Howrah, West Bengal City Guide: Where To Go, Stay, Eat, And shop in India’s best city. [Updated-2025]

Howrah, West Bengal City Guide: Where To Go, Stay, Eat, And shop in India’s best city.

Howrah, West Bengal – The Twin City of Kolkata

Howrah, located on the western bank of the Hooghly River, is a vibrant city known as the twin city of Kolkata. It is one of the oldest and most industrialized cities in West Bengal and serves as a crucial transportation and cultural hub. The iconic Howrah Bridge, connecting it to Kolkata, is a globally recognized landmark.

📍 Key Highlights of Howrah:

✅ Home to the iconic Howrah Bridge & Vidyasagar Setu.
✅ Major railway hub with one of India’s busiest stations – Howrah Junction.
✅ Rich in history, culture, and colonial heritage.
✅ Beautiful gardens & lakes like Botanical Garden & Santragachi Jheel.
✅ A center for jute mills & industries.

🏞️ Top Attractions & Best Places to Visit in Howrah

1️⃣ Howrah Bridge – The Lifeline of Kolkata 🌉

📍 Location: Over the Hooghly River
💞 Why Visit?
✅ One of the longest cantilever bridges in the world.
✅ An engineering marvel built in 1943.
✅ Offers breathtaking views of the Hooghly River.

🎟️ Entry Fee: Free
🕰️ Timings: Open 24×7

2️⃣ Vidyasagar Setu – The Second Hooghly Bridge 🌁

📍 Location: Connecting Howrah & Kolkata
💞 Why Visit?
✅ A modern cable-stayed bridge with stunning architecture.
✅ Perfect for scenic night views with lights.
✅ Less crowded than Howrah Bridge.

🎟️ Entry Fee: Free
🕰️ Timings: Open 24×7

3️⃣ Indian Botanical Garden – Home of the Great Banyan Tree 🌳

📍 Location: Shibpur, Howrah
💞 Why Visit?
✅ One of the oldest botanical gardens in India (founded in 1787).
✅ Famous for the Great Banyan Tree, one of the world’s largest.
✅ A paradise for nature lovers & photographers.

🎟️ Entry Fee: ₹10 (Indians), ₹100 (Foreigners)
🕰️ Timings: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

4️⃣ Santragachi Jheel – A Birdwatcher’s Paradise 🦜

📍 Location: Santragachi, Howrah
💞 Why Visit?
✅ A beautiful lake attracting migratory birds in winter.
✅ Serene environment, perfect for a peaceful getaway.
✅ Great for nature photography.

🎟️ Entry Fee: Free
🕰️ Timings: Open all day

5️⃣ Belur Math – A Spiritual & Architectural Marvel 🛕

📍 Location: Belur, Howrah
💞 Why Visit?
✅ Founded by Swami Vivekananda, headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission.
✅ A fusion of Hindu, Christian & Islamic architecture.
✅ A peaceful spiritual retreat.

🎟️ Entry Fee: Free
🕰️ Timings: 6:00 AM – 11:30 AM, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

6️⃣ Avani Riverside Mall – Best Shopping & Entertainment Spot 🛍️

📍 Location: Shibpur, Howrah
💞 Why Visit?
✅ Best shopping mall in Howrah with top brands.
✅ Multiplex cinema, restaurants & gaming zones.
✅ Perfect for families & couples.

🎟️ Entry Fee: Free
🕰️ Timings: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

🍽️ Food & Drink in Howrah – Must-Try Dishes

Famous Howrah Dishes:

🍛 Macher Jhol (Fish Curry) – A Bengali specialty.
🥟 Shingara (Samosa) – A crispy snack.
🥘 Kosha Mangsho (Spicy Mutton Curry) – A rich, flavorful dish.
🍛 Luchi-Alur Dom – A traditional Bengali breakfast.
🍰 Roshogolla & Mishti Doi – Famous Bengali sweets.

Best Restaurants in Howrah:

🍽️ Tamarind Restaurant – Best for Bengali & Indian cuisine.
🍽️ Hangout Food Court – A great place for snacks & fast food.
🍽️ The French Loaf – Ideal for coffee & desserts.

🎭 Fairs & Festivals in Howrah

🎡 Durga Puja (October) – The grandest festival in Bengal.
🔥 Kali Puja (November) – Celebrated with great enthusiasm.
🎶 Poush Mela (December-January) – A cultural fair with music & dance.
🌸 Ganga Sagar Mela (January) – A famous religious fair on the Hooghly River.

🌙 Nightlife in Howrah – Best Places to Hang Out

🍹 One Bottle Down – A stylish bar with live music.
🎶 Opium Bar & Lounge – Great for drinks & nightlife.
🍸 10 Downing Street (TDS) – A popular pub in the nearby Kolkata area.
☕ The Orient Café – Best for late-night coffee & snacks.

🚗 How to Reach Howrah?

• ✈️ By Air: The nearest airport is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) (20 km).
• 🚆 By Train: Howrah Junction is India’s busiest railway station, well-connected across the country.
• 🚗 By Road: NH-16 & NH-19 connect Howrah to major cities like Kolkata, Delhi & Chennai.