Popular as the IT capital of India, Bangalore is a city that never sleeps. With so many places to visit in Bangalore, it is hard to cover all the famous tourist spots in a single trip.
Bangalore is considered one of the fastest-growing cities in India. According to the Bengaluru Innovation Report 2019, its GDP is projected to grow at 8.5 per cent until 2035.
However, travellers will be pleased to know that Bangalore has not gone down the same road as other Indian cities, such as Mumbai and Delhi, where pollution and traffic are rampant daily.
To make it easy for you, we have listed some major places to visit in Bangalore that give you an overview of what makes this city so special.
This article will go through 15 Tourist Places to visit in Bangalore and what makes this city so unique.
HAL Airport
One of the major Bangalore tourist places, HAL Airport is not just about its location as a hub for cargo and passenger transport, but also it is a learning center for young engineers from all over the world.
Shaped like a flying saucer, the central building resembles NASA's control tower at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The building also houses numerous interactive exhibits that encourage visitors to engage in scientific studies and projects aimed at space travel and future exploration.
Lal Bagh Botanical Garden
Established in 1760, Lal Bagh is one of the largest and oldest botanical gardens in India, covering an area of 375 acres. In addition to being one of the major places to see in Bangalore, this horticultural garden is also a center for scientific study.
The garden holds more than 80 species of trees, 22 designated as endangered or threatened by extinction. Visiting hours in Lal Bagh Gardens are from 8 a.m to 6:30 p.m from April 1 to October 31 and from 8 a.m to 5:30 p.m from November 1 to March 31.
Lal Bagh is a UNESCO world heritage site, and the Lal Bagh Palace is a prominent tourist attraction in Bangalore.
The Lal Bagh Palace was built between 1794 to 1804 by Hyder Ali of Mysore as a summer resort. In its present form, the palace is a bungalow with many halls that are used as museums.
Bellandur Lake
Best known for its scenic beauty, Bellandur Lake is known to have resulted from a massive geyser of sewage-contaminated water. It was also dubbed the 'most polluted lake' by many.
There are even plans to convert this lake into a tourist spot with boats and theme parks.
An evening walk around Bellandur Lake is a must-visit for all those who love to see the beauty of one of the famous places in Bangalore from a different perspective.
The lake is surrounded by lush green surroundings, making it an ideal spot for evening strolls. The famous Sunkadakatte Palace and Lalbagh Botanical Gardens are also located nearby.
Cubbon Park
A sprawling 123 acres of park, Cubbon Park is one of many gardens in Bangalore that define the city's skyline. It holds more than 600 species of flora and an assortment of trees, including Kannada's tallest oak tree, which stands at 169 feet above the ground.
This park is located in the heart of Bangalore and was established in 1869. It is a popular picnic spot for locals and tourists alike. The park has many open grass areas, flower beds, recreational facilities and more. Dubbed as the 'garden city' by the locals, Cubbon Park is home to around 1,000 species of plants from different parts of the Indian subcontinent.
Once known as Victoria Gardens, it was renamed after Lord Justice Mark Cubbon who was instrumental in persuading the British government to set up this garden on a hill overlooking the city. The garden houses several museums as well as an amphitheatre surrounded by beautiful trees and flowers.
Bangalore Palace
One of the most popular Bangalore places to visit is the Bangalore Palace.
Bangalore Palace is a Mysore-style palace that was built in 1897. It was initially used as a summer retreat for the Wodeyars, who were the rulers of Mysore for over four centuries.
The construction was designed by Henry Irwin, and it took over half a decade to complete.
The palace has been home to elaborate balls, banquets and other celebrations since its inception.
Mysore Durbar Hall, a large area that hosts ceremonies and festivities, can accommodate up to 1,000 people at a time.
Bangalore Palace is constructed in the southern Indo-Saracenic architectural style. The complex houses many ornate rooms, including Murthy's Room, an important room where the king used to sit with his ministers. The room was decorated with paintings by Maurice de Quincey in 1890.
Moreover, the Anahad Gopuram of Bangalore Palace is one of the largest in India and one of its finest examples of Indo-Saracenic architecture.
The Bangalore Palace was listed as a 'man-made heritage site' in 2005 by the Government of Karnataka.
Nandi Hills
The Nandi Hills is a beautiful place to visit in Bangalore. It is located on the border of Devanahalli and Hoskote taluks in the southwestern part of Bangalore. It offers panoramic views of the Western Ghats, Kempegowda International Airport and the Isro satellite center
Nandi Hills is a popular tourist destination in Bangalore.
This hill station is a weekend getaway spot for many people who reside in the city. Nandi Hills offers splendid views of the city. The landscape here is marked by lush green surroundings and tea plantations, which make it ideal for hiking and trekking.
You can take your family members along on this trip as well as go alone if you feel so inclined.
Other places to visit in Bangalore:
Raj Bhavan
Built-in 1784 during Tipu Sultan’s rule, this is one of the most beautiful palaces to visit in Bangalore.
Central Market
The oldest surviving market in Bangalore sells everything, including fruits, vegetables, textiles and handicrafts.
Vidhana Soudha
This majestic building was built between 1931-1933 under British rule at Rs. 13 million to be the hallowed House of Councilors of Mysore state.
Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace
Tipu Sultan's summer palace is located in the Chamarajpet area. It was constructed in 1791 by Hyder Ali and it was called Lal Mahal (Red Palace).
Richmond Town
This is a piece of England transplanted into Bangalore and is ideal for people who are looking to buy their first home or looking to relocate their families abroad.
Malleswaram
A great place to hang out with friends, and visit the famous Malleswar Temple and the Thousand Pillar Temple built by an emperor during the Chola period.
Cubbon Road
It is the busiest shopping area in Bangalore with a variety of stores selling everything under the sun. Also houses many Italian and Japanese restaurants.
Cantonment Area
This is located immediately to the north of Bangalore city, just beyond Lal Bagh Botanical Garden and has some of Bangalore’s best restaurants, hotels and shopping areas.
Ulsoor Lake
If you want to find some peace you come here as it is located in a quiet neighbourhood on the banks of Ulsoor Lake.
Conclusion
Bangalore's high pace of life makes it an exciting destination for visitors. The city is a hotspot for startups and innovative ideas. It was ranked as the most liveable city in India by Monocle magazine in 2017.
Bangalore is known for its social and cultural diversity, with over 300 different languages spoken in the city today.
What are the top things tourists should look out for? History, food, architecture, and family-friendly activities among others.
Bangalore is the country's technology capital and is the fourth fastest-growing city. It has the second-busiest international airport in South Asia after Mumbai.
FAQs
What makes Bangalore so attractive?
Bangalore is a city of dreams, where you can get lost in the unutterable beauty of nature with amazing scenery.
Does Bangalore have amazing places for tourism?
Yes, Bangalore has some pretty amazing sites to visit for tourists.