11 Places Near Serampore That Are Perfect for Weekend Getaways (2024)

Located in the Hoogly district of West Bengal, Serampore is a reasonably large city in West Bengal. Mostly known for being one of India’s most prominent cities to be under Danish rule, Serampore is an essential town in the country. With a history of several centuries, this town has witnessed a lot of changes in rulers. Serampore was one of the most important headquarters for the Mughal dynasty. Areas like Mahesh and Akna were the most populated sites during that time. You will be surprised to know that most of India’s silk weaving industries were located in Serampore at that time.

There are many sites located in the city that are both architecturally beautiful as well as spiritually important. Sites like Radha Ballabh Temple, Ram-Sita Temple, Lord Jagannath Temple of Mahesh, and others are quite important to the Hindu community across the world.

There are many Islamic mosques located throughout the city that are quite important to India’s Muslim community. But in this blog, we are not going to talk about the places inside Serampore; instead, we are about to discuss the best weekend destinations near Serampore. Due to the fantastic geographical position of Serampore, there are many regions in West Bengal and outside Bengal that can be reached and explored over the weekend from the town.

11 Places Near Serampore That Are Perfect for Weekend Getaways

The sites located in the following part of this blog are quite beautiful and popular weekend destination from Serampore. You will have a great time choosing any one of them for your weekend trip.

1. Chandan Nagar

Known for being one of India’s few towns to be under French Colonial rule, Chandan Nagar is a beautiful town located in West Bengal. Did you know during the time of the British reign, this town was under the Pondicherry administration? This fact is that Pondicherry was the French headquarters, and that is why the British government decided to treat every region under French rule by making Pondicherry as their representative. Throughout this city, you will notice many sites that are both architecturally and historically important to India.

The best place to get every information regarding Chandan Nagar is the Chandan Nagar museum. As this town has witnessed a multitude of rulers, it is quite evident that it has a lot of historical facts attached to it. The best part about this town is that it is located too close to Serampore. If you want, you can return to Serampore after exploring Chandan Nagar.

Distance from Serampore: 21 km.

Time to reach: It would not take you more than half an hour to reach Chandan Nagar from Serampore.

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Places to see: Sacred Hearth Church, KMDA Park, Patal Bari, Nandadulal Temple, and others.

Best time to visit: October to May.

2. Bardhaman

Commonly known as the “Granary of Bengal,” Bardhaman is a West Bengal city that is both culturally and spiritually rich. As this town is the agricultural hub of West Bengal, you will notice that the entire city is filled with greenery. Moreover, as this city is the headquarter of the Purba Bardhaman district, it is relatively populated and a place of occupation for several people. Like most towns in West Bengal, this one also has a rich history. Bardhaman was pretty well known to historians since the 6th century when the last Jain Tirthankar crossed its area.

After that, several invaders, namely Sher Afgan, Qutubuddin Aibak, and others, invaded this region in the 16th century. The most notable site to see in Bardhaman is the beautiful palace known as Rajbari. Mahatab Chand Bahadur built this palace in 1851. There are many more places in Bardhaman that you can enjoy over the weekend. As this site is also not that far away from Serampore, exploring it will not be a problem in a day.

Distance from Serampore: 81 km.

Time to reach: By car, it would take you around one and a half hours to reach Bardhaman from Serampore.
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Places to see: Rajbati, Curzon gate, Sarbamangala temple, Meghnad Saha Planetarium, and others.

Best time to visit: October to March.

3. Navadvip

Located in the Nadia district of West Bengal, Navadvip is one of India’s most spiritual places. Most people who visit Navadvip are pilgrims. In case you are a spiritual person, this site is a paradise for you. Even if you are not a religious person, visit Navadvip to appreciate its temples’ breathtakingly beautiful architecture. This town is most famous for being the birthplace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and that is why this site is so sacred for the Hindu people. Moreover, the site is located by the confluence of Jalangi and Bhagirathi river, and the scenic view of that area is quite beautiful.

There are many temples located in Navadvip that are both spiritually and historically important. Sri Maha Prabhu temple is the most important religious site in the area. Nine islands are surrounding Navadvip, and among them, the most important one is Mayapur. If you visit Navadvip, do not forget to visit Mayapur as well.

Distance from Serampore: 91 km.

Time to reach: It would not take you more than two and a half hours to reach Navadvip from Serampore.
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Places to see: ISKCON Temple, Radha Rani temple, Pushpa Samadhi temple, Sri Devananda Gaudiya Math, and others.

Best time to visit: November to February.

4. Sundarbans

Situated in the South 24 pgns district of West Bengal, the Sundarbans is one of the best weekend destinations to visit from Serampore. Enlisted under the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, Sundarbans is one of India’s most beautiful places. Surrounded by the lush green mangrove forest and the vast water expanse, Sundarbans is a paradise for wildlife and nature lovers. This region of West Bengal is mostly known for being the home to the Royal Bengal Tigers. Even though you might not get a glimpse of the majestic beast while exploring Sundarbans, you will get to see a large number of beautiful birds.

It is said that there are more than 260 species of birds that reside in Sundarbans. If you are a bird-watcher, do not forget to invest in a good pair of binoculars before visiting there. Exploring the brackish water of the surroundings by riding a boat in Sundarbans will be one of the most unforgettable experiences in your life. Apart from binoculars, do not forget to bring a good camera before going to Sundarbans. The entire region is so beautiful that you will regret it a lot if you miss out on clicking a lot of pictures.

Distance from Serampore: 90 km.

Time to reach: By car, it would take you around two and a half hours to reach Sundarbans from Serampore.
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Places to see: Bidyadhari River, Raimangal River, Matla River, Sajnekhali Watchtower, and others.

Best time to visit: September to March.

5. Digha

One of the most popular tourist spots in West Bengal, Digha is a great weekend destination from Serampore that you can visit. With gorgeous beaches, a busy lifestyle, delicious food, and the majestic Bay of Bengal, Digha ticks off on all the requirements of your travel wish. This beach town has been the center of attention for many decades. Even though the summers in Digha can get a lot uncomfortable, people go there anyway to spend a few days away from their homes. There are so many restaurants in Digha that it has become of the foodie paradises in India.

There are some sightseeing sites located in Digha that you will have a great time visiting. While exploring the town, do not forget to taste the delicious local seafood found in the roadside stalls of Digha. Moreover, this town is great for shopaholics. You will find so many unique coastal handicraft stores on the beach that you will have difficulty keeping track of your budget.

Distance from Serampore: 187 km.

Time to reach: It would not take you more than four hours to reach Digha from Serampore.
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Places to see: New Digha Beach, Talsari Beach, Shankarpur Beach, and others.

Best time to visit: July to March.

6. Durgapur

Commonly known as the “Steel City of West Bengal,” Durgapur is one of the most important cities in the state. The steel industry makes this town the place of occupation for several people in West Bengal. Even though this city’s population is not less, it is a great place to spend a short vacation due to its surroundings. Firstly, as Durgapur falls under India’s Rarh region, the entire area is covered by red soils, and that is a sight to withhold. Secondly, there are so many ancient temples located throughout the city, that you will have a good time knowing about their histories. Thirdly, the town itself is quite different from the other major towns of West Bengal.

As Durgapur was planned by US architects Benjamin Polk and Joseph Allen Stein, it has excellent planning. If you get bored by the architectural sites and temples in the city, you can visit one of the several massive shopping malls located over there. In those malls, you will get all the amenities of modern life.

Distance from Serampore: 150 km.

Time to reach: By car, it would take you around two and a half hours to reach Durgapur from Serampore.

Places to see: Bhabani Pathak’s Tila, City Centre, Kumar Mangalam Park, Deul Park, Durgapur Steel Plant, and others.

Best time to visit: October to March.

7. Baripada

Mostly known for being the home to the famous Simlipal National Park, Baripada is one of the most beautiful places in Odisha. The natural beauty of Baripada is quite mesmerizing. With the lush greenery of the surrounding Simlipal forest, Baripada offers a picturesque view to you from every part of the area. It is a great place to spend some time soaking in the beauty of nature. Apart from natural beauty, some temples are located in the region that will make your trip even more worthwhile. The Baripada Jagannath Temple is sacred to the Hindu people in India. As Baripada belongs to the Mayubhunj district of Odisha, you will get to explore other parts of the district while exploring the town.

Baripada is an excellent place for shoppers as well. Over there, Chandrapur handloom items are some of the most popular things to buy. The famous Tusser silk also originated from there. While exploring the area, do not forget to try delicious Odiya cuisine to genuinely knowing the region.

Distance from Serampore: 226 km.

Time to reach: It would not take you more than four and hours to reach Baripada from Serampore.
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Places to see: Simlipal National park, Mayur Bhunj Palace, Jwala Mukhi Temple, and others.

Best time to visit: November to February.

8. Kolkata

Mostly known for being the capital of West Bengal, Kolkata is one of India’s biggest and most populous metropolitans. Situated by the Hoogly river bank, Kolkata is a fantastic place to spend a weekend away from Serampore. The urban lifestyle of Kolkata can be compared to any major city in the world. With several shopping malls, high-tech parks, museums, zoological and botanical gardens, Kolkata has something for everyone. From temples to historical monuments, from beautiful parks to excellent churches, Kolkata is an underrated tourist spot in India.

Apart from the said facts, the food in Kolkata is to die for. With a wide variety of renowned restaurants, Kolkata is a paradise for foodies in the world. If you visit the city, do not forget to try its globally famous sweets or Mishtis. A great time to visit this town is in October during the time of Durga Puja. The grandeur and life of Kolkata during the said festival will genuinely feel contended.

Distance from Serampore: 30 km.

Time to reach: By car, it would take you around half an hour to reach Kolkata from Serampore.
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Places to see: St. Paul’s Cathedral, Eden Gardens, Jorasanko Thakur Bari, Birla Mandir, and others.

Best time to visit: October to February.

9. Sagardwip

One of the important pilgrimage sites in India, Sagardwip is a great weekend destination from Sreerampur. Mostly known for holding the Ganga Sagar fair in mid-January, this island is visited by several thousands of tourists and pilgrims every year. The said fair is held to celebrate Makar Sankranti, and it is pretty overwhelming. Even though this fair is an important event to witness, but the over-crowdedness of the surrounding might not suit everyone. That is why it is better to visit Sagardwip during any other time.

The idle beaches of the island will help you truly relax and get rejuvenated.

There are some sites on the island that you will have an easier time exploring during any other part of the year. The mythological story behind this island will quite surprise you. You will get to know everything about the said stories while exploring Ganga Sagar.

Distance from Serampore: 133 km.

Time to reach: It would not take you more than four and a half hours to reach Sagardwip from Serampore.
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Places to see: Kapil Muni Temple, Bharat Seva Ashram, Sagar Beach, and others.

Best time to visit: December to February.

10. Bishnupur

Mostly known for the beautiful terracotta temples, Bishnupur is an excellent vacation spot to visit West Bengal. This town is located in the Bankura district of Bengal and can be reached from Serampore pretty easily. Throughout the city, you will see shreds of evidence that point to its once glorious days. With a rich cultural heritage, Bishnupur has a lot to offer. The terracotta temples in the city are breathtakingly beautiful. You will be in awe of its architectural beauty. Even if you are not interested in architecture, you cannot help but appreciate the Bishnupur temples’ splendor.

As the Malla dynasty ruled this town, most of the historical sites located over them were constructed. Almost all the sightseeing spots in the city were constructed before the 16th century. Some surrounding locations in Bishnupur are naturally beautiful as well. To explore the town properly, you will need at least the entire weekend.

Distance from Serampore: 120 km.

Time to reach: By car, it would take you around three and a half hours to reach Bishnupur from Serampore.
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Places to see: Joyrambati, Susunia Hills, Mukutmonipur, and others.

Best time to visit: November to February.

11. Raichak

Located too close to Serampore, Raichak is one of the most beautiful weekend destinations from Serampore. Mostly known for the Radisson Fort or Raichak Fort, this town is a great place to spend a weekend. As the majestic Ganges situates this site, you will get to witness the beautiful views of the surroundings. The British East India Company constructed the Radisson Fort, which is why its architecture has some Anglo-Indian aesthetics. If you want, you can reside in the fort as some parts have been converted into a beautiful resort.

Raichak also allows you to go on boat rides in the Ganges. Many people also explore nearby cities, namely Gadiara, Kukhrahati, and others, while staying in Raichak. While exploring Raichak, do not forget to taste the delicious Hilsa dishes prepared in the eateries. Due to the proximity of the Ganges, fresh Hilsas are caught every day in the region.

Distance from Serampore: 79 km.

Time to reach: By car, it would take you around two and a half hours to reach Raichak from Serampore.
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Places to see: Diamond Harbour, Ramkrishna Mission Ashram, Hoogly river, and others.

Best time to visit: October to March.

Reaching Serampore is pretty straightforward. As this town has its railway station, many people prefer to go there by train. In case you prefer flights, do not worry. As the nearest airport from Serampore is located in Kolkata, you will have no problem getting flights to reach there from any part of the world.

The destinations mentioned in this list might not be the most popular tourist destinations in India, but they are stunning and culturally enriched. If you choose any one of the places mentioned above, you will have a great vacation. All of these sites have multiple renowned sightseeing spots. We hope you get excited by reading this article and start planning a small getaway from Serampore right now!