Ideal Places To Visit Near Bangalore

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The small island town of Shivanasamudra in the Mandya District, Karnataka, is home to the first Hydro-electric Power station in Asia, which was set up in the year 1902. The Shivanasamudra falls are listed amongst the top 45 waterfalls of the World. Located at a distance of 120km from Bangalore, these falls make for an ideal weekend getaway from the city.

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Mahabalipuram, located in Kancheepuram, is one of the oldest cities in India. It is also known as Mamallapuram. The city is known for its various stone carved monuments and ancient temples. UNESCO has listed the monumemts of Mahabalipuram as the World Heritage Site. This historically rich city is a must visit on the list of places near Bangalore.

You must have already decided by now, the places you are going to explore in your next getaway. All the places mentioned in the list are a must visit, even if youre not a travel freak. How can one afford to miss such beauty, lying just a few kilometers away from Bangalore?

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Ramanagara was popularized after the shooting of Sholay. The hilly landscape and the wide land with open space of unexplored and untouched nature make Ramanagara a beautiful escape from the monotonous routine we follow in our daily lives. Ramanagara is known as the 'Silk City' in Karnataka. Located at a distance of just 50 km from Bangalore, Ramanagara is the best option if youre looking forward to a short trip with your friend or family.

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The Nandi hills being elevated at an altitude of about 1,478 meter are considered as one of the best places for trekking near Bangalore. The hills get its name from the ancient Nandi or bull which is regarded as the mount of Lord Shiva. There are about 1,200 steps laid from foot of the hill to reach the top. Also known as Nandidurga, is a popular tourist spot, located 60 km from Bangalore.

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The ancient mountain fortress of Skandagiri is located 61kms from Bangalore. It lies close to Nandi hills at an altitude of about 1350 mt. Skandagiri is among the best places for trekking near Bangalore especially famous for night treks, camping and bird watching. The trek is considered to be a moderately difficult trek.

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The small town of Bheemeshwari, Mandya, situated 103km from Bangalore, is located between the Shivanasamudra Falls and Mekedatu on River Cauvery. Popular for trekking and other adventure sports, Bheemeshwari attracts a huge no. of tourists. Bheemeshwari is an ideal tourist spot for a weekend getaway trip for even a single day.

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The second largest city of Karnataka, which was ruled by Maharajas in the past, still retains its old world charm with its palaces, heritage buildings, traditions and temples. Mysore is known as the City Of Palaces. Elevated at an altitude of 763 meters surrounded by hill ranges from north to south and Situated 139 km from Bangalore, it is suitable for the people interested in viewing the cultural history of the city.

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Yelagiri hill is the closest hill station from Bangalore, elevated at a height of 3500 ft. These hills are surrounded by orchards, rose gardens and green valleys giving it a beautiful natural tint. Located at a distance of 178 km from Bangalore, this cluster of 14 hamlets attracts a large population of tourists. So when are you planning to visit there?

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Ooty is known as the Queen of Nilgiris. Elevated at an altitude of 2, 240 mt above sea level, it is a romantic Honeymoon destination. Newlyweds are often found there. The wide spread tea estates have made Ooty a popular tourist attraction. It is blessed with immense beauty; from Lofty Mountains to dense forest, sprawling grasslands to miles and miles of tea gardens that greet the tourists on most routes.

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Coorg is popularly known as the Scotland of India. Coorg is the Paradise of a nature lover. You can visit this (now official) Kodagu district at any time of the year, since it is blessed with a pleasant and misty climate throughout the year. Coorg has forest covered mountains, spice and coffee plantations, which enhance the breathtaking view of a Coorg landscape.

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The hill town of Yercaud, located in Salem District of Tamil Nadu is a captivating destination which is best suited for a romantic honeymoon, family vacation, or a trip with friends or colleagues. Yercaud has several hills and beauty blessed areas to explore. There are places that possess flaura and fauna in a pattern that is pleasing to the eye making this hill station a mesmerizing and enthralling holiday destination.

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Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. It is a religious hub of Hindus, for it is home to Virupaksha, Lakshmi Narasimha, Hemakuta Hill, Big Shivlinga and Vithala temples. UNESCO undertakes the architectural ruins of Hampi as a World Heritage Site. If you are a Rock-climbing enthusiast, you will be stuck on Hampi. For hampi is the bouldering capital of India, with ancient temple ruins all over the city, which makes for a matchless climbing experience. Is rock climbing your thing?

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The ancient city of Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh is famous for its temples that attract scores of Hindu devotees from all over the country. The city comprises of century old temples, which are a popular pilgrimage. Tirupati is home to the second oldest rock hills of tirumala in the World. Tirupati is located at a distance of 249 km from Bangalore.

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The hill town of Kodaikanal, elevated at a height of 7200ft, is one of the most sought after Honeymoon and holiday destinations in South India. This Princess of Hill stations, is situated in upper Palani hills of the Westernghats near Madurai in Tamil Nadu.

Kodaikanal has a lot to offer you; from its misty weather to the picturesque Landscape view, enhanced by the wooded forests and its pleasing view all through the year.

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Munnar is elevated at a height of 1700ft. With tea plantation sprawling across, Munnar attracts huge scores of adventure travelers, hungry for sports like paragliding, treks to Anaimudi (South India's highest peak) and hikes originating at the confluence of three mountain streams. There are other attractions to Munnar like the stone Christ Church, built by the British in 1910, Eravikulam National Park, about 10 miles away, which is home to colourful wildlife, including the endangered Nilgiri Tahr (ibex), ruddy mongoose and 120 bird species.

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Bannerghatta National Park is located at a distance of 23 km from Bangalore City Railway Station. This famous wildlife park attracts a huge number of tourists. Banerghatta National Park is located in the reserve forest of Anekal range that is spread on an elevation of 1245 - 1634 mt under the Bangalore Forest Division. This national park serves as a part of a wildlife corridor for elephants, which connects the BR Hills and the Sathyamangalam forest.

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Muthyala Maduvu is a small & adorable waterfall, with water flowing from a height of 100 Ft. It is popular amongst the tourists. It is located 43km from Bangalore, a visit to it would consume half a day. Muthyalu means Pearls and Maduvu means Pond or Pool in Kannada, thus it is also known as Pearl Valley.

This water fall flows amidst the hills, situated deep in the valley. The sight of this waterfall is naturally so fancy that it is an ideal picnic spot.

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The Ranganatha temple is a famous site of pilgrimage around Bangalore. This temple situated in Magadi is an ancient temple and a protected monument, located at a distance of 44.5 km from Bangalore City Junction. This temple dedicated to Lord Ranganatha, contains a standing image of Narayana, about 3 ft tall, in Vijayanagara style with Shankha, Chakra, Gada and Abhaya attributes in four hands.

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The Savandurga hills are counted amongst the largest monolith hills in Asia. They are also a part of Deccan plateau, elevated at a height of 1226 m above the sea level. Situated 48 km from Bangalore, these hills make an ideal spot for trekking and are best suited for a weekend getaway from the Bangalore city.

Savandurga comprise of two hills, the Billigudda and the Karigudda. They serve as the base for pilgrims who come to visit the Savandi Veerabhadreshwara Swamy temple and Narasimha Swamy temple, situated at the base of the hills.

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Penukonda Fort is a medieval fort situated at Penukonda in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. It is located at a distance of 142 km from Bangalore. The Penukonda fort is the main attraction of Anantpur. It reverberate magnificence of the ancient VijayNagar kingdom. If cultural history is what fascinates you, this place is a must visit.