There are times when life seems too exhausting, with tight deadlines bringing stress & other health issues. Hence, taking a weekend break is necessary to give your life a new kickstart by visiting fascinating places. Even if it means taking a fake sick leave, go for it to spare quality time with your loved ones to escape from a monotonous life. Bangalore is one such city famously called the Silicon Valley of India that has everything to offer its travellers. But today, we will list iconic places near Bangalore that can be explored in your short vacation plan.
Before we list these places, let us have an overview of the capital city of Karnataka. Also known as Bengaluru, it is a hub for the IT sector, & is a famous tourist destination. This bustling metropolitan city welcomes people to witness its lush green beauty, which is why it is known as ‘Garden City’. You will have no reason to miss anything in this city, which is well-known for amazing nightlife, food joints, multiple shopping centres, & seamless adventure opportunities.
Places near Bangalore that are the perfect escape from your monotonous schedule
There are many places to visit in Bangalore to make your vacation filled with joy. These include Cubbon Park, Lumbini Gardens, Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, etc. But apart from exploring the top tourist attractions here, you can also enjoy your weekend exploring the places closer to Bangalore. These are:
Skandagiri
Also known as Kalavara Durga, Skandagiri is a place to experience trekking activity that leads you to the top of the hill where you can spot the 18th-century fort built during the reign of Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan & also a temple that remains stranded. Ghati Subramanya, Nehru Nilaya, Grover Zampa Vineyards, Bheemeshwara Temple, Papagni Mutt, & Nrityagram are some of the main attractions here.
- Distance from Bangalore: 60 km
- Best time to visit: November to March
Bannerghatta National Park
Bannerghatta National Park comes as an ideal retreat for wildlife lovers. Located on the outskirts of Bangalore, this wildlife sanctuary is a must place to visit with your kids as it houses a children’s park, zoo, butterfly park, museum, a crocodile park, Champaka Dhama Swamy temple, a forested elephant sanctuary, & Suvarnamukhi hills. Sponsored by PETA India, the species to spot here include Bengal tigers, zebras, rhinoceros, sloth bears, bison, white tigers, panthers, & porcupines.
- Distance from Bangalore: 21 km
- Best time to visit: October to February
Nandi Hills
Other than exploring the top tourist attractions in Bangalore, Nandi Hills is one beautiful place to visit for its stunning landscapes, monuments, & temples. The place holds a historical significance as it served as a summer retreat for Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan. Other reasons to explore Nandi Hills are its scenic viewpoints, lush greenery, cycling routes, paragliding, & trekking trails.
- Distance from Bangalore: 60 km
- Best time to visit: September to February
Kanakapura
Kanakapura is a destination located on the banks of the Arkavati River. It is a place to explore for its waterfalls, mountains, lakes, & forests. Encircled by Turahalli Forest, this place makes an ideal spot to do camping for wildlife enthusiasts. Innovative Film City, Shivagiri Kshetra Shivaldappana Betta, Jungle Themes, Kabbaladurga, & Bananthimari Hill are some of the major tourist attractions to explore here.
- Distance from Bangalore: 69 km
- Best time to visit: October to April
Kokkare Bellur Bird Sanctuary
Kokkare Bellur Bird Sanctuary is a great place for birdwatchers, as they spot the rarest bird species, including the painted storks, also called Kokkare, in their native language. The bird sanctuary is named after these birds as they are large in numbers here. Other than these, the birds you will spot here are Grey Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Indian Pond Heron, Little Cormorant, Black Ibis, & Little Cormorant.
- Distance from Bangalore: 87 km
- Best time to visit: November to June
Ramanagara
Visiting Ramnagara will be a special place for you to visit from Bangalore, as it will remind you of the popular Hindi film Sholay, especially the scene of Gabbar in the Rocky Mountains. But other than this cult movie, this place is well-known for Mysore Pak & for the silk and cocoon industry, which is why it is known as Silk City. There is a giant statue of Lord Hanuman when entering Ramadevara Betta Vulture Sanctuary. The other noted sightseeing spots here are Savandurga, Mekedatu, Ramadevara Betta Hills, & Chunchi Falls. This region is also best for trekking & camping.
- Distance from Bangalore: 50 km
- Best time to visit: November to May
Savandurga
Last on the list is Savandurga, also one of the iconic places near Bangalore. It is famous for its giant monolith at 1226 metres above sea level. It is an ideal travel destination for exploring caves & rock climbing. Known to be one of the most significant rock formations in Asia. Billi Gudda, Thippagondanahalli reservoir, Karigudda, temples, & Manchaneble dam (best for adventure activities, water sports, & popular views) are some popular spots to explore here.
- Distance from Bangalore: 50 km
- Best time to visit: November to May
Top hotels to stay in Bangalore to explore nearby places
To enjoy your vacation visiting the places near Silicon City, you need to look for comfy accommodation. Well, there are top hotels & resorts to search for; let us bring you 3 best suggestions for your luxury stay in Bangalore, starting with:
jüSTa Indiranagar, Bangalore
jüSTa Indiranagar is one of the best hotels in Indiranagar. It welcomes its travellers to have a lavish stay at its 21 spacious rooms infused with unique amenities, making it a convenient & extended stay for family vacationers & lone travellers.
The hotel invites you to have a memorable dining experience with a range of cuisines, including Chinese, Continental, Indian, & Coastal, at its multi-cuisine rooftop restaurant, one of the top Bangalore restaurants. The restaurant’s ambience is encircled with lush greenery making it visually appealing for the diners at the seating area.
jüSTa MG Road, Bangalore
The next option for your comfy stay in Bangalore is jüSTa MG Road. It is a luxury boutique hotel in Bangalore, appealing with its exceptional hospitality, stylish accommodations, & top-notch amenities. With 18 luxurious rooms & suites adorned with beautiful artworks, it matches the preferences of its visitors.
There is a rooftop restaurant providing authentic delicacies with Indian, Continental, & Chinese tastes. To sweeten your taste, there are heavenly desserts, & beverages of your choice. Being one of the top restaurants in MG Road Bangalore, it is worth admiring for its Burma teak furniture & plush ambience.
jüSTa Off MG Road, Bangalore
jüSTa Off MG Road is also a luxury business hotel in Bangalore. It features 12 beautifully designed rooms with cooking equipment, making it an ideal accommodation for both leisure & business travellers. The one primary reason to refer to it for your stay is its near distance to shopping centres, corporate offices, restaurants, & famous tourist attractions.
With indoor and outdoor seating options, the hotel welcomes its guests to indulge in delicious & authentic South Indian & regional cuisines served on their palates. It enables you to savour the iconic delicacies in Bangalore, including Thatte Idli, Puliyogare Flavoured Rice, Holige, Mysore Pak, Shawarma, Dal Obbattu, etc.
Conclusion
Bangalore is one of the popular travel destinations to visit during your weekends. The capital city of Karnataka is known as IT Hub, & is known by names such as Silicon Valley of India & Garden City due to its lush green surroundings. But there are also other iconic places near Bangalore to plan your visit. Today, we have given an overview of those places, & suggestions for your luxury stay in this metropolis wonder.