Weekend getaway from Kolkata · #1 of 10
Digha
West Bengal's favourite seaside resort, the 'Brighton of the East': twin Old and New Digha beaches, the new Jagannath temple, a marine aquarium and hinger kochuri breakfasts. Direct trains from Howrah make it easy.
Digha is Bengal's original seaside escape, the 'Brighton of the East' praised by Warren Hastings back in 1780. Hop on a morning train from Howrah, split your time between Old Digha's buzzing promenade and New Digha's wide, safe sands, and return smelling of fresh sea air and fried fish.
Getting there
Book early for weekends, long holidays, or Durga Puja. Once you arrive, Digha station is right in town, so just grab a quick cycle-van to your hotel.
A relaxed 185 km road trip. Make sure to pit-stop along the Kolaghat stretch for clean restrooms and great highway food at Sher-e-Punjab or Express Food Plaza.
Day 1 - Old Digha seafront
Settle into your coastal getaway, ending with sunset strolls and sizzling beachside fish fry- 16:45 AMDrive
Morning express from Howrah
Grab a seat on the early train from Howrah. The last hour is pure magic, rolling past green paddy fields and groves of whispering casuarina trees as you get closer to the ocean.
📍 Howrah Junction, Kolkata
Tip · Definitely book your reserved seats early for a weekend trip - the unreserved compartments get packed.
- 211:00 AMFood
Check in and a Bengali rice-hotel lunch
Dump your bags and head straight for a classic 'rice hotel' lunch. We are talking fresh fish curry, spicy egg curry, or a massive veggie thali that will cost you next to nothing.
📍 Old Digha, Digha
Tip · Ignore the pushy hotel touts at the station. There are plenty of places to stay in both Old and New Digha, and walk-ins are easy if it is not a holiday.
- 31:00 PMSight
Old Digha Beach promenade
Walk along the iconic concrete-and-stone seawall. It is a wonderfully chaotic mix of horse rides, beach cricket, shell shops, and the best people-watching on the coast.
📍 Old Digha Beach, Digha
Tip · Do not jump in the water here - the currents are tricky. Keep your swimsuit packed for New Digha's gentler waves tomorrow.
- 43:30 PMSight
Marine Aquarium and Regional Centre
Duck into this cool, free museum to escape the afternoon heat. It is packed with neat tanks showcasing all sorts of colorful local estuary and reef fish.
📍 Marine Aquarium and Regional Centre, Digha
Tip · Keep your camera away because photos are a no-go inside, and remember they are closed on Tuesdays.
- 55:00 PMSight
New Jagannath Temple
Marvel at Digha's spectacular Kalinga-style temple, completed in 2025 to mirror the famous one in Puri. It looks absolutely stunning at sunset when the spire begins to glow.
📍 Jagannath Temple, Digha
Tip · Make sure to dress respectfully, and be ready for crowds if you are visiting during Puja or on a weekend.
- 66:30 PMFood
Fried fish on the seafront
When night falls, the promenade turns into a giant seafood fry-up. Grab crispy pomfret, prawns, or whole crabs hot off the griddle, washed down with sweet coconut water.
📍 Old Digha Beach, Digha
Tip · Head to the busiest stalls where the turnover is high to guarantee your seafood is super fresh.
- 78:30 PMStay
Dinner and an early night by the sea
Wrap up with a comforting Bengali dinner at your hotel. If you scored a sea-facing room, drift off to the sound of crashing waves. Note: buy your drinks before the 7 PM closure.
📍 Old Digha, Digha
Day 2 - New Digha and the Mohana
Catch a golden sunrise swim, watch the chaotic morning fish auction, and gather local souvenirs before heading home- 85:30 AMSight
Sunrise on New Digha Beach
Wake up early for a dip! New Digha's wide, flat sandy beach is the safest spot in town for a swim. Watching the sun climb over the Bay of Bengal in the quiet morning is unforgettable.
📍 New Digha Beach, Digha
Tip · Do not go deeper than your waist, and keep an eye out for the safety flags - the undertow can be strong.
- 98:00 AMFood
Hinger kochuri breakfast
Fuel up like a local with hot, fluffy hinger kochuris stuffed with spiced lentils and served with savory potato curry. Grab a cup of steaming, milky sweet chai to wash it down.
📍 New Digha, Digha
- 109:30 AMSight
Mohana Beach and fish market
Ride a cycle-van to where the Champa River meets the sea. It is a sensory overload as trawlers unload fresh hilsa, pomfret, and prawns while hungry gulls circle above the lively auction.
📍 Mohana Beach, Digha
Tip · Snag some fresh fish right off the boats and ask your hotel kitchen if they will fry it up for your lunch.
- 1111:30 AMActivity
Dheusagar and Amarabati Park
Unwind at Dheusagar with some boating and bungee trampolines, then stroll next door to Amarabati Park's peaceful gardens, quiet lake, and fun toy train rides.
📍 Amarabati Park, Digha
Tip · It is a great, shady spot to keep the kids entertained when the afternoon sun gets too intense.
- 121:00 PMFood
Last seafood lunch
Feast on a leisurely seafood lunch: rich pomfret curry, creamy prawn malaikari, or whatever you bought at the market. Save room for some sweet, chilled mishti doi.
📍 New Digha, Digha
- 132:30 PMActivity
Shop for cashews, shells and madur mats
Hunt for treasures in the market stalls. Pick up local cashews, delicate shell jewelry, and Midnapore's beautiful hand-woven mats. Do this last so your haul does not get squished.
📍 New Digha Market, Digha
Tip · For the best deal in Digha, buy your cashews directly from the local government run outlets or farms.
- 143:30 PMSight
Digha Science Centre
Got an hour before your train? This mini-science center is a fun, quick stop with interactive games and a small planetarium, and it costs next to nothing to enter.
📍 Digha Science Centre, Digha
- 155:00 PMDrive
Evening train back to Howrah
Watch the dark green casuarina trees fade into the twilight as your train rolls out. You will be back in Kolkata in time to grab a late dinner at home.
📍 Digha Railway Station, Digha
Tip · If you are driving, make sure to hit the road by 4 PM so you can pass the tricky Contai road before it gets dark.
Where to eat
Fluffy, piping-hot puris stuffed with spiced lentils, served up at almost every corner sweet shop.
Walk the promenade at dusk to feast on crispy pomfret, prawns, and crabs sizzled right in front of you.
Grab fresh hilsa or jumbo prawns at the morning auction and pay a local eatery to cook it just how you like.
Look out for cycling vendors selling cold, sweet green coconuts along the beach - the ultimate refresher.
When to go
Digha at its best. Expect gorgeous 25 degree weather, bustling weekend vibes, and packed hotels, especially during the spring rush from mid-February to April.
It gets hot, hitting 37 degrees, but cooling evening sea breezes and slashed midweek room rates make it worth the trip.
Perfect for storm-chasers. The seas get wild and dramatic, and while swimming is off-limits, you will have the quiet beaches all to yourself.
Good to know
- Snag your train tickets weeks in advance for holidays - those weekend expresses sell out fast.
- Steer clear of the aggressive hotel touts waiting at the station; their rooms are usually miles from the beach.
- Stick to New Digha for swimming and playing in the waves. Old Digha's rocky wall is just for scenic evening strolls.
- Hop on the local cycle-vans or motor-vans to get around, but always settle on the price before you climb in.
