Kolkata is one of the busiest cities in India with a population of over 15 million. It is the cultural as well as the intellectual capital of the nation. The location of Kolkata is so strategic that it has the Himalayan Mountains on the northern side and fertile Gangetic plains on the southern end.

This gives an opportunity for the people of this city to find some of the most beautiful locations of nature very easily. The people of Kolkata often resort to these natural places of relaxation for a get away from the busy city lives. In this article, we will see five best places in and around Kolkatta for a delightful retreat.

1. BAWALI

Bawali is located in the Alipore Sadar subdivision of South 24 Paraganas district in West Bengal. This place is 35 kms from the city of Kolkata. It is a place with lush green environment and water bodies. There are many historical sites in this town.

The edifice of Rajbari is said to be 4 centuries ago. This place is in the original state of beauty and lets the visitors watch the seamless sky as it touched the earth far away and count the stars during the night. It is a calm and quiet place to relax for a day away from the busy and crowded world of the city.

2. FALTA

Falta is located on the banks of the famous Hooghly river in the south 24 Parganas district in West Bengal. It is 50 kms away from the city of Kolkata. The popular farmhouse of the noted scientist Jagadishchandra Bose is in this area.

This place is an excellent choice for a one day picnic. The nearby sites serve as an attraction to the visitors. A walk along the Hooghly River is enough to rekindle your energy and make you feel refreshed. There is also a Buddhist historical site and the confluence of the two rivers Hooghly and Damodar in this area.

3. DIAMOND HARBOUR

This place is located in the South 24 Paraganas district as well. It lies at the mouth of River Hooghly. It was known as Hajipur earlier but was later renamed by the British as Diamond Harbour. The best time to visit this place is from October to March. One can enjoy the delights of the autumn season at this place. It is within 50 kms from the city of Kolkata.

It is one of the most preferred one-day picnic spots from Kolkata. The river cruises are available on the Hooghly and one can spend most of the day there. The natural beauty of this place is mesmerizing and there is a Portuguese Fort one can visit. An old lighthouse is also there at this place.

4. DEULTI

Deulti is a small village on the banks of the river Roopnarayan. It is located in the Howrah district of West Bengal and is 48 kms away from the city of Kolkata. This village has a serene ambiance and will relax the minds of the visitors. It is also rich in heritage and culture.

The panoramic view of the beauty of this village will impress you and a small walk on a clay path from the fields will take you to the Roopnarayan beach. The temple of Radha and Madanagopal with its terracotta decoration is worth visiting. Deulti offers great relaxation and peace of mind. If you want to take rest from your mechanical life, do visit this place.

5. BABUR HAAT

If you wish to enjoy the rustic lifestyle of a village and experience the different shades of Bengali life, head on to Babur Haat. It is a peaceful village located in the North 24 Paraganas district and is around 50 kms away from the city of Kolkata. The fish lakes cultivated by the local farmers have a different variety of fishes.

Apart from numerous fish lakes, there are amazing rice farmlands, vegetable gardens, fruit orchards, mango groves etc to watch at this place. The rural village houses and the local temple are also equally interesting. There are some resorts in the area which have evolved over the period and provide all facilities such as air-conditioned rooms, television, lounge area, spacious bedrooms and dining space etc. Some of the resorts have spacious lawns, flower gardens, swimming pools, and boating facility as well.