I’ve been on a quest to explore every Indian state, and Tripura was number 23 out of 28 on my list. With little knowledge about the places to visit in Tripura, I ventured into this northeastern region with an open mind and a sense of adventure. And yes, I was in for a surprise on this Tripura itinerary!
Also, check out our story on the other towns and cities you must visit in Northeast India.
Tripura itinerary: Best places to visit
Day 1: Discovering Agartala
I landed in Agartala, Tripura’s vibrant capital, and opted for an Uber auto from the airport to dodge the steep rickshaw union rates. After settling into Hotel Rajdhani, right in the city centre, I set out to discover the place.
My first stop was the Akhaura check post, just three kilometres from Agartala. This border crossing between India and Bangladesh is a hub of friendly interaction and bustling trade. I was even surprised to learn there’s a 19-hour bus route from Agartala to Kolkata cutting through Bangladesh, while the train journey via Guwahati takes 35 hours.
At the border, I caught a practice session of the Beating Retreat ceremony, akin to the Wagah border ceremony but less intense. The playful banter between the guards was a highlight, with a Bangladeshi jawan cheerfully urging his Indian counterpart to “kheecho, aur kheecho awaaz”. From there, I returned to the city, hopping onto a battery-operated cycle rickshaw for cheap thrills. Nearly all cycle rickshaws in Agartala have switched to battery operation, a welcome change.
As evening fell, I visited the Heritage Park in Agartala, a 4-hectare landscape showcasing miniature versions of major cultural and heritage sites of the state. It was a peaceful oasis from the urban hustle, surrounded by numerous indigenous plants and medicinal herbs. For dinner, I enjoyed a spicy Bengali-style rohu fish curry (rui macher rosha) with rice. Given that around 70 percent of Tripura’s population is Bengali, this dish was a delightful introduction to the region’s culinary heritage shaped by Bengali flavours.
Book your stay at Hotel Polo Towers Agartala via Booking.com
Book your stay at Hotel Polo Towers Agartala via Agoda.com
Itinerary day 2: Covering Tripura’s palaces and parks
After some tea and nimki for breakfast on day 2 of my Tripura itinerary, I headed to Neermahal in Melaghar, 58 kilometres from Agartala. Constructed in 1930 by Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur, Neermahal is India’s largest water palace. At the pier, I struck a deal with a boatman to ferry me across the picturesque Rudrasagar Lake, its green waters adorned with makhna leaves. My boatman doubled up as my guide and regaled me with fascinating stories about the history of the place. We explored the grounds for about 45 minutes before he transported me back to the shore.
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I continued south to Sepahijala Zoological Park, 25 kilometres from Agartala. Covering an area of 18.532 square kilometres, this park is a sanctuary for over 150 species of birds and wildlife, including the vulnerable clouded leopard. As I meandered through the park, I was surrounded by cheerful families delighting in activities like boating and wandering through the lush botanical gardens and spice plantations. Hunger pangs kicked in, and I returned to Agartala for a lunch of Shorshe Ilish Bhapa (Hilsa fish in a mustard gravy) at Hotel Shankar. Hilsa is a beloved fish among Bengalis, and it is believed that the Hilsa in Agartala is special because it comes from the Padma-Meghna River system in Bangladesh, known for its superior taste.
Refreshed and energised, I moved towards my next stop, Ujjayanta Palace, one of the most important places to visit in Tripura. Built by Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya in 1901, this grand palace was the royal residence of Tripura’s ruling family. Interestingly, Rabindranath Tagore, who had close ties with the royal family, gave the palace its name, Ujjayanta. Today, it functions as a state museum, offering fascinating insights into Agartala’s history, including the impact of the Pakistan army on Bengali refugees during the Bangladesh Liberation War. I also discovered that the legendary musicians, SD Burman and RD Burman, were descendants of the Tripura royal family.
For dinner, I was eager to sample some indigenous Tripuri cuisine, but it proved to be quite a challenge to locate. The migration and displacement that occurred in Tripura, especially during the formation of Bangladesh from East Pakistan, had unfortunately scattered the indigenous people across the state. After some research and chatting with locals, I finally found a small eatery called Baku Tiffin House that offered a popular Tripuri dish. I tried Wahan Mosedang, a pork salad made with finely chopped boiled pork, onions, chillies, ginger, and lemon. Prepared without oil and served with either roti or pulao, the dish was simple and wholesome. It reminded me of Doh-khileh, another pork salad I had tasted in Meghalaya’s Khasi region.
Book your stay at The Lakeview Stay via Booking.com
Book your stay at The Lakeview Stay via Agoda.com
Tripura itinerary day 3: Exploring Unakoti, the Lost Hill of Faces
Day 3 began quite early – at 5:30 am to be precise. I hopped on a local train from Agartala to Kumarghat, ticking off another random railway station on my journey. This 150-kilometre ride brought me to Unakoti, an ancient archaeological site also known as the “Lost Hill of Faces”. Legend has it that Lord Shiva turned 99,99,999 gods and goddesses into stone here when they failed to wake up in time for a pilgrimage. Dating back to the 7th-9th centuries, this Shaiva shrine is on the tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage status. It’s often called the Angkor Wat of Northeast India but stands as a unique marvel in its own right.
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The day at Unakoti flew by, and by evening, I was back in Agartala for one final meal. I sampled a popular Bangladeshi street food at a bustling local market stall in the city centre – haleem and egg cake (dim cake). This intriguing combination of spicy haleem and a sweet cake with a fried egg seemed absurd initially, but the ingredients worked surprisingly well. It encapsulated the essence of my adventures in the state. The backpacker life called for constant movement, and there were more destinations left to discover, but the places I visited in Tripura reaffirmed that every corner of India holds its unique charm and surprises.
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(Feature Image Credit: Sharada Prasad CS, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Related: Explore The Magic Of Sikkim: Your Roadmap To The Best Places To Visit
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Winters. October to February has a pleasant climate ideal for places to visit in Tripura.
Neermahal was the former summer palace of the royal family and is one of the best places to visit in Tripura in summers. You can also spend some time in the evenings along the serene Rudrasagar Lake.
Jampui Hills is the highest hill station in Tripura, 200 km from Agartala bordering Mizoram, and one of the best places to visit in Tripura if you like the hills.
The stone monuments at Unakoti come alive during the rainy season. Sepahijala Zoological Park becomes lush and green. Both are great places to visit in Tripura during monsoons.
Tripura is safe for solo travel. Agartala, Unakoti, Udaipur, and Neermahal are some of the best places to visit in Tripura on a solo trip.
Dumala Waterfalls, 72 km from Agartala, is one of the most recommended places to visit in Tripura if you like waterfalls.
Written By
Edwina Dsouza
Edwina is a Mumbai-based writer who enjoys rambling about travel, culture, history, and food. Her stories ..Read More
