Explore Ed Sheeran’s Sapphire trail in Kolkata

If you are among the millions who have been watching Ed Sheeran’s Sapphire on loop, chances are you have caught glimpses of Kolkata — from the serene riverfront of Hooghly to the buzzing Boi Para on College street. 

Here’s a quick guide for you to visit the “Sapphire spots” on your next trip to the city:

Despite a blink-and-miss appearance in Ed Sheeran’s video, Kolkata’s iconic Boi Para (Book Lane) stands out with its unmistakably quaint stalls, stacked sky-high with books. From second-hand books and academic books to rare titles, College Street has traditionally been the go-to place for serious readers. And all this at near-throwaway prices. The shopkeepers are known for their knowledge of books and ability to whip out the title you are hunting for or make the right suggestions to regular customers. 

In the Sapphire video, Ed Sheeran seems to be browsing Norman Lewis’s Word Power Made Easy. College Street is also home to some of the oldest and most coveted educational institutions in Asia, including Calcutta University, Presidency University, Calcutta Medical College and Hospital and Hindu School. Given the spirit of learning, it is no surprise that College Street has been the city’s intellectual powerhouse for over a century. Another College Street attraction is the Indian Coffee House, which has witnessed many historic discussions and debates. 

Nearest Metro stations: College Street and MG Road

Flowing parallel to the city, the Hooghly river is like a familiar friend every Kolkatan keeps visiting at regular intervals. It fittingly plays a similar role in the Sapphire video, providing a serene backdrop to India’s chaos, one that Sheeran keeps coming back to. Owing its origins to the sacred Ganga, Hooghly embodies divinity to both Kolkata and Howrah, giving the cities their countless ghats, abundant water and delicious fish. One can always feel centred at the Varanasi-style Ganga aarti, which takes place at both Ramkrishnapur and Babughat; or lose themselves on a tranquil boat ride from Prinsep Ghat. The Hooghly also positioned this city as a strategic port, making Job Charnock envision it as the second city of the empire. In a lot of ways, the Kolkata owes its existence to the river.

Nearest Metro station: Esplanade

A few more signature spots we wish Ed Sheeran had visited (and recommend that you don’t miss):

Reminiscent of the city’s leisurely pace of life, the trams are an indelible symbol of Kolkata’s love for preserving the past. Started in 1873, the city’s tram network is the second oldest in the world. The vehicle has come a long way from its horse-drawn routes between Sealdah and Armenian Ghat. Despite multiple attempts to shut it down, this eco-friendly mode of transportation continues to cruise proudly from both Gariahat and Shyambazar till Esplanade. 

Nearest Metro stations: Kalighat (from Gariahat) and Shyambazar and Sovabazar Sutanuti (from Shyambazar)

Durga Puja is Bengal’s grandest and most vibrant festival and Sovabazar Rajbari is home to one of the oldest and most iconic pujas. Raja Nabakrishna Deb, the patriarch of the Sovabazar Rajbari family, began Durga Puja celebrations in the palatial mansion in 1757. From British dignitaries like Lord Clive and Warren Hastings to Bengal’s cultural luminaries like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Rabindranath Tagore and Swami Vivekananda — they all are known to have been part of the aristocratic festivities. The puja here is still known for its traditional idol. 

Nearest Metro station: Sovabazar Sutanuti

The Victoria Memorial Hall and Kolkata have, over decades, become synonymous with each other. Commissioned in the early 1900s in memory of Queen Victoria, this pristine white monument blends aspects of Roman, Greek, Italian, Indian and Islamic architecture and uses marble that could fill up a 27km long goods train! Outside the monument are sprawling gardens that make it one of the best picnic spots in the city. The interiors comprise museums that pay homage to the Indian freedom struggle and galleries exhibiting the finest Indian art. With over 29,000 artefacts in its collection, this should be on every Kolkata itinerary. 

Nearest Metro stations: Rabindra Sadan and Maidan

The Mecca of Indian cricket promises to be an equally fascinating venue. Established in 1864, this stadium has witnessed some of the most iconic moments in cricket history, from the 1987 World Cup final where Australia beat England by seven runs, to Sachin Tendulkar’s 10,000th run in Test cricket against Pakistan in 2005 or Virat Kohli’s 49th century in the 2023 World Cup. When Eden is draped in Kolkata Knight Riders’ purple-and-gold, its prestige glows even brighter. We also trust Andre Russell to bring his best dance moves, should Sheeran choose to shoot a music video here! The stadium is named after one of Kolkata's oldest parks, home to a beautiful Burmese pagoda. 

Nearest Metro station: Esplanade