bangalore

Bangalore which has been renamed to Bengaluru, the city that’s been leading India to the new digital age, garnered the sobriquet of the “Silicon Valley of India” due to its stellar role of being the Nation’s leading information technology (IT) exporter. It’s evolution from the Garden City to the IT capital of India has been rapid, but still, at its inner core, the remnants of its former self are still preserved. This city’s aura is global yet local, modern yet traditional, and bustling yet calming. The tourism sector is booming in recent years including both nationally and internationally.

Bengaluru’s composition is dynamic where one can seek multiple ventures. Its multi-dimensional aspects are what attracts a large number of tourist from every corner of the world. This city is a window to finding overwhelming beauty, calming tranquillity, the thrill of uncertainty, adventure, amusement and many-many more things. Put aside the notion of Bangalore being just a technologically advanced city and explore every aspect this city has to offer.

Here is a list of top 20 things to do and places to visit in Bangalore

1) Bangalore Palace

Photo – Eva and Joel, Flickr

Out of the Bangalore’s multiple personalities, one that heightens the city’s overall charm is its royal appeal. And the grand Bangalore palace is evident to this conjecture. Folks who revel in luxury and charm of royalty should definitely visit this place. Built in the year 1887 by King Chamaraja Wadiyar, this palace is now a place for people seeking to witness the grandiose magnificence of the royal past of Bangalore.

Features like ornate pelmet and patterned walls, elegantly wooded interiors and beautiful lush green floral gardens emphasizes the deluxe aspect of this palace. Bangalore palace attracts lots of tourists and its a must visit place in Bengaluru. Bangalore Full Day City Trip can take you around this place.

2) Nandi Hills

Photo – arunkumarranjan, Flickr

Walk to the peak of the hills and view the ocean of clouds beneath you cloaking the lush green lands. These truly are the “Hillocks borrowed from heaven.” Nandi hills truly are the heavenly abode of mesmerizing beauty and tranquility. Inhaling the brisk air will enrich your soul. Situated around 60 kilometers from Bangalore, these hills are a great tourist spot near Bangalore.

On the top you can also witness some grand structures with intricate craftsmanship and immense beauty. Perfect spot for cutting ties with the commotion of city and relishing the splendor of nature.

3) Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace

Photo – HariharaSudhan Govindarajan, Flickr

Tipu Sultan, the great ruler known for his valiance and bravery, also bestowed a very unique masterpiece upon the world of architecture. Tipu Sultan’s Summer palace has drawn a lot of attention for its one a kind composition. The entire palace is constructed out of pure teak wood with big bevelled pillars forming the foundations of the two storey building. These pillars have been engraved with elegant intricate floral designs. Islamic style of architecture has been used to design the whole palace.

Currently the ground floor of the grand place is used as an exhibit museum showcasing assorted paintings, garments, military arsenal of or related to the Sultan. This place has garnered a lot of tourists over the years and is one of the best places to visit in Bangalore. You can choose a Bangalore Full Day City Trip to have a glance this place.

4) Nandi Temple

Photo – NR Photography., Flickr

Bulls are among those animals from whom people generally run towards the other way, but not this one. Nandi, a massive 15 ft. Bull, housed by the Nandi temple, has grabbed a great deal of attention from the time it was placed into existence not only for its religious significance but also for its grand awe-inspiring splendour. According to Hindu Mythology the great bull known as Nandi is the mount or ‘Vahana’ of Lord Shiva.

This temple is also well-renowned for its notable Dravidian architectural style. A very distinct aspect of this temple is that it also houses an idol of Lord Ganesh made purely out of 110 kilos of butter.

Nandi temple is one of a kind is undeniably one of the best places to visit in Bangalore. To witness this unique temple, you can be a part of Bangalore Full Day City Trip which is among the best sightseeing tours in Bangalore.

5) Atta Galatta

Are you a book worm who has his/her nose buried in a book for a large portion of the day? Do you find pleasure in swimming through the ocean of words? Then Atta Galatta is the place to be. It’s a paradise for all the avid readers out there. Some of the few events that are hosted here like book reading, book reviews and discussion panels captivate many book lovers. Just grab a cuppa and transcend to a new world through the port-key in your hand.

This place is also great place for meeting like minded people who just like you – are also voracious readers. Engage yourself in a pleasant day of openly being yourself where the tag of being a nerd can be worn as a batch of honor.

So, if you are a true lover of literature then visiting this place is among the best things you can do in Bangalore.

6) Ulsoor Lake

Photo – Sajeev K, Flickr

Ulsoor Lake has secured a name among the best places in Bangalore for having a pacifying experience where one can sink all the weights on his shoulders to the bottom of the lake. A lake with a truly jaw dropping view and a perfect place to relax in pure ecstasy. Sprawled over an area of 50 hectares, this is one of the largest lakes in Bangalore. The lush green foliage on the fringes of he lake embellished the entire landscape. Relax in the calming ambiance or bring forth your inner photographer or row along the   ripples of the lake in perfect silence. All points to having a perfect recipe for a euphoric experience.

If you want a completely relaxing tour then do check out Ulsoor Lake which is among the perfect sightseeing in Bangalore.

7) National Gallery of Modern Art

Photo – Pankaj Borthakur, Google

National Gallery of Modern Art or previously known as Manikyavelu Mansion is one of Bangalore’s hidden gems. This recently refurbished art gallery is among Bangalore’s most famous places to visit.

With an area of 3.5 acres, the entire gallery is enclosed by elegant and royal botanical garden with brilliant consummate flora with old colonial bungalows surrounding the architectural complex making it a great place for an afternoon getaway.

This place houses the works some of the greatest pioneers of fine arts such as Raja Ravi Varma, Amrita Shergil, Ravindranath Tagore, Nandalal Bose, Jamini Roy and also works of other international artists.

8) Virabhadra Temple in Lepakshi

Photo – Premnath Thirumalaisamy, Flickr

Time to explore some beauties near the fringes of Bangalore. Take a detour to the lovely town of Lepakshi, a ride of 2 hrs from Bangalore. This town is an abode to a very famed place of worship known as  Virabhadra temple built in 15th century by Vijayanagara kings. This temple displays a very strong essence of a profound culture preserved in the stone walls and ceilings. One can feel the sheer effort it must have took to create this historical temple through the profusion of engravings done on the temple which makes use of Vijayanagra style of architecture.

One of the elements that will grab your eyes is the meticulous fresco paintings depicting epic stories of Rama and Krishna wearing dresses of vibrant colours.

You won’t regret your decision of taking this detour as this is among the best places to visit near Bangalore. The Hanging Pillar of Lepakshi Temple tour from Bangalore is the choicest option for you to explore this place.

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9) Government Museum (Bangalore)

Photo – Aidan McRae Thomson, Flickr

Counted among the oldest museums in India, Government Museum (Bangalore) established in 1865 by the Mysore State under the guidance of Surgeon Edward Balfour.

If you are a history buff curious to trace the past to our ancestor lives and how we came to be where we are; then this museum is a haven for you. The rich historical and cultural treasure this museum possess has immense significance. Ancient jewellery, sculptures, coins, inscriptions and rare collection of archaeological and geological artifacts are all a part of this grand museum. Float back to the eras of history as early as Mohenjodaro, Vijyanagar and the Chandravalli periods.

This tour can prove to be a lot enlightening and among the best things to do in Bangalore.

10) Cubbon Park

Photo – Long Tran, Flickr

Cubbon park, a jewel in the heart of the city which forms a great part of tourism in the city. This park stretches across a very wide area cocooning several beautiful government buildings, heritage centres and historical monuments. Old colonial buildings lying in the midst of ravishing lush green orchards furnished the whole complex has a very vintage feel to it.

Strolling amidst the bushy trees while inhaling the sweet fragrance of a wide range of flowers and admiring the elegant statues placed around this beautiful park makes for a great escape.

Cubbon Park is among city’ major attractions and one of the best places to visit in Bangalore. Bangalore Full Day City Trip is the best option for you to have a tour of this place.

11) Lalbagh Botanical Garden

Photo – Sajeev K, Flickr

If you desire to get your senses revitalized by immersing yourself into nature’s miraculous beauty then Lalbagh Botanical Garden is harbor for you. This paradisaical place is a renowned on a worldwide basis for its vast collection of some of the rarest breed of flora from all across the globe. A total of 1,854 species of plants of French, Persian and Afghani origins are spread across an area of 240 acres. It also houses a 3000 million years old rock known as the Lalbagh Rock; has played a substantial role in attracting thousands of tourists.

This place offers you an opportunity to relish the beauty of plants that can’t be found in any other place in India, which make Lalbagh Botanical Garden a heaven for shutterbugs.

This is inarguably among the most notable places to visit all across Bengaluru.

12) Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum

Photo – Byung Kyu Park, Flickr

A few people’s infatuation with the astonishing and the baffling mysteries of science has led to astounding discoveries that opened the doors infinite possibilities. If you are among those people with the same obsession with science and technology, then head over to Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum.

This museum offers an interactive way to learn about the historical scientific discoveries and also its connections with the present. The exhibit halls include: Engine Hall, How Things Work, Fun Science Hall, Electro Technic hall, Space Gallery, Biotechnological Revolution Hall, BEL Hall of electronics, Science for Children, and a Dinosaur Enclave. It offers many more things to its visitors and its especially an excellent place to ignite a spark for the love of science in children as they get to learn while playing.

One of the best museums to visit in Bangalore as it is brimming with enlightening knowledge and astonishment.

13) Sri Radha Krishna Temple

Photo – Geeta Sharma, Flickr

Welcome to one of the largest ISKCON temples in the world, Sri Radha Krishna Temple. Situated in Rajajinagar, in North Bangalore, this temple boasts of furnishing its devotees with everything that one might require.

It houses exquisitely beautiful gilded flag post called dhwaja-stambha and also a gold-plated kalash shikara. Here every visitor is treated with utmost respect and even distributes Sri Krishna prasadam to all visitors during the darshana hours. During departure a devotee walks through the way that lined with shops that sells a wide range of things from books on Sri Krishna in all the possible Indian languages to cloths and accessories to edibles. You can explore a lot around the entire temple complex.

These are the attributes that makes this place one of the best sight-seeing places in Bangalore.

14) Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple

Photo – Addison Godel, Flickr

Lord Shiva also is known as the supreme universal consciousness is one of the main deities of Hinduism. There are many religious textbooks and ancient temples which glorifies the presence of Mahadev. Gangadhareshwara Temple is one such temple built in a natural cave in Gavipuram, Bangalore.  This architectural marvel welcomes hordes of faithful worshipers. The main attraction of the temple is its four monolithic pillars two of which support the giant disk of sun and moon, while the other two have several Nandi at the top. A unique phenomenon takes place during the festival of Makar Sankranti.

The sun rays passing between the arc formed by the horns of Nandi falls on the Shivalinga illuminating the interior idol. This is visually satisfying and lakhs of devotees travel miles to witness this magical event which takes place in mid-January every year. This unique shrine with its architectural intricacies is a must-visit. Bangalore Full Day City Trip can take you around this place.

15) Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath

Photo – Hari Prasad Nadig, Flickr

Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, another gem in the collection of galleries this grand city has to offer. This is a visual art complex that comprise of a total of 18 galleries. Thirteen of these fine arts galleries contains a goldmine of the masterpieces of some of the greatest trailblazer of our times. Rest of the other galleries are rented out for the exhibitions of the upcoming pioneers. Handy-works comprise of paintings, sculptures and folk art. Mysore paintings and leather puppets are a part of the folk-art collection showcase. A well-renowned cultural event called Chitra Santhe, which displays affordable art to the public.

This place has a rich collection of many other things which are definitely worth checking out.

16) Wonderla

Photo – Avinash Gatreddi, Flickr

A land where the sheer volume of your voice is the currency to exchange amusement. Ride on the literal and metaphorical roller coaster of pure fun in the loudest, craziest, and the most amusing part of the city of Bangalore. Welcome to Wonderla. Brace yourself to have an experience overflowing with thrill, adventure, laughter, amusement and tons of fun.

The completely insane rides, the water rushing in from literally everywhere or simply lie alongside the pool. No matter what you do here, you are guaranteed a time of your life. The only thing you wouldn’t want to do here is leave!

If you had made plans to have a fun and happening day then this is definitely your escape. There is no doubt you should come to this place as this is among the best places to visit in Bangalore.

17) Food Tasting at VV Puram

Photo – rajesh dangi, Flickr

It’s time to fill your empty stomachs or maybe even full since you won’t be able to resist your temptations once you lay eye on the delicious, mouth watering, and vibrant colours of flavourful foods in the streets of Bangalore.  VV Puram is this mega city’s one of the most famed and the only streets in Bangalore that sell vegetarian food. Sounds dull? Well once you reach this street all your stereotypes about vegetarian foods will change and you’ll have a new found respect for the same. The streets are teeming with restaurants, kiosks, carts, and small hole-in-the-wall shop with each shop handling dozens of people at the same time. An endless line of delectable delicacies like sweet buns, Bath Masala Dosa, Bajjis & Bondas, Rasgulla Chaat and the list goes on. Well the price of tasting these heavenly foods is you’d have to deal with the rush.

Well, this is definitely among the best place to visit in Bangalore to cosset your taste buds.

18) Janapada Loka

Photo – Avinash Kunigal, Flickr

India’s rural culture and heritage are also profusely rich and deep-seated. This is reflected through their various artforms. Janapada Loka or “Folk world” or “Folk-culture World” is a folk museum that has an exclusive display of the village folk arts and is under the protection of the Karnataka Janapada Parishat.

People are generally oblivious to these works of arts as the artists or craftsmen don’t have proper outlets to showcase their efforts. This museum throw light on these folk-arts that have previously been somewhat obscure from the rest of the world.

The main hall has a wing that showcases of some 5,000 folk artifacts. A great way to take closer look into the culture of world that we haven’t been in touch with. This is one of the best things to do in Bangalore.

19) Shopping at MG Road

Photo – Rahul Ganguly, Flickr

It’s time to go on a shopping spree in Bangalore’s one of the most prominent regions and that is none other than the MG road or also known as Mahatma Gandhi Road. Residents of this city confide in this market place for their shopping requirements. An extremely vast and diverse range of products are marketed here from traditional household products to wearables to decorative items. You name it, you get it. From high priced classy branded showrooms and outlet to very low-profile shops suited to your budget.

This place even offers you some fabulous places to satiate your hunger like stalls, food joints and restaurants.

You wouldn’t want to miss the chance to explore this cosmopolitan hood. Undeniably this is among the best places to visit in Bangalore.

20) Nightlife

Photo – Chairman’s Resort, Flickr

Turn down the lights and turn up the volume; its time to get your groove on with fellow party- people and shake the dance floor. Feel the psychedelia as you get in sync with the pub culture of Bangalore.

As monotonous is the busy working life of day, the night life is contrastingly as hip and happening. The rustic pubs and clubs; some even with inbuilt microbreweries take the responsibility to shake off your stress and strains with loads of beers and beverages, extremely loud music and a floor where you can trip to the light. Liven up your weekends and let yourself loose because Bangalore is offering you a with lot of options vent out your frustration of the entire week, or just place to chill out with your buddies past bed-time.

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