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20 places to visit in Bengaluru that are not tourist traps

Bengaluru is India’s fifth largest city, an amorphous entity that keeps evolving, juggling epithets with aplomb. Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister called it the ‘Future City’. It was hailed as ‘Garden City’ due to its parks and canopied lanes, ‘Air-conditioned City’ for its pleasant climate and ‘Pensioners’ Paradise’ for its easy retired life. Not too long ago, it was the ‘City of Lakes’ with over 200 kere (lakes). With academic institutions like IISC and Raman Research Institute and industries like BEL and HMT, it became ‘India’s Science City’. Since ISRO, HAL and ADA were based here, it was ‘Aerospace Capital’. After the software boom it became ‘IT City’, ‘India’s Silicon Valley’ and ‘Startup City’. The original ‘Pub City’ is now ‘India’s Microbrewery Capital’ with over a hundred breweries. Bengaluru changed hands from the Hoysalas and Vijayanagar chiefs to the Sultans of Bijapur, Marathas, Mughals, the Wadiyars of Mysore and the British. Today, it is a multicultural city, with old quarters, shopping precincts, and buzzy neighbourhoods with cafes, bars and restaurants. Here are the best places to visit in Bengaluru and the top things to do.

20 places to visit in Bengaluru

‘Pete,’ the original Bengaluru neighbourhood

In 1537, Kempegowda, a feudatory of the Vijayanagar kings, shifted his capital from Yelahanka and built a mud fort around which Bengaluru grew. The walled city was divided into  pete  (it’s ‘pay tay’ , for Pete’s sake) to house people of various vocations: Akkipete for rice traders, Balepete for bangle makers, Kumbarapete for potters, Chikkapete and Nagarthpete for textile merchants, Ganigarapete for oil-mongers or Ganigas and Tigalarapete or flower market for Tigalas or gardeners. His son Kempegowda II marked the boundaries of his capital by letting four oxen walk in four cardinal directions. He erected four watchtowers at the spot where they stopped, (Lalbagh, Ulsoor, Hebbal and Gavipuram, all now well within the city). Gully Tours organizes ‘Pete by Night’ and a ‘Death by Dosa’ breakfast walk through Chickpete. Unhurried does a ‘Pete Walk’ and ‘Life in the Pete’ through the narrow lanes of the Old City, exploring old neighbourhoods, shrines, markets and garadi manes (akhadas for wrestlers), ending with butter masala dosa at the 90-year-old restaurant Udupi Sri Krishna Bhavan in Gandhi Bazaar.

Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace and Fort

Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace Bangalore Karnataka India

Kempegowda’s mud fort was reconstructed by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, though not much remains of the oval-shaped fort, except Delhi Gate with its Persian friezes and bits of the fort wall. A Ganesha temple stands in the quadrangle and Tipu’s summer palace in a well-maintained garden next to Ventakaramana Temple. Built over 10 years in 1791 out of teak in Indo-Islamic style, the two-storey wooden structure is similar to Daria Daulat Bagh at Srirangapatna. The inner walls have frescoes; some are painted over to preserve the wood! Entry Indians Rs.25, Foreigners Rs.300, Children below 15 free Timings 8:30am – 5:30pm

Ulsoor, for heritage walks In 1808, the Maharaja of Mysore leased land in present-day Ulsoor (originally Halasuru or ‘Jackfruit village’) to the British, who made Bengaluru a cantonment and moved their troops stationed at Srirangapatna. A large parade ground came up in the heart of town (today’s MG Road) along with churches, barracks, bungalows, and parks with bandstands. The pioneering Bangalore Walks by Arun and Roopa Pai do themed trails like the Victorian Walk. As Narayan Murthy says, “Nobody tells the story of Bengaluru better”. The walks are organized on request for groups of 15 or more. Mansoor Ali’s Bengaluru by Foot (Ph 7019272365) organizes various city walks like Ulsoor Darshan, Russell Market, and the full day ‘In the Footsteps of the Tiger of Mysore’ to learn about the 1791 Siege of Bangalore and Tipu Sultan’s armoury where he pioneered rocket technology.

Dharmaraya Temple for Bengaluru Karaga

Bengaluru’s nine-day Karaga festival (March-April) goes back five centuries and celebrates Draupadi, chief deity of the Tigala community. Karaga is an earthen pot made from the sediments of a saltwater pond at Sampangi Tank used to invoke the goddess. It is installed at Dharmaraya Swamy Temple dedicated to Yudhishtira near City Market. On the final day, the  karaga  is carried in a night-long procession, which requires great skill and the bearer undertakes a rigorous fast and penance. The procession stops at the homes of veerakumaras ( karaga protectors) ,  temples and the dargah of 18 th  century Muslim saint Hazrat Tawakkal Mastan and returns to the temple at dawn. Aliyeh Rizvi of Native Place does a charming Old City walk during the annual  karaga.

Flowers for sale at Krishna Rajendra Market, Bengaluru

The atmospheric Krishna Rajendra Market or City Market is one of the biggest flower markets in Asia, and also the first locality in Asia to get electricity. Originally a water tank and then an 18 th  century battlefield during the Anglo-Mysore Wars, KR Market was established in 1928 and named after the Maharaja of Mysore. Only two buildings from the British era remain while a modern building between them houses flowers and vegetables on the lower floor, dry goods on the next floor and machines, tools and accessories on the upper floor. Noisy, chaotic and colourful, it is best experienced early in the morning.

Hyder Ali laid out a 140-acre park called ‘Lal Bagh’, named after its profusion of red roses. Inspired by the Mughal gardens of Sira, Lalbagh is home to India’s largest collection of rare tropical and subtropical plants and trees from Europe, Afghanistan and Persia. The neo-classical Glass House, modelled on London’s Crystal Palace, is the centre of attraction and hosts the bi-annual flower show. Other highlights include a 300-year old silk cotton tree, lake and bonsai garden, as well as the rocky outcrop of peninsular gneiss, a national geological monument dating back 3000 million years! Couple a visit with a bite at the iconic MTR nearby. Entry Rs.25, Camera Rs.60, Bike Rs.25, Car Rs.30

Basavanagudi Temples

Basavanagudi Temple

Lending its name to one of the oldest residential localities in Bengaluru , Basavana gudi, literally Bull Temple , is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. Nandi’s monolithic idol was built out of black stone during the reign of Kempegowda I. Kempegowda chanced upon a Ganesha rock etching near the Bull Temple, so an 18 ft high, 16 ft wide stone sculpture of Dodda Ganesha , or ‘Satya/Shakti Ganapati’ was carved. Benne alankara , the decoration of the idol with butter, betel leaves, flowers and turmeric, takes place on special days. Located in the nook of a small hill in Basavanagudi, Gavi Gangadhareshwara is an ancient temple of Shiva-Parvati set inside a  gavi  (cave). Sun rays pass through a window every year on Makara Sankranti (14 Jan), and fall directly on the Shiva linga! Timings: 6am-1pm, 4pm-9pm

Bangalore Palace

Styled on the Windsor Castle, the Tudor-style Bangalore Palace seems right out of a fairytale, with ivy-covered circular turrets and manicured gardens. An audio guide (voiced in English by actor Roshan Seth) helps you navigate through the armoury, durbar hall, chambers and tiled hallways with photos of royalty and the kheddah  elephant trapping operations. In an inner courtyard alongside a Spanish fountain is a royal bench made of brilliant blue and yellow Azulejo tiles from Seville. It was gifted by King Alfonso XIII of Spain, who stayed here during his exile in the 1930s.  Entry Indians Rs.240, Foreigners Rs.480   Cell Phone Camera Rs.300, Still Camera Rs.710, Video Camera Rs.1480

Cubbon Park

Spread over 300 acres, C ubbon Park is the city’s beloved green lung, popular with joggers, photographers, botanists and lovers alike. Traffic is closed between 5 am–8 am for morning walkers. Set up in 1870, it acted as a green buffer between the Military Cantonment and the ‘city’ dominated by natives. Besides its botanical wealth, Cubbon Park has several historical monuments and statues of Queen Victoria, King Edward VII and Chamarajendra Wodeyar. Opposite Vidhana Soudha, the ‘Pompeian Red’ hued Attara Kacheri  (literally ‘18 offices’) once housed the offices of the secretariat and is presently occupied by the High Court. Similar in architectural style is  Seshadri Iyer Hall  or Central Library. Located at the edge of Cubbon Park, the Government Museum houses rare treasures including the 450 AD Halmidi inscription, the oldest example of the Kannada text, the Begur inscription that first mentions ‘Bengaluru’ and a model of Tipu’s 18 th  century fort in Srirangapatna. Entry Adults Rs.20, Children Rs.10 Timings: 10 am – 5 pm, Tues-Sun (Mon closed)

Indian Music Experience

Display at Indian Music Experience museum

If you love music, the interactive Indian Music Experience museum is worth a visit for a deep dive through themed galleries across genres: indie rock and world, classical and devotional songs, folk music and film music. Listening stations bring the experience alive (there’s a slot to plug in your own headphone too). A timeline of Indian classical music journeys from the Vedic period to Hindustani and Carnatic music. Memorabilia donated by artists, like Pandit Bismillah Khan’s topi and shehnai, Pandit Ravi Shankar’s sitar, are a nice touch. You don’t need to sing for your supper – there’s a café on site and a gift store. Wheelchair access: Yes Website Entry Rs.150 Timings: 10 am – 6 pm weekdays, 11 am – 7 pm weekends, Closed Monday

Science Gallery, Hebbal

Science Gallery

Japanese management guru Kenichi Ohmae famously said, “Bangalore has more IQ based, mathematically competent people, in absolute numbers, than anywhere else on earth.” The new Science Gallery on Bellary Road is an ode to the city’s scientific temperament. Spread across three halls over two floors, young enthusiastic facilitators talk visitors through exhibits: Cosmic Ray research by Homi Bhabha and the discovery of neutrinos in the mine shafts of Kolar Gold Fields, study of harmonic frequencies by Nobel laureate CV Raman, use of Bangalore Torpedo during World War I, HAL’s Hindustan Trainer-2 the first aircraft designed and built in India, the history of brewing in Bengaluru, the lakes and various birding habitats… You don’t have to be a science nut to appreciate it. Each exhibition lasts a few months. Entry free. There’s wheelchair access. Timings: 10 am – 6 pm Wed-Thurs, 10 am – 8 pm Fri-Sat-Sun, Closed Mon-Tue Website

Museum of Art & Photography (MAP)

Exhibit at Museum of Art and Photography Bengaluru

With a façade that resembles an industrial water tank, the Museum of Art & Photography (MAP) alludes to the storage of something equally precious – a repository of paintings, photographs, textiles and sculptures dating back to the 10th century. The extensive collection of art and textiles by Abhishek Poddar form the core of MAP’s archives of 60,000 pieces. There are regular events and exhibitions; don’t go without a meal at Cumulus, the alfresco rooftop dining by SMOOR. Entry Rs.150 (Children between 6-18, Rs.50) Timings: 10 am – 6:30 pm (open till 7:30 pm on weekends), Monday closed Free admission on Tue for all visitors

Vidhana Soudha

Vidhana Soudha Secretariat and State Legislature Bengaluru

Easily Bengaluru’s most popular selfie spot, Vidhana Soudha or the legislative assembly of Karnataka was built in 1956 and houses the offices of the state secretariat. Covering 50,000 sq m and designed by renowned sculptor Shilpi Shamachar, this stone building is a fusion of Dravidian, Rajasthani , Chola and Kannada architecture. Made out of locally quarried granite, it is decorated with frieze panels, ornamental motifs, floral carvings and geometric designs. A flight of steps leads to the entrance porch, flanked by 12 pillars with Rajasthani  jharokas (balconies), landscaped gardens and expansive quadrangles. The frieze panels are inspired by the Hoysala temples at Belur-Halebidu.

Nandi Hills, by cycle or on foot

Bhoganandeeshwara Temple

Nandi Hills, 60 km from Bengaluru, is an excellent cycling destination with rolling hills, traffic-free forested roads and exhilarating ascents and descents with an elevation gain of 200-750 m. Pedal in Tandem run three to six hour cycling adventures across the city. The 25-40 km Nandi Countryside trail from Tribal Café at the base of Nandi weaves through hills and lush forests, great for Level 1 (beginners) and Level 2 (moderate). The 55-75 km Good Old Nandi starts from Nandi Upachar and traces the evolution of the little village taking riders to a 1900’s train station, interior dirt tracks through vineyards, flower farms and short climbs to hillocks. Nandi Valley Walks trace an old hiking trail at the foot of the hill through the villages of Nandi and Sulthanpet, a British cemetery and the 1000-year-old Bhoganandeeshwara Temple.

Craft Breweries

Windmills craft brewery

With over a hundred breweries and taprooms, Bengaluru is easily the microbrewery capital of India. There are three at The Quad right outside Terminal 1 of Bengaluru’s Kempegowda Airport. Every August, the city hosts the annual Bangalore Craft Crawl where beer aficionados sample a showcased beer style at the top 20 breweries across town and collect stamps on their Beer Passport! Learn how water, malt, yeast and hops combine to make different craft brews on a brewery tour at Windmills . A backroom tour of the tanks and fermenters with the brewing team is followed by beer tasting at the bar counter. (Rs.1776/person) . Toit’s brewery tours are organised for groups of up to 20 people on the first Saturday of the month besides exclusive tours for private groups ( Rs.850/head).

The Flavour Lab by Good Craft Co. The Good Craft Co, an India-first initiative by Diageo India, was launched in 2022, dedicated to nurturing the Indian craft spirits industry. In September 2024, they’ve launched The Flavour Lab in Whitefield, a sensory experience that celebrates the art and science behind craft spirits . Through four uniquely designed engagement zones, visitors embark on a 3-hour interactive exploration of the world of craft spirits. From the origin of raw ingredients to the final pour, this immersive experience uncovers the nuances of spirit-making. With expert-led tastings and masterclasses, The Flavour Lab allows you to experience the passion and precision that goes into every bottle and is an inspiring blend of tradition and innovation, through education, interaction and storytelling. Instagram Timings: 4 pm – 7 pm, every Saturday

Wineries around Nandi Valley Karnataka is the second largest producer of wine grapes in India. Experience the charm of vineyards, taste fine home-grown wines and learn the nuances of winemaking on a guided wine tour. Grover Zampa Vineyards , a pioneer in winemaking in India, is located on a 410-acre vineyard at Doddaballapura near Nandi Hills and has been producing award-winning wines for three generations. Their visitor centre dedicated to their flagship brand La Reserve has a tasting room, restaurant & lounge and cellar (grape stomping on prior request for groups of 10). Big Banyan Wines is an Indo-Italian winery near Bengaluru’s 400-year-old Dodda Alada Mara (big banyan tree) at Tavarakere. Nandi Valley Winery is best known for its Kinvah range of wines , Bangalore Soma Vineyards at Sonnenahalli, Nandi Hills is touted as one of the most scenic, boutique wineries in India while SDU WINERY at Chikkaballapur is the newest winery run by Shaambhavi Hingorani, the first women wine entrepreneur, with a focus on easy-drinking wines.

Art and Theatre venues

Aerial view of Chowdiah Memorial Hall

Regular productions by theatre groups, stand up acts, dance-dramas and music keep the crowds coming to performance spaces like Ranga Shankara, Jagriti Theatre, Chowdiah Memorial Hall, and many more. Watch out for events at Bangalore International Centre . The Conservatory , modelled after the Lalbagh Glass House, hosts pop-ups and workshops every month. For art lovers, the city has several art galleries like National Gallery of Modern Art, Peepletree Art Gallery, Venkatappa Art Gallery, among others. Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath is a pioneering institution promoting art with regular craft and textile exhibitions and the much awaited annual art festival Chitra Santhe, held on the last Sunday of January showcasing local artists. Website

Live Music Spots

Performers at Echoes of Earth festival

Bengaluru appreciates music across all genres, from rock shows in Palace Grounds, blues and jazz concerts at Windmills Craftworks, Carnatic and Hindustani recitals at Bangalore Gayana Samaja to EDM and hip hop at Gylt and Sunburn Union, various venues across the city like Hard Rock Café, The Blue Room, Max Mueller Bhavan and Alliance Française de Bangalore host regular gigs. The violin-shaped Chowdiah Memorial Hall , dedicated to Karnataka’s celebrated violinist T Chowdiah, is a popular venue. Built by architect SN Murthy, he apparently carried a violin to the construction site to ensure that the building would be a perfect reproduction, down to the strings, keys, bridge and bow! Echoes of Earth is an annual festival with a focus on sustainability. The two-day fest hosts over 40 artists across genres and 80% of the festival production is made up of recycled and upcycled media, including four uniquely designed solar-powered stages and art installations. Website

Iconic Eateries

Ananas Gojju at Oota Bangalore

Bengaluru is an epicurean paradise for foodies – do the classic tiffin trail from MTR to CTR, Airlines Hotel, Vidyarthi Bhavan and Veena Stores (Deepika Padukone’s favourite). Try colonial-era cuisine at Koshy’s, Tycoon and The Only Place for steaks. Dig in to some Maratha-style donne biryani at Shivaji Military Hotel and SG Rao Military Hotel at Cottonpet or head to Hoskote for its 4am dum biryani. Try ‘naati’ or native flavours of Gowda cuisine at Malgudi Mylare Mane and Bengaluru Oota Company or coastal fare at Sanadige and Karavali, helmed by Chef Naren Thimmaiah for decades. One place to get all the diverse flavours of Karnataka, Oota Bangalore showcases food from nearly twenty communities. Savour Sauji style kaima unde and khara boti, Mangalore Catholic brinjal salad, Shayya Jhinga (vermicelli prawn) biryani of the Navayaths or Kalbutthi, a curd rice sizzler from Banavasi and craft cocktails like the viral ‘Varthur Overflow’ inspired by Bengaluru’s notorious overflowing lake with a salt foam of Sanikatta salt from Gokarna.

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10 Best Tourist Places to Visit in Bengaluru

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Bengaluru, formerly Bangalore , is the capital city of Karnataka in south India. The city has earned several names such as Silicon Valley of India, Pub Capital of India, Air Conditioned City, and City of Gardens. However, prior to the IT revolution, Bengaluru was known as Pensioners' Paradise.

Now, it's a wonderful blend of past and present. Although Bengaluru may not have as many iconic attractions as other major cities in India, it does have a great mix of history, architecture, culture, spirituality, and nature.

Bangalore Palace

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Built for Chamaraja Wadiyar X in 1887, the design of Bangalore Palace was inspired by England's Windsor Castle . As a result, this evocative palace has Tudor-style architecture with fortified towers, arches, green lawns, and elegant woodcarvings in its interiors.

The royal family still lives here today, and the palace is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays.

National Gallery of Modern Art

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If you're an art lover, don't miss visiting the National Gallery of Modern Art on Palace Road. This gallery, which opened in 2009, is the third of its kind in India (the others are in Delhi and Mumbai).

It's housed in a Colonial mansion with a garden setting and has two interconnected wings, one of which features works from the early 18th century up until India's Independence while the other displays work from a large number of modern and contemporary artists.

The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m until 6:30 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. It's closed on Monday. There is a cafe on the premises as well, which is open fewer hours than the gallery itself.

Tipu Sultan's Palace and Fort

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Situated inside the Bangalore Fort area, Tipu Sultan's Palace was originally built by Kempe Gowda using mud. Later, Hyder Ali started reconstruction in Indo-Islamic architecture. This was completed by his son, Tipu Sultan, in 1791.

The Hindu temple seen in the courtyard of the fort is the proof of Tipu Sultan's religious tolerance. The palace is open daily from 8.30 a.m. until 5.30 p.m. daily. Combine visiting it with nearby Krishna Rajendra Market.

Krishna Rajendra (KR) Market

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This vivid, traditional local market is an assault on the senses and a treat for photographers, and in the middle of it, you'll find Bengaluru's bustling flower market. The market also sells a variety of fresh produce, spices, and copper items.

Go there in the early morning to best experience the colors and crowds, when piles of fresh stock are being unloaded and sold.

Lalbagh Botanical Garden

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This expansive garden started out as a private Mughal-style garden for the city's royal rulers. It was established in 1760 by Hyder Ali and later extended by his son Tipu Sultan.

It now covers 240 acres and derives its name from the red roses that bloom throughout the year there. The garden is said to have the most diverse species of plants in the world. Its focal point is a majestic glasshouse, built in 1889 to commemorate the visit of the Prince of Wales. It was designed along the lines of the Crystal Palace in London.

The garden is open daily from 6.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. throughout the year. It takes on a festive look during India's Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations, with a captivating show of over 200 varieties of flowers. The show also features an exhibition of hybrid vegetables.

Cubbon Park

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Occupying a 300-acre area in Bangalore's business district, Cubbon Park is a popular place for walkers, joggers, nature lovers, and anyone who just wants to laze around. The park was named after the erstwhile Commissioner of Mysore, Sir Mark Cubbon. Many ornamental and flowering trees, both exotic and indigenous, can be found there. Kids will enjoy the special Bal Bhavan play area and aquarium inside the park.

Vidhana Soudha

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First opened in 1956, Vidana Soudha is a landmark of Bengaluru and is located next to Cubbon Park. This enormous building is a massive example of neo-Dravidian architecture, complete with four domes on its four corners. It houses the Legislative Chamber of Karnataka Government and accommodates many other government departments. Unfortunately, it's not open to the public but is stunningly illuminated at night.

Attara Kacheri (High Court) and Surroundings

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This eye-catching red, two-storied building, built in 1867 under the reign of Tipu Sultan, has magnificent neoclassical architecture. It houses the High Court and many lower courts, and sits opposite Vidana Soudha at the entrance to Cubbon Park.

Close to the Court is the red, Gothic-style State Central Library building, with imposing stone and fluted pillars. Nearby, the highlight at the Government Museum is a collection of artifacts and stone carvings dating back to the 12th century, and excavated from places including Hampi . Adjacent to the Museum is Venkatappa Art Gallery, devoted to displaying famous paintings, plaster of Paris works and wooden sculptures of renowned artist Venkatappa (who painted for the royal family). Tickets for the museum also provide entry to the art gallery.

Ulsoor Lake

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Picturesque Ulsoor Lake is spread over an area of 125 acres in the heart of the city, north of M.G. Road. It was constructed by Kempe Gowda II. It's open daily, except Wednesdays, from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. Boating facilities are provided by the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation. There's also a walking track around the lake.

Spiritual and Religious Places

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Bengaluru is the home of many of India's spiritual gurus, and the city has a rich religious culture. There are many diverse places of worship, including ashrams, mosques, and churches.

Consider seeing many of the city's attractions on a Bengaluru walking tour.   Alternatively, Viator in conjunction with Tripadvisor offers a comprehensive Private Full Day Bangalore (Bengaluru) City Tour and Experiential Culture Tour of Bangalore (Bengaluru) , bookable online.

It's also worth exploring the area around Bengaluru. There are many places of interest, whether you're after an escape from city life or are a visitor who wants to spend a day enjoying the abundant beauty of Mother Nature.

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