Top 10 Places to Visit in Bangalore or Bengaluru

Bangalore is the state capital of Karnataka in southern India. It is India’s seventh-largest city. Top 10 Places to Visit in Bangalore in following sections.

Due to the numerous lovely gardens and parks, it is also known as the Garden City. Bangalore has a long history, although the current city was only established in the 16th century. Despite this, it has remained a significant administrative hub ever since. It is also known as the Silicon Valley of India due to the strong concentration of the IT sector.

1. Karnataka Vidhana Soudha

Vidhana Soudha in Bangalore, India, is the seat of the state legislature of Karnataka. It is constructed in a style described as Neo-Dravidian, and incorporates elements of various Dravidian styles. Construction was started in 1952 and completed in 1956.

I kept this the first of the Top 10 Places to Visit in Bangalore

Situated at Ambedkar Bheedhi, Sampangi Rama Nagar in the heart of Bengaluru, Karnataka, the majestic and imposing Vidhana Soudha is the seat of the Karnataka state legislature. It was built in 1956 for a whopping USD 2,10,000 or roughly Rs 15 crores, back then. Owned by the government of Karnataka, this venerable institution-cum-monument goes up to 46 metres in height, while covering a sprawling 60 acres. The architectural style is often labeled as Neo-Dravidian with strong Mysore design influences.

2. Lalbagh Botanical Garden

Lalbagh Botanical Garden or simply Lalbagh, is an botanical garden in Bangalore, India, with an over 200-year history.

First planned and laid out during the dalavaiship of Hyder Ali and later managed under numerous British Superintendents before Indian Independence. It was responsible for the introduction and propagation of numerous ornamental plants as well as those of economic value.

It also served a social function as a park and recreational space, with a central glass house dating from 1890 which was used for flower shows. In modern times it hosts two flower shows coinciding with the week of Republic Day and Independence Day.

As an urban green space along with Cubbon Park, it is also home to numerous wild species of birds and other wildlife. The garden also has a lake adjoining a large rock on which a watchtower had been constructed during the reign of Kempegowda II. 

The botanical garden is enriched with numerous native and exotic flora of wide ranging diversity, by way of introduction, acclimatization and multiplication from various parts of the world since its inception in 1760. Today, 2150 species of plants belonging to 673 genera and 140 families can be seen in Lalbagh. The collection of such diverse types of plant wealth has made Lalbagh, a veritable treasure house of plants.

The three mango trees in the garden said to have been existent for the last 250 years, perhaps since the time of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan are located near the fernery. These trees have withstood the vagaries of nature and still bear fruits.

What visitors are saying about Lalbagh Botanical Garden Experience?

“Special during Jan and Aug, flower show is amazing.”

“An amazing place to relax n drink original mango n grape juice.”

“Big clock arranged by plants always attracted me when I was a kid.”

3. Bengaluru Palace

Bangalore Palace is a royal palace located in Bangalore, Karnataka, India, in an area that was owned by Rev. J. Garrett, the first principal of the Central High School in Bangalore, now famous as Central College. The property was purchased from Rev. Garrett in 1873 at a cost of Rs. 40,000 by the British Guardians of the minor Maharaja Chamarajendra Wadiyar 10 using his personal funds.

Construction of a palace building was started in April 1874 and completed by 1878. Mr. Cameron of Lalbagh did the landscapingThe palace has a floor area of 45,000 sft, and grounds of 454 acres. The sprawling grounds surrounding the Palace is used for holding public events including music concerts.

The palace was built in Tudor Revival style architecture with fortified towers, battlements and turrets. The interiors were decorated with elegant wood carvings, floral motifs, cornices and relief paintings on the ceiling. The furniture, which was neo-classical, Victorian and Edwardian in style, was bought from John Roberts and Lazarus.

What visitors are saying?

“The audio guide is just superb and you would just love to hear it.”

“Luxurious place for marriage function.”

“Worth place for royal weddings too!”

4. Bannerghatta Zoo (Biological Park)

Bannerghatta National Park is a national park in India, located near Bangalore, Karnataka. It was founded in 1970 and declared as a national park in 1974. In 2002, a small portion of the park became a zoological garden, the Bannerghatta Biological Park. There are ancient temples in the park for worship and it is a destination for trekking and hiking.

Within the national park area are six rural villages enclosed within three large enclosures for sheep and cattle farming. This park offers a wide range of diverse wildlife to the exploradoras. Coming from the finest of Bengaluru, Karnataka, this park offers a guided bus tour all along the 6 km safari roads, which is specially made for safarists and foreign tourist gatherers.

Present fee structures charged for the zoo and safari visit are given in the following table. (Effective from 01.01.2022)

Every Tuesdays Holiday.

What visitors are saying?

“Must visit during May-August.”

“This will help you avoid standing in long queue over the weekend.”

“Safari is pretty good and you get to see white tiger and other animals too.”

5. Cubbon Park & Venkatappa Art Gallery Bengaluru

Cubbon Park, officially known as Sri Chamarajendra Park, is a landmark ‘lung’ area of Bengaluru city, located within the heart of the city in the Central Administrative Area.

Originally created in 1870 under Major General Richard Sankey, then British Chief Engineer of Mysore State, it covered an area of 100 acres. Subsequent expansion has since taken place and the park’s area is now reported to be 300 acres.

It has a rich recorded history of abundant flora and fauna plantations coupled with numerous impressive and aesthetically located buildings and statues of famous personages, in its precincts. This public park was first named as Meade’s Park after Sir John Meade, the acting Commissioner of Mysuru in 1870 and subsequently renamed as Cubbon Park after the longest-serving commissioner of the time, Sir Mark Cubbon.

To commemorate the Silver Jubilee of Sri Krishnaraja Wodeyar’s rule in Mysore State, in 1927, the park was again renamed as Sri. Chamarajendra Park, in memory of the 19th-century ruler of the state Sri Chamarajendra Wodeyar, during whose rule the park came into existence.

What visitors are saying for Cubbon Park?

“If you do visit Cubbon Park, the Toy Train is a must do!”

“Nice place with kids play area, aquarium…”

“Very nice atmosphere and metro station is just 10 steps far…”

Venkatappa Art Gallery is situated in Bangalore, India, in the vicinity of Cubbon Park and next to the Bangalore Museum as well as the Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum. It attracts artists and art lovers from all over Karnataka.

What visitors are saying for Venkatappa Art Gallery?

“Beautiful paintings and sculptures, nice way to spend an afternoon.”

“Nice collection, worth a visit for art connoisseur.”

“The art gallery is very attractive place of red coloured building.”

6. Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace

Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, in Bangalore, India, is an example of Indo-Islamic architecture and was the summer residence of the Mysorean ruler Tipu Sultan. Hyder Ali commenced its construction within the walls of the Bangalore Fort, and it was completed during the reign of Tipu Sultan in 1791. After Tipu Sultan’s death in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War, the British Administration used the palace for its secretariat before moving to Attara Kacheri in 1868. Today the Archaeological Survey of India maintains the palace, which is located at the center of Old Bangalore near the Kalasipalyam bus stand, as a tourist spot. Entry fee is ₹20 for Indian citizens, while for foreign visitors is ₹200.

The structure was built entirely teak and stands adorned with pillars, arches and balconies. It is believed that Tipu Sultan used to conduct his durbar from the eastern and western balconies of the upper floor. There are four smaller rooms in the corners of first floor which were Zenana Quarters. There are beautiful floral motifs embellishing the walls of the palace. The site also holds a painting of grand throne visualized by Tipu Sultan himself.

What visitors are saying?

“The palace has a great photo gallery illustrating the Hyder Ali Tipu empire.”

“Good indo-islamic architecture.”

“The palace is made of polished teakwood and looks stunning.”

7. Commercial Street

Commercial Street is a street in Bangalore, the state capital of Karnataka, India. One of the oldest and busiest shopping areas of the city, the street is famous for its trade in clothes, footwear, jewellery, electronics; and food joints. With only 75 parking slots available on the street for four-wheelers, the street is one of the most crowded in the city.

It’s expands between OPH road and K Kamraj road. the shopping locations extend to its bylanes including Dispensary Road and Abrahim Sahab street. Commercial Street lies in the heart of the city in the Central Business District area in Tasker Town, close to M G Road, another popular shopping area, and Russell Market in Shivajinagar. 

What visitors are saying?

“Also good for party ware shopping at cheap rate.”

“This is one of the best Bangalore cloth market!”

“A good place for all the brand lovers and shoppers.”

8. ISKCON Temple Bangalore

Sri Radha Krishna-chandra Temple is one of the largest Krishna Hindu temples in the world. It is located at Rajajinagar, in North Bangalore in the Indian State of Karnataka. 

What visitors are saying?

“Worth the time we spend on each stone chanting the mantra.”

“Dont forget to get the delicious prasadam after darshan.”

9. Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum

The Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, Bangalore, India, a constituent unit of the National Council of Science Museums, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, was established in memory of Bharat Ratna Sir M. Visvesvaraya. The building, with a built up area of 4,000 m², was constructed in Cubbon Park. It houses various scientific experiments and engines, and was inaugurated by the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, on 14 July 1962. The first gallery set up at VITM, on the theme of ‘Electricity’, was opened to the public on 27 July 1965.

What visitors are saying?

“I would say it’s a must see visit for any science/technology enthusiast.”

“Best place for engineering students specially mechanical engineering students…”

“Biotechnology centre and fun science centre are very attractive.”

10. Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium Bangalore

Planetarium with shows in Kannada & English, plus a science center for educational activities.

It was built in 1979 and is situated beside Anand Bhavan the former residence of the Nehru-Gandhi family and now a museum. It is managed by the ‘Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund’ (established 1964), which has its headquarters at Teen Murti House, New Delhi.

What visitors are saying?

“Amazing place..Good shows.”

“It is a fantastic experience and the ticket prices are dirt cheap.”

“It’s a must visit place for kids to experience and learn about Solar System.”