Travel guide
Bangalore Places to Go: City Sights and Easy Escapes
Bangalore has enough to fill a few days inside the city, and a handful of rewarding places sit just beyond its edge. This guide covers the landmarks most visitors put on a list first, then the nearest escapes by road, each linked to its cab page.
Inside the city
Landmarks most visitors add first
Start with the green spaces. Lalbagh Botanical Garden is known for its old trees, its glasshouse and the flower shows held there, while Cubbon Park sits close to the city’s administrative heart and is a pleasant place to walk in the morning. Nearby, the granite bulk of Vidhana Soudha is best admired from the outside.
For history, Bangalore Palace is a Tudor-style building set in wooded grounds, and Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, a teak-built structure in the old city, shows a very different side of the past. In Basavanagudi the Bull Temple houses a large Nandi, and the ISKCON temple is a well-known stop for many visitors. Commercial Street and MG Road cover shopping and street food.
Opening days and entry rules change, so confirm them locally before you plan around any single stop.
Getting around
One car for the whole city circuit
These sights are scattered across different parts of town, and traffic can make short hops slow. Instead of booking one cab per stop, many visitors prefer a driver for the day who waits while they explore. Our Bangalore sightseeing taxi page explains how that works, and the full-day car rental page covers the longer option if you also want to add a stop on the way back.
A Dzire or Ciaz is comfortable for couples and small groups. If you have grandparents or several suitcases along, an Innova gives more room.
Just outside the city
Nearby places to go beyond the city limits
When the city list is done, these places are the closest. All distances below are route-planner figures from central Bengaluru and do not include traffic or stops.
Bidadi – about 34 km, about 35 min of driving without traffic. Bidadi is most famous for thatte idli, a flat plate-sized idli that has become a highway breakfast habit. Close by, the Big Banyan Tree at Ramohalli spreads over a very large area and makes an easy photo stop. A sedan is plenty for two or three people; see the Bangalore to Bidadi cab page.
Ramanagara – about 49 km, about 50 min of driving without traffic. The town is surrounded by bare granite hills and is known for its silk cocoon market. Film fans know the rocks as the setting for a famous Hindi classic, and the Janapada Loka folk-arts museum nearby is worth a visit. Ramanagara works well as a half-day outing; details are on the Bangalore to Ramanagara cab page.
Kanakapura – about 58 km, about 1 h of driving without traffic. The road towards Kanakapura leads to the Art of Living ashram and, beyond town, to the Cauvery gorge at Sangama and Mekedatu. Check current access to the river points locally. Families going in a group often choose an Innova; start with the Bangalore to Kanakapura cab page.
Doddaballapur – about 39 km, about 40 min of driving without traffic. A textile town on the way to the Nandi Hills side of the region, known for its silk and handloom trade. It is also the usual starting point for the Ghati Subramanya temple. The Bangalore to Doddaballapur cab page has the route.
Hosur – about 44 km, about 50 min of driving without traffic. Hosur lies just across the Karnataka–Tamil Nadu border and is known for its industry, its cut-flower farms and a hilltop Shiva temple. Because it is in another state, interstate permit charges and tolls are extra. See the Bangalore to Hosur cab page.
Planning
Practical tips for a day out of the city
- Leave early on weekends; the roads out of the city fill up quickly, especially towards Mysore and Hosur.
- Carry water, a cap and a light layer; granite hills around Ramanagara get very hot by midday.
- Mix and match: Bidadi for breakfast and Ramanagara for the hills fit comfortably into one day.
- Tell the driver your list before you start so the stops can be put in a sensible order.
For longer breaks, the weekend getaways guide and the one-day trips guide take you further out.
Vehicle options
Cabs for city sightseeing and day escapes
Vehicle availability depends on your travel date. Tell us your group size and luggage when booking and we will suggest a suitable option.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
What are the main places to go inside Bangalore?
Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Cubbon Park, Bangalore Palace, Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, the Bull Temple and the ISKCON temple are the usual first choices. Check opening days locally before you go.
Can I see several Bangalore sights in one day by cab?
Yes. A day booking with one driver lets you visit several places without arranging transport at each stop. See the sightseeing taxi page.
Which nearby place is the quickest to reach from the city?
Of the places in this guide, Bidadi is about 34 km away and Ramanagara about 49 km, both route-planner distances without traffic. Hosur is about 44 km away but lies in Tamil Nadu.
Do I pay extra for tolls and parking?
Tolls, parking and any permits are charged extra. For trips into Tamil Nadu such as Hosur, interstate permit charges also apply. The fare is confirmed when you book.
Which cab should I choose for a family?
A Dzire or Ciaz suits up to a small family with light luggage. Choose an Innova or Innova Crysta when you have more people or bags, and a Tempo Traveller for larger groups.
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