Bangalore is India’s third largest city after New Delhi and Mumbai. Located in the south of the country, it has a population of 9 million and is also known as the country’s IT capital. As a result, it has great appeal for Indians looking to build a future here. The city is best known for the beautiful gardens, such as Lal Bagh or Cubbon Park. You will also find a vibrant nightlife full of pubs and a host of nice restaurants, from Indian to Western food.
Are you planning a visit to Bangalore? And would you like to learn more about the special history and culture of this great city in southern India? In this travel guide, I tell you more about its interesting history, read all about the best sights and discover the city’s best accommodation. A history-rich visit to Bangalore starts here…
This Travel Guide to Bangalore contains affiliate links. This means that if you make a booking through one of the links on this website, Travel4history gets a small compensation for it. This does not cost you anything extra by the way!
*This article is also available in Dutch – Bangalore Reisgids
Practical Information & Travel Tips
- Best Time to Travel? Bangalore is good to visit all year round. The temperature is between 25 and 35 degrees all year round. The months from May to October see the most rain, but compared to other areas, it is not too bad for this time of year. Therefore, you can visit the city all year round just fine.
- How many days? Compared to other cities in India (Delhi, Mumbai), you can see the main sights in 2 days.
- Accommodation? Wondering where’s the best place to stay in Bangalore. Basically, around Cubbon Park and MG Road, you’re always well and centrally located. I myself stayed in Indiranagar, but that’s a few kilometres east.
- Tours & Tickets? You can think of Cubbon Park as the centre of the city. From here, you can catch the metro north for Bengaluru Palace or south for the Lal Bagh Botanical Garden.
- Transport? KSR Bengaluru City Junction is the city’s main railway station. Kempegowda Bus Station is also located there. From here, you can travel further across India. Kempegowda International Airport is located 35 kilometres north of the city centre.
History – What makes historically interesting to visit?
Bangalore has officially been called Bengaluru since 2006. It is a reference to an 890 AD stone inscription found in the Nageshvara temple. But it was the feudal ruler Kempe Gowda I, who ruled the area as part of Vijayana empire, who officially founded the city with a mud fort (see photo). That fort can still be visited. And Bangalore became and remained the region’s most important city for centuries.
At the end of the 17th century, the city became part of the Kingdom of Mysore. Sultan Hyder Ali (1720-1782) had the Lal Bagh gardens laid out. This is why Bangalore is also known as the City of Gardens. In 1830, it became the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore. Bengaluru Palace is one of the palaces built for the sultan. During the British colonial period (1858-1947), it was a real industrial city. Now it is one of India’s most advanced cities with a significant IT sector. Bangalore is therefore also called the Silicon Valley of India.
Top 5 Places to visit in Bangalore
Bangalore is a big city with a number of interesting sights. Below are the 5 best attractions to see or do.
1. Wander through the Lal Bagh Botanical Garden
The Lal Bagh Botanical Garden is a highlight during your visit to Bangalore. In 1760, the then Sultan Haider Ali of Mysore commissioned the development of a beautiful garden. The garden covers 900 square metres and you can discover more than 1,000 species of plants and trees. Many of these trees are more than 100 years old. The Lal Bagh garden is located south of the city centre.
2. Visit Bangalore Palace
This palace, also better known as Bengaluru Palace dates back to the 19th century. It was commissioned by King Chamaraja Wadiyar of Mysore in 1887 and was inspired by the British Windsor castle. The palace now houses a museum, but it is also used for concerts and other events. Bengaluru Palace lies north of the city centre.
3. Relax in Cubbon Park
The city’s most famous park is called Cubbon Park, officially Sri Chamarajendra Park. It is centrally located and is therefore also known as the heart of Bangalore. British officer Richard Sankey ordered the construction of this 400-square-metre park in 1870. In and around it you will find many impressive buildings, including the 1956 Vidhana Soudha. This park also has an impressive flora and fauna history with more than 6,000 plants and trees.
4. Explore the ISKCON temple
The city’s most impressive temple is the ISKCON temple. It has a short history, having been inaugurated in 1997 by India’s ninth president Shankar Dayal Sharma (1918-1999). So why is it so popular? Because it is among one of the largest Krishna Hindu temples in the world. Thus, you will find 6 different shrines there. The ISKCON Temple is located northwest of the city centre.
5. Explore Bangalore Fort & the Summer Palace of Tipu Sultan
One of the oldest foundations of this city can be found at this famous fort. It was Sultan Kempe Gowda I who had this mud fort built to protect the newly emerged settlement from enemies. In the 18th century, Sultan Hyder Ali had it replaced by a stone version. The British captured the fort in 1791, giving them control of the city. Within walking distance, you can also visit the Summer Palace of Tipu Sultan, Hyder Ali’s son.
Accommodation – Where to stay in Bangalore?
Bangalore is India’s third-largest city. It has a population of over 8 million and is also one of the most progressive cities in the country. A visit to the city is definitely recommended. There are several districts where you can find good hotels and hostels.
Around Cubbon Park, for instance, you’ll find plenty of accommodation and be nice and central in Bangalore. You can also find plenty of hotels near MG Road, Mahatma Gandhi Road. I myself stayed in Indiranagar district, more towards the east of the city. Here, besides good accommodation, you will also find many nice restaurants.
Looking for accommodation in Bangalore? Book your hotel or hostel here.
Transport – How to get there?
By Plane: Bangalore’s international airport is called Bengaluru Kempegowda Airport. Many national as well as international flights depart from here daily. KLM, for instance, has been flying to this city three times a week since October 201. The airport, located 40 kilometres north of the Bangalore has an excellent network of Airport Shuttles that can take you to the city centre.
Train: Bangalore’s main railway station is City Railway Station. From here, many trains leave for the rest of India, including Chennai, Hampi, Goa and Mumbai.
Bus: The city’s main bus station is next to City Railway Station. From Kempegowda bus station, hundreds of buses depart daily to many destinations in India. Generally, you could purchase a bus ticket online, however, the preferred option would be to do so from a local travel agent. You will usually get transport to the bus station from there.
Metro: More and more cities and major towns in India are getting a metro network (Namma Metro). Currently, there are two metro lines (green and purple), but there will be some additions in the coming years. For instance, the purple line will take you from City Railway Station to the east or west of the city.
Plan your trip to Bangalore & India
- Accommodation? Hotel via Booking of Hostel via Hostelworld?
- Activities: Tickets & Tours
- Transport: Bus & Train Tickets
- Flight tickets to Bangalore & India? Skyscanner
Do you have more tips, ideas or comments about this Travel Guide to Bangalore, India? If so, feel free to leave a message below.
