11 Gorgeous Places Near Kolkata For a Great Weekend Getaway (2024)
Kolkata is a cosmopolitan city where everyone thrives on earning their living. Usually, the town itself is pretty crowded, and seldom people visit there for vacations, but it is pretty lucky to be located close to some of the gorgeous tourist spots in West Bengal. By traveling for three to four hours, people can visit beautiful locations away from the hustle and bustle of the city. As Kolkata has both a major railway station and an international airport, traveling anywhere is not a big deal. Many people take road trips to spend their weekend in a gorgeous location near Kolkata.
You might know that West Bengal has one of the most varying geographic locations in the country. From mountains to the sea, from forests to historical sites, West Bengal is pretty versatile. If you are wondering what the Best weekend getaway from Kolkata is, then you are in the right place. Here we will give you all the necessary information about the nearest popular sites from Kolkata.
11 Gorgeous Places Near Kolkata For a Great Weekend Getaway
The sites included in the list below are located not that far away from Kolkata. If you are looking for a small getaway, the following list will help you a lot.
1. Mandarmani
Distance from Kolkata: 170 Kms.
Even though Mandarmani is comparatively new in the list of Best weekend getaway from Kolkata, but soon it has become one of the most popular places in West Bengal. The gorgeous beach with golden sands attracts several tourists every year from all around West Bengal. As the beach is less crowded than other beaches in West Bengal, it is considered one of the most romantic getaways in West Bengal. You can reach there either by train or by car from Kolkata. If you visit there by car, you will be able to reach Mandarmani within 4 hours. Most people prefer to take part in paragliding over there. As there are several luxury resorts located over there, you will not have any problem with the right lodging accommodation for you.
2. Chalsa
Distance from Kolkata: 615 Kms
North Bengal is one of the most beautiful places on earth as it is filled with incredibly beautiful tourist spots with lush greenery. Chalsa is one such place in North Bengal, which can be visited from Kolkata via train or flight. It would not take you more than 10 hours to visit there. The tourist site is located quite close to the Malbazar area near Siliguri. When you reach Chalsa, you will be pretty surprised by seeing its beauty. The entire area is surrounded by tea gardens, hills, rivers, and forests. But remember not to go there during the monsoons. The famous Gorumara National Park is located in Chalsa. So plan to visit the park on your trip to Chalsa.
3. Digha
Distance from Kolkata: 182 Kms
The name of Digha is mentioned the most when people list out the Best weekend getaway from Kolkata. It has been the most popular weekend getaways for the people of West Bengal for several decades. Even though the beach in Digha is not that spectacular, but it is the perfect place to have fun with your friends for the weekend. Most people go there to party for a few days and have some excellent food. In case you love solitude, you might not adore Digha as it is filled with tourists almost every weekend. But in case you love crowd, Digha will not disappoint. You will be able to reach there within four hours if you drive from Kolkata. There are several hotels located there, so there will be many options for you to choose from.
4. Uttarey
Distance from Kolkata: 715 Kms
Uttarey is a newer tourist zone that many people do not know about. It is located 150 km from Siliguri in the western part of Sikkim. The idyllic village is perfect for you if you want to spend your weekend in the lap of nature. As the gorgeous Singalila range surrounds the entire town, you will be quite mesmerized by the magnificent beauty of the mountains. But remember to avoid the spot during the monsoons as it encounters heavy rainfall every year. The altitude of this beautiful hilly town is 2050 meters, and Asia’s second-highest gorge bridge is located over there. You can trek your way to explore the village if you are a thrill-seeker.
5. Roopark Village
Distance from Kolkata: 305 Kms
Roopark village is one of the beautiful places in Odisha, which can be traveled from Kolkata within five hours, so it is definitely a place that should be on your list for quick weekend getaway from Kolkata. The town is situated 28 km from Balasore, and it is a breathtakingly beautiful tribal village. There are several sightseeing spots over there as well. You will be able to easily explore the entire town within two days as it is pretty small. If you go there, do not forget to visit the Shiva Temple and Deokund Falls. The Shimlipal Reserve forest is also located pretty close to the village. So, if you get time, you should also visit the forest. The unique aspect of visiting this village is that you will get to stay in resorts built of mud and thatch.
6. Tajpur
Distance from Kolkata: 170 Kms
Tajpur is one of the quaintest beaches in West Bengal, where you will be able to rest for the weekend genuinely. Earlier the beach was not transformed into a tourist attraction. Now, slowly it is garnering tourists from different parts of the state. You will be able to visit the tourist spot within four hours by your drive from Kolkata, and it is located 22 km from the Contai station. So, you can get there by train as well. If you are an adventure enthusiast, you can take part in activities like paragliding and speed boating. Many people love to go on long drives on the massive beach of Tajpur.
Credit: Argha Das Image Source
7. Shantiniketan
Distance from Kolkata: 160 Kms
Shantiniketan is one of the essential places in not only West Bengal but also in the world. It is the place where Rabindranath Tagore, a school in 1901, now become a fully functional university educating thousands of students. In case you are interested in history, you will gain a lot of knowledge by visiting Shantiniketan. Apart from the historical aspect, the locality of the institution is spectacular. The entire area is surrounded by forests and is situated by the bank of the Kopai River. If you drive from Kolkata, you will be able to reach there within four and a half hours, making it a good place for weekend getaway. Remember to see the art galleries while you visit Shantiniketan as the paintings will genuinely amaze you.
8. Bakkhali
Distance from Kolkata: 125 Kms
Even though Bakkhali is another beach in this list of Best weekend getaway from Kolkata, it is pretty different from the rest of the beach. Firstly, the beach is entirely white in Bakkhali, and that is pretty uncommon in India. Secondly, it is located quite close to the Sundarbans, so you can visit there if you get some time from your vacation. If you drive from Kolkata, you will be able to reach Bakkhali within four hours quite easily. Most people prefer to spend two days there. There are not any hotels over there, so make prior bookings if you want to get a room over there.
9. Bishnupur
Distance from Kolkata: 140 Kms
Located in the previously named Mallbhum of West Bengal, Bishnupur is one of the most historically significant places near Kolkata and also a great weekend getaway destination. In case you are traveling by train, you will be able to reach Bishnupur within three and a half hours quite easily. The entire area is famous for the beautiful terracotta temples, which were built several hundred years ago. But as the city has a warm climate, it would be better if you avoid the summer to visit Bishnupur. There are many guest houses available over there, and finding a room in one of them is not that difficult.
10. Samsing
Distance from Kolkata: 665 Kms
Located by the gorgeous river Suntaleykhola, Samsing is one of the most underrated places in West Bengal. Even though it is gaining popularity among tourists, but it is still pretty unknown to most of the people in the state. Samsing is certainly a great destination for weekend getaway but it is little far from Kolkata. Most people go there by train or plane. In case you are traveling there by train, you will be able to reach within ten hours. The entire area is covered with thick forestry. Most people love to trek through the forests to explore the gorgeous little village. As there is a shortage of resorts over there, it is always better to get an advanced booking from Kolkata.
11. Mayapur
Distance from Kolkata: 125 Kms
Located amid the gorgeous islands of Nabadwip, Mayapur is the place for you if you are spiritually inclined. The site is primarily dedicated to Lord Krishna and is resided by several people from the Iskcon sect. If you spend a few days in Mayapur, you will feel a sense of calmness. Reaching there from Kolkata is not that difficult, as there are many trains available. You could also travel there by driving. The best time to visit Mayapur is during winter as the climate over there is pretty warm most of the year.
There are so many beautiful places near Kolkata that it is almost impossible to name every one of them in a single blog. But the ones which we have mentioned are unique and less crowded than the prominent places people go to spend a short vacation from Kolkata. So, start planning for a beautiful trip from Kolkata right now!
