Bengaluru is the capital of Karnataka and India's technology hub, a high-altitude city of gardens, lakes, palaces, and a famously inventive food and craft-beer scene. Colonial-era cantonment avenues, Tipu Sultan's fort, and the Lalbagh Botanical Garden sit alongside glass-walled tech parks and the cafes of Indiranagar and Koramangala.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Bengaluru.
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1
Lalbagh Botanical Garden
A 240-acre botanical garden begun under Hyder Ali around 1760, with more than 1,800 plant species, an ancient Peninsular gneiss outcrop, a lake and the 1889 glasshouse modelled on London's Crystal Palace. Flower shows are held around Republic Day in January and Independence Day in August.
Tip: Arrive at 6:00AM on weekdays for cool air, good light and few crowds. · Expect higher tickets and heavy crowds during the January and August flower shows. · Wear walking shoes; gravel paths and the rock climb can be uneven. · Enter through the West Gate to be close to Lalbagh metro station. · Carry water; refreshment options inside are limited.
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2
Bangalore Palace
A Tudor-revival palace begun in 1873 and later expanded by the Wodeyar rulers of Mysore, set in about 450 acres and modelled loosely on Windsor Castle. Interiors include carved wood panelling, a Durbar Hall and a portrait gallery; the grounds host concerts and events.
Tip: Visit on a weekday morning after 10:00AM for the emptiest rooms. · Check for private-event closures before travelling. · Use the included audio guide to make sense of the interiors. · Budget extra for the camera fee if photographing inside. · Combine with the National Gallery of Modern Art, about 1 km away.
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3
Cubbon Park
A 300-acre urban park laid out in 1870 and named for Commissioner Mark Cubbon, with bamboo groves, colonial statues, the Attara Kacheri (High Court) and the Sheshadri Iyer Memorial Library along its edges. Roads through the park are closed to vehicles on Sundays and second Saturdays.
Tip: Come at 6:00AM for cool weather and the liveliest walking scene. · Visit on a Sunday or second Saturday for vehicle-free roads. · Pair with the Government Museum and the science museum next door. · Carry water; refreshments inside are limited. · Take the metro to Cubbon Park station to avoid parking trouble.
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4
Vidhana Soudha
The seat of the Karnataka legislature, built 1951-56 in a Neo-Dravidian style mixing Dravidian, Indo-Saracenic and Rajasthani elements in granite. It is viewed from outside; the building is lit up on selected evenings.
Tip: Visit at dusk on a festival or holiday evening to see the building lit up. · Interior entry needs prior official permission; do not plan on walking in. · Follow police instructions near the gates when taking photographs. · Combine with Cubbon Park and the Attara Kacheri in one walk. · Use Vidhana Soudha metro station to arrive within a few minutes' walk.
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5
ISKCON Sri Radha Krishnachandra Temple (Hare Krishna Hill)
A large Vaishnava temple complex on Hare Krishna Hill in Rajajinagar, opened in 1997, with a multi-storey gopuram and prasadam counters. It is among the most visited temples in the city and can be crowded at weekends.
Tip: Visit on a weekday morning to avoid queues; Sundays and Janmashtami are packed. · Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered. · Expect restrictions on phones and cameras inside the shrine areas. · Consider the paid fast-track darshan if the standard queue is long. · Check darshan timings, which change on festival days.
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6
Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace
A two-storey Indo-Islamic timber palace begun under Hyder Ali and finished in 1791 in Tipu Sultan's reign, with carved teak pillars, scalloped arches and floral murals. It is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India and houses a small museum on the Mysore rulers.
Tip: Visit in the morning on a weekday for the quietest experience. · Foreign nationals pay INR 200; children under 15 enter free. · Go up to the balconies for the best photo angles. · Pair with the nearby fort remains and Venkataramana Swamy Temple. · Wear comfortable shoes for the narrow stairs.
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7
Dodda Basavana Gudi (Bull Temple)
A Vijayanagara-era temple built around 1537 by Kempe Gowda, housing a monolithic granite Nandi about 4.5 m tall and 6 m long. The Kadlekai Parishe (groundnut fair) is held around it each year in the month of Karthika.
Tip: Go early morning or evening for prayers and softer light. · Cover shoulders and knees and remove footwear at the entrance. · Visit during Kadlekai Parishe for a lively fair, but expect crowds. · Combine with Bugle Rock Park and Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple. · Keep small change for offerings and shoe storage.
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8
Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum
A science and technology museum named for engineer Sir M. Visvesvaraya, with a Dinosaur Park, an outdoor aerospace gallery, working models and a 3D theatre. It sits beside Cubbon Park and is popular with school groups.
Tip: Arrive at opening on weekdays to beat school groups. · Buy the 3D show and other special tickets separately at the counter. · Allow two to three hours, more with children. · Combine with the Government Museum and Cubbon Park nearby. · Carry water for the outdoor Dinosaur Park.
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9
Government Museum, Bengaluru
One of the oldest museums in South India, established in 1865 and housed on Kasturba Road. Galleries cover Mohenjo-daro finds, Hoysala and Vijayanagara sculpture, Mysore and Kannada archaeology and geology.
Tip: Visit on a weekday morning; it is closed on Mondays and public holidays. · Confirm ticket prices at the counter, as foreign rates are higher. · Combine with the Venkatappa Art Gallery next door. · Ask about photography rules before taking pictures in each gallery. · Carry water, as on-site facilities are basic.
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10
Bannerghatta Biological Park
A zoo, safari park and butterfly park about 22 km south of central Bengaluru, established as a national park in 1974. Jeep and bus safaris run through lion, tiger, bear and herbivore enclosures, and a rescue centre houses elephants and bears.
Tip: Start early; traffic on Bannerghatta Road can add an hour each way. · Buy safari tickets in addition to zoo entry, ideally online in advance. · The park is closed on Tuesdays. · Wear sun protection and carry water; shade is limited on walkways. · Avoid weekends and holidays if long safari queues are a concern.
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Landmarks
Vidhana Soudha
The granite seat of Karnataka's legislature, built 1951-56 in a Neo-Dravidian style
Bangalore Palace
A Tudor-revival palace begun in 1873 and expanded by the Wodeyar rulers
Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace
A teak Indo-Islamic palace completed in 1791
Attara Kacheri (Karnataka High Court)
A Greco-Roman style office block beside Cubbon Park from the 1860s
Museums
Government Museum, Bengaluru
South India's oldest museums, established in 1865 with archaeology and sculpture galleries
Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum
A science museum with a dinosaur park and aerospace gallery beside Cubbon Park
National Gallery of Modern Art, Bengaluru
Modern and contemporary Indian art in a restored mansion
HAL Aerospace Museum
Aircraft and Indian aviation history on Old Airport Road
Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium
A dome planetarium with daily sky shows
Nature
Lalbagh Botanical Garden
A 240-acre garden with an 1889 glasshouse and flower shows twice a year
Cubbon Park
A 300-acre green lung with bamboo groves and colonial statues
Ulsoor Lake
A 16th-century lake with boating
Bannerghatta Biological Park
A zoo, safari park and butterfly park south of the city
Sankey Tank
A 19th-century tank used for evening walks and birdwatching
Cultural
Dodda Basavana Gudi (Bull Temple)
A 1537 temple housing a monolithic Nandi
ISKCON Sri Radha Krishnachandra Temple
A large Vaishnava temple complex on Hare Krishna Hill
St. Mary's Basilica
Bengaluru's oldest church, a Gothic-revival basilica in Shivajinagar
Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple
A rock-cut cave temple of about the 9th century
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Most government museums open about 10:00AM-5:00PM and close on Mondays; Lalbagh and Cubbon Park open around 6:00AM; temples close between about 1:00PM and 4:00PM; Vidhana Soudha is viewed from outside. Confirm hours on the day, as public holidays and events change schedules.
- Fees
- Cubbon Park, Vidhana Soudha (exterior), ISKCON, the Bull Temple and most temples and churches are free. Lalbagh costs about INR 30, Bangalore Palace about INR 270-460, Tipu's Summer Palace INR 15-200, NGMA INR 20-500 and Visvesvaraya Museum about INR 80 (approx $0.31-5.21 USD); prices at 1 USD = 96 INR and subject to change.
- Best Times
- November to February is coolest and driest at about 15-28C. March to May is hot, and the monsoon runs June to September with frequent afternoon rain. Weekday mornings avoid the heaviest traffic and crowds.
- Booking
- Most sites sell tickets at the gate. Bannerghatta safaris and Wonderla tickets can be booked online at bannerghattabiologicalpark.org and wonderla.com. Namma Metro (english.bmrc.co.in) reaches Cubbon Park, Vidhana Soudha, Lalbagh and City Market; apps such as Namma Metro, Ola, Uber, Rapido and BMTC's Chalo help with onward trips.
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Use Namma Metro for Cubbon Park, Vidhana Soudha, Lalbagh and City Market; roads are heavily congested from about 8:30AM-11:00AM and 5:00PM-9:00PM
Cubbon Park roads are car-free on Sundays and second Saturdays, which makes walking easier
Visit Lalbagh early morning and time a visit to the January or August flower shows
Government museums are closed on Mondays; check the day before visiting
Carry cash for small entry fees at Tipu's Summer Palace and the Government Museum, although UPI is accepted at many counters
Dress modestly and remove shoes at temples such as the Bull Temple and ISKCON
Pair Bull Temple, Bugle Rock and Gavi Gangadhareshwara in one half-day southern circuit
Allow a full day for Bannerghatta or Wonderla and arrange a cab for the return trip
Frequently asked questions
How many days are needed for Bengaluru's main attractions?
Two days covers the essentials: one for Cubbon Park, Vidhana Soudha, the museums on Kasturba Road and Bangalore Palace, and one for Lalbagh, the Bull Temple and Tipu's Summer Palace. Bannerghatta or Wonderla each need a further day.
What is the best time to visit Bengaluru?
November to February is the most comfortable, with daytime highs around 26-28C and cool evenings. The flower shows at Lalbagh in January and August are notable events.
Can Vidhana Soudha be entered?
The interior is not open for general tourism and requires prior permission. The exterior can be viewed from Cubbon Park and Dr Ambedkar Veedhi, and the building is illuminated on selected evenings.
How do visitors get around between sights?
Namma Metro's Purple and Green lines reach Cubbon Park, Vidhana Soudha, Lalbagh and City Market. Autos, Ola, Uber and Rapido fill the gaps; expect heavy traffic at peak hours.
Are there free attractions in Bengaluru?
Yes. Cubbon Park, the Vidhana Soudha exterior, ISKCON, the Bull Temple, St. Mary's Basilica, Ulsoor Lake and Sankey Tank are all free to enter.