Once a sleepy regional capital, Bangalore today is a modern metropolis that will come as a big surprise to those visiting for the first time. Also known as Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka, is the technological hub of India and the very place where the country’s new, confident global identity is being forged. Although the city might somewhat lack historical sites, its buzzing and liberal atmosphere provides the perfect base for exploring the beautiful temples and palaces of the Deccan.
Once known as 'The Garden City' of India, the earliest records of a place named ’Bengaluru’ date back to a 9th century temple in an area that is now known as Old Bangalore.
Legends surround Bangalore: while one legend has it that Bengaluru (Town of Boiled Beans) got its name after an old woman served cooked pulses to a lost and hungry Hoysala king, another one has it that a feudal lord was hunting in the area when a rabbit turned and attacked his dog, and as this made a great impression on the lord, he gave the place the title of Gandu Bhoomi (the place of heroes).
Besides the magic atmosphere that old Indian traditions have created around the city, Bangalore is also a metropolitan hub, and constantly changing. Buildings rise up at a fast pace while a new city centre has come into the world, in a clutch of skyscrapers in the area surrounding Cubbon Park.
The city is split into two main districts: ’Urban’ and ’Rural’. Within the city itself, Mahatma Gandhi Road, running from Trinity Circle at one end to Anil Kumble Circle at the other, is the main thoroughfare filled with banks, smart shops and restaurants. The city’s other main hub, Gandhinagar, in the western part of the city, is where you will find the central bus stand and the main railway station. Nicknamed 'Majestic', the area is crowded, busy and and full of shops, cinemas and budget hotels. In the northern part of the town reside the Raj-era buildings, the High Court, and the racecourse. Bangalore Urban district contains the city itself and many of the main sights, and it is further divided into the North, South and also the Anekal districts, comprising more than 600 villages in total.
The Bangalore Rural district comprises 1,000 different villages and it is ideal if you fancy escaping from the chaos of the city life. Outside the city, Savandurga is a famous hilltop with temples dedicated to Gangadeshwara, Hanna Devi and a cave spring called Pattala, that – in a bull-shaped figure – has enchanted tourists for years.
Despite Bangalore's sudden development, the city preserves its charm unaltered, in a plethora of old buildings, temples, colourful markets, and peaceful gardens.
The extraordinary timber-built Tipu Sultan Palace, in the heart of the city, gives a fascinating glimpse into Bangalore's past, and a sense of perspective in this wannabe-modern city projected into the future. A renowned 17th-century temple and the ruins of Bangalore's fort are only a few steps away, creating a hub of historical constructions. Karnataka's State Legislature and Secretariat building, one of India’s greatest buildings, is located northwest of Cubbon Park.
Despite the rush of modern life, Bangalore has a strong religious tradition, so make sure to head to Bugle Hill and the Bull Temple. As a favourite among travellers, this breathtaking 16th-century construction literally dwarfs whoever passes by.
Bangalore is a city to be experienced and explored. The 'Garden City' is famous for its parks, with some of them dating back over 200 years, and the most impressive ones are the botanical gardens of Lal Bagh.
Bangalore Palace
Cubbon Park
Venkatappa Art Gallery Bengaluru
Vidhana Soudha
Lalbagh Botanical Garden
Nandi Temple
Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace
Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath Art Gallery
Ulsoor Lake
Ganesha Temple
Iskcon Temple
St Marks Cathedral
Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium
Wonderla Amusement Park
Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum
Bangalore is a gourmand's paradise, as the local cuisine takes in influences from Andhra, Chettinad, Hyderabadi, Tamil, Mangalorean, and Keralan dishes with a big emphasis on rice, Sambar and Rasam (a lentil-based vegetable stew and spicy soup) dishes.
As a global capital, Bangalore also offers a great variety of international cuisine but the real delight is to fully indulge in its delicious local cuisine, as there is something for everyone.
You should start the day with a plate of unbeatable Masala Dosa, a delicious crepe stuffed with spiced potatoes known as the 'food of the gods', accompanied by some chai tea. Lunch or dinner normally consists of steamed rice, curries, vegetable dishes and pickles, and one or two sweet dishes like poppadoms, buttermilk, curd and ghee. It is tradition to start the meal with a sweet dish and finish it with curd rice, and everything is served on well-rinsed banana leaves.
VV Puram Food Street
Ebony
Jamavar
Karavalli
Mavalli Tiffin Rooms
Olive Bar and Kitchen
Italia
Blue Ginger
The Fisherman's Wharf
Barbeque Nation
Dakshin
Sattvam
Chianti
Millers 46
With the emergence of a cosmopolitan café culture, new venues and fast food outlets popped up in Bangalore, and high tea became a social event not only for the upper class but for everybody. While predictable café chains soon settled, hip hangouts with DJs or live music as well as more traditional settings also rose up in the heart of the city, awaiting you to have a break.
Brahamin's Coffee Bar
Café Coffee Day
Dyu Art Cafe
Alchemy Coffee Roasters
Lavonne Café
Hard Rock Cafe
The tech-savvy denizens of Bangalore might work hard but they certainly know how to enjoy themselves, and the city has in fact seen a boom in the number of pubs, bars, and clubs.
Thanks to vigilant local authorities who have imposed an 11:30pm curfew, Bangalore’s parties have to power up early, with the only exception of the 24-hour coffee shops. Despite this hindrance, the city offers great nights out as long as you properly plan ahead, with a great majority of clubs and bars located at hotels.
i-BAR
The 13th Floor
Blue Bar
Polo Club
Skyye
Toit Brewpub
Opus
No Limmits
High Ultra Lounge
Pebble The Jungle Lounge
Bangalore is an every shopper's paradise, as the cosmopolitan city features diverse trends and products ranging from pure silk saris over chic dresses to branded gold jewellery.
With exclusive boutiques, modern shopping malls, traditional shopping markets and street-side sellers, shopping in Bangalore is indeed a wonderful experience.
Gaining recognition from the world, with the very first shopping mall in the whole of India, Bangalore soon became a hub for shoppers and it still remains so today.
Ananya
Deepam
Brigade Road
Bangalore Central Mall
KR Market
Mahatma Gandhi Road / Commercial Street
Malleswaram
UB City
Passport/Visa
All foreign nationals entering India are required to possess a valid international travel document with a valid visa. A visa is required for most nationalities, except for Bhutan, Nepal, and the Maldives (if not arriving from mainland China).
The visa can be requested through an online application process. This process is straightforward and must be done through the official Indian government visa application website. Travellers should not hire agents who claim they can expedite the process or guarantee a speedy/express grant of an e-visa.
Address:
Email:
Phone:
Website: www.indianvisaonline.gov.in
More Information:
Best Time to Visit
As Bangalore enjoys a moderate climate, the city can be visited at any time throughout the year. The season between June and September is characterised by monsoons, ranging from mild to heavy rainfall, whereas the winter months between October and February attract most tourists thanks to their mild temperatures, which are best enjoyed through the vibrant street life and beautiful nature.
Address:
Email:
Phone:
Website:
More Information:
Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR)
Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru, a pioneering hub recognised as India’s first ‘Green Airport’, serves as the gateway to the lively city of Bangalore, located roughly 40 kilometres to the north.
Travellers have multiple convenient options to reach the city centre: the Namma Metro’s Green Line offers a quick route, while airport taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Ola provide direct and flexible transfers. In addition, several car rental services are available for those preferring to drive themselves.
Address: Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru
Email:
Phone: +91 80667 85555
Website: www.bengaluruairport.com
More Information:
Public Transport
Bangalore boasts an extensive and diverse public transport system. Ordinary city buses are typically white and blue, with those featuring black display boards serving inner-city routes and red board buses covering long-distance routes to suburbs. The red Volvo buses, known as Vajra, are air-conditioned and highly recommended for tourists due to their comfort.
Ordinary buses display route numbers in English, while destinations and routes are listed in Kannada. Bus maps and route information are available on the service company's website as well as at major bus terminals like Kempegowda Bus Stand (Majestic) and Shivajinagar.
Be aware that bus services become less frequent after 10:30pm, and buses can be very crowded during the rush hour between 5pm and 7pm on weekdays. Many buses have reserved seats for women.
A daily bus pass allows unlimited travel on all buses except Vajra routes. Given Bangalore’s challenging traffic conditions, with frequent lane discipline issues and continuous use of horns, using public transport is often more practical than driving.
Address:
Email:
Phone:
Website:
More Information:
Taxi
In Bangalore, finding a taxi is relatively straightforward, as cabs are commonly available around the city, particularly in busy areas and near major landmarks. While traditional taxis in Bangalore do have meters, they are not always used consistently, so it’s wise to confirm the fare or negotiate beforehand. For a more seamless experience, ride-sharing apps like Uber and Ola are widely operational and highly popular.
Address:
Email:
Phone:
Website:
More Information:
Post
In Bangalore, post offices generally operate from 10am to 5pm on weekdays, with some branches open on Saturday mornings from 10am to 1pm, and are closed on Sundays and public holidays. They provide a range of services including domestic and international mail, parcel delivery, and retail services like stamp sales and money transfers.
Address: India Post - Raj Bhavan Road, Ambedkar Veedhi, Bengaluru
Email:
Phone:
Website: www.indiapost.gov.in/VAS/Pages/IndiaPosthome.aspx
More Information:
Pharmacy
Plenty of pharmacies can be found along Mahatma Gandhi Road and other main streets. Some of the main chains include Apollo Pharmacy, MedPlus, and Wellness Forever.
Address: Apollo Pharmacy Century Club - Room No 1, Century Club, Health Centre, Seshadri Road, KR Circle, Bengaluru
Email:
Phone: +91 80 2221 7555
Website:
More Information:
Telephone
Country code: +91
Area code: 80
Address:
Email:
Phone:
Website:
More Information:
Electricity
In Bangalore, as in the rest of India, the standard voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The types of electrical plugs commonly used are Type C, D, and M.
Address:
Email:
Phone:
Website:
More Information: