Fast-paced Bengaluru, also still known as Bangalore, blends traditional life with a contemporary identity. In this bustling capital of Indian’s Karnataka state, you’ll find history museums and modern art galleries and centuries-old temples vying for space with new office blocks and traditional bazaars.
This is India’s third-biggest city, where locals speak English as well as their official language Kannada. It’s well-served by the country’s extensive bus and train network and the international airport is 25 miles (40 kilometres) from the city centre.
Get around by using low-cost taxis, auto-rickshaws and the metro. The city boasts one of India’s most appealing climates, which makes exploring on foot an option. April is the hottest month June to October is the monsoon season.
Bengaluru’s architecture showcases the city’s heritage. Marvel at the Tudor-style Bengaluru Palace, built in 1887. Visit the opulent ISKCON Temple and watch movies about the Hare Krishna movement. Admire the Dravidian-style Bull Temple, built in the 16th-century and often the setting for wedding processions. Spot the giant elephant statue at the Dodda Ganesha Temple.
See ancient coins and archaeological relics at the Government Museum. Some of the museum’s artifacts date back 5,000 years.
Find work by national artists, including Raja Ravi Varma, at the National Gallery of Modern Art. Learn about India’s aeronautical history at the Hal Aerospace Museum. Enjoy interactive exhibits at the Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum.
The Garden City got its nickname from its many green spaces, most notably central Cubbon Park. Find one of India’s biggest collections of tropical plants at Lalbagh Botanical Gardens. Join a safari at Bannerghatta National Park and spot a deer, bear or bison.
Rise early and visit City Market to let the flower, spice and fruit stands awaken your senses. Experience the organised chaos of Gandhi Bazaar, with spices, jewellery, fabrics and electronics everywhere. Finish your day in the Shanthala Nagar area, where traditional teahouses and restaurants have the same appeal as Westernized bars and cafés.