Kolkata, India | World’s Best Cities

Kolkata, India

Kolkata traces its strategic role in global commerce back to the late 1600s, when the British East India Company established a key trading post here. Often referred to as the City of Joy, Kolkata’s charm lies in its ability to marry its rich colonial heritage with modern urban dynamism. Ranking #19 in our overall Lovability index, Kolkata’s streets hum with the intellectual vitality that shaped India’s independence movement, with renowned figures like Rabindranath Tagore and Subhas Chandra Bose having once called the city home. From the buzzing literary cafes of College Street to the timeless appeal of the Howrah Bridge, the city embodies both tradition and resilience, reflected in its #13 spot for Facebook Check-ins and #19 for Instagram Hashtags. Kolkata’s #15 ranking in Museums speaks to its deep-rooted commitment to cultural preservation. Institutions such as the Indian Museum, Asia’s oldest, have recently unveiled new galleries that underscore Kolkata’s continued influence as a cultural touchstone, where the legacies of British colonialism and Bengal’s own vibrant artistic and political movements are curated and celebrated. While historically an industrial giant, the city is now repositioning itself—powered by a recent $1.8-billion government investment package that promises to revitalize Kolkata’s economic fabric, particularly in infrastructure and local industries.