Charming Homestays In Santiniketan To Consider For Your Next Trip

Santiniketan, the famous university town in the Birbhum district of West Bengal, is one of the most popular getaways from Kolkata. For travellers looking for the right kind of accommodation that fits in perfectly with its laidback vibes, there is nothing better than the charming homestays in Santiniketan. Many of the homestays are heritage homes with a yesteryear vintage feel. If you're interested in local culture and cuisine, consider staying at a homestay in Santiniketan. Here are some charming and cosy options perfect for your holiday in Santiniketan.

Homestays in Santiniketan

Mohor Bari Homestay

Mohor Bari is a charming heritage homestay in Santiniketan, perfect for those seeking solitude and peace. Experience the unique laidback ambience characteristic of Santiniketan while enjoying your time with loved ones at your own pace. The homestay offers WiFi, air-conditioned rooms, free parking, and driver accommodations. You can relax on the spacious terrace or in the lovely garden. Mohor Bari can be booked exclusively for one family or group at a time and can accommodate up to seven people.

Address: Purnidevi Rd, near 50 Bengal NCC, Santiniketan, Bolpur, West Bengal 731235

Nayana's Homestay

Nayana’s Homestay offers beautifully crafted rooms and a lush garden that exude warmth. The interiors are tastefully decorated with local textiles, artwork, and unique crafts, making each corner tell a story and creating a visual treat for art enthusiasts. Guests can enjoy delicious breakfasts, main meals, and evening Darjeeling tea accompanied by snacks. The homestay comprises two air-conditioned rooms: one accommodates three adults, while the other sleeps two adults. Each room includes an attached bathroom for convenience.

Address: Chota Kothi, Uttarpally Rd, Bolpur, West Bengal 731235

Mitali Homestay

This homestay offers spacious and airy rooms on a property that spans roughly three acres. Established in 1968, it features a boutique and a restaurant, and is built by a family with connections to Tagore. The design beautifully combines Mediterranean and Moroccan architecture with Bengali influences. You will love the ambience and the food here, as they experiment with new recipes in their small in-house restaurant. Expect to find dishes like Brazilian chicken steak with white wine and coconut cream, innovative hilsa dishes, fresh crab ghee roast with broccoli rice and more. They also grow their own vegetables.

Address: Phuldanga, Bolpur, off Taltore Rd, Santiniketan, West Bengal 731235

Smell Of The Earth

Smell of the Earth is a beautiful farmstead in Birbhum, near Santiniketan. It is owned by a couple who left their lives in the United States of America to settle in Tagore's homeland. They purchased land, built an eco-friendly house, and established a self-sufficient farmstead that has become a hub for teachings on permaculture, food cultivation, and an environmentally friendly lifestyle. Visitors can enjoy this lovely natural building with mud walls and a deck overlooking the pond.

About Santiniketan

Situated about 162 km from Kolkata, Santiniketan broadly refers to the area that includes the university (Visva Bharati) and the nearby township of Bolpur. The town was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in September 2023 (read about it here). This recognition makes it India’s 41st UNESCO World Heritage Site and the third in West Bengal. The place is celebrated for its association with Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore and its distinctive approach to art education.

There's lots to do here. Visitors can stroll around, explore the campus, admire paintings, murals, and sculptures by renowned artists such as Tagore, Nandalal Bose, Ramkinkar Baij, and Binodbehari Mukhopadhyay, among others. Santiniketan is also famous for its textiles and handicrafts, including batik and leather accessories featuring vibrant embossed patterns. Rent a cycle and explore the area. Located to the north of the university township, Khowai is a large tract of land consisting of red laterite soil.

Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit Santiniketan is during the winter months, from October to February, when the weather is pleasant and ideal for exploring the town.

Getting There

The nearest major airport to Santiniketan is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata (CCU). Bolpur-Santiniketan railway station (BHP) is the closest rail link. Popular trains from Kolkata include the Santiniketan Express, Visva-Bharati Express, and Padatik Express.