20 Things To Do In Kolkata For Free That Will Make You Fall For Kolkata’s Charm

Like most metropolitan cities, Kolkata is a bustling centre for lakhs of people, and for a true wanderer, it holds many treats. However Kolkata, unlike a lot of urban Indian cities, can still be seen, enjoyed, and loved on a budget that would be unreal anywhere else. So, even if you are at the end of your money, with the next payday seemingly ages away, the city will still give you enough to explore and to fall in love with. Here are 20 things to do in Kolkata for free, that will have you falling for the charm of this city.

1. Check Out Victoria

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We'll start with the obvious, check out Victoria Memorial and wander around its beautiful grounds. Going inside costs about Rs 10, but you can simply take a look at the beauty while enjoying a walk on the Red Road. 

Also Read: Cadbury Dairy Milk Gaane Mishti: Celebrating Bengal's Festivals With Music And Mishtis

2. Say Hello To The Trams

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Take a joyride on a tram and watch the historic city pass by. These trams used to be a lifeline for the city’s working class back in the today. Today, Kolkata is the only city in India to still have streetcars on the road. The street cars are one of the best things about Kolkata.

3. Breathe in Maidan!

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Go to Maidan early in the morning, any time of the year, and enjoy the fresh air, and the spirit of the city just waking up. Early morning is the best time to visit, especially in the winter. Take your camera and maybe even a picnic basket. A day at Maidan is one of the best activities in Kolkata.

4. Enjoy The Sunset

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One of the best places to enjoy the sunset is at the Princep Ghat. Stop for some ghoti gorom at and laze by the ghat next the Princep Monument it. You can even take a boat ride on the Ganga, which costs about Rs 200-250 per person. This is definitely one of the best places to visit in Kolkata. 

5. Catch Up With History

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Take a walk through history at the Indian Museum, where India's only mummy is kept on display. he museum, founded in 1814 is the earliest and the largest multipurpose Museum in the Asia-Pacific region of the world. Although not free, the ticket of Rs 10 an incredibly affordable price for the kind of experience you will have. Honestly, the museum is one of the best things to explore in kolkata.

6. Explore the Chinese Market

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Wake up early and enjoy a scrumptious Chinese breakfast of dumplings and baos at Terreti Bazaar in China Town. Even if you don’t want to eat, just walking around and seeing this bustling market is truly something. As part of the Chinese legacy of the city, it’s quite a culturally relevant place as well. 

7. Walk Around Park Street

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The street is in one of the oldest parts of the city. It’s right in the heart of it all and is quite close to Victoria Memorial and Maidan. It is full of life, with the streets lined with many many eateries, iconic restaurants, bakeries, and shops that have been around for decades. Soak up all the quintessential Kolkata feels. 

Explore more: Best Waterparks In Kolkata 

8. Take An Evening Stroll at ‘Lake’

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Rabindra Sarobar, also known simply as ‘Lake’ to everyone who is a part of the city. Take an evening stroll at Lake, cha, jhal muri, and cigarette included. The Lake is an irreplaceable part of the city’s culture, with its green walkways that line the eponymous lake. 

Also read: Best Picnic Spots In Kolkata

9. Head To The Nandan Courtyard 

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Take your friends and head to the Nandan courtyard. Indulge in some serious adda, in the typical Kolkata fashion. Afterwards, you can catch a matinee show this the iconic theatre in central Kolkata.  

10. Catch A Glimpse Of Fine Arts

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You can head over to the Academy of Fine arts to watch a critically acclaimed play or show. At the Academy in Kolkata, it will cost you a fraction of what a play anywhere else in the big cities will cost you.

11. The Land Of Mishti

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Kolkata is after all made of two parts ‘kaalchar’ and one part mishti. So even though this isn’t totally free, we think the price of Rs 5 - Rs 15 for a decadent piece of mishti (sweet) should not be missed out on. Sp head to any of the numerous mishtir dokan, like the iconic Nakur Chandra, to satisfy sweet tooth cravings.

12. Travel In Time

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The streets of North Kolkata have the magical power of taking you back in time, and they do so with a whole lot of charm. Aimlessly wander through these bylanes of, transporting yourself to days gone by.

13. Visit The Home Of Gurudev

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Jorasanko is a neighbourhood in north Kolkata, so called because of the two (or jora) wooden or bamboo bridges (sanko) that went over a small stream. This thakurbari is the house of the Thakurs, the original Bengali surname from which Tagore was derived, and the place that nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore was born. Tagore was not only born here, but he also spent most of his childhood and eventually died here in 1941.

14. See Bengal’s Aristocracy

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See how the Bangali royalty lived by visiting the Shobhabajar Rajbari. The royal family of Shobhabazar still resided in their ancestral palace. It a private residence, but they open their doors for certain occasions, such as Durga Pujo. They perform the pujo for the four to five days every year, and everyone is welcome to see it. 

15. Get Picnic-ing

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Go spend a lazy day in the open air at Eco Park, roll around on the manicured lawns, take a bike ride, a boat ride, or simply take a nap by the water. This is another place where things are not absolutely free, but the charge for entry at Eco Park is a nominal Rs 10. 

16. Explore The City’s Museums

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There are quite a few museums in the city that don’t charge an entry fee. So make use of this as you explore history, politics, arts, and culture at these places, at no extra price. Maulana Abul Kalam Museum, the Police Museum, and Mother House all charge nothing for entry.

17. Pray And Be Calm!

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Pick from Dakhineshwar, Belur, Kalighat, Iskon, or any other temple if you are curious about Hinduism or religious history. Kalighat is one of the oldest places in the entire history of Kolkata, so this could be a really interesting experience for the curious ones.

18. Don’t Forget St. Paul’s

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The gothic revival style cathedral took a total of eight years to be completed after it’s groundbreaking took place in 1839. By the time the construction was completed St Paul’s was one of the largest churches of India. And it is one of the best architectural marvels of the city.

19. Lose Yourself in New Market

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Take a stroll through New Market, commonly called the market where you can find anything you can think of if you look hard enough. As the locals love to say, if you can’t find something in New Market, you can’t find it anywhere. 

20. Explore the Bow Barracks

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Feel connected to Kolkata's Anglo-Indian culture by stopping by at the Bow Barracks. Bow Barracks is a locality in the central Kolkata region, and it is currently a place that reflects a unique history, the heritage and culture of one of India’s biggest Anglo-Indian populations. The families here have lived here for generations, and visiting the neighbourhood and walking around in it, is one of the most interesting things to do in the city, especially around Christmas time.

Read More: Historical Places In Kolkata