Explore Activities & Best Things To Do in Bengaluru

Bengaluru, also known as Bangalore, goes by many other names. Some call it the Garden City due to the ever-present lush greenery and gorgeous gardens, while others refer to it as the Gateway to Southern India, thanks to its wonderful central location.

It’s one of India’s prime travel destinations with a fun mixture of traditional Southern Indian culture and a splash of modernity. The result is a city unlike any other in the country, and we’re about to show you the best things to do in Bengaluru during your visit.

No trip to Bengaluru is complete without a visit to Lalbagh Botanical Garden. Open every day from 6am to 7pm, this lush garden features 240 dazzling acres of greenery and unique plant species. It’s a photographer’s paradise — and there are flower shows at different points in the year too. The gardens are mesmerising, but one of the standout features is the incredible glasshouse that looks like The Crystal Palace in London!

Cubbon Park — officially named Sri Chamarajendra Park — is a vast green space that encourages you to walk around and relax. It’s the heartbeat of the city, located right in the centre and constantly abuzz with locals. Eat your lunch at one of the many bandstands and go statue-spotting to find all the remarkable sculptures dotted around.

Get up close and personal with the local wildlife at the Bannerghatta National Park. Book your tickets online and go on a fascinating safari ride where you’ll see lions, tigers, bears and all sorts of other animals throughout this sanctuary. There’s a zoo as well, showing you even more animals and a lovely little butterfly park that’s alive with colours.

Bangalore Palace is a royal estate that’s turned into a lively cultural museum. It’s unique in that it features Tudor architecture mixed with some classic Indian design concepts. The palace itself is worth marvelling at from afar, but pop inside to see the museum or book tickets to one of the many events hosted there.

This is one of the biggest cultural landmarks in Bengaluru and a brilliant reminder of the Indo-Islamic heritage in this region. Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace has iconic architecture and cuts an imposing figure in the city. It’s a brilliant place to learn about the Indo-Islamic culture here, and it features stunning artwork and wood carvings inside.

It’s only been open for 20 years, but the Ranga Shankara Theatre is already a must-see place for tourists. If you want to experience traditional Southern Indian theatre and dance productions, this is the place to be. Performances are always on and you get to feel like a local as you take it all in.

Indiranagar is a very modern region of Eastern Bengaluru with a thriving arts scene. It’s home to countless galleries featuring all sorts of artistic pieces from local creators. See contemporary art, check out some Indian cartoons or find artwork from years gone by with a more traditional edge.

This literally translates as “Legislative House” and is the seat of the state legislature of Karnataka. It's one of the grandest buildings you’ll ever lay your eyes on, and you can’t get your head around how someone managed to build it. While you can’t go inside, you can take photos of the neo-Dravidian architecture — which looks especially good at night.

A stunning catholic church that was built in the 1800s and features impeccable Gothic architecture. We’re talking tall spires, intricate window work and gorgeously decorated interiors. You can walk around inside and get to know more about one of the oldest churches in the state of Karnataka.

Missing the Bull Temple is hard as its famed for a massive statue of the sacred bull, Nandi. The statue itself is worth the trip; it’s carved out of black granite and is the largest idol of Nandi in the world. This outstanding work of art sits ahead of a temple that was built way back in 1537. It’s a special place with a deep connection to the locals, so be sure you follow all the rules and are respectful.

Opened in 1924, MTR has spent the last century wowing locals and tourists with authentic South Indian Cuisine. It’s one of the oldest restaurants in Bengaluru and is known for exceptional comfort food. Make sure you try some of its specialities, especially the rava idli; steamed semolina cakes made from yoghurt, coriander, curry leaves, cashew nuts and mustard seeds. The restaurant literally invented this dish back in WW2!

For the vegetarians among you, VV Puram Food Street serves up a unique culinary experience. It’s a 150m street with over 20 food stalls, and they only serve vegetarian dishes. It’s deliciously fresh street food — and all within walking distance of the Lalbagh Botanical Garden.

The Toit Microbrewery claims to be India’s number-one brewery. It’s a genuinely beautiful place to go for something to drink or eat. Beers are brewed on-site, and there’s a restaurant serving up local dishes to complement your drinks. Try loads of cool beers on tap, including the brewery’s best-seller Toit Tint-In-Wit, a Belgian Witbier.

One of Bengaluru’s most iconic shopping streets. It’s always bustling with activity and has a lively atmosphere on the weekends. Expect to see lots of fashion boutiques and trendy local street vendors here to bag everything from the latest designer fashion brands to homemade accessories.

Commercial Street is near St. Mary’s Basilica and gives you a large stretch of road with various shopping activities. It’s the perfect place for bargain hunting, thanks to all the little street markets and stalls dotted around. Get your bartering hat on and be ready to find something unique! You’ll also see plenty of great food stalls on Commercial Street for a quick bite to eat.

The Kumaraswamy Palya Market is the place to be for a more authentic shopping adventure. It’s a traditional Indian market selling traditional Indian items. Pick up some local attire, find cool ornaments or decorations for your home, or buy fresh produce and flowers that were grown locally. We think this is the ideal place to bring home a keepsake, as you’ll get something that’s been made by a local and holds the true character of Bengaluru.

Nothing demonstrates the modern side of Bengaluru quite like the VR Bengaluru Mall. People call it the Black Box on Whitefield Road because of its unique and contemporary design. To be honest, it sticks out like a sore thumb — but at least you can’t miss it. Go here if you want the modern designer brands and shops you’re used to frequenting.

Head back to the modern and lively area of Indiranagar for some pub hopping. Start at the Toit Brewery and make your way around the region’s best pubs. Big Pitcher Indiranagar should be on your list, as should Watson’s. Both offer cool atmospheres and a lovely ambience to have a drink and relax.

Loads of restaurants in Koramangala will have live music throughout the week. Be sure to check out Koramangala Social for the best Bengaluru nightlife experience. By day, this is a coworking space and cafe. By night, it’s alive with music, outdoor seating, food, drinks, and everything else you could wish for!

What better way to round off a day in Bengaluru than with rooftop views across the city landscape? KA.01 Rooftop Bar and Eats provides outdoor seating with stunning visuals that stretch far and wide. Tree Tops Bar & Kitchen is another local favourite, serving local dishes with live music in a fabulous rooftop setting.

Bengaluru is bursting with diverse things to do. From historical and cultural sights to delicious restaurants and rooftop bars, there are many things to pack into your travel itinerary.

Our advice is to find a reasonably central place to stay in Bengaluru as the city centre has the best transport links with easy access to all of the hotspots featured in this guide.

Book your stay at a hotel in Bengaluru and get ready to explore this magical city.