12 Aesthetic Road Trips From Kolkata That’ll Fix Your Mood

This is a nice stretch for someone who enjoys long drives. The Durgapur Expressway, commonly known as the Dankuni–Palsit route, is a smooth, roughly 65-kilometer road. It connects Barakar and Dankuni and is a section of NH2. Get your chai and breakfast from dhabas and roadside food stalls between 7 AM and 10 AM. After that, head directly to Azad Hind Dhaba, which is close to Uluberia in Howrah, for lunch or dinner, and get some roti and dal tadka. People simply cannot get enough of their soft makki rotis and ghee-oozing sarson saag, so they become a mainstay on their menu come winter.

Distance From Kolkata: 65 kilometres

Time Taken By Car: 2 - 3.5 hours

Things To Do: Have local food, eat at Azad Hind Dhaba, taste Shaktigarh langcha

LBB Tip: If you start your drive early, you'll make it back by evening. It is safer and you'll avoid the traffic. 

Piyali Islands, a picturesque picnic area south of Kolkata, is regarded as one of the main routes to the Sundarbans. A boat trip on the Matla River is a must-try here. Numerous hiking and walking trails can be found here as well. You can also see a range of migratory birds when they visit in the winter. Piyali is located 74 kilometres from Kolkata. The island and mainland are connected by the Piyali Dam. The calm location is perfect for a picnic, and the water's ripples below are a sight to behold. A stroll through the verdant paddy fields and the adjacent lush mangrove woods is a wonderful way to unwind in the middle of nature.

Distance From Kolkata: 70 - 80 kilometres

Time Taken By Car: 1.5 - 2 hours

Things To Do: Boat rides, hiking trails, nature walks, visit Piyali Dam, see the mangroves

LBB Tip: Migratory birds arrive during winter, making it great for bird‑watching and photography. 

Bishnupur is a town famous for unique terracotta temples dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. Made under the rule of Vaishnavite Malla kings, the temples used the local laterite soil to create detailed terracotta work with a distinct look. The dominant architectural style is the Bengali Eka-Ratna, with a single tower set upon a sloping roof and a square cell, with a porch on each side. One of the most popular is the Jor Bangla temple with the signature curved double roof of Bengal and its walls covered with intricately carved terracotta plaques. The terracotta work depicts scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. The town is also known for Baluchari sarees – rich and regal silks with mythological tales woven into them. The weavers draw inspiration from the temple motifs. Traditionally, beige tussar silk is used as a base, with designs woven in maroons, reds, deep purple, and gold, giving the sarees a very royal touch. 

Distance From Kolkata: 150 kilometres

Time Taken By Car: 4 - 5 hours

Things To Do: See the 12.5 ft Dalmadal cannon that fired in 1742 when the ‘Bargis’(Maratha armies) had attacked Bishnupur, shop for Bengal handicrafts like the patachitra, Dashavatara cards, terracotta toys like the famous long-eared Bankura horse, buy sarees. 

LBB Tip: You can also take any of the direct trains from Kolkata, such as the Hwh Prr Exp (12827), Rupasibangla Exp (12883), and Aranyak Express (12885). 

If you wish to have the perfect long drive with your road trip playlist on repeat, Bakkhali is the place to be. Beach walks, wind farms, boat rides, islands, and cycle rides are to be found around town. Well-known for its golden dunes, small red crabs, and serene atmosphere. Take a boat from here to the enigmatic island of Jambu Dweep, which is submerged for a portion of the year. A British officer's unfulfilled dream left behind haunting ruins and windmills spinning against a stormy sky at Frasergunj Wind Park. Lastly, relax at the crescent-shaped Bakkhali Beach, which is ideal for strolls at sunset and has the serene Bishhalakshmi Temple at its far end.

Distance From Kolkata: 125 kilometres

Time Taken By Car: 3.5 - 4 hours

Things To Do: Visit Henry's Island, Bakkhali beach, and the crocodile breeding centre. Enjoy watersport activities and eating Bengali food. 

LBB Tip: If you can't walk, take a taxi, see kingfishers, or stay in nearby cottages for a few hours and then drive back. 

Shankarpur has some of the closest beaches to Kolkata, just over 100 kilometres away. It also supports parasailing over the beach, not over the water, but it’s still a thrilling experience. Two people can go together, so it’s a happy memory you get to share with a loved one. If you arrive early enough, you can see fishermen dragging their nets out of the ocean. Great photo ops are also provided by the nearby fishing boats. You can spot various stands serving freshly fried fish along the long, pristine beach.

Distance From Kolkata: 100 kilometres

Time Taken By Car: 3 - 4 hours

Things To Do: Parasailing, boat rides, watching the sunsets and sunrise, walking along the beach, eating seafood from shacks and stalls. 

LBB Tip: Keep cash handy for toll gates. 

Nestled at the confluence of major and minor rivers, Khulna, Bangladesh, on the opposite bank, Taki boasts stunning natural beauty and a rich heritage dating back 400 years. Explore the crumbling mansions and Durga dalans built by zamindars, witness annual Epar Bangla Opar Bangla Durga Visarjan during Durga Pujo, and admire the massive brick kilns that stand like remnants of ancient eras. Don't miss the beautiful river Ichhamati with its beached boats and sandy shallows perfect for a relaxing wade across. You can also experience a full day of fun at Amrapali Garden, a mango garden picnic spot perfect for weekends with family and friends. Book the entire two Bigha garden with amenities like a cottage, washrooms, free car parking, a play area, and food options. Taki Raj Bari, also called Puber Bari, showcases the architectural heritage of zamindars from the British era. History and architecture enthusiasts would enjoy this famous landmark.

Distance From Kolkata: 70 kilometres

Time Taken By Car: 3.5 - 4 hours

Things To Do: Visit Ramkrishna Math and Ramkrishna Mission, spend a few hours at Amrapali Garden, visit Chandraketugarh, visit Lal Masjid, Golpata forest, visit Jharkhali. 

LBB Tip: If you're staying overnight in Taki, Sonar Bangla Taki is the ideal choice. With beautifully designed rooms, top-notch amenities, and diverse dining options, it caters to a range of guests, from business travelers to vacationers.

Diamond Harbour is a laid-back picnic location close to Kolkata, where the Ganges meets the Bay of Bengal. Take a leisurely walk, admire the river's infinite expanse, or simply relax by the water. Visit Joynagar's ancient manuscripts and terracotta art, visit Bakkhali Beach, or explore the historic Portuguese fort for a little adventure. You should ferry on the Hooghly as well. You can even sail to Sagar Island or lounge at Raichak. If you want to fully experience the beautiful autumn season, October through March would be the best time to visit. In addition to the excellent weather, the festival season adds the icing on the cake. 

Distance From Kolkata: 50 - 54 kilometres

Time Taken By Car: 1.5 - 2 hours

Things To Do: Picnics with family and friends, ferry rides, visit the Chingrikhali fort ruins and watch the sunsets. 

LBB Tip: Nagendra Bazaar Fish Market is a wholesale fish market popular for different varieties of prawns, which are sold at least INR 100 to INR 150 cheaper than most markets. tangra, bhetki and aar are sold between INR 280 and INR 300. 

This town is a shining example of graceful architecture. In 1656, the Dutch established their commerce in indigo and spices here. They got into a fight with the British in 1759 and lost in thirty minutes. Until the British eventually acquired control of the town in 1825, it was constantly changing hands. By the way, this is where Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote Vande Mataram! The Dutch Cemetery, St. John's Church, the clock tower of Ghorir More, Hooghly Imambara, and Bandel Church exhibit colonial grandeur. The defiance of Kazi Nazrul reverberates throughout Hooghly Jail, while the Chandannagar Strand offers a picturesque riverbank haven.

Distance From Kolkata: 50 - 54 kilometres

Time Taken By Car: 1.2 - 1.5 hours

Things To Do: Visit Dutch Cemetery, St. John's Church, the clock tower of Ghorir More, Hooghly Imambara and Bandel Church

LBB Tip: Bengali sweets like langcha, mihidana, or fresh fish dishes from local eateries are a must-try. 

Drive to the villages of Purulia and witness the chhau festival. The festival celebrates the traditional craft of chhau mask making in the village of Charida, where most houses double as a studio with mask artists at work. They use paper pulp and clay as the base, jute fibers are used for facial hair and eyebrows and these are then painted and decorated with feathers and beads, zari, glitters and foils. In the Purulia chhau style, the dancers wear large stylised masks and the stories are based on mythological tales that portray the triumph of good over evil. This dance form was added to the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010. Charida village is in the Chotanagpur plateau with a rocky and undulating landscape, red soil and deciduous forests that are rich in biodiversity. It is located at the scenic foothills of Ayodhya Hills, ideal for bikers and trekkers. You can also check out the ruins of 8th-century temples at Deulghata on the banks of the river Kansai. And then there are 6th-century Jain temples in Telkupi, Bandhar Deul, and the Radha Binod temple.

Distance From Kolkata: 290 - 320 kilometres

Time Taken By Car: 4 - 6 hours

Things To Do: Buy chhau masks, visit Ayodhya Hills, check out the temples, nature walks along the banks of Kansai, visit Radha Binod temple.

LBB Tip: Purulia has many hotels and there are a few lodges in Baghmundi town, if you want to be nearer.

If long drives need to be wrapped in an aantel film, a drive on the Howrah bridge just captures that essence perfectly. The Howrah Bridge is the sixth-longest suspended span cantilever bridge in the world and is a miracle of early Bengali architecture and engineering. Are you familiar with the scene in every Kolkata-based movie where the camera simply moves up from the car throughout the montage to capture the Howrah Bridge's design elements? Yeah, that's exactly how you'll feel on the bridge. This bridge serves as the primary gateway to the remainder of the state and is typically crossed by everyone arriving in Kolkata. Officially, it was renamed Rabindra Setu in 1965 in honour of Rabindranath Tagore. Approximately 97 metres wide and 705 metres long, it has eight lanes. It is the busiest cantilever bridge in the world, with about 1.5 lakh pedestrians and two lakh cars using it daily.

Distance From Kolkata: 5 - 10 kilometres

Time Taken By Car: 40 - 45 minutes

Things To Do: Visit Avani Mall, explore Mullick Ghat flower market, see the Howrah Railway Station, and visit the Railway Museum. 

LBB Tip: Keep cash handy for toll gates. 

Mayapur is a city of ancient temples and myths. It is one of the nine islands that form the Navadweep (that looks like a lotus flower with eight petals) and is situated just at the confluence of the Ganga and Jalangi rivers. It’s a well-known pilgrimage place attracting tourists and devotees from across the world. It’s believed that Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Lord Krishna’s incarnate, was born here, which is why there’s also a temple dedicated to him. The famous ISKCON temple is also here. Visits during the Gaura Purnima festival also offer vibrant processions, cultural performances, and an energetic atmosphere!

Distance From Kolkata: 128.9 kilometres

Time Taken By Car: 4.5 hours

Things To Do: Nature walks, boat rides, visiting the ISCKON temple

LBB Tip: Stay for an entire day at the ISCKON temple as they serve prasad for lunch. 

Eco park in Newtown, Rajarhat, hosts the seven wonders of the world, the Japanese Forest, lovely gardens, and much more. You can spend an hour on a boat excursion here. You may rent a bicycle and even ride a toy train. In a nutshell, it is just a must-see location to see during the winter. The park occupies 480 acres and is encircled by a 104-acre body of water with an island in the centre. It provides excellent photo ops. It's the perfect place for a relaxed day out because of the well-kept flora and serene atmosphere. Furthermore, there is a bamboo garden, an herb garden, a butterfly garden, and a rose garden. The Eco Island, which can be reached only by bridge, is another fantastic location for parties or relaxation. The park changes with the lights at night, producing a mystical ambiance. Adventure sports like rock climbing and zip-lining, as well as kid-friendly activities, are also available.

Distance From Kolkata: 12 - 15 kilometres

Time Taken By Car: 1 - 1.5 hours

Things To Do: Eat at Cafe Ekante, boat rides, cycling, archery, adventure sports, toy train rides, and see the seven wonders of the world. 

LBB Tip: The Biswa Bangla Gate, which is a hanging restaurant, is nearby; make sure to visit it for great photo ops and the city skyline during sunset. They also have very good elaichi chaa, which is a must-try.