Karnataka attracts many travelers every year. The state was ranked third most popular state for tourism in India. And why not? With beautiful and diverse geography, historical legacy, bustling big cities like Bangalore and the rich cultural heritage Karnataka would be everybody’s favourite travel destination.

The state has many places of interest, with various activities that would appeal to different types of travelers. You would need many days to explore these places in the state. If you are traveling to and exploring India, Karnataka definitely needs to be a part of your itinerary and you would definitely keep on coming back to explore more ☺.

Following are some of the places and experiences we have listed. Based on your interests and time we could curate a personalized itinerary for you.

BANGALORE
The garden city, city of lakes, pub city, silicon valley of India – Bangalore has many names apart from it now being called Bengaluru.
One could live here for years yet keep on exploring the city and its ethos. There are multiple tours including walking tours with various themes, places, attractions and stories in the city that we organize. You could reach out to us to join an existing tour or to curate a customized tour for you.
Best Time To Visit: Throughout the year as Bangalore has pleasant and comfortable weather round the year.
Places To Visit: Bannerghatta National Park, Vidhan Soudha, Cubbon Park, Bangalore Palace, Lalbagh Glass Place, Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, Wonder La Amusement Park, ISKCON temple, and Aerospace Museum.
Around Bangalore: Nandi Hills, Lepakshi Temple (120 km North).
How To Get There: By Air (Kempegowda international Airport), Rail and Road.

MYSORE
Karnataka was carved from the Princely state of Mysore. The city of Mysore (now known as Mysuru) still maintains that royal aura with the royalty still staying there and celebrating festival like Dussehra with the same pomp and splendour. The Mysore Palace is the most visited monument in India after the Taj Mahal. Mysore is also famous for its silk sarees, sandalwood, the Zoo, Chamundeshwari temple and the unique and intricate architecture in the old buildings.
Best Time To Visit: Throughout the year, though it get slightly hot in the summer months of March-June.
Places To Visit: Mysore Palace, Mysore Zoo, Sri Chamundeshwari temple, Brindavan Gardens.
How To Get There: The city is well connected by rail and road. The nearest airport is the Bangalore International Airport, which is around 180 km away.

THE COASTAL KARNATAKA:

MANGALORE
Mangalore (or Mangaluru) is situated on the coast at the estuarine junction formed by River Netravati and River Gurupura on the Arabian Sea Coast.
Mangalore is a bustling city with unique character and sea food based cuisine with beautiful beaches.
Best Time To Visit: June to February
Places To Visit: Tannirbhavi Beach, Panambur Beach, Someshwara Temple, St. Aloysius Chapel, Mangaladevi Temple, Kadri Manjunath Temple, and Sammilan Shetty’s Butterfly Park are the major attractions.
How To Get There: By Air (Mangalore International Airport), Rail and Road.

KARWAR
Karwar is a beautiful beach town near the Karnataka-Goa border. Surrounded by the lush green hils of the Western Ghats only accentuates its natural. The town is called ‘Kone’ by the locals referring to the corner of the region around the River Kali.
It’s a pleasure to take a road trip and drive through Karwar where at various stretches you would be driving alongside the beautiful coast on one side and the back waters on the other.
Best Time To Visit: Throughout the year.
Places To Visit: Stroll at the Majali Beach, take a boat ride up to Kurumgad Island, and explore the historical remnants of Sadashivgad Fort. Do not miss the famous Durga Devi and Nagnath Temple.
How To Get There: By Air (Mangalore International Airport), Rail and Road.

GOKARNA
To live the beach life, to chill and to party, one doesn’t need to go to Goa anymore. Gokarna has it and more and with lesser crowds. Gokarna is also an important Hindu pilgrim hub with many age-old temples in its confines.
Best Time To Visit: Throughout the year (except for the monsoon months of June-September).
Places To Visit: Mahabaleshwar Temple, Maha Ganapati Temple, and Om Beach are the major crowd-pullers. Relax and enjoy the thrilling water sports like banana boat ride, snorkelling, and parasailing in the shimmering blue water of Gokarna.
How To Get There: By Air (Mangalore International Airport), Rail and Road.

MURUDESHWAR
This holy town has the second tallest statue of Lord Shiva located next to the beautiful beach on the blue Arabian sea. Apart from being a getaway destination, it is also popular for temples and forts. If you like water sports, you can go to Netrani island for scuba diving and snorkelling.
Best Time To Visit: Throughout the year (except for the monsoon months of June-September).
Places To Visit: Statue of Lord Shiva, Murudeshwar Temple, Netrani Island.
How To Get There: By Air (Mangalore International Airport), Rail and Road.

HISTORICAL AND ARCHITECTURAL MARVELS:

HAMPI
Located on the banks of Tungabhadra river, Hampi houses the well excavated remains of the glorious and wealthy Kingdom of Vijayanagara. A UNESCO Heritage site, it is a popular place for history buffs, architecture students and travelers alike, do not go back disappointed after seeing around 500 architectural structures with amazing craftsmanship.
It is believed that less than one-fourth of the city of Vijaynagara is excavated. So one could only visualize the wonder that once it would’ve been.
Best Time To Visit: October – February (when the weather is pleasant).
Places To Visit: Monkey Temple, Archeological Museum, Vijaya Vittala Temple, Royal Enclosure, Virupaksha Temple, Queen’s Bath, and Riverside Ruins among others.
How To Get There: Hampi is well connected. Hospet Junction is the nearest railway station to Hampi, at about 13 km from the place.
The nearest airport is at Hubli Airport at about 74 km from Hampi. Bellary Airport and Belgaum Airport are also nearby.

BADAMI, AIHOLE & PATTADAKAL
These UNESCO heritage sites are not to be missed if you are in Karnataka. Badami, formerly known as Vatapi, was the regal capital of the Chalukyas from AD 540 to 757. Famous for its rock cut temples and forts, the rocks around the city is a mecca for rock climbers in the country.
Aihole has historical connotation and is known as cradle of Hindu rock architecture. Moreover Pattadakal houses uniquely designed temples. It’s a set of places, which you must explore to understand the marvel of the place.
est Time To Visit: October – February (when the weather is pleasant).
Places To Visit: Badami is famous for Badami Fort, Buddha rock-cut Caves, and Bhootnath Temple. Aihole is known for Durga Temple, Lad Khan Temple, Archeological Temple, and Huchimalli Temple. Virupaksha & Papanatha Temple and Galaganatha Shrine are major attractions in Pattadakal.
How To Get There: All the three places are close by and can be reached from Hubli Railway Station, just 100 km away. Belgaum Airport is the nearest airport at a distance of 190 km.
Best Time To Visit: October – February (when the weather is pleasant).

BELUR AND HALEBIDU
Belur was the once capital of the Hoysala empire that ruled between the 10th and the 14th Century AD, before it was later moved to Halebidu.
The highlight of these ancient sites are the temples with unique Dravidian style of architecture that have intricate carvings that took around 100 years to finish.
Best Time To Visit: October – February (when the weather is pleasant).
Places To Visit: Chennakeshava Temple, Hoysala Emblem, Yagachi Dam, Kedareshwara and Hoyaleswara Temples.
How To Get There: Well connected by road. The nearest airport is Mangalore 168 km away and the nearest railway station in Chikamagalur.

SHRAVANABELAGOLA
An ancient and important pilgrimage centre for the Jains. Located between two hills Vindyagiri and Chandigiri, this temple is also known as Belagola. “Bela” refers to the colour white and “kola” refers to pond in Kannada language. The pace has a gigantic 57 m tall statue of Lord Gomateswars, popularly known as Bahubali.
It is believed that Chanakya after retiring from politics and spent his last days here at Shravanabelagola.
Best Time To Visit: October – March (when the weather is pleasant).
How To Get There: The nearest railway station in Shravanabelagola is at Hassan as most of the trains halt there. Apart from trains, Shravanabelagola is well connected through roads and the roads are well maintained. The nearest airport is Mysore that can be easily accessed by availing the cab service.

BIJAPUR
Bijapur represents the Deccan’s glorious Islamic era. A cultural hub for mosques, mausoleums, palaces and forts.
Bijapur is one of the popular tourist spots in Karnataka and a heart for the the Lingayat brand of Shaivism. The Lingayat Siddeshwara Festival is celebrated with full splendor for eight days in January and February here.
Best Time To Visit: October – March (when the weather is pleasant).
Places To Visit: Gol Gumbaz, Ibrahim Rauza, Malik-e-Maidan displaying Bara Kaman, Bijapur Fort, Jami Masjid, Gagan Mahal, and Upli Buruj.
How To Get There: Well connected by road, Bijapur has its own railways station and the nearest airport in Belgaum is 164 km away.

HILL STATIONS AND PLANTATIONS:

COORG
Coorg (or Kodagu) is one of the most popular getaways in Karnataka. Dotted with coffee plantations, lush green forests, mountains and perennial rivers Coorg is indeed very beautiful. The Coorgi culture and tradition is as welcoming as ever and the famed cuisine is at its hottest best.
There are many things to do right from adventure to just relaxing at a resort. You could trek along the winding trails of the coffee & spice plantations, visit elephant camp, coracle rides in the river, wildlife sanctuaries, monasteries, and local Madikeri market – all in all a wonderful getaway for you
Best Time To Visit: September – June (October-March if you want to go trekking).
Places To Visit: Abbey Falls, Iruppu Falls, Bylakuppe Monastery, the second biggest Tibetan settlement in India, Dubare Elephant Camp, and Nagarhole National Park.
For adventure and nature lovers, trek up to Brahmagiri Peak, Chettalli, and a thrilling coracle ride in the nearby river.
How To Get There: It is well connected by road and if you are driving from Bangalore, it is a very scenic drive throughout the journey. The nearest railway station is the Mysore railway station (106 km away) and the nearest airport is in Mangalore (135 km away), and the Bangalore Airport is 260 km away.

CHIKAMAGALUR
Situated at the foothills of Mullayanagiri range, Chikamagalur is the perfect place for a brief getaway. Surrounded by lush green forests, plantations, the hills and the Yagachi river you might even consider staying here longer.
Best Time To Visit: Although Chikmagalur has a cool and pleasant climate throughout the year, the best time to visit Chikmagalur is from September to May.
Places To Visit: Mahatma Gandhi Park, Coffee Museum, Mullayana Giri, Kudurekha Jamly.
How To Get There: It is well connected by road and if you are driving from Bangalore, it is a very scenic drive throughout the journey. The nearest railway station is the Chikamagalur railway station and the nearest airport is in Mangalore.

KOTAGIRI
A quaint and scenic hill station in the Nilgiri mountain range with the pleasant climate throughout the year. Along with the beautiful weather it has several coffee and tea plantations amidst the lush greenery.
Best Time To Visit: September – June (October-March if you want to go trekking).
Places To Visit: Catherine Water Falls, Nilgiri Mountain Railway Line, Longwood Shola Reserve Forest, Lamb’s Rock.
How To Get There: It is well connected by road and if you are driving from Bangalore, it is a very scenic drive throughout the journey crossing through Bandipur National Park. The nearest railway station is Mettupalayam and the nearest airport is in Coimbatore.

KUDREMUKH
The highlight of this hill station is the trek to the Kudremukh Peak (1894 m), which is a popular trekking route. Part of the Western Ghats biodiversity, this place has everything a nature lover would want.
Best Time To Visit: September – June (October-March if you want to go trekking).
How To Get There: It is well connected by road. The nearest railway station and airport is Mangalore, which is connected by road through buses and taxis.

NATURE AND WILDLIFE:

BANDIPUR AND NAGARHOLE NATIONAL PARK
Bandipur is a famous tiger reserve and bird sanctuary. Once a private hunting ground for Maharajas of Mysore, the national park is a habitat to rich varieties of flora and fauna like wild elephants, spotted deer, gaurs, and antelopes.
Adjacent to Bandipur is Nagarhole National park that is well known for Asiatic Elephants along with different species of birds, bisons and other wild animals.
Best Time To Visit: October – March.
Places To Visit:
Bandipur: Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple, Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple, Anjaneyar Temple, and Biligirirangan Hills.
Nagarhole: Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Rameshwara temple, Iruppu Falls.
Things To Do: Jeep Safari.
How To Get There: It is well connected by road. The nearest railway station is Mysore (80 km from Bandipur) and airport is Bangalore (220 km from Bandipur).

KABINI
Located on the banks of eponymous river (Kabini), on the periphery of Bandipur, Nagarhole and Rajiv Gandhi National Park
Kabini is one of the most picturesque places in Karnataka. Proximity to the National Parks has given the place enough opportunity for wildlife experience. There is quite a chance to spot tiger, leopards, wild elephants, various species of deers, and plenty of residential and nomadic birds, while boating in the river or on a wildlife safari in the nearby jungles.
Best Time To Visit: October – March.
Places To Visit:
Wildlife safari at Nagarhole National park, boating at Kabini River, exploring Kabini dam, and the hilly area of Kutta covered with coffee and spice plantations.
Things To Do: Jeep Safari, boating and other activities in the resort.
How To Get There: It is well connected by road. The nearest railway station is Mysore (10 km away) and airport is Bangalore (250 km away).

DANDELI
Nestled in a scenic hilly terrain surrounded with thick and lush green forests, Dandeli is also famous for adventure sports, night camps, nature walks, boating, and angling in Kali River.
An awesome place for adventurous person in you.
Best Time To Visit: October – March.
Places To Visit:
Explore Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, Shiroli Park, and Kavala caves for interesting experience.
Things To Do: Kayaking and whitewater rafting in River Kali.
How To Get There: It is well connected by road. The nearest railway station is Alnavar Junction (23 km away) and the nearest airport is Hubli (56 m away).

Apart from these there are other notable places to visit in Karnataka such as Shimoga, Jog Falls, Kemmanagundi, Srirangapatna Sringeri, Chitradurga Fort, Shivagange, Maravanthe and many more.