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India
Things to do in Howrah
1,392 attractions · India
Photo: Amit Patel, CC BY 3.0
West Bengal, India · 22.584, 88.266
About Howrah
Howrah functions as the vital western gateway to the Kolkata metropolitan area, anchored by the iconic [180] Howrah Bridge over the Hooghly River. It serves as one of India's busiest railway hubs, connecting the industrial belt of West Bengal to the rest of the nation. Visitors explore its unique intersection of colonial-era heritage and nature, including the expansive greenery of the [2130] Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden. The city maintains a distinct industrial character compared to its more commercial eastern neighbor across the river.
Good to know
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Howrah is home to one of the oldest and largest railway stations in India, acting as a massive transit point for millions of commuters daily.
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The city is a significant center for iron casting and foundry industries, a legacy of the colonial industrial expansion along the Hooghly riverbank.
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Despite being a distinct city, Howrah is physically and economically tethered to Kolkata, forming the core of the Kolkata Metropolitan Area.
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The local economy historically developed around the jute mills that once lined the Hooghly River, defining the urban landscape of the region.
Plan your visit to Howrah
Best time to visit
October to March, when the weather is cool and dry, making it comfortable for exploring outdoor sites.
How many days
2 days, sufficient to cover the primary railway architecture, riverside landmarks, and the botanical gardens.
Getting around
Local trains, public buses, and cycle rickshaws are primary modes of transit, with ferry services connecting to the Kolkata side.
Where to stay
Staying near the Howrah Station area provides maximum transit convenience, while parts of central Howrah offer quieter guesthouses.
Budget
A budget-friendly destination with affordable local transport and low-cost street food options.
Highlights of Howrah
The places our editors single out - and why they're worth your time.
Howrah Bridge
This landmark cantilever bridge serves as the primary artery connecting Howrah to Kolkata without any central pillars.
Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden
Home to the Great Banyan Tree, one of the largest specimen trees in the world by canopy spread.
Bhootnath Mandir
A riverside temple known for its intense religious activity and proximity to the cremation ghats.
Top things to do in Howrah
The 1,392 most popular places in Howrah.
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31
Historical places Popular
Andul Rajbari
Andul Rajbari is a historic 19th-century zamindar mansion located in Andul Mauri, Howrah, West Bengal. Commissioned by R...
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32
Museums Popular
Smaranika Tram Museum
Smaranika Tram Museum is a unique repository of Kolkata's transit heritage housed within a restored 1938 vintage tramcar...
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33
Parks Popular
Sasthi-Narayan Eco Park Dumurjala
Sasthi-Narayan Eco Park in Dumurjala, Howrah, serves as a neighborhood green space primarily focused on family-oriented...
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34
Places of interest Popular
Maidan Bidhan Market
Maidan Bidhan Market is a sprawling open-air commercial hub located in the heart of Kolkata's Maidan area. It functions...
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35
Zoos Popular
Alipore Zoo
The Alipore Zoological Garden, commonly known as Alipore Zoo, is India's oldest formally stated zoological park, opened...
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36
Temples Known locally
Naya Mandir
Naya Mandir is a prominent Hindu temple located in the Salkia area of Howrah, West Bengal. The temple serves as a focal...
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37
Parks Known locally
Princep Ghat Park
Princep Ghat Park is a landscaped riverside promenade and green space stretching along the Hooghly River in Kolkata, Wes...
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38
Temples Known locally
St. John's Church
St. John's Church is the third oldest church in Kolkata, commissioned by the East India Company and completed in 1787. I...
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39
Temples Known locally
Shiva Temple
The Shiva Temple located in the Ekbalpur-Khidirpur area is a neighborhood place of worship serving the local community....
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40
Parks Known locally
Prinsep Ghat 1
Prinsep Ghat is a historic Palladian-style colonial portico situated on the banks of the Hooghly River in Kolkata. Built...
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41
Parks Known locally
Eden Gardens (Public Park)
Eden Gardens is a historic public park and recreational area located in the Maidan region of Kolkata, distinct from the...
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42
Temples Known locally
Maghen David Synagogue
Maghen David Synagogue is the largest synagogue in the Southern Hemisphere and the Commonwealth. Completed in 1884 by El...
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43
Beaches and ponds Known locally
Alipore Zoo Aquarium
The Alipore Zoo Aquarium is a specialized aquatic facility located directly across from the Alipore Zoological Gardens i...
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44
Playgrounds Known locally
Nawab Ali Park
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45
Temples Known locally
Bada Ganesh mandir
Mota Ganesh Mandir is a prominent Hindu temple located within the historic Raja Katra wholesale market complex in Kolkat...
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46
Places of interest Known locally
Vidyasagar Setu (Second Hooghly Bridge)
Vidyasagar Setu, also known as the Second Hooghly Bridge, is a cable-stayed bridge spanning the Hooghly River in West Be...
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47
Parks Known locally
Victoria Park 34
Victoria Memorial is a large marble building and surrounding parkland located in the heart of Kolkata, constructed betwe...
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48
Temples Known locally
CATHEDRAL OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY
The Cathedral of the Most Holy Rosary, also known as the Portuguese Church, serves as the seat of the Archbishop of the...
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49
Historical places Known locally
Calcutta Town Hall
Calcutta Town Hall is a prominent example of Roman Doric architecture, originally commissioned in 1813 to serve as a ven...
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50
Parks Known locally
Shibaji Sangha Park
Shibaji Sangha Park is a community-managed public green space located in the Ichapur neighborhood of Howrah, West Bengal...
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51
Parks Known locally
Prinsep Ghat 2
Prinsep Ghat is a historic riverside landing stage on the banks of the Hooghly River, originally built in 1841 during th...
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52
Places of interest Known locally
Howrah New Market
Howrah New Market is a prominent commercial and retail hub situated along Belilious Road in Tikiapara, Howrah, West Beng...
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53
Temples Known locally
Boro Shitola Ma
Boro Shitola Ma is a prominent neighborhood temple situated in the Babudanga area of Howrah, West Bengal. It serves as a...
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54
Temples Known locally
Shyam Temple Kathgola
Shyam Temple Kathgola is a revered place of worship situated along Maharshi Debendra Road in the Jorabagan area of Kolka...
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55
Historical places Known locally
The Great Banyan Tree
The Great Banyan Tree is a massive Ficus benghalensis located within the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Ga...
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56
Historical places Known locally
Diamond Heritage
Diamond Heritage is a meticulously restored heritage commercial building situated on Strand Road in Kolkata's historic B...
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57
Parks Known locally
BANALATA PARK
Banalata Park is a neighborhood green space located in the Dasnagar area of Howrah, serving as a recreational spot for t...
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58
Venues Known locally
Sailen Manna bongo fc Stadium
Sailen Manna Stadium, also known as the Howrah Municipal Corporation Stadium, is a prominent multi-purpose sports facili...
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59
Parks Known locally
Hossain Shah Park
Hossain Shah Park is a community-oriented urban green space located in the Mominpore neighborhood of Kolkata, West Benga...
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60
Historical places Known locally
Mercantile Building
The Mercantile Building is a sprawling, multi-story colonial-era commercial complex located in the heart of Kolkata's ce...
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Frequently asked
How many attractions are there in Howrah?
Aventuro lists 1,392 curated attractions in and around Howrah, sorted by popularity.
What's the top attraction in Howrah?
Howrah Bridge is the most popular place to visit in Howrah right now.
What kind of attractions does Howrah have?
The largest category is temples, with 1,161 places to explore.
Which other cities are worth visiting nearby?
Travellers also explore Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Pune.
