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A small town on the banks of the Hooghly River, Diamond Harbour is considered to be an ideal destination for weekend tourists and makes a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of nearby Kolkata. Visitors to Sagar Island usually pass through Diamond Harbour. There is a ruined fort here, alleged to date back to Portuguese pirates. A beautiful 18th-century fort is a testimony to history.
Get in
[edit]Diamond Harbour is about 60 km (37 mi) south of Kolkata.
By bus
[edit]Regular buses are available from Kolkata. Bus from Esplanade, Dharmatala-Private Bus-SD 18, SD 19, STA
By train
[edit]- 1 Diamond Harbour railway station. The southernmost terminus station of the Sealdah–Diamond Harbour line. The sole platform of the station is very much well sheltered and it possesses many facilities including water and sanitation.
By car
[edit]The National Highway 12 (NH 12), also known as Diamond Harbour Road, crosses this town and is probably the best way to get in here from the city.
By ferry
[edit]Get around
[edit]
Cycle rickshaws and toto rickshaws are main vehicles used to get around the town. You can also get around most of the town on foot.
See and do
[edit]The town is surrounded by verdant trees and offers views of the river with rows of country boats sailing by.
- 1 Diamond Harbour Fort (Fort of Chingrikhali). An abandoned fort built sometime in the 16th century on the bank of the Hooghly River, most probably by the Portuguese or by the French, as a gateway to Kalikata (present-day Kolkata) and Murshidabad. They came as traders and were allowed to settle or build forts at many places on their main route. This fort was one of them, built for the traders as a warehouse to store merchandise before loading it onto the ships to Europe. They used to come here for silk, salt, spices, and of course, gold.
Buy
[edit]Eat and drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]The best address in town to stay for the night is Sagarika Tourist Lodge. About 20 private hotels are also available. Rooms are also available in the PWD Inspection bungalow. Besides, a British fort has been converted into a 5-star resort, which was built in the Anglo-Indian style.
- Ganga (Benfish Tourist Lodge), ☏ +91 3210-225225.
- Hotel Hansraj, ☏ +91 33 9681884299. Check-in: Noon, check-out: 9 AM. Garden, child-friendly, swimming pool, restaurant & bar, Conference hall. ₹400-1600.
- Hotel Punyalakshmi, ☏ +91 3174 255190, +91 9679 205110.
- 1 Sagorika Tourism Property, Diamond Harbour Rd, ☏ +91 3174 255-246, +91 3174 255-262. Check-in: 10AM, check-out: 9AM. Run by West Bengal Tourism. ₹2,300–4,500.
Go next
[edit]| Routes through Diamond Harbour |
| Kolkata ← Bishnupur ← | N  S
|
→ Kakdwip → Bakkhali |