Tourist destinations in Karnataka

Best Time: September to February

Hampi is a destination earmarked for every backpacker's trail and has been a flourishing tourist spot. All this is for good reason since Hampi is considered as a prestigious heritage spot and is even recognized by the UNESCO World Heritage site. There is something truly magical about this place that is tough to pinpoint. Maybe it is the landscape composed of surreal boulders, interspersed with lush paddy fields, and juxtaposed with the ancient ruins of thi....

Best Time: Throughout the year except monsoons

A sleepy Brahmin Temple Town, blessed with serene beaches, Gokarna is a mixed bag of religious rendezvou and a hippie abode. Attracting thousands of national and international tourists, both piligrims and backpackers, Gokarna is dream destination for so many different reasons.  On the western coast of India in the Kumta taluk of Northern Karnataka region, Gokarna is the new and emerging favourite in beach towns. Open beaches, undiscovered caves,....

Best Time: October to March

Coorg ( also knows as Kodagu ) is a popular hill station in Karnataka. It is a popular weekend getaway destination from Bangalore and Mysore. Coorg is known for coffee plantations, forests, rivers and hills. Coorg is one of the top destinations in Karnataka Tourism. It is among the places in India which receive the highest rainfall. River Cauvery originates near Talacauvery in Kodagu. Coorg has a weather which is pleasant throughout the year which makes it....

Best Time: Throughout the year

Mysore ( also known as Mysuru ) is a city in Karnataka. It is the cultural capital and second most important city of Karnataka. Mysore is a very popular weekend getaway from Bangalore and Kerala. It is unavoidable in Karnataka Tourism. Mysore is known for its palaces, gardens and annual celebrations of Dusshera. It is well connected with other cities in India via road and railways. 

Best Time: October to June

Nandi Hills is a hill station in Karnataka. It is a popular one-day trip destination from Bangalore.  There are temples, a bungalow and a Kalyana Mantap on top of the hill. It gets its name from the ancient Nandi or bull which is meant to be the mount of Lord Shiva. These hills are the source of the rivers Palar, Arkavati, and Pennar. It was one of the Tipu's summer retreats. There are about 1,200 steps laid from the foot of the hill to reach the top.....

Best Time: October to March

A place which is dwelled into the aesthetics and adventure named Anthargange is one of the most beautiful mountain ranges which is located in Shathashrunga, Karnataka. It is in Kolar District of Karnataka. This spot is a 70km drive from Bangalore which makes it an ideal getaway spot for the people living there.   The place depicts the nature’s art and beauty as it is a destination which comprises of volcanic formations and intens....

Best Time: All through the year. 

The first of its kind, this is a school dedicated entirely to dance. It is a world in itself. Traditional dance forms from all the corners of the country are practiced and taught here. It is an international community of dancers that took the shape of a residential dance village and school. They follow the age-old Gurukul system where they work to cultivate food for themselves and their Gurus and participate in the maintenance of the Gurukul. Apart fr....

Best Time: October to February

A small town in the Hassan district of Karnataka, listed as a World Heritage Center, Halebidu is a gem of Indian architecture.This city with a glorious past is known for its temples, shrines and sculptures. Once the glorified royal capital of the Hoysala kingdom, this city is now in ruins and yet a major tourist attraction. The ruined Hoysaleswara Temple, the glorious idol of Nandi Vahana, the open air museum, the dancing girl statues ....

Best Time: October-February

When one hears the word ‘hill station’, Madikeri is one place that comes to mind. Lush greenery, lofty hillocks and lovely weather are not enough to describe this town, that is a part of the Kodagu or Coorg district. It sits on the eastern part of the Western Ghats, aptly known as the ‘Scotland of India’. Madikeri, being 260 km from Bangalore, constitutes a very unique culture and people. The people of this hill town speak Kodava ....

Best Time: October to March

The southern part of India has many hidden treasures when it comes to beautiful terrain and historical importance. Once such gem is the Bijapur. A city of extreme royal signifincance and the home to the Gol Gumbaj. Besides Gol Gumbaj there a number of other monuments showcasing India’s rich heritage whether it comes to regal architecture or grandeur. Bijapur is the ideal tourist location for those looking tk peek into the royal era. The largest dome....

Best Time: October to January

A high-range tourist destination which literally means the face of a horse, named after the famous hill that resembles the same. This small town is a masterpiece of nature, with folding hills of the Western Ghats covered with short green grass, and valleys lined with thick clusters of forests. Wild springs, seasonal waterfalls, the beautiful Bhadra River, the breathtaking cascade of Hanuman Gundi, there are many more attractions that compels a tr....

Best Time: September to March

Pattadakl is a World Heritage Site along the banks of Malaprabha river in Bagalkot district of Karnataka. Pattadakal is famous for its temples. It is an ideal destination for family trips and for people interested in archeology and architecture. 

Best Time: Novemeber to February

Literally meaning the Cobra River, this park snakes through lushy forests and gayly flowing streams. This national park located in Mysore and Kodagu district, is one of India's first Tiger Reserves along with Bandipur Tiger Reserve. The park comes under ‘Project Tiger’, the objective of which, is to preserve endangered wildlife species and also it is under consideration by UNESCO World Heritage Committee for s....

Best Time: July-September

Shivanasamundram situated in the banks of the river Cauveri, is an ideal destination for those who want to see nature at full work. Asia’s first hydroelectric power stations are located in this quaint village in Mandya district at the state of Karnataka, India. At a distance of 132 km. from Bangalore, the small tourist place is accessible by buses and personal cabs since it doesn’t have any train station. Shivanasamundram also known as the inla....

Best Time: October-March

Situated in the core of the state of Karnataka, Davangere lies on National Highway 4, which is also connected with all the neighboring cities. Legends have it that the city of Davanagere or Davangere was established when one of the Chalukya rulers made a pitstop here while on his voyage. The area came to be known as Danivina Kere signifying "lake for the parched people". Afterward, the name changed into Davanagere. Be that as it may, there are no lake or v....

Best Time: June-September

Popular as one of the highest waterfalls in India, Jog Falls is located in Karnataka and is a major tourist destination. Falling at a drop height of 253 meters, it is one of the most majestic falls that is created on Sharavathi River, in the Shimoga district of Karnataka. The Sharavathi River originates at Ambuthirtha in Thirthahalli taluka, and then flows north-west through the Western Ghats. The river then falls forming the Jog Falls before joining the A....

Best Time: September-February

Bheemeshwari is located in the Mandya District of Karnataka and around 2 hrs. away from Bengaluru. The small riverside town has become a favored holiday and weekend destination for adventure and nature loving tourist. Away from the noise and pollution of the bustling city life, Bheemeshwari let you enjoy the rural lifestyle with bullock carts paving the road and nature in its full bloom. The small town is famous for fishing and tourist enjoy the trekking a....

Best Time: Throughout the year

Chikmagalur (literally means The Land of Younger Daughter) is one of the most popular hill stations in Karnataka. It is known for its vast coffee plantations and in fact is the first place in India to cultivate coffee. Chikmagalur is a popular weekend getaway from Bangalore as it is just 240km ( can be covered in about 3-4 hours ) away. It is in the foothills of Mullayanagiri range. Sightseeing includes Bhadra Wildlife sanctuary which is a tiger reserve. C....

Best Time: October to March.

Once a hunting reserve for the Maharaja of Mysore in the 1930s, now the Bandipur National Park is a tiger reserve located in Chamrajanagar, Karnataka. Bandipur is a part of a belt of forests that houses the highest number of tigers in the whole of India. It is part of the Nilgiris Biosphere and is about 80kms from Mysore, Karnataka. In 1941, it became the Venugopal Wildlife Sanctuary and came under Project Tiger in 1973. The park now covers 874 kms2 a....

Best Time: July-Feburary

In the district of Kogadu, Karnataka is a forest camp nestling along the river Kaveri called Dubare. The very less explored Dubare is also known as an elephant camp.  It is a very important hub for the Karnataka Forest Department's elephants. Dubare is also a popular tourist attraction as visitors come, watch and also get involved in various activities with these elephants. This place is settled in the dense green forest surrounded with backwaters all....

Best Time: September-February

Sophisticated beauty with elegance in its every wake and well maintained natural surroundings makes Kemmanagundi the hill station of your dreams. Lying in Tarikere Taluk of Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka, this beautiful hill station was once the summer palace of the Maharaja of Mysore Sri Krishnarajendra Giridhama, hence also giving the hill station its name of Sri Krishnarajendra Hill Station in honor of his highness. The hill station is surrounded ....

Best Time: October - December, March - April

Honnemaradu is a small village, situated on the backwaters of the river Sharavathi. It derives its name from the 'Honne' tree. However, its name translates to 'Golden Lake'. Its main highlight is the Honnemaradu Reservoir, which also has a small island in the middle. Being such an ideal spot, it attracts a lot of campers, especially from the nearby places, as still a lot of people outside Karnataka don't know about the existence of this place.  Honne....

Best Time: Oct - May

Mrududeshwar is a coastal town in Karnataka which is famous for Murudeshwar temple. Murudeshwar is another name for the Hindu god Shiva. It lies on Arabian Sea coast. Murudeshwar is a religious site which likewise fills in as the associating point for well known scuba jumping goal Netrani. Murudeshwar is home to the second tallest statue of Lord Shiva on the planet. With the shining Arabian Sea on three sides and the heavenly Western Ghats forcing the....

Best Time: October-Feburary

A small district in Karnataka, Ramnagaram is known for its rocky outcroppings and lush green surroundings. Earlier called as Shamserabad, during the ruling of Tipu Sultan, Ramnagaram finds its origin from the once existed village Ramnagiri at the foothills of Ramadevarabetta. This town has an Agrahara on the left bank of the Arkavati with a temple of Arkeshwara built in later Vijayanagara style. People of Bangalore often come here for weekend getaways for....

Best Time: October - March

Glory and gore go together and so proves the legend of a village in Karnataka. Stories claim that Lord Parshuram, after honurably avenging the death of his father, came to the river Malaprabha to wash his blood-stained axe. As he washed his axe, the river turned red due to the colour of blood and a passer-by woman saw this. In terror, she screamed "Ayyo, hole!" in Kannada, which means "Oh, dear, blood!" and hence the village was called - "Aihole" Once upo....

Best Time: March- May

Savandurga is a hill situated in the state of Karnataka. It is located in the Ramnagara district and is at a distance of around 60 km from the city of Bangalore. It is a part of the Deccan plateau and is one of the largest monolith hills in Asia. The Arkavathi River passes nearby through the Thippagondanahalli reservoir. Savandurga has two hills, Black Hill, locally known as Karigudda, and White hill, locally known as Biligudda. The area is also known for ....

Best Time: Monday to Sunday 6:00 am - 7:00 pm

  Shivagange is a mountain top with tallness of 1368 meters and Hindu journey focus situated close Dobbaspet, in Bangalore Rural region India. It is arranged 20 km from the town of Tumkur and 54 km from Bangalore. The hallowed mountain is formed as a shivalinga and a spring streams close privately called "Ganga", This place is having different temples, for example, Gangadhareshwara temple, Sri Honnadevi Temple, Olakal Teertha, Nandi Statue, P....

Best Time: October-March

Bidar is situated in the northeastern part of the territory of Karnataka, in the southern district of India and is found 2,200 feet above sea level on a level sitting above the Manjira river valley. When viewed as the most prospering urban areas of South India, particularly between the eleventh and sixteenth century, today Bidar is pressed with examples of incredible structural wonders adding appeal to the city. Being the focal point of intensity of numero....

Best Time: July-March

Situated in the Bagalkot area of North Karnataka in India, Badami was some time ago called Vatapi. Badami Chalukyas had this spot as its capital between 540 AD and 757 AD. This spot is very famous for its cavern sanctuaries that are made of sandstone rocks which encompass the Agastya Lake. Three amongst the four cavern temples are devoted to divinities of Hinduism and one temple is committed to Jainism. Stone worked stairs inside, interfaces these cavern s....

Best Time: June-February

Chikballapur town lies around 57 km from Bangalore, Karnataka and is the district head office of the Chikballapur region. This district, which was beforehand a piece of Kolar area, has many captivating vacation spots giving chances to touring, trekking and exploring nature as well as man-made attractions. There are numerous places like Nandi Hills, Skandagiri Hills, Temples of Bhoganandishwara and Yoganandiswara which are known for its intricate design and....

Best Time: November- March

BR Hills, also known as BIligirirangana Hills, is located in the state of Karnataka. It lies in the Chamarajanagar district. The nearest city is Mysore, which is located at a distance of around 80 km. The hills lie at a spot where the eastern and the western ghats meet and create a diverse eco-system. Biligirirangana Hills derive its name from the Rangaswamy Temple, which is located on the top of a white cliff. The hill hs a wide variety of Flora and Fauna....

Best Time: September- March

Maravanthe is a village and has a beach and is located in Karnataka. It is locted in the Udupi district. While crossing The National Highway (NH17) that passes from a very close distance, the Arabian Sea can be seen on one side and the Sauparnika River with with Kodachadri Hills forming the backdrop can be seen on the other side. Fishing is the main activity of the people of this place; however the economy is not very flourished because the infrastructure ....

Best Time: From October to January.

Located in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka is the picturesque little town of Dandeli. But the adjective “little” doesn’t even begin to describe what Dandeli has to offer. From nature walks and bird watching for the solace seeker in you to kayaking and river crossing for your adventures side. Legend has it that Dandeli got its name from a king named Dandakanayaka who passed through the forest and named them after himself. This lit....

Best Time: March-May

Once a private chasing territory for the British, this popular wildlife goal has a rich assortment of widely varied vegetation making it a stunning place of interest. A standout amongst the best-untamed life sanctuaries in Karnataka, the Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary was at one time a private chasing region for the British. Today, it pulls in sightseers from everywhere. It is an absolute necessity to see for all nature lovers and those searching for an ideal e....

Best Time: September-April

A gateway to the Konkan Coast and the Kodagu District, Mangalore is a blend of the modern intricacies and the ethnic affair of the coastal region. Known as one of the cleanest city of India, Mangalore is nestled between the Arabian Sea at one side and the Western Ghats on the other side in the Karnataka state. This vibrant city is a famous tourist destination, due to its molded diversity of rich culture and natural beauty. The picturesque city of Mangalore....

Best Time: July-January

Shimoga, situated in the territory of Karnataka is a genuine pearl of nature and picturesque landscape. Shimoga is a nature's blessing, spread with cascades, charming characteristic view of slopes, thick timberlands, verdure and fauna, strongholds, influencing palms and bottomless paddy fields make for beautiful districts. With five noteworthy waterways moving through the region, the Shimoga locale is exceptionally fruitful and is known as the bread crate ....

Best Time: January to December

A Pilgrim destination in Karnataka which is famous amongst Vaishnava, Shaiva and Jaina communities, Dharmasthala is known for its Dharamsthala Temple.  It houses various shrines such as Shiva, Manjunatha, Dharma Daivas etc. Dharmasthala literally means the Land of Charity and has a scenic beauty that keeps you mesmerized. The temple is quite unusual as it is run by a Jain administration and the poojas are done by a Hindu priest of the Madhva order. No....

Best Time: November-February

Hassan is located187kms from Bangalore lying in the Malnad and Maidan region of Karnataka. The city gets its name from its managing Goddess Hassanamba which in the Kannada language signify 'Grinning mother'. Attributable to its old temples and landmarks, this city is regularly called the temple - design capital of Karnataka. Found by the chieftain Channa Krishnappa Naik in the eleventh century, Hassan city is the base camp of the Hassan region in Karnataka....

Best Time: October- March

Srirangapatna is a town in Karnataka. It is located in the Mandya district. It is an island town and is surrounded by the river Kaveri. The monuments of this place are nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The place derives its name from the well known Ranganathaswamy Temple and this place is an important place of pilgrimage for the Vaishnavites. Some of the places of interest in this place are Sri Rangnathaswamy Temple, Daria Daulat Bagh, Tupu Sultan....

Best Time: October to March 

Snuggled on the banks of river Tunga, Sringeri also named Sri Kshetra Shringeri is a hill town positioned in Chikkamagluru district in the state of Karnataka. The place is home to of the very initial Matha called Sringeri Sharada Peetha. The Matha was installed by Adi Shankara who was a prominent Hindu theologian and exponent of the Advaita Vedanta theory, in the 8th century C.E. It is located on the banks of the river Tunga. The title ....

Best Time: October-March

Kukke Subrahmanya is a town situated in the Sullia Taluk of southern Karnataka. The town is arranged on the banks of the Kumaradhara River. Kukke Subrahmanya is a famous goal of religious significance with a few sanctuaries situated in the district devoted to various divine beings. The principal sanctuary situated here is of Subrahmanya that is committed to the Snake God Vasuki and Lord Subrahmanya. Guests need to cross the stream of Kumaradhara to achieve....

Best Time: October to February Peak Season: December to January

Karwar is a coastal town in Karnataka which is known for its unexplored beautiful beaches. Karwar got its name from the adjacent town of Kadwad. Kade implies last and wado implies territory. Prior to Indian autonomy, the name Karwar was spelt Carwar. This is an old city significantly utilized for the ocean exchange, visited by the Arabs, Dutch, Portuguese, French and later the British. Amid the eighteenth century, this city was a piece of the Maratha ....

Best Time: October to April

Sravanabelagola is famous for its Jain temple. Shravanabelagola is a holy place for Jains. Their Guru is residing here in a Mutt. There is a Sanskrit Patashala to study Sanskrit and Shastras.

Best Time: October-March

Socially rich, a fortune trove of entrancing nature, and environ of otherworldliness characterize this sanctuary town of Kundapur, the best. Lying on the western coast, the town is flanked by water bodies on three sides, for example, Panchgangavalli River in the north, Kalaghar River in the east and Arabian ocean and pleasant Kodi backwaters in the west. Getting its name from Kundeshvara sanctuary, the town of Kundapur claims a rich and wonderful past. Onc....

Best Time: October-March

Known mainly because of its long stretch of beaches and sacred pilgrimage temples, Udupi is a breathtaking coastal town of Karnataka situated between viridescent mountain ranges of the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. Richly steeped in mythology, the town is the birthplace of the prominent philosopher and Guru, Sri Madhavacharya who is well known for establishing the frenetically revered Astha Mathas and the famed Krishna Temple. Along with it, the encha....

Best Time: November to March 

Talakadu is a desert-like town located on the left bank of the Kaveri river in Karnataka, India. It is a perfect place for weekend trips from Bangalore as it is nearby areas as well. Travellers can behold the legacy of the city that yet flashes in its age-old monuments. Talakad is also famous for five Shiva temples, and several other temples that are said to be sprawling beneath the sand. The Pathaleshwara Temple, the Maruleshwara Temple, the Vai....

Best Time: November-March

Kumta can be categorized as a beachside coastal town located in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. Kumta is a stopover between Gokarna and Murudeshwara and home to some idyllic beaches for offbeat travellers seeking a peaceful countryside stay. The little town of Kumta comes with stunning sceneries, rich culture and impressive monuments making it a memorable experience to visit. The highlight of the town is the Om beach and the Gokarna Temple that lies ....

Best Time: September-March

Karkala is a vibrant religious town and a renowned verifiable centre, situated in Udupi area of Karnataka. This is a place that is known for sculptors where one can discover the mix of devotion and nimbleness of fanatical artists drawing the stone into lively sculptures. The town additionally fills in as a significant religious place for Jains and Hindus and has been announced as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The rulers of that era constructed a few Jai....

Best Time: December- February

Kotagiri, als known as Kothagiri, in a hill station in the state of Tamil Nadu. It falls in the Nilgiri District. It is a moderately populated and the third largest hill station in the Nilgiri hills. The different villages that fall in the territory of the hill station are Hittakkal, Aracode, Denad, Hallimoyar, Jackanarai etc. The term Kotagiri means line of mountain of the Kotas. The hills station used to be the summer resort of the British and has one of....