Places to visit in West Bengal

From Himalayan tea hills to the Sundarbans.

Capital KolkataPlaces in this guide 11

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Places to see

Darjeeling

Tea gardens, the UNESCO toy train and sunrise over Kanchenjunga from Tiger Hill.

Best time: Mar–May, Oct–Nov

Sundarbans

South 24 Parganas

World’s largest mangrove forest and home of the Bengal tiger, a UNESCO site.

Best time: Nov–Mar

Victoria Memorial, Kolkata

Kolkata

White-marble memorial and museum beside the Maidan.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Santiniketan

Birbhum

Tagore’s university town, a UNESCO site, known for Poush Mela.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Digha

Purba Medinipur

Popular seaside town on the Bay of Bengal.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Bishnupur

Bankura

Terracotta temples and Baluchari weaving.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Jaldapara National Park

Alipurduar

Dooars grassland with one-horned rhinos and elephant safaris.

Best time: Nov–May

Mandarmani

Purba Medinipur

Long drive-on beach with red crabs, popular for weekends.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Gorumara National Park

Jalpaiguri

Dooars forest with rhinos, elephants and gaur.

Best time: Oct–May

Murshidabad

Last Nawabs' capital with the Hazarduari Palace.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Kalimpong

Hill town of monasteries, nurseries and views of the Teesta.

Best time: Mar–Jun

Food to try in West Bengal

Rosogolla, Mishti doi, Macher jhol.

Crafts and products

Darjeeling tea, Baluchari saree.

Festivals

Durga Puja, Kolkata: Sep–Oct. Kolkata’s artistic pandals turn the city into an open-air gallery; a UNESCO intangible heritage.

Timings, permits and prices change. Check official sources before you travel.