The IT Hub of Bangalore with so many top MNCs is one of the most populated cities in India with a mixed culture. The city of Bangalore is also a hot favorite tourist spot dotted with so many attractive visitable locations in close proximity to each other. Therefore once you are in Bangalore, it will keep you busy always moving from one tourist location to another. Read more in detail about the tourist spots in Bangalore.
Bangalore is one of the most happening cities in India. Be it in the field of development or partying on a holiday, Bangalore is always among the best options. People love to be in Bangalore both as a tourist spot as well as for settling down. So what are the main tourist spots in Bangalore that you should check out? Well, we have a list of some of the best places. Have a look at those.
BANGALORE FORT
The hugely popular Bangalore Fort was built in the year 1537 by the feudal agents of the mighty Vijayanagara Empire who were also the founders of Bangalore, Kempe Gowda. This was initially a mud fort and was modified into a stone fort by Hyder Ali in the year 1761. The British seized control of the fort in 1791 and since then have dismantled it umpteen times for various purposes such as road construction, school construction, building hospitals and so on. So what now remains of this monument is its Delhi Gate along with the remnants of 2 bastions. Visiting the Bangalore Fort is a must for any tourist landing in Bangalore as it shall give you a view of the historical roots of the city.
BANGALORE PALACE
This is a famous palace made of stone and the construction was a lengthy affair indeed. The process started in 1862 and finished in 1944. In the year 1884, the then Maharaja of Mysore purchased the palace after being impressed by it. It is a massive 450 acre property that is located in a popular locality of North Bangalore. The Bangalore Palace is surrounded on all sides by a variety of trees belonging to several species. As much as 30000 paintings can be seen in the palace. Tourists visiting here are provided with an audio tour that provides them with info regarding the Mysore Empire.
BANNERGHATTA NATIONAL PARK
This is a massive park located over an area of 25000 acres. It is located at a distance of about 22 km from Bangalore city area. It is host to one of the riches sources of zoological reserves available in India as well as the world. Lot of wild animals can be spotted in this National Park such as tiger, lion, panther, deer and elephants along with a variety of reptiles as well. Birds also can be seen roaming around in the park. The forest department conducts Safari rides that allow the tourists to have a closer look at the wild animals in the park. The Zoological Park and the Biological Park located here are of utmost significance. Apart from these, you can also view a small museum that shows zoological exhibits as well as a conservatory of butterflies.
CUBBON PARK
The Cubbon Park is an exquisite green island that is located in the middle of the city of Bangalore. It was created in the 19th century. The British Chief Engineer of Mysore area, Major General Richard Sankey was the man responsible for the creation of the Cubbon Park. What started out as a 100 acre park eventually got extended to a 300 acre region. The presence of gardens consisting of thick bamboo adds another dimension to the beautiful park. Several heritage buildings can be viewed in the vicinity of the Cubbon Park and these do not affect the beauty of the place in any way. Some of the heritage buildings that can be seen here are the Seshadri Iyer Memorial Hall which has been converted into the Central Library and the Attara Kacheri that has now become Karnataka’s High Court. There are several places to visit in Cubbon Park and if you are with your kids, there is the option of Jawahar Bal Bhavan where kids can find pleasure.
INDIRA GANDHI MUSICAL FOUNTAIN
This is a dancing and musical fountain named as the Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain which was set up in 1996. It is located in the heart of Bangalore city on the Raj Bhavan road. It is spread out on a 17 acre land that has been beautifully maintained by the Department of Horticulture, Government of Kerala. The fountain has been constructed using the latest technology available in multimedia mixed with variances of Indian-Western musical themes. Lovely patterns can be formed in three different levels and they give us an impression of a folk dance. This musical fountain is located on the opposite side of Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium. It is pretty close to the Vidhana Soudha and Cubbon Park.
INNOVATIVE FILM CITY
Bangalore does have its share of highly entertaining places and Innovative Film City is one of those. It is an entertainment theme park which is located about 40 km from Bangalore. The marvelous atmosphere has drawn comparisons to the famous Disneyland of USA. It is spread over a distance of 50 acres and has something for people of all age groups. Some of the popular visiting areas here are the Teddy Museum, Louis Tussaud’s Wax Museum, Mini Golf Field, Haunted Mansion, Bungee jumping and many other places too. A variety of food items are available at the lavish food court present here. There is a handicraft and Cultural Village too that can be seen here. The rate is Rs.599 which is a standard package while school children can avail discounts at different rates.
MANTRI MALL
This was opened in 2010 and is the biggest mall in South India. It is situated at Malleswaram which is known as one of the oldest residential areas of Bangalore. The mall consists of retail outlets of all the National and International brands in clothing, footwear, stationery, cosmetics, electronic goods, accessories, furnishings etc. The Mall has only one drawback and that is its location which at a very busy area of Bangalore. Therefore, entering and exiting the mall can be a difficult task for people. However, as mentioned earlier, the benefits are good enough for us to overlook this drawback.
LAL BAGH
This is a wonderful botanical garden which was commissioned in the 18th century by Hyder Ali. His son, the legendary Tipu Sultan then modified it further once he occupied the throne. It is spread over 200 acres and you can see all kinds of trees here. A glass house that was constructed by the British can be seen here. Flower shows are conducted here twice a year on Republic Day and Independence Day respectively. A huge rock is present at the park and it is said to be about 3000 million years old! A 16th century tower built by Kempe Gowda is present on top of this rock. Overall, another must-visit place in Bangalore for any tourist.
MAVALLI TIFFIN ROOMS
The MTR brands are pretty famous and are known for the different types of ready mix food items offered by them. The MTR restaurant that is situated near the Lalbagh North Gate has always been a big craze among tourists even before the MTR brands hit the market. The Rava Idli, Rava Dosa, Masala Dosa and coffee at MTR are the best options for tourists. The coffee is served here on silver cups. There are 6 other branches of MTR in Bangalore and one in Singapore.
NANDI HILLS
They are an ancient hill fortress that is situated about 60 km from Bangalore city. It is a popular option for picnics among tourists belonging to all age groups. The presence of evergreen forests is its USP along with the presence of rich flora and fauna. The Nandi Hills are located at a distance of about 20 km from NH7. It is situated just after Devanahalli which is where the Kempegowda International Airport is located. Year after year, the Nandi Hills continue to attract tourists in droves due to its wonderful architectures and locales.