Bangalore, also known as ‘The Garden City of India,’ is one of India’s most populated metropolitan cities. The capital city of the south Indian state of Karnataka, Bangalore, is the IT hub of the country with a culturally diverse environment. 

Located in the center of South India, destinations like Lepakshi, Hogenakkal, and Hampi, and some of the most popular places to visit from Bangalore.

 

 

How to get to Bangalore? 

The best way to reach Bangalore is to take a flight to the Kempegowda International airport, located around 13 km away from the city. Frequent buses and trains are also available from all major cities in India. Moving around within the city is also very easy due to the availability of public transportation like local buses, auto-rickshaws, and cabs at all times. 

The city also has a good metro system that connects all essential spots of Bangalore and is extremely budget-friendly.

 

10 Main Tourist Attractions in Bangalore…

There is a lot to try in Bangalore, from shopping to exploring historic sites or engaging in a temple run. Here is a list of some of the best things to do when visiting Bangalore.

 

1. Hike up the Skandagiri Hills and Nandi Hills in Bangalore

 

Skandagiri Hills

Skandagiri Hills night trek is one of the most popular activities to try when in Bangalore. It is located close to the Nandi Hills. At an elevation of 4757 feet above sea level, the peak offers a fantastic view of the sunrise. The trek usually starts as early as 3:15 am in the morning, and it takes around 3 hours to reach the top. 

Special permission from the Forest Department of Karnataka is necessary to participate in this trek as the area is also known for wild animals. The ruins of a fort and a temple are seen on the top, and they are popular photography spots in Skandagiri.

 

 

Nandi Hills

A trip to the Nandi Hills is a must while visiting Bangalore. It is located at a distance of 60 km from the city. It stands at an elevation of 4849 feet above sea level. It offers picturesque views of the dwellings and fields around it from above. The hills are famous for their beautiful sunrise, a Fort built by Tipu Sultan, the Shiva temple at the peak, and the Bhoga Nandishwara Temple at the foothills. 

One can easily hike up to the Tipu Sultan Guest House through the stone step trail that is about 1.5 km long. The route is full of beautiful wildflowers and incredible views. The Amrutha Sarovara and The Tipu drop are some other tourist attractions to look for.

 

 

2. Take a stroll through the gardens of Bangalore

 

True to its nickname, Bangalore houses numerous gardens throughout the city. Rich in a variety of flora, these gardens are adored by the locals and tourists alike. The gardens are well maintained with beautiful green lawns, trimmed bushes, and flowering trees.

 

Lalbagh Botanical Garden

The beautiful garden was established in 1760 by Hyder Ali, the Chief in Commander of the military. Lalbagh is said to have several exotic plants brought in from places like France, Persia, and Afghanistan. 

Lalbagh hosts flower shows during Republic Day (January 26) and Independence Day (August 15) every year, which is also considered the best time to visit the garden. The Glasshouse, the Lalbagh Lake, and the Floral Clock are popular attractions within the park.

 

 

Cubbon Park

The Cubbon park spreads over 300 acres and is one of the most popular picnic spots in Bangalore. From joggers to people practicing yoga, the Cubbon park bustles with activity on all days of the week. Sundays are special as the Weekend Dog Park comes to life, and dogs of all breeds and varieties are seen relaxing here. 

The Sir Vishweshwariah Industrial and Technological Museum, the Cubbon Park Aquarium, the Government Museum, The lotus pond, and the bamboo groove are some of the best sights around the park. A ride in the Toy Train through the park is a must to get a complete glimpse of the park and is a fun activity for kids.

 

 

3. Visit the Tipu Sultan Summer Palace in India

The Tippu Sultan Summer Palace was built in 1791 and was the summer home of Tipu Sultan. Built in the Indo-Islamic style of architecture, the palace consists of elegant arches, pillars, and balconies. The entire structure is made of teak, and walls are embellished with floral prints visible even after all these years! 

The Palace Museum now houses many of the ancient royal artifacts. The Palace is open from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm with an entry fee of Rs. 5 (for Indian nationals) and Rs. 100 (for Foreigners). Video cameras are charged an extra Rs. 25.

 

 

4. Explore the Devanahalli Fort

The Devanahalli Fort was built in 1501 by Chieftain Malla Byre Gowda of Avathi. The fort is said to have witnessed various battles and has undergone numerous renovations and restorations by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. The fort spreads over 20 acres with beautiful 12 semi-circular bastions and houses several Hindu temples. 

There is no entry fee, and photography and videography are allowed. The Birthplace of Tipu Sultan is located very close to the Fort and is often visited along with the Fort.

 

 

5. Go on a shopping spree around Bangalore

The MG Road, Commercial Street, and Gandhi Bazar are some of Bangalore’s most loved shopping destinations. You can haggle your way through and bag some amazing clothes, footwear, and jewelry here. Local vendors and branded showrooms are all seen here, and you can find products of all price ranges. 

Apart from these, you can also find some old restaurants that offer traditional food and beverages nestled among the busy shops.

 

 

6. Taste Bangalore’s local street food

Bangalore is known for its Indian street food. Being home to people from all over India, the food varieties also come in all ranges. Chaat, Pani puri, momos, shawarma, Katti rolls, variety dosas, and sweet corn are some of the most popular of them. The crunchy sweet, and spicy Pani puri (golgappa) tops the list. You can find a vendor selling them at every nook and corner of the city. 

A variety of chaats like the dahi puri, the puri, and samosa chaat are the next most loved street food. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian momos, delicious Katti rolls with chicken and eggs, buttery sweet corn or roasted corn on the cob, Mangalore buns, masala dosas with a wide variety of fillings like potatoes, paneer, cheese, etc., medu vada, chili, and vegetable bajjis (veggies dipped in spicy batter and fried), sandwiches and kebabs are some of the street foods that you must try on your visit to Bangalore.

 

 

7. Visit the Bangalore Palace

Built in the Tudor Revival and Scottish Gothic style of architecture, the Bangalore palace gives off a royal charm. It is flocked by tourists from around the world. It was purchased by Maharaja Chamaraja Wadiyar from Reverend J Garrett in 1873, and the palace grounds sprawls over an area of 454 acres. 

The vine-covered walls on the exterior and traditional Indian-styled interiors give the Palace a unique outlook. The Palace also houses many elephant trophies due to hunting which was enjoyed by the Wadiyars years before. It is open to the public from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm with an entry fee of Rs.230 (Indian nationals) Rs.460 (Foreigner visitors).

The Fun World Amusement Park is located within the palace grounds and is a popular weekend spot for families.

 

 

8. Take a safari through the Bannerghatta Biological Park

Established in 1970, the Bannerghatta National Park is home to a variety of flora and fauna. A part of the park is known as the Bannerghatta Biological Park that houses the zoological garden.

The grand safari is organized in jeeps and buses according to the number of visitors. 

 

It is the best way to witness the Royal Bengal Tiger, the Asiatic Lion, White Tiger, and the Asiatic Black Bear in their natural habitats. The park also consists of a Zoo with beautiful birds and animal varieties and a Butterfly Park with a museum showcasing various species of butterflies. The park operates on all days except Tuesdays.

 

 

9. Explore Bangalore’s local museums

Bangalore has many museums that showcase the historical, technical, and cultural heritage of the city. Here is a list of the best museums to visit in Bangalore:

The Heritage Centre and Aerospace Museum is the best place to learn more about the aeronautical history and technological advancements.

The Indian Music Experience Museum is an interactive music museum with the Sound Garden, Wraparound Theatre, Samay Chakra Theatre, and String Puppets shows for kids. It is one of the most unique experiences to explore in Bangalore. 

Government Museum houses archaeological artifacts dating back to 150 years, including ancient coins, paintings, and sculptures.

The NIMHANS Brain Museum is a scientific museum exhibiting various human brains ranging from normal to diseased and injured ones. Though it may not be for the faint-hearted, the Brain Museum is a great place to visit.

Jawahar Lal Nehru Planetarium has various sky-theatre shows, science exhibitions, and workshops, along with other attractions like the Resonant Swings, Sun Dial, and a giant Kaleidoscope. It is better to book your slots for the sky-theatre shows since they are always entirely booked and are also an excellent experience for kids.

 

 

10. Visit some Hindu temples in and around Bangalore

ISKCON Temple, Shivoham Shiva Temple, Sri Gavi Gangadhareshwara Devastana, Cave Temple, Shrunga Giri Sri Shanmukha Swamy Temple, and the Bull Temple are some popular places of pilgrimage in Bangalore.

Fully functional with traditional rituals and ‘poojas,’ these temples are the soul of the city. The younger and older generations are seen embracing the religious values close to their hearts, and visitors often enjoy learning of the cultural beliefs of the city.

Though the city can be considered one of the most modern or Western-influenced in India, traditional values are equally important. The city bursts into colorful festivities during religious festivals like Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, Dussehra, Eid, and Christmas, and it is a treat to the eyes. The best time to visit Bangalore is during the winter (October to February), when the climate is cool and beautiful.

 

 

Conclusion…

If you are traveling to India, Bangalore should be in your itinerary!  It is one of the biggest cities in India, the capital of the Karnataka state, a huge tech hub, and has lots of palaces, temples, parks, and nightlife to entertain any domestic or foreign visitors. 

In addition to all the tourist attractions mentioned here, the city also has several interesting attractions, such as the Aero India Show in Bangalore.

Are you planning to visit Bangalore? Have you been there already? Do you have any questions or comments about the suggestions above? Just let me know in the comments area below that I will certainly answer you as soon as I can!

 

BIO: I am Neethu Nair from Our Backpack Tales, a blog focusing on budget travel. I love traveling to less explored places with my husband Athul, and we always travel light with our trusty backpack. We are pet-lovers and foodies and dream of living in the mountains one day.

 

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