Bangalore

Day Trips

Begin your day wandering the narrow lanes of Chickpet and KR Market, soaking in colorful stalls brimming with spices, flowers, and fresh produce. Pause at the majestic Bangalore Fort for a photo opportunity and a short history lesson about Tipu Sultan’s rule. Feel the early bustle as rickshaw wallahs and shopkeepers prepare for the day ahead.

Head towards the Crawford Hall and the Neo-Gothic St. Mary’s Basilica, admiring colonial architecture and stained-glass windows. Refuel with a traditional filter coffee at a local chai stall and savor crispy masala vadas. Stroll through the Maharani’s College campus to see heritage bungalows and shaded courtyards.

As dusk falls, join a guided walking tour to hear tales of the city’s founding by Kempe Gowda I. Stop for dinner at a heritage café serving Akki Roti and Bisi Bele Bath while listening to folk music. End your evening with a moonlit walk along the old city walls, reflecting on Bangalore’s layered past.

Start early at Lalbagh with the sunrise illuminating exotic blooms and centuries-old trees in India’s premier botanical garden. Join the morning birdwatching tour to spot sunbirds, parakeets, and the occasional peacock strutting along manicured pathways. Capture photos of the iconic glasshouse, modeled after London’s Crystal Palace.

Walk to Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace nearby, an elegant teak structure adorned with floral motifs and Persian windows. Learn about the Sultan’s era as you explore local exhibits of weaponry and royal artifacts. Grab a quick bite of masala dosa at a street-side stall before heading out.

Return to Lalbagh for the horticultural show if it coincides with your visit, marveling at floral sculptures and rare orchids. Enjoy a peaceful boat ride on the garden’s serene lake as the sun dips below the horizon. Conclude with a light dinner at a garden-facing café, savoring local desserts and aromatic teas.

Escape the heat in Cubbon Park, wandering shaded avenues flanked by banyan and Ficus trees. Snap Instagram-worthy shots at the Attara Kacheri courthouse backdrop and admire public sculptures along the way. Visit the State Central Library for a glimpse of its red-brick colonial façade.

Cross the road to the Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum and dive into interactive science exhibits on aerospace, fossils, and steam engines. Experiment with virtual reality demos and learn about Sir M. Visvesvaraya’s engineering genius. Recharge at the museum café with fresh fruit juices and sandwiches.

Stroll back through Cubbon Park as the setting sun filters through the canopy, illuminating manicured flowerbeds. Head to the nearby High Court circle for local street snacks like egg puff and sweet jalebi. Finish with an open-air performance at Ravindra Kalakshetra, enjoying classical dance or live music.

Kick off with a South Indian breakfast in Malleshwaram, sampling crispy ragi mudde and neer dosa at decades-old eateries. Explore the vibrant 8th Cross market, browsing fresh vegetables, aromatic spices, and traditional pickles. Chat with vendors about seasonal produce and regional cooking techniques.

Join a hands-on cooking class in a heritage home, learning to prepare dishes like Mysore masala dosa, kosambari salad, and coconut chutney. Discover the importance of local ingredients and ancestral recipes passed down through generations. Feast on the meal you cooked, paired with aromatic filter coffee.

Venture to VV Puram Food Street to dive into Bangalore’s famous evening snack scene. Savor chaat, pani puri, and unique innovations like chocolate dosa under strings of twinkling lights. End with a chilled glass of sugarcane juice or tender coconut while soaking in the lively atmosphere.

Depart pre-dawn for Nandi Hills to catch the spectacular sunrise from the hilltop fortress, where misty valleys stretch to the horizon. Take a short trek to the ancient Nandi Temple with its elaborately carved bull statue guarding the hill. Sip hot tea and local omelettes from vendors at the summit.

Descend to the lush foothills and visit the twin Bhoga Nandeeshwara temples, marveling at their Dravidian architecture and stone sculptures. Wander through the temple courtyard and learn about the legends of Lord Shiva and Nandi. Refuel at a roadside tiffin stall serving piping-hot idlis and sambar.

Return to Bangalore mid-evening and treat yourself to a lakeside dinner at Xtreme Sports Bar overlooking Ulsoor Lake. Lounge on the terrace with a mocktail while watching paddle boats glide by. Reflect on the day’s views as the city lights start to twinkle.

Begin with contemporary art at the National Gallery of Modern Art’s satellite space, discovering works by Indian and international artists. Engage with rotating exhibitions showcasing painting, sculpture, and photography. Relax with a cappuccino at the gallery café under high ceilings.

Stroll through the tree-lined avenues of Indiranagar, popping into indie galleries like Galerie Mirchandani + Steinroo and local design boutiques. Sample artisanal chocolate and hand-rolled cigars in cozy stores. Pause for a late lunch at a café serving European-inspired salads and gourmet sandwiches.

As twilight approaches, hop between craft breweries like Toit, Arbor, and Gumzo for flights of locally brewed IPAs and stouts. Order bar snacks like platters of cheese, kebabs, and loaded nachos. Immerse in Bangalore’s spirited nightlife with live music sets or stand-up comedy in intimate brewpubs.

Head to the serene ISKCON Temple complex, arriving in time for the melodious chanting and early worship rituals. Stroll through the landscaped gardens and ornate corridors adorned with deity statues. Enjoy the vegetarian prasadam served fresh in the temple dining hall.

Travel to the centuries-old Kemp Fort Bull Temple in Basavanagudi, home to India’s largest monolithic Nandi statue. Circumambulate the shrine and observe local devotees offering garlands and coconuts. Then, wander through the adjacent Bugle Rock Park, climbing sandstone outcrops for panoramic city views.

Discover the laid-back charm of Basavanagudi’s weekly Sunday Utsav market, sampling street eats like maddur vada and khara bun. Shop for traditional handicrafts, puppets, and wooden toys at affordable prices. Return to your hotel for a restful Ayurvedic massage to soothe aching muscles.

Drive to a neighboring village homestay on Bangalore’s outskirts, greeted with fresh flower garlands and warm smiles. Join the host family to collect eggs from free-range chickens and milk local cows at the crack of dawn. Learn to grind millet flour the traditional way, chatting about rural life and customs.

Help prepare a rustic lunch using farm-fresh vegetables, curry leaves, and spices picked from the homestay garden. Savor your handiwork under a thatched pavilion while birds and butterflies flit nearby. Spend the afternoon on a guided nature walk along muddy trails and through verdant fields.

As dusk falls, gather around a bonfire to share folk stories and songs with your hosts. Enjoy homemade snacks like ragi cookies and jaggery tea under a star-filled sky. Retreat to your comfortable room with a gentle breeze rustling through banana trees outside.

Explore the dynamic startup scene in Koramangala with a guided tour of incubators and co-working spaces buzzing with innovation. Pop into tech coffee bars where young entrepreneurs pitch ideas over flat whites. Absorb the youthful energy and collaborative spirit of Bangalore’s Silicon Valley.

Recharge at a minimalist specialty café, sampling single-origin coffees and artisanal pastries. Then visit the Forum Mall for a glimpse of upscale shopping, street art installations, and interactive VR lounges. Take a break in the mall’s green atrium, people-watching between retail sprees.

Conclude your journey with a rooftop dinner at a chic lounge in MG Road, enjoying gourmet Indian fusion cuisine and craft cocktails. Dance the night away at one of Bangalore’s legendary clubs, DJ beats pulsing through the glass walls. As the city pulses beneath you, toast to ten days of unforgettable adventures in the Garden City.