Best places to visit in and around Bangalore

Bangalore in India is world famous as the Software and Outsourcing Capital of India. Bangalore is also a tourist spot even though Bangalore itself may not have many historical sites, but there are many important Historical sites near Bangalore- like Mysore with the world famous Tipu Sultan's Fort at Srirangapatna and the World Heritage site of Hampi Vijayanagara ruins. We have a detailed list of all the tourist places in and around Bangalore further down.

Best way to get around in Bangalore

The Auto-rickshaw or simply the Auto is the most convenient way to get arround in Indian Cities

Other than taxis, the most convenient way of traveling within the city is by the black & yellow 3-wheeler auto-rickshaws known as “autos” as in the image here. They are metered and can accommodate maximum of 3 passengers. Bangalore is well connected by buses operated by the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). The city is also well connected to neighboring cities by buses, both private and state owned.

Bangalore is well connected to most of the parts of the world through the newly opened Bangaloore Kempegowda International Airport. It is also well connected by the Indian Railways to the rest of the country. Road traffic jams have been a curse in Bangalore for some time, but with the new flyovers and new road infrastructure being completed, smooth flow of traffic is expected. After the recent monsoon rains in Bangalore, there are many pot-holes in the roads of Bangalore, but they are being repaired on a priority basis. The new metro rail communication system within the city has started and this has reduced Bangalore's traffic jams considerably. The Metro in Bangalore is the fastest and best way of getting around in Bangalore.

Good hotels in Bangalore at affordable rates

There are many hotels in Bangalore, but to find a good reasonable hotel at not very high prices, you will need to use the services of the online specialist hotel reservation sites. One of the best website to find good hotels at good rates in Bangalore is this well known Hotel Booking website.

Interesting places to see in Bangalore

Bangalore has been officially renamed to Bengaloru or Bengalooru, its original name in the Kannada language. Official name change or not, Bangalore is still known as ‘Bangalore’ the world over – how can they change the famous phrase in America, “your job has been Bangaloored!!” coined when American software engineers were losing jobs to India because of outsourcing.

One day Bangalore tour

The following Bangalore sightseeing places in Bangalore can be visited with a one day Bangalore tour. There are many tourist packages available in Bangalore with luxury buses taking you around to these Bangalore places to see in one day. Most hotel lobbies have tour agents who can arrange these tours. The Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation or KSTDC one day package tours Bangalore are a very good and economical way to see Bangalore in a day. This is the Official website of Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation - KSTDC where you can see the prices for the various tour packages available with KSTDC and book online.

The Fort Palace Bangalore

The Fort Palace in Bangalore was built by Chamaraja Woodeyar, Maharaja of Mysore, in 1887.

Lalbagh Botanical Gardens in Bangalore

Lal Bagh is a 2400-acre garden and is one of the most famous botanical gardens in India. It has about 1000 species of flora imported from various parts of the world. The 1.5 sq. kilometers lake within the garden and the Glass House modeled after London’s Crystal Palace, are really worth a visit.

Vidhana Soudha Bangalore

The Karnataka State Parliment House in Bangalore known as the Vidhana Soudha

Vidhana Soudha Bangalore is the seat of the State Legislature or parliament of Karnataka State of which Bangalore is the capital. It is built in the Neo-Dravidian style and is the largest legislature building in India. Ideal to visit in the evening when it is colorfully lit. It is situated within the Cubbon Park the largest park within Bangalore city. A picture of it is on the left.

Cubbon Park in Bangalore

Cubbon Park was a park built by Lt. General Sir Mark Cubbon in 1864 and is spread over in about 300 acres right in the middle of Bangalore. It is adorned with fountains, intricate statues, and a vast expanse of greenery with a library in the middle.

Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium Bangalore

Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium with has a seating capacity of 225 and conducts various shows on astronomy.

Banerghatta National Park Bangalore

Banerghatta National Park is about 22 kilometers away from Bangalore city. This fascinating park comprises of an aquarium, zoo, children’s park, Crocodile Park, Snakes Park, pre-historic park. It is spread over an area of 104 sq. km. and was established in 1971.

Venkatappa Art Gallery Bangalore

Venkatappa Art Gallery in Bangalore with a rich collection of over 600 paintings that are on display all the year. It houses sculptures from the well-known Mathura and Khajuraho Schools of Art and displays some exquisite work on pottery and clay from the ancient Indus Valley Civilization.

Best tourist places to visit near Bangalore

These are some of the best tourist places to visit near Bangalore. Most of these interesting tourist spots near Bangalore have luxury bus tour packages starting from Bangalore. There are one day luxury bus tour packages starting from Bangalore and also some that last upto a week. Many tour operators have such tours starting and ending in Bangalore. The best of the lot and may be the cheapest tours from Bangalore are arranged by the Karnataka Government run Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation or KSTDC. This is the Official website of Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation - KSTDC where you can see the prices and book online for the various tour packages, hotels and other facilities. These are the best tourist places to visit near Bangalore:

Gomateshwara Shravanabelagola, Hassan near Bangalore

The naked staue of Jain religion in Sarvanbelagola, Hassan near Bangalore

Gomateshwara statue in Saravanabelagola, Hassan near Bangalore is about 160kms from Bangalore. The Gomateshwara staue is 17 meters (55 feet) tall. This famous naked male statue of Lord Bahubali (Gomateshvara) of the Jains, was made around the year 980 AD and is the world’s tallest monolithic (made out of a single stone) statue. On the right is a picture of the Gomateshwara in Shravanabelagola, Hassan near Bangalore

Mysore tour from Bangalore

Mysore is the second largest city of Karnataka State and was the Capital of the Kingdom of Mysore. Tippu Sultan was the ruler of Mysore during his hey days and his palaces and fortress in Srirngapatanm is a great tourist attraction. It is possible to get one day Bangalore to Mysore tour packages, and it is convenient way to see the sights of Mysore. You go in luxury buses which leave early in the morning and return before 10 PM the same day. Most hotel lobbys in Bangalore have tour agents who can arrange these tours

Mysore is famous for its Sandalwood products and pure silk cloth. At the Government Sandalwood Oil Factory, you can buy pure Sandalwood Oil. At the Government Silk Factory you can see the master weavers at work and even buy pure silk cloth. It is an historical city and the famous sights in and around the city are

Mysore Tourist places

Some of the best places to visit in and around Mysore are as follows:

Brindavan Gardens Mysore

Spread over 150 acres Brindavan Gardens in Mysore is vast garden with perfectly kept lawns and with lots of Dancing Fountains. It is so beautiful that many Indian Films use it as a background for their song and dance scenes.

Chamundi Hills Mysore

Chamundi Hills Mysore is a 335 meters high hill near Mysore. The high lights there are two giant statues, one of a Bull and the other of the demon Mahishasura.

Daria Daulat Bagh Mysore

Tipu's Summer Palace, built in 1784, is located here. Made of teak it is unique in its workmanship.

St. Philomena's Church Mysore

One of the largest Churches of India and has very beautiful double steeples.

The Mysore Palace

The Mysore Palace all lit up

Mysore Palace is one of the important sights in Mysore. The Palace has exquisite carvings and works of art, intricately carved doors and luxuriously furnished rooms. The jewel studded golden throne of the Wodeyars, the ex Maharajas of Mysore, is displayed here during the Dasera festival. Illuminated on Sundays and public holidays, it is a sight to be seen.

Srirangapatna tour from Bangalore

Srirangapatna Mysore was the capital when Tippu Sultan ruled Mysore and he died fighting the English in battle in 1799. Tippu Sultan was wielding his famous sword when he died battling the British 1799. The spot in the fort area where Tippu Sultan breathed his last is marked and is often visited by many people.

Hampi Vijayanagar tour from Bangalore

Vijayanagara, the “City of Victory,” was described as one of the one of the most beautiful cities in the world, during the height of its glory between the 14th and 16th century. It is now more well known as the Hampi ruins. Spread over an area of more than 25 square kilometers (10 square miles), Hampi ruins is full of sights of giant temples, palaces, fortifications, etc. and you can spend days wandering around. In 1986, UNESCO declared the group of monuments at Hampi as a World Heritage site. This is how the Group of Monuments at Hampi is described on their site "The austere, grandiose site of Hampi was the last capital of the last great Hindu Kingdom of Vijayanagar. Its fabulously rich princes built Dravidian temples and palaces which won the admiration of travelers between the 14th and 16th centuries. Conquered by the Deccan Muslim confederacy in 1565, the city was pillaged over a period of six months before being abandoned."

There are two airports near Hampi - Bellary and Hubli, but both are far, about 2 to 3 hours by car and the flights to these airports are limited. The best option to reach Hampi is by train. The nearest railway station is Hospet Junction 13 km from Hampi. A convenient train to catch is the overnight Hampi Express (Train number 6592) leaving Bangalore for Hubli at 10.20PM and reaching Hospet by about 8AM next day. For the return the best option will be Train number 6591 leaving Hospet by 8PM and reaching Bangalore by 6AM next day. There are several other options for trains. It is worth noting that after seeing Hampi you could go by train to Madgaon or Vasco-da-Gama Railway stations in Goa by an overnight train, thus saving one night hotel rent. The map on the right shows all the places mentioned.

Mysore Ooty Kodaikanal package tour

Many package tours are available from Bangalore to Mysore, Ooty and Kodaikanal. Some of these tour packages now include Coorg also. The best Mysore Ooty Kodaikanal package tour is by KSTDC, the Karnataka Government run Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation or KSTDC. This is the Official website of Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation - KSTDC

Golden Chariot train from Bangalore to Goa

There is special tourist train called the 'The Golden Chariot' luxury train which starts from Bangalore for a week long tour, which goes all the way to Goa and brings you back to Bangalore and on the way lets you visit the most important tourist attractions of the region. Like the famous 'Palace on Wheels' of Delhi-Rajasthan, you get to become a Maharaja for a week in the ambience of your own Palace and with a very comfortable 5 star hotel like room. We have a separate page for the The Golden Chariot Luxury Tourist Train.

Golden Chariot train from Bangalore is a great way to see the important tourist spots of Karnataka and Goa States. The Golden Chariot maharaja train with its coaches coloured purple and gold and with the logo of a mythological animal with the head of an elephant and a body of a lion is a unique train. The Golden Chariot operates weekly and guests have on board accommodations, spa treatments and dining. It has two restaurants, a lounge bar, and conference area, gym and spa facilities. There is onboard Wi-Fi connectivity, and satellite antennae providing live television service in the cabins.

The train sells a 7-day/8-night tour of Bangalore, Kabini, Mysore, Hassan, Hospet (for Hampi - Vijayanagara), Badami and Goa and then returs back to Bangalore. Passengers have the option to start their trips from either Bangalore or Goa. The tourist attractions seen during the trip include the Nagarhole National Park, Mysore Palace, Srirangapatna forts of Tippu Sultan, Hampi / Vijayanagr ruins, Hoysaleswara Temple, Gomateshwara Statue and the Badami Cave Temples.

Soon, the Golden Chariot is planning to have a two week tours that will cover Coimbatore, Madurai, Kanyakumari, Trivandrum, and Kochi in Kerala also.

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