Top Places To Visit Near Bangalore: Weekend Getaways To Southern India

Sunset view from the lalbagh botanical garden, bengaluru which is one of the best places to visit near Bangalore

Bangalore, also known as Bengaluru, is the capital of Karnataka, which is a metropolitan city. It is the third-most populous city in India. This city is known to have a pleasant climate throughout the year, with many green spaces and parks to explore nature nearby. There are many places to visit near Bangalore, which is a combination of the Western Ghats, amazing weather, beautiful hill stations, rock formations, waterfalls, and many more to escape from the busy city life.

Top 10 Places To Visit Near Bangalore

Here are a few places to visit near Bangalore to have an amazing trip away from the city’s bustling life.

1. Nandi Hills

Sunset view from One of the best please in Bengaluru surrounded by lush green Trees

Photo: Sidhant Soni / Wikimedia Commons

Nandi Hills is a hill station that was built by the Ganga Dynasty in Chikmagalur, Karnataka. It is one of the most famous places that is known for its beautiful sunrise views. There is also hiking and trekking at Nandi Hills. To avoid overcrowding, especially during the weekends, the district administration gives out passes that allow only 1000 two-wheelers and 300 motor vehicles to be allowed into the hill station. It is a perfect place to visit to enjoy the greenery around The Hills.

Location: Nandi Hills, Karnataka
Entry Fee: ₹40 for Indian nationals, ₹600 for foreign nationals
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM

Suggested Read: Best Offbeat Places Near Bangalore

2. Ranganathaswamy Temple

Panoramic view of the Ranganathaswamy Temple which is dedicated to Bhagwan Vishnu

Photo: Prakruth Gowda / Wikimedia Commons

The Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangapatna is located in Mandya district, Karnataka, and is dedicated to Ranganatha, who is the manifestation of Lord Vishnu. This temple is known to be one of the 108 temples of Abhimana Kshetra and the 5 important pilgrimage sites of Smarta Vaishnavas. This temple is located inside the Srirangapatna Fort that is on the banks of the Kaveri River. It is also one of the largest temples in Karnataka. According to the inscriptions at the temple, it was constructed in 984 CE by a local chief called Tirumalaiya.

Location: Shri Ranganathaswami Temple (Pancharanga Kshetra), Srirangapatna, Karnataka
Entry Fee: Free
Timings: 7 AM – 1:30 PM, 4 PM – 8:30 PM

3. Mysore Palace

Panoramic image of the Mysore Palace which is one of the beautiful place to visit near Bangalore

Photo: Hari R / Wikimedia Commons

Mysore Palace, also known as Amba Vilas Palace, is a historical balance locator in Mysore, Karnataka. First, the palace inside the old fort was built in the 14th century and was reconstructed many times. This palace is one of the most famous tourist attractions in India. The main focus is on the three-story stone building, which has domes, towers and arches that are highlighted with beautiful sculptures, carvings and ornaments in a detailed way. The symmetric layout is amazing to look at from every angle that captures everyone’s attention.

Location: Mysore Palace, Agrahara, Chamrajpura, Mysuru, Karnataka
Entry Fee: ₹40 for adults, ₹10 for children and ₹20 for students
Timings: 10 AM – 5:30 PM

Suggested Read: Discover Top Hill Stations Near Bangalore For A Summer Vacation

4. Shivanasamudra Falls

 Panoramic image of the beautiful Shivanasamudra Falls laden by the lush forest

Photo: Deepak TL / Wikimedia Commons

Shivanasamudra Falls, located in Karnataka, is a cluster of waterfalls that are along the Kaveri River. It forms the contour between Chamarajanagar and Mandya districts. This falls is also home to one of the first hydroelectric power stations in Asia that was set up in 1902. It is a major tourist attraction because of its stunning views of the waterfalls, especially during the monsoon season. This is the best place to visit for tourists who are enthusiastic about nature to get carried away with the beautiful views.

Location: Shivanasamudra, Karnataka
Entry Fee: ₹10
Timings: 8 AM – 5 PM

5. Yelagiri

Beautiful snapshot of the Yelagiri waterfalls and the hills of the Western Ghats

Photo: Ashwin Kumar / Wikimedia Commons

Yelagiri is a hill station that is located in Vellore district, Tamil Nadu. This hill station is located 1110 m above sea level and is surrounded by many rose gardens, orchards and lush green valley. As per the Hindu god Lord Vishnu, when he was visiting the earth, he couldn’t plant his feet on the hills because people could not stand his weight and yelled ‘Yelo’. Later, Lord Vishnu came to the hills to marry Goddess Lakshmi and hence got its name, Yelagiri. This hill station is also famous for trekking, climbing and campaigning for many other adventurous activities in the mountains. The highest point in Yelagiri is Swamimalai Hill, which has amazing views.

Location: Yelagiri, Tamil Nadu 635853
Entry Fee: ₹15 for adults, ₹5 for children to the park
Timings: 7 AM – 8 PM

Suggested Read: Hill Stations Near Bangalore Within 100 Kms For A Quick Weekend Getaway

6. Somanathapura Temple

Panoramic view of the beautiful Somanathapura Temple best place to visit in Bnagalore

Photo: ean-Pierre Dalbéra / Wikimedia Commons

The Somanathapura Temple, also known as Chennakeshava Temple, is located on the banks of the Kaveri River in Somanathapura, Karnataka. This temple is known for its exceptional Hoysala architecture. This was constructed in 1258 CE, which is dedicated to Lord Krishna. Many people from all over the country visit this temple to explore the amazing architecture. This temple is one of the 1500 temples built by the Hoysala Empire Kings, and it is one of the three temples of the king to be nominated in the Unesco.

Location: Shri Chennakeshava Swami Temple (Somanathapura) Somanathapura, Karnataka
Entry Fee: ₹5 for Indian nationals, ₹100 for foreign nationals
Timings: 8:30 AM- 5:30 PM

7. Kabini

eautiful image of the herd of Elephant roaming around the river in the forest

Photo: Gnissah / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Kabini is an amazing place to visit in Karnataka that is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for people, especially enthusiastic about adventure and love for nature. This is the perfect place to enjoy campaigning and other activities. During the summer, it has a very rich wildlife with so much flora, exotic fauna and waterfalls. There are many activities to explore the forest area and jungle safari where the tourists can ride on elephant backs and feed the royal and friendly animals.

Location: Kabini River
Entry fee: ₹ 500 for adults, ₹250 for children
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM

Suggested Read: Wildlife Sanctuaries Near Bangalore For A Refreshing Getaway

8. Chikmagalur

Mullayyanagiri is the highest peak in Karnataka.It's a place where one could see the skies at the regular eye level

Photo: Mithan B M / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Chikmagalur, which is popularly known as the coffee land of Karnataka, is located on the foothills of the Mullayanagiri range. It is one of the most beautiful hill stations in Karnataka. The entire Chikmagalur has a fragrance of coffee lingering in the air with many coffee plantations, tall mountains, lush green forests and an amazing environment. It is the best tourist destination to escape the busy city life of Mangalore. Chikmagalur is also a popular trekking spot with many trekking trails, like the Mullayanagiri trek. Mullayanagiri is the highest peak in Karnataka, which is the best place to experience the sunrise from behind the mountains.

Location: Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka
Entry fee: ₹ 200 for trekking
Timings: 8 AM – 5 PM

9. Lepakshi Veerabhadra Temple

autiful snap of the Lepakshi Veerabhadra Temple which is the historic site of a temple

Photo: Lucky1841999 / Wikimedia Commons

The Veerabhadra temple in Lepakshi is a Hindu temple located in Andhra Pradesh dedicated to Veerabhadra, who is a fierce form of Lord Shiva. This temple was built in the 16th century and is known for its architectural features that are in the Vijayanagara style with amazing carvings and paintings. Interestingly, there is a very large Nandi Mount of Shiva that is near the temple, which is carved from a single block of stone that is known to be the largest type in the world. This temple is home to many Kannada inscriptions as it is close to the Karnataka border.

Location: Shri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple, Main Road, Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh
Entry Fee: Free
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM

Suggested Read: Hill Stations Near Coorg That You Should Explore For A Serene Getaway

10. Kunti Betta

Sunset views from the Kunti Betta which is one of the best places to visit near Bangalore

Photo: Prashanth shivanna / Wikimedia Commons

Kunti Betta is the perfect place to get away from the city life that is located in Pandavapura town, Kachenahalli, between two hills. This place is entirely surrounded by sugarcane fields, paddy fields and coconut trees, which are very beautiful and mesmerising to look at. This place is 2882 feet elevated with picture-perfect scenery. There are many rocks with fascinating shapes located here. There are also giant footprint-like formations that are called Bheemana Pada. This place has a huge historical significance and magical beauty to cherish and spend some quality and peaceful time.

Location: Kunti Betta, SH 19, Pandavapura, Kachenahalli, Karnataka
Entry Fee: Free
Timings: 6 AM – 5 PM

Bangalore, which is located in Karnataka, is a metropolitan city with a pleasant climate. There are many places to visit near Bangalore to explore nature, architecture and history of various temples, monuments, etc. Each place promises a unique experience and caters to every individual’s preferences. To know more about the places and other details, visit TripXL for further information.

Cover Photo: Indurema / Wikimedia Commons

Frequently Asked Questions

The best time to visit Bangalore is between the months of October to February because during these months the weather is cool and pleasant.
By air, Kempegowda International Airport, which is also known as Bangalore Airport. By train, there are two major railway stations in Bangalore that connect from many cities in India. By road, Bangalore is connected to various networks where there are many buses and taxis.
There are many places to visit near Bangalore, like Nandi Hills, Chikmagalur, Lepakshi, Mysore, Srirangapatna and many more.
There are many activities to do near Bangalore, like trekking, camping, river rafting, parasailing, go karting and many more, at various places nearby.
There are many hill stations located nearby, like Nandi Hills, Chikmagalur, Coorg, Sakleshpur, Wayanad, Ooty, Munnar and many more.

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