Karnataka is the state situated at the southwest region of India. It shares a boundary with the Arabian sea on the west. The state has many beaches and numerous attractions but it’s specifically famous for its capital city, Bengaluru. There are a number of places to visit in Karnataka.
Bengaluru is the IT hub of India, also termed as The Silicon Valley of India. It is also one of the tourist places in Karnataka which is famous for its lavish lifestyle and nightlife. All the world’s costliest cars and bikes can be seen simply running by you on the roads.
Apart from IT, Karnataka is also rich in historical architectures and monuments. The state is also rich in flora and fauna which contain diverse wildlife. The hills and the always moderate weather make it one of the best places to spend your vacation.
You will find plenty of beaches, historical ruins, palaces, forests, religious places in Karnataka. One day, the ian historian among you may take you to the ruins of Hampi. Jog in Udupi Sambar and Mysore Masala Dosha is as satisfying as standing in front of a waterfall or exploring the tea gardens of Kurga.
You move to different periods, see many faces of nature, and find ample opportunities for unwinding and relaxing when you plan your vacation to Karnataka. In this blog, we tell you the 27 best places to visit Karnataka and what makes them so special.
Following are some of the best places to visit in Karnataka:
1. Bengaluru
Are you planning to visit Bengaluru? Well, Garden city of India has got a lot to offer you. Bengaluru, also known as Bangalore, is the capital and central city of the southern state of India, Karnataka. Natural beauty with heritage and technology engender the tourists to travel this metropolis city. One of the main attractions and most visited place here is the Cubbon park, founded in 1870. It has a history of paradigms of perfectly engineered plantations and paths across the park.
Wonderla and bugler rock park draws on the freaks of adventure. Heritage fanatics would love to visit Bangalore Fort, Lal Bagh, RVM shiv temple. These venues make Bengaluru one of the most famous places to visit in Karnataka. And if shopping is on your mind but you don’t want to splurge much? Well, you have got the perfect place to shop without burning a hole in your pocket.
Bangalore is also the Silicon Valley of India. Large headquarters of various IT firms dwell in the city making it a love for techies and businessmen.
2. Mysore
The third most populous city of Karnataka, known as the cultural capital of Karnataka. The city of palaces, yes this is Mysore. Mysore has a tropical savanna climate. So, it’s warm during daytime and has mild evenings. To explore, Mysore Palace, Chamundeshwari temple and Jaganmohan palace are certainly the major points of interest. Other famous tourist places in Mysore include Chamundi Hills which is considered as the identifier of Mysore. As you go down the Chamundi hills, you will find a huge lake called Karanji lake, largest of its kind in the country.
And behind this lake, is the Mysore zoo spread in a 157 acre of land. Now, the KRS dam, beautifully made, perfect location, surrounded with illuminated musical fountains, entices and refreshes every traveller visiting there. The stunning beauty of the dam makes it a must to travel in this city. So, probably an easier and comfortable way is via train to one of this most flamboyant tourist places in Karnataka.
3. Hampi
Hampi is the UNESCO world heritage site. It is 352 km from Bengaluru. This city is all about its magnificent ruins spread over in 4100 hectares. The then capital of Vijayanagar Empire, Hampi, attracts tourists with its artistic excellence which is absolutely worth watching. It’s one of the popular Karnataka destinations.
Well, there are literally a lot of other tourist attractions here.The existing structures and temples tell the regal stories of the past of Vijayanagar empire. Temples such as the Virupaksha temple, Achutaraya temple, Hazara temple and the Vithala temple count as the eminent tourist places in Karnataka.
Hampi has tons of other monuments to visit like monolithic Ganesha, Queens’ bath, Sasivekalu Ganesha temple, Ugra Narasimha, the stones chariot, Balakrishna temple, Kings balance, etc. One activity there other than site visiting, is to climb the Matangi hills. These historical remains speak a volume of the glorious past and conversing with them reinforces the soul.
Monsoon and winters are the best seasons to visit this place.
4. Madikeri
Madikeri is a beautiful hill station at an elevation of 3770 ft in Karnatak tourist places list. If you’re planning to travel to this place and visit, start with the Rajas seat. This place will give you a fantastic view of the valleys and cliffs enhanced with beautiful surroundings.
Then comes the Madikeri Fort, built in the 17th century, then rebuilt in granite by Tipu Sultan has two life-size masonry elephants and a Ganesha temple in the middle of the fort. If you’re seeking out for some adventure, following are some points of interest:
- Thadiyandamole (the trekker’s paradise)
- Pushpagiri
- Kotebetta
- Lgguthappa
- Brahmagiri
- Nishanimotte
If you are tired of the hustle bustle of those big cities, then this soothing place will definitely work as one of those “places of pleasures” for you. It is considered as one of the best places to visit in Karnataka.
5. Nandi Hills
This ancient place, known for reminiscent of the reign of Tipu Sultan, finds a place in one of the best tourist places in Karnataka. If you want to go for one of the best memorable experiences of your lifetime, paragliding over Nandi hills would be perfect.
Tipus Drop, a cliff at a height of 600m, is said to be used to force the prisoners down the cliff to their deaths. Now tourists go there to hear those screams of prisoners represented by the frequent rustling of leaves, as said.
Considered among famous Karnatak tourist places, cycling and biking in these hills is the most enjoyable adventure. The altitude flaunts the beautiful landscape of the terrain aggregating to the mountain biking experience. Tipus summer residence is also famous there. It’s named by him as the Task-e-Jannat, meaning the envy of heaven.
There are other interesting places to visit in Karnataka like Brahmashram, Gandhi House, Nehru Nilaya, Anjaneya Temple, Nellikayi Basavanna, Antaragange, Baananthi Bande, etc. Exploring Nandi hills would definitely be a thrilling life experience.
6. Bijapur
Bijapur is known for its medieval monuments of Islamic culture. The main attraction there is the Gol Gumbaj. This tomb was built to mark for Mohammad Adil Shah. The tomb is circular as the title suggests. This is one of the grandest royal tombs, also known as the Taj Mahal of the south. It is built with dark grey basalt.
This city is built within fortified walls and has pleasure palaces, pleasure gardens built for the king and the queens. Jama masjid, the mosque built by Ali Adil Shah, is one of the important places to visit in Karnataka. Other important points of interest in Bijapur are Mehtar mahal, malik-e-maidan, Taj Bawdi, jala manzil, upli burj, bara kaman and the remnants of gagan mahal.
Also, you can just wander around this city to see its crowded and noisy market.
7. Jog Falls
Jog or Joga falls is the second-highest waterfall in India. The water falls from a height of 900 meters. They have laser shows in the evening which you could enjoy with your friends and family. It’s one of the most famous Karnatak tourist places.
Four main falls namely Raja, Rani, Rora and Rocket which provides both frontside and backside views are major points of interest for nature lovers. The most popular picnic spot near Jog Falls is the Tunga Anicut Dam surrounded with paddy fields and teak forests.
Famous for the rare species of lions and tigers, Thyvare Koppa lion and tiger reserve is located inside the Shettihali sanctuary.
Other sightseeing options are the Linganmakki Dam, Kanoor Fort, Unchalli Falls and Sigandur. One should visit there in the months of July and August with their umbrellas and raincoats on.
8. Murdeshwar
Murdeshwar makes sure that the pilgrims and spiritual travellers aren’t left despondent by Karnatak’s tourist places. This place is famous for its devotion towards Lord Shiva. The second largest statue of Lord Shiva in the whole world rests in this town. Murdeshwar is also famous for the Shri Murdeshwar temple and the 20-storied Gopura at it.
Murdeshwar shared the coast with the Arabian sea. The Rameshwara Shiva linga rests at the bottom of the hill which is surmounted the 123-feet tall Shiva idol. Pilgrims from across the world come here to sink into the devotion of Lord Shiva. This is one of the best places to visit in Karnataka and should not be missed by any chance.
9. Bandipur National Park
Bandipur, regarded as the most beautiful place, was declared a Tiger reserve under Project tiger in the year of 1973. This reserve contains a total area of 874.2 km2. The UNESCO world heritage has also selected it as the world heritage site. Thus, making it one of the best places to visit in Karnataka.
Famous for it’s wildlife, Bandipur has dry deciduous forests. About 250 species of birds and an enormous variety of animals make this park so popular. The species include Malabar trogan, four horned antelope, the Malabar pied hornbill, the Indian pitta, Tigers, the great black woodpecker, Gaur, Chital, the green imperiol pigeon, Mouse deer, Sambhar wild dogs, etc.
Now turned governmental reserve, it was once a private hunting reserve for the kings. Two other places you could visit here are:
- Madhumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
- Nagarhole National park
The month of October to May is the suitable time to visit these eminent Karnataka destinations.
10. Belur
Belur is in Hassan district of Karnataka. This town is famous for the artistic and finest work of Chennakesava Temple. The architecture is of so excellent quality that UNESCO world heritage has proposed the site for designation as a world heritage site. This will regard it as one of the best tourist places in Karnataka.
The hoysala workmen presented rarely erotic ideal female form depicted as dancers, musicians, drummers on the outer walls of the halls there. Hoysala Emblem was marked by illustrious achievements in art, culture and architecture, a must visit.
Another exciting Karnatak destination is at a distance of 2.5km from Belur bus stand. Yagachi Dam, which is famous for its water sports. Height of the dam is 26 meters from the ground level.
Some other places to be explored:
- Halebidu
- Doddagaddavalli
- Madnikas
11. Coorg
Call it Kodagur Kurag, it is the most beautiful place to visit Karnataka. You should visit this place for your coffee planting and its unique culture. Topographically it enjoys a height and spreads in its leisure time to the eastern opal of the Western Ghats.
Rich in its culture is also reflected in its wildlife, as it has three wildlife sanctuaries and a famous national park in India known as Nagarhole National Park, now known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park. The traditional themed dress is known as “Kupaya” is as exciting as using the checked native food, Kadumbattu, and Pandi’s curry.
If you are not interested in waterfalls, then temples. If both don’t, you can always explore the coffee garden and take in the beauty of the countryside.
12. Halebeedu
There was a time when Halibedu was the second capital of Haisalas and was called Dravas Mudra. Today, its temples tell of their great past through their incredible architecture. These symbolize great craftsmanship and represent the achievements of art and architecture under the Huasala Empire.
It got its present name after its conquest by the Delhi Sultani in the 14th century. Carving in temples is not limited to religious themes. One of them shows the harmful effects of alcohol consumption. The attention paid to the smallest detail of the sculpture is truly an example of the repeated admirable value of depicting 1200 elephants in various gestures.
13. Gokarna
The city of Gokarna was another sleeping small town without Gokarna Beach like many others in Karnataka. It is known as OM beach because it resembles the religious Hindu symbol OM, the image of uninterrupted tranquility.
It is connected to other beaches by boat, in addition to walking. Boating is also expected to be as exciting as running a banana boat. In most cases, it’s the dolphin spot that promises to make your day.
14. Srirangapatna
Like Mysore, Srirangapatna has a royal past, which stylishly presents itself in front of tourists. Throughout history, it has served as the historical capital of various kings and dynasties, including Haider Ali and his son Tipu Sultan. It is located just 16 kilometers from Mysore, another famous place to visit Karnataka, and it is blessed with an incredibly rich culture.
The city is structured like the Darya Daulat Palace, it is a testament to his bravery and courage with which he defeated the British in several battles. Then there is Tipu Sultan Fort, the walls of which depict Tipu’s heroism and heroism. The opportunities for sightseeing do not only end with the historical structure because there are also places of natural beauty.
15. Mullayanagiri
Along the way, they overwhelmed several states, with Karnataka being one of them. Muliana Giri is the highest peak in the Western Ghats of Karnataka and presents an exciting challenge for trekkers. A part of Baba Budangiri hill in Chikmagalur district, it stands proudly at an impressive height of about 1929 meters.
It is named after the age of Mulapp Swami, who is believed to have meditated in nearby caves. You will need about 4 hours to cover the entire trek, covering a distance of about 4 kilometers. The difficulty level of the trek has been marked from moderate to easy, which means even amateurs can try it. September to April is the best month to try this trek.
16. Shravanabelagola
Shravanabelagola is located near Hasan district in Karnataka and has a statue of Gomteshwar Bahubali, which is considered one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Jainism. Apart from spirituality, it also has immense historical value.
Chandragupta Maurya believed this to be the last place after giving up worldly aspirations as a Zen monk. It is home to two hills, Chandragiri and Vindhyagiri and it is believed that Chandragupta Maurya meditated earlier. The huge statue of Gomteshwara, standing 57 feet, is located on the Vindhyagiri hill.
Sravanabelagola also organizes Mahamastakabisves or Great War every twelve years. On this occasion, the idol is worshiped by placing 1008 pots full of holy water. It attracts people in an impressive number of spectacular and impressive numbers.
17. Badami
During the reign of the Badami Chalukyas, Badami may not have been as big as it used to be, but it has retained its glory and earned a lot of respect. It is associated with many myths and legends and in the Puranas, he is referred to as Bhatapi. The Brown Cave Temples are the biggest attraction in Karnataka, all of them accessible through steep rock climbing.
The rock-cut temples are found across four caves, each decorated with beautiful designs. The first three caves depict different goddesses in different incarnations, including Shiva and Vishnu in Hinduism. At Cave 4, you come across various Tirthankaras (spiritual teachers and guides of Jainism).
Highly respected personalities of Jainism from Bahubali to Mahavira are depicted in this cave. Apart from these, other caves touch on different themes from Buddhism to scenes of daily life. Travel to the top of the cave temples, and your eyes meet the brown waters of Lake Augusta with all your mysteries. Bhutnath temple is located next to it.
18. Kudremukh
It is a place like Kudremukh which is what makes Karnataka. At first glance, you can dismiss it as another mountain range among the many mountains of Karnataka. Although it is a mountain with differences. It is not only the third highest peak in Karnataka, but also resembles a horse’s mouth.
Its name is Kudremukh, which means horse face in the local language since one side of it resembles a horse. A special attraction is Kudremukh National Park, which was established to protect endangered species from lion-tailed macaques to tigers.
19. Somnathpur
Somnathpur is located about 35 km from Mysore and is divided by fictional structures built during the reign of Hoasalas. The gorgeous temples ruin the point at regular intervals in the city, each of which is as interesting as the other. The most famous of these is the Keshab Temple, which has a triple tower.
Its outer walls are adorned with paintings where the special attention to detail of each of them is astonishing. On the ceiling, your eyes meet the images of the gods and goddesses of the epics. One is compelled to think what inspiration can certainly be given in creating such masterpieces.
20. Dandeli
Dandeli is an incredible vacation in nature and adventure which has made it to the list of Nirmal tourist destinations in Karnataka for 2 days. Surrounded by deciduous forests and wildlife habitats, this picturesque hilly region is an ideal vacation destination in Karnataka. In addition to the dense and green forest, Dandeli is also famous for adventure sports, night camps, nature walking, boating, and angling on the Kali River. A useful package for adventure lovers, this is a place you must visit if you are an adrenaline junkie.
21. Udupi
Udupi is ethereal, green, and colorful. Located between the foggy Western Ghats and the ancient Arabian Sea, Udupi is also known locally as Udupi. It is popular for its temples, architecture, wooden patterns, beaches, stone carvings, yaksagan-theater art genres, and special types of local food, including Saru, kodelu, Huli, Tambuli, kosambari, baji, and so on.
22. Chitradurga Fort
One of the best places to enjoy the sights of Karnataka, the monument located in the city of Chitradurga has a lot of archeological and historical significance. The fort dates back to the period of the Chalukya Empire and to the history of the famous legend of Obava. The fort is also mentioned in the Mahabharata epic. Chitradurga Fort or Chitaldurg Fort, as it is known locally, is a fortified structure that connects several hills and is a peak that can be seen in almost flat valleys.
24. Shimoga
Shimoga, the cultural capital of Karnataka, is a colorful place rich in fertile land, beautiful waterfalls, and green forests which is one of the best tourist destinations in Karnataka. Its lush green and serene environment makes it one of the best places in Karnataka. Tungabhadra river, Sharabati river, Varda river, and Kumadavati river have carved beautiful river valleys here. The place is historically famous because the kings of Kadamba, Gangas, Chalukya, Rashtrakuta, and Vijayanagar ruled in this region.
25. Mangalore
Mangalore is a secluded tourist spot in Karnataka. The city is located at the estuary junction formed by the rivers Netravati and Gurupura on the Arabian Sea coast. Once in Mangalore, strolling and sunbathing on the beach, trying spicy, great seafood, watching the sunrise and sunset, and visiting the shipyard are not to be missed. Mangalore is one of the ideal places to visit Karnataka for a 2-day break. And, there are a plethora of interesting places around Mangalore that you can visit.
26. Karwar
It would be completely unfair not to mention the picturesque town of Karwar, one of the best tourist destinations in Karnataka. The city is imminent in the coastal region of Karnataka, yet not very popular. It is ideal for those who want to spend a secluded holiday away from any cat-cat in the city. Sun-kissed beaches, enchanting temples, and royal forts attract major tourists. The town is popularly known as ‘Kon’ by the local villagers, which refers to the area around the Kali River. Carver has a bright splendor. The surrounding green hills, which are a part of the Western Ghats, add to the beauty of the place.
27. Chikmagalur
Often known as the Coffee Land of Karnataka, this place is surrounded by the intense aroma of coffee as well as natural beauty. This hill station is located at the foot of the Mulayangiri Range and is famous for its secluded nature, green forests, and the Yagachi River. Chikmagalur Karnataka is an ideal destination for a relaxing holiday with friends, being the largest producer of coffee it is the best place for coffee lovers. You can explore the quiet coffee gardens and go for natural walking and trekking trails in the mountains.
Conclusion
Travelers from all over the world visit popular places in Karnataka to spend an amazing time with their friends and family. Here we give you a handmade list of some of the best places to visit Karnataka. To discover the real attractions of the state, familiarize yourself with these drop-dead gorgeous, best tourist destinations in Karnataka.
Some of these are well-known, others are underestimated. The geographical location of the state ensures various tourist destinations of Karnataka which is captivating enough to surprise you. The historical and excellent state of Karnataka occupies a focal place in the tourist map of India.
Located between the Kannada coast, the Western Ghats, and the Deccan Plateau, the state is proud of forests, hills, temples, caves, beaches, riverbanks, lakes, coffee estates, waterfalls, ruins, and many more interesting tourist spots, here is a list of some of the best places to visit Karnataka Which you can unveil for an amazing vacation with your loved one. Spells range from limited beaches to rich biodiversity, ancient cities, rugged mountains, rich biodiversity, and much more. The cities of Karnataka are a combination of modern and ancient attractions.
Really it’s a fantastic blog, I’ll definitely visit those places one day. Good work, Keep going.