The Best Travel Guide to Bangalore

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Bangalore

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Overview

Bangalore The guide was updated: 2023-03-17

Once a sleepy regional capital, Bangalore today is a modern metropolis that will come as a big surprise to those who are visiting for the first time. Also known as Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka is the technological hub of India and the very place where the country’s new, confident and global identity is being forged. Although the city might somewhat lack in historical sites, its buzzing and liberal atmosphere provides the perfect base for exploring the beautiful temples and palaces of the Deccan.

Facts

Population:	Metro area: 13 million (2022 estimate)
Currency:	1 Rupee (Rs.) = 100 Paise Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 Banknotes: 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 Note: 1, 2 and 5 are available in the form of both coins as well as notes.
Search Accommodation:	Hotels »
Emergency numbers:	Police: 100 Ambulance: 102 Fire Brigade:101
Newspapers:	Bangalore Mirror (in English) — bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com DNA India (in English) — www.dnaindia.com Deccan Chronicle (in English) — www.deccanchronicle.com Economic Times (in English) — economictimes.indiatimes.com The Times of India (in English) — timesofindia.indiatimes.com Vijay Karnataka (Regional newspaper) — vijaykarnataka.com
Opening hours:	Shops are open from Monday to Saturday 10am–noon and 4pm–8pm, while restaurants and clubs have to close at 11:30pm. Banks operate Monday to Friday 10am–2pm and Saturday 10am–noon.
Tourist information:	Ministry of Tourism Government of India, 2nd Floor, Triumph Towers, 48, Church Street, Bengaluru +91 80 2558 5417 Open Mon–Sat 10:30am–5:30pm tourism.gov.in TTD Information Center 16th Cross Road, near Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Vyalikaval, Malleshwaram West, Bengaluru +91 80 2331 5361 Open Wed–Mon 9am–1pm / 2pm–6pm www.tirumala.org/Advancebooking.aspx Royal Tourist Office Shop No.45, Govindappa Lane, Basavanagudi, Bengaluru +91 80 4155 9419 Open Mon–Sat 7am–8pm royaltourist.in

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Section in Bangalore

Despite Bangalore's sudden development, the city preserves its charm unaltered, in a plethora of old buildings, temples, colourful markets and peaceful gardens. The extraordinary timber-built Tipu Sultan Palace in the heart of the city gives a fascinating glimpse into Bangalore's past, and a sense of perspective in this wannabe-modern city projected into the future. A renowned 17th-century temple and the ruins of Bangalore's fort are only a few steps away, creating a hub of historical constructions. Karnataka's State Legislature and Secretariat building, one of India’s greatest buildings, is located north-west of Cubbon Park. Despite the rush of modern life, Bangalore has a strong religious tradition, so make sure to head to Bugle Hill and the Bull Temple. As a favourite among travellers, this breathtaking 16th-century construction literally dwarfs whoever passes by. Bangalore is a city to be experienced and explored. The Garden City is famous for its parks, with some of them dating back over 200 years, and the most impressive ones are the botanical gardens of Lal Bagh.

Bangalore Palace

Bangalore Palace

Built to resemble the Windsor Castle in England, this is the seat of the current Maharajah of Mysore, head of the royal Wodeyar dynasty. Here, you can explore the lavish interiors and, also, a surprisingly wide exhibition of nudes which is displayed in some rooms here. The Palace also serves as a stage for live concerts and events, offering a fascinating venue being rich in history, and you do not want to miss that out.

Cubbon Park

Cubbon Park

Dating back to 1864, Cubbon Park covers an area of 300 acres, and it is filled with an extraordinary selection of flora and fauna, offering a popular spot for picnics and playing cricket. The Public Library is also located within the premises, as well as the High Court, the Government Museum and the Visveswaraiah Technological & Industrial Museum, entertaining both tourists and locals alike, thanks to its relaxing atmosphere, which is ideal for a leisurely stroll.

Government Museum and Venkatappa Art Gallery

Government Museum and Venkatappa Art Gallery

This museum focuses on Indian sculptures, numismatic, and music, featuring artworks that date back to the 4th century an onward. Its prestigious exhibition of archaeological artefacts is the museum's pride and a real magnet for history and art lovers.

Vidhana Soudha

Vidhana Soudha

The Vidhana Soudha is one of India's finest pieces of architecture. Located at the north-west part of Cubbon Park, the Neo-Dravidian granite palace is a blend of styles from across India, boasting the country’s most recognisable symbol, the four-headed gold lion of Ashoka. Across the road, you can spot Karnataka’s High Court building, Attara Kacheri, with its impressive red brick and monumental Corinthian column facade.

Lalbagh Botanical Gardens

Lalbagh Botanical Gardens

As botanical artwork and internationally renowned centre of scientific studies, Lal Bagh park contains a diverse variety of flora, a deer park and one of the largest collections of rare tropical plants within whole India. Conceived by Sultan Hyder Ali in 1760, it was further expanded by his son, who planted exotic trees from Persia, Turkey, and Mauritius. An annual flower show is also held here, in the British-built-Glass House.

Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace

Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace

Constructed by the end of the 18th century, Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace is an elaborately decorated relic of Bangalore's royal past. Originally used as a summer retreat, the palace now serves as a detailed museum of Tipu Sultan's life and glorious conquests, while the Venkataramanaswamy Temple, a 300 year old temple built by the Wodeyars, is right next door. The ruins of Bangalore Fort are also located a few steps away, bearing the testimony of Tipu's struggle against the British Raj in India.

Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath Art Gallery

Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath Art Gallery

The Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath art gallery is a perfect destination for an afternoon of culture and interesting facts. Here you will find an eclectic collection of Indian and international contemporary art as well as lavish gold-leaf works, Mysore-style paintings and folk and tribal art from across the subcontinent. Do not miss the galleries devoted to the Russian master Nicholas Roerich and his beautiful paintings of the Himalayas.

Ulsoor Lake

Ulsoor Lake

On the eastern side of the city, Ulsoor Lake represents an idyllic place par excellence, as it is ideal for both taking a stroll and relaxing in the sun. The artificial lake was constructed by Kempe Gowda II, and its area of more than 1.5 square kilometres is dotted with islands, so boating also became very popular.

Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium

Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium

Opened by the end of the 80s, the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. The domed sky theatre has daily shows on the marvels of the universe, the planets and the solar system, delighting both kids and adults alike. The observatory is also an important feature of the building.

Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technical Museum

Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technical Museum

Technology lovers should not miss the quirky Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technical Museum. Named after the Dewan of Mysore, its five main galleries include a variety of different displays, from a replica of the Wright brothers’ 1903 flyer to virtual-reality computer games.

Iskcon Temple

Iskcon Temple

Established by the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon), the lavish Iskcon Temple is situated eight kilometres north of the city centre. Among the five main shrines, there is an unmissable one devoted to Krishna and Radha in a plethora of elegant architecture and a meditative atmosphere.

St. Marks Cathedral

St. Marks Cathedral

Partially inspired by the St Paul’s Cathedral in London, this one maintains a colonial style of architecture. St. Marks Cathedral is located on the busy Mahatma Gandhi Road, boasting a magnificent dome, Roman arches and the best maintained church bells in the city.

Ganesha Temple

Ganesha Temple

Nearby Nandi Temple is the Ganesha temple, Shree Dodda Ganapathi, and it houses an enormous statue of the elephant-headed deity made of butter. This site is very popular with locals so go here to experience their culture.

Wonderla Amusement Park

Wonderla Amusement Park

Wonderla Amusement Park is an amazing time for children and an opportunity for adults to get a taste of childhood. The rides are fun, exciting and will get your adrenaline pumping. Even in one day you will not find the time to go on all the rides, this is in fact one of the best amusement parks in India.

Nandi Temple

Nandi Temple

Bugle Hill is the fascinating site where Nandi Temple (Bull Temple) is located. Built in a Dravidian architectural style, the object of veneration is a magnificent statue of Shiva’s sacred bull Nandi: 15 feet tall, over 20 feet long, and carved out of a single block of granite in a glistening 16th century massive statue. In November and December every year, when the groundnuts are harvested, a groundnut fair is held near the temple.

Flight 4 Fantasy

Flight 4 Fantasy

If you have ever dreamed of flying an airplane, then you should visit this exciting place. Located at The Forum Mall, you can experience how it feels to fly a Boeing 737 with realistic controls and 3D visuals.

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