‘Namma Bengaluru’ is an emotion to many including me. The place, people, weather, food and activities you get to experience in Bangalore is one of its kind. Anybody in my circle who is new to Bangalore and would like to visit, will ask me for what are the places that they can visit. Hence, I decided to create a blog post on the places to visit in Bangalore as my backyard travel list.
1. Iskcon Temple (Rajajinagar)
Internation Society of Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) was founded by a spiritual Guru referred to as Srila Prabhupada. The mission of Iskcon is to impart God Consciousness into human beings for a happy and peaceful life.
The main Iskcon temple is in Rajajinagar. It is huge and mostly crowded during weekends. You are not allowed to click pictures inside the temple where you see Radha Krishna idols. There are food stalls within the temple premises, as you exit. Food at Iskon is yummy and a must try.
How to reach Iskcon temple?
Commute from Majestic metro station: Take the green line metro to Sandal Soap Factory. Iskcon temple is a 10 min walk from the metro station.
2. Cubbon Park
My most favorite place to go to in Bangalore on any day would be Cubbon Park. It is a 300-acre green land with beautiful trees and is very well maintained. I can say that the city’s air quality is better mainly because of Cubbon Park being in the heart of the city.
Many marathons are conducted here during weekends. You can also see photoshoots, people doing Yoga, playing frisbee, walking, having potluck and people engaged in many community activities. There is also a dog park dedicated to pets within Cubbon park.
How to reach Cubbon Park?
Commute from Majestic metro station: Take the purple line metro to Cubbon Park/Vidhana Soudha
3. Vidhana Soudha
Vidhana Soudha is where Karnataka Legislative assembly meetings are held. This also houses the office of the Chief Minister and other key officials. It is very close to Cubbon Park and tourists are allowed to view the building from outside the Vidhana Soudha premises.
How to reach Vidhana Soudha?
Commute from Majestic metro station: Take the purple line metro to Vidhana Soudha
You can view the same location on your Google Maps.
4. Lalbagh Botanical Garden
Lalbagh is a 240-acre botanical garden which is at least 250 years old. You will find ornamental plants, Bonsai trees and many species of birds. There is a lake, Lotus ponds and glass houses where flower shows are setup within the Lalbagh premises. You will also always spot some schools who have brought their students for education purposes.
How to reach Lalbagh?
Commute from Majestic metro station: Green line metro to Lalbagh
5. MG Road, Brigade Road and Church Street
MG Road is one of the busiest streets in Bangalore filled with various kinds of shops and restaurants.
Brigade Road lies at the intersection of MG Road and Residency Road and it is a paradise for shoppers.
Church Street is a 750 m stretch from Brigade Road to St.Mark’s Road. There are various book houses, art galleries and restaurants.
You can see the same on your Google Maps.
Read also: Must Read Adiyogi Chikkaballapur Visitor Guide
6. Commercial Street
One of the oldest and busiest shopping streets in Bangalore. It is located very close to Shivaji Nagar shopping bazaar. You will find clothing, accessories, home décor, furniture and stationery items.
How to reach Commercial Street?
You can walk from MG Road metro station to Commerical Street.
You can find the same on your Google maps.
Is Commercial Street and Shivaji Nagar the same?
People new to Bangalore get confused between Shivaji Nagar and Commercial Street. Please note that Commercial Street is a lane full of branded stores to shop in the area called Shivaji Nagar. Shivaji Nagar has a market as well which is huge and you will find everything from utensils, shoes, clothes, food, stationery, furniture, accessories etc.
7. Bangalore Palace
The Bangalore Palace is located within its 454 acres of land. The palace spreads across one acre of land and it is surrounded by greenery. The palace grounds are rented out for events, concerts and parties. There are movies that have been shot in the palace as well.
Timing: 10 AM to 5.30 PM (Closed on Sundays)
How to reach Bangalore Palace?
You can take any bus with the number 114, which will take you to the Ganesha Temple stop near the palace.
8. Bull temple Basavangudi
You will find the old charm of Bengaluru in Basavangudi area and the big bull temple (Dodda Basavana Gudi in Kannada) is one of the oldest with a 15 feet tall and 20 feet long bull (Nandi). The Nandi is said to have been carved out of black granite. Whenever I visit this temple I feel happy and peaceful.
Timing: 6 AM to 8 PM
9. Visweswaraya Museum
If you are interested in Science and Technology then you should consider visiting Bangalore’s Visweswaraya museum. It is fun for kids and science enthusiasts. It is conveniently located within the Cubbon Park premises.
Timing: 9 am to 6 PM
How to reach Visweswaraya Museum?
You can take a metro to Cubbon Park/Vidhana Soudha and from there you can walk to the museum.
10. Bannerghatta National Park
If you are going to Bangalore with kids then Bannerghatta National Park is a must visit. I highly recommend you take the safari. Tickets can be booked online as well.
Timing: 9.30 AM to 5 PM (Closed on Tuesdays)
How to reach Bannerghatta National Park?
There is no direct metro train or bus from Majestic bus stand to Bannerghatta Zoo. You either have to take 2 buses or switch between a metro train and then a bus.
You can find the bus route to Bannerghatta here.
11. VV Puram Food Street
If you are a vegetarian foodie and love to have Indian street food, then this should be your go to place. It is located very close to Lal Bagh.
This food street serving yummy mouthwatering delicacies is always crowded. You can have both South Indian and North Indian items and some Indian Chinese. You will find food starting from Idli, Dosa, Upma, Paddus to Dabelis, Parathas, Fried rice and Noodles.
Timing: 12.30 PM to 1 AM
12. Breweries
If you are visiting the pub capital of India then your visit cannot end without you visiting at least a brewery. Toit is the most famous and one of the oldest. That was my first brewery experience in Bangalore but I later also felt that it was over hyped. There are many new and better breweries with amazing ambience in Bangalore which you can try. Below are my top 5 choices out of all the breweries I have visited.
- Iron Hill (Marathahalli)
- Byg Brewski (Sarjapur)
- Long Boat Brewing Company (Marathahalli)
- Communiti (Brigade Road)
- BLR Brewing Co. (Whitefield)
Read also: My other blog posts from Karnataka
