Kolkata, known as the ‘City of Joy’, was named so for a reason. The beautiful place is any cultural, theatrical, or a food enthusiast’s dream come true. The city resonates with love for art and music. It is also home to architectural marvels, amazing museums, and temples. West Bengal, called the gateway to North-East India, has Kolkata as its hub for tourists to visit and further travel within India to some of the best weekend destinations from Kolkata or continue abroad.
The city assures memories as sweet as its renowned delicacy ‘Roshogulla’ and makes you want to keep coming back for more like its famous ‘Puchkas’. It is also a paradise for shoppers who love handicrafts and handlooms. All this richness in one city makes it tempting to visit. Want more? The place is surrounded by some of the most beautiful destinations that will just leave you in awe.
While we wrap up about Kolkata and explore what the encircling spots have to offer, we give you the most enchanting monsoon-worthy locations that will mesmerise you. These sites will let you travel from June to late August, and the rain just makes it even more magical.
Introducing the monsoon’s best weekend destinations from Kolkata.
1. Mandarmani
Mandarmani is a trending beach resort town in East Midnapore on the shores of the Bay of Bengal. The happening beachy town recently came into view, and tourists are loving the vibes of the place. It is picking up to be one of the best weekend destinations from Kolkata.
To see:
Mandarmani Beach
It is all you need to relax and take a few moments for yourself. Enjoy the sunrise with a walk on the beach, feel the sand under your feet and let the morning breeze swipe you away while the waves lap at your feet. You can even enjoy stunning sunsets from the shores while you listen to your favourite playlist. If you are a person who loves to play in the water, just dive into those waves and let them soak you with happiness.
Mohana Delta
Visit the delta, the home to many fishing settlements and some great views.
Tajpur Beach
A place of immense beauty where the beach is lined with dense trees and pristine waters that sing to you.
To do:
- Take a ride or drive on the Mandarmani beach, one of the longest motorable beaches in India.
- Enjoy the thrill of some seasonal watersports (which might not be open during the monsoon season) like boat rides, banana boat rides, jet-skiing, etc.
To eat:
Indulge in mouthwatering seafood like fish, shrimps, and red crabs.
Distance from Kolkata: 170kms
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2. Jhargram
Jhargram is a place with geological diversity with terrains of the forest spread across, mountains on one side, and the gushing Subarnarekha river on the other. For an adventurous soul who seeks nature at its best, this is the place one needs to visit.
To see
Chilkigarh Palace
Built by the Dhalbhum kings, this historical magnificence echoes royalty. It houses long walls that were constructed as protection from the Borgi dacoits and is also home to many beautiful temples.
Jhargram Royal Palace
The palace turned hotel is a piece of marvel.
Belpahari
A stunning location that is situated under the Dolma Hills with thick forests and water bodies around it. This place has many hiking trails that will take you to Tarafeni Dam, Lake Khandarani, and a few hilltops. You can also visit Ghagra Falls near the place. It is setting itself to be one of the best weekend destinations from Kolkata.
Kendua
Spot an array of migrating and in-house birds in the village of Kendua. See some amazing species like Indian Golden Oriole, Great Egret, Rufous Treepie, and more.
Chilkigarh Sacred Grove
This forest is a biodiversity heritage site and is also home to the auspicious Kanak Durga Temple, the diety of the then royal family. It is known for preserving abundant wildlife too. If you are someone who is keen on fauna and flora, here are some of the magnificent wildlife destinations in India.
To do
- Go for a trek in Belpahari to enjoy scenic views amidst the dense forest.
- Take a walk around the Jungle Mahal Zoological Park.
To eat
One can try some local cuisines and get to choose from other continental food too.
For more details, visit the Jhargram Tourism website.
Distance from Kolkata: 173 kms
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3. Tajpur
Tajpur is an offbeat place that will paint you a picture of eternal beauty. One need not love the beach to be lured away into the many shades of nature in this enthralling location. Secluded and still booming to be a tourist hub, it makes for a great destination to enjoy with your loved ones or to have some fun time with your friends. This tranquil beach is lined with dense tamarisk trees creating a charm of its own. One can walk past hundreds of red crabs on this beach.
To see and do
Tajpur beach
Walk the sandy paths of this beach, letting the waves kiss your feet. A few steps ahead is a beautiful lagoon one can visit to enjoy the endless view of the Bay of Bengal and get lost in the hues of the sea. Don’t miss out on this beachy beauty that is moving towards being one of the best weekend destinations from Kolkata.
To eat
Indulge in a variety of street food, seafood, and other delicacies.
Distance from Kolkata: 172 kms
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4. Sonajhuri Forest
Sonajhuri, translating to ‘Droplets of Gold’, is a magical forest nestled in the Birbhum region in West Bengal. It has a few charming natural touches that make the place one of the must-visit destinations. It is considered one of the cleanest forests in India. While you take a walk around this dense greenery, you can spot vibrant coloured flowers and birds, especially during the winters. This serene place got its name from the Sonajhuri tree, which blossoms into soft yellow blooms that leave a bed of fragrant flowers. We think nature lovers need to pick this place if they want to see one of the best weekend destinations from Kolkata.
To see
The Khoai
It is a canyon formed by water and wind gushing through the red sand terrain. It is decked with lush greenery and some gentle wildlife that one need not worry about during their visit. You can take a stroll along the long tree lines. This place paints a stunning picture during the monsoon season and lets you capture the beauty of it in a frame or in your memory.
Take a few moments near the banks of the river Kopai that flows through the region and watch nature come to life in a multitude of colours.
To do
- Just wander around the place to enjoy some tranquil moments.
- Based on the weather, one can have a small picnic with family or friends.
- This place is famous for Sonajhuri Haat, which is a vivid coloured lively mela that is held during the day every Saturday. If it’s open in Monsoon, we insist you don’s miss out on shopping here.
Distance from Kolkata: 165 kms
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5. Maithon
Maithon is nestled at the border of Jharkhand and West Bengal in the Dhanbad region. It is called ‘Kashmir of Koyalanchal’ due to the plentiful coal belt the place holds. This captivating site has some amazing picnic spots, dams, and river beds to take in some serene views. The river Barakar flows through the region and is the source of the famous Maithon Dam.
To see
Maithon Dam
A peaceful location gifted with the magnificence of both natural and man-made beauty, this place is great to relax, click a few photos, and spend some hours just chilling.
Deer Park
Take a trip to the Deer Park near Maithon to spot some herds of deers in a lush green surrounding.
Spoon Island
Also called Chammach Pahar or Sobuj Dweep, this spoon-shaped island is placed in the middle of Maithon Lake.
Gar Panchkot
It is an ancient fort in ruins situated at the bottom of Panchet Hill. It has a few old watchtowers that can be visited. We suggest you think before climbing, especially during the monsoon season. One can also visit the nearby Panchet Dam. The most mesmerising part of it all during the rains is that the fallen fort looks timeless against the vivid green hills. Does this top your list of the best weekend destinations from Kolkata? We hope yes!
To do
- Go for a boat ride in the Maithon Lake.
- Visit the Spoon Island by government organised boats. We suggest you take a guide as you may get lost and the place is home to wild animals.
- One can also visit the ancient Kali Pahari temple dedicated to Devi Kali.
Distance from Kolkata: 233 kms
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Though these destinations are meant for summers or winters, the magic of monsoon is something that uncovers the mystery it holds. Plan a road trip to these best weekend destinations from Kolkata for a mystical travel experience. There may be other abundant locations to visit from the main city, but these handpicked ones will make you fall in love with the enthralling beauty of nature, especially during the rainy season.
Check out these amazing monsoon travel tips for the perfect vacation.
To explore other places for longer trips, we suggest you check out this list of destinations in West Bengal for a relaxing getaway. If you are planning to travel to Kolkata, here are our top stays that are just amazing.
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