengal, Bankura is a district in West Bengal that boasts about the fine terracotta temples, dense virgin forests, rolling hills and several scenic spots. A part of Eastern Chota Nagpur Plateau, Bankura district includes Bishnupur, which has been mentioned in the blog separately. Apart from Bishnupur, the must-visit place in West Bengal, Bankura district is also famous for its murmuring rivers, old brown hills and ancient temples which represent a testament of its rich history, culture and tradition with deets of uniqueness. The hills are the best places to go for a hike and the temples are the perfect places to explore to learn about Bengali culture and history.

Highlights:

• Biharinath Hill
• Susunia Hills
• Mukutmanipur Dam
• Rasmancha
• Garh Darwaja
• Krishna-Balaram Temple
• Ganesh and Nandi Statue

Midnapore

The town Midnapore, also called Medinipur is a place for pilgrimage tours in West Bengal as it is home to a few ancient temples and mosques. The place is also famous for the memorials of many freedom fighters. It is believed to be highly influenced by Buddhism and Jainism in ancient times. Moreover, the bustling port of Tamralipta, which is now known as Tamluk, is the most significant archaeological site here as its name is mentioned in the books of Fa-Hien and Xuanzang, two of the most prominent travellers in history. Situated on the banks of the Kangsabati River, Midnapore is known for its sweet shops that sell fine quality Bengali sweets – ‘Khirer Goja’ or Bengali Gossip.

Highlights:

• Bahiri
• Chandrakona
• Shankarpur Beach
• Dantan
• Garbeta
• Bargabhima Temple
• Kurumbera Fort
• Jora Masjid
• Egra
• Dandeswar Mahadev Temple
• Baptist Mission Church
• Keshiari

Siliguri

Siliguri is a picturesque town offering spectacular views of the Himalayas on clear bright days. It is quite famous for its tea gardens and a thick forest. The city is located on the bank of the Mahananda River and is one of the best sightseeing places to stop by if travelling to Darjeeling, Kalimpong or Sikkim. If you wish, you can also visit the colourful Salugara gompa that is about 5 kms from the main town and is adorned with an imposing chorten-like spire. Siliguri is also an ideal place to shop for Chinese knock-offs in the bustling Hong Kong Market, which is off the Sevoke Road in the heart of town.

Highlights:

• Salugara Monastery
• Mahananda Weir Wildlife Sanctuary
• Dudhia
• Madhuban Park
• Hong Kong Market
• Bengal Safari
• Chilapata Forest
• Coronation Bridge
• Kanchenjunga Stadium
• Surya Sen Park
• ISKCON Temple
• Shorea Forest Recreation Centre
• Fulbari Barrage
• Sevoke, Kalijhora, Mongpong

Murshidabad

Located on the bank of River Bhagirathi, Murshidabad is an ancient city in West Bengal. It was the last capital of independent Bengal under the rule of Nawab Murshid Quli Khan. It is believed that the city was at its height of glory before the British rulers shifted the capital to Kolkata in the year 1773. The place where the historical battle of Plassey or Palashi which was fought between Lord Clive and Nawab Siraj ud-Daulahand in 1757 is situated around 40 km from Murshidabad. The town still bears memories of Nawabs that once ruled here and contributed to the city’s beauty by building mosques, tombs, and gardens. They even set up industries of ivory, gold and silver embroidery and silk weaving. Murshidabad today is a centre for agriculture, handicrafts and sericulture.

Highlights:

• Hazarduari Palace Museum
• Imambara
• Wasef Manzil
• Jalangi River
• Nasipur Palace
• Katra MosqueJahankosha Cannon
• Kathgola
• Khosh Bagh

Hooghly

Probably one of the most famous places in West Bengal, Hooghly is reckoned to be the place where Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Sarada Devi, two of the respected personalities from Bengal stayed for several years. It also has historical significance as it was colonised by Portuguese, French and the Dutch and one can still see the influence of the colonisation in the architecture here. The district is the witness of the era of different foreign-settlers in different places such as Chandanagar was once a French colony and you can find the French influence here in abundance. From 1656 to 1825, Chinsurah was a Dutch settlement. So, this moderately bustling destination is for those who enjoy spending time exploring the stories of glorious past. It is to be noted, visiting Hooghly, specifically Chandanagar during the time of Jagadhatri Puja is one of the best things to do in West Bengal.

Highlights:

• Chandannagar Museum
• Serampore
• Bhadreswar
• Tarakeshwar Temple
• Hooghly Imambara
• Hangseshwari Temple
• Deer Park
• Sri Ramakrishna Math
• Garh Mandaran

Kalimpong

Kalimpong is a lovely hill station in the lower Himalayas, situated at an elevation of 1,250 metres. Overlooking the Teesta River, Kalimpong is an ideal destination for nature lovers as the place is blessed with bounties of nature and offers incredible views of the Himalayas. One of the popular points of tourist interest in West Bengal, Kalimpong offers a tranquil environment to attain peace of mind. There is no dearth of sightseeing places in Kalimpong as the hill station is adorned with a number of valleys, churches, Buddhist monasteries and Tibetan colonies. It is also a religious centre of Buddhism as the monasteries house some rare Tibetan Buddhist scriptures. One gets to witness the traditional handicraft, and a wide array of orchids in a flower market here.

Highlights:

• Deolo Hill
• Morgan House
• Durpin Dara Home
• 7th Mile View Point
• Kalimpong Cactus Nursery
• Pine View Nursery
• Jaldhaka River Valley
• Tharpa Choeling Gompa
• Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brang Gompa
• Thongsa Gompa
• Zang Dhok Palri Phodang

Kamarpukur

A village in Hooghly district, Kamarpukur is an ancient place that invites all the history buffs and religious people. A visit to this place adorned with old buildings, temples and tanks can take you back in time. Kamarpukur is also considered sacred as it is the birthplace of the famous Bengali saint Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa. He was a great philosopher from the 19th century and became popular during his tenure as the main priest of Dakshineswar Temple. Kamarpukur attracts flocks of devotees of Ramakrishna, who love to attain peace and harmony in his quaint native place. Situated at a distance of around eight kilometres, Jairambati is also popular among people who love to explore religious tourism in West Bengal. Jairambati is the birthplace of another prominent personality, Sarada Devi, who also was the wife of Ramakrishna.

Highlights:

• Kamarpukur Ramakrishna Math
• Talpukur Tank
• Punya Pukur
• Haldarpukur Tank
• Simhavahini Temple
• Jairambati Math
• Mukundapur Temple
• Yogi Shiva Temple
• Gopeshwar Temple
• Matri Mandir

Jalpaiguri

Enjoying a beautiful topography, Jalpaiguri is a blissful destination in West Bengal for nature lovers. Since it is easy to access Darjeeling and Sikkim from here, you would find the city bustling with tourists all year round. The name Jalpaiguri came from the word ‘Jalpai’, meaning ‘Olive’, which grew in this town and the suffix ‘Guri’ means a place, so Jalpaiguri is basically the ‘Place of Olives’. The name is also said to be associated with Jalpesh or Shiva, who is the presiding deity of the entire region. The untouched beauty of the forest and the rolling tea-gardens lined by the roads towards the hills of Darjeeling offers serenity to tourists throughout the year. The whole topography of Jalpaiguri is crisscrossed with rivulets, rivers and hills making it nature lovers’ haven.

Highlights:

• Dooars
• Murti River
• Gorumara National Park
• Buxa Tiger Reserve
• Mendabari Fort
• The Baptist Church
• Panjhora River

Mirik

Dubbed ‘Nest in the Hills of West Bengal’, Mirik is a beautiful hill town in Darjeeling district at the height of 1,767 metres. The town is situated at a distance of about 49 kms from Darjeeling and it is one of the main sightseeing places to visit for people travelling to Darjeeling. Mirik has a beautiful long lake that is fed by perennial streams. A floating fountain in the middle of the lake is the highlight of the place. Mirik is also adorned with thousands of Cryptomeria-Japonica trees. It certainly is one of those places where one can attempt a solo trip in India. A boat ride in the lake is an ideal thing to do in Mirik along with trekking.

Highlights:

• Mirik Lake
• Pashupati Nagar
• Bunkulung
• Bokar Monastery
• Rameetay Dara
• Devi Sthan

Cooch Behar

A land influenced greatly by the Mughals is Cooch Behar in Jalpaiguri District. Cooch Behar is not only famous for the Mughal influenced monuments, but is also known for massive water bodies. The place was once the only planned town in the North Bengal region and one can still see the remnants of the royal heritage here. It makes a great destination for those who have a keen interest in learning about the rich history of Bengal. Cooch Behar is also known for its fresh nature, moderate climate and beauty. It is believed that the ancient Kamrup kingdom played a major role in building the present town. The must-see place in the whole town is the palace of Cooch Behar which was built by the Koch king Maharaja Nripendra Narayan in 1887. The design of the magnificent palace resembles the classic style of European architecture.

Highlights:

• Cooch Behar Palace
• Chilapata Forest Range
• Rasikbil
• Sagardighi
• Madan Mohan Temple
• Dangar Ayee Temple

Birbhum

Called the ‘Land of the Brave’, Birbhum is a district in West Bengal that holds great importance in the history of the state. Birbhum is known as the ‘Land of the red soil’ for its red soil houses and the roads. Since the beginning, several kings have ruled the place and the ancient ruins found in the district distinctly depict the stories. The most prominent place in the district is Shantiniketan, which has already been discussed separately in the blog. Apart from it, Tarapith, Kankalitala Mandir which are the two famous temples in West Bengal, a natural hot spring called Bakreswar, Labpur, Nanoor, Joydev Kenduli, Dubrajpur, Nalhati, Patharchapuri, Rajnagar, Hetampur and Kaleswar Shiv Mandir are other places to visit in the district.

Highlights:

• Shantiniketan
• Dubrajpur
• Hetampur
• Fullara
• Ballabhpur Wildlife Sanctuary
• Temple of Nandikeshwari
• Tarapith
• Mama-Bhagne Pahar
• Bakreswar

Barrackpore

Barrackpore is a land rich in nature’s beauty as well as history. It was here the famous Sepoy Mutiny originated and this has earned Barrackpore a special mention in the history of India. Very few people know about Barrackpore but it is actually worth a visit for those who take keen interest in history. There are places like Gandhi Memorial Museum, Gandhi Ghat and Rishi Bankim Sangrahasala that are must visit for history lovers, whereas, nature lovers can enjoy picnics at Mathura Beel or a place beside the River Ganga.

Highlights:

• Mangal Pandey Park
• Gandhi Museum
• Jawahar Kunj Garden
• Gandhi Ghat
• Bartholomew Cathedral
• Indira Gandhi Water Treatment Plant
• Kali Temple

Kurseong

Located at an altitude of 1,458 metres, Kurseong is a beautiful and lesser known hill station in West Bengal. About 30 kms from Darjeeling, Kurseong is blessed with a salubrious climate all through the year, which definitely makes it an ideal summer destination in West Bengal. What attracts most about this place is the utter peace that it provides. It is worth mentioning that some of the famous poems and songs of Noble Laureate Rabindranath Tagore were composed in Kurseong and such is the magic of this place! Also, the famed painter, Abanindranath Tagore, and great composer Atul Prasad Sen found inspiration for some of their famous works around Kurseong. The lovely tea estates and Raj-era buildings add charm to this place.

Highlights:

• Makaibari Tea Estate
• Eagle’s Crag
• Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Museum
• Castleton Tea Estate
• Giddapahar Mandir Temple
• Deer Park
• Ambotia Shiva Mandir Temple
• Bhangzang Salamander Lake
• Sitong
• Kettle Valley

Mayapur

Located at a distance of around 130 km in north, Mayapur is known as the ‘Kirtan Capital of The World.’ It is situated in the Nadia District, at the confluence of Jalangi River and Bhagirathi River. Adjacent to Nabadwip, another place in Nadia known for its spiritual values, Mayapur is the headquarter of ISKCON, International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Though the place is presently known for being home to a beautiful ISKCON Temple that attracts flocks of devotees from all over the world, the name was derived from Miyapur, the settlement of Muslim fishermen. A holy place for the followers of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, Mayapur can be reached from Nabadwip Dham, which is famous for being the birthplace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Highlights:

• ISKCON Temple
• Yoga Peeth
• Shri Chaitanya Math
• Sri Devananda Gaudiya Math
• Goshala
• Jagannath Mandir
• Navadwip Mandal
• Ballal Dhipi
• Chand Kazi Samadhi

Lava and Lolegaon

Lava and Lolegaon or Loleygaon are two quaint villages situated in the Kalimpong District at a distance of 24 kms. Both of these charming villages are home to Lepchas, an indigenous community of Sikkim and Nepal. Surrounded by forests of oaks, pines and cypress along with snow clad peaks, both the villages are a perfect place to unwind yourself away from the chaos of daily life. Relaxing amidst the freshness of pure nature, watching the snowy peaks, eating homemade Lepcha dishes, enjoying a bonfire beside the river and having paragliding flights to enjoy the adrenaline rush are some of the best things to do here.

Highlights:

• Lolegaon Viewpoint
• Changey Falls
• Jhandi Dara Viewpoint
• Neora Valley National Park
• Rishyap
• Kagyu Thekchen Ling Monastery
• Lava Viewpoint

Purulia

The westernmost district of West Bengal which acts as a connection between Bengal and the states like Odisha, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, Purulia is one of the popular places to visit. The best time to visit this place is from February to March, around the time of Holi when it gets bloomed with Palash flowers all around. However, its green landscape, dense forests that lead the travellers to the verdant hills for a short hike, looks magical and provides mesmerising views after the rainy season. Apart from this, the place is also famous for being home to several tribal groups and their culture. Spending leisure time in the evening after having a day trip to the sightseeing places and enjoying the musical performances of the tribes like Santhals, Kurmis and Kherias-Sabars are the most popular things to do in Purulia.

Highlights:

• Baranti Reservoir or Murardi Lake
• Ajodhya
• Gajaburu Hills
• Surulia
• Doldanga
• Garpanchkot

Gangasagar

Famous for being the place of the annual Gangasagar Mela or Fair which attracts lakhs of devotees from all around the country, Gangasagar is originally a village on the southernmost tip of the state along the Bay of Bengal. The entire place is located in the Delta of Ganges and encircled by numerous channels that lead to different islands such as Sagar Island, Henry Island, Fraserganj Island and Frederick Island. Apart from village tourism in these islands, Gangasagar witnesses flocks of tourists around the time of Makar Sankranti in the mid-January. The fair is the oldest and largest living tradition of Bengal where the devotees take a sacred dip in the sea on the auspicious day of ‘sankranti.’ Visiting this place would not be completed without visiting Kapil Muni Ashram and nearby places such as Bakkhali, Jambudwip, Ghoramara Island and more.

Highlights:

• Kapil Muni Ashram
• Jambudwip
• Ghoramara Island
• Sagar Lighthouse
• Muri Ganga River
• Sagar Beach
• Sagar Lighthouse
• Bakkhali
• Sajnekhali
• Omkarnath Temple

Jhargram

Jhargram is a district in West Bengal located beyond the Gangetic Plains, surrounded by the hill ranges of Kankrajhor and Belpahari in the north and River Subarnarekha in the south. The whole district is an abode of nature, adorned with forests of sal, mahul, teak and peasal which are home to wild elephants, deer and birds. The hills are also a place for people who love hiking. Apart from nature, the royal palaces and ancient temples attract history buffs from all around the country. However, the special mention of the place is about the tribes and their culture which can amuse you and make a reason to return here again and again.

Highlights:

• Jhargram Royal Palace or Jhargram Raj Bari
• Chilkigarh Palace
• Barasuli Dam
• Kanak Durga Temple
• Jhilli Pakhiralay
• Kendua
• Deer Park or Jhargram Mini Zoo
• Chilkigarh
• Kankrajhor
• Belpahari
• Hatibari

Conclusion

Don’t think that these are the only places to see in West Bengal; there are plenty of others. So, if you have been to some place in West Bengal that is not mentioned in the list but truly deserves to be explored, name them in the comment box below. Don’t forget to share this blog, if it makes you happy or smile for that matter. You can also book a tour with Tour My India that offers top tour packages in India. All you need to do is to give us a call at +91-9212777224 or simply drop us an email at info@tourmyindia.com.

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