The capital city of West Bengal, Kolkata, is renowned as the cultural centre of our country. Shrouded in history and traditions, the City Of Joy is home to numerous iconic landmarks, religious sites, natural retreats, and more. However, one of the best ways to learn about this legendary city is by visiting the numerous museums in Kolkata. From science and technology to ancient history, automotive, and India’s freedom struggle, you can get insights about all this and more at the exciting museums that dot the city.
Here are some of the best museums in Kolkata that should be a prominent part of your travel plans. Read on to bookmark these spots today!
7 Best Museums in Kolkata
1. Indian Museum Kolkata
One of India’s and Asia Pacific’s oldest and largest multi-purpose museums, the Indian Museum, was established as early as 1814 and has almost one lakh exhibits on display. The formation of this massive museum set the movement rolling for the creation of 400 similar museums across different parts of the country. Indian museum’s 60 galleries are home to a lot of information and exhibit about zoology, coins, botany, archaeology, art, geology, anthropology, and economics. Called Jadu Ghar in Kolkata, a trip to this museum gives you tremendous insight into the history and culture of not just India but the world. Buddhist relics, Egyptian mummies, contemporary paintings, artwork from the Mughal era, fossils, remains of meteorites, and Shahjahan’s Goblet are some of the exciting collections that should not be missed here.
Timings: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Closed on Mondays)
Entry Fees: ₹ 20/- (Entry Free for Babies)
2. Marble Palace
A 19th-century architectural masterpiece, Marble Palace houses a museum, a zoo, and a residential place. A brainchild of Rajendra Mallick, Marble Palace has a neo-classical style that seamlessly blends Eastern aspects with Western aesthetics. The white marble walls of this palace itself have several intricate carvings that are a sight to behold. Marble Palace Museum is home to artworks by renowned artists, including Titian, Murillo, Ruben and John Opie. Once there, you can also explore Greco-Roman sculptures, medieval chandeliers, Victorian furniture, clocks, mirrors and paintings by Indian artists. The zoo at Marble Palace is also equally exciting as it houses porcupines, barking deer, hyacinths, magpies, hornbills, and macaws.
Timings: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Closed on Mondays and Thursdays)
Entry Fees: Free (Obtain a permit from West Bengal Tourism Information 24 before your visit).
3. Mother’s Wax Museum
Popularly called Wax Museum Kolkata, this spot is both entertaining and educational. In New Town, Mother’s Wax Museum has figures from numerous industries, including Bollywood, sports stars, Hollywood, Nobel laureates, music, scientists, Bengali cinema, and cartoon characters. Some of the most notable wax figures here include Virat Kohli, Amitabh Bachan, Kapil Dev, Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, APJ Abdul Kalam, Mahatma Gandhi, Angelina Jolie, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Michael Jackson, Harry Potter and more. Since the exhibits are made entirely out of wax, the museum asks its visitors to stick to a certain set of guidelines, including not carrying matchboxes, not touching the figures and not permitting any food and water.
Timings: 12:00 PM to 7:30 PM (Monday Closed)
Entry Fees: ₹ 250 ( Entry free for children below 3 years)
Also Read: Famous Monuments of Kolkata
4. Tram Museum
An integral part of what makes Kolkata is the presence of Trams. This mode of transport is still running in Kolkata and it is the only Indian city with this exciting transportation system. Also called Smaranika Tram Museum, the museum is housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century tram depot and features a collection of vintage trams, photographs, and other artefacts related to the history of trams in Kolkata. You can take a tour of the museum to learn about the evolution of the city’s tram network, which dates back to 1873, and see examples of trams from different eras. The museum also offers the opportunity to ride on a restored tram and experience the city’s iconic mode of transportation firsthand.
Timings: 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Entry Fees: ₹ 5
5. Victoria Memorial
Located on the banks of River Hooghly, Victoria Memorial is one of the most famous museums in Kolkata and is often referred to as the ‘Taj Mahal Of Kolkata’ by the locals. Built in Queen Victoria’s memory in 1901, Victoria Memorial reflects India’s rich history and culture. The 25 galleries present over here pack some of the most iconic paintings, artefacts and manuscripts. Kalighat and Mughal paintings and manuscripts of renowned literary works, including Arabian Nights, Shakespeare and Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, should not be missed by art enthusiasts and book lovers. Besides the museum within the memorial, there are also the surrounding landscaped gardens that you should not miss out on. The gardens are home to sculptures of several historical figures, such as Charles Cornwallis, Arthur Wellesley, Queen Victoria and Rajendra Nath Mookherjee.
Timings: Memorial – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Monday Closed)
Gardens Timings: 5:30 AM to 6:30 PM (Mar-Sep); 5:45 AM to 5:30 PM (Oct-Feb)
Entry Fees: ₹ 30 (Memorial); ₹ 10 (Gardens)
6. Netaji Bhavan
Netaji Bhavan is a historic house on the Elgin Road in Kolkata. It was the residence of one of India’s greatest freedom fighters, Subhas Chandra Bose, who was fondly known as “Netaji.” The house has now been converted into a museum and a research centre dedicated to preserving the life and legacy of Netaji. It houses a vast collection of photographs, letters, and personal belongings of Subhash Chandra Bose, along with historical documents and artefacts from the Indian independence movement. The centre also conducts research on the life and works of Netaji. It serves as a meeting place for scholars, researchers, and students interested in studying Indian history and politics. Netaji Bhavan is a must-visit destination for you if you are interested in India’s struggle for freedom and the life of one of its greatest heroes.
Timings: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM (closed on Monday)
Entry Fees: ₹ 5 (adults); ₹ 2 (children under 12 years)
7. Birla Industrial and Technological Museum
Established in 1959, Birla Industrial and Technological Museum is one of the best museums in Kolkata. The museum is segregated into several parts covering different aspects of science and technology, such as Biotechnology, Physics, Motive Power, Life Sciences, Metals, Biotechnology, Electronics and electricity. The mock underground coal mine is one of the most exciting exhibits in the museum. Besides the several items on display here, the museum also houses an extensive library which has an extensive collection of not just books but CDs, journals and publications. Birla Industrial and Technological Museum is also famous for hosting numerous science-related events, including quizzes, seminars, science fairs and more.
Timings: 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM (closed on Kalipuja and Dolijatra)
Entry Fees: Starting At ₹ 10/-
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