- Best time
- November to February
- Nearest airport
- Kempegowda International Airport
- Main railway stations
- KSR Bengaluru City, Yeshwantpur
- Language
- Kannada
A short history
The region was ruled in turn by the Gangas, Cholas and Hoysalas before Kempe Gowda, a chieftain under the Vijayanagara Empire, laid out the fort town in 1537. Later it passed to Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan and then to the British, who built a large cantonment. Space research, aviation, software and several national institutes have since made it one of India's largest cities.
What to see
Spend a day in the centre: the Vidhana Soudha, Cubbon Park and the museums around it are within walking distance. Lal Bagh, the botanical garden laid out under Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, has a famous glasshouse and an ancient rock outcrop. Bangalore Palace, finished in 1878 and modelled on Windsor Castle, holds paintings by Raja Ravi Varma.
- Bangalore Palace
- Lal Bagh Botanical Garden
- Cubbon Park
- Vidhana Soudha
- Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace
- ISKCON Temple
- Bannerghatta National Park
- Ulsoor Lake
- MG Road for shopping
Weather and best time
The city sits on the Deccan plateau at around 900 metres, so it rarely gets very hot or very cold. November to February is the pleasant season, with cool mornings and occasional fog in December and January. March to May is warmer, and the monsoon brings regular rain from June to September.
Getting around and getting there
Kempegowda International Airport, north of the city, has flights across India and abroad. The main railway stations are KSR Bengaluru City and Yeshwantpur, with long-distance trains using both. Government and private buses connect Bengaluru with Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Goa and every town in the state; the main bus stand faces the City station. Traffic can be slow, so allow extra time and use the Metro where you can.
Tips for your visit
Kannada is the state language, but English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu are widely understood. Keep a light jacket for winter evenings. From here, Mysuru, Nandi Hills and Coorg are easy additions, and we can plan a road trip that links them.
Places to see in Bangalore
SightBangaloreBangaloreAttara KacheriAttara Kacheri, Bengaluru: the red Gothic-style building opposite Vidhana Soudha, built 1864–68 and now home to the Karnataka High Court.
KarnatakaRead guide →
SightBangaloreBangaloreBangalore PalaceBangalore Palace: the Wadiyar family's Tudor-style residence, its ballroom and Durbar Hall, tour length, photo rules and how to get there.
KarnatakaRead guide →
SightBangaloreBangaloreBasavanagudi Vegetable, Fruit and Flower MarketThe old Basavanagudi market near Bengaluru's Bull Temple is a lively spot for fresh produce, jasmine garlands and a look at everyday city life.
Best: Early morning or late afternoonRead guide →
SightBangaloreBangaloreBull Temple (Dodda Basavana Gudi)Bull Temple, Basavanagudi, Bangalore: the giant monolithic Nandi, its legend, the Kadalekai Parishe groundnut fair and how to reach the shrine.
KarnatakaRead guide →
SightBangaloreBangaloreCubbon ParkCubbon Park is Bangalore's green lung since 1870: shaded walks, the State Central Library and quiet car-free mornings in the city centre.
KarnatakaRead guide →
SightBangaloreBangaloreDodda Ganapathi TempleDodda Ganapathi Temple in Basavanagudi, Bengaluru, houses an 18-foot monolithic Ganesha famed for its butter alankara, next to the Bull Temple.
KarnatakaRead guide →
SightBangaloreBangaloreGavi Gangadhareshwara TempleGavi Gangadhareshwara, Bengaluru's cave temple to Shiva, known for the Sankranti sunset that lights the lingam; timings, festivals and access.
Best: Makara Sankranti (January), Maha S…Read guide →
SightBangaloreBangaloreGovernment MuseumBangalore's Government Museum on Kasturba Road: the Halmidi inscription, Hoysala sculpture and the Venkatappa Art Gallery next door.
KarnatakaRead guide →
SightBangaloreBangaloreHAL Heritage Centre and Aerospace MuseumHAL Aerospace Museum, Bengaluru: India's first aerospace heritage centre, with aero engines, flight simulators and a model ATC tower.
KarnatakaRead guide →
SightBangaloreBangaloreISKCON TempleThe ISKCON Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Rajajinagar, Bengaluru: a modern hilltop temple with a gold-plated tower, chanting and a large book shop.
KarnatakaRead guide →
SightBangaloreBangaloreIndira Gandhi Musical FountainIndira Gandhi Musical Fountain on Raj Bhavan Road, Bangalore: evening water, light and music shows in landscaped grounds near the planetarium.
Best: Evening, for the light and music s…Read guide →
SightBangaloreBangaloreInfant Jesus ChurchVivek Nagar's Infant Jesus Church in Bengaluru: a popular Catholic shrine known for Thursday devotions, its January feast, and daily hours.
KarnatakaRead guide →
SightBangaloreBangaloreJamia MasjidJamia Masjid near City Market, Bangalore: the city's largest mosque, in white Rajasthan marble, with room for 10,000 worshippers. Visiting tips.
KarnatakaRead guide →
SightBangaloreBangaloreJawaharlal Nehru PlanetariumJawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, Bangalore: Sky Theatre shows, astronomy talks and science exhibits near Raj Bhavan, ideal for families and school groups.
KarnatakaRead guide →
SightBangaloreBangaloreKarnataka Chitrakala ParishathKarnataka Chitrakala Parishath in Bengaluru: art galleries, the Roerich paintings, Mysore painting and puppetry, and events through the year.
KarnatakaRead guide →
SightBangaloreBangaloreLal Bagh Botanical GardenLal Bagh in Bengaluru: 240 acres of trees and flowers, the Glass House flower shows, an ancient rock outcrop, a lake and birdlife to enjoy.
Best: November to FebruaryRead guide →
SightBangaloreBangaloreNational Gallery of Modern ArtNational Gallery of Modern Art, Bangalore: Indian art from the late 1700s in Manikyavelu Mansion on Palace Road, with gardens, library and cafe.
KarnatakaRead guide →
SightBangaloreBangaloreRagigudda Sri Prasanna Anjaneya TempleRagigudda Sri Prasanna Anjaneya Temple is a hilltop Hanuman shrine in south Bengaluru, famous for its 12-day Hanuman Jayanti and social work.
KarnatakaRead guide →
SightBangaloreBangaloreShivoham Shiva TempleShivoham Shiva Temple, Old Airport Road, Bangalore: the 65-foot seated Shiva, Jyotirlinga replicas, themed caves, timings and how to get there.
KarnatakaRead guide →
SightBangaloreBangaloreTipu Sultan's Summer PalaceTipu Sultan's teak Summer Palace and the remains of Bangalore Fort: what to see, the history, and how to get there in old Bengaluru.
KarnatakaRead guide →
SightBangaloreBangaloreVidhana SoudhaVidhana Soudha, Bengaluru: history of Karnataka's granite legislature building, its architecture, viewing tips and how to get there.
KarnatakaRead guide →
SightBangaloreBangaloreVisvesvaraya Industrial and Technological MuseumVisvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, Bengaluru: hands-on science galleries, the Wright Flyer replica, shows and tips for families.
KarnatakaRead guide →Also nearby
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