Kolkata/Maidan

By metro

• Maidan metro station

• Park Street metro station

• Rabindra Sadan metro station

By circular railway

• Eden Gardens railway station

  address: ~8, Strand Rd

• Pricep Ghat railway station

  address: Kolkata Riverfront, Fort William

By bus

By boat

• Babu Ghat

  address: Strand rd

Area landmarks

• Fort WilliamIn the early 18th century, a dense jungle was cut down to build the fort and develop the maidan , after the earlier mud defense was destroyed in 1756. In Bengali, the Maidan is known as garer math (the field of the fort). The present fort, an irregular squat octagon was completed in 1733. It stands where Gobindapur village once stood. Today, it is the headquarters of the Indian Army's Eastern Command and is not open to the public.

• MaidanThe new Fort William was completed in 1773. The tiger-haunted jungle which cut off the village of Chowringhee from the river was cleared, and gave way to the wide grassy stretch of the Maidan of which the city is so proud. The Maidan was developed as a 5 sq km parade ground for the British forces and even today is army property. It is a vast stretch of field and home to numerous play grounds, including the famous cricketing venue Eden Gardens, several football grounds, and Kolkata Race Course. The Maidan sports several statues. The roads on the Maidan are dotted with tiny greenish bungalow-tents (club houses) belonging to various sports clubs. There are numerous patches for playing. Some of the larger clubs occupy the fields with wooden galleries. The big three of Kolkata football, Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting have a noticeable presence but there also are names with faded glory such as Rangers. Somewhere in between fit in organisations such as Kennel Club and Press Club. There also are lower order clubs, who do not have much of a following but have a noticeable contribution and sometimes spring a surprise – Wari, Aryans, Rajasthan and so on – and a host of office clubs.Once in a while the Brigade Parade Ground has political rallies with crowds numbering one hundred thousand plus.

• Vidyasagar Setu BridgeWith a total length of 823 metres (2,700 ft), Vidyasagar Setu is the longest cable–stayed bridge in India and one of the longest in Asia. It was the second bridge to be built across the Hooghly River; the first, the Howrah Bridge 3.7 km to the north. The bridge was commissioned in 1992.

• Burmese PavilionSet in a small lake, which was brought from Burma by Lord Dalhousie in 1854

• Glorious Dead MemorialGlorious Dead Memorial is a memorial dedicated to the fallen soldiers of World War I

• M.P. Birla Planetarium

  address: 96, Jawaharlal Nehru Rd,
  96, Jawaharlal Nehru Road. one of the oldest Planetaria in India. The only planetarium in the country whose dome houses a collection of projectors and optical equipment expensively imported from East Germany. It is the largest planetarium in South-East Asia and the second largest in the world. Daily shows in English, Hindi and Bengali.The central dome measures 25 mts in diameter.

• Nehru Children's Museum

  phone: +91-33 2223 1551
  address: 94/1, Chowringhee Road, Hazra,

• St. Paul's Cathedral

  address: 1A, Cathedral Rd
  The largest Anglican church in Kolkata. It was constructed in 1847 and serves as a cathedral church of Church of North India (CNI). This Gothic styled cathedral was designed by William Nairn Forbes.

• Town Hall

  address: Mayo Road, Maidan
  built in 1813, in Doric style of architecture. It is now the City Magistrate’s Office.Don’t let the riverfront mesmerize you yet !Between the Town Hall and the Strand is the Calcutta High Court, scene of legendary legal battles. Completed in 1872, the Gothic architectural style was copied from the Staadhans at Ypres, Belgium. The tower measures 55 mts.

• Victoria Memorial

  phone: +91 33 2223-5142
  address: Queen's Way
  The city's most celebrated landmark, this monument was built to imperial self-confidence was the brainchild of Lord Curzon, one of India's most flamboyant Viceroys. The domed structure was completed in 1921 with marble used from Makrana. Now a museum, the Victoria Memorial's 25 galleries are spread over 2 different floors. The collection covers a fascinating selection of Raj memorabilia, and includes the Calcutta Gallery with oil paintings and watercolors of the city's history. Do not miss the grand Durbar Hall, inside which lies a statue of Lord Cornwallis.

• Academy of Fine Arts

• NandanCinema centre. Major festivals are held here.

• Rabindra Sadan

  phone: +91 33 2223 9917
  Theatre and cultural centre. built 1961-67.

Parks

• Calcutta Racecourse

  address: Hastings
  Built in 1819, it is one of the best in the east and is the scene of much gaiety, especially during the winter season.

• Eastern Command Sports Stadium

• Eden Gardens

  address: Maidan
  Eden Gardens, named after Lord Auckland’s sister, this picturesque garden has a tiny Burmese pagoda set in a small lake. It also houses Calcutta’s Cricket Stadium, one of the most famous cricket stadiums in the world

• Netaji Indoor StadiumInauguarated in 1975, it can accommodate 12,000 people. The Netaji Indoor Stadium hosts a wide range of activities, from sporting events to cultural programmes. It is a venue for both national and international trade fairs. It is also used as a center of counting of votes.

• Outram Ghat

  address: River front on Strand Rd
  Outram Ghat is one of Kolkata's premier riverside entertainment spots. The place is a long stretch with a grand view of the river and Vidyasagar Setu nearby. There are numerous eateries. One can also have a ride in a country-boat. The ghat (steps leading to the river) is used for bathing and religious ceremonies. there are other ghats alongside. Beware of trains moving along the circular rail track.- A pleasant walk. View the majesty of the busiest bridge in the world, the Howrah Bridge and the Vidyasagar Setu – an awesome structural feat . Or enjoy a cruise on the river in a panshi.

• Princep Ghat Garden

  address: Fort William, Hastings

• Earthcare Books

  phone: +91 33 2229-6551
  address: 10 Middleton St
  A wonderful independent bookstore tucked away in an alley leading from Middleton Street. As the name suggests, the bookstore specializes in environmental titles, but also has a wide range on local subjects and poetry.

• Emami Shoppers' City

  phone: +91 33 2282 0675
  address: 3 Lord Sinha Rd
  Coffee shops, bookshop, designer wear, toy shops, boutiques, footwear stores, electronic stores, discotheque, beauty salons, gift shops, game parlours, multiplex

• Metro Plaza

  phone: +91 33 30525473, +91 33 30525474, +91 33 22883802
  address: 1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani
  Locally manufactured readymade clothes. Many shops deal only in imported garments, mostly from Bangkok. The latest footwear and lingerie. Good parking facility.

• Pantaloons

  phone: +91 33 39849202, +91 33 22815115
  address: 22 Camac St

• Vardaan Market

  phone: +91 33 22812724, +91 33 22874082
  address: 25-A, Camac St
  Forerunner of today's large shoppng malls, it was the earliest airconditioned market. Little shops and stalls line the walls of this mall selling shoes, handbags, toys, saris, salwar suits and western wear for ladies, shirts, tee shirts and trousers for men and children's clothes for all ages, chocolates and snacks.

• Westside

  phone: +91 33 22817312
  address: Block D22 Camac St
  The Westside stores have numerous departments to meet the varied shopping needs of customers. These include menswear, women’s wear, kid’s wear, footwear, cosmetics, perfumes and handbags, household accessories, lingerie, and gifts. Fashionable goods priced a little on the higher side.

• New Market

  address: Bertram St, Lenin Sarani, Dharmatala, Taltala
  New Market, previously known as the Stuart Hogg Market, was inaugurated on Jan 1, 1874 and happens to be one of the oldest surviving markets in the city. It is named after Sir Stuart Hogg, Chairman of Calcutta Corporation.

• Drive Inn

  phone: +91 33 2217-2247
  address: 10 Middleton St
  An outdoor restaurant offering a wide range of good vegetarian and non-vegetarian fare (Indian/Chinese). AC area available, staff speaks good English and is friendly.

• Haldiram Food City

  phone: +91 33 30520055, +91 33 22821359
  address: 58 Chowringhee Rd
  North Indian vegetarian street food

• Jyoti Vihar

  phone: +91 33 2282 9791
  address: Ho Chi Min Sarani.
  Offers clean and tasty South Indian food. It is completely vegetarian. It is on the same street as the US Consulate.

• New Embassy

  phone: +91 33 22827490
  address: 53A, Chowringhee Ln, New Market Area?
  Delicious Chinese food

• Sip & Sandwich

  phone: +91 9830605145
  address: 1 Shakespeare Sarani, Theatre Road AC Market, Elgin
  Vegetarian fast food

• Scoop

  phone: +91 33 22485680
  address: 71 Strand Rd
  Fast food outlet. It has an exclusive view of the river from the first floor of the restaurant. Sitting in the restaurant one can watch boats moving in the river and cars moving across Vidyasagar Setu.
• Note: For places to eat in the Park Street area see Kolkata/Esplanade

• Rallis, Esplanade

  address: 10D, J L Nehru Road
  Vegetarian restaurant known for various kind of snacks. Chats and South Indian foods are common. Famous for non alcoholic drinks including various kinds of milk shakes.

• Kabab-e-Que

  phone: +91-33 22829957-58
  address: 15 Shakespeare Sarani
  Officially they serve Indian and continental cuisine but what has made this outlet famous are the variety of kababs that go wonderfully well with drinks. Price mid-range.

Budget

Mid-range

• Casa Fortuna Hotel

  phone: +91 33 4021 8000
  address: 234/1A, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Rd

• The Senator

  phone: +91 33 2289 3000
  address: 15 Camac St

Splurge

• The Astor

  phone: +91 33 22829957
  address: 15 Shakespeare Sarani
  Kabab-e-Que restaurant phone +91 33 22829958

• The Golden Parkk

  phone: +91 33 22883939
  address: 13 Ho Chi Minh Sarani

• Hotel Hindustan International

  address: A.J.C. Bose Rd
  Good location near Rabindra Sadan metro station. Good food. Five star rates.

• New Kenilworth Hotel

  phone: +91 33 2282 3939
  address: 1 & 2, Little Russel Street,

• The Oberoi Grand

  phone: +91 33 2249 2323
  address: 15, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Kolkata - 700 013

• Baranagar