As a city, Kolkata is a class apart. It has an identity that makes it unique in its own right. A city is all about its inhabitants and it is they who make Kolkata so special. They are greatly opinionated and are fond of arguing, and many a times their opinions are backed by lots of passion, and utter ignorance. Indeed a miniscule section of the people of this city is well-read and culturally evolved, but what makes this city different is that here all and sundry harbor pretensions of being art and literary connoisseurs. As a tourist, what will strike you most when you visit Kolkata is passion. Be it a cricket match, a film festival, a poetry reading session or a theatre performance; Kolkata wears its heart on its sleeves, though many a times quite clumsily.

Kolkata has a rich colonial legacy which is manifested in its several tourist attractions like Victoria Memorial, BBD Bagh, Fort William, Writers Building, etc. Shahid Minar, Marble Palace, Botanical Gardens, Nicco Park and Science City are some of the other tourist attractions of Kolkata.

As far as entertainment and nightlife is concerned, Kolkata is one of the hot spots of India. Take for example the Park Street, which is the most happening place in the whole of Kolkata. You can techno-dance in the discos till 2 AM or just fill yourself with gastronomic delights in the fashionable eateries which serve anything from Japanese to Lebanese and Swedish to Samoan. And if you are a film buff, just visit Nandan to view a selection of great cinemas from maestros ranging from Satyajit Ray to Kurosawa. Theatre is still alive and kicking in Kolkata, despite the onslaughts of Bollywood, and many of them present revolutionary content and treatment for the viewers.

Kolkata today boasts of international standard shopping malls, multiplexes, pubs and various fine restaurants. The youth brigade in Kolkata is far more exposed to western culture and has a completely different outlook towards life as compared to their predecessors. "Work hard party harder" is their new-age mantra.

Kolkatans are quite adventurous where food is concerned. Kolkata has grown into one of the largest cities in India, throbbing with the passion of life. Thus, Chinese noodles or Italian spaghetti or German hamburger are known words to Kolkatans as are the south Indian dosa, idli and sambar. Roadside eating has always proved to be lip-smacking good on the streets of Kolkata, paved as they are with many gastronomic delights and choice eating joints.