At the end of the hectic week at work, the weekend finally allows you to take a break from the monotonous 9 to 5 routine. What better way to spend your weekend than traveling to a nearby place; exploring the wonders of nature. The best thing about a weekend getaway is that you don’t have to make elaborate plans as is the case with a long holiday at an exotic location. When it comes to the best weekend getaways from Kolkata, there are plenty of options such as quaint villages, scenic islands, biodiversity hotspots, cultural attractions, etc. Here we have listed the five nearest weekend getaways from Kolkata perfect for a refreshing break from the routine.
Santiniketan
A small neighborhood situated about 165 km north of Kolkata, Santiniketan is Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s home, which has been converted into a university called Visva Bharati University. This small town gives you a deeper understanding of Kolkata’s contribution to various fields, including arts, literature, music, cinema etc. The best time to visit this place is during Basant Utsav held in the month of March. This festival celebrates the arrival of spring in the most manner by hosting a variety of music, dance, and other art and cultural performances. If you are looking forward to traveling to Santiniketan during the Basant Utsav, we recommend that you book your flights in advance for the best deals. Visit Indian Eagle for the cheapest flight tickets to Kolkata from San Francisco and other US cities.
Approximate distance from Kolkata: 165 km
Approximate driving time: 3 hours and 30 minutes
Digha
One of the most popular weekend getaways near Kolkata, Digha is a serene seaside resort town famous for its beautiful beaches along the Bay of Bengal. Its 7 km long beach lined with casuarina trees is a tourist hotspot and attracts many locals and tourists. You’ll fall in love with the sunset views over here! You can simply spend hours staring at the golden rays of the sun reflecting on the gentle waters of the Bay of Bengal. Digha’s beaches offer the tranquility that you need during your two days away from work. In one of his letters, Warren Hastings described Digha as ‘Brighton of the East.’
Approximate distance from Kolkata: 180 km
Approximate driving time: 4 hours and 15 minutes
Sundarbans
Home to the largest contiguous mangrove forest in the world, Sundarbans attracts several nature and wildlife enthusiasts for a peaceful break in the lap of nature, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Sundarbans National Park, which is a part of Sunderbans Delta, is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a wildlife reserve too. A weekend getaway from Kolkata to this place is a great option as it is located at a distance of about 110 km from the city. You can explore the lush mangrove forests on a boat or go wildlife spotting in the forests to catch a glimpse of the area’s diverse wildlife species, including the Royal Bengal Tigers.
Approximate distance from Kolkata: 110 km
Approximate driving time: 3 hours
Bishnupur
Bishnupur is a beautiful temple town famous for its terracotta temples built during the 17th and 18th centuries. It has more than a dozen terracotta temples, which are considered some of the best examples of classic Bengali architecture. These temples draw a lot of art and architecture enthusiasts besides religious travelers. So, if you have not visited Bishnupur’s famous terracotta temples yet, then plan your next weekend trip from Kolkata to this amazing destination and marvel at our architectural heritage.
Approximate distance from Kolkata: 180 km
Approximate driving time: 4 hours
Piyali Island
Piyali Island is one of the nearest weekend getaways from Kolkata, located less than 75 km away from the city. An untouched island covered in verdant greenery, this place is a haven for different species of birds, including migratory ones. How about spending your weekend at this pristine island enjoying simple things like bird watching, picnicking and nature walks. Piyali Island, situated at the meeting point of the Piyali and Matla Rivers, is also one of the chief entry points to Sunderbans.so you can combine your Piyali trip with a Sunderbans tour for the best experience this weekend.
Approximate distance from Kolkata: 75 km
Approximate driving time: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Roopark Village, Murshidabad, Henry’s Island, Bakkhali, Jhargram, Krishnanagar, Tajpur, Ravangla, and Kurseong are some of the other best weekends getaways from Kolkata. So, which of these places have you already visited?
