For an insight into the best of Kolkata’s cultural heritage, there are endless sites to be visited throughout the city. From museums and galleries housing works by some of the area’s best artists to striking architectural monuments and historic sites, Kolkata has it all. The city’s religious buildings, whether they are Muslim, Christian or Hindu, offer a look at the various traditions of each faith and indeed a fascinating look at the different design features embraced. With its strong history and traditions, Kolkata has more options for sightseeing than you will have time to explore.

Ahutosh Museum of Indian Art
This fabulous museum contains pieces that express particularly Bengali craftsmanship and design. It’s well worth an afternoon stroll to get out of the sun.

Asiatic Society
The oldest of its type in Asia, the Asiatic Society boasts beautiful buildings and its rooms house works of art from such prominent artists as Rubens and Guiles. The library features ancient manuscripts, engravings and coins.

Belur Math
This spectacular display of unique world architecture is the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission. It is located along the banks of the river, 6kms north of Kolkata and depending which side you view it from, gives the impression of being a mosque, a temple or a church.

Dalhousie Square
This is the main administration and commerce centre west of Bengal. Here you will find many of the major state buildings with some of the city’s most unique - and often Western - architectural styles. The Writer’s Building along with Fort William are among two of the most well known monuments in the square.

Dakshineswar Temple
This site has one temple devoted to the goddess Kail and 12 devoted to the god Shiva. These sites are worth a visit, and provide some of the best photo ops that will be sure to impress all back home.

Howrah Bridge
This impressive cantilever bridge is the third largest in the world and can accommodate eight lanes of traffic. It was first opened in 1943 and is over 21 metres wide

High Court
The city’s High Court is one of the only examples of Gothic architecture in Kolkata and offers spectacular panoramic views of the city from its Judicature building.

Jain Temple
An innovative jeweller took it upon himself to design and build this masterpiece of Indian art in the late 1800s. The most beautiful and intricate features are the hand-painted panels which re-enact scenes from Jain mythology.

Marble Palace
This spectacular building contains an outstandingly impressive collection of art and antiques from around Europe. Fountains from Rome, clocks from Geneva and coveted paintings by Joshua Reynolds and the infamous Rubens feature in the collection. Nearly a hundred types of marble from all corners of the globe have been brought to the Asian site and used throughout the interior of the building.

Missionaries of Charity
Home to the tomb of the adored Mother Theresa, the Missionaries of Charity convent still stands on its original site dating back to 1950 when the order first vowed to ‘give whole-hearted and free service to the poorest of the poor’.

Nakhoda Mosque
This is worth a visit for anyone who is interested in various styles of architecture. It is the biggest site of homage for the city’s Muslim community and its outstanding congregation hall, designed to hold up to 10,000 worshippers, is a wonderful sight to behold.

Raj Bhavan
Arguably India’s finest example of Georgian architecture, Raj Bhavan was once the official residence of the British governor during the period of British rule in India. Tipu Sultan’s throne is one of the site’s most interesting attractions, while the ballroom dance floor is the most sparklingly polished in all of India.

Shabid Manar
This 52-metre architectural oddity features a column of Syrian style, a base of Egyptian style and a dome of Turkish style.

St John’s Church
Home to the mausoleum of Kolkata’s founder, Job Charnock, the church features Grecian columns and is a charming sight. It is located south of BBD Bagh.

St Paul’s Cathedral
St Paul’s was the first cathedral to be built in India and was constructed in a curious yet striking Indo-Gothic style. The stained-glass windows are the only ones that can be found in the city, while mosaics, murals and European-inspired frescoes add to the unique charm of the cathedral.

Tagore House
Once home of one of India’s greatest national heroes - a man who brought his beloved country to the eyes of the world and the first Nobel Prize winner to hail from Asia, Rabindranath Tagore - this house is today a centre for traditional dance, drama music, museum and university of arts.

Victoria Memorial
Victoria Memorial is a large white marble construction and an impressive testament to the British Raj in India. Lord Cuzon built it in memory of Queen Victoria and it today houses historical manuscripts, paintings and sculptures.

Hug a tree. Located in a quiet space 20kms outside Kolkata, the oldest Botanical Gardens in India is the ideal place for a tranquil day out of the city and is surrounded by great natural beauty. The gardens contain over 30,000 types of plants and trees and the most striking feature is the 600-year-old Banyan tree, the largest in the world. Likewise, Eden Gardens is one of the most pleasant locations in the city to retreat from the noise and pollution. The garden is intricately designed and impeccably manicured, featuring dazzling fountains and a Burmese pagoda.

Spend a day at Fort William. The fort is an impressive testament to the British rulers of the past. Costing a phenomenal two million British pounds to construct at the end of the 18^th century, it is a vast complex featuring modern amenities including a cinema, a church, a market area, a swimming pool, a boxing stadium and a firing range – and even its very own football stadium.

Work up a sweat at The Maiden. This is one of the city’s most popular spots to escape the crowded streets and is home to fields, pitches and courts for almost any sport that one may wish to enjoy.

Read at the National Library. Although Kolkata is no longer India’s capital, it is still home to the country’s largest and most prominent library. Once the home of Warren Hastings, the first governor general of British India, it today contains over two million books and historical manuscripts.