Kolkata, The Land of The British Raj, has so many sightseeing places to fill your eyes with pride. It is the city of Joy with its amazing culture and splendid architecture. Further, stretching from the Himalayas, Kolkata is a city that can be explored in depth only by a few.
It is an assortment of the mountains to the mangrove forests of the Sunderbans [ How to reach Sundarban from Kolkata ]. There are so many interesting places to visit near Kolkata, making it the highest visited spot.
Whether you want to get close to nature or simply spend time with loved ones, it is an exotic destination to be in. There are amazing hill stations near Kolkata which should be visited once in a lifetime.
List of the 10 Best Places to Visit near Kolkata in August (Monsoon):
1. Kurseong
It is a pretty hill station situated just near Kolkata in the Darjeeling district town. Further, the city sees such cool and pleasant weather to beat the scorching heat of summer. Kurseong is also known as the Land of White Orchid lying in the hills above the forested ridge.
It is such a romantic gateway for all couples wanting to spend some alone time. The best things to do are nature walks and bird watching. You can take the famous toy train ride from Siliguri to Darjeeling. Sitong, Castle Tea Estate, etc. are some of the wonderful places to visit in Kurseong.
Things to Do: Visit the Makaibari Tea Estate, explore Downhill Park and Deer Park, check out the beautiful Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Museum, and enjoy the serenity at Ambotia Shiva Temple.
How to Reach: Kurseong can be reached by taking a train to the New Jalpaiguri (NJP) railway station and then taking a taxi. The Bagdogra Airport is the nearest airport to Kurseong.
2. Digha
Digha is yet another popular beach in West Bengal just 195 km from Kolkata. Likewise, it has a festive vibe all through the year. The town is so much dazzling with people coming here at any time of the year. It is an ideal party destination from Kolkata if you want to leave the hustle and bustle of city life.
Try out all the exciting water sports activities that the beach has in store. Also, while walking down the beach, don’t forget to taste the delicious seafood.
Things to Do: Enjoy the sea beach, visit the Marine Aquarium and Regional Centre, take a trip to the Udaipur beach, and explore Amravati Park.
How to Reach: Digha is well connected by train from Howrah station in Kolkata. Also, it is easily accessible by road from Kolkata.
3. Shantiniketan
When in West Bengal, Shantiniketan is such an essential place to be in. It is the birthplace of Rabindranath Tagore who even has a university to his name. Thousands of students join the education center providing the best of facilities. The location of the institution is amazing with the area surrounded by forests from all over.
If you are driving from Kolkata, you will reach Shanti Niketan in just four and a half hours. It is a good weekend place just to have a good time with yourself. Also, there are numerous art galleries in Shantiniketan. The paintings will surely interest you and amaze you to the next level.
Things to Do: Visit the Visva Bharati University, explore the Tagore’s Ashram, enjoy the Khoai Mela on Saturdays, and visit the Amar Kutir Society for Rural Development.
How to Reach: Trains from Howrah to Bolpur are the most convenient way to reach Shantiniketan. It is also well connected by road.
4. Bishnupur
Bishnupur is one of the historical places near Kolkata that you can visit. Besides, it is a weekend gateway destination. There are remains of forts and palaces appealing to historians the most. If you are traveling by train, then Bishnupur is very nearby. You can reach it in about three hours.
The area is famous for its terracotta temples. These temples were built several years ago. But the city has such a warm climate, so you shouldn’t visit it during the summer. There are so many guest houses in and around Bishnupur, so staying here won’t be a problem. You will get a room easily without much difficulty.
Things to Do: Explore the Terracotta temples, visit the Bishnupur Museum, check out the Madan Mohan Temple, and visit the Rasmancha.
How to Reach: Bishnupur can be reached by train from Howrah, Kolkata. By road, it’s accessible via the NH2 from Kolkata.
5. Chalsa
When you talk of travel, North Bengal is filled with some exciting and amazing scenic spots. All these places are filled with forests all around. Chalsa is one such place which you can visit easily either by flight or train. It will take you more than 10 hours on the train to reach the place since it is on the outskirts.
You will be mesmerized by the beauty of Chalsa and so many people come here for trekking and hiking. Secondly, the whole area is surrounded by tea estates, forests, hills, rivers, etc. But be sure not to go there in the Monsoons as the whole place is filled with water. The Gorumara National Park is in Chalsa. It’s mandatory to visit the park when you are at Chalsa.
Things to Do: Visit the Gorumara National Park, explore the Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary, and enjoy the tea gardens.
How to Reach: The nearest railway station is New Mal Junction which is 15 km away from Chalsa, and the nearest airport is Bagdogra.
6. Roopark Village
Roopark Village is yet another exotic destination near Odisha that you can reach within 5 hours from Kolkata. Furthermore, it is a definite place that should be on your weekend list. It is a tribal village that is breathtakingly beautiful. You will get to visit so many sightseeing places as well.
You can explore the town within one day or you can take a week and just loosen yourself in the place. The village is very small and has a Shiva temple and Deokund Falls. Also, visit the Shimlipal Forest Reserve located very close to Roopark village. You will get to stay in thatch and mud houses just like in the villages. This seems to be a beautiful and surreal experience.
Things to Do: Experience rural life, take part in local festivals, visit the village temple, and enjoy the lush greenery.
How to Reach: The nearest airport is Bhubaneswar. From there, take a taxi to reach Roopark Village. The closest railway station is Bhadrak.
7. Samsing
Not many people know about the beauty of Samsing but it is surely a must-visit place when you are in West Bengal. It is a great destination to be in but is a little far away from Kolkata. Many people go there by train only. If you take the train route, you will reach the place in about 10 hours.
The whole place is covered in thick forests. Moreover, people love to trek here in the thick forests. If you explore for a little while, you will find a gorgeous village as well. Since there are very few resorts here, you must do a booking from Kolkata.
Things to Do: Visit the Suntalekhola, enjoy a picnic at Rocky Island, and explore the Neora Valley National Park.
How to Reach: Samsing is best reached via car from Siliguri or Jalpaiguri. The nearest airport is Bagdogra and the nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri.
8. Tajpur
If you talk of beaches in West Bengal, Tajpur is one of the quaint beaches you will find in this area. Further, it is a quiet and serene place to visit if you just want to come out from city life. Nowadays, it is turning into a tourist spot with many people coming from various parts of the states.
The place is located just 22km from West Bengal. You can reach this place by train as well. If you are an adventurist, then you can take part in various activities like paragliding, speed boating, etc. So many people go on massive drives as well on Tajpur.
Things to Do: Enjoy the sea beach, take part in water sports, and go bird watching.
How to Reach: The most convenient way to reach Tajpur is by car from Kolkata. You can also take a train to Digha and then hire a taxi to Tajpur.
9. Uttarey
It is one of the newer districts that not many people know about. It is such an idyllic village where you can spend the weekend in the lap of nature. Further, the beauty of the mountains surrounds the entire space. You will be mesmerized by the beauty surrounding it.
But don’t visit during the monsoons since you will get heavy rainfall here. The altitude of the place is 2050m with the highest George bridge located here. You can trek to the village if you want it. The trekking route will take you through forests and mountain ranges.
Things to Do: Visit the Singalila Range, hike to the Phangchoong Peak, and explore the Kagyu Gumpha.
How to Reach: The nearest airport is Bagdogra, and the nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri. From there, take a taxi to Uttarey.
10. Mandarmani
Even though it is a relatively new place, Mandarmani has become a popular spot as well. It has a gorgeous beach with attractive golden sands that attracts tourists to this fantastic place. With the beach being less crowded, it also becomes a romantic destination.
If you want to drive to Mandarmani, it will take about 4 hours. Many people prefer paragliding here. You will find many luxury resorts here, so staying won’t be a problem. You will be able to find the best lodging accommodation for yourself.
Things to Do: Enjoy the sea beach, visit Mandarmani Beach, and check out the Mohona Watch Point.
How to Reach: Mandarmani can be reached by car from Kolkata. The nearest railway station is at Contai, and the nearest airport is at Kolkata.
Conclusion
There are so many beautiful places in Kolkata. Visit the prominent ones and if you are interested, you can take the off-beaten paths. Plan for a short vacation from Kolkata. And you will totally love the journey!
Suggested Article to Read:
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FAQs about visiting places near Kolkata in August:
Q1: Is it a good time to visit places near Kolkata in August?
A1: August falls under the monsoon season in West Bengal. If you enjoy the rain and lush greenery, it can be a great time to visit. However, some outdoor activities might be affected due to the rain.
Q2: What are the popular places to visit near Kolkata in August?
A2: Popular places include the Sundarbans, Digha, Mandarmani, Shantiniketan, Bishnupur, and Kurseong. All these places have unique experiences to offer.
Q3: Is it safe to visit the Sundarbans in August?
A3: It's usually safe to visit the Sundarbans in August, but there might be restrictions depending on the weather conditions. Always check with local tour operators before planning your trip.
Q4: What should I pack for visiting places near Kolkata in August?
A4: Pack light, breathable clothes. Rainwear like raincoats, umbrellas, waterproof bags and shoes are essential due to the monsoon. Also, mosquito repellents can come in handy in certain places.
Q5: What kind of food is available in places near Kolkata?
A5: You can expect a variety of Bengali cuisine, which is rich in fish and rice dishes. Many places also serve pan-Indian and international dishes.
Q6; How is the transport facility to places near Kolkata?
A6: Places near Kolkata are well connected by rail and road. However, the monsoon weather can sometimes affect the road conditions, so it's wise to check before your journey.
Q7: Are there any special events happening near Kolkata in August?
A7: August is when several local festivals may be happening, including the Jhapan Festival in Bishnupur. However, events may be affected by the COVID-19 situation, so it's best to check local calendars and resources.
