Top Weekend Getaways from Kolkata

Kolkata as the City of Joy is about gorgeous colonial buildings along with idyllic trams, brilliant literature, sinful Bengali treats, and energy-packed football matches. With plenty of scenery and exciting destinations to explore around the city, it would be much easier to explore by booking a taxi service in Kolkata or other sources of travelling. Whether you love the thrill of forests, the peace of beaches, or the mystery of historical places, you will find all types of road trip point options to satisfy every tourist’s passion. And, all the fabulous places call the visitors in enormous numbers for Weekend Getaways from Kolkata.

Top Weekend Getaways from Kolkata to Explore

Let’s read about the best places to visit near Kolkata a road trip by taxi in Kolkata:

1. Chandan Nagar

Its picturesque location attracts visitors from India as Hooghly River’s western bank offers the best natural views. On the other hand, its French colonial past becomes a considerable charm for arrivals. With its beautiful history, elegant architecture, and mesmerizing religious attractions, Chandannagar proves it as the top weekend getaway from Kolkata to plan a trip. The city is also famous for its Jagadhatri Puja celebrations, as it allows tourists to admire glorious lighting and beautiful craftsmanship at pandals & pooja.   

• Distance from Kolkata to Chandan Nagar: 50 km
• Estimated Riding Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Best time to visit: October to February
• Attractions for Tourists: Chandannagar Strand, Nandadulal Temple, Chandannagar Museum, Patal Bari, and Sacred Heart Church

2. Raichak

Raichak is a riverside village counted among those road trip spots from Kolkata that offer a beautiful nature view. This location connects the visitors with earthy vibes, calmness, and respite from the chaos of urban living. For nature photographers, it is also the best spot if looking for nearby Kolkata points to see. For exploring the rustic way of life or to admire colonial-era structures, you can choose Raichak as your weekend getaway for a road trip. Also, you can taste freshly caught fish during your road trip to Raichak and shop for local handicrafts.    

• Distance from Kolkata to Raichak: 55 km
• Estimated Riding Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Best time to visit: October to March
• Attractions for Tourists: The Fort, Chingrikhali Fort, Joynagar, Diamond Harbour and its lighthouse, and Aashram of Ramakrishna Mission

3. Digha

When looking to visit the coastal town of Digha, you will find here the favorite beaches along with the natural beauty. During the visit to the Bay of Bengal, Digha allows travellers to simply laze around and splash around in the waves. You can also capture the unforgettable and beautiful moments of sunrises and sunsets. If you want to learn more about marine life, head to aquariums, experience spiritual bliss at the temples locally, or enjoy water sports like snorkelling, skiing, and parasailing. 

• Distance from Kolkata to Digha: 182 km
• Estimated Riding Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
• Best time to visit: October to February
• Attractions for Tourists: New Digha Beach, Talsari Beach, Old Digha Beach, Chandpur Beach, Chandaneswar Temple, Udaipur Beach, Shankarpur Beach, Amaravati Park, and Marine Aquarium cum Regional Centre

4. Sundarbans

Undoubtedly, Sundarbans is one of the best road trips near Kolkata. If you want to see its far and wide mangrove forests and their remarkable biodiversity, you can easily visit by booking a taxi from Kolkata. If you are a nature lover, you will fall in love with the different types of trees. You can also find various wildlife in this UNESCO World Heritage Site to make the moment of complete entertainment. Even if you cannot see a Royal Bengal Tiger, you can catch a glimpse of jungle cats, wild boars, foxes, deer, leopard cats, and the Indian grey mongoose. 

Various birds like the Mangrove Whistler, Jungle Babbler, and Black-Capped Kingfisher are readily available for your trip. 

• Distance from Kolkata to Sundarbans: 110 km
• Estimated Riding Time: 2 hours 55 (before taking a boat)
• Best time to visit: September to March
• Attractions for Tourists: Sundarban National Park, Netidhopani, Sajnekhali Watch Tower, Sudhanyakhali Watch Tower, Kanak, Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project

5. Mayapur

Mayapur is located at the confluence of the Ganges and Jalangi rivers. This place is the home to several religious spots that attract the most tourists. It is a spiritual getaway for Radha-Madhava devotees during the trip from Kolkata. If you want to know all about the Hare Krishna Movement, you will find the global headquarters of ISKCON. You can explore the architectural beauty of the temples that beautify this place. Also, it would be easy to know the history behind them, learn all about Vedic principles and take a boat ride with a breathtaking sunset.

• Distance from Kolkata to Mayapur: 124 km
• Estimated Riding Time: 3 hours 55 minutes
• Best time to visit: October to March
• Attractions for Tourists: ISKCON Chandrodaya Temple, Chand Kazi’s Samadhi, Sri Devananda Gaudiya Math, Sri Chaitanya Math, and Yoga Peeth

6. Bishnupur

Hindu temples made of local terracotta are a considerable charm when visiting Bishnupur. If you are interested in history, architecture, and art, you can ride to this place as a short getaway. Explore its rich heritage that dates back to 1600 AD and makes a historical charm for arrivals. Many temples at this spot boast unique designs like stucco decoration, domed tops, curved cornices, and tales from the Puranas. Also, visit scenic hill stations and forests like Susunia Hill and Jhilimili for adventure and nature photography. 

• Distance from Kolkata to Bishnupur: 139 km
• Estimated Riding Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
• Best time to visit: October to March
• Attractions for Tourists: Jorebangla Temple, Madan Mohan Temple, Rasmancha Temple, Lalji Temple, and Radha Shyam Temple

7. Santiniketan

Santiniketan is widely famous for Rabindranath Tagore’s generous contributions. Rabindranath Tagore made Santiniketan a hub for education as a writer, poet, painter, and music composer. Nowadays, it is easy to explore various beautiful learning centres and heritage buildings in peaceful natural areas apart from Tagore’s abode, gorgeous meditation spots, and museums. Moreover, during the Poush Mela festival, it would be easy to visit here and shop for pretty local & cultural handicrafts. 

• Distance from Kolkata to Santiniketan: 162 km
• Estimated Riding Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
• Best time to visit: July to February
• Attractions for Tourists: Tagore’s Ashram, Kala Bhavan, Deer Park, China Bhavan, Rabindra Bhavan Museum, Kankalitala, Uttarayan Complex, Chattimtala, Upasana Griha, Sangeet Bhavan, and Nippon Bhavan

8. Tarakeshwar

If you are making mind for religious places to visit from Kolkata, then you can choose Tarakeshwar. Tarakeshwar may be an ideal place for you if you are a devotee of Lord Shiva. Pay your respects to Baba Taraknath Temple and explore its traditional Bengali-style architecture. Take a holy dip into the sacred Dudhpukur Tank if you want your demanding wishes to be fulfilled. During the festivals like Neel Puja, Charak Puja Mela, and Gajan, you can see a flock of visitors to Tarakeshwar. 

• Distance from Kolkata to Tarakeshwar: 64 km
• Estimated Riding Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
• Best time to visit: October to March
• Attractions for Tourists: Deulpara Buddha Temple

9. Ganga Sagar

Gangasagar, also famous as Sagardwip, is an island in the Ganges delta where the river meets with the Bay of Bengal. Gangasagar is a prominent holy place for the Hindu community, and a massive crowd of thousands visit during the Gangasagar Mela. During 14th-15th January (Makar Sankranti), it calls many devotees from all over India. Although it is famous for religious reasons, you will also find the various scenic charms of the places here. 

• Distance from Kolkata: 120 km
• Estimated Riding Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
• Best time to visit: November to February