What can I see in Bangalore in a day? You’ll be surprised at the number of places you could visit. Read on.

1. Nandi Hills

Details

Nandi Hills is a very popular weekend getaway for Bangaloreans because of its pleasant climate and location, just 60 kilometers from Bangalore. From the foot it is 8 kilometers to the top. Also called Nandidurg, this used to be a summer retreat of Tipu Sultan. You can see Tipu’s fort here and get shivers down your spine looking down the Tipu’s Drop, a steep precipice where Tipu apparently pushed criminals to death. There is also an old Yoga Nandeeshwara temple here. There’s a lovely garden maintained by the Horticulture department where the kids can have some fun. A few kilometers from here is Muddenahalli village. It is the birthplace of Sir M Visveswaraya, the Dewan of Mysore. The Arkavathi river that provides water to the city originates here. For the historians, trekking enthusiasts or families who just want to have a good time, Nandi Hills is an ideal weekend getaway.

Best time to visit

Summers are  the best time to visit. Early mornings are a good option for photographers. The hills showcase a stunning sunrise and some fantastic views. Bird watchers are also regulars during this time. Avoid going on Sundays and holidays as it will be very crowded. 

Location

Chikballapur, off the NH7 (60 kilometers from Bangalore).

Transport

Government buses ply from Bangalore. It takes 2 hours from Bangalore and one hour from Chikkaballapur to reach Nandi Hills. Take your own vehicle if you can – the roads are good.

Food

Hotel Mayura

References

http://horticulture.kar.nic.in/nandi.htm
https://citizenmatters.in/articles/view/537-nandi-hills

2. Big Banyan Tree

Details

Ramohalli’s ‘Dodda Alada Mara’ is a single Banyan tree that is 400 years old and has spread over 4-5 acres of land. The famous tree is in Ramohalli village, 25 kilometres from Bangalore. The huge canopy is now well maintained by the Horticulture Department. Lots of monkeys merrily swing on the branches, in search of food bought in by the visitors. This tree is apparently the second largest banyan tree in India.

Best time to visit

Anytime except when it rains. The road from Kengeri towards the place is neither smooth nor tarred so it can get very slushy. If you want to visit the nearby manchinabele dam then do it in summer when you can enjoy the water.

Location

Off Mysore Road, 25 km from Bangalore. To reach the place, drive down Mysore Road and take a right turn at Ramohalli cross (next to Rajarajeshwari Dental College).

Transport

BMTC buses ply from City Market to Ramohalli. It is only a short drive away from Bangalore for the weekend.

Food

Ruppi’s Resort at Ramohalli, Kamat Lokaruchi off Mysore Road after Ramanagaram.

References

https://citizenmatters.in/articles/view/357-big-banyan-tree

3. Janapada Loka

Details

At Janapada Loka, you can just stroll around (with ducks following you) and enter the rural world and learn about folk art and culture. On Mysore Road just after Ramanagaram, this showcase of rural life houses 5000-odd artefacts that represent the life and art of the tribal and rural Karnataka. The 15-acre complex also houses an art gallery, open air theatre, a studio and a small pond. Do stop over for a look on your way to Mysore.

Best time to visit

Anytime except monsoons.

Location

On Mysore Road after Ramanagaram (53 km from Bangalore). The place is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Its is closed on Tuesdays.

Transport

Buses ply from Bangalore to Ramanagara. Janapadaloka is around 3-4 kilometers from here. Mysore Road is good to drive on.

Food

Kamat Lokaruchi, serving authentic North Karnataka and Karavali food is just next door.

References

http://bangalorerural.nic.in/janapadaLoka.htm

4. Nrityagram

Details

A neo-gurukul for various styles of classical dances set up by odissi danseuse Protima Gauri in 1990, it is a community for dancers set amidst a rural setting.In Protima’s own words it is ‘a place where you breathe, eat, sleep, dream, talk, imagine – dance’. Its famous Vasanthahabba (Spring festival) is an all night performance of dance and music and is surely an event to watch out for. A good half-day trip would be to visit Nrityagram, take a walk in the rural settings, talk to a few dancers, and settle down for lunch at the Taj just opposite.

Location

35 Km from Bangalore, off NH4 (Tumkur Road), take a right turn to Hesarghatta. Nrityagram is open from 10 am to 5 pm Closed on Mondays.

Transport

BMTC buses ply from City Market or Majestic to Hesarghatta. Nrityagram is 5km from here. An hours’ drive from Bangalore.

Food

Taj Kuteeram

References

http://www.nrityagram.org
http://www.indianholiday.com/karnataka/arts-and-crafts/cultural-centers-in-karnataka/how-to-reach-nrityagram.html

5. Hogenakkal

Details

Hogenakkal is made up of many gushing waterfalls, and to get to them, you have to first hire a boatman and his handy coracle. Once you have bargained with the coracle men for a ride through the falls(this may be anywhere from Rs150 to Rs500), he’ll take you on the river to a gorge where you witness several bursts of water. The main attraction is in going very close to the falling water or may be even right under it. Observe the rocks that have been carved in strange shapes by the water. Start early in the day as the place gets quite hot in the afternoon.

Best time to visit

Winters or post monsoons. One has to walk for some time to reach the falls and the boulders can get quite hot in summer.

Location

150 km from Bangalore, take Hosur Road and pass through Hosur, Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri to reach Hogenakkal.

Transport

Buses ply from Bangalore to Dharmapuri. From Dharmapuri, there are buses to Hogenakkal town. The traffic reduces after you cross Electronic City on Hosur Road.

Food

No good choices, a packed lunch is the best option. Decent South Indian hotels exist in Krishnagiri and Hosur.

6. Srirangapatna, Sangama, Ranganthittu

Details

The land of Lord Ranganatha, Capital of Tipu Sultan and the Wodeyars, Srirangapatna has a rich history and is also a great place for a day trip. The ancient temple was built during the Ganga reign in 894 AD. One can also visit the remains of Tipu’s fort, his Palace (Lal Mahal), Daria Daulat Bag
h and the place where he died fighting. Tipu’s Palace in Daria Daulat Bagh, now a museum, is a fine example of Indo Islamic style of architecture.

Few kilometers south of Srirangapatna is a confluence (sangama) of rivers Kaveri and Arkavathi and a third hidden river Lokapavani. Its a popular picnic spot – do not miss the coracle rides in the river.

Four kilometers from Srirangapatna is Ranganthittu, a bird sanctuary in the islets in river Kaveri. A large variety of birds can be spotted here. Migratory birds from as far as Siberia visit the sanctuary. The best season for a visit is between May and November. Be careful while going in the coracle on the river as it is home to crocodiles too.

Best time to visit

Anytime of the year, but if you are visiting Ranganatittu also, the season for visiting the bird sanctuary are from June to November (during the nesting season of the water birds). In December one can see the migratory birds. Ba careful at the sangama during monsoons as the water level rises.

Location

120 Km from Bangalore, on Mysore Road.

Transport

Buses ply from Bangalore to Srirangapatnam.From the city, one can hire autos to Sangama and Ranganthittu. A good 2 hour drive from Bangalore on Mysore Road gets you to Srirangapatna.

Food

Food is pretty basic in Srirangapatna town. One can visit the resorts that dot the Kaveri river for better options.

References

http://www.ourkarnataka.com/states/mysore/pattana_eng.htm

7. Kokkare Belluru

Details

A haven for spotbilled pelicans and painted storks, Kokkare Bellur is a small village off the Bangalore Mysore Highway. The best time to visit is between October and March. A unique feature is that the birds are quite used to the humans and live freely in the trees of the village. However the villagers and naturalists are quite proud of their aviatic visitors and work jointly towards their conservation.

Best time to visit

Best time to see the pelicans is from December  to January.

Location

90 km from bangalore, off Mysore Road near Maddur.

Transport

Private vehicle is the best option.

Food

Hotels at Maddur or Shivalli Tiffin Room on Mysore Road.

References

wikitravel.org/en/Kokkare_Bellur

8. Bheemeswari

Details

Bheemeshwari is a small town on the banks of river Kaveri in Mandya district.The river at this region is famous for Mahseer, a fresh water fish that excites enthusistic anglers. Nestled in the Kaveri Wildlife Sanctuary, Bheemeshwari is famous as Anglers Paradise. Professionals from across continents visit the nature camps here and settle down for months in hope of catching a Mahseer. Conversations in Jungle Lodges is around this famous fish and other breeds. There are a few camps and tents around Bheemeshwari for visitors. Jungle Lodges maintain these properties and the food is sumptous and camping accomodation is of international standards.

Best time to visit

August to February.

Location

100 km from Bangalore, off Kanakapura Road.

Transport

Private vehicle is the best option.

Food

Jungle Lodges provides quite a good variety. But don’t expect a Mahseer for dinner as the fish is just angled not killed.

References

http://www.karnataka.com/tourism/bangalore/bheemeshwari.html ⊕