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Listed below are some of the most popular tourist places to visit in Karnataka:
Sringeri
Located in Chikmagalur district is the beautiful temple town of Sringeri. Founded by Shri Adi Shankara, Sringeri is considered a Sharda Peetham, and an important pilgrimage destination.
This is where Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya taught his disciples and spent nearly 12 years. Consequently, the city is also a religious learning center. The Sringeri mutt is the primary center for Vedic learning here.
The town celebrates the festival of Navratri with full galore, making it one of the best time to visit Sringeri.
Built in South Indian styled architecture, there are numerous temples to be visited here. And for nature lovers there are quite a few waterfalls to enjoy as well.
To get to Sringeri you need to take a train to Udupi which is located around 80 kilometers. To get from Udupi to Sringeri you can take a public bus or a private taxi.
Aihole
Also known as Aryapura, Aihole is a small town housing a number of ancient structures. The numerous Jain and Hindu temples dot that the Aihole’s geography are protected monuments and listed as UNESCO World Heritage site.
Seeing the meandering city river cut through the gorgeous sandstone landscape and small rocky hills will delight your senses.
Aihole was once the capital city ruled under the reigns of Chalukya Kingdom. Together with the nearby badami and pattadakal aihole makes a full tourist’s circuit. You can rent an auto rickshaw or take a private cab to cover all 3 cities in a short span of time.
To get here take the train to either bagalkot or badami, from there you can take a public transport. Bagalkot railway station is around 35 kilometres from a hole, while badami is around 45 kilometres.
Badami
Located in central Karnataka, Badami is known for its otherworldly landscape and historic architecture.
The highlights of the town include the cave temples crafted in the sandstone hills. The detailed carving on these will make you appreciate the craftmanship of the people who built these hundreds of years ago.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Badami is a part of the golden triangle, preserving the long cultural heritage of our country.
As the history goes Badami was the capital of //shallaki’s dynasty who left their imprint in the form of stunning temple architecture.
After you visit The Cave temples and the Badami port, make sure to visit the archaeological museum to truly understand history of Badami.
The city is built around a tranquil lake and many of the old structures are found on its periphery.
Pattadakal
Pattadakal, a sleepy old town, is not something an average traveller will know about. But someone who is familiar with the history of the region knows how important this small town of Karnataka is.
The age old temples that are spread here are so beautiful that they are listed in UNESCO World Heritage site. In fact pattadakal is one of the pillars of the famous trio of Aihole-Badami-Pattadakal.
Located on the banks of river Malaprabha, Pattadakal temples are fine examples of chalukyan architecture.
The best time to visit here is in January when a cultural festival is held here. Seeing the classical music and dance show is a delightful way to peek into the traditions of the people.
The carvings on these historical monuments are very detailed telling you a story which goes back thousands of years.
Badami is the nearest railway station only 15 kilometres away, while Aihole, another famous temple town, is located at a distance of 10 kilometres. You can hire a auto rickshaw for a day to visit all the three cities.
Halebidu
Situated in Hassan district, Halebidu was previously known as Dwarasamudra. The city is known for Hindu and Jain sites that date thousands of years back. The temples here are the stunning example of hoysala architecture, with the level of detailing is rarely seen elsewhere in Karnataka.
As the history goes, the city, dating back to 12th century, was a flourishing capital of Hoysala Kingdom.
The other temple complexes of hoysala in Karnataka lies in ruins, they’re still fantastically well preserved here. As you walk through these old majestic temples you can’t help but wonder the amount of effort that was poured in to create these stunning masterpieces.
To reach here, you first need to get to Hasan which is situated around 30 kilometres. Hassan railway station is well connected with nearby major towns such as Bangalore. Hasan also has regular connectivity via long distance public and private bus.
Shivamogga and the Jog Falls
If you are looking for a place with a mix of historical sites and picturesque landscape, this beautiful city of Karnataka has got you covered.
Literally translates as the face of Lord Shiva, the origins of Shivamogga go back thousands of years.
The town has a unique geography with four rivers passing through it. The lush green hills that are found here attracts a lot of hikers, trekking to nearby mountain top is one of their favorite.
But the area is best known for being the home of Jog falls, one of the tallest plunge waterfall in India. The best time to visit Jog falls is of course the monsoon when the waterfall is at its maximum.
The town is well connected by rail network and you can reach here from Bangalore or Pune.
To get here by flight, Bangalore airport is the nearest international airport at a distance of around 200 kilometres.
Maravanthe
Located close to the historical town of Udupi is a small village known as Maravanthe.
The town is known for its unique geographical feature, with beach in the center and river and the ocean on the either side of it. As NH 66 runs parallel to the beach you can enjoy a scenic drive!
The white sandy beach that Maravanthe has stretches for miles any perfect getaway for those looking to get away from the crowded coastline of Udupi and Mangalore.
The city is also popular for snorkelling and scuba diving, thanks to its crystal clear water.
To get to Maravanthen, you can take a cab or a public bus from Ooty which is around 55 kilometres from here.
Shravanabelagola
The city of Shravanabelagola is an important site for Jain pilgrimage. The believers in the faith come here to visit the cities for famous Jain Temples.
But the cit’s main attraction for the tourists is the tall statue of Lord Gomateshwara. Popularly known as bahubali statue, this monolithic sculpture rises to a height of 57 meters.
Various historic sites and monuments are scattered around the Hills of chandragiri and vidyagiri. And just like the Kumbh Mela every 12 years a religious festival is also held here.
Mysore
The city of Mysore evokes royal feeling that is seldom found elsewhere in South India.
Mysore is popularly known as the city of palaces thanks to the innumerable royal residences scattered throughout its bound.
Mysore is a shoppers delight too, saris and sandalwood make for the perfect gift items for your loved ones. But do make sure the authenticity of what you buy, and buy only from certified government shops.
The mysore palace is a major tourist draw. this UNESCO World Heritage site is number one in everyone mysore itinerary. Tour the palace in the morning once, and then come back in the evening to see it lit up brilliantly.
Mysore along with Rishikesh is the popular yoga destination in India. Many practitioners around the world come to learn the age-old practice, at the Ashtanga school of yoga.
Bidar
The city flourished under the rule of chalukyas who built several architectural marvels that you can still see today. As the city came under Islamic rule there are also imprints of Islamic architecture in bidar.
The city is also an important place for Sikh pilgrims who visit the guru nanak sahib gurdwara.
The Bidar fort, a grandiose structure, is the most popular attraction of the city. Spread over acres of land, the fort consists of a number of smaller palaces and religious monuments.
The city has a railway station with direct connectivity 2 major cities such as Bangalore and Mumbai. The 700 kilometres distance from Bangalore to bidar is usually covered in 11 hours.
With a distance of 450 kilometres Bidar can also be reached from Pune. And if you are travelling from Mumbai to bidar, it will take around 9 hours to cover the 600 kilometres. From Hyderabad Bidar is only 120 kilometres away.
Kotagiri
Nestled in the beautiful rolling hills of nilgiris is the tiny hill station of Kotagiri. Located at a height of 6000 feet, Kotagiri is known for its sprawling tea plantation.
The name kotagiri is borrowed from the name of the tribe, kota that inhabit these mountains.
The lush green hills and the forest that encompasses it offers numerous hiking trails to the travellers. Go on a trek to Catherine falls with the beautiful scenic views of the valley in the background; Rock climbing is another popular activity here.
And for those of you who are looking forward to a few days of relaxation, stay in a home stay amidst the pristine nature.
Coimbatore at a distance of 70 kilometres is the nearest airport and railway station. Kotagiri is located around 25 kilometres from coonoor and ooty so you can combine the trip to two.
Horanadu
Located in the western guards in Karnataka is a small hill station of Horanadu. The town comes under Chickmagaluru district and is known for Annapoorneshwari temple.
As the town is located at a height of more than 2700 feet it remains cool throughout the year. Apart from the coffee plantation here you can also find cashew and spice plantations.
Founded in 8th century, the temple of Annapoorneshwari was a tab list by maharshi agastya himself. As it is a Devi temple the festival of navratri is celebrated with full galore.
Ramnagaram
Located at only 50 kilometres, Ramnagaram is a popular weekend destination from Bangalore. The biggest claim to fame of Ramnagaram is that many shots of the movie Sholay were filmed here. The hills here are mostly covered with giant boulders and granite stones which adds a mysterious look and feel to the place. Consequently, the place is popular for rock climbing and hiking.
The city is also known for its production of Silk and contributes a part of it to Mysore silk handicraft. The unique ram devarpita vulture sanctuary gives its visitor a glimpse of the rare bird.
Madikeri
A beautiful hill station Located in the Nilgiri hills. The hills are covered with lush green forest and coffee plantations.
There are many viewpoints here such as Raja’s seat, offering you breathtaking views of the valley. The town is also known for being a home away from home for Tibetan people, Namdrolling Monastery is a fine example of Tibetan architecture.
The nature lovers will love a trip to the Abbey falls which is best visited in the monsoon season. Though you cannot get into the water but you can still get close enough and enjoy the sprinkles of water and the thundering sound.
Madikeri is located at a distance of around 250 kilometres from Bangalore. There are KRCTC bus as well as private bus that ply between the 2 cities and cover the distance in around 6 hours.
Bijapur
Established in the 10th century, Bijapur came to existence as Vijaypura. The city today is known for housing a number of important Islamic sites. The Ibrahim Raja and Gol gumbaz are the two most popular historical sites in bijapur.
The city was founded by Chalukyas who left their mark on the city by building palaces and temples. From 17th to 18th century, the city saw many rulers come and go, marathas were the last rulers from whom the British India company took over in early 19th century.
The city is well known for its spicy food and its fusion with maharashtrian food. In 2014 city was again renamed to Vijaypura.
Bijepur has a train station with direct connectivity to major cities such as Pune, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Goa
If you have time you can combine the trip with Pattadakal which is only 90 kilometres away.
Shivaganga
Shivaganga is a beautiful natural sight with a tall hill and a village around it. Located around 55 kilometres from Bangalore the place is known for its beautiful landscape.
As the hill resembles a Shivlinga, and as a stream of water call Ganga flows by it, the place came to be known as Shivaganga. There are a number of temples dot these hills, such as Gangadhar Eshwara temple.
The place is an adventure sports destination where people come for trekking and camping. The more adventurous ones can indulge in rock climbing too!
Before starting the climb, pay your respect at the Shiva statue located near the base of the hill. And as you go up you will encounter many more religious structures.
At the peak you would find a stone cut statue of Nandi built out of a monolithic stone, not to mention the excellent views to be had from the top.
Udupi
The coastal Karnataka town of Udupi is famous all over South India for its vegetarian cuisine. In fact, in Bangalore you can find a number of eateries named Udipi restaurant.
Besides food, the town of Udipi strikes a perfect balance with its virgin forests and quiet beaches.
Udupi is an important holy town for Hindus, with Krishna temple being the most important one in the city.
Udupi is also an easy day trip from Mangalore as it is Located only 65 kilometers.
The city boasts of many fantastic beaches but the Malpe beach Is the most popular of them all, all thanks to the cleanliness and the facilities it provides.
Take a boat ride to the nearby Saint Mary’s island to see the black rocks and the coastline of Udupi.
Thirthahalli
Located on the banks of river Tunga is the small charming town of Thirthahalli. As it is located near Shimoga (65 km), you can combine the trip to the two.
Nestled in the western ghats and set amidst lush green Forrest, it is a perfect place for those seeking time out for themselves. All this natural beauty has also inspired many Kannada writers who hail from the local region.
The town is a famous pilgrimage known as ram thirtha. The place also has a connection in Indian mythology with a connection to Shri Parshuram. It was the river Tunga where he dipped his sword, after killing his mother, to clean off the blood stains. This resulted in the belief that one can wash away their sins in the river Tunga.
Shimoga is the nearest railway station with good connectivity from Bangalore.
Murudeshwar
The claim to fame of this little Karnataka town is the giant statue of Lord Shiva. At 123 feet the statue is the tallest in India. Seeing Lord Shiva in a seated position against the background of Arabian Sea is quite a sight for the travelers.
Besides the Shiva statue is the beautiful temple which should not be missed. The city also offers water sports of scuba diving and snorkeling to those seeking adventure. I recomment that you take a boat to the netrani island and book your session with one of the local companies.
Netrani
Netrani is a tiny island located off the coast of Murudeshwar in Karnataka. The island is a hub of water sports and adventure activities. The best thing to do at Netrani island is to explore the underwater world, you can either do scuba diving or participate in snorkeling
The ocean here is rich with diverse aquatic animals and plants. Dive into the crystal clear water and enjoy the colorful marine life found here. On an underwater trip, you will see marine attractions such as stonefish, Napoleon wrasse, and Barracuda, there are turtles young and old too.
Divers from all skill levels can dive here. If you’ve never dived you will be first taught how to.
Mangalore is the nearest airport with a distance of 150 kilometers. The nearest railway station to netrani is The Murudeshwar railway station.
From Murudeshwar beach Netrani is around 20 kilometers away. It takes around 90 minutes to get to netrani by boat from the Murudeshwar coast, and you might feel sea sickness on the way, so be prepared. To get here in your car you have to drive on NH 17.
Yana
Yana is a quaint village located in far-off north Karnataka. Nestled in the beautiful hills, Yana is a Lesser known hesitation of South India.
Yana is an ideal destination for tourists who are seeking peace in the lap of nature. The greenery, beautiful hill landscape of the Western Ghats, and rich biodiversity are enough to rejuvenate your soul.
The main attraction of Yana are the tall limestone monoliths dating back millions of years. Scaling these peaks is a difficult task end requires one to take a steep trek! The two monoliths represent Lord Shiva and the goddess Parvati.
You will not likely find accommodation in Yana so the nearest town of kumta (25 km) and Sirsi are your best options. Kumta is the nearest railway station at a distance of around 20 kilometers.
Dandeli
Located on the banks of Kali river, Dandeli is a beautiful small town in North Karnataka. Dandeli is a popular destination for river rafting, but visitors should avoid it in the rainy season when the river swells beyond the danger mark.
The lovers of adventure sports would enjoy a trip to dandeli for there are many opportunities to get involved in Kayaking, hiking and cycling. the town also houses Dandeli Wildlife Century where animals such as Black Panthers roam in the wilderness
Dandeli is an ideal getaway for those looking to get away from the hum-drums of the city life.
Kabini
Kabini is a popular destination among those who seek refuge from the busy city life. Located on the banks of river Kabini, it is a beautiful forested destination dotted with luxury resorts.
From Bangalore Kabini is only located at a distance of 250 kilometers, which can be easily covered in a private vehicle.
Many rare species of animal and bird life are found in the kabini forest reserve that the place houses.
From the forest department you can go on a Jeep safari to spot the animals like Asiatic elephants, leopard and tiger domain in their natural habitat. River safari is also quite popular to spot the crocodiles in the river that flows through Kabini.
Srirangapatna
A unique travel destination Srirangapatna is a river Island located in the Kaveri river.
Srirangapatna is famous for its ancient architecture In which temples and other religious monuments are built. People who are aware of South Indian architecture will immediately notice the beautiful Vijayanagara design on these.
The Ranganathaswamy temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is the town’s most famous attraction. The temple is also an important pilgrimage.
Visit Ranganathittu bird sanctuary, a protected forest land, to spot some rare bird species.
Srirangapatna is located around 20 kilometers from Mysuru and can be easily reached by public bus or private taxis.
Savandurga
Savandurga is An area comprising rock formations, known for being the largest monolith in Asia.
There are 2 hills to be found here the black hill and the white hill.
Savandurga is one of the favorite spots for people looking to do light tracking. The Billy Judah, white hill, is the easier one of the 2 to climb thanks to the gentler slopes.
The place is a popular weekend getaway from Bangalore as it is located at only 60 kilometers.
As you begin your client you will come across a charming temple near the Foothill. There is also a river nearby and a dam nearby.
The place is also famous for birdwatching the rare yellow-throated bulbul being the most sought-after. Once you reach the top you will have fabulous views of the area it is also possible to camp at the top for the night and enjoy the starry sky.
Devbagh
Devbagh is a small island located just off the coast off Karwar.
Devbagh is an ideal destination for couples looking to spend private quality time. There is a holiday resort on Devbagh, allowing the visitors to enjoy its beautiful beach in a more relaxed way.
Go out in the nature, soak some Sun at the beach, and admire the views from atop its lighthouse.
And for more adventurous one you can do watersports, such as snorkelling and scuba diving and see the colorful marine life.
Karwar is the nearest town to Devbagh, and is well connected with rail and road.
Karwar
Karwar is a gem of Arabian Sea and a multicultural hotspot of Karnataka. As it is close to the border with both Karnataka and Maharashtra the people here speak 3 languages – Kannada, kankani and Marathi.
Often overlooked because people flock to the nearby Goa instead, Karwar is a surprisingly beautiful offbeat destination which has lot to offer.
There are also a number of small islands located off the coast of Karwar, which makes for a perfect getaway holiday.
Karwar boasts of accident connectivity by both rail as well as bus. The town lies on the road somewhere between Gokarna and Goa. From Bangalore it takes around 9 hours to reach karwar.