Often referred to as the “Silicon Valley of India,” Bangalore is the capital of Karnataka. Due to its technological advancement, the city attracts professionals from all fields. It is home to many software giants such as Wipro, Infosys, TCS, HCL, etc. However, the city is not only known for its IT infrastructure but also for its pleasant climate. It is also called the Garden City due to its lush green spaces and iconic parks such as Cubbon Park and Lalbagh Park. Bangalore is also known for its food, which is a perfect mix of South Indian cuisine as well as international food, and its vibrant nightlife.
Best Places to Visit in Bangalore
A few of the best places to visit in Bangalore are:
Lalbagh Botanical Garden
This place is known for its botanical artwork and the conservation of plants. Lalbagh Botanical Garden is the best place for nature lovers. Spread over 240 acres, the garden houses approximately 1800 species of plants. It was the brainchild of Hyder Ali and completed by Tipu Sultan. You will love to visit it, as many rare species of plants of Afghan, Persian, and French origin are found here. One of the striking features of the garden is the Lal Bagh Rock, which is approximately. 3000 million years old. The garden is extremely popular among the tourists.
Bangalore Palace
One of the best places to visit in Bangalore is Bangalore Palace, which is the epitome of architectural brilliance. Constructed in the year 1878, the palace is quite large and spreads across 45,000 square feet. It is a perfect amalgamation of Scottish Gothic and Tudor architecture. The wooden structure of Bangalore Palace and the beautiful carvings display the royal culture of that era.
Bannerghatta National Park
This park is situated approximately. 22 km away from Bangalore city. It is a sanctuary that houses a great variety of flora and fauna. Established in 1971, the park covers an area of 104.27 sq. km. You will find many attractions in the park, including the butterfly park, a zoo, an aquarium, a snake park, etc. Many animals are also found in the park. You can book a jungle safari if you want to explore the park and spot the wild animals.
Nandi Hills
This is another great spot to explore. It is a popular weekend getaway for tourists who love to spend quality time with their family and friends. They get immersed in the natural beauty of this place. Located at a height of approximately. 4851 feet, Nandi Hills will offer you mesmerizing views of the surroundings.
Summer Palace of Tipu Sultan
Situated in the Bangalore Fort, this palace was used by Tipu Sultan as a summer palace. It is a great example of Indo-Islamic architecture and is famous for its magnificent arches, brilliant motifs, and protruding balconies. Visitors can take a stroll before entering this palace. They will get a glimpse of Tipu Sultan’s royal lifestyle as they enter the palace. The construction of Bangalore Fort was started by Hyder Ali and completed by Tipu Sultan in the year 1791. Some of the unique aspects of the palace include glorifying brackets, wooden pillars, etc. The summer palace is blessed with beautiful mountains and gardens, which make it a great tourist spot. As you enter the palace, you will find yourself in the ancient era. The serene atmosphere of the palace adds value to its beauty.
ISKCON Temple
It is a famous temple situated in the Rajajinagar area of Bangalore. Dedicated to Lord Krishna, the temple was inaugurated by President Shankar Dayal Sharma in 1997. It is not just a revered shrine of Krishna but a cultural complex that houses many deities such as Sri Srinivasa Govinda, Sri Sri Krishna Balrama, Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga, etc. The temple is known for several activities. Songs and recitals are organized here while praying to Krishna. The prayers and lectures are also organized in the temple on a daily basis.
Vidhana Soudha
This is one of the popular attractions in Bengaluru that houses the Secretariat of Karnataka and the State Legislature. Vidhana Soudha is the largest state legislative building in the country. It is called the “Taj Mahal of South India” due to its magnificence. The visitors are very impressed after seeing this building. The structure is illuminated on public holidays and Sundays. Many tourists come here on the weekends and enjoy the beauty of this building. It took five years to construct this building. Vidhana Soudha is a 150-foot-tall structure that is the perfect example of Neo-Dravidian architecture.
Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum
Situated at Kasturba Road, the Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum was constructed to pay respect to Sir M. Visvesvaraya. Spread over 43,000 sq. ft., the museum was inaugurated by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in the year 1962. The first exhibition was held in the museum in the year 1965. Based on the theme of a “Science Museum,” the building has 4 floors.
Apart from exploring galleries here, you can also see interesting documentaries on lunar and solar eclipses, different tides, and deep-sea diving. Another fun activity that you can enjoy at this place is the show ‘Taramandal.’ The museum also offers games and several other activities for the children.
National Gallery of Modern Art
Inaugurated in 2009, the National Gallery of Modern Art houses numerous works by modern and contemporary artists. You will find a great collection of sculptures and paintings by Jamini Roy, Raja Ravi Varma, Rabindranath Tagore, and Amrita Sher-Gil. The premises of the building cover 3.5 acres of area, which house lush, beautiful gardens and beautiful flowers. The 2-storeyed museum located here is based on the colonial style and has airy rooms that have the best work of the ancient era. The gallery houses a cafeteria, an auditorium, and a library where visitors can spend their time. Thus, whether you are a history buff or an art lover, you must not forget to visit the gallery during your Bangalore tour. The gallery also hosts several events for the visitors. Some of them include the following:
- Photography Displays
- Dance Performances
- Storytelling
- Nature Journaling Workshop
- Film Screenings
- Tree Walks
Ulsoor Lake
Spread across 50 acres, Ulsoor Lake is one of the largest lakes in Bangalore city. Constructed by Sir Lewin Bentham Bowring, this lake is visited by a large number of people. You can take a boat ride once you are here. It is an important place to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi.
Best Time to Visit Bangalore
Winter (October to February)
This is the ideal time to explore Bangalore. The pleasant weather makes it easy for tourists to get around in Bangalore. This is the best time to visit the city with your family, as you don’t need to worry about the scorching heat. However, the weather is quite cold in the evening and the morning. During this time, you can join the Christmas festivities. Also, don’t miss the flower shows, which are organized here in January.
Summer (March to May)
The weather is good during these months as compared to other cities in the country. However, May is somewhat hotter. But the best part is that whenever the weather is hot here, it starts raining, which provides relief to the people. It is a good time to explore the city. If you are visiting Bangalore during this season, you must join Karaga, a festival that is celebrated during the summer season. At this festival, dancers perform acrobatic acts that are quite interesting for the visitors.
Monsoon (June to September)
The monsoon season in Bangalore lends a captivating look to the surroundings of the city. The air is quite cold during this season. The residents of Bangalore rush to coffee shops and enjoy their time with their loved ones. As few people visit the city during this time, it is quite easy to explore the important places in Bangalore. If you are coming to Bangalore this season, you must not forget to bring the right gear, such as umbrellas, raincoats, non-slippery shoes, etc.
Shopping in Bangalore
Here are some of the places where you can shop in Bangalore:
Commercial Street
This is one of the largest shopping hubs in the city. You will find many stores here where you can find a variety of jewelry, shoes, and clothes at low prices. If you are a shopaholic and want to buy the latest clothes in Bangalore, you must visit this market.
Brigade Road
It is another famous place to shop in Bangalore. The Brigade Road is the best place to purchase trendy clothes and other accessories at the best prices. The market is full of visitors as it has numerous stores that sell a variety of things.
UB City Mall
This mall is one of the best places to find luxurious items. People who are interested in buying costly and luxurious items can visit this market. You will find many stores in the mall, such as Burberry Store, Louis Vuitton, Rolex Store, etc.
Phoenix Marketcity
This mall is also one of the most popular places for shopping in Bangalore. It has a large number of stores that sell ordinary as well as luxurious items. This is the reason why Phoenix Marketcity Mall is the perfect place for shopaholics. You can buy the best clothes here at the cheapest prices. This place provides a modern shopping experience to the visitors.
Getting Around in Bangalore
Getting around in Bangalore is quite convenient. The public transport in the city is good, so you can easily explore the city without any stress. The modes of public transport that you can use while you are in Bangalore are:
Namma Metro
The fastest way to get anywhere in the city is by catching a Namma Metro train. These trains are the best if you want to get comfort during your journey. Metro trains in Bangalore operate on a daily basis. There is a good frequency of these trains. Thus, it is easy to commute to any place within Bangalore through them.
BMTC Buses
You can also catch a BMTC bus to get around the city without any stress. These buses have great connectivity and are highly affordable. The main bus stop in Bangalore is the Majestic bus stop.
How to Reach Bangalore?
You can reach Bangalore by air, train, and road. Let’s learn about each transportation option in detail:
By Air
Bangalore Airport is situated approximately 35 km away from the main city. You can reach here from all major cities of India, such as Chennai, Patna, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, etc. Once you reach the airport, you can either use the bus or a taxi to reach your final destination. The bus service in Bangalore is good, as you can easily catch a bus to go to other parts of the city.
By Train
Whether you are coming from Delhi or any other small city, you can easily catch a train to Bangalore. The city is well-connected to all regions of the country through rail. The Bangalore railway station is one of the busiest railway stations in the country. Another major railway station in the city is Yeshwantpur Junction. Once you reach any of these railway stations, hire an auto-rickshaw or taxi to reach your destination in Bangalore.
By Road
The roads that lead to Bangalore are well-maintained. Thus, you won’t have any problem while traveling to Bangalore from any part of the city. You can undertake a road journey to Bangalore irrespective of the city you are living in. This will be a great experience for you and your family members. However, if you don’t have a car, you can choose to go by bus. The buses to Bangalore city are in good condition and provide complete safety and comfort to the tourists. These buses are semi-luxury or luxury, so you can choose the one that suits your needs. Apart from government buses, many private companies also run from different cities that take you to Bangalore.
