BBD Bagh
A riveting glimpse of colonial history and architecture is on display in this area, once known as Dalhousie Square but renamed Benoy Badal Dinesh Bagh after three freedom fighters, the martyrs of Bengal. When Queen Victoria took over the administration of India from the East India Company, Kolkata became the capital of British India. On the north side is the huge Writers' Building, housing the Secretariat of the Government of West Bengal and on the south side is Raj Bhavan, residence of the Governor of West Bengal.

Central Kolkata, north of Jawaharlal Nehru Road and south of Howrah Bridge

Indian Museum
The city's main museum has an enthralling (and huge) range of artefacts spread over several galleries devoted to archaeology, art, anthropology, geology, zoology and botany. Highlights include a prized collection of Buddhist art, rare paintings, an Egyptian mummy, and a reproduction of the Barhut Gateway, dating back to second century BC. The impressive building is a sight in itself, built in 1875.

27 Jawaharlal Nehru Road (corner of Sudder Street), Chowringhee
Tel: (033) 2249 9902/79.
Website: www.indianmuseumkolkata.org

Kali Temple
An important pilgrimage centre for Hindus, the original temple is supposed to have been built 350 years ago; this one dates back to 1809. Legend says that when the corpse of Sati, wife of Lord Shiva, was cut into pieces by Sidarshan Chakra, one of her toes fell here. Believed to be the original temple from the village of Kolikata, from where Kolkata took its name, this is a mind-stirring, if rather grim place; goats are regularly slaughtered here to honour the destroyer goddess Kali.

Kalighat Road, Kalighat
Tel: (033) 2223 1516.

Marble Palace
Once a private home, this extraordinary building has a wonderful collection of statues, paintings and antiquities from the private collection of Raja Rajendra Mullick, including paintings by Rubens and Joshua Reynolds. Famous for its marble walls and floors, this striking mansion was constructed in the mid 19th century and sports some impressive architecture. To visit, a permit is needed from the West Bengal Tourism Centre.

46 Muktaram Babu Street, off Chittaranjan Avenue
Tel: (033) 2239 3310.

Victoria Memorial
Built from white marble and situated at the south end of the Maidan, this huge domed colonial building blends a combination of classical European architecture with Mughul influences to create one of the city's greatest landmarks. It is home to thousands of artefacts relating to the British Raj and other chapters of Indian history.

Queen's Way
Tel: (033) 2223 5142.
Website: www.victoriamemorial-cal.org

The Maidan
This is one of the world's largest city parks, the 'lungs' of Kolkata, and home to the Victoria Memorial, Fort William and Eden Gardens. Also inside is the international cricket stadium Ranji Stadium, home to the nation's greatest sporting passion. Eden Gardens contains a small lake and pagoda bought from Myanmar in 1856.

Central Kolkata

Botanical Gardens
Founded in 1787 by the East India Company, these are the largest botanical gardens in India and a perfect place to get a little peace and quiet. The centrepiece is a 250-year-old banyan tree, said to be the second largest in the world, but other attractions worth seeing include the Palm House, Orchid House and Cacti area.

On the west bank of the Hooghly River

Park Street Cemetery
Recently restored, this peaceful place was first opened in 1767, when burials took place after dark with the aid of lit torches and sometimes included the pageantry of a military funeral, mainly to accommodate the large number of British who died serving their country. The cemetery is tranquil, lush, and deserted, with huge obelisks, pyramids and classical mausoleums of all shapes and sizes, set amidst gracious gardens. Job Charnock, the city's founder, is buried here.

Park Street

St Paul's Cathedral
Kolkata's principal place of Christian worship, and one of the most important in India, St Paul's was originally constructed between 1839 and 1847, but has been rebuilt several times due to earthquakes. Modelled on St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, it is chiefly noted for its impressive stained-glass windows.

Cathedral Road (Southern end of Maidan)
Tel: (033) 2223 0127.