Bangalore is gradually becoming one of India’s most busy cities. With an influx of multinationals, the city has become an urban metropolis, which just makes the need for recreational spots all the more important. And locals and travellers visiting the city are in luck since there are a plethora of places to visit in Bangalore. With several tourist attractions including shopping spots, religious places of importance and architectural delights, let’s take a look at some of the most popular places to visit in Bangalore.

Places to Visit in Bangalore: Architecture


Bangalore Palace

Built in the year 1887, Bangalore Palace is one of the most stunning places to visit in Bangalore. It offers art enthusiasts an opportunity to explore the unique Scottish Gothic architecture and also offers visitors a break from the mundane. The wooden structure is quite extraordinary as are the carvings both outside and inside the palace. 

The best time to head here is in the morning when the tourist rush is at its minimum and you can explore the palace in peace. Commissioned by King Chamarajendra Wadiyar, it is said the inspiration from the palace came from London’s Windsor Castle. It will take one anywhere between 3 to 4 hours to explore the palace and we recommend keeping aside this time if you want to do justice to the beauty of the palace. 

One must definitely visit the Durbar Hall during the tour since it’s the highlight of the palace. With a huge elephant head and stained glass windows, the beauty of the hall is incomparable and you’ll be taken by surprise by the architectural brilliance.


Vidhana Soudha

Popularly known as the Taj Mahal of the South, Vidhana Soudha is one of the best places to visit in Bangalore. Housing the State Legislature and the Secretariat of Karnataka, it is one of the most popular tourist places in Bangalore. Said to be the largest state legislative buildings in the country, exploring the area is a delight for travellers and locals. There are four entrances to the complex and four floors above the ground level which can take close to two hours to explore. Constructed in Neo-Dravidian style, the architecture of the Vidhana Soudha is truly a delight for architecture enthusiasts. 

The building is decorated with lights on Sunday and all public holidays, so if you happen to visit then, you’ll be mesmerised by the illuminated building. The foundation stone of the building was laid by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru along with the then Chief Minister K.C. Reddy. 

National Gallery of Modern Art

Art and culture have always been a big part of South India and slowly Bangalore is giving importance to the finer arts. The National Gallery of Modern Art was recently inaugurated in 2009 and has taken the city by storm. Displaying over 14,000 exhibits in the form of paintings, sculptures and craft, the museum is home to masterpieces by world-famous artists including Amrita Shergil, Rabindranath Tagore and Jamini Roy.

Situated in the midst of refreshing greenery, we suggest including this in your list of places to visit in Bangalore. The museum has a main hall which serves as an art gallery, a multi-cuisine cafeteria and a reference library. You can head here any time of the week to rejuvenate yourself and get inspired by old classics and contemporary art pieces. 

Tipu Sultan Summer Palace

Considered to be one of the best places to visit in Bangalore, the construction of the palace began much before it was finally completed by Tipu Sultan in the year 1791. An example of religious tolerance, the summer palace is a mix of Indo-Islamic architecture and has a temple located in the courtyard. 

An ideal place to include in your tour of best places to visit in Bangalore, it will take you close to two hours to cover the entire area. We suggest heading here late in the afternoon since it’s the best time to admire the grandiose and beauty of the summer palace. 

Places to visit in Bangalore: Recreational

Cubbon Park

If you are looking for recreational and rejuvenating spots in the busy city, you must include Cubbon Park in your list of places to visit in Bangalore. Perfect for nature lovers, it’s situated in the green belt region of the city and is dedicated to Lord Cubbon as he laid down the foundation stone. Offering a break from the city, the park is a relief for sore eyes and is definitely one of the most popular places in Bangalore. 

For those who are travelling with children, this is an ideal park to enjoy a picnic or simply spend a few hours away from the rush of the city. With attractions such as the Bangalore Aquarium, toy train, dancing fountain, an amphitheatre and other rides, one can expect to spend a few enjoyable hours here. 

Lalbagh Botanical Gardens

Making it to the list of top places to visit in Bangalore is Lalbagh Botanical Gardens. A haven for nature lovers and for those who are looking for peace and serenity, the garden is home to over 1,854 species of plants. With rare plants of Aghani and Persian origin, the garden is now a Government Botanical Garden. 

One of the reasons that the park is counted among the best places to visit in Bangalore is the 3000 million years old Lal Bagh Rock which is preserved here. The park is said to be commissioned by Hyder Ali in 1760 but the work was finished by his son Tipu Sultan who made considerable efforts to ensure it’s one of the best gardens in India. 

Not only is the garden a delight for nature lovers, but it also gives photographers an opportunity to capture the vibrant beauty of the rare flora here. Owing to the large variety of flowers and plants here, the park is also home to some of the most beautiful birds including parakeets, brahminy kite and myna.

Bangalore Aquarium

If you are travelling with children, you must include this in your itinerary of the best places to visit in Bangalore. A delight for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, the aquarium is home to a variety of fish and is considered to be the second-largest in India. With different species of fish such as Goldfish, Red Tail Shark and Catla, you will have a great time exploring the aquarium. Since the aquarium is spread over three floors, it will take you a couple of hours to explore the entire area. 

On the second floor of the aquarium, you’ll find 69 tanks of cultivable fishes and other unique species of the marine world. Keep an eye out for eels, red-tail sharks, goldfish and moon tail. The aquarium is located in Cubbon Park so you can combine the two spots together when you are on your tour of places to visit in Bangalore. 

WonderLa Water Park

If you are travelling with children or are in the mood to relive your childhood, you must include WonderLa Water Park in your list of places to visit in Bangalore. Loved by locals and tourists, the amusement park is one of the best in South India and offers a variety of rides which are thrilling and get the adrenaline pumping. The amusement cum water park has over 60 rides and its main attraction is the reverse looping roller coaster which is one of a kind in India. 

For little ones, there are numerous child-friendly rides which ensure they have a memorable trip. WonderLa is also home to a multi-cuisine food court which offers respite after a long day of fun. 


Bannerghatta National Park

A natural retreat located 22km away from the city, Bannerghatta National Park is one of the most popular places to visit in Bangalore. Set up in the year 1971, the national park is home to unique flora and fauna and wildlife enthusiasts can expert an unforgettable experience. With a beautiful butterfly park, crocodile farm, snake farm and a children’s park, the park is a great way to spend your day in the city. 

One of the most beautiful places to visit in Bangalore if you are travelling with children, the park is a great way to introduce them to wildlife and the importance of environmental conservation. As is the case with all parks, there are numerous safaris which operate throughout the day and it’s considered to be the best way to explore the national park.

The national park is home to a number of animals including Royal Bengal tigers, jackals, Asiatic lions, spotted deer, cobras and sloth bears and if you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of these animals in their natural habitat. We suggest heading here early in the morning so you can make use of less tourist crowds and also the great weather. 

For those who enjoy hiking and trekking, the park should definitely be on your list of places to visit in Bangalore since it offers well-marked trails. We recommend going on a guided tour to ensure safety. 


Ulsoor Lake

The largest and perhaps the most beautiful lakes in the city should certainly be a part of your list of the best places to visit in Bangalore. Surrounded by rejuvenating lush greenery, the lake has is loved by locals and travellers. Offering one a much-needed break from the concrete jungle, the lakes gives one a chance to recharge the senses. 

If you have time, you must head here for a leisurely picnic complete with a food basket and outdoor games. Trust us, it’ll add a zing to your week. During the festival of Ganesh Chaturti, the lakes comes alive with excited locals celebrating the festival. 

The lake is ideal for boating and we highly recommend the activity, especially if you head here in the evening. It’s said that the lake is the perfect place for photographers to capture the lush greenery as well as the soothing views of the setting sun. In fact, some locals head here in the evenings only to enjoy this gorgeous sight. While weekends are the best time to try out your list of the best places to visit in Bangalore, we think an evening in the middle of the week will surprise you.


Innovative Film City

A theme park located 40km from Bangalore, Innovative Film City is one of the best places to visit in Bangalore, especially if the idea of reliving your childhood excites you. Spread across 58 acres, Innovative Film City offers visitors everything including shopping, delicious food and entertainment. 

We suggest heading here early in the morning to avoid queues and also to make sure you don’t miss the best attractions here. Considered to be one of the top places to visit in Bangalore for most travellers, the park is divided into three sections and includes amusements rides, theme parks and a multi-cuisine food court. One can either walk through the park and admire the interesting themes such as Wild West Wind and Cartoon City or can sign up for enthralling tours in the Wax Museum or the Tribal Museum. 

For adventure lovers, this is one of the best places to visit in Bangalore since there is a space dedicated for net cricket, go-karting and bungee jumping to keep them busy. Offering a memorable experience, Innovative Film City is the perfect way to spend your day in Bangalore especially if you are travelling with family.


Places to visit in Bangalore: Shopping


Commercial Street

One of the most popular places to visit in Bangalore for shopaholics, Commercial Street is where you need to go if you are looking for reasonable shopping options. It is one of Bangalore’s best markets and offers everything a shopper would like. Jewellery, apparel, electronics and footwear, the market is a bargainer’s delight and you can take home quite a treasure if you spend time here. 

A part of the market is dedicated to antiques and home decor and those with a keen eye can pick some great stuff. We recommend browsing through the market before you finalise your shopping since all shops offer amazing discounts. The best time to visit is in the afternoon when the market is comparatively less crowded. 

MG Road

MG Road is the best place to experience life like a local in Bangalore. Dotted with cafes, restaurants and a plethora of shops, it’s one of the best places to visit in Bangalore, if this is your first visit here. For those who are looking for souvenirs or the classic southern silks, MG Road is a good option. 

It’s also one of the best places to visit in Bangalore for those who’d like to take home handicrafts or unique art products made in Bangalore. We recommend visiting Cauvery Emporium for a plethora of home decor items, apparel, stationery and rare artefacts. 

Chickpet

The oldest market in the city, Chickpet is counted among the best places to visit in Bangalore for enthusiastic shoppers and tourists looking to take back some souvenirs. A busy commercial street, it is famous for sarees, silk products and jewellery. It’s recommended to head here with a local since they know the best places to shop. For adventure shoppers, you can explore the market and go by your instinct to bag some great deals. Balepet and Raja Market are the most popular shopping streets here and should definitely be included in your tour.

Places to visit in Bangalore: Religious


Iskcon Temple

Located on Hare Krishna Hill, Iskcon temple is one of the most important religious places to visit in Bangalore. Dedicated to the Hindu god, Krishna, the temple was built in the year 1997 and is considered to be one of the world’s biggest Iskcon temples. Like all Iskcon temples, it is inspired by Dravidian elements and supports a towering 17-metre high dhwaja-stambha. Visited by pilgrims from across the county, the Iskcon temple in Bangalore is a cultural and religious centre for believers of the faith. If you head here in the evening, the sweet melodies of Krishna bhajans will charm you and you won’t realise how swiftly time passes here. 


Nandi Temple

Considered to be one of the largest Nandi temples in the world, Nandi Temple sees visitors from across the country. One of the most significant religious places to visit in Bangalore, it is dedicated to Nandi, who was Lord Shiva’s mount. Built in the 16th century, the temple is inspired by traditional Dravidian architecture and is a delight for art lovers to explore. 

While the temple is always crowded, we recommend visiting in the morning or in the evening to participate in the small aarti that takes place every day. The temple’s most striking feature is the four and a half metre tall monolithic Nandi figure which has been created from a single rock.

Tourist Places in Bangalore offer an interesting mix of sightseeing attractions, shopping places and some of the country’s best offerings in food and nightlife. The garden city, as it is called, is full of surprises and the list of places to visit in Bengaluru is bursting to the seams.

Some of the most talked about tourist attractions in Bangalore include the Wonderla Amusement Park, which is among the best and most visited in the country. Shopping on MG road and pub-hopping in Indira Nagar are among the most popular activities to experience the best the city has to offer. Sightseeing in Bangalore would include museums to celebrated temples, Bengaluru offers a range of options for all types of travellers, be it families, couples or solo travellers. Eclectic and vibrant, the city is both cosmopolitan and yet full of traditional flavors and nuance. There’s never a shortage of places to visit in Bangalore.

Bangalore is well-connected to all major cities in India by air and all modes of public transportation. The best way to get around the city is on public transportation and taxis.

The best time to visit most places in Bangalore the months between September to March  and the month of July, when the weather is cool and perfect to experience all the top tourist attractions in Bangalore.

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