(Banglore)
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(places near Bangalore)

9 best places to visit near Bangalore

Oct 31, 2021 12:06 PM

Popularly known as the ‘Silicon Valley of India’, Bangalore is the largest IT exporter in India and has developed as one of the leading metro cities in the country. The capital of Karnataka was once ruled by the Wodeyar Dynasty and the Vijayanagara Empire. Today, the city doesn’t just echo with the technical glamour but also reflects the princely rays of light from the royal walls. The city is a fusion of heritage, modernity, and spirituality. In the middle of gigantic buildings, luxury hotels, industries, beating nightlife and several species of flora and fauna, the city captures the interest of wildlife lovers, adventurers and nature enthusiasts. The climate in Bangalore is pleasant all year round which makes it a must-visit place during summers when the rest of the country experiences hotter temperatures. For tourists, October to February is the best time to visit the city. Bangalore is well-connected to all the major cities of the country via rail, road, and air. It acts as the best gateway to multiple destinations for planning weekend trips. With countless destinations around, the city offers a number of options to explore that can steer your weekend far away from the bustling populated areas. Check out this carefully curated list of top 9 places to visit near Bangalore.1-

1- Nandi Hills

Whether you love trekking, nature or a bit of calm, Nandi Hills will not disappoint you. Located at a height of 4,850 feet, Nandi Hills is the closest getaway from Bangalore. It’s one of those few places in the country that can be visited at any time during the year, the weather remains pleasant round the year, no wonder Tipu Sultan chose Nandi Hills to be his summer capital. It’s hard to believe that such a pristine place could survive near a thriving metropolis like Bangalore. A person visiting Bangalore can’t miss this place for the world.

Distance and Travel time: Nandi Hills is around 61 km away from Bangalore and takes one and a half hours to reach.

Activities to Do: Trekking, nearby temples and Tipu Sultan’s summer residence.

2- Ooty

Ooty is easily the best place to visit near Bangalore for multiple reasons. It has been a popular vacation spot since the time of the British, who for their ease of travel had made it accessible through the train as well. To this date, Ooty is frequented by tourists for its lush green environs, lakes and the calm surroundings. Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru once rightly called Ooty ‘the queen of all hill stations’. No matter how many hill stations you visit in your lifetime, Ooty will always hold a distinct place.

Distance and Travel time: Ooty is about 270 km away from Bangalore and takes around 6 hours to reach.

Activities to do: Toy train ride, boating and garden visits.

3- Chikmagalur

Chikmagalur, a popular place to visit near Bangalore is also the birthplace of coffee plantations in India. It is a popular hill station located in the foothills of Mullayanagiri range. This place is bound with lush green landscapes, flowing streams and aromatic coffee plantations. It is a must visit tourist attraction especially for trekkers and those who wish for a peaceful holiday. This summer getaway is popular for its temples and is frequently visited by many tourists throughout the year. Its earthy aroma airs from various coffee orchards to attract tourists from all over the world. Kudremukh National Park, Mullayanagiri, Sharadamba Temple, Kemmanagundi, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary are some of the major tourist attractions to visit here. Escape from bustle city life by heading to this beautiful place and relax around these breathtaking coffee plantations.

Distance and Travel time: Chikmagalur is 243 Km away from Bangalore and takes around 4 hours to reach by road.

Activities to do: Trekking, Camping, and Coffee plantation visits are some must-do activities here.

4- Coorg

Coorg is one of the most pristine, lively and attractive hill stations in the state of Karnataka and easily the best place to visit near Bangalore. Located amidst the lush green pastures of the Western Ghats, Coorg is the place offering matchless luxury to its visitors. Because of its majestic grandeur, it is also known as Kashmir of the south and Scotland of India. Coorg experiences a mild climate throughout the year and hence it is a frequently visited weekend getaway from Bangalore. Well known for its exotic and lush green scenery, Coorg is a place covered with hills, coffee, and spice plantations thus adding beauty to its landscape. It is a remarkable location for the tourists seeking superb scenic spots and demanding treks. Iruppu Falls, Burude Falls, Rameshwara temple, Omkareshwara temple, Bhagmandala temple, Nalakunad Palace, Madikeri Fort, Mallalli Falls, Tadiandamol peak, Talacauvery, Abbey Falls, Nagarhole National Park are some of the major tourist attractions to visit in Coorg. Thus, Coorg is a fantastic summer retreat for escaping from the scorching heat of the sun.

Distance and Travel time: Located at a distance of 260 Km from Bangalore and takes around 5 hours to reach by road.

Activities to Do: Trekking, Coffee plantation visit, Bird watching, kayaking, rafting, microlight flying are some must to do activities here.

5- Mysore

Flanked with pilgrimage sites and historical monuments, Mysore is the third largest city in Karnataka. The city has a royal history, rich heritage and is a major centre of art and culture. As one of the flamboyant places in India, Mysore is an amazing mix of traditional as well as modern attractions. Because of the exceptional weather throughout the year, the city attracts a large number of tourists from different parts of the country. It is by far the most visited place near Bangalore. The charming city also boasts of cosmopolitan culture, lively markets, and magnificent monuments. Also, it is a flourishing centre for the production of sandalwood, intense and premium silk. From palaces to old temples and from gardens to galleries, there are many tourist attractions here to cater to each and every need. Nevertheless, the major tourist attractions to visit in Mysore are the Mysore Palace, Mysore zoo, Somnathpur, Brindavan Gardens, Chamundeshwari temple, Jaganmohan Palace, St. Philomena’s Church, Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion and much more. Srirangapatna and Shivanasamudra Falls are the two nearby tourist destinations enriched with heritage and nature. Also, the silk sarees and “Mysore” paintings from Mysore are world famous. One should not miss eating Mysore Paak, which is the delicacy of this place. The historic city of Mysore is a wonderful weekend retreat and one of the best tourist places to visit near Bangalore.

Distance and Travel Time: Mysore is at a distance of 160 Km away from Bangalore and takes around 3 hours to reach by road.

Activities to Do: Sightseeing, food tour, strolling through the old city of Mysore.

6- Yelagiri

Yelagiri is a small hill station located in the Vellore district of Tamil Nadu. If you are searching for some peace and seclusion over the weekend, then you should head to this place. Yelagiri is a vibrant hill station and is one of the ideal places to visit near Bangalore. Just like Kodaikanal and Ooty, you can enjoy the calmness amidst the incredible views. Blessed with an aesthetic beauty by nature, Yelagiri provides a peaceful environment suitable for nature walks and trekking. There are a number of attractive tourist spots to visit here like Punganoor Lake, Velavan Temple, Jalagamparai Falls, Murugan temple, Moksha Vimochana Temple and Nilavoor Lake. Yelagiri also offers numerous adventure avenues especially trekking and rappelling.

Distance and Travel Time: Yelagiri is located around 157 km from Bangalore and takes around 3 hours commute time to reach by road.

Activities to Do: Trekking, Paragliding, shopping, boating, rock climbing, rappelling are some activities to do here.

7- BR Hills

Lying amidst the union of the Eastern and Western Ghats, the Biligiriranga hills is an exquisite and exuberant tourist place to visit near Bangalore. The region is home to 800 species of plants belonging to various families. It is a must-visit attraction for wildlife enthusiasts. The place also boasts of various species of birds, animals and the most prominent mammals are the herds of wild elephants. Chital, barking deer, four horned antelope, and sambhar are some of the other mammals present here. With the wonderful floral diversity and a vast variety of fauna, one can spend the most enjoyable time here. ‘Dodda Sampige Mara’ which means ‘big champak tree’, which is one of the spiritual sites one must visit. Other well-known tourist attractions include Biligiri, BRT wildlife sanctuary, and Rangaswamy temple. Fishing is an extremely interesting activity one must try at BR Hills. The calm and deep waters of river Cauvery offer an excellent opportunity for river rafting. Tourists are accompanied by the proficient rafting instructors for perfect rafting experience. Other than these, one can take home local artefacts and handicrafts.

Distance and Travel Time: BR Hills are located at 173 km away from Bangalore and takes around 3.5-4 hours to reach by road.

Activities to Do: Trekking, rafting, bird watching, wildlife safari, fishing and shopping are some popular activities to do here.

8- Wayanad

Small heaven on earth, Wayanad is located in the “God’s own country”, Kerala. The lush greenery spotted with paddy fields, mystic mountains, lakes, tea and spice gardens makes Wayanad one of the tranquil weekend holiday destination to escape from Bangalore. It is home to several tribes representing an indigenous culture thus alluring explorers as well as foreigners. Misty mountains, dense vegetation, and rich plantations are the most distinctive features of Wayanad. Owing to a wide variety of flora and fauna, Wayanad wildlife sanctuary is an ideal place for nature lovers and adventurers. Onam, Vishu, and Makar Sankranti are the major festivals celebrated here. Rice, porichakootu, sambhar & pal payasam form the staple diet of this region. Some points of interest to visit here are Chembra Peak, Kuruvadweep, Ambukuthi mala, Edakkal Caves, Thirunelli Temple. Its further from several places listed, so if you have the time it definitely is a nice place to visit near Bangalore.

Distance and Travel Time: Located at a distance of 271 km from Bangalore and takes around 6 hrs to reach by road

Activities to Do: Kayaking, trekking, paintball, raft building, caving, high rope traversing are some activities one must try here.

9- Horsley hills

It is a romantic weekend getaway from the city of Bangalore. Horsley Hills located in Andhra Pradesh is a perfect place to spend a peaceful holiday with your loved ones. Lying at an altitude of 1265 m above sea level, the hill station is flooded with verdant vegetation like Gulmohar, Jacaranda, Allamanda, and Eucalyptus. Because of the favourable climate and exuberant locales, Horsley Hills is one of the favourite places for many people living in Bangalore. The hills also serve as an entry point to Koundinya Wildlife sanctuary. Mallama Temple is popular pilgrimage here attracting a large number of devotees every year. Gaalibanda, Environmental park, Horsley Hills Museum, Lake Gangotri are some of the major tourist attractions to visit in this region. The road to the hills is quite narrow with breathtaking scenic view surroundings. Hiking and trekking are quite often activities carried out in these hills. Further, the hills also offer several adventure activities like hiking, zorbing, and rappelling.

Distance and Travel Time: Horsley hills are located at a distance of 157 km away from Bangalore taking around 3.5 hours commute time to reach.

Activities to do: cycling, sightseeing, trekking, zorbing, rappelling are some must to do activities here.

With so many options to choose from, it’s time to unleash your thirst for adventure and to explore what natural places can be explored around Bangalore. All the above-listed destinations are easily accessible and can be reached by using public transportation like buses, trains, and private car rentals. There are several companies providing car rentals for outstation trips from Bangalore. One such company is GetMeCab.