Picnic Spots Near Kolkata
If you have had an overdose of places in the City of Joy that you hangout at all the time, then plan a picnic to any of these places not too far from the city. There are several places around Kolkata where you can go to unwind and de-stress, away from the glaring lights and over-polluted skies. Head to some of the beautiful locales around the city and discover the opportunities available there. A picnic with your gang of friends or with family is a great way to spend time and keep boredom at bay.
Sanhati Park, situated in Ashokenagar, is very popular in Kolkata. Apart from being a regular picnic spot, it is also home to an amusement park. This place is equipped with a toy train, museum, rope way and restaurant. It also has a lake where you can avail boating facilities. Sanhati Park is closed on Mondays, but is open from 8 am to 9 pm on all other days.
Located on the banks of the Ganges, Raichak is 50 km from Kolkata, making it an ideal destination for weekend tourists. Surrounded by verdant trees, the picturesque town offers glorious views of the river with rows of country boats sailing down, and makes for a perfect escape from the city grind. Built in the Anglo-Indian style, the British fort has been converted into a five-star resort. There is decent accommodation available in the town as well. The hotel treasures some memorabilia of the bygone era including a grand piano, a clock, swords and perfume bottles.
Santiniketan was founded by Maharshi Debendranath Tagore, father of Rabindranath Tagore. In 1901 Rabindranath Tagore started an experimental place of learning which later grew to become the Vishva Bharati University in 1921. Today, Santiniketan is also famous for its various festivals which mark the changing seasons like the Poush Mela, Maghotsa, Basanta Utsab and more. Santiniketan is a cultural hub, but has changed since the days of Tagore. Even so, it still remains an absolute must-visit for all.
A ruined Portuguese fort, a light house, and Lord Buddha’s statue are some of the attractions in Diamond Harbour. About 15 km from Raichak, Diamond Harbour is a favourite picnic spot among tourists and the locals as well. Those looking for a quick getaway drive down to Diamond Harbour because of its charm that casts a spell on travelers.
Set in the exclusive Rajarhat Megacity – a 20 minute drive from Kolkata city airport and just 40 minutes away from the centre of the city- is Vedic Village. A place to unwind and relax, Vedic Village offers health and spa facilities as well as outdoor activities like boating and horse riding.
The most popular sea beach and resort town of West Bengal, Digha is situated only 187 km away from from Kolkata. Digha has a low gradient with a shallow sand beach, surrounded by casuarina plantations along the coast enhancing the beauty of this place. The principal attraction of Digha is the flat hard beach which stretches for miles. You can either enjoy sun-bathing by the beach or go swimming during your stay in Digha. The ever potent combination of sun, sea and sand is made all the more pleasant in Digha because it is neither too crowded nor too commercial a beach resort.
Gadiara is one of the most beautiful and popular picnic spots in Howrah district. Located about 90 km from Kolkata, this nondescript village makes an interesting picnic spot. The edges of this ‘private beach’ slope gradually into the placid waters making it a great place to take a dip or thrash around.
If you want to rejuvenate yourself, go to this small beach surrounded with coconut trees and a serene atmosphere, Bakkhali. Spread over the Deltic region, close to the Sunderbans, Bakkhali is paradise on earth!
And if you want be around Kolkata and not drive too far away from the city, then a visit to Nicco Park or Aquatica in Kolkata is perfect. These two amusement parks are always packed with picnickers who go there to either take a ride in one of the many adventure rides available or simply sit back and enjoy the day at the park.
You can also contact any of these tour operators and travel agents in Kolkata for a hassle-free getaway.
