Holiday destinations near, in and around Bengaluru are plenty.  Bengaluru enjoys a location advantage with its proximity to several holiday destinations and States.  One can choose from an array of Holiday Destinations Near Bengaluru to take a break from the humdrum of the city.

Bengaluru – a Metropolitan city  – Holiday destination :

Bengaluru is the 5th largest city and is known as the Garden City of India. Due to the large number of technology companies established in the city, it is often referred to as the ‘Silicon Valley’ of India.

The modern city of Bengaluru was founded over 400 years ago and gained prominence in the 18th century, when it became an important fort city under Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan of Mysuru.

Bengaluru city itself is a holiday destination.  The city has a lot to places to visit. 

Bengaluru has many attractions and is perfect for expeditions and day trips to nearby hill stations. There are a number of best places to visit in Bengaluru, which include Lalbagh Garden, Cubbon Park, Tipu Sultan’s Palace, Bengaluru Palace, Vishweshwaraiah Museum, HAL Aerospace Museum, Bull Temple, Bannerghatta National Park, Vidhana Soudha and ISKCON temple.

All these places are a beautiful blend of palaces, gardens, museums, temples and man-made beauty; so one can choose to visit the best ones according to preference and choice.

Some of the holiday destinations around Bengaluru :  :

The following places can be seen in one day.

Mysuru – Historical & Heritage city :

At a distance of 139 km from Bengaluru and is one of the holiday destination.    Mysuru is the 2nd biggest City in Karnataka. It is the erstwhile capital of the Mysuru Maharajas, who ruled the Mysuru State between 1399 & 1947. Mysuru still retains its old world charm with its palaces, heritage buildings, traditions and temples.

At an altitude of 763 meters surrounded by hill ranges from north to south, it is known as the City of Palaces. Mysuru is one of the top destinations to visit as part of 2 day trip near Bengaluru and Mysuru Palace is among the must include place.

According to this story in the mythological Devi Purana, Mysuru was ruled by the demon-king Mahishasura. He was called Mahishasura, because he was a buffalo-headed monster.

Hearing to the prayers of Gods and Goddess to save them from the monster, Goddess Parvathi took birth as Chamundeswari and killed the monster. Hence, this place came to be known as Mahishuru, later became Maisuru & Mysuru.

Mysuru has several tourist attractions including palaces, museums, temples, gardens, etc. Mysuru Palace, Chamundi Hill Temple, Mysuru Zoo are the most famous places to visit in Mysuru. Srirangapatna and Brindavan Gardens are major attractions close to city.

Shivannasamudra falls :

It is at a distance of 130 km from Bengaluru.  It is a holiday destination which can be covered in one day.  Shivanasamudra is a famous waterfall situated in Mandya District.  This is one of the best waterfalls near Bengaluru  and also among popular one day trip from Bengaluru.  

These waterfalls are also known as Siva Samudram, literally meaning Shiva’s Sea. Shivanasamudra is a segmented waterfall with several parallel stream formed adjacent to each other.

Situated on River Kaveri, Shivanasamudra is among the popular Tourist places.  The island of Shivanasamudra divides Kaveri River into two parts that form two waterfalls, one is Gaganachukki and the other is Bharachukki.

Gaganachukki and Barachukki Falls are collectively called as Shivanasamudra Falls though Gaganachukki is most commonly represented as Shivanasamudra Falls. This place offers breathtaking sight in the peak monsoons.

Gaganachukki includes a huge horsetail shaped waterfall dropping from a height of 90 m and two large parallel streams that cascade down through a rocky bed from a height of over 320 feet.

The currents here are quite strong and the gorge is quite deep. So, swimming is not permitted here. Asia’s first hydroelectric power station was set up in the downstream of the falls in the year 1905. The power generated here was initially used in Kolar Gold Fields.

Lepakshi :

It is 124 km from Bengaluru City Junction.  Lepakshi is a small village which lies 14 km east of Hindupur in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. It is the one of the important heritage sites in Andhra Pradesh highlighting the legacy of Vijayanagara Dynasty.  It is a one day holiday destination.

Lepakshi was founded in the 16th century during the reign of the Vijayanagara king, Aliiya Rama Raya. Virupanna, the royal treasurer was accused of drawing funds without the king’s permission from the state treasury to build the Veerabhadra temple at Lepakshi.

However, he blinded himself to avoid the king’s punishment. Even today one can see two dark stains upon the wall near the Kalyana Mandapa, which are said to be the marks made by his eyes. Hence the village is called ‘Lepa-akshi’, means a village of the blinded eye.

Lepakshi is the centre of some of the finest temple architecture and paintings. Lepakshi consists of three important shrines dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Veerabhadra, of which Veerabhadra temple is the most important place to visit. The temples of Papanatheswara, Raghunatha, Srirama, Veerabhadra and Durga are located in the same complex on a hillock named as Kurma Saila (tortoise shaped hill). 

Srirangapatna :

It is 124 km from Bengaluru.  The entire town is surrounded by the river Kaveri to form a river island.  This holiday destination can be seen in a day.

According to history, Srirangapatna was founded by the rulers of Ganga dynasty in 9th century. However, the destination came into the limelight during the reign of the Vijayanagara Empire. The rise of the Wodeyar kings marked the downfall of the Vijayanagara Empire.

During the reign of the Wodeyar kings, Raja Wodeyar conquered Rangaraya in 1610, who was then the viceroy of Srirangapatna. From 1610, the town of Srirangapattana was the capital of Mysuru state. Hyder Ali defeated the Wodeyar King and made Srirangapatna their capital for a brief period.

In the Battle of Srirangapatna in 1799, Tipu Sultan was killed inside the fort by the combined armies of Nizam of Hyderabad and the British. In addition, this battle also marked the last engagement of the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War.

The town takes its name from the celebrated Ranganathaswamy temple which dominates the town, making Srirangapatna one of the most important Vaishnavite centers of pilgrimage in South India.

The Srirangapatna temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is one of the largest temples in Karnataka.

Horsley hills :

It is at a distance of 166 km from Bengaluru.  Horsley Hills is a famous Hill Station in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh and also one of the best. This is one of the popular Bengaluru  getaways/ holiday destination  for a weekend trip.

Situated at an altitude of 1265 meters, Horsley Hills is an exciting place to visit. The old name of Horsley Hills was Yenugu Mallamma Konda. According to the legend there used to be a little girl named Mallamma who was taken care by Elephants. She used to heal tribal people on the hills. When she disappeared suddenly, people thought she was a goddess and built a temple for her.

Later the place is named after W.D. Horsley, the Collector of Cuddapah district. He visited this place and was impressed by the beauty of the hills and chose this spot for his summer residence.

The major tourist places around Horsley hills are Lake Gangotri, View points, Gali Banda, Environmental Park and the Horsley Hills Museum. Horsley Hills is also one of the few places to offer Zorbing in India.

But it requires prior reservation a day before and is normally offered on a group package of minimum 20 participants. Other adventure sports conducted are rappelling and trekking. 

Somnathpur :

It is at a distance of 137 km from Bengaluru and a well known holiday destination.   Somnathpur is well known for the breathtaking Prasanna Chennakesava Temple, one of the three famous & finest representations of Hoysala architecture (other two being temples at Belur & Halebid).

This is one of the three Hoysala temples nominated for UNESCO World Heritage Site status. This is one of the popular tourist places to visit near Benglauru and one of the wonderful weekend getaways. The Hoysala temples are known for minute & intricate carvings and sculptures with metal like polishing.

Located on the banks of Cauvery River, Chennakesava Temple was built in 1268 by Somnatha, a general of King Narasimha III. The temple stands on a raised platform like other Hoysala temples. The temple comprises three shrines and three wonderfully carved peaks with a common Mandapa. The three sanctums once housed beautifully carved idols of Keshava, Janardhana and Venugopala.

The most characteristic feature of this temple is its 16 different ceilings, each depicting a different stage of a blooming plantain (banana flower). Small and large pieces of finely carved stone chips are set in complicated patterns. One of the main highlights of this temple is the central wall space.

There are images of deities decorated with heavy jewellery, bangles on every arm, towering crowns and chunky anklets. The vimana over the sanctums have greatly carved images of gods.

Talakadu :

Talakadu is a historical holiday destination which was once a famous pilgrimage site. Situated on the banks of Kaveri River, Talakadu is a beautiful place surrounded by temples.  Talakadu had over 30 temples, most are them are buried in the sand today.

Some of these temples have been excavated and are open for public. There are five temples dedicated to Lord Siva – Pathaleshwara, Maruleshwara, Arkeshwara, Vaideeshwara and Mallikarjuneshwara Temple. The Keerthinarayana temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is a beautiful site with wonderful carvings.

Talakadu was ruled by several dynasties – Gangas, Hoysalas, Rashtra Kootas and Vijayanagara Kings. The temples of Talakadu have mixed architecture styles of these dynasties. Talakadu is also known for ‘Curse of Talakad’ by Alamelamma on the Wodeyar Dynasty of Mysuru.

A famous festival called Pancha Linga Darshana is celebrated here once in 12 years. It is held on new moon day in the month of Karthika when two stars conjoin, the stars of Khuha Yoga and Vishaka.

Kaigal Falls / Dumukurallu Waterfalls (Near Kanipakam)

It is 123 km from Bengaluru.  The waterfall is natural, perennial and water comes from a big rock at a height of 40 feet, irrespective of seasons. But its force and beauty is increased during the Monsoon season.

The name Dumukurallu waterfalls came into prominence because of its sound resembling the fall of stones from above. This holiday destination can be covered in a day.

The falls is formed by the Kaigal stream which is one of the two streams flowing through Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary. There is a big pond below the waterfalls and this is a nice place to visit for nature lovers. It is situated in a dense forest with plenty of birds, shrubs, trees and wildlife.

The falls is particularly popular picnic destination for people from surrounding areas. There is a shivalinga installed near the falls which attracts pilgrims from nearby villages during Shivaratri festival.

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary :

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is a small sanctuary spread across 67 sq.kms. It is one of the popular holiday destination / places to visit in Srirangapatna. 

The sanctuary comprises of six islets on the banks of the Kaveri River. It was declared in 1940 as a result of many requests from Dr Salim Ali who surveyed the birds in this area. Since then, the sanctuary has become a paradise for bird watchers.

The sanctuary is a breeding ground for many migratory birds from all over the world. It is home to a wide species of birds including cormorants, darters, white ibis, spoon billed storks, open billed storks, painted storks, white necked storks, egrets, herons, terns, swallows, kingfishers, sandpiper etc. 

A boat ride takes visitors to the six islets crowded with a number of species of birds. The best time to visit the sanctuary is between June & October.

Bilikal Rangaswamy Betta :

It is at a distance of 75 km from Bengaluru. It is one of the highest hills in the area. It is also called as Bilikal Betta means white rocks. This is a good destination for short one day trekking from Bengaluru.

Bilikal Rangaswamy Betta lies at an elevation of 3780 ft. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Rangaswamy at the peak of Bilikal Betta. This temple is located underneath a huge, white colored rock.

The temple priest lives near to the temple and is the only person living at the peak. Every year, pilgrims from the surrounding area climb this hill to celebrate a festival at the Rangaswamy temple at the top.

The Trekking Trail starts from Konala Doddi (which is about 58 kms from Bengaluru City Junction – Bilikal Betta is 6 kms from here). Bilikal Rangaswamy Trek is a moderate one with a well marked path up till the peak.

The trekking takes 2.5 hrs uphill and about 1.5 hr downhill. The trail begins with a half kilometer walk on a relatively level path, after which the forest becomes denser and the gradient of slope increases drastically. The trail constantly winds uphill at an incline and includes slightly steep stretches. 

Skandagiri  / Kalavara Durga :

It is at a distance of 61 km from Bengaluru and a popular holiday destination.  Skandagiri is an ancient mountain fortress lies at an altitude of about 1350 m. It is geographically located close to Nandi HIlls.

This is among the best places for trekking near Bangalore especially famous for night treks, camping and bird watching.

Skandagiri is also known as Kalavara Durga. It has an ancient dilapidated fort that belonged to a local king and was later concurred and used by Tipu Sultan. After Tipu’s downfall, the fort was ignored and laid in ruins.

The Skandagiri trek is a moderately difficult trek. There are two routes to reach the base of the hill. One is from Chikballapur town and the other as a detour from the road that leads to Nandi Hills.

The trek starts from the Papagni Temple at the foot of the hill. This steep and fantastic trek through a maze of dense shrub is highly interesting. There are six series of stonewalls protecting an abandoned ancient temple on the hilltop.

At the top of the hill is a stretch of flat area that has a temple and few stone pillars belonging to ancient houses. This 8 km trek comprises of ascending and descending through rugged terrains and can be completed within 4-5 hours of ascending and descending.

Avani :

It is 98.5 km from Bengaluru City. Avani is a small village in Kolar district of Karnataka. It is renowned for housing varied ancient temples. Avani is one of top historical places to visit.

The village of Avani received a prominent place mainly due to the legends associated with it. According to mythology, goddess Sita gave birth to her twin children Lava-Kusha at Avani. It is also said that the war between Lord Rama and his sons Lava and Kusha took place in this village. As per the local belief, sage Valmiki, the author of the epic Ramayana was residing here during the period of Ramayana.

Another legend has it that when Sri Narasimha Bharati IV of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham was on his sancharas’, he camped here for a few days. During his stay in Avani, he discovered an idol of Goddess Sharada.

The idol was in standing posture flanked by Adi Shankaracharya with Sri Chakra. He established a new Mutt, which is presently known as Avani Sringeri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sharada Peetham.  

Janapada Loka :

At a distance of 52 Kms from Bengaluru City Railway Station is a holiday destination to be covered in a day. The Folk Art Museum or Janapada Loka is situated on the Bengaluru – Mysuru highway near Ramanagaram. This is one of the popular places of interest in Bengaluru.

Numerous collections of masks, artifacts, costumes, collection of folk music and videos of folk dances are exhibited in the museum. Spread over 15 acres, the artifacts in the museum are kept in three buildings namely Lokamahal, Lokamatha Mandira and Chitrakuteera.

In Lokamahal the visitors can find interesting folk puppets, utensils, instruments, weapons and masks. In Lokamatha Mandira a wide variety of baskets, utensils and earthen jars are featured which were used to store & grain pickles. In the Chitrakuteera a number of photographs covering different aspects of folk life is displayed. 

The other attraction of the museum is a huge elegantly carved temple chariot. The museum also has an amazing amphitheatre. There is a lake at the rear end of the museum with boating facility.

Sangama / Mekedatu :

It is at a distance of 93 Km from Bengaluru (via Kanakapura). Sangama is the place where Arakavathi river merges with River Kaveri. From this point, about 3.5 kilometers downstream, Mekedatu is a place where river Kaveri flows through a deep and narrow gorge.   It is a holiday destination favored by youngsters.

Mekedatu means goat’s leap in Kannada. River Kaveri flows into a deep and narrow gorge, so narrow that a goat could leap over it and that is how it got its name. It is said that a goat being chased by a tiger saved its life by jumping over the gorge whereas the tiger did not attempt to take the risk and abandoned the chase.

When reaching the gorge the river flows ferociously onto the rocks sculpting them into some amazing shapes. The river Kaveri flows through a deep ravine of just 5-10 meter wide. The water flow is very fierce at this place during monsoons making it very dangerous to swim here.

Sangama, 3.5 kms ahead of Mekedatu, is the confluence of Kaveri and Arakavathi. At Sangama, Kaveri River is more than 150 meters wide at the confluence and flows through a narrow 5-10 meter gorge at Mekedatu. Coracle ride at Sangama is a delightful experience.

Ramanagara :

It is at a distance of 53 km from Bengaluru.  Ramanagara initially gained popularity as the iconic place where the cult film “Sholay” was shot. Covered by granite rocks and boulders, it has grown into to a favorite spot for adventure activities and a fast-growing holiday destination around Bangalore. Ramanagaram is popular for trekking, rock climbing and exploring caves.

It is a famous adventurous holiday destination.

Savandurga hills :

It is at a distance of 60 km from Bengaluru.   Savandurga Hills is considered to be among the largest single rock formations in Asia. Located near the Amaravati river, the attraction offers an unparalleled view of the scenic beauty surrounding it.

It is ideal for rock climbing, trekking or just spending a few lazy days soaking in the panoramic view of nature’s bounty.

Bheemeshwari :

It is at a distance of 104 km from Bengaluru.  Surrounded by dense forest and lying amidst steep valleys, Bheemeshwari is a fantasy for natural habitat lovers. With the Cauvery flowing in serenity, tourists can explore fishing camps which engage in catching the Mahseer fish found in its waters.

The lush greenery is home to several wildlife species, and you can take part in adventure sports like rafting, or enjoy a coracle ride or even indulge in a nature walk to catch rare sights of birds and rejuvenate. The Elephant Campsite along the river is a great route to trek through the jungle trail.

Nandi Hills :

It is at a distance of 60 km from Bengaluru. Nandi Hills or Nandidurga is a popular trekkig destination near Bangalore. Located close to Skandagiri, it is one of the must visit places for trekking enthusiasts.

It gets its name from the ancient Nandi or bull which is meant to be the mount of Lord Shiva. These hills are the source of the rivers Palar, Arkavati and Pennar. It was one of the Tipu’s summer retreats.

There are about 1,200 steps laid from foot of the hill to reach the top. Bhoga Nandishwara Temple situated at the foot of the hills is a must see place which houses a 1000 year old sculpture of Nandi. 

Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace and Tipu’s Drop, a 600 ft cliff from where Tipu Sultan used to throw his prisoners, offers a spectacular view of the valley. Amrita Sarovar Lake, ruins of Tipu Sultan’s fort are other places to visit. There are also three temples dedicated to Sri Ugra Narasimha, Sri Yoga Narasimha and Sri Bhoga Narasimha. 

Chunchi falls :

It is at a distance of 83 km from Bengaluru.   Chunchi Falls on the River Arkavathi is one of the famous weekend getaways.

Water drops from a height of about 100 feet through multiple tiers into a small pool creating a swimming pool with running water. It is an ideal place to swim, play & relax in water amidst naturally formed rock formations. This place is usually crowded on weekends. A little walk is required from the nearest road point to reach the falls.

The place is little dangerous due to the slippery rocks and deep gorge on the way to the falls. 

Anthargange :

It is at a distance of 80 km from Bengaluru and is a holiday destination which can be covered in a day.  Anthargange is a wonderful tourist place near Bangalore with religious significance as well as a nature & trekking destination. The place is famous for Anthargange Caves and Temple and which are quite famous as ideal places for trekking from Bengaluru.

Anthargange literally means Inner Spring, named after a spring originated in the hill and water flows through a bull statue at the temple in middle of the Anthargange hill.

The temple is situated amidst thick vegetation and a wonderful spot to experience natural beauty of the area. Motorable road is available close to the temple but vehicles need to be parked at the entrance of the hill and need to walk up hill for about 15 minutes to reach the temple.

The temple is very ancient and considered sacred. There is a water pool formed by the water sourced from the spring. The place is full of monkeys and they also attack pilgrims for food sometimes. Visitors are advised to be careful and also take care of kids.

The Anthargange Caves are located on the peak which is about an hour trek from the temple. There are several caves on the hill top that can be explored by foot. Some of the caves are quite big and good for camping. Several visitors trek up the hill to camp overnight on the hill.

There are a lot of holiday destinations in and around Bengaluru.  Do not wait, get your bags packed, pick a destination of your choice and get yourself relaxed on a wonderful weekend holiday.