If you thought that Bengaluru was all about technology, concrete and glass structures and modern architecture, then think again. The capital city of Karnataka, which is situated on the banks of river Vrishabhavathi, a tributary of the great Indian river, Kaveri, has a rich cultural heritage and very pleasant climatic conditions that make it one of the best places to explore in India. With palaces, nature parks, national museums and centuries-old temples, Bengaluru is as much a tourist destination as is the landing place for start-ups and tech gigs.
In this article, we provide you with a list of the 20 best places in Bangalore that are a must-visit for every tourist and travel enthusiast. So, before you book your tickets for the next vacation, just go through this list and who knows you might change your plans and decide to visit this beautiful historic city. Here is the list,
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Places to visit in Bangalore
1. Bangalore Palace
Constructed by Maharaja Chamaraja Wodeyar of the Wodeyar dynasty that ruled the princely state of Mysore during the 18th and 19th centuries, and built in a Gothic Tudorian style of architecture on 430 acres of land, this colossal palace adorns the landscape of the Bengaluru city like no other. It is said that Maharaja Chamaraja Wodeyar was so impressed by the architecture of the Windsor castle during one of his visits to England that he decided to build this palace in the same line. Still owned by the royal family, the palace has now been turned into a massive public museum after renovation and the palace ground has been opened for public events, rock concerts and large ceremonies. Several International bands like the Rolling Stones, Scorpions and the Black Eyed Peas, and eminent singers and musicians like Elton John, Roger Waters, Bryan Adams and Mark Knopfler have performed on this palace grounds. The museum is open to the public on all days between 10 am and 6 pm.
2. Nandi Hills
Nandi Hills is a popular hill station near Bengaluru which is located almost 60 km away from the heart of the city. Named after the famous Nandi temple situated on the hilltop, this place is the source or the point of origin of two rivers, Palar and Arkavathi. Climatic conditions are pleasant around the year. So, visit this place anytime for natural beauty and a majestic view of the surroundings from the top.
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3. Cubbon Park
Designed and constructed by the Chief Engineer of Mysore, Major General Richard Sankey in 1870, this massive piece of green land is a beautiful place to recharge yourself after a hectic day at work or on the weekend. Spread over 300 acres of land in the heart of Bengaluru city, this 150-year-old park is a paradise for morning walkers and a breathing space for the city-dwellers. Officially known as Sri Chamarajendra Park, this place turns into a fairyland in the evening when the lights are turned on. Tourists can enjoy a toy train ride in the park and visit the aquarium.
4. Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens
One of the most well-stocked botanical gardens in India with over 1800 species of plants, trees and herbs, Lal Bagh is a must-visit place in Bengaluru city for tourists who love nature. Built by the Nawab and de facto ruler of Mysore, Hyder Ali, the beautiful garden was later modified by his fifth son and his successor, Tipu Sultan. There is a splendid glass house in the garden that was built in the line of the London Crystal Palace.
5. Tipu Sultan Fort
Constructed with mud bricks in 1537, this small fort was later extended and modified by Nawab Hyder Ali who added large granite stones to the original structure to strengthen it. His son Tipu Sultan further modified it and used this two-storied structure as his summer retreat. The fort currently houses an art gallery that has many historical paintings of immense artistic importance.
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6. The Government Museum
From antique jewelry to excavated items and sculptures from various civilizations, this Government museum built in 1865 by the rulers of Mysore under the guidance of Surgeon Edward Balfour, has a collection that can intrigue people of all ages who have an interest in history. It is the second oldest museum in South India after the Museum of Madras and is open to all on all days except Friday.
7. Vidhana Soudha
The largest legislative assembly building in India, Vidhana Soudha, is an architectural landmark in Bengaluru. This massive structure is situated in the heart of the main administrative area of the city and is open to public entry subject to prior approval. Other tourist destinations like Cubbon Park and Bengaluru High Court are nearby.
8. National Gallery of Modern Art
Though not a place of interest for every tourist, this place is a must-visit for all art lovers. It has 500 original paintings from the most iconic artists in India like Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, Raja Ravi Verma, Amrita Shergill, Jamini Roy and others displayed with tags and time periods in the galleries. You can buy prints of famous pieces of artwork from here.
9. St. Mary’s Basilica Bengaluru
Being the oldest church in Bengaluru, this place has a rich and long history that dates back to the 17th century. Built-in 1875(the current structure), this church is the only one in Bengaluru and only the sixth in India to have been elevated to the status of a minor basilica. If you are visiting this place in September, you can attend the St. Mary’s feast.
10. Chola Temples
During their heydays, the Chola dynasty ruled present-day Bengaluru and constructed many great monuments and structures that still stand testimony to their glory. They built many temples among others that have withstood the test of time. Cholas were proclaimed Shivites. Therefore, the temples they built were mostly Shiva temples like Halasuru Sri Someshwara Temple, Sri Prasanna Someshwara Temple, Dharmesvara Temple, Kashi Vishveshwara Swamy Temple and many others. Apart from religious sentiments, these temples are worth visiting for their immense historic and architectural importance.
11. ISKCON Temple
The ISKCON temple in Bengaluru is one of the largest temples in the world and is a modern-day architectural masterpiece that you must visit at least once in your lifetime. Bustling with festivals and cultural activities throughout the year, this place is a destination for tourists from all across the world. Don’t forget to try the pure vegetarian delicacies served through the prasadam counters and the many restaurants inside the campus.
12. Shivasamudram Falls
If you love trekking through hills, jungles and rivers and enjoy nature in its purest form, then this place in Bengaluru is your ideal tourist destination. The beauty of the massive waterfall and the lush green forest surrounding it would leave you mesmerized. You have to trek through forests and hills for 2km to reach this majestic waterfall which also has Asia’s first hydroelectric power station.
13. Bannerghatta National Park
Located on the immediate outskirts of Bangalore, this National park, founded in 1970, is an ideal destination for nature and animal lovers. It conducts a 6 km long guided safari tour inside the park, which also has a small zoological garden inside. Hikers and trekkers love the hilly terrain of the Anekal range on which the park is situated.
14. Kaivara
Almost 80 km away from Bangalore is this pre-historic town of Kaivara which finds mentioned in many Indian scriptures. It is said that even the Pandavas stayed in this place for a while during their years in exile. Famous saint poet Narayanappa, who wrote poems in Telugu and Kannada about Lord Vishnu, lived in this town in the early 19th century. The Amaranarayana Swamy temple in this ancient town is a must-visit place for tourists.
15. Church Street
Named after St. Mark’s Cathedral, Church Street in Bengaluru is a 750m stretch that has bookstores, music shops, cafes and restaurants lined up on both sides of the street. Considered one of the busiest places in Bengaluru city, Church Street is a favourite among local artists who often set up street shops to exhibit their paintings and other creations.
16. Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium
A popular attraction among students, science enthusiasts as well as tourists, the J. L Nehru Planetarium is a place in Bengaluru that imparts science education most interactively. The Sky Theatre, the mirror dome show and the science center are all built to teach children the most common phenomena in science and their impact on our daily lives in the most fun-filled and exciting way.
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17. Ulsoor Lake
One of the biggest lakes in Bengaluru, the Ulsoor lake, is spread over an area of almost 50 hectares. This place is famous for pedal boat riding and bird watching. You can watch hundreds of birds coming to the lake sitting at the park on the periphery of the lake. Local people throng the place on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.
18. M.G Road
If you are in Bengaluru, you should not miss night shopping at M.G Road. Nestled between Trinity Circle and Anil Kumble Circle, this whole place comes alive in the evening with the glowing neons of the hundreds of pubs and nightclubs on both sides of the road. With large showrooms of silk sarees, local handicrafts, crockery and cutleries, this place turns into a major business hub after the sunset.
19. Maha Bodhi Society Temple
One of the recent additions to the tourist scene in Bengaluru, this Buddhist temple is a cultural hub as well as a wonderful retreat for spiritual practitioners. It has a large well-stocked library with a huge collection of books on Buddhism and spirituality. Entry is free for all, and those who seek spiritual development can meditate here alone without any kind of disturbance.
20. Indian Music Experience
Vast, innovative and interactive, Indian Music Experience is a museum like no other. It has galleries that extensively exhibit different genres of Indian music most uniquely and interestingly. Since its inception, this place has become one of the most visited hotspots in the city that is flanked by locals as well as tourists from all over the world.
FAQ
Bangalore has temperate climatic conditions round the year, which is neither hot nor cold. So, anytime in the year is the best time to visit Bangalore.
Bengaluru is the capital city of Karnataka and therefore, is well connected by rail, road and air with the rest of India and the world. It has four major railway stations that connect it to the rest of India. The Kempe Gowda International Airport is one of the busiest international airports in the world.
Considered the Silicon Valley of India, Bengaluru is home to hundreds of tech startups and sprawling international business campuses. Therefore, it is only natural that the city would have exciting nightlife. There are hundreds of pubs and nightclubs in and around the city which entertain guests up to 11 pm on weekdays and till midnight on the weekends.
Bengaluru is known for its traditions, culture and, of course, the gorgeous pure silk sarees. There are large showrooms and entire shopping malls all across the city that are totally dedicated to these stunningly designed six-yard drapes.
From metro rails to government-owned BMTC buses, to taxis, app-based cabs and autos, Bengaluru has all the options to transport people inside the city.
