City Tour Calcutta

Discover the culture and heritage of Kolkata with this fascinating half-day tour of the Bengali capital. Visit symbols of the British Raj such as the Victoria Memorial and Belvedere House, and then experience the contrast at two outstanding Hindu temples, symbols themselves of the pervasiveness of Bengali culture in the face of foreign control.

The wonderful white marble Victoria Memorial was built by the British in 1921 and was modelled on the Taj Mahal, though it can justly be considered a masterpiece in its own right. Built in the Mughal-Gothic style so beloved of the late Raj, it offers tree-lined walks in splendid parks with plenty of statues dedicated to important British figures and graceful reflections on ponds. Just a few hundred metres to the east is St Paul’s Cathedral, which is a glistening example of Gothic revival architecture. It is famed for its immaculately landscaped gardens and stunning stained glass windows.

Take a cultural detour at the National Library of India, which is located in the beautiful Belvedere House, a palace that used to be the residence of the lieutenant governor of Bengal. It houses the largest collection of books in the country, with tomes in dozens of languages, both Indian and foreign. Afterwards visit the riverside Dakshineswar Kali Temple – which has Byzantine characteristic – and then the architecturally significant Belur Math, which combines the features of a church, a temple and a mosque, and embodies the spirit of religious fraternity.

Meeting/pick-up point: Collection from hotel.
Start/opening time: From 8.30am to 9pm.
End/closing time: 1pm.
Languages: English.