Places to Visit in Bangalore

Also known as ‘Bengaluru’, the city of Bangalore is a significant capital in the southern region. Once home to the Chalukyas, the Hoysalas, and the Sultans of Mysore, today Bangalore stands as the proud possessor of many historical monuments. The city’s historical heritage testifies to the string of royal influences that had shaped the land. Thus, it comes as no surprise that Bangalore has a host of places that are frequently flocked by tourist. Some of them are Tipu’s Palace, Bangalore Palace, Cubbon Park, Vidhana Soudha, and the very famous Bull Temple. Bangalore has a moderate climate that is neither too humid nor very moist, making it the best place to visit anytime throughout the year. The temperatures range between 29⁰C to 33⁰C during summer and decreases to 15⁰C during winters. Bangalore has many temples, monuments, museums, gardens, and has recently evolved as a great place for the shopaholics. Navigate through this article and check out the most famous places to visit in Bangalore.

Important Tourist Destinations In Bangalore

Tipu Sultan’s Palace
Constructed in the year 1791, Tipu Sultan’s Palace is situated near K.R. market. This magnificent two-hundred-year-old palace, constructed out of teak wood, is a multi-storied building embellished with wooden carvings, high arches and beautiful teak balconies. This summer retreat of the Sultan of Mysore is quite a famous tourist attraction of this place. The palace also has a small museum that displays a few relics of his time. The palace is open on all days but the authorities do charge an entry fee.

Bangalore Palace
Located close to Mekhri Circle, the spectacular Bangalore Palace was built in the year 1944. The fortress was architected by Rev. Garrett, who was the first primary head of the Central High School. The structure is believed to be a facsimile of Windsor Castle in England. The interiors of the building are designed with intricate wooden embellishments, beautiful paintings, stained glass and Victorian furnishings. The palace also has a large collection of ancient paintings and old photographs of members of the royal family along with other distinguished personalities. A visit to the palace is a must while in Bangalore. The Bangalore palace is open on all days and charges an entry fee of Rs. 100 to Rs. 200.

Vidhana Soudha
Built in 1956 by Kengal Hanumanthaiah, the master mind behind this Neo Dravidian architecture, is a popular tourist site. The building is Karnataka’s legislative assembly, which believed to house India’s largest governmental body. 200 ft wide and 40 ft tall, this milk white building is supported by12 large pillars making Vidhana Soudha a majestic sight to gaze upon. It is believed that the estimated cost to maintain this monument is 20 lacs rupees annually. Vidhana Soudha is brightly lit on all Sundays and on restricted holidays. Located near Cubbon Park this architectural structure is an important landmark in Bangalore.

St Mary’s Basillica
Situated in the interiors of Shivaji Nagar, St Mary’s Basillica is one of Bangalore’s oldest churches. The church is a representative of Gothic style. Built in the 19th century and dedicated to St. Mary, this church offers a breath taking view with beautiful Renaissance styled arches, stained glass windows and ornate patterns. Although the church has undergone several renovations over the years it is well maintained by the locals. Since the church is devoted to St. Mary, the celebrations are undertaken on a grand scale. On September 8, a statute of Mother Mary is taken out on a chariot procession to rejoice her birthday. The church has drawn tourists interested in Romanesque architecture. Besides this church Bangalore also has many other churches like St Patrick’s Church, Infant Jesus Church and St Mark’s Cathedral church.

Cubbon Park
Located on Gandhi Nagar this beautiful landscape was created by Major General Richard Sankey in 1870. Spread across more than 200 acres of land, this park is not only popular among local walkers and joggers but also among tourist for its natural terrain. Cubbon Park is the home to a number of exotic and native species some like grevillea robusta, cassia, tabebuia, artocarpus, ficus, millettia etc. to name a few. Located at the centre of the city, the park is enclosed with beautiful lawns, sprawling flowerbeds and a wide spread of trees. This recreational area also holds pottery class for people from all age groups. Cubbon Park is open on all days from 8 am.

Bull Temple
The Bull Temple is a sacred shrine among Hindus. Situated in Basavangudi the temple was built in 1537 by a Vijaynagar descendant. The divine bull, also known as ‘Nandi’, is revered in mythology as Lord Shiva’s mount. The temple is not only one of the oldest shrines in the city but is also the home to the largest Nandi idol in the world. The bull temple has always attracted travelers from around the country. Apart from this Bangalore is home to other important shrines such as Shri Nimishamba Devi Temple, Shiva temple on old airport road and the ISKCON temple that are worth a visit.

Visvesvaraya Museum
The museum is administered by the National Council of Science Museum (NCSM) with the view to actively promote the study of science and technology. Don’t go if you are expecting to plunder scientific relics as this place is less of a museum and more of a ‘science center’. The museum comprises of different galleries such as the engine hall, electro technic gallery, space gallery and the fun corridor that exhibits exciting scientific facts to children. Visvesvaraya museum is located on Kusturba road and is open to the visitors from 10 am to 6 pm.

Lal Bagh
The garden was built under the rule of Tipu Sultan during the 18th century. Spread across 240 acres of lush greenery, it is styled according to the Mughal Gardens. The park has more than one thousand different varieties of plants with some of the trees in the park being more than100-years-old. The major highlights of this garden are its glass house, lake, annual flower show, aquarium, rock formations and monthly folk fairs that are held on the second and fourth weekends. Lal Bagh is open on all days from 6 am to 7 pm. Apart from this, the garden city also has other natural habitats such as Lumbini Gardens, Bannerghatta Park and Freedom Park that are worth a visit.