Whether it is on the precipice of the winter season, during or at the tail end, parks in West Bengal are always making our hearts desire to spend time with our loved ones. After all, West Bengal offers a diverse palette of greenery, ranging from the manicured lawns of colonial Kolkata to the misty, exotic botanical gardens of the Himalayas. However, as you can tell, there are a plethora of options to choose from, which could be a daunting task. Thus, in this post, mapusneen, your ultimate travel guide, will help you with the top 10 parks in West Bengal that will offer you the best time possible.
1. Maidan is More than Just One of the Parks in West Bengal
Maidan is something tied to many of our childhoods. Back in the day, it was the hosting ground of the Kolkata Book Fair or Boi Mela, one of the most iconic melas in West Bengal. That is why Maidan is called the “Lungs of Kolkata.” The Maidan is a sprawling open space that was first cleared around Fort William to give the British artillery an unobstructed line of fire. Today, it serves as the heart of Kolkata’s sporting and political scene.
The place is hard to miss, lying at the heart of central Kolkata. Spanning from Raj Bhavan to the National Library. It is a large open space, where political rallies, sports events, training, and horses roaming around take place. It is the best place if you want to enjoy an afternoon picnic without any entry fee or worry for closure time. At night, you can enjoy horse carriage rides. As well as amateur cricket and football matches, near the iconic Eden Gardens.
2. Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden
Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden, or famously known as Botanical Garden. It is the de facto park for the Bengalis. Established in 1787 by Colonel Robert Kyd of the East India Company, this is among the oldest botanical gardens in the world. Initially created to identify plant species with commercial potential. Such as teak and tea, it has since grown into a leading hub for botanical research.
A fun fact is that the tea grown in Assam and Darjeeling was first developed in this garden. On the other hand, the park has The Great Banyan Tree, which is over 250 years old and has a circumference of about 486 meters. Which makes it look like a miniature forest.
| Location | Shibpur, Howrah, West Bengal 711103. Located on the west bank of the Hooghly River, directly across from Kolkata City Centre. |
| Opening/Closing Timings | Tuesday to Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM (Closed on Monday) |
3. Victoria Memorial Gardens – Where History Lies in the Leaves
We usually talk more about the iconic monument, but Victoria Memorial boasts an incredible garden throughout the estate. The gardens wrap around the iconic Victoria Memorial, constructed from 1906 to 1921 in honour of Queen Victoria. The Garden of the Memorial spans a beautifully designed 57 acres, with the building itself covering an impressive 396 by 283 feet.
Moreover, the gardens represent a fusion of British landscape design and Mughal influences. Furthermore, the bronze statue of Queen Victoria stands amid beautifully manicured lawns, with the “Angel of Victory” perched gracefully atop the memorial dome. You will have a great time at one of the most breathtaking parks in West Bengal.
| Location | Victoria Memorial Hall, Maidan, 1, Queens Way, Maidan, Kolkata, West Bengal 700071 |
| Opening/Closing Timings | 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
4. Eco Park is One of the Most Iconic Parks in West Bengal
Eco Park, also known as Prakriti Tirtha in New Town, is one of the most well-known parks in West Bengal. The park was conceived in 2011 and opened in 2012. It is India’s largest urban park, spanning 480 acres. Created to promote eco-tourism and serve as a vast “green lung” for the growing New Town area.
The iconic park boasts a massive 104-acre water body with an island called Sabuj Sathi at its centre. That’s not all, the parks also have replicas of the Seven Wonders of the World. As well as other attractions, such as the Japanese Forest, Butterfly Garden, and water sports like zorbing and kayaking.
| Location | Major Arterial Road(South-East, Biswa Bangla Sarani, AA II, Newtown, Kolkata, West Bengal 700161 |
| Opening/Closing Timings | Tuesday to Sunday: 11:00 AM – 7:30 PM (Ticket counter closes at 6:30 PM and the park is closed on Mondays). |
5. Central Park – The Modern Park for Modern Kolkata
Second only to the Maidan in size within the city, Central Park is one of the most popular parks in West Bengal. This park was created in the late 20th century as part of the Salt Lake township plan and is now maintained by the West Bengal Forest Department as a biodiversity park. Located in Sector III, Bidhannagar (Salt Lake City), Kolkata, Central Park is formally known as Banabitan. The park contains a scenic lake with boating facilities as well as the Rose Garden, whose flowers bloom in winter, and a dedicated Butterfly Garden.
| Location | Central Park, Sector 1, Bidhannagar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700091 |
| Opening/Closing Timings | 5 AM–9 AM and 10 AM–5 PM |
6. Rabindra Sarobar – The Park that Holds a Special Place
The park is built on the artificially created Dhakuria Lake, which was excavated in the 1920s to provide soil for the developing South Kolkata. Renamed after Nobel laureate and Kavi Guru Rabindranath Tagore in 1958, this artificial lake is surrounded by lush gardens and rows of ancient trees. Which makes the place the prime location for hanging out with family, friends or a significant other.
It is one of the best parks in West Bengal if you want to do some rowing on the lake or join those types of clubs. It is also best for bird watching, especially migratory birds in winter. The lake holds the status of a National Lake. Therefore, if you still have’t visited Rabindra Sarobar, you don’t have to worry, the place is well connected with bus, metro and railway routes.
| Location | Dhakuria, Rabindra Sarobar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700029 |
| Opening/Closing Timings | 5 AM–10 AM and 4 PM–8 PM |
7. Millennium Park – One of the Most Memorable Parks in West Bengal
As one of the popular parks in West Bengal, Millennium Park offers stunning views of the Howrah Bridge at sunset. The park also offers children’s rides for your family to enjoy. The park is also within proximity to the ferry ghats. Opened in 1999 as part of the Kolkata Riverside Beautification Project, this modern urban park sits along the banks of the Hooghly River. It was gifted to the city by the Kolkata Port Trust to celebrate the turn of the millennium.
| Location | 12, Strand Rd, Bara Bazar, B.B.D. Bagh, Kolkata, West Bengal 700001 |
| Opening/Closing Timings | 10 AM–6:30 PM |
8. Lloyd’s Botanical Garden, Darjeeling – One of the Most Underrated Parks in West Bengal
Established in 1878, this garden was designed as a high-altitude extension of the Calcutta Botanical Garden with an estimated area of 40 acres. Named after William Lloyd, who generously donated the land, it serves as a sanctuary for rare Himalayan plants. The garden also includes the Orchiderium, which houses over 50 species. The park also contains Alpine plants, and the prehistoric Ginkgo Biloba tree!
| Location | Chauk Bazaar, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734101 |
| Opening/Closing Timings | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
9. Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
Better known as Darjeeling Zoo, it is one of the most recognisable zoological parks in West Bengal, besides Zoological Garden Alipore in Kolkata. Opened in 1958, the zoo sits at an average elevation of 7,000 feet (2,134 m), making it the largest high-altitude zoo in India. The park is well-known for its successful breeding programs for the snow leopard, the endangered Himalayan wolf, and the red panda.
The zoo is the main hub for the Central Zoo Authority of India’s red panda program and is part of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Since its inception, the park has been steadily growing and currently boasts up to 300,000 visitors every year. The park is named after Padmaja Naidu (1900–1975), who was the fourth Governor of West Bengal.
| Location | Padmaja naidu, Himalayan zoological park, Jawahar Parbat, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734101 |
| Opening/Closing Timings | 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM (Closed on Thursdays) |
10. Jaldapara National Park – The Wild Side of West Bengal
If you are looking for a park-like escape beyond the city, Jaldapara National Park might be one of the best-suited parks in West Bengal for you. Established as a sanctuary in 1941 and declared a National Park in 2012, it is the pride of North Bengal. It was created to safeguard the Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros. It sits at the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas in the Alipurduar District of northern West Bengal, along the banks of the Torsa River.
You will not be able to see everything that this park has to offer within a day! As it stretches 216.51 sq. km, with the largest population of the Indian rhinoceros in the state. The forest of this park is composed mainly of savannah flora and fauna with tall elephant grasses. The main attraction of the park is the Indian one-horned rhinoceros, as well as Elephant Safaris and Jeep Safaris to spot Rhinos, Gaurs (Indian Bison), and various deer species.
| Location | Jaldapara, Uttar Madarihat, West Bengal 735220 |
| Opening/Closing Timings | 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM (The park remains closed during the monsoon season, June 16 to September 15.) |
Conclusion
So there you have it, all the top 10 parks in West Bengal that are guaranteed to offer you to see, feel and enjoy something that is unique to each of them. Parks in Kolkata or West Bengal are what give our state the much needed greenary that gets lost in the cityscape. Corporate life and stress in general can leave us in a vulnerable state. But such parks are the best place for us to unwind and appreciate the beauty of nature, helping us to remember our place in the world.
FAQs
- Are these parks open every day?
- Most city parks are open daily, but Eco Park and the Botanic Garden are closed on Mondays. National parks like Jaldapara close entirely from June 16 to September 15 for the monsoon.
- Do I need to book in advance?
- For city parks, you can usually buy tickets at the gate. However, Eco Park tickets are best bought online to avoid weekend crowds, and Jaldapara Safaris must be booked in advance via the WBFDC website.
- Can I bring a camera or drone?
- Mobile photos are free, but DSLRs often require a paid permit (₹50–₹500). Drones are strictly prohibited in all these locations without high-level government clearance.
- Where is the best spot for a picnic?
- Central Park (Salt Lake) and Maidan are perfect for traditional picnics. Eco Park is great for a full day out, but note that they prefer you use their internal food courts rather than bringing large outdoor catering. However, if you want detailed info, check out our top 20 picnic spots near Kolkata or top 10 picnic spots in Kolkata.
