Top 10 Must Visit Places in Bangalore – escape2explore

Bangalore, officially Bengaluru, is Karnataka's state capital and one of India's most cosmopolitan cities. It has also been described as the "Silicon Valley of India" because it is a thriving techno-city, nursery of innovation, and entrepreneurial hotspot. But look beyond all the finished IT complexes and corporate skyscrapers to discover more. Underneath is a richly historic, cosmopolitan-focused, and pleasantly nature-encircled city too. Founded by Kempegowda in the 16th century, Bangalore has become a cosmopolitan city where old and new sit side by side. The congenial climate of the city throughout the year as it is situated at an elevation of approximately 900 meters above sea level renders it the most popular destination among tourists visiting the destination for enjoying outdoor activities, culture, and gourmet delights of indulgence. Bangalore's most awe-inspiring feature is its green canopy, gardens and parks that have earned the city the reputation of being "Garden City of India". These serene oases such as Lalbagh Botanical Garden and Cubbon Park are the city jewels in the canvas of hilly cityscape. Bangalore wears a treasure trove of history on its head, and sites such as Bangalore Palace, Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace and Bull Temple of bygone eras disclose the city's heritage. Apart from the urban sounds, Bangalore abounds with trekking trails and nature getaways.

Trekkers enjoy sunrise landscapes and a sniff of fresh air outside the city through routes such as Nandi Hills, Savandurga, and Skandagiri. Western Ghats here provide ample trekking areas to nature enthusiasts. The city is also known for cosmopolitan cuisine that appears in the form of South Indian idlis and dosas to world food. Indiranagar, Brigade Road, and M.G. Roads are some of the shopping, food, and nightlife areas that are hotspots for locals and tourists. Bangalore's cosmopolitanism is also evident in its culture. The city is multicultural as far as festivals, arts, and traditions are concerned since Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and English-speaking people live there. The city is also lively with a good music and art culture since there are several live music clubs, stage shows, and cultural fests. A foodie, nature enthusiast, history enthusiast, or tech enthusiast, Bangalore has something for all and sundry of them. This blend of the old and new and the innumerable opportunities to explore is a city that makes its impression on all and sundry of the city's tourists.

History of Bangalore

Bangalore, officially known as Bengaluru as well, is a city that has a rich history dating more than a millennium back. Village to India's "Silicon Valley," the city has had a violent history, dynasties, and also cultural influences.  The earliest Bangalore history is traceable back to the Ganga dynasty, ruling the region around the 9th century. The area was subsequently purchased and inhabited by the Chola empire in the 11th century. Nevertheless, the city's development to what it is today is attributed to the hand of Kempegowda I, the ruler of the area in the name of the Vijayanagara Empire, as he established the city in 1537. He constructed a mud fort and a well-planned city with roads, temples, and tanks. Kempegowda is today best known as the founder of the city of Bangalore and his name graces some buildings, such as the ubiquitous Kempegowda Towers. Already in the 17th century, the governance of Bangalore went through gigantic ups and downs. When the Vijayanagara Empire collapsed, the Mughals took over Bangalore in 1687 and afterwards sold it again to Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar who was part of the Kingdom of Mysore. With Bangalore, the Wodeyars transformed the location into a commercial centre as well as a trade centre.

Bangalore was ruled by the Hyder Ali regime and Tipu Sultan in the early 18th century. They fostered it by constructing a stone fort that still exists as the Bangalore Fort. Tipu Sultan, "Tiger of Mysore," was one of the main resistance leaders to British government rule over South India. His Indo-Islamic-styled summer palace is one of the attractions of interest in Bangalore's past. But with the fall of Tipu Sultan during the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War in 1799, Bangalore city too fell into British hands. British Rule and Modernization During the British colonial era, Bangalore was transformed into a large army and administrative hub. The British established a cantonment area, and this stimulated the growth and urbanization of the city. The advent of the railway in the 19th century further stimulated growth in Bangalore. It was famous for its good climate, and thus it came to be called a "Pensioner's Paradise" as British administrators and bureaucrats retired here.

Ever since India gained independence in 1947, Bangalore automatically became the state capital of Karnataka. Ever since then, it has been a knowledge hub and industry with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) having commenced operations. The highest amount of transformation occurred during the 1980s and 1990s when information technology experienced a boom. The IT titans set up their headquarters in Bangalore and therefore Bangalore was made the "Silicon Valley of India." This is now one of the world's fastest-growing cities with an ideal mix of heritage and advanced innovation. From birth through its modern-day global popularity, Bangalore's history attests to its diversification, survival, and growth.

Top 10 Trekking Places Near Bangalore

1. Nandi Hills (60 km) 

• Level of Difficulty: Easy

• Best Visiting Time: September – February 

• Nandi Hills are much counted among the most popular trekking spots around Bangalore, giving panoramic sunrise views with hazy hills and historical sites such as Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace. A perfect spot for a quick weekend adventure.

2. Skandagiri (70 km)

• Level of Difficulty: Moderate 

• Best Visiting Time: November – March 

• Well known for its night trekking adventure, this ancient fort ruins, and atop that, a magnificent sunrise awaits you.

3. Savandurga (50 km) 

• Level of Difficulty: Moderately Difficult 

• Best Visiting Time: October - March 

• Savandurga is one of the largest monolith hills in Asia, with an enthralling trek filled with steep rock faces and very impressive views of the Arkavathi River and surrounding forests. 

4. Ramanagara (50 km) 

• Level of Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Best Time to Visit: October - March 

• Characters of "Sholay Hills" (as in the famous Bollywood movie Sholay), this place happens to be a Mecca for rock climbers, trekkers, and boulders strewn across the ground as a trail with small caves. 

5. Anthargange (70 km) 

• Moderate difficulty 

• October-March is the best time to visit. 

• This site is unique for trekking and features volcanic rock formations along with a series of caves. Night trekking and cave exploration keep Anthargange at the top of the list of adventure lovers. 

6. Makalidurga - 60 Km 

• Level of Difficulty: Moderate 

• Best Time to Visit: October – March 

• This is a very offbeat trek taking one to the ruins of a fort at the top of a hill. The trek passes through railway tracks, dense vegetation, and rocky paths offering mesmerizing views. 

7. Channarayana Durga (100 km) 

• Moderate Difficulty Coolest Time to Visit: September - February 

• Channarayana Durga is lesser known but offers some rich historical significance, an old fort, a scenic landscape, and indeed an adventurous climb with steep sections. 

8. Devarayanadurga (70 km) 

• Easy Difficulty Level 

• Best Time to Visit: November - April 

• This trek, in hilly, grassy terrain, takes us to a historic temple at the very top. Ideal for first-timers and seekers of solitude, this trek proves a nice option in trekking. 

9. Kabbal Durga (80 km) 

• Moderate to Difficult 

• Best Time to Visit: November – March 

• This thrilling climb at night becomes very steep and the ruins of a fort can be seen on top of it. Difficult terrain makes it much more adventurous for experienced hikers. 

10. Madhugiri (100 km) 

• Level of Difficulty: Difficult 

• Best Time to Visit: October – March 

• The second monolith of Asia, this trek, is very difficult yet promises great rewards in terms of panoramic views and ruined forts that speak of the bygone era.

Places to Visit around Bangalore

Bangalore is filled with landscapes, heritage, and adventure sites, and hence the best place in the middle to visit for week-end excursions. From trekking areas, cultural events, and wildlife reserves to wildlife reserves, there are numerous sites from all budgets ranging from a one to a three-hour drive.

1. Chikmagalur (245 km): A Hill town of picture-postcard beauty, Chikmagalur is affectionately well-known for rolling coffee plantations, rolling hill country with mist, and serene trekking trails. Mullayanagiri Peak, Baba Budangiri, and Hebbe Falls.

2. Coorg (Madikeri) (265 km): India's "Scotland," Coorg offers wonderful scenery, coffee plantations, and adventure sports like river rafting. Visit Abbey Falls, Raja's Seat, and Dubare Elephant Camp.

3. Mysore (145 km): Mysore is famous for its royal past, the majestic Mysore Palace being its largest attraction. The others are Chamundi Hill, Brindavan Gardens, and Mysore Zoo.

4. Hampi (340 km): A UNESCO World Heritage site, Hampi is a land of ancient wonder, ruins, temples, and boulder-peppered landscape. It is an architectural and cultural wonder that transports one to the golden days of the Vijayanagara Empire.

5. Shivanasamudra Falls (135 km): The Shivanasamudra Falls on the Kaveri River is a scenic double cascade to behold, all the more the monsoons. The ancient temple of Sri Ranganathaswamy lies in the vicinity.

6. Gokarna (485 km): A peaceful coastal village, Gokarna beckons travellers for its untouched beaches as much as for spiritualism. Om Beach, Kudle Beach, and Mahabaleshwar Temple easily draw the sports adventure crowd and the spiritualists as well.

To experience thrills, history, or just unwind, these surrounding getaways make Bangalore the ideal gateway to experience Karnataka and more!

How to Reach Bangalore and Nearby Places

Bangalore, being a city, has good connectivity by air, rail, and road. On reaching Bangalore, there is extremely easy connectivity to other places via various means of transport.

By Airport

• One of India's most congested airports, Kempegowda International Airport (BLR), is located about 40 km from the city centre. Flights take off and land from here for domestic and international destinations and the airport is well connected to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad.

• Airport to city: Bus, autorickshaw, and taxi services from the airport to the city are available to reach destinations in Bangalore.

By Train

• There are several railway stations in Bangalore and the main one is Krantivira Sangolli Rayanna (Bangalore City Junction) (SBC). Yeshwantpur Junction (YPR) and Bangalore Cantonment (BNC) are also major ones.

• Bangalore is also well connected by train with other major cities of all regions of India, i.e., Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi.

By Road

• Bangalore is a road well connected, and national highways connect it with the neighbouring states.

• By Bus: Private bus operators and KSRTC operate buses to and from the cities of Mysore, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Coorg.

• By Car: Bangalore has good road connectivity through NH 44, NH 75, and NH 48 and hence it is very convenient for the tourists to come and go in and out of the city in their own vehicles.

Road transport from and to surrounding areas from Bangalore

1. Nandi Hills (60 km)

   • By Road: NH 44 drive (~1.5 hours).

   • By Bus: KSRTC, and private bus from Bangalore to Nandi Hills.

   • By Train: The closest railway is Chikkaballapur (9 km).

2. Savandurga (50 km)

   • By Road: Magadi Road drive (~1.5 hours).

   • By Bus: Very few direct buses; take a taxi instead.

3. Skandagiri (70 km)

   • By Road: NH 44 drive (~2 hours).

   • By Train: The nearest train station is Chikkaballapur.

4. Ramanagara (50 km)

   • By Road: Mysore Road drive (~1 hour).

   • By Train: Ramnagar Railway Station is well connected to Bangalore.

5. Chikmagalur (245 km)

   • By Road: Drive via NH 75 (~4.5 hours).

   • By Bus: Buses are frequent from Bangalore by KSRTC.

   • By Train: Kadur nearest railway station (40 km away from Chikmagalur).

6. Coorg (265 km)

   • By Road: Travel on NH 275 (~5.5 hours).

   • By Bus: KSRTC daily regular bus to Madikeri (Coorg town).

   • By Train: Mysore is the closest (120 km).

7. Mysore (145 km)

   • By Road: NH 275 (car drive of approximately 3 hours).

   • By Bus: KSRTC, and private buses on a regular timetable.

   • By Train: Trains from Bangalore to Mysore on a regular timetable.

8. Hampi (340 km)

   • By Road: NH 50 (driving distance of approximately 6.5 hours).

   • By Bus: KSRTC overnight bus.

   • By Train: The nearest railway head is Hospet (13 km away from Hampi).

9. Shivanasamudra Falls (135 km)

   • By Road: Kanakapura Road drive (~3.5 hours).

   • By Bus: KSRTC bus from Bangalore to Malavalli, local taxi to Falls.

10. Gokarna (485 km)

    • By Road: Drive on NH 48 and NH 66 (~9 hours).

    • By Bus: KSRTC overnight sleeper buses.

    • By Train: Gokarna Road (10 km from the main city) is the closest railhead.

Accommodation Facilities near and around Bangalore

Bangalore and surrounding rural areas need to offer you different kinds of stays ranging from luxury hotels and budget hotels to homestays and trekking camps. Based on your choice of city stay with convenience, nature break, or trekking camp, you have different options for different budgets and travelling groups.

Luxury Hotels (₹7,000 – ₹20,000 per night)

• For anybody seeking a class experience with good amenities, there are some such five-star hotels in Bangalore:

• The Oberoi Bangalore – A chic hotel with neat gardens, chic rooms, and satisfactory service.

• Taj West End – Heritage hotel with a combination of colonial look and luxury amenities.

• The Leela Palace Bangalore – Imperial-style building hotel with good food, spa, and average food.

• ITC Gardenia – Green-themed luxury hotel with a green colour scheme.

Mid-Range Hotels (₹3,000 – ₹7,000 per night)

• Ideal for business travellers and families with comfort without spending money from their pockets.

• Radisson Blu Atria – Facility of amenities at city locations hotel.

• Hotel Royal Orchid – Fine dining facility with a serene stay.

• St. Mark's Hotel – Upscale city centre boutique hotel with chic interiors.

Budget Hotels & Budget Hostels (₹800 – ₹3,000 per night)

• Ideal for Backpacker, Budget Traveler & Solo Traveler.

• Zostel Bangalore – Chill-out backpackers hostel.

• Social Rehab Hostel – No-frills single and dorms at an inexpensive price.

Treebo & FabHotels – Low-cost, no-frills chain with abysmal service.

Why Book with escape2explore

When exploring one-day trips from bangalore and beyond, Escape2explore stands out as a trusted name in adventure and experiential travel. Here’s why hundreds of travellers choose us for their getaways:

• Trusted, Well-Reviewed Local Operator: escape2explore has gained the trust of thousands of content tourists all over India. With persistent positive feedback and an unblemished reputation for delivering quality experiences, we assure your experience to be hassle-free, memorable, and value-packed. Our insider local knowledge guarantees that you to always be in safe hands.

• Seasoned Guides: Our trips are led by friendly, trained, and professional guides who are passionate about the outdoors and your safety. Whether it's a beach trek, a cultural tour, or a spiritual walk through temples, our team knows the terrain, the stories, and how to make each moment count.

• Safe & Curated Itineraries: Your safety is our number one priority. Each of our tour packages is thoughtfully crafted with safety measures, researched accommodations, and easy travel arrangements. We take care of the details so you can have the experience hassle-free and worry-free.

• Unique Experience That You Won't Find Anywhere Else: With escape2explore, you discover more than the tourist attractions. We go off the beaten track with hidden beaches, unusual treks, offbeat cultural destinations, and true interactions. Whether camping out beneath the stars or exploring a hidden beach cove, we present to you the other side of the 10 Must-Visit Places in Bangalore that not many get to encounter.