Top Attractions in Bengaluru

Bengaluru, the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka, is a cosmopolitan city, best known for its IT industry, lush green parks and high-voltage nightlife. The city has many places of interest for tourists such as historical monuments, national parks and gardens, lakes, museums and religious places. We have shortlisted some of the most popular tourist attractions in Bengaluru.

1. Vidhana Soudha

Built in 1956, Vidhana Soudha is an important government building of Karnataka. It is a huge, imposing granite structure that stands 46-metres tall and has 300 rooms. The building is an impressive example of ‘Neo-Dravidian’ style of architecture, which includes intricate woodwork. Vidhana Soudha is beautifully lit up in the evenings.

2. Bangalore Palace

Built to look like a smaller version of the Windsor Castle in England, this is a must-visit tourist place. It is spread over 430 acres of flourishing green gardens, where a number of different events such as musical shows and rock concerts are held. The palace incorporates Tudor and Scottish Gothic architecture and is complete with granite turrets and towers and battlements. Its interiors are adorned with splendid paintings and stained glass windows.

3. Tipu Sultan Fort and Palace

Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, which was built in 1791, now houses a museum, which is well stocked with artefacts dating back to the days of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. The two-storey palace is made of teakwood and consists of exquisitely carved pillars, curved arches, round balconies, paintings and a Ganesha Temple.

4. Ulsoor Lake

The Ulsoor Lake is located in the heart of Bengaluru and is popular among tourists for its boating and cruise facilities to small islands. The Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurudwara on the banks of the lake gives this place a serene appeal.

5. Lalbagh Botanical Garden

The Lalbagh Botanical Garden is a popular attraction of Bengaluru, spread over 240 acres of land. Hyder Ali commissioned the garden in 1760, which was later developed under Tipu Sultan and finally under British rule. The garden houses more than 1500 plant species and the well-known Lalbagh Rock, which is around 3000 million years old. The garden is known for organizing bi-annual flower shows. 

6. Bannerghatta National Park

Bannerghatta National Park is a natural zoological reserve, spread over an area of 25,000 acres in Bengaluru. The park aims to preserve wildlife and promote responsible wildlife tourism. The national park offers attractions such as a zoo, safari, butterfly park, and a rescue centre, which works towards conservation and rehabilitation of orphaned animals.

7. The Heritage Centre & Aerospace Museum

The Heritage Centre & Aerospace Museum in Bengaluru is maintained by one of Asia’s biggest aerospace companies, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The museum showcases the Indian aviation industry’s growth over the last six decades and also exhibits different kinds of planes, helicopters, aircraft engine models, flight simulators, a mock Air Traffic Control Tower, and various other exhibits.

8. ISKCON Temple Bangalore

The ISKCON’s Krishna Temple in Bengaluru is ISKCON’s largest temple in the world. The temple beautifully blends technology and spiritualism, and exhibits a harmonious amalgamation of contemporary and traditional styles of architecture. The temple complex consists of the ISKCON museum, Bhaktivedanta Book Trust and the Dakshinakriti shop, which sells handicrafts.