17 Must-See Places to Visit in Bangalore for First-Timers
Bangalore is a vibrant city full of parks, lakes and incredible restaurants! Check out these top places to visit in Bangalore to learn about the history of the city and experience the rich culture.
Planning to travel to India and heading to Bangalore? You’re seriously in for a treat! There are so many great places to visit in Bangalore (AKA Bengaluru). It’s no surprise why it’s one of the top destinations in India for travelers!
Bangalore is the capital of Karnataka and is known as the “Silicon Valley of India.” The city is growing and it’s full of young entrepreneurs and tech start-ups. It’s a modern city with a fun social scene.
This list covers some of the most iconic places to visit in Bangalore, like the old Palace and Fort. It also includes some of the most popular parks, museums and neighborhoods that you won’t want to miss.
I traveled to Bangalore while I was living in Mumbai, and I honestly fell in love with the city. I always tell my friends that if I were to move anywhere new in India, it would be Bangalore! There’s a lot of space and I love the unique culture of the city.
Enjoy your trip to Bangalore and be sure to check out these spots, especially if it’s your first time visiting!
This post is all about places to visit in Bangalore.
Places to Visit in Bangalore
#1 Lalbagh Botanical Garden
Lalbagh Botanical Garden is one of the top places to visit in Bangalore! It’s a massive, beautiful garden in the heart of the city. There are tons of different kinds of plants and flowers. It’s a great way to spend the day walking around, relaxing and enjoying the beauty.
One of their biggest draws is a big glass house in the garden which was modeled after London’s Crystal Palace. They do big flower shows there twice a year and it’s nice to explore.
You can also enjoy walking through the rose garden and sitting by a little lake. They even have a little waterfall! There’s also a big floral clock that works and is near the middle of the park. The white silk cotton tree is also cool to see among many other things!
#2 Bangalore Palace
If you only have one or two days in the city, the palace is one of the must-see places to visit in Bangalore! The architecture is stunning and it’s full of rich history. It’s also surrounded by lots of gardens and green space where you can hang out or walk around.
You can go inside Bangalore Palace to learn about India’s royal past and the culture of the region. They have set up rooms with antique furniture and other artifacts so you can see what life really would’ve been like. They also have a lot of paintings, sculptures, photos, clothes and more! It’s like a museum.
Bangalore Palace is still actually owned by descendants of the royal family so part of it is closed because it’s their private residence. But that part that is open is really cool to explore and gives a nice view into Bangalore’s past!
#3 Cubbon Park (and Vidhana Soudha)
Cubbon Park is another one of the most popular places to visit in Bangalore. The thing I love about this city is that there are literally just so many parks and green spaces! It’s a big park with lots of trees and plants. You can come for a walk or just to hang out.
The Vidhana Soudha is also across the street from the park. You can’t go in it but it’s a beautiful building to see from the outside. It’s the head building for the Karnataka state legislature. There’s also a famous sign in the front that says “Government Work is God’s Work.” It’s worth walking by if you’re going to Cubbon Park!
#4 Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum
The Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum (VITM) is right across from Cubbon Park. Bangalore is the center of innovation and technology in India. It’s literally nicknamed the “Silicon Valley of India!” The idea behind the museum is to excite people about science.
It’s a really well-done museum and has different exhibitions with unique themes. There’s some like biotechnology, engines, electricity. My favorite was the space section where they had models of rockets and things like that.
Bangalore is actually home to the ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), essentially the Indian version of NASA. They have been making a ton of advancements in space travel recently and it’s cool to learn about.
Overall, the museum is fun and has a lot of hands-on experiments and simulations that makes it engaging. I enjoyed it as an adult, but it’s a great place to take kids also!
#5 ISKCON Temple Bangalore
The ISKCON Temple in Bangalore is definitely worth visiting! There are many ISKCON temples around the world (International Society for Krishna Consciousness, or famously known as the Hare Krishna movement). As the name suggests, the temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and his wife, Radha.
Bangalore’s ISKCON Temple is one of the biggest in the world. It’s got a mix of modern and traditional elements since it was recently built. There’s beautiful towers and carvings that highlight Hindu mythology. The main part of the temple holds idols of Radha and Krishna.
You can go to the temple and offer a prayer or see the idols. They also have a vegetarian restaurant with delicious food! You can also enjoy free food as an offering called “prasadam.”
#6 Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath (Art Museum)
Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath is a big art and cultural campus. They have a nice art museum that highlights traditional and modern Indian artists. The whole campus is filled with galleries and beautiful artwork. They also have a lot of folk and tribal art.
It’s a place where the host workshops and cultural events too. They even have classes and programs for people wanting to study art. I’ve only gone through the campus to see the exhibits, but it’s definitely one of the best art museums I saw in Bangalore!
#7 Freedom Park
Like I said, there’s literally so many parks in Bangalore! Freedom Park is pretty unique though and worth visiting. It used to be a jail but now they’ve nicely renovated it into a big park with monuments. It’s also free.
You can get an idea of what jail was like for the people there. It’s interesting to see the old structures and design. They also have a part now which is a designated area for protests. I never participated or saw anything happening, but still I think it’s quite cool to have! It’s a beautiful park and worth exploring.
#8 Rangoli Metro Art Center
The Rangoli Metro Art Center is a really neat and modern art museum. It’s newly built and has a lot of outdoor exhibits as well. The space is so nicely designed and organized that I think it really makes a difference in the whole experience. I especially liked the outdoor spaces.
They feature traditional and modern Indian artists. There’s a lot of large murals and an outdoor amphitheater as well. They host a lot of workshops and events for people which you can check out. I saw a drum circle happening and it was quite fun!
If you’re interested in just choosing one art museum in Bangalore, then I’d recommend the Rangoli Metro Art Center! Bangalore is a very artsy city though and there are a lot of options you can explore. Another popular one is the National Gallery of Modern Art which is pretty typical but the building is super cute.
#9 Bannerghatta Biological Park
Bannerghatta Biological Park is on the outskirts of Bangalore and is perfect for travelers wanting to experience some nature! It’s a beautiful and massive park which is fun to spend a day exploring.
They offer safaris which is what I’d highly recommend. They are not really wildlife safaris per se, because even though they look like natural habitats the animals are actually kept in large enclosures. Still, there’s a lot of animals to see like tigers, lions, elephants and deer.
You can also visit the butterfly park, snake house and learn about the animal rescue center. While I tend to shy away from zoos (I always feel so bad for the animals!), I do think they care about conservation at this park and try to educate people about the land and animals.
#10 Ulsoor Lake
Ulsoor Lake is one of the largest lakes in Bangalore! It’s a beautiful spot to relax and unwind. There’s not exactly a ton to do or see here, but it’s a nice place to rest or go for a walk. You can stroll along the lake and there’s a lot of space to sit too. You’ll see various birds and sometimes locals on small boats on the water. If you’re looking for something more lowkey and a place to relax, Ulsoor Lake is a nice option!
#11 Commercial Street (Shopping)
Commercial Street is one of the most famous places to visit in Bangalore for shopping. It’s been around for a long time and is a staple of the city. That being said, it’s crowded and bustling! Some of its charm comes from how busy it is because it’s really a popular market.
You can find all kinds of things around Commercial Street. There’s Indian traditional wear, electronics, home decor, sports equipment. You can honestly find anything around here in shops and on the road.
Even if you’re not big into shopping, it’s a cool place to walk around and experience. They have some nice lights and decor hanging up over the main part of the street. There’s also a ton of amazing street food to try!
#12 Bangalore Fort & Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace
Bangalore Fort and Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace are near each other and are both pretty quick places to visit in Bangalore! As such, it’s easy to do them in one trip.
Bangalore Fort was originally built in the 16th century although much of it has been ruined by now. You can walk around and see some of the big walls which are still standing. There’s a massive gate as well.
Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace was built in the 18th century by the ruler of Mysore (a nearby city in the south). A small part of it is well-maintained and is turned into a museum. You can see different artifacts like clothing, weapons, and portraits. Something to note though is that you need to buy tickets online which you can do right at the entrance too.
Visiting both of these won’t take much time, but they’re cool to walk around and see. It gives you a peek into the history and what the region was like back in the day!
#13 Jaya Prakash Narayan Park
This is another big and beautiful park in Bangalore! It’s towards the outskirts of the city, so if you’re super rushed on time then you might not be able to make it here (luckily there’s still other great parks to explore).
There are a lot of paths to go on a walk. There’s also a lake and a small river that runs in a circle around the park. They have a musical walkway and fountain which is one of the most unique things to this park. I enjoyed my time there and it’d be a great place for families as well!
#14 Brigade Road & MG Road (Nightlife)
Brigade Road and MG Road are near each other and the area is a popular spot for going out. It’s a fun place if you’re looking to experience the nightlife in Bangalore. Overall, the city is known for its nightlife and social scene.
Even if you aren’t interested in a late night out partying, it’s still a nice area to explore! It’s full of fun restaurants, bars and various shops. It’s kind of near Cubbon Park too which is really popular.
#15 Indiragandhi Musical Fountain Park
This is a unique and fun park near Cubbon Park. The Indiragandhi Musical Fountain Park is relatively small, but is entertaining. As the name suggests, they have music and light shows which are fun to see. They happen twice a day.
The park also has old military equipment like rockets and tanks which is interesting to see. You have to pay to get into the park but it’s only 30 rupees (30 cents in USD), so it’s worth it.
#16 Turahalli Forest
Turahalli Forest is towards the outskirts of the city but is still in Bangalore. While the city has a lot of parks, this one is much bigger (hence the name “Forest”). It will make you feel more like you’re actually in nature.
It’s a beautiful place to spend half a day or a day walking around and exploring. They have trails for hiking and also places for rock climbing. There’s also a small temple you can see.
#17 Koramangala (Hip & Fun Neighborhood)
Koramangala is a fun neighborhood to explore. There’s a lot of young people who live here and it’s a popular place to go out. It’s full of unique shops and TONS of great places to eat.
There are also a lot of nice breweries here. Bangalore has a ton of big breweries which are great. It’s one of the only cities in India where you can actually find nice craft beer! Check out Books & Bonds Brewery or The Bier Library if you’re in the area.
On a side note, if you love beer like me, then you can also go to Arbor Brewing Company and Byg Brewski which are in different locations across the city!
This post is all about places to visit in Bangalore.
