Begin your first day by experiencing one of Kolkata's most colourful and lively markets.

Located close to the Hooghly River and beneath the Howrah Bridge, Mullick Ghat Flower Market is a fascinating introduction to everyday Kolkata.

Hundreds of sellers and buyers trade flowers used for religious ceremonies, weddings, festivals and everyday worship. The activity begins early in the morning, making this an especially interesting stop for travellers who want to experience Kolkata beyond conventional tourist attractions.

Tourist perspective: This is a great place for photography and for seeing a side of Kolkata that cannot be experienced simply by visiting monuments.

Continue to the iconic Howrah Bridge, one of the defining symbols of Kolkata.

Opened in 1943 and later renamed Rabindra Setu, the bridge connects Kolkata with Howrah across the Hooghly River and remains an important transport artery.

From the riverside area, you can appreciate the enormous scale of the bridge and observe the constant movement of people and traffic.

Tourist perspective: The bridge is not simply a sightseeing landmark; it is part of the daily life of Kolkata.

Visit Mother House, the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity.

Mother House has been associated with Mother Teresa and her sisters since 1953. Mother Teresa lived and worked here, and her tomb is located within the building.

Visitors can pay their respects and learn about her life and humanitarian work.

Tourist perspective: This is a quiet and reflective stop, particularly meaningful for visitors interested in humanitarian work, spirituality and modern Kolkata history.

Continue to the historic Parasnath Jain Temple, also known as the Calcutta Jain Temple.

Established in 1867, the temple is dedicated to Jain traditions and is known for its ornate decoration, mirrors, stained glass and peaceful surroundings.

Tourist perspective: Even visitors who are not familiar with Jainism can appreciate the temple's distinctive architecture and the opportunity to learn about Kolkata's diverse religious communities.

Next, discover Kumartuli, one of the most distinctive neighbourhoods in Kolkata.

For generations, traditional artisans have worked in these narrow lanes, creating clay idols by hand. The neighbourhood is particularly famous for its Durga idols, which become the centrepieces of celebrations throughout Bengal.

Tourist perspective: Kumartuli provides a rare opportunity to see traditional craftsmanship taking place in real workshops rather than in a museum.

Continue to College Street, popularly known as Boi Para, Kolkata's famous book district.

The area is closely associated with education, literature, intellectual life and the history of Bengal's cultural movements. Bookshops and pavement stalls offer an enormous variety of new and second-hand books.

Tourist perspective: Even if you are not a serious reader, College Street provides a fascinating glimpse into Kolkata's intellectual character.

Take a break at the historic Indian Coffee House on College Street.

The Coffee House became a famous meeting place for generations of students, writers, artists, academics and intellectuals.

It is an ideal place to pause, have a coffee and absorb the atmosphere of one of Kolkata's most recognisable cultural institutions.

Tourist perspective: The attraction is as much about the atmosphere and history as it is about the coffee.

Begin the second day by exploring St. John's Church, one of Kolkata's important colonial-era heritage buildings.

Completed in 1787, St. John's was originally the Anglican Cathedral of Calcutta and played an important role in the city's early colonial history.

The church and its grounds also preserve important memorials and historic associations.

Tourist perspective: St. John's is particularly interesting for travellers fascinated by the history of Calcutta and the early development of the British colonial city.

Continue to Dakshineswar Kali Temple, situated on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River.

The temple complex was founded by Rani Rashmoni in 1855 and became closely associated with the spiritual life of Sri Ramakrishna.

The complex includes the principal Kali temple, twelve Shiva temples and other important religious structures.

The riverside setting and distinctive architecture make Dakshineswar one of the most memorable religious landmarks around Kolkata.

Tourist perspective: Visitors should allow time to appreciate both the spiritual atmosphere and the architectural character of the temple complex.

From Dakshineswar, continue to Belur Math, headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission.

Located on the western bank of the Hooghly River, the extensive campus is associated with Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda and the Ramakrishna movement.

The organisation combines spiritual ideals with extensive humanitarian and educational activities.

The main temple is particularly notable for an architectural language intended to reflect harmony among different religious traditions.

Tourist perspective: Belur Math offers a peaceful contrast to the busy streets of Kolkata and is an important stop for travellers interested in Indian spirituality, philosophy and modern religious history.

Return towards central Kolkata to visit the magnificent Victoria Memorial.

Conceived following the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, the monument was promoted by Lord Curzon and formally opened to the public in 1921.

Its architecture combines Italian Renaissance influences with Indian elements, creating one of the most recognisable buildings in Kolkata.

Today, Victoria Memorial Hall functions as a major museum and cultural institution with extensive collections relating to Indian history, art and the colonial period.

Tourist perspective: The gardens provide an excellent opportunity to appreciate the monument from outside, while the museum offers deeper historical context for visitors who wish to explore the galleries.

Complete your cultural exploration of Kolkata with a visit to the historic Magen David Synagogue.

Built in 1884 by Elias David Joseph Ezra, the synagogue reflects the history of Kolkata's once-thriving Baghdadi Jewish community.

The building's Italian Renaissance-inspired exterior, tall spire and ornate interior provide a striking reminder of the many communities that contributed to the development of historic Calcutta.

Tourist perspective: The synagogue is particularly valuable for travellers interested in Kolkata's multicultural history and the lesser-known communities that shaped the city's commercial and cultural life.

During the two-day Kolkata Sightseeing Tour, you will also see a number of important landmarks from the city's colonial and post-colonial history while travelling between attractions.

Depending on traffic and the day's itinerary, the drive may pass:

Eden Gardens Stadium

One of India's most famous cricket grounds and an important part of Kolkata's sporting identity.

General Post Office

The imposing GPO building stands at the historic heart of the former colonial administrative district.

Shaheed Minar

Originally known as the Ochterlony Monument, this landmark was later renamed Shaheed Minar in memory of India's freedom fighters.

Akashvani Bhawan

The historic broadcasting centre reflects Kolkata's long association with radio, culture and public broadcasting.

Town Hall

A significant colonial-era building reflecting the civic and administrative history of Calcutta.

Writers' Building

One of the most famous buildings associated with the administration of British Bengal and later with the government of West Bengal.

Governor's House – Raj Bhavan

The official residence of the Governor of West Bengal occupies an important place in Kolkata's colonial architectural landscape.

Calcutta High Court

The historic High Court building is one of the city's most prominent examples of nineteenth-century Gothic Revival architecture.

Maidan

The enormous green open space in central Kolkata is often described as the city's "lungs" and remains closely connected with recreation, sport and public life.

Race Course

Kolkata Race Course forms part of the historic Maidan landscape and reflects another aspect of the city's colonial-era sporting heritage.

Fort William

The military complex in the Maidan area reflects Kolkata's strategic importance during the period of British rule.

St. Andrew's Church

This historic Scottish Presbyterian church is another reminder of the diverse European communities that became part of colonial Calcutta.

Dalhousie Square / B.B.D. Bagh

One of the historic administrative and commercial centres of Calcutta, surrounded by major colonial-era buildings.

Important: These are primarily drive-by heritage highlights. Depending on the day's schedule and traffic conditions, stops may not be possible at every location.