Traveling is a much-needed lifeline for Bangalore city dwellers as it helps them to immerse in the serene and beautiful surroundings of nature’s grandeur and also provides an opportunity to connect with oneself and to bid adieu to their workstations for a weekend. There are many beautiful places to visit near Bangalore, so we have listed down a few to help you connect with nature and have a memorable trip so that you can come back with a bang! Thank us later.
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Exploring The Scenic Destinations Near Bangalore
Numerous tourist places near Bangalore provide the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. From Bangalore, be it hills, lakes, or wildlife sanctuaries, everything is at arm’s reach. Here’s a list of the most beautiful places to visit near Bangalore, each having its unique charm.
1. Nandi Hills
Nandi Hills is known for its stunning views and is one of the nearest places to visit around Bangalore as it’s just 60 km away from the City. It provides magnificent views of both the sunrise and sunset. The hills get their name from a Nandi Temple that can be seen over the top of the hills, also made thousands of years ago to revere the Nandi, the sacred bull of Lord Shiva. The hill also has a thrilling experience with history known to all, like the Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple and the Yoga Nandeeshwara Temple.
Distance from Bangalore: 60 km
Things to do: Paragliding, Trekking, Cycling in the hills
Best time to visit: September to February
2. Coorg
Coorg, also known by the name Kodagu, is one of the best places to visit near Bangalore. It is a highly beautiful hill station covered with mountains of the Western Ghats and is famous for its misty mountains and coffee plantations within the precincts which makes this the best place to visit for nature lovers. Visitors can further visit famous tourist spots like the Abbey Falls or the beautiful Namdroling Monastery, to indulge in trekking or river rafting and have a little adventure of their own.
Distance from Bangalore: 276 km
Things to do: Trekking, Hiking, River Rafting
Best time to visit: September to June
Book Your Trip To Coorg The Scotland of India from Bangalore.
3. Mysore
Mysore, situated in the state of Karnataka, is the epitome of richness where culture is concerned. Termed as the “City of Palaces,” it makes the heritage of the magnificent Mysore Palace, one of the grandest jewels of Indo-Saracenic architectural splendor. Other places of interest from the place include Chamundi Hills, Dasara Procession, and the detailed architecture of Brindavan Gardens.
Distance from Bangalore: 143 km
Things to do: Visit palaces, gardens, temples, and galleries, etc.,
Best time to visit: September to June
4. Ooty
Ooty, one of the major hills of South India, speaks of the Nilgiri hills in Tamil Nadu. It is known for its classical weather and scenic beauty. Also, the landscape of its tea gardens and lakes is lush green. For most holiday makers visiting this town, we recommend you to visit the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, trudge through the Government Botanical Garden, and also relish journeys over Ooty Lake.
Distance from Bangalore: 274 km
Things to do: Visit Tea plantations
Best time to visit: March to June
5. Hampi
An ancillary old ruined temple town was established centuries ago, presented by the personification of history and culture – the state of Karnataka. Formerly the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, it displays varieties of all forms of ruined temples from Hampi Bazaar and the Virupaksha Temple to the grand architecture of the Vittala Temple complex.
Distance from Bangalore: 341 km
Things to do: Visit Temples, Boating, Coracle ride, Rock climbing, Cliff Jumping, etc.,
Best time to visit: October to March
6. Chikmagalur
The place is nestled at the cradle of the Mullaiyanagiri is loved by nature enthusiasts and tops the list of places to visit near Bangalore. Chikmagalur has many beautiful top treks and acclaimed coffee estates, landscapes, and climatic acclaim. Tourists can also visit the highest peak in the state, the Mullayanagiri Peak, and admire the scenic beauty of the Kudremukh National Park en route to the famous Baba Budangiri shrine.
Distance from Bangalore: 245 km
Things to do: Trekking, Sightseeing, Hiking, etc.,
Best time to visit: September to February
7. Kabini
Another famous wildlife destination is Kabini which is situated on the banks of the Kabini River in Karnataka. This place serves as a residence to countless flora and fauna, increased by the largest numbers of elephants, tigers, and birds of its species. They have exciting wild safaris or bird watching and boating or leisure at the Kabini backwaters in the middle of a calm environment. Other facilities here include exciting wild safaris or bird watching and leisurely boat rides at Kabini backwaters.
Distance from Bangalore: 245 km
Things to do: Sightseeing, Wildlife safaris, Trekking, etc.,
Best time to visit: October to February
8. Shivanasamudra Falls
The site of Shivanasamudra Falls provides a view of River Kaveri from Karnataka. The place is wholly enthralling. The waterfalls can be viewed dropping down, and visitors can get into the thick of the forest both for nature walks and to visit the Ranganathaswamy.
Distance from Bangalore: 135 km
Things to do: Enjoy Gaganachukki & Barachukki Falls, Sightseeing, Shopping at the local market
Best time to visit: September to January
9. BR Hills
BR Hills is situated in the Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka. One can find mountainous attractions in this wildlife sanctuary. BR Hills hosts scores of elephants, tigers, and leopards, besides a lot many more attractions held for the visitors. Wildlife safari, along with trekking under the influence of peace, along bird watching, can be very endearing experiences around them.
Distance from Bangalore: 185 km
Things to do: Trekking Handicrafts, etc.,
Best time to visit: June to October
10. Yelagiri
Yelagiri is a small energetic hill station located in the Vellore district of Tamil Nadu. The tourist place is a picturesque beauty set in idyllic tranquility. The other stunning viewpoints with heavily dense forests are appealing to the visitors. A few of the activities at this place include boating in the lake, trekking up to the Swamimalai Hills, and visiting the Punganoor Lake Park.
Distance from Bangalore: 158 km
Things to do: Trekking, Boating, Rock Climbing, etc.,
Best time to visit: Anytime of the year
11. Bandipur National Park
The Bandipur National Park is located in the state of Karnataka and is one of the finest tiger reserves in India. It is home to many different kinds of animals and birds, such as tigers, elephants, leopards, various kinds of birds, and a wide variety of flora. The thick canopy of the park enables the tourists to have exciting wildlife safaris with some of the rarest animals and birds.
Distance from Bangalore: 221 km
Things to do: Elephant Safaris, Trekking, Camping, and Mountaineering
Best time to visit: October to February
12. Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
Just located near the good, old historical town of Srirangapatna, the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is an idyllic stopover for bird lovers. It’s home to many species of migrating birds, like painted storks, spoonbills, and pelicans, In the sanctuary, travelers are offered a chance for a boat excursion, showing all species of birds, which abounds and gives a really good glimpse of the placid atmosphere of this place.
Distance from Bangalore: 131 km
Things to do: Boating, Birdwatching, and Photography
Best time to visit: November to March
13. Wayanad
Wayanad is the land of the hill station, well-knit with its intrinsic beauty and cultural heritage. The best attractions consist of the beautiful forests, cascading waterfalls, and spice plantations that make it come alive. The prominent visitations to this very place that people consist of include the famous Edakkal caves and the beautiful Soochipara Waterfalls and the other important visitations include a wildlife safari through the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.
Distance from Bangalore: 131 km
Things to do: Sightseeing in Beautiful valleys, Trekking
Best time to visit: November to February
14. Belur And Halebidu
The historic temple towns of Belur and Halebidu are set in the Hassan district of Karnataka. Some of the important ones are the Chennakeshava Temple in Belur, with its stone features and intricate carvings, and the Hoysaleshwara Temple in Halebidu. The number of temples in both places leaves the onlookers amazed at the artistic marvels elements in stone. This makes it much more familiar to the visitor.
Distance from Bangalore: 222 km for Belur, 210 km for Halebidu
Things to do: Sightseeing, Pilgrimage, Photography, Shopping artifacts
Best time to visit: October to February
15. Talakad
Talakad, also referred to as Talakadu, is a rare kind of archeological site lying on the east coast bank of the Kaveri River. Once it was a prosperous city which is buried under dunes. Visitors can visit the Panchalinga and Vaidyanatheshwara Temple before taking a holy dip in the Kaveri River.
Distance from Bangalore: 132 km
Things to do: Sightseeing
Best time to visit: November to March
Suggested Read: Trekking Places Near Bangalore
Concluding Thoughts
Bangalore is the hub which leads to many beautiful tourist destinations in Karnataka. There are various places to visit near Bangalore – hill stations, historical sites, and wildlife sanctuaries, which provide a wide range of experiences to travel enthusiasts. All nature lovers, adventure junkies, history buffs, and wildlife lovers can do away with the city and enjoy the lap of these South Indian marvels. Plan a visit to some of these well-known places, explore what’s unique, and make the best of memories.
FAQs
One of the best places to visit near Bangalore Airport is the Devanahalli Fort, which is a site of great historical importance in India. Also, Nandi Hills is a charming hill station that boasts buzzing picnic spots and ancient temples, and is packed with many attractions tailored for outdoor adventure and fun; among others, Lumbini Gardens is another fun place. There is a boating facility, a wave pool, and amusement rides that are enjoyable for fun and entertainment at Lumbini. Also, Bangalore Palace is an architectural marvel that reminisces the rich history of Bangalore. These are some of the great attractions near the airport.
The Best time to visit Bangalore is between October and March. Bangalore is a weather-friendly city and is not affected by extreme weather conditions. However, to make the best of your visit, you can visit the city between October and March as that is when the city is serene and pleasant. During the off seasons like Monsoon season when it rains almost every day you might want to avoid getting stuck in traffic for hours and also avoid the summer season as it will get humid and you might feel sweaty and tired.
Coorg (Madikeri), Wayanad, Ooty (Udhagamandalam), Hampi, and Munnar are some of the best places to visit near Bangalore within 500 km.
Here stands the magnificent Mysore Palace, situated in Mysore City, lying about 150 kilometers away from Bangalore. The Palace is regarded as one of the largest in India with its architectural style, which is a combination of several tastes and it looks splendid on the nights, all lit up during the Dasara festival. Then again, yet another historically endowed place would be Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This age-old city is a part of the almighty Vijayanagara Empire, serving as the capital of the empire with something beyond imagination at present – It is the treasure in the shape of majestic ruins, temples, and architectural wonders. We would recommend visiting this place if you are a history buff because of the stone carvings all around the place. Beautiful Hoysala architecture celebrates beautiful towns, such as Belur and Halebid, which are located at a distance of around 220 kilometers from Bangalore. Some of the popular places include Chennakeshava Temple in Belur, Hoysaleswara Temple in Halebidu, and many more. All those exemplary works of life show the life of that period.
