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When you’re searching for exciting places to visit near Bangalore with friends, there are plenty of options that are close, budget-friendly, and packed with activities. You can spend your day hiking up rocky hills, relaxing near lakes, exploring caves, or enjoying street food in small towns. Some are great for trekking and catching up outdoors, others let you slow down and just sit around chatting. You won’t need to spend much or block entire weekends. A few places are perfect for spontaneous plans, leave in the morning, and come back by evening. Others work better if you’re thinking of staying a night and doing more.
Top 10 Places To Visit Near Bangalore With Friends
These places to visit near Bangalore with friends give you that mix of open spaces, fun things to do, and routes that don’t take forever to reach. Each one offers a plan that works, whether it’s for a quick break or a full day out.
1. Ramanagara
Photo: Navaneeth KN / Wikimedia Commons
Ramanagara is ideal if you want to spend the day outdoors without needing to travel far. Known for its rugged landscape and film history, this town offers more than just a scenic break. You can hike up Ramadevara Betta, a short but steep trail with stone steps that eventually opens into panoramic views. The hilltop has a temple and plenty of resting spots. The area is also a protected vulture sanctuary, so you might spot long-billed vultures along the cliffs. If your group is into rock climbing or rappelling, several local operators run half-day sessions on some routes.
Distance From Bangalore: 47.2 km
Major Attractions: Ramadevara Betta hill, Sholay film location, Vulture Sanctuary, rock climbing
2. Savandurga
Photo: Karthik J Nayak / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Savandurga is a solid choice when you want a long, uninterrupted climb with your group. It doesn’t get as crowded as other nearby spots, and the terrain offers just the right amount of challenge. The hill includes two sections, Karigudda and Biligudda, and both are part of a huge single-rock formation that draws hikers year-round. Reaching the summit is a proper workout, with a gradual incline that turns steeper closer to the top. As you move up the slope, broken stone walls appear along the path, what remains of a small fort linked to Kempe Gowda’s time.
Distance From Bangalore: 69 km
Major Attractions: Trek to Biligudda and Karigudda, ruins of a fort, Savandi Veerabhadreshwara temple
3. Anthargange
Photo: Abhinandan J. Patil / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Anthargange is the kind of place you choose when you’re done with basic hill climbs and want something rougher. The ground is uneven, the rocks are sharp, and the trail cuts through tight openings. You’ll be climbing over boulders, ducking into rock gaps, and figuring out your way step by step. Some trails pass through clusters of thorny bushes and rock gaps that open into cave-like pockets, which are fun to explore as a group. There’s also a small Shiva temple near the starting point. The full circuit takes about five to six hours, including halts.
Distance From Bangalore: 69.9 km
Major Attractions: Lava rock caves, sunrise hikes, Shiva temple, overnight trek trails
4. Channapatna
Photo: VasuVR / Wikimedia Commons
Channapatna is one of the places to visit near Bangalore with friends when you want a break from hills and hikes, and just feel like driving out somewhere calm. It’s a small town known for its colourful wooden toys, made by hand in family-run workshops that have been around for decades. You can walk into small workshops and see the entire process of how raw wood is shaped, polished, and coloured using natural dyes. Some stores even let you try painting or assembling parts, which adds a bit of fun if you’re in a group.
Distance From Bangalore: 59.1 km
Major Attractions: Traditional toy-making workshops, wooden lacquer toys, Channapatna Fort ruins
5. Makalidurga
Photo: Sanjeevengineer / Wikimedia Commons
Makalidurga trek begins near a railway line and gradually climbs uphill through uneven red soil paths and rough granite surfaces. The surroundings stay quiet, and the views open up slowly as you go. About halfway up, you can see the outline of the Makalidurga Fort, which sits right at the top of the hill. The fort is mostly in ruins, but it gives you a quiet, open space to sit down and take in the surrounding hills and lake below. The climb usually takes around 90 minutes one way.
Distance From Bangalore: 62.9 km
Major Attractions: Railway-track trek, fort ruins at the summit, scenic lake views
6. Nandi Hills
Photo: Swaroop B Deshpande / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Nandi Hills is a solid pick when you want a quick morning plan that doesn’t take much effort to organise. As one of the top tourist attractions near Bangalore with friends, it’s perfect for an early drive or ride. Leave before sunrise to cruise up smooth, winding roads and catch the sky changing colours from the summit. The calm route, shaded stretches, and scenic viewpoint make it ideal. Explore Tipu Sultan’s Drop, an old guesthouse, and Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple. With plenty of quiet spots to sit and chat, it’s a refreshing escape close to the city.
Distance From Bangalore: 57.2 km
Major Attractions: Tipu’s Drop viewpoint, Amruth Sarovar, Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple, trekking trails
7. Skandagiri
Photo: Vijets / Wikimedia Commons
Among the attractions near Bangalore with friends, Skandagiri is best known for its night trek that leads to a mist-covered sunrise view. The starting point is Kalavara village near Chikkaballapur, and the trek begins late at night. The trail climbs through uneven forest paths, exposed rocks. Midway, you’ll come across scattered remains of a centuries-old fort, now reduced to broken walls. At the summit, there’s a flat open space where most people settle down to wait for sunrise. The view from the top is worth the effort, especially when low clouds drift between the nearby hills just as daylight breaks.
Distance From Bangalore: 61.9 km
Major Attractions: Night trekking, fog-covered sunrise views, ruined hilltop fort
8. Bheemeshwari
Photo: Ashwin Kumar / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Bheemeshwari is one of those places where the focus shifts from trekking to outdoor activities by the river. It sits along a quieter stretch of the Cauvery, surrounded by forest on all sides. The area has open land near the banks and enough space for groups to try out adventure games, relax under trees, or simply walk around without a fixed plan. This place is well-known for its adventure camps, which include ziplining, coracle rides, rope walking, and kayaking. Early mornings are quiet, with bird calls and mist hanging over the trees.
Distance From Bangalore: 104 km
Major Attractions: River rafting, coracle rides, zip-lining, birdwatching camps
9. Hogenakkal Falls
Photo: Mithun Kundu / Wikimedia Commons
Hogenakkal Falls is one of the most scenic and unique places to visit near Bangalore, especially if you’re planning a full-day trip that mixes water, local food, and something you won’t find near the city. The drive takes a bit longer, but once you arrive, the roar of the water takes over everything else. The falls are spread out across multiple channels of the Cauvery River, creating strong currents and misty edges during and after the monsoon. The coracle rides here are the main draw. You can sit in a circular boat made of bamboo and ride right up to the base of the falls.
Distance From Bangalore: 126.9 km
Major Attractions: Coracle boating through waterfalls, medicinal baths, fish fry stalls
10. Yelagiri Hills
Photo: L.vivian.richard / Wikimedia Commons
Yelagiri Hills is among the quieter places if you’re not in a rush and want to stay the night. It’s not packed with crowds, which makes it easier to move around at your own pace. The main lake, Punganoor, is the centre of activity, surrounded by walking paths, small gardens, and boat rental counters. You can try paddle boating or just sit near the water and talk. A short walk away is the Yelagiri Adventure Camp, where you’ll find ziplining, rope challenges, and wall climbing. If your group prefers something quieter, you can head to Jalagamparai Waterfalls or take the easy forest trail to Swamimalai viewpoint.
Distance From Bangalore: 158.3 km
Major Attractions: Punganoor Lake, Yelagiri Adventure Park, Jalagamparai Waterfalls
These places to visit near Bangalore with friends don’t need much planning or long travel. Some are perfect for an early trek, others for relaxing by the water or exploring a quiet town. Leave in the morning, make memories through the day, and return by night—or stay longer if you like. Each spot offers a chance to unwind, reconnect, and share something real. Book your next trip with TripXL.
Cover Photo: Madhav / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
