Places to Visit in Bangalore

Vidhana Soudha is situated in the center of the city, painted in white and spread over an area of 60 acres. Vidhan Soudha is the best places to see in bangalore  which houses the state secretariat and state legislature under one roof. 

This dome-like structure has two chambers where the first floor (central wing) can accommodate 268 members at a time and the southern wing can accommodate 88 members. 

The building is a marvelous amalgamation of Dravidian, British and Indo-Islamic style architecture. One must not miss the lighting up of the building on Sunday evenings and the inscription that reads “Government work is God’s work.” 

Please note that it is one of the sightseeing places in Bangalore that needs prior permission or a pass nowadays. The grandeur of Vidhana. Soudha is visible after sunset when the entire building is well lit and it resembles a grand palace

Location: Doctor Ambedkar Veedhi, Sampangi Rama Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001

Best Time to Visit: September to February

Price: No entry fee.

Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM on all days of the week except Sunday.

Average time required to visit the place: 1 hour.

Distance from Kempe Gowda Bus stand: Approximately 3.5 Km

This summer residence of Tipu Sultan was built in the year 1791. The ceilings and walls of the palace have a floral touch with Islamic carvings and decorations. 

The uniqueness of this two storey building is that it is entirely made of teak wood with wooden pillars supporting the foundation of the palace. It is said that Sultan used the eastern and western balconies to conduct the mass and state affairs. 

The intricately carved wooden balcony and the majestic staircases are great examples of architectural marveling and the size of the palace is not magnanimous yet it gives a rustic touch to the state of Karnataka. It is one of the Bangalore tourist places which is included in almost all the itineraries.

Location: Albert Victor Road, Chamrajpet, Near Bengaluru Medical College, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560018

Best Time to Visit: November to February.

Price: INR 5 for Indians and INR 100 for foreign nationals.

Timings: 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM on all days of the week.

Average time required to visit the place: 1 to 2 hours.

Distance from Kempe Gowda Bus stand: Around 4 KM.

Must Read: 10 Popular Forts in Bangalore

Sets amid the lush green terrain 55 kilometres off  Bangalore on the southern side of the city along the bank of Akravati river. It is the largest producer of granite and silk and is also gaining popularity as a major hotspot for tourists. 

During the rainy season, the terrain is blanketed in green and is dotted with a galore of waterfalls. 

There are few temples as well as historical sites and attracts wildlife enthusiasts and water sports lovers from Bangalore and nearby states because of its proximity to Akravati river. It is one of the offbeat places to visit in Bangalore that is away from the city rush and is an hour drive away.

Location: 50 km away from Bangalore in Ramanagar district, Karnataka.

Best Time to Visit: August to February

Price: Camping in Kanakpura starts from Rs 935.

Average time required to visit the place: Full day.

Distance from Kempe Gowda Bus stand: Around 55 KM.

Suggested Read: 1. 21 Places to Visit Around Bangalore During The Monsoon Season
                              2. Best Things to do in Kanakapura

As the name suggests, Kunti Betta is a hill in the ancient town of Pandavapura and is a famous destination for trekking in Bangalore. It is ideally a 3 hours trek to reach an elevation of 2882 meters. 

The mythological significance of the place recites stories of Kunti and Pandavas who are said to have taken abode at these hillocks during their period of exile. It is suggested to indulge in a night trekking expedition as the place boasts of a decent population of fireflies which are on the verge of extinction today. 

From trekking and rock climbing on the rocky terrain of the hills to swimming and kayaking in the refreshing water of Thonnur lake, Kunti Betta is one of the best places to visit near Bangalore that is hard to miss by the adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Location: SH 19, Pandavapura, Karnataka 571434

Best Time to Visit: October to March.

Price: Night trek starts from Rs 1349

Timings: 24 hours.

Average time required to visit the place:  A day or two.

Distance from Kempe Gowda Bus stand: Around 125 KM.

It is home to Mahseer, the tropical game  fish along with schools of other fishes and that is why it is called “the angler’s paradise.” Wedged amid the Shivanasamudra falls and the Mekedatu falls, Bheemeshwari lures travelers with its mesmerizing natural beauty. 

Sangam in Bheemeshwari is the confluence point of river Cauvery and river Akravati which enables many water activities such as boating, rafting, coracle rides etc. Kokrebellur Pelicanry is another attraction is Bheemeshwari which one of the five most famous pelican breeding habitats in the world. It is one of the famous sightseeing places in Bangalore that is a ‘must-visit’ location.

Location: 100 Km on the Kanakapura road from Bangalore

Best Time to Visit: Monsoon season or post-monsoon, winter season

Price: Night Outing Starts from Rs 6514

Timings: Any time

Average time required to visit the place: One or two days

Distance from Kempe Gowda Bus stand: Approximately 100 Km

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UB city mall is the biggest commercial and luxury mall in the city that offers exemplary ambiance, throngs of chilled and excellent restaurants serving all kinds of cuisines, top coveted international brands, extravagant architecture and central location and it is also one of the best things to see in Bangalore

This mind-blowing high-end mall is spread across an area of 13 acres which is hard to be toured in one visit. From relaxing spa boutiques to opulent nightclubs and diners; it houses brands like Rolex, Louis Vuitton, Estee Lauder, Burberry etc. 

There are beautiful art galleries and private party booths along with karaoke machines and an open-air lounge. UB city mall is one stop for fun, shopping and unwinding with myriads of things to do and engage in. 

This mall is a joint venture by the UB group and the Prestige group and can be identified in four towers which are  UB Tower of 19 floors, Comet of 11 Floors, Canberra of 17 Floors and Concorde of 19 Floors.

Location: 24, Vittal Mallya Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001

Best Time to Visit: Weekdays if you want to avoid rush and crowd.

Price: Entry is free.

Timings: 10:30 AM to 11:30 PM

Average time required to visit the place: A whole day.

Distance from Kempe Gowda bus stand: 5.5 KM

Iskcon temple is one chain of temples which are religiously famous and very prestigious chain of temples. It is situated in Rajajinagar in North Bangalore dedicated to Radha and Krishna catering to devotees from all over the world. 

The Iskcon temple in Bangalore is one of the largest Iskcon temples in the world which was established in 1997.  The temple is situated on a hillock named Hare Krishna hill and has a very enticing view of the surrounding. The temple is a part of a charitable society that aims at spreading the consciousness of Radha Krishna among its devotees. It also organizes engaging events like religious concerts and gatherings to talk about the life and preachings of Lord Krishna. For a peaceful escape and meditation sessions, one must head to Iskcon in Bangalore.

Location: Hare Krishna Hill, Chord Road, Rajaji Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560010

Best Time to Visit: Anytime between the Darshan hours.

Price: No entrance fee is charged.

Timings: 4:15AM  to 5:00 AM, 7:15AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM.

Average time required to visit the place: 1 to 2 hours.  

Distance from Kempe Gowda Bus stand: Around 7 KM.

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Freedom Park in Bangalore resembles Hyde Park and the Kensington park of London and covers an area of 21 acres previous Central Jail. The park has an amphitheater for speakers which also serves an ideal platform for conducting public meetings, protests as it can accommodate a large mass of people.  

In the center of the park lies a tower that served the purpose of observing prisoners, massive barracks to separate high profile prisoners from common ones. 

With ample of parking space and a quirky cafeteria, this park encompasses many other points of interests such as Water Fountain, Sculpture court, Jail Museum, Book Museum, People Courtyard and enough space for children to run around and play. 

There are two entries to the park one is Seshadri Road and the other is Ramachandra Rao Road which enables convenience in reaching from different sides of the city.  Freedom Park is one of the offbeat locations to wander in the garden city.

Location: Seshadri Road, Gandhi Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560009

Best Time to Visit: early morning or evening.

Price: No entry fee.

Timings: 5 to 8:30 am and 4 to 6 pm on all days of the week.

Distance from Kempe Gowda Bus stand: around 33 km

Popular Read: 20 Unforgettable 2 Day Trips Near Bangalore

Unwind in the quiet environs of this public park that accumulates flocks of visitors every day. It takes its name from Lumbini in Nepal and is situated on the banks of Nagawara lake. 

People often walk in with families and friends to just spend time on the bank of the lake and watch the sunset. The park hosts a kid’s park and a boating club to add to your enthusiasm. 

A 1.5 KM long walk through amid the foliage and a jewel-clear lake looks very celestial. The garden is dotted with many fountains and statues with beautiful flowers and plants which adds to the beauty of the place. 

It is also one of the favorite evening hangout destinations in the city among the crowds for its nearby eateries and food stalls which serve unlimited mouthful varieties of street snacks and food items.

Location: Gate, Outer Ring Rd, Near Nagawara Lake, Hebbal, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560045

Best Time to Visit: Evenings.

Price: INR 50 for adults and free entry for kids.

Timings: 11 AM to 7 PM on all days of the week.

Average time required to visit the place: 2 hours.

Distance from Kempe Gowda Bus stand: around 30 Km

Must Read: 7 Must-Visit Water Parks in Bangalore

Local call it ‘Dodda Basavana Gudi’ which is the oldest and biggest temple devoted to Nandi Bull and that is why it is fondly known as ‘Nandi Temple.’ The abode of Lord Shiva which is known as Kailashagiri was guarded by the famous Nandi bull who also served as a mount to Lord Shiva. 

This Dravidian style temple was built by Kempe Gowda with a magnanimous granite sculpture of Bull that is carved out on a single rock welcomes people at the entrance. 

The statue is 21 feet long and 15 feet high which was originally grey colored but the application of Coconut oil, benne and pure butter on the statue by the devotees has turned it black. 

The temple also hosts a small temple of Lord Ganesh and where the artistic statue of Lord Ganesh is made of 110 kilos of pure butter which makes up for an intriguing sight to the visitors. 

Big Bull Temple is one of the famous temples in Bangalore that witnesses hordes of devotees almost every day.

Location: No.28, 3rd Cross, Bull Temple Road, NR Colony, Basavanagudi, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560004.

Best Time to Visit: During the evening aarti.In order to witness the auspicious celebration of Kadalekai Parsihe, visit on the last Monday and Tuesday of 'Kaarthik Maas.'

Price: No entrance fee is charged.

Timings: 6 AM to 8 PM on all days of the week.

Average time required to visit the place: Around an hour.

Distance from Kempe Gowda Bus stand: Approximately 4.5 KM.

Bangalore aquarium is one of the sightseeing places in Bangalore which is located in Cubbon Park and is the largest aquarium in Bangalore with an assorted collection of exotic fishes such as Siamese, Goldfish, Fighters, Freshwater Prawns, Red Tail Shark, Catla, Moon Tail, Angelfish, Pearl Gourami, Hockey Stick Tetra etc. 

This diamond shaped building is loaded with a number of aquatic flora and fauna, divided into three floors where the first floor has around 14 tanks in total and the second has 69. 

People with love for aquatic life must visit this huge aquarium which can be easily spotted in Cubbon Park.

Location: Kasturba Road, Shanthala Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001

Price: Free entry for children below 12 years of age and INR 15 for adults.

Timings: 10:30 am to 5:30 pm on all days of the week except the second Tuesday of every month and Mondays.

Average time required to visit the place: Around 2 to 34 hours.

This enormous art gallery is segmented into two halls where it exhibits more than 600 paintings. 

One of the two halls displays stone sculptures associated with Khajarao School of Art and Mathura whereas the other hall exhibits pottery and clay articles dating back to the Indus Valley civilization. 

This art gallery houses the artwork and paintings of world famous and renowned artists such as K. Venkatappa, M. F. Hussain, Hanumaiah, Hariram, Yusuf Arakkal, Rekha Rao, N. S. Bendre, and Vasudev in galore on the first level of the building. 

There are paintings christened as Prithvi, Vayu, Jala, Agni, Death, Sea Shore, Nagamandala, In Space,  and Last Glimpse by K.K Hebbar on the second level of the gallery. 

Venkatappa Art gallery is the Mecca for art loves, magnanimous, loaded and authentic and is one of the aesthetically pleasing places to visit in Bangalore.

Location: Kasturba Road, Ambedkar Veedhi, Sampangi Rama Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001

Best Time to Visit: During the daytime.

Price: INR 10 per head (adults) and INR 5 (children)

Timings: 10 am to 5 pm on all the days of the week except Monday.

Distance from Kempe Gowda Bus stand: Approximately 5 km

This dry deciduous forest is loaded with wild shrubs and climbers with many Eucalyptus trees, making it an ideal getaway for one-day picnic plans from Bangalore. Activities such as biking, cycling, trekking can be enjoyed best on the undulated terrains of Turahalli forest. 

It is one of the nearest places to visit in Bangalore that is considered a quick hideaway from the city rush. This forest is just an hour drive away from Bangalore and situated at Hosahalli, Vajarahalli road off Bangalore- Kanakpura road. 

The place is quiet, scenic and surrounded by nature with a wide range of bird species which can particularly excite a bird watcher. The best way to enjoy Turahalli forest is to drive your own vehicle up to the entrance and park it there. 

Head out for a walk into the forest and indulge in the rejuvenating environs of the forest.

Location: Thurahalli, Kanakapura road Bengaluru, Karnataka 560062, India

Best Time to Visit: During the day after the offset of the monsoon season, it is green and beautiful.

Price: Entry is free.

Timings: Opens 24 hours.

Average time required to visit the place: 2 to 4 hours, if you wish to you can spend a day in the quietude of the forest.

Distance from Kempe Gowda Bus stand: Around 20 KM.

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Hebbal lake is an ideal place for the photography fanatics and bird watchers as there are over 70 waterbird species and other rare ones. Hebbal lake is located along the Bellary road in the northern part of Bangalore and is an oasis to many migratory and exotic birds. 

This 150 acres long lake was created by the founder of Bangalore Kempe Gowda along with two other lakes in the city in 1537. Later, two artificial islands were created during the restoration and maintenance of the lake and the two islands attract flocks of bird species which is the most attractive feature of the place as the islands have now become a ground for breeding and nesting.

 There is a garden adjacent to the park where people often celebrate some leisurely hours. Hebbal lake is glorified post monsoon but dries up during the summer season hence spring is the best time to take a tour around this lake.

Location: National Highway 7, Bellary Road, Outer Ring Road, Bangalore, Karnataka 560024, India

Best Time to Visit: Spring and post-monsoon time when some of the rarest birds can be spotted.

Price: No entry fee.

Things to do: Boating, early morning jogging or evening walk, bird watching, and photography.

Timings: From sunrise to sunset hours.

Average time required to visit the place: 1 to 2 hours.

Distance from Kempe Gowda Bus stand: Around 13 KM.

Must Read: 25 Best Places to Visit Near Bangalore Within 500 Kms

This 15th-century fort has witnessed multiple seizures and attacks in the bygone era by Tipu Sultan, Hyder Ali and even the Britishers. Malla Baire Gowda constructed in the year 1501 making it one of the Bangalore tourist places which you can not afford to miss if you want to learn more about the Mythology, history, and culture of the state. 

There is small village settlement within the fort premise with several old-style temples which gives insight into the history of the place. 

This 20 acres long fort is made of stone and mud and the house where Tipu Sultan and Hyder Ali lived still exists in the lap of this fortress.

Location: Devanahalli Near Bangalore -Hyderabad Highway, District, Devanahalli, Karnataka 562110

Best Time to Visit: October to March.

Price: No entry fee.

Timings: Open 24 hours.

Average time required to visit the place: 2 to 3 hours.

Distance from Kempe Gowda Bus stand: Approximately 35 KM.

Further Read: 11 Best Resorts in Devanahalli, Bangalore

This sprawling mansion of 3.5 acres and was recently opened to the public in the year 2009. The Manikyavelu Mansion is one of the three National Art Museum in India where the other two are located in Mumbai and Delhi. 

The welcoming sight of years old trees, a mirror pool and a fountain in the vicinity provides ample of green and shaded space to devour in the quietude of this art gallery. 

The marvelous photographs of earlier times, paintings, sculptures and graphic prints are some of the commendable articles which are kept on display. This is a notable culture center at Bengaluru that hosts seminars,  film screenings, workshops and exhibitions to cultivate an understanding of modern art and culture in the city.

Location: #49, Palace Road, Manikyavelu Mansion, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560052

Best Time to Visit: Anytime between the given hours.

Price: INR 10 for Indian nationals and INR 150 for foreigner nationals.

Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM on all days of the week except Monday.

Average time required to visit the place: 1 to 2 hours.

Distance from Kempe Gowda Bus stand: Approximately 4 KM.

Initially, it was constructed as a mud fort in the year 1537 by Kempe Gowda and then was rebuilt by Hyder Ali into a fascinating stone structure standing that still does not fail to mesmerize the spectators. 

The rampant and the remnants of the fort can be witnessed in the K. R market area. As a large portion of the fort vanishes today, the Tipu Sultan’s summer palace was a part of the fort which now looks as a separate entity. 

Kempe Gowda also made a temple dedicated to his daughter in Koramangala for her act of self-sacrifice to benefit the construction of the fort. As the southern gate of the fort would fall every time it was built so someone suggested a human sacrifice, Gowda did not agree to this act but his daughter self-sacrificed herself. 

Tipu Sultan’s summer palace is a major attraction of the fort which purely based on teak wood framework and decorations.

Location: Krishna Rajendra Rd, New Tharagupet, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560002

Best Time to Visit: Post monsoon as the entire regions turn in hues and tints of Green.

Price: INR 5 for Indian nationals and INR 100 for foreign nationals and for video camera it will be Rs 25.

Timings: 8:30 am to 5 pm on all days of the week.

Average time required to visit the place: 3 to 4 hours.

Distance from Kempe Gowda Bus stand: Approximately 3.5 km