A lot of good things to do in Kolkata to keep you busy for at least a few days, I could spend days just wandering the streets and checking out the local street life.

You could probably get pretty lost pretty easily in a place like Kolkata but it’s a great way to see the city.  If you’re more organised and one of those types that needs to know where you are at all times, head straight to the Mullick Ghat Flower Market and then walk to Kumartuli, (you can see where they are on our Things to Do in Kolkata map) in between there there’s so much happening, so much to see and experience that you can easily spend half a day or a day just around that area.

The Mullick Ghat Flower Market is a real opener and one of the best things to do in Kolkata while you’re there.  It’s total chaos in some areas but a lot of fun to be there amongst it all. I’ve been to my share of markets throughout Asia but haven’t seen anything like this. Again, I think I could have stayed there for at least half a day if it’d had more time.

When you’ve had enough of the smells and sights of the busy streets and markets, head to the Victoria Memorial which, although still pretty busy, is much less crowded and you’ll have some open spaces to relax a bit.  The Victoria Memorial Gallery is open from 10a.m to 5:00p.m and the Gardens are open from March to September 5:30a.m to 6:15p.m, October to February 5:45a.m to 5:30p.m.

Best thing to do in Kolkata is a hire a guide, tell them where you want to go and ask them to recommend a few places off the tourist path, and go explore.  It’s not the greatest place for younger kids but I’ll be bringing Grobbler to give him a taste of India.