Diamond Harbour
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.
This article also covers Noorpur and Raichak, both of which provide views similar to Diamond Harbour. Among which, Raichak is considered a splurge destination.
Get in
Diamond Harbour is about 50–60 km (31–37 mi) south of Kolkata.
By bus
Regular buses are available from Kolkata. Bus from Esplanade, Dharmatala-Private Bus-SD 18, SD 19, STA
By train
- 🌍 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.
Get around
Van rickshaws, cycle rickshaws, and private buses.
See and do
The town is surrounded by verdant trees and offers views of the river with rows of country boats sailing by.
- 🌍 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.
Eat and drink
- Sonar Tori (Ganga Kutir). The facilities include a Bengali speciality restaurant, a multipurpose hall with a party terrace, a lounge and a bar. Dishes include bhapa Ilish, tel koi, chital macher muitha, mochar ghanta, shukto, several bhajas et al; others enjoy authentic Bengal cuisine - vegetarian and non-vegetarian. 5 star rates.
Sleep
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.
- 🌍 Sagarika Tourist Lodge, Diamond Harbour Rd, ☏ +91 3174 255-246, +91 3174 255-262. Check-in: 10AM, check-out: 9AM. You can book a room at the West Bengal Tourist Office in Kolkata. ₹275 to ₹650 and dorm beds for ₹35.
Raichak
- 🌍 The Fort Raichak, ☏ +91 3174 275-444, +91 86384 57266, fax: +91 3174 275-456. An old British fort with Anglo-Indian architecture converted into a tourist lodge. The hotel caters both to hotel guests and outside clientele. Rooms ₹4,500-₹12,500.
- Ganga Kutir Residency, ☏ +91 3174 275632 (Resort), +91 33 4040 4040 (Reservations). Ganga Kutir Resort and Spa is located on the riverfront
- Raichak on Ganges. Located on the riverfront. ₹600-₹1500.